In recent months, we've received a bit of criticism, via email, online comments and other avenues, over our occasional coverage of plant-based dairy alternatives. The comments basically boil down to one complaint: that we're somehow harming the dairy processing industry with such coverage.
On the nondairy beverage front, the ready-to-drink (RTD) coffee and tea category has been throwing some well-placed hooks and jabs. Sales in the total category, including refrigerated and shelf-stable offerings, rose 11.5% during the 52 weeks ending Aug. 12, 2018, to $1.8 billion, according to data from Chicago-based market research firm IRI.
In mid-September, I received a press release that caught my eye, but definitely not in a positive way. The release announced the official launch of the Switch4Good anti-dairy coalition.