Randy Chandler
Taco Bell's vegan cheese option has sparked excitement and disappointment among consumers. The company introduced vegan nacho cheese sauce in September 2023, marking its first foray into dairy-free cheese. The product was well-received during its initial test run in select cities with notable vegan populations. However, some customers have expressed frustration, claiming that Taco Bell locations were unaware of the promotion or unable to provide the vegan cheese option. There are also concerns about cross-contact with animal products during preparation. While some praise the company's commitment to catering to various lifestyles, others lament the potential discontinuation of the vegan cheese option, reflecting a broader challenge faced by vegan consumers.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of launch | September 28, 2023 |
| Date of discontinuation | October 12, 2023 |
| Reason for discontinuation | Limited-time offering |
| Customer reviews | Varied |
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What You'll Learn
Taco Bell's vegan cheese launch
Taco Bell has been experimenting with vegan options for some time, with its vegetarian options making up 23% of its 2022 product sales. The company has dedicated pages on its website that tell customers how to eat vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and more. In June 2023, Taco Bell tested its Vegan Crunchwrap in cities with notable vegan populations, such as Los Angeles, California, New York City, and Orlando, Florida. The test was overwhelmingly positive, and the brand decided to offer the Vegan Nacho Sauce on a national scale with the beloved Nacho Fries.
On September 28, 2023, Taco Bell announced its first-ever vegan nationwide menu item: Nacho Fries with Vegan Nacho Sauce. The sauce is certified vegan by the American Vegetarian Association and is made with soy instead of cashews to accommodate customers with nut allergies. The fries and sauce were available starting October 12, 2023, in two sizes: regular for $2.19 and large for $2.99.
However, some customers reported that their local Taco Bell locations did not have the vegan cheese option or were unaware of the promotion. There are also reports that some locations served all their vegan cheese as regular cheese, leading to disappointment among those seeking vegan options. It is unclear whether Taco Bell has discontinued its vegan cheese offering, but some customers have expressed frustration at the company for releasing and discontinuing vegan options rapidly.
Taco Bell's commitment to providing vegan options aligns with the growing demand for plant-based alternatives and the company's goal of accommodating various lifestyles and dietary preferences. The company's vegan nacho sauce represents a step towards inclusivity and accessibility in fast-food options.
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The cheese's limited availability
Taco Bell's vegan nacho cheese sauce was only available for a limited time, starting from October 12, 2023. The company had announced that the product would be available while supplies last.
The vegan nacho cheese sauce was Taco Bell's first-ever vegan menu item to be offered nationally. The company had previously tested the product in cities with notable vegan populations, such as Los Angeles, New York City, and Orlando.
The launch of the vegan nacho cheese sauce was part of Taco Bell's commitment to providing food options for various lifestyles, including vegetarians, vegans, and flexitarians. The company's vegetarian options made up 23% of its 2022 product sales, and it has dedicated pages on its website that provide information on how to eat vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and more.
Despite the excitement and positive reception surrounding the launch of the vegan nacho cheese sauce, some customers reported difficulties in actually purchasing the product. Some reported that their local Taco Bell locations were unaware of the promotion or had run out of stock.
It is not uncommon for companies to release vegan options and then discontinue them shortly after. This can be frustrating for vegan customers, who often express disappointment and frustration when their favorite vegan options are discontinued or unavailable.
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Customer reviews
However, other reviews of the product were less positive. One customer stated that their local Taco Bell accidentally served all of its vegan cheese in one day, and that "it was pretty terrible anyway." Another reviewer compared the product to "cheap theater cheese you'd get with pretzels", but noted that it was "pretty okay as far as vegan cheese goes."
Some customers also expressed confusion about whether the product was actually vegan. One reviewer said they ordered the vegan cheese but were unsure if they had actually received it, as it was not labelled as vegan. Another reviewer noted that Taco Bell uses the same frying oil for vegan and non-vegan products, which may not be acceptable to certain types of vegan or vegetarian diets.
Overall, while some customers were disappointed to see the product discontinued and found it to be a satisfactory vegan option, others were less impressed with the taste and expressed concerns about the potential for cross-contact with non-vegan ingredients.
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Taco Bell's vegetarian options
Taco Bell has been working to expand its vegetarian options in recent years. While the company has been criticised for discontinuing its vegan nacho cheese, it has since introduced a range of other vegetarian and vegan options.
The company's Veggie Cravings Menu offers over a dozen certified vegetarian options, including the Black Bean Quesarito and Cheesy Fiesta Potatoes. There are over 30 vegetarian ingredients on the menu, the majority of which are also certified vegan, allowing for nearly 1 million combinations.
Taco Bell's vegetarian and vegan options include the Bean Burrito, the Black Bean Crunchwrap, the Veggie Fiesta Burrito, the Spicy Potato Soft Taco, the Cheesy Bean and Rice Burrito, the Veggie Power Bowl, the Cheese Quesadilla, Fiesta Potatoes, and the Veggie Mexican Pizza. Potatoes are a popular meat substitute at Taco Bell, and can be used to replace meat in many of the chain's menu items.
Taco Bell also offers a Veggie Mode on its in-restaurant kiosks, which allows customers to view nearly the entire menu with vegetarian options.
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The cheese's base ingredients
Taco Bell's vegan cheese sauce, which was launched in late September 2023, appears to have been short-lived, with some sources indicating that it was discontinued soon after. The cheese sauce was made with soy as its main base, avoiding cashews, a common base for vegan cheeses, to accommodate customers with nut allergies.
The Vegan Nacho Sauce, as it was called, was Taco Bell's first foray into dairy-free cheese and was met with excitement from vegan, vegetarian, and flexitarian customers alike. The sauce was certified vegan by the American Vegetarian Association and was initially tested in June 2023 as part of the Vegan Crunchwrap in select cities with notable vegan populations, including Los Angeles, New York City, and Orlando.
The decision to use soy as the base for the vegan cheese sauce was likely influenced by Taco Bell's commitment to accommodating various dietary restrictions and allergies. By steering clear of cashews, a common allergen, they ensured that their vegan cheese option would be inclusive to a wider range of customers.
While the exact ingredients of the vegan cheese sauce beyond its soy base are not publicly available, it is reasonable to assume that it included other typical ingredients found in vegan cheese recipes, such as nutritional yeast, plant-based milk, and various spices and seasonings to achieve the desired flavor and texture.
Despite the enthusiasm surrounding the launch of Taco Bell's vegan cheese, it appears that the product may have faced some challenges. Some customers reported that their local Taco Bell accidentally served all their vegan cheese as regular cheese, leading to early depletion of the product. Others expressed mixed reviews about the taste, with some finding it terrible and others deeming it pretty okay for vegan cheese.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Taco Bell discontinued its vegan nacho cheese sauce, which was available for a limited time starting from October 12, 2023.
Taco Bell has not provided a reason for discontinuing its vegan cheese sauce. However, some customers have speculated that it may be due to low sales.
Taco Bell has offered other vegan options, such as the Vegan Crunchwrap, which was tested in June 2023 and included the Vegan Nacho Sauce. The company has stated that it is committed to providing food for all lifestyles and has dedicated pages on its website for vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options.
Reviews of the vegan cheese sauce were mixed. Some customers enjoyed it and were disappointed when it was discontinued, while others found it terrible or just average.
Yes, there are other vegan cheese products available on the market. For example, Kroger used to carry Simple Truth Vegan Queso, which was well-liked by customers. Additionally, Jill's Game Changer nacho cheese sauce is a popular recipe that can be made at home.
