Cheese Trends: The UPF Debate
Consumer scrutiny of ingredients is changing how shoppers view both dairy and plant-based cheese
In The Grocer’s latest feature on cheese trends, innovation, health priorities and changing consumer attitudes are reshaping one of grocery’s most dynamic categories.
Ellen Jenkins, Project Delivery Director at HRA Global, shared insight on how the growing debate around ultra-processed foods is influencing perceptions of plant-based cheese. As shoppers pay closer attention to ingredients, brands are facing new questions around processing, transparency and product quality.
At the same time, the category continues to evolve. While some consumers are reassessing highly processed alternatives, others are embracing premium and artisan products that offer a different experience and occasion.
The feature highlights a broader shift in consumer behaviour. Increasingly, shoppers are looking beyond simple dietary labels and taking a closer look at how products are made and what ingredients they contain.
For brands, the challenge is clear – deliver products that balance taste, quality and transparency while meeting changing consumer expectations.
You can also explore more consumer and category insight on our Category Expertise page.
