Food News of the Week: Zombie Takis, Election Day Bagels, and Domino’s Dairy-Free Mozzarella

Spooky season is here and our favorite accidentally vegan snack, Takis, is getting in on the fun with the return of a green Zombie variety in time for Halloween. 

This week’s debate resulted in a clear winner: dairy-free cream cheese, at least according to Violife Foods which is giving away free bagels and schmear on Election Day in two cities. 

And there’s a new dairy-free mozzarella cheese at Domino’s down under. 

Read on for more. 

Food news

Is it still too hot for a proper cozy latte? This week, you can make your own dairy-free cold foam to top your favorite cold coffee drinks for something a little more indulgent while you wait for fall to kick in. Sown, known for its plant-based oat creamers, just launched Oat Cold Foaming Cream at Whole Foods Market.

Sown

RELATED: The Best Dairy-Free Cheese, From Shreds to Slices and Crumbles

This new product is designed for easy home use, allowing consumers to create cold foam for iced coffee and cold brew. The vanilla-flavored oat cream adds a sweet note and a smooth, creamy texture to drinks. The process is simple: pour, froth for 30 seconds, and top your drink for a cold foam effect.

Deux

If you’ve had your fill of PSLs, maybe it’s time to turn your attention to the edible version of the classic fall flavor profile. Deux is introducing two new fall-inspired flavors to its doughnut holes lineup: Maple Glaze and Pumpkin Spice. The Maple Glaze flavor channels the comforting warmth of a pancake breakfast, while Pumpkin Spice delivers the familiar spices of autumn in a soft, poppable doughnut hole.

These doughnut holes are vegan, gluten-free, baked—not fried—and contain 41-percent less sugar than traditional doughnut holes, all while maintaining the nostalgic taste of their sugary counterparts.

Armored Fresh

In savory food news, Armored Fresh, a South Korean food-tech company, is preparing to launch a new dairy-free Parmesan this fall in the US. Known for its almond and oat-based cheeses, the company has taken a significant step forward by filing a patent for a unique process that grates plant-based cheese more like traditional hard-aged varieties.

Most plant-based grated cheeses use a spray-drying technique, but Armored Fresh employs a different method, grating solid blocks of cheese to achieve a more authentic texture and taste. 

“With this patented process, Armored Fresh will continue to prove that zero-dairy cheese is not just an alternative, but a truly enjoyable option that everyone can easily enjoy,” Rudy Yoo, the company’s founder and CEO, said in a statement.

The upcoming launch of Armored Fresh’s vegan Parmesan marks its first foray into grated cheeses and is a continuation of its goal to replicate the flavor and texture of dairy products. The company is also exploring fermentation techniques using lactic acid bacteria to fine-tune the aging profiles and sensory experience of its plant-based cheeses.

Armored Fresh has already introduced various zero-dairy cheese options, including cubes, slices, and spreads, which are available at select retailers such as Kroger and Fresh Thyme Market. 

“This technological development is a significant milestone in our mission to create delicious, sustainable, zero-dairy cheese options for consumers of all dietary preferences,” Yoo said.

Takis

We’ve been ready for Halloween since the beginning of summer and, it turns out, so has our favorite spicy snack brand Takis, which is bringing back a fan-favorite, limited-edition flavor. The green-hued Zombie Takis are making their seasonal return, just in time for the spooky season. 

Known for their unique blend of cucumber and habanero flavors, Zombie Takis offer an intense, tangy heat. While these tortilla chips typically appear around August and stick around through Halloween, they disappear shortly after, making them a highly anticipated snack for fans each year.

Get your goulish hands on them at CVS, Walmart, and Costco, and in bulk on Amazon before they ghost you. 

Grocery news

If you’re anything like us, you’ve been eagerly scanning store shelves for new fall products this month. At Whole Foods Market, one standout offering coming to shelves is Abe’s Vegan Muffins’ latest creation: Apple Cider Donut Mini Muffins. A limited-edition release, these muffins bring a plant-based, allergy-friendly twist to a beloved autumn classic.

Abe’s

Starting in October, customers will be able to find these treats in select stores, with nationwide distribution at Whole Foods beginning in November.

Abe’s Apple Cider Donut Mini Muffins are crafted to recreate the flavors of traditional cider doughnuts, with a moist cake base made from real apple cider and a crunchy cinnamon sugar topping that evokes the comforting taste of fall. 

“We wanted more people to be able to enjoy cider doughnuts,” Alessandra Altieri-Lopez, the executive pastry chef at Abe’s Vegan Muffins, said in a statement. 

“We worked tirelessly on a recipe that would replicate biting into a seasonal doughnut—without any egg or dairy,” Altieri-Lopez said.

Dairy-free company Malk also has a new pumpkin spice almond milk on store shelves this season. Available at Whole Foods, Sprouts, Erewhon, Gelsons, HEB, Fresh Market, and other local retailers, the new seasonal product offers a pumpkin-forward flavor blended with cozy fall spices. 

Malk

Malk’s Almond Pumpkin Spice is made with simple ingredients and is free from gums, oils, and fillers, making it a clean, plant-based option for those looking to indulge in fall flavors without additives.

This almond milk is 100-percent organic and adds a creamy and subtly sweet note to coffee, smoothies, or can even be enjoyed on its own or as a variation on plain milk in cereal. The limited-edition product will be available throughout the fall season while supplies last, priced at $6.99 for a 28-ounce bottle. 

