Yoplait introduces high-protein, low-sugar yogurt line called YQ

General Mills-owned Yoplait will release a new range of yogurts made with ultra-filtered milk and which have less sweet taste than other similar products.

Called YQ, the product is available in eight flavours: coconut, peach, mango, lime, strawberry, blueberry, vanilla and plain.

The plain variant contains 17g of protein in each 5.3oz serving, while the flavoured yogurts “are lightly sweetened with just the right amount of cane sugar, real fruit and natural flavours” and have 15g of protein per 5.3oz serving.

Yoplait USA vice president of marketing Doug Martin said: “We talked to thousands of people to really understand what they were missing from the yogurt aisle. We heard loud and clear the need for a smart snack option – something made with simple ingredients, less sugar and higher protein.

“What we’ve been able to accomplish with YQ by Yoplait delivers on this desire. Through our use of simple ingredients, ultra-filtered milk and active cultures, we’ve created a protein-packed, less sweet flavor profile with a thick, smooth, extra creamy texture. It’s unlike anything that exists in the yogurt aisle today.”

YQ by Yoplait starts with ultra-filtered milk, which is milk that has been filtered to concentrate the amount of protein while removing much of the milk’s sugar. This is then combined with active cultures and goes through a churning technique. The result is said to be a differential nutritional profile without the tart tang or chalky aftertaste of Greek-style yogurts.

The launch follows the introduction earlier this year of Oui by Yoplait, an artisanal yogurt line which General Mills said “has quickly grown to become one of the biggest launches in the category in recent years”.

YQ by Yoplait will be available in the US beginning in late June. The suggested retail price for all 5.3oz cups is $1.49, while the 26oz tubs are $4.99.