FAQ

Mission and vision

Why “New Roots”?
We chose the name "New Roots" because we're dedicated to honoring tradition (roots) in a new way. We use the same techniques of Swiss artisanal cheesemaking, but with an innovative twist: we use only plant-based ingredients to create a more sustainable and animal-friendly future. We’re only at the beginning of inventing the traditions of tomorrow!
What is the mission of New Roots?
New Roots was born out of a deep love for cheese and a desire to make a difference for animals. Our mission is to create cruelty-free, sustainable alternatives to conventional dairy products. We strive for a fairer food system that benefits people, the planet, and animals alike by creating delicious, artisan vegan products. 
Does New Roots donate money to social causes?
In 2019 we proudly launched our 1% for the animals initiative. With that, we donate 1% of our sales to wonderful Swiss animal sanctuaries and to help farmers transition from animal exploitation to plant-based agriculture, which is a big step towards a more just and sustainable food system. So with every New Roots product you enjoy, you are helping make this a reality. Shout out to you!   
Why do you produce products that resemble dairy products?
The short answer is: because we’re against animal exploitation, not taste! And now the long answer. There are a few key reasons why producing vegan products that resemble dairy products is so important:  First, because traditions matter. At New Roots, we have a deep appreciation for cheese heritage, rooted in our founders' French and Swiss backgrounds. Like many cheese lovers, we found ourselves longing for its rich, creamy goodness as we transitioned to a vegan lifestyle. But we also recognize that some traditions can be harmful, and it's our responsibility to reevaluate and innovate. That’s why we're on a mission to evolve these cherished traditions in a way that creates a sustainable and ethical future, all while keeping the taste and quality! Second, there's the environmental impact of the dairy industry, which is pretty significant. It contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, water pollution, land degradation and much more harm - and we can all do our part to reduce these impacts! By offering plant-based options, we can make a real difference in reducing this impact and promoting a more sustainable food system.  Third, for health reasons, more and more consumers are looking for alternatives to dairy because of lactose intolerance, allergies, or dietary restrictions - and we're here to help! Our products are absolutely great for anyone looking for a truly satisfying experience without compromising on taste or texture. And last but certainly not least, for ethical reasons. Our vegan versions of dairy products are a win-win. Consumers get to enjoy the flavors and textures they know and love without contributing to the immense animal suffering of the dairy industry.  We're talking about things like separating calves from their mothers shortly after birth, which is a heartbreaking reality in the dairy industry. We simply shouldn't use animals as resources, and that's something we're committed to work against.  We're committed to making artisan, ethical, and sustainable products that make it easier for everyone to enjoy the benefits of a plant-based lifestyle!
Why are your products more expensive than dairy products?
We also want plant-based options to be as affordable as their animal-based counterparts. Right now, though, that's not how the market is set up. It's important to note that animal products are still heavily subsidized, and the true costs (including the environmental impact of animal products) aren't reflected in the sales prices. We're dedicated to using only the best organic ingredients, investing in sustainable packaging, paying our employees a fair wage, and operating without the support of government subsidies that benefit the dairy industry. We really want to make our products more affordable and we’re doing our best with the resources we have to make it a joyous experience for your taste buds and your wallet as well. 
Is it possible to visit the New Roots factory?
How can I join your team?
Have you ever dreamed of working at a vegan creamery? Well, your dream can come true! Check out the job openings here: https://newroots.ch/jobs/ and if you're interested, we'd love to hear from you!  

