Search Results for: chocolate alternative

Planet A Foods ChoViva

© Planet A Foods
Investments & Finance

Planet A Foods Raises $30M to Scale Cocoa-Free Chocolate Alternative with 80% Less Carbon Footprint

Planet A Foods, a food technology company specializing in sustainable ingredients, has raised $30 million in a Series B funding round. The financing will support the industrial-scale production of ChoViva, a cocoa-free chocolate alternative, as well as expand the company’s international presence. The funding round, which was oversubscribed, drew participation from several investment firms, including Cherry Ventures, World Fund, and Bayern Kapital. Leveraging the funding, Planet A Foods aims to further its mission of providing sustainable alternatives for the food industry. CEO and co-founder Dr. Maximilian Marquart stated: “With 30 million dollars in fresh funding and an industry-leading product, Planet A Foods is no longer just a startup – we’re now on the way to becoming a leading foodtech player reshaping the sustainable food industry.” …

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Milk- and Dairy Alternatives

Dairy Joy for Everyone! Co-Creating On-Trend Dairy and Dairy Alternatives for Tomorrow’s Consumer

80% of European consumers declare to consume dairy on a daily basis, with taste, naturalness & health listed as the top three reasons to maintain their dairy consumption.* However, there is a growing appeal for alternatives to dairy too, particularly among more sustainability minded consumers or requirements for household members’ diets. This is opening up opportunities to take a hybrid route or add full plant-based to a dairy manufacturers’ product offering.  Combing portfolio & expertise for your success Cargill’s Food Solutions offers all the solutions required for a successful dairy application (except for the dairy ingredients themselves!). Our portfolio encompasses oils & fats, plant-based proteins, texturizers, starches, functional systems, cocoa powders, and sweeteners. Furthermore, our expertise through insights, sensory capabilities and applications development means that …

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JELL-O

© The Kraft Heinz Company
Products & Launches

Kraft Heinz Debuts JELL-O Oat Milk Chocolate Pudding, Its First Plant-Based Dessert Offering

Kraft Heinz has introduced its first plant-based dessert, JELL-O Oat Milk Chocolate Pudding, marking the brand’s entry into the plant-based food sector. This new product, which is lactose-free, vegan, and made with oat milk, is now available in 4-packs at retailers across the US. The pudding, which mimics the same creamy texture and rich chocolate flavor JELL-O is known for, is crafted to meet the growing demand for dairy-free alternatives. Oat milk was chosen as the base due to its creamy consistency and mild flavor. The chocolate variety pays homage to the original flavor introduced by JELL-O in the 1930s. The company states that, given pudding’s popularity in American households and the growing prevalence of milk allergies among both children and adults, the new product …

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Heura York-style plant-based ham

© Heura
Company News

Alternative Protein Companies Including Nature’s Fynd, Heura & Upside Foods Rank Highly in the FoodTech 500

The FoodTech 500, an annual ranking by Forward Fooding that showcases agrifoodtech startup and scaleup companies working to create a better future of food, has published its results for 2024. Several notable alternative protein companies have made the top 25, including: Methodology All entries were manually validated to create a shortlist of 500 finalists, then data from each application was processed using algorithms to provide a business size score and a digital footprint score. Each company was then assessed on its sustainability using data from a self-assessed questionnaire devised by sustainability experts, taking into account each Sustainable Development Goal the companies were achieving. Finally, the three scores were aggregated to give each company a score out of 300, determining their rank. For example, Nature’s Fynd …

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Galaxy dairy free hazelnut praline bar

© Galaxy / Claudia Riccio Photography Ltd

Products & Launches

Galaxy Launches Dairy Free Hazelnut Praline Chocolate Bar

Galaxy has expanded its vegan chocolate range with the launch of a new product, the Dairy Free Hazelnut Praline bar, in the UK. The news was shared on Instagram by Vegan Food UK, after a member spotted the bars on the shelves at Sainsbury’s. They are reportedly priced at £3. According to Plant Based News, the product consists of a soft praline filling coated in chocolate made from hazelnut paste. It is gluten-free as well as vegan-friendly. Meeting plant-based demand Galaxy, which is owned by Mars Wrigley, launched its first vegan range in 2019, becoming the first major confectionery company to offer a dairy-free alternative to milk chocolate. Three flavours were initially available. The range has evolved over the years, and four varieties are currently …

