The Rise of Non-Dairy Options in the Fast-Food Industry
In recent years, the food industry has witnessed a significant shift towards more inclusive menu options. Major restaurant chains, including prominent pizza brands, are expanding their offerings to cater to a growing population of individuals following plant-based, vegan, or dairy-free diets. This shift is a response to increasing consumer awareness regarding health, sustainability, and animal welfare. For pizza lovers with dietary restrictions, this means more choices than ever before, moving beyond just vegetable toppings to include quality cheese alternatives.
Pizza Pizza, a leader in the Canadian quick-service restaurant segment, was among the first major chains to embrace this change. By introducing a vegan cheese option, the company demonstrated a commitment to meeting diverse dietary preferences and staying ahead of market trends. This move not only opened up the menu to vegans but also made pizza night accessible for people with lactose intolerance or milk allergies.
What Non-Dairy Cheese Does Pizza Pizza Use?
The Violife Partnership
According to PETA and confirmed in Pizza Pizza's own announcements, the brand of non-dairy cheese that Pizza Pizza uses is Violife. Violife is a well-regarded producer of plant-based products, and its dairy-free cheese is a popular choice for both home cooks and professional kitchens looking for a reliable vegan alternative that melts and tastes great. When Pizza Pizza added this option, it was a major victory for the vegan community, providing a consistent and high-quality cheese alternative chain-wide.
Violife's Ingredients and Composition
Violife's Just Like Mozzarella Shreds, the type typically used for pizza, is formulated to mimic the texture and melt of traditional dairy mozzarella. The base of this non-dairy cheese is coconut oil, combined with starches and natural flavors to achieve its desired characteristics.
- Coconut Oil (24%): Provides the creamy texture and fat content that contributes to meltability.
- Modified Tapioca & Potato Starch: Used as thickening agents that give the cheese its stretchy quality when heated.
- Fortified with Vitamin B12: Violife products, including their mozzarella shreds, are fortified with Vitamin B12, an essential nutrient often found in animal products.
- Free From Allergens: Violife is 100% free from dairy, preservatives, lactose, soy, gluten, and nuts, making it a safe choice for many allergy sufferers.
Nutritional Profile of Violife Cheese
While a non-dairy cheese alternative should not be considered a health food, it can be a more suitable option within a balanced nutrition diet for some individuals. A typical serving of Violife Just Like Mozzarella Shreds contains:
- Calories: 100 per 1/4 cup (28g)
- Fat: 7g (6g saturated)
- Sodium: 250mg
- Protein: 0g
- Calcium: 130mg (10% Daily Value)
- Vitamin B12: 0.7mcg (30% Daily Value)
How Violife Compares to Other Non-Dairy Cheeses
The vegan cheese market has expanded rapidly, with many brands offering different characteristics in terms of flavor, texture, and melt. Violife stands out for its performance on pizza, but it is useful to compare it with another well-known competitor, Daiya.
Comparison of Non-Dairy Pizza Cheeses
| Feature | Violife Just Like Mozzarella Shreds | Daiya Mozzarella Style Shreds |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Base | Coconut Oil | Daiya Oat Cream™ blend (Oat Flour) & Tapioca Starch |
| Allergens | Free from dairy, soy, gluten, and nuts | Free from dairy, gluten, soy, eggs, and peanuts |
| Melt Quality | Melts well with a gooey texture | Also melts well, often praised for its meltability |
| Texture | Replicates a soft, gooey mozzarella feel | Can have a slightly gooier, stringier texture with some variability |
| Flavor | Mild, mozzarella-like flavor | Slightly more pronounced "vegan cheese" flavor (improved in newer oat-based recipe) |
| Fortification | Fortified with Vitamin B12 | Includes Vitamin & Mineral blend |
Integrating Plant-Based Pizza into a Nutrition Diet
Choosing a non-dairy cheese is just one step in building a nutritionally sound, plant-based meal. Here's how to ensure your dairy-free pizza choice fits into a healthy eating plan:
Maximize Toppings
Just because the cheese is plant-based doesn't mean the pizza is automatically a 'healthy' meal. To enhance its nutritional profile, load up on vegetables. Adding toppings like mushrooms, bell peppers, onions, spinach, and olives provides essential vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Pizza Pizza offers a wide range of vegetable toppings to create a nutrient-dense and satisfying meal.
Be Mindful of Ingredients
While Violife cheese is a great option for avoiding dairy, it is still a processed food. Reading the ingredient list and being aware of the base ingredients is important. For instance, Violife's coconut oil base means it is still high in saturated fats, so moderation is key, especially for those managing heart health. Some non-dairy cheeses use different bases, such as cashews or soy, which have different nutritional impacts.
Choose the Right Crust and Sauce
To build a truly nutritious meal, don't overlook the other components. Opting for a cauliflower or whole wheat crust can increase fiber and reduce refined carbohydrates. Similarly, sticking to a classic tomato sauce, and adding fresh or dried herbs instead of relying on fatty, creamy sauces, can keep the overall dish lighter and more nutrient-rich.
Conclusion: The Evolution of Pizza Choices
For anyone with dietary restrictions or those simply choosing a plant-based lifestyle, the question, 'what non-dairy cheese does Pizza Pizza use?' is a valid one that highlights the need for transparency in food service. The answer, Violife, demonstrates Pizza Pizza's commitment to catering to its diverse customer base with a quality, reliable vegan option. While non-dairy alternatives have come a long way in replicating the taste and texture of real cheese, it remains a processed item. By coupling it with fresh vegetables and mindful choices for crust and sauce, you can create a delicious and satisfying pizza that aligns with a healthy nutrition diet.