Sustainability

How is New Roots contributing to sustainability?
The independent organization Eaternity analyzed our Soft White for its environmental footprint and we are proud to present our perfect score, receiving the highest possible rating of 3 stars in each category. Yey! Plus, compared to a Camembert made from Swiss cow’s milk, the Soft White has a significantly lower environmental impact. It emits 60% less CO2 and uses 40% less water. But that’s not all, folks. We're proud to say that our production facility is completely fossil-free! This helps us to reduce our environmental impact as much as we can, and we're committed to doing our bit for the planet, including contributing to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals [Link]. We're always looking for ways to make our supply chain more environmentally and socially sustainable. We promote recyclable and compostable packaging, organic ingredients, and fair trade products. We’re also finding more and more ways to support our local farmers by using their raw materials. To sum it up: Sustainability is at our core, and we are always striving for more!  Read about our contribution to SDG goals
Are New Roots products more sustainable than dairy products?
Our products are more sustainable than dairy products. Take our Soft White, for example. It's not only delicious, but it’s also better for the planet. It produces 60% less CO2 and uses 40% less water than Camembert made from Swiss cow's milk. It’s also important to be aware of the impact dairy production has on our planet. Did you know that it contributes to climate change in two main ways? Through enteric fermentation (which produces methane) and through deforestation. Trees are super important for our planet. They soak up CO2 and give us oxygen. But when we clear forests for pasture and "feed" production, we get in the way of this process and release the carbon dioxide stored in the trees, contributing to climate change. But there's good news! By choosing nuts and legumes, we're relying on crops that aren’t involved in deforestation and generally have a smaller environmental footprint, helping to mitigate climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Another great thing about our products is that we can grow them on less land than dairy products. That's because we don't need land to raise animals and grow food for them. So it’s a win-win for the planet, the animals and your taste buds. 
What is New Roots doing about food waste?
New Roots is all about sustainability and eco-friendliness. We're always on the lookout for ways to cut down on food waste. We make sure we're not producing too much of anything (production loss is less than 5%) and team up with some wonderful partners, like sanctuaries, to share the extra products with those who need them.  
What are the packages made of? Are the packages recyclable? 
Just as we prioritize sustainability in our products, we also focus on sustainable packaging materials. As pioneers, we actively promote recycled, recyclable, and compostable packaging. We use recyclable materials and are always looking for new ways to recover resources.
Are the cashews sustainable?
Our cashews are an efficient food source. We can use most of the raw material, because there's no fiber waste (unlike oats, for example). Plus, they’re shipped to us by boat and we source our cashews exclusively from regions (Burkina Faso and Vietnam) where the trees thrive without irrigation and are cultivated without the use of artificial fertilizers or pesticides. In contrast, traditional almond farming in Europe requires significant irrigation, which has a negative impact on its carbon footprint. In fact, our plant-based cheese significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 60% and water usage by 40% when compared to animal-based cheese. But our commitment to sustainability goes even further: We're dedicated to supporting local farmers and are thrilled to be developing tasty cheese alternatives made with a short list of ingredients sourced from local raw materials such as chickpeas and lupins. We're so excited to take on this challenge with curiosity and enthusiasm! We can't wait to share the innovative cheese traditions of tomorrow with you!

Cashews

Are the cashews ethically sourced?
At our core, we are as passionate about the ethical treatment of everyone involved in the production of our food as we are about the ethical treatment of animals. We've made it our mission to ensure that our products are made with the utmost care and respect for workers. We know that hand shelling cashews can expose workers to dangerous substances that can cause painful burns if not done responsibly. So we're committed to making sure that doesn't happen! That's why we only work with farms that put worker safety first to make sure our ingredients are coming from places where people are treated well. We also work with Fair Trade specialists to make sure of fair labor practices and fair wages throughout our supply chain.  Read more about our cashews
Are the cashews sustainable?
Our cashews are an efficient food source. We can use most of the raw material, because there's no fiber waste (unlike oats or almonds, for example). Plus, they’re shipped to us by boat and we source our cashews exclusively from regions (Burkina Faso and Vietnam) where the trees thrive without irrigation and are cultivated without the use of artificial fertilizers or pesticides. In contrast, traditional almond farming in Europe requires significant irrigation, which has a negative impact on its carbon footprint. In fact, our plant-based cheese significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 60% and water usage by 40% when compared to animal-based cheese. But our commitment to sustainability goes even further: We're dedicated to supporting local farmers and are thrilled to be developing tasty cheese alternatives made with a short list of ingredients sourced from local raw materials such as chickpeas and lupins. We're so excited to take on this challenge with curiosity and enthusiasm! We can't wait to share the innovative cheese traditions of tomorrow with you!