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Nukoko's founders

© Nukoko
Sweets & Snacks

Döhler Invests in Nukoko to Scale “World’s First” Cocoa-Free Chocolate From Fava Beans

Döhler, one of the world’s leading ingredients companies, recently announced an investment and strategic partnership with the UK-based startup Nukoko to scale the production of the “world’s first” cocoa-free chocolate from fava beans. The partnership aims to address challenges in the cocoa industry, from rising prices (89% in 2023) driven by climate change and declining yields to environmental impact and socio-economic issues, by offering a “delicious” and sustainable alternative to chocolate. With Döhler’s support, Nukoko will transition from pilot-scale to industrial-scale production by 2025, utilising 10,000-litre fermentation batches to increase output efficiently. In addition, Döhler’s expertise in regulatory processes and food safety will aid Nukoko as it prepares to launch its product. Rodrigo Hortega de Velasco, representing Döhler Ventures, shared: “Nukoko’s technology presents a groundbreaking …

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Ingredients

Replacing Milk Powder with Rice Syrup Powder in Vegan Chocolate Spreads

As the demand for plant-based and dairy-free alternatives continues to grow, innovation in new ingredients has become essential to crafting products that meet consumer expectations without compromising on taste or texture. This is particularly true for chocolate spreads, where achieving a rich, creamy consistency without traditional milk powder presents unique challenges. In the quest for creating delicious vegan chocolate spreads, one of the key challenges is finding suitable alternatives to traditional milk powder. Rice syrup powder is a promising substitute, offering both functional and sensory benefits that align well with the needs of vegan consumers. What is Rice Syrup Powder? Rice syrup powder is derived from rice syrup, which is produced via our fully natural production process. The syrup is then dehydrated to form a …

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Onego Bio_Bioalbumen whisk

© Onego Bio
Investments & Finance

Finnish Alternative Protein Firms Secure €10M for Collaborative R&D Projects From Business Finland

Business Finland has granted two Finnish projects — FoodID and FinBioFAB — 10 million euros in R&D funding to create alternative proteins and materials through research collaboration. The Finnish projects were accepted into the Global Centers program led by the US National Science Foundation (NSF), operated jointly by six countries aiming for breakthrough solutions to global challenges. This year’s funding call focused on the bioeconomy, with the main themes being biofoundries and biodiversity. Alternative proteins and cacao The FoodID project seeks to innovate sustainable processes by leveraging digital tools to produce alternative proteins and lipids using plants and fermentation. The aim is to create sustainable and healthy raw materials to improve global food systems. Finland’s VTT, the University of Helsinki, and companies Fazer, Valio, MeEat, Enifer, …

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Voyage Foods

© Voyage Foods
Company News

Voyage Foods Opens $25M USDA-Backed Facility, Targeting 10,000 Metric Tons of Cocoa-Free Chocolate Annually

Voyage Foods, a food technology company based in Oakland, California, is set to expand its manufacturing operations with a new facility in Mason, Ohio. The plant, spanning 284,000 square feet, will be used to produce the company’s cocoa-free chocolate, nut-free spreads, and bean-free coffee. The factory is expected to be operational by January 2025 and, once fully established, will have an annual production capacity of 10,000 metric tons of cocoa-free chocolate. Construction of the plant is being partially funded through a $25 million loan guaranteed by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), which supports the development of food production facilities in rural areas. Commenting on the new facility, Adam Maxwell, CEO and founder of Voyage Foods, said, “With this new facility, Voyage is maturing from …

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Foreverland carob chocolate

© Foreverland
Fundraising

Foreverland Secures €3.4M to “Redefine the Future of Chocolate and the Food Industry” with Carob-Based Alt Chocolate

The Italian startup Foreverland, which developed and patented a sustainable chocolate alternative made from the carob plant, announces it has secured €3.4 million in a seed round, a year after the company was founded. Foreverland states that the funds will enable the startup to enter its next phase of growth, and that it is “redefining the future of chocolate and the food industry” through this new round which, aimed to launch the presently semi-finished manufacturing facility and expand into Europe. Additionally, the funds will support European expansion, the development of new products, and the establishment of its first production facility in Puglia, Italy, which is poised to be operational from January 2025. Founded by Massimo Sabatini, Riccardo Bottiroli, Giuseppe D’Alessandro, and Massimo Brochetta in Bari …

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Cargill to compete with plant-based companies

