CHICAGO — Philadelphia Cream Cheese is launching its first ever plant-based spread after a two-year development process.

The dairy-, lactose- and gluten-free recipe aims to satisfy the 52% of consumers wanting to add more plant-based foods to their regular diet, according to the company.

“The influx of flexitarian consumers has driven growth within the plant-based market, which is now more than 20 times the size of the vegan population,” said Robert Scott, president of R&D at The Kraft Heinz Co. “As the brand that has set the cream cheese standard for 150 years, we realized the current options weren’t meeting consumer expectations and there was no trusted leader.”

Philadelphia’s new spread is available in the brand’s original cream cheese flavor at select retailers in the southeast United States. Consumers can expect a national rollout, with new flavors, in summer 2023.