Danone's Silk raises the protein bar with 13g plant-based milk aimed at mainstream shoppers

Silk expanded its plant-based beverage portfolio on 14 January 2026, with the national launch of Silk Protein, a refrigerated plant-based milk delivering 13g of complete plant protein per serving. Danone US said the product offered the highest protein content of any refrigerated plant-based milk currently available in US grocery stores.

The launch came as demand for protein-rich foods continued to rise, driven by health and wellness goals and growing interest in diversifying protein sources beyond conventional animal-based options. Danone US framed Silk Protein as a way to close what it described as a gap in the protein drink and plant-based milk categories, where convenience, taste, and high protein content have not always aligned.

• Silk launched Silk Protein, a refrigerated plant-based milk with 13 g of complete plant protein per serving.

• Danone US said the product had the highest protein content of any refrigerated plant-based milk on shelves.

• Silk Protein rolled out nationwide in Original and Chocolate varieties at a suggested retail price of US$5.99.

According to Danone US, health and wellness goals accounted for 79% of New Year’s resolutions, while 71% of Americans were seeking to increase their protein intake. At the same time, plant-based sources made up just 33% of total estimated protein intake in the USA, highlighting what the company described as an opportunity to expand the market for protein-forward plant-based products.

Silk Protein was formulated to deliver 13g of complete plant protein, meaning it contained all nine essential amino acids in adequate amounts. In addition to protein, the product provided 3g of fiber per serving, calcium, and vitamin D. Danone US said Silk Protein contained 50% less sugar than regular dairy milk, one-third less sugar than value-added conventional milk, and no artificial sweeteners, with 130 calories per serving.

Kallie Goodwin, Senior Vice President of Plant-Based Beverages at Danone US, said the product was developed in response to shifting consumer expectations around protein and convenience.

“Silk continues to lead the plant-based beverage category with innovative options that meet evolving consumer needs,” Goodwin said. “Protein is here to stay, yet convenient, great-tasting plant-based choices have been limited. Our new Silk Protein not only delivers the protein consumers crave but also offers added benefits like fiber, calcium, and less sugar to support balanced nutrition.”

Silk Protein launched in two varieties, Original and Chocolate, and was designed for multiple use occasions, including drinking by the glass, blending into smoothies, or adding to coffee. Danone US said the product combined high protein content with the taste and texture Silk was already known for, an area where many protein-forward beverages have struggled to gain repeat purchase.

The company said healthcare professionals increasingly encouraged consumers to include a variety of protein sources in their diets, spanning animal-based and plant-based options. Silk Protein was positioned as a way for consumers to add plant-based protein without relying on powders or supplements, particularly at breakfast and between meals.

The launch reflected broader changes underway in the plant-based dairy category. After years of rapid growth, the segment has faced slowing volumes and increased competition, prompting brands to focus more heavily on functionality, nutrition, and specific consumer needs rather than broad dairy replacement alone. Protein, in particular, has emerged as a key battleground as brands seek to justify premium pricing and win back shoppers who have questioned the nutritional value of some plant-based alternatives.

Silk said Silk Protein was the highest-protein refrigerated plant-based milk currently available, setting it apart from almond, oat, and many blended products that typically deliver significantly lower protein levels per serving. By emphasizing complete protein and reduced sugar, Danone US aimed to appeal to consumers who might otherwise default to dairy milk or ready-to-drink protein shakes.

Silk Protein began rolling out nationwide in January 2026 in 48oz multi-serve bottles, with additional product innovations planned later in the year. Danone U.S. said the suggested retail price was US$5.99, though pricing could vary by retailer.

The launch followed a broader wave of protein-focused innovation across both dairy and plant-based categories, as brands responded to rising interest in muscle health, satiety, and weight management. For Silk, the product marked a move further into performance-oriented nutrition while remaining within the familiar format of a refrigerated milk alternative.

Danone US said Silk Protein was intended to make higher protein intake more accessible for everyday use, rather than positioning protein as a niche or specialist product. With national distribution and a familiar brand, the company aimed to bring plant-based protein into more mainstream shopping baskets as consumers continued to reassess what they wanted from the milk aisle.