ROSEMONT, ILL. – Dairy checkoff scientists created a shelf-stable creamer that once again will be used in Taco Bell beverages.

The newly released Island Berry Freeze is the third drink offered by Taco Bell featuring the creamer, which also was used in Pineapple Whip Freeze and Mountain Dew Baja Blast Colada Freeze.

The latest beverage has a creamer infused with tropical flavor, and will be available in both blue raspberry and wild strawberry at participating Taco Bell locations through March 12, 2022.

“After the initial success of the Pineapple Whip, it just made sense to build off of that momentum and continue offering beverages that bring a lot of excitement to Taco Bell’s lineup,” said Mike Ciresi, a Dairy Management Inc. (DMI) senior dairy scientist who works with Taco Bell. “Taco Bell is all about bold, exciting flavors, especially with its beverages, and believes the Island Berry Freeze has a flavor that pops and will hit the mark with consumers.”

Taco Bell also is bringing the dairy checkoff-supported Grilled Cheese Burrito back to its menu. Ciresi said he thinks the burrito, with a recipe that includes mozzarella, cheddar and pepper jack cheeses, as well as a reduced fat sour cream, will be a hit again. It first launched in 2020, and a version available with double steak returned in the fall of 2021.

Heather Mottershaw, vice president of pipeline innovation and product development for Taco Bell, said dairy enhances the company’s menu, and the products receive positive responses from customers.

“We’re grateful to have checkoff scientists working side by side with our team to continue pushing the envelope with items featuring dairy,” Mottershaw said.

Emily Bourdet, vice president of global innovation partnerships for DMI, said the results of all checkoff partners, including at Taco Bell, are making a difference. Bourdet shared there has been 2 billion lbs of milk equivalent growth overall since the start of the partnerships work, and each partner averages about 3% annual growth in dairy volume.

DMI, which was created to help increase sales and demand for dairy products, is funded by America’s 31,000 dairy farmers, as well as dairy importers.