Startup CPG Newswire:
BEZI Labneh Launches in Whole Foods Market Northeast After Exactly One Year

PRESS RELEASE — NEWS PROVIDED BY Ilay Karateke for BEZI

New York, NY (September 2025) — BEZI, the New York–based CPG startup making non-GMO, all-natural labneh, is proud to announce its launch in Whole Foods Market Northeast—just one year after its debut. Beginning this week, BEZI’s best-selling Everything and Hot Honey flavors will be available in 58 Whole Foods stores across New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut.

Founded in September 2024 by Ilay Karateke and Hasan Bahçıvan, BEZI was created to bring labneh—a dairy dip and spreadable cheese enjoyed for centuries across the Middle East and Mediterranean—to American households in a fresh, modern way. In just twelve months, the brand has grown from building its business store by store in New York City—often with samples carried in a cooler backpack—to winning Best New Product of 2024 by NOSH, earning design awards from Dieline and Creative Review, becoming a Startup CPG Shelfies finalist, and now securing placement in one of the most influential grocery retailers in the country.

“From day one, the dream was to see BEZI on Whole Foods shelves,” said Karateke, CEO and co-founder of BEZI. “Reaching this milestone after just a year is surreal. This is the beginning of our journey of proving that labneh has the potential to become a true category in US grocery- and we’re very excited about it”

BEZI launched in strictly New York City independents in late 2024, quickly gaining a following through hands-on demos, word-of-mouth, leading to strong product velocities. With Whole Foods, BEZI enters its next growth chapter—championing all-natural, clean dairy sourcing and introducing this beloved Mediterranean staple to more American households.

About BEZI

BEZI is an all-natural, non-GMO certified labneh made directly from milk and cream using proprietary dairy technology. The result is a creamy, spreadable dip with nearly the same protein as cream cheese and hummus, but about 40% less fat. Available in Plain, Everything, Red Pepper, and Hot Honey, BEZI reimagines this Mediterranean staple to American kitchens.

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