Klimon

Convenience chain 7-Eleven is keeping the summer going a little longer with the launch of dairy-free ice cream sandwiches and pints from Klimon (“no milk” spelled backward) at 400 locations in Southern California. Known for its plant-based frozen desserts, Klimon is offering Dairy Free Ultra Creamy Ice Cream Sandwiches in two flavors: Goldie Luxe, a classic vanilla, and Churro Chata, a horchata-inspired treat with a cinnamon twist.

Klimon is also introducing four flavors of dairy-free ice cream pints: Cherry Bomb, with real Bordeaux cherry chunks and a cherry swirl; Choco PB Cup, a peanut butter base with mini chocolate chips and a fudge swirl; Banana Ooh Na-Na, featuring banana and Bordeaux cherries with a fudge swirl and Minions branding; and Ooey Gooey, a salted chocolate option with walnuts, marshmallows, caramel, and Minions branding.

“The Klimon motto is ‘No Dairy. No Difference,’” Klimon founder and CEO Alex Cotraviwat said in a statement. “We are meeting a need for people who want plant-based options, but our product is so creamy and delicious any ice cream lover on the go will be satisfied with the treats available at 7-Eleven.”

This partnership with 7-Eleven marks Klimon’s first foray into the convenience store market, making plant-based frozen treats more accessible as 7-Eleven continues to serve a wide audience across the US with its 13,000 locations nationwide. 

Restaurant news

This week, after two years in operation, Kevin Hart’s vegan fast-food chain, Hart House, abruptly closed all four of its Southern California locations, with no specific reasons provided. 

“A Hartfelt goodbye for now as we start a new chapter,” Hart House posted on Instagram, leaving fans wondering about the future of the once-promising chain.

Hart House

With celebrity backing, Hart House had built a reputation for offering a diverse, affordable plant-based menu featuring burgers, chicken sandwiches, and milkshakes. Notably, the brand developed its own proprietary plant-based proteins rather than partnering with outside brands. 

“I think one of the things that’s important when you’re thinking about building the next generation of quick service restaurants is acknowledging that it’s going to be plant-forward,” CEO Andy Hooper told Los Angeles Magazine in 2022. “That’s where things are going, both out of taste preference, but also out of necessity.” 

Hart House

Earlier this year, the chain had reported significant growth, with a 350-percent increase in sales in 2023 due to new locations, and positive same-store sales in 2024. Prior to its sudden closure, Hart House had plans to expand beyond California into markets such as Atlanta and Washington, DC.

“The response to the product has been incredible, and we thank our committed team, our customers, and our community partners for helping make the change we all craved,” Hooper told Eater, which first reported the closure. 

This week was also a notable one in politics. Regardless of who you think dominated the Presidential debate, Violife Foods claims its dairy-free cream cheese was the real winner. The company based this assessment on Nielsen data, which shows Violife holding a 25.4-percent unit share in the alternative cream cheese category over the past 26 weeks. 

Violife

In response, Violife has launched its election-themed “America Has Voted” campaign, focusing on bringing its fans a unique experience with a series of bagel giveaways.

As part of the celebration, Violife is hosting special bagel shop takeovers in Austin, TX and Miami, FL, where customers can sample limited-edition flavors of Violife’s cream cheese. The highlight of the campaign happens on Election Day (November 5), when the first 100 customers at El Bagel in Miami and Rosen’s Bagel Co. in Austin will receive a free bagel topped with Violife’s Just Like Cream Cheese. 

“Violife’s ‘America Has Voted’ campaign invites Americans to experience a tasty alternative to dairy cream cheese that challenges preconceptions about dairy-free options,” Olga Osminkina-Jones, Violife’s Global President and Chief Growth Officer, said in a statement. 

“We hope to bring a little joy and surprise to breakfast tables across the nation, one tasty bagel and schmear at a time,” Osminkina-Jones said. “It’s official, Violife is the winning candidate that can be bought.”

In addition to the bagel shop takeovers, Violife will host grocery store pop-ups where shoppers can enjoy free toasted bagels with Violife’s cream cheese before heading into select stores.

Domino’s

And if you’re looking to escape the States one more time before summer officially ends, may we suggest a trip Down Under, where pizza chain Domino’s has just introduced a new dairy-free mozzarella? The chain, which previously used Follow Your Heart vegan cheese on its pizzas in Australia, has now switched to Made With Plants mozzarella. This dairy-free and gluten-free cheese is being rolled out across Australia, giving vegan pizza lovers a new option for their favorite plant-based dishes.

Domino’s Australia has been offering plant-based pizzas since 2019, with popular options like the Spicy Veg Supreme and Vegan Margherita, as well as vegan sides such as cheesy garlic bread.

In 2022, Domino’s also added Impossible Foods’ plant-based beef to its pizzas at 700 locations across Australia. 

“At Domino’s, we’re passionate about choice,” Michael Treacy, head of new product development at Domino’s ANZ, said in a statement. “As the world’s best bonding food, it’s important that all our customers can share in the joy of pizza, regardless of their religious, ethical, dietary, or lifestyle choices, which is why we’re proud to offer a new and improved vegan cheese.”

Meanwhile, Domino’s Stateside has yet to add a plant-based meat or dairy-free cheese but the chain has plenty of time before Christmas to gift us those coveted options.