Mars

Dog puppy food

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Pet Food

Big Idea Ventures and Mars Petcare Launch Global Next Generation Pet Food Program

For the second year running, Big Idea Ventures and Mars Petcare have joined forces to launch the Next Generation Pet Food Program. This year’s program will take place in collaboration with AAK, Bühler, and Givaudan. The initiative aims to accelerate sustainable innovation in the pet food sector by supporting the development of novel ingredients, sustainable fats and proteins, and advanced processing technologies. It is open to startups from around the world, though APAC-based companies are preferred. Ideally, applications should demonstrate scalable, sustainable solutions with real-world impact. Companies selected for the program will receive expert guidance, potential commercial partnerships, and the opportunity