VEVEY, SWITZERLAND — Nestle S.A. has developed vegan alternatives to cheese and bacon that are designed to complement its plant-based burger patties. The combination is deemed the “PB triple play” and makes Nestle the first company to offer the three essential elements for a plant-based bacon cheeseburger, the company said.

To create the vegan alternatives to cheese and bacon, Nestle combined ingredients such as plant-based proteins, fibers and oils and worked with culinary chefs and food scientists to tailor the products for use in professional kitchens.

“It delivers on familiar tastes that consumers are seeking out in plant-based alternatives,” Nestle said. “The vegan cheddar cheese alternative has the texture, meltability and delicious, rich taste of a dairy cheese. The vegan bacon alternative becomes crispy and chewy when cooked, similar to animal-based bacon, and has the same satisfying flavor.”

Geared toward consumers seeking to reduce meat in their diets and switch to plant-based meals more often, the “PB triple play” is free of cholesterol and is lower in fat and saturated fat and higher in fiber than a standard bacon cheeseburger, Nestle said. Additionally, the new products will have a smaller environmental footprint.

Nestle will first offer the complete plant-based bacon cheeseburger solution to restaurant and food service operators in 2020.

“More and more consumers are looking for delicious, nutritious and sustainable plant-based options when they dine out,” said Mark Schneider, CEO of Nestle. “We have now raised the bar by developing a ‘PB triple play’ of ingredients for an all-time classic: the bacon cheeseburger. We’re continuing to make good on our promise to offer consumers food that is right for them and right for the planet.”

Nestle recently launched its plant-based Sweet Earth Awesome Burger in the US and its Garden Gourmet Incredible Burger in Europe for retail and food service.