ALOVE Japanese-Style Yogurt Hits U.S. Shelves

Morinaga Nutritional Foods announced the first phase of its U.S. rollout of ALOVE Japanese-style Aloe vera yogurt.

"We think ALOVE could be the spark that revitalizes American yogurt sales the way ‘Greek’ yogurt did in the past," says Hiroyuki Imanishi, president and CEO of Morinaga Nutritional Foods. “Three delicious flavors will begin arriving on store shelves at Morinaga’s existing base of U.S. retailers in July 2017, and we will expand distribution to other food retailers in Fall 2017 and early 2018. ”

ALOVE is a kosher-certified yogurt that offers a good source of protein and calcium, with no artificial flavors. It’s made from locally-sourced, Grade A California milk, contains zero high-fructose corn syrup and is certified gluten-free by the Gluten-Free Certification Organization (GFCO).

"While Aloe vera yogurt is new to the U.S., it has been a favorite in Japan since Morinaga introduced it over 20 years ago," says Imanishi. "With yogurt sales growth slowing here, we saw the opportunity to bring a new yogurt experience to American consumers and reinvigorate the yogurt aisle."

Morinaga uses a proprietary process to remove fresh Aloe vera gel from the Aloe vera plant. The morsels are then mixed into a Japanese-style yogurt. ALOVE is currently available in three flavors including original Aloe vera, strawberry and blueberry.