Understanding the Better Goods Brand and Its Plant-Based Cheese
Walmart's bettergoods is a private-label brand, launched in 2024, that aims to offer chef-inspired, trend-forward, and high-quality food products at affordable prices. The line includes a wide variety of items, with a strong emphasis on plant-based and "free-from" foods, including their popular shredded plant-based cheese alternatives. These products are designed to appeal to a younger, more health-conscious consumer base, as well as individuals with dietary restrictions.
The Critical Formulation Change
In early 2025, Better Goods plant-based cheese underwent a significant and poorly communicated recipe change. The initial, allergen-friendly formula relied on a coconut oil base, but the new version is now cashew-based. This update has caused major concern among consumers with tree nut allergies, many of whom were loyal buyers of the original, cashew-free product. Shoppers report that the updated packaging did not sufficiently highlight the ingredient change, presenting a serious allergen risk.
The New Cashew-Based Ingredient List
The new and current formula for Better Goods plant-based shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheese alternative features cashews as a key ingredient. Key ingredients include cashew beverage, coconut oil, starches (tapioca, potato, modified food starch), natural flavors, potato protein, beta-carotene, cultures, sea salt, and vitamin B12.
The Original Coconut-Oil-Based Ingredient List
Prior to the change, the cheese was designed to be nut-free and catered to a wider range of food sensitivities. The older formula's key ingredients included water and coconut oil for the base, potato starch and modified food starch for texture, potato protein, flavoring agents like yeast extract and lactic acid, xanthan gum, annatto extract for color, and powdered cellulose to prevent caking.
A Tale of Two Formulations: Old vs. New
Here is a comparison of the old and new formulations for Better Goods plant-based cheese, highlighting the most notable changes.
| Feature | Old (Coconut Oil Base) | New (Cashew Base) |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Base | Coconut oil and water. | Cashew beverage (water and cashews). |
| Allergen Alert | Contained coconut but was nut-free. | Contains tree nuts (cashews). |
| Protein Source | Potato protein, yeast extract. | Potato protein, cashews. |
| Starches | Potato starch, modified food starch. | Tapioca starch, potato starch, corn starch, modified food starch. |
| Melting Performance | Described by some users as melting perfectly. | Reviewers note it melts differently and can be thicker. |
| Taste Profile | Neutral flavor, depended on yeast extract. | Distinctly nutty, creamy flavor from cashews. |
Ingredient Innovations and Challenges
The shift in ingredients reflects experimentation in the plant-based food industry. The cashew-based formula may offer a richer, creamier profile but excludes those with tree nut allergies. The original blend served a critical niche for those with specific dietary needs. The incident highlights the importance of checking labels due to potential changes.
Conclusion
Better Goods plant based cheese has changed its core recipe from a coconut-oil and starch base to one made from cashews. This change makes the product unsafe for consumers with tree nut allergies. The current ingredients include water, cashews, coconut oil, and a mix of starches and flavorings. While the updated formula may improve texture for some, the insufficient allergen warning on packaging has raised safety concerns. Always check the latest ingredient list on the physical package before consuming.