Nutrition

Are the products vegan?
Yaaas! We are proud to offer an exclusively vegan and delicious range of products.
Are the products gluten-free?
All of our products are gluten-free. In addition, there are no traces of gluten in our products because our facility does not process products that contain gluten. 
Are the products soy free?
All of our products are soy free. In addition, there are no traces of soy in our products because our facility does not process products containing soy. 
Are the products certified organic?
All of our products are certified organic. 
Are the products suitable for pregnant women?
All our products are pasteurized and are microbiologically safe for consumption during pregnancy.  Our fondue contains alcoholic white wine. Therefore, this product is not recommended for pregnant women.
Are the products suitable for children?
Our fondue contains alcoholic white wine. Therefore, this product is not recommended for children.
Are your products highly processed?
We're pleased to say that our team includes several conventional cheesemakers from the dairy industry who are bringing their expertise to the world of plant-based food production. They follow the same fermentation and ripening processes as traditional cheeses, with one exciting difference: they use only plant-based milk as the base. When dreams become reality! 
What allergens do New Roots products contain?
We make products containing lupins and cashews, both of which are allergens. While we take every precaution to avoid cross-contamination through rigorous cleaning procedures, we cannot guarantee the complete absence of trace amounts of one allergen in products containing the other.
What are the nutritional values and protein content of your products?
Our current product range features natural proteins sourced from cashews and lupins. By combining these with other carefully selected ingredients, we have been able to optimize the nutritional profile of our products, delivering a superior blend of nutrients, functionality and taste. You can read more about the nutritional values of each product on their packaging.
How do the products compare to dairy products nutritionally?
We're always looking for ways to improve the nutritional properties of our products. Our first cashew-based products were pretty similar to cow's milk, but there were still a few differences. Thanks to our dedicated team's hard work, we've reached a point where we can replicate the composition of cow's milk. This includes matching the fat content, protein levels, and amino acid profile. And the best part? We've achieved this using Swiss raw materials!
How do New Roots products differ from other dairy alternatives?
Our products are different from a lot of other dairy alternatives because they're fermented and organic, with no artificial flavors or additives. And they're made in the beautiful Swiss Alps - you might just hear yodeling when you open the packaging!

Product line

What does your product line consist of?
We have a great selection of products for you to choose from, including cream cheese, yogurt, fondue, cooking creams and our bestseller, Soft White. You can check out our full range of tasty products here: https://newroots.ch/en/products/
How do I use New Roots products?
Our products are a great choice for any meal. Whether you're looking for something to start your day, fuel your lunch, or satisfy your dinner, we've got you covered. And if you're in the mood for a snack, we've got your back there too! The sky's the limit when it comes to creating delicious meals with our products, so let your imagination run wild!. We've got some nice inspiration for you here: https://newroots.ch/oui-journal/#oui-chef-en Have fun and enjoy! 
Where can I find recipe ideas? 
Which products can be frozen?
We’ve all been there: You get so excited when you go grocery shopping that you end up buying more than you can possibly eat in one sitting. Well, we've got great news for you: You can freeze many of our products, so you can enjoy them later in the year! Here are the products you can freeze: 
  • La Fondue
  • Spreads (all sorts)
  • Greek Style and Black Pepper
In which months are Le Grilled, La Fondue Vegan and La Raclette Vegan available?
You may have walked up to the shelves in the grocery store, looking for one of these products, and then had to sadly realize that they're not available. That's because we don't offer them all year round. But when we do, it's even more exciting! You can find Le Grilled in the months of April to August and La Fondue Vegan and La Raclette Vegan from September to March.
Where can I find your products? 
We've put together a map to show you where you can find our products in person. Check it out: https://newroots.ch/en/find-us/. You can also find us in various online stores. You’re so close to indulging in pure deliciousness! 
Where can I order your products from Switzerland?
Where can I find your products outside of Switzerland?