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Planet Oat, the US oat milk brand owned by HP Hood, has entered the zero-sugar coffee creamer segment, launching what it says are the category’s first oat-based creamers formulated with no sugar per serving.

The move reflects growing pressure on food and beverage manufacturers to cut sugar without sacrificing taste, as consumers scrutinise labels more closely and regulators and health bodies continue to focus on sugar reduction.

The new products – Zero Sugar Caramel and Zero Sugar Vanilla Cinnamon – extend Planet Oat’s presence in the fast-growing plant-based coffee creamer market, a category that has increasingly become a battleground for differentiation as traditional dairy and non-dairy players compete for space in both chilled and ambient aisles.

For ingredient suppliers and manufacturers, the launch highlights ongoing innovation around flavour delivery and sweetness modulation in plant-based formats, where sugar has traditionally played a key role in mouthfeel and taste.

Brands are now under pressure to deliver indulgent profiles while aligning with 'zero' and 'free-from' claims that resonate with health-conscious consumers.

The creamers are free from dairy, lactose, gluten, soy and nuts, positioning them as inclusive alternatives aimed at consumers managing allergies or dietary restrictions – a strategy that has helped plant-based brands broaden their appeal beyond vegans.

The US coffee creamer market has been shifting steadily towards functional and 'better-for-you' formulations, with reduced sugar, clean label sweeteners and plant-based fats becoming key areas of product development.

Creamers, unlike core milk alternatives, allow brands to command higher margins and experiment more aggressively with flavour and formulation.

Planet Oat has not disclosed pricing or distribution details for the new products. The brand has previously focused on mainstream retail penetration rather than niche health channels, suggesting the zero-sugar line is intended to scale rather than remain a specialist offering.