Danone Launches Oikos Protein Shake Amid US Nutrition Demand Surge
| 2025-05-18
Danone debuts Oikos protein shake as US demand for high-protein nutrition grows.
Danone enters US$7bn protein shake market with new Oikos product, tapping rising demand from health-conscious consumers and users of weight-loss drugs.
French food and beverage company Danone has launched a protein shake under its Oikos yogurt brand, entering the US$7 billion protein shake market amid increasing demand from health-conscious consumers and those taking weight-loss medication.
The move comes as competitors such as Coca-Cola’s Fairlife and Chobani experience rising sales of similar products in the United States.
Targeting growing protein demand
Danone’s global deputy chief executive, Shane Grant, confirmed the launch during an interview last month, stating that the company spent about a year developing the new shake, which will be priced at $3.69 in the US market.
“Three-quarters of [US consumers] want more protein in their diet, and GLP-1s are only accelerating this demand,” said Grant, referring to a class of medications commonly used for weight loss. “We see the explosive growth across lots of demographics and occasions.”
Medications such as Wegovy, known for aiding weight loss, have been linked to rising protein intake among users, who are advised to maintain muscle mass through higher protein consumption. This shift has prompted a number of food manufacturers, including Nestlé and Conagra, to reformulate or relabel products to highlight their protein content.
A competitive and expanding market
Danone’s entry into the category comes as other major players continue to expand their protein offerings. Coca-Cola’s ultra-filtered milk brand Fairlife, which sells protein shakes, has reported notable growth. While not directly targeted at users of weight-loss drugs, Fairlife has helped lift Coca-Cola’s performance in recent quarters, according to the company.
In a sign of broader industry movement, energy drink company Celsius acquired protein shake brand Alani Nu earlier this year, indicating increased competition and consolidation in the high-protein beverage space.
Health-focused formulation and marketing
According to Danone, the Oikos protein shake offers digestive health benefits through the inclusion of five grams of a specific type of dietary fibre. The company emphasised that the product aligns with a broader shift in consumer behaviour, particularly in the United States, where nutritional awareness is on the rise.
“We see a larger movement toward nutrition and health as part of the agenda for the American consumer,” said Grant. “We see that American consumer expectation of health through food as growing.”
The launch also coincides with a push by US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., whose "Make American Healthy Again" initiative seeks to reformulate processed foods and enhance national dietary standards. Danone considers this political momentum part of the same trend toward food-based health solutions.
Influencer-led campaign strategy
To promote the new Oikos shake, Danone is turning to digital marketing and social media influencers, aiming to tap into platforms where younger and health-focused consumers are most active.
The company hopes this approach will enable it to quickly gain visibility in a crowded marketplace, where established brands already have a significant foothold.
Evolving nutrition trends in the US
The United States has witnessed a significant shift in dietary trends in recent years, with growing awareness of protein's role in weight management, muscle preservation, and overall wellness. This shift has been accelerated by the popularity of GLP-1 receptor agonists like Wegovy and Ozempic, which help regulate appetite but may also lead to loss of lean body mass without adequate protein intake.
The popularity of high-protein products reflects not just a response to pharmaceutical trends but also a broader cultural movement toward clean eating, functional foods, and preventative health.
By entering the market with its Oikos-branded protein shake, Danone is positioning itself to meet the evolving demands of American consumers, while competing with major players in a fast-growing segment of the food and beverage industry.
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