© Cargill
Protein

Cargill Seeks Profitability with Business Split and Alternative Protein Focus

US agribusiness giant Cargill reportedly plans to split its business into three operating units instead of the current five: Food, Ag & Trading, and a Specialised Portfolio focused on animal nutrition and health. According to Reuters, Cargill and other agricultural merchants are facing financial and operational difficulties due to commodity crop prices approaching four-year lows, resulting in fallen crop processing margins and squeezing Cargill’s profit margins. Alternative protein focus Cargill, the world’s third-largest meat producer, has been active in the plant-based and alternative protein space for several years. In addition to offering a portfolio of plant-based protein ingredients, fibers, texturizers, plant-based oils, and fats, the company invests in companies developing sustainable food solutions. Over the past few years, the Minnesota-based firm has invested in various …

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Pluri develops cell-based coffee at industrial scale

© Pluri
Plant Cell Cultivation

Coffee Without Beans, Chocolate Without Cocoa – The Companies Making Plants from Cells (and why we need them)

Plant cell cultivation is revolutionizing the production of various crops by growing plant cells in controlled environments, such as bioreactors, to produce plant-based products. Why do we need plant cell cultivation technology? Demand for commodities like coffee and chocolate continues to grow as Earth’s populace continues to hurtle towards a figure of 9.8 billion projected for 2050. Meanwhile, the area of land suitable for growing such crops is rapidly shrinking. Plant cell cultivation bypasses the need for extensive farmland, reduces water usage, and minimizes environmental impact. With the ongoing effects of climate change and the increasing scarcity of arable land, these innovations are crucial for maintaining the future supply of essential crops. Around the world, innovators are creating methods which aim to ensure human beings …

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© Catherine's Originals
Sweets & Snacks

Catherine’s Originals Launches “UK’s First” Vegan Chocolate Selection Tin

UK company Catherine’s Originals has launched what is claimed to be the UK’s first vegan chocolate selection tin. The product is intended to provide an alternative to brands such as Quality Street and Roses, which are often eaten over the Christmas period. Each tin contains 81 chocolates, with nine flavours available: The Cookie Muncher — A plant-based take on Milky Way bars. Popped Cherry — A lip-shaped chocolate with a pink cherry centre. Dangerously in Love — A coffee-flavoured truffle. Heartbreaker — An orange and almond-flavoured chocolate. Snap-me-Coconut — Inspired by Bounty bars. Bite-me-Balls — A semi-sphere filled with vegan caramel. Tease Me — Contains crunchy vegan honeycomb. Milky-O’s — A hazelnut praline. Baby I’m Blue — A lavender and chamomile-flavoured chocolate. The fillings are …

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Heather Mills in blue suit

© Heather Mills

Investments & Acquisitions

Heather Mills Acquires Alternative Stores to Create a Central Hub of ‘Hero’ Plant-Based Products in the UK

Heather Mills, owner and founder of VBites who was recently recognised as ‘Vegan Woman of the Year‘ at the 2024 Vegan Women’s Summit in Los Angeles, announces the acquisition of the award-winning online plant-based store Alternative Stores. This latest addition to Mills’ vegan portfolio aims to offer support to hundreds of family businesses and assist with the launch of their own brands, and follows last year’s acquisition of the Plant & Bean manufacturing facility in Boston, UK, which was facing administration. Alternative Stores lists a wide variety of notable plant-based brands including UK egg alternative producer Sinless Food; Naturli butter; LoveRaw confectionery; Violife cheese; Mummy Meegz chocolate and treats; and of course, VBites, in addition to other categories such as footwear, household, pet food, and …

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Fava or broad beans

©[email protected]
Investments & Finance

Canada: New $7.7M Consortium to Develop Pea and Fava Protein Meat Alternatives

Protein Industries Canada has announced a new project to advance the development of pea and fava protein ingredients and food products. The consortium, including Lovingly Made Flour Mills, TMRW Foods, and Dutton Farms, will focus on optimizing ingredient processing and developing new meat alternative products. A total of $7.7 million has been committed to the project, with Protein Industries Canada investing $3.3 million. The project aims to add value to Canadian pea and fava crops, creating a value-chain feedback loop that benefits ingredient processors, food manufacturers, and consumers. This effort is expected to improve the affordability, nutrition, and consistency of end products, strengthening the domestic ingredient manufacturing industry and capturing new economic opportunities for Canada. Resilient supply chains “Canada is proud to support Protein Industries …

