Is Daiya Vegan?
Vegan
Not certifiedDaiya is a fully plant-based cheese and frozen food brand. All core products (shreds, slices, blocks, sticks, cream cheese, frozen pizzas, mac and cheese) are free of dairy, eggs, and all other animal ingredients. The brand is certified by Vegan Action and carries Non-GMO Project Verified, Certified Plant Based, and Certified Gluten-Free marks on most products.
The catch: The only notable catch is a parent-company ethics concern. Daiya was acquired by Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co. in 2017, a Japanese company that does conduct animal testing in its pharmaceutical division. Daiya itself does not test its food products on animals, but strict ethical vegans who avoid brands owned by animal-testing conglomerates may want to know this before purchasing.
Category
Dairy
Verdict
Vegan
Brand
Daiya Foods
Daiya reformulated its entire cheese lineup in 2023-2024, moving from a tapioca and coconut oil base to a fermented oat cream base (gluten-free oat flour, pea protein, vegan cultures and enzymes). This new formula is still 100% plant-based and was designed to improve melt and texture.
Ingredients across the current cheese line include: Daiya Oat Cream Blend (water, gluten-free oat flour, pea protein, cultures, enzymes), coconut oil, modified potato starch, corn starch, konjac flour, fruit and vegetable juice for color, yeast extract, annatto, salt, tricalcium phosphate, xanthan gum, lactic acid, and natural flavors. Frozen pizzas use a gluten-free crust (tapioca starch, rice flour, chickpea flour, flaxseed) and toppings that are all plant-based, including their meatless pepperoni and meatless meat lover options.
No flavors contain dairy, egg, gelatin, carmine, or honey. All Daiya products carry a Kosher Pareve certification, which independently confirms no dairy.
The reformulation divided the vegan community on taste but not on vegan status. Available in the US and Canada; formulations are consistent across North American markets.
Vegan alternatives
- ✓ Violife (fully vegan, no parent-company concern)
- ✓ Follow Your Heart Vegan Cheese
- ✓ Miyoko's Creamery
- ✓ Kite Hill Cream Cheese (if substituting cream cheese style)
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Looking to make your own? Browse our vegan swaps.
Other dairy
Frequently asked
Is Daiya Vegan?
Daiya is a fully plant-based cheese and frozen food brand. All core products (shreds, slices, blocks, sticks, cream cheese, frozen pizzas, mac and cheese) are free of dairy, eggs, and all other animal ingredients. The brand is certified by Vegan Action and carries Non-GMO Project Verified, Certified Plant Based, and Certified Gluten-Free marks on most products.
What is the catch with Daiya?
The only notable catch is a parent-company ethics concern. Daiya was acquired by Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co. in 2017, a Japanese company that does conduct animal testing in its pharmaceutical division. Daiya itself does not test its food products on animals, but strict ethical vegans who avoid brands owned by animal-testing conglomerates may want to know this before purchasing.
What can I use instead of Daiya?
Vegan options include Violife (fully vegan, no parent-company concern), Follow Your Heart Vegan Cheese, Miyoko's Creamery, Kite Hill Cream Cheese (if substituting cream cheese style).
Is Daiya certified vegan?
Daiya does not carry a third-party vegan certification, so the verdict here is based on its current ingredient list and manufacturer information.
Sources
Last verified June 20, 2026. See how we verify. Always confirm on the current product label, since recipes change. Product photo via Open Food Facts.
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