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© Sweegen
Ingredients

Sweegen Develops Sugar Alternatives Made With Novel Sweet Protein Technology

US-based natural sweetener company Sweegen has used novel sweet protein technology to produce sugar alternatives claimed to have better properties than regular sweeteners. The company’s Sweetensify Flavors range is made with brazzein, a protein sourced from the West African oubli fruit. Brazzein is calorie-free, 500-2000 times sweeter than sugar, and has excellent heat stability. Most importantly, the protein’s taste is not “one-dimensional” like many artificial sweeteners; instead, it can expand and intensify other tastes such as umami, as it hits a different taste receptor than ordinary sweeteners. Furthermore, since brazzein is synthesized as a protein by the body, it does not affect blood sugar levels. Sweetensify products combine brazzein with other unique sweet proteins such as thaumatin II, helping to reduce the sugar content of …

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© Migros
Meat- and Fish Alternatives

Migros Launches Upcycled Meat Alternatives Made From Spent Brewer’s Grain

Swiss supermarket chain Migros has partnered with Circular Food Solutions to launch a new range of upcycled meat alternatives. The products are made from spent brewer’s grains, a byproduct of the barley used in beer production. The grains, rich in nutrients such as proteins, vitamins, and fibre, are combined with Swiss-grown peas and wheat to produce the meat alternatives. There are currently three products in the range: burgers, mince, and marinated pieces. The meat alternatives have been developed using Circular Food Solutions’ technology, which aims to help companies take advantage of the growing demand for plant-based foods while making better use of resources. The technology is said to produce alt meats with “a unique fiber texture, taste, and elasticity”. The new products are part of …

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Macalat and MycoTechnology have partnered to create a sweet dark chocolate bar

© Macalat
Sweets & Snacks

Sugar-Free Mycelium Chocolate Described as Most Significant Innovation in Chocolate in a Century

US confectionery brand Macalat has introduced a vegan, organic, zero-sugar, sweet dark chocolate bar —  Organic Sweet Dark Chocolate — claiming it to be the most significant innovation in chocolate in the past 100 years. To achieve this breakthrough, Macalat has partnered with the mushroom innovator MycoTechnology to create a dark chocolate experience using a mycelium-derived flavor modulator called ClearIQ.   Produced using fermentation, ClearIQ is said to be an “incredible” and natural solution to eliminate the need for sugar, milk, or artificial sweeteners and mask the bitterness and astringency of dark chocolate. In addition, as a flavor amplifier, it enhances the full spectrum of cacao flavors while delivering a smooth texture. According to MycoTechnology, ClearIQ’s capabilities extend beyond chocolate to other F&B products, positioning it as …

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CRAVE alternative to peanut butter

© CRAVE
Products & Launches

CRAVE Launches Nut-Free Alternative to Peanut Butter

UK-based free-from food brand CRAVE has developed a new nut-free alternative to peanut butter, made from sunflower seeds. The spread provides an accessible option for those suffering from peanut allergies, which includes around 2% of children in the UK according to Allergy UK. Of these, only around 1 in 5 will outgrow their allergy. Called P’Not Butter, the new spread is described as a “luscious and crunchy alternative that cleverly emulates peanut butter”. It builds on the success of another CRAVE product, Sir Spread-a-lot, which is a chocolate hazelnut spread free from dairy, gluten, and eggs. Gluten-free and vegan snacks CRAVE has seen considerable success since appearing on the TV show Aldi’s Next Big Thing in 2022. After pitching its vegan and allergen-free snacks, the …

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Nukoko raises funding to scale cocoa-free chocolate

© Nukoko
Investments & Acquisitions

Nukoko Raises $1.5M to Scale “World’s First” Cocoa-Free Chocolate Made From Fava Beans

UK-based company Nukoko has raised $1.5 million in seed funding to scale up its technology to produce cocoa-free chocolate from fava beans. The round was led by Oyster Bay Venture Capital, with participation from SOSV and The Mills Fabrica alongside a grant from Innovate UK. Due to climate change, cocoa has seen a supply deficit in recent years, causing prices to rise by a huge 89% in 2023 and double again in the first months of 2024. Cocoa production is also associated with deforestation and significant carbon emissions. Nukoko claims to have developed the first chocolate made from fava beans, a nitrogen-fixing crop that can be grown within the UK. Using a fermentation process similar to traditional cocoa fermentation, the company transforms the beans into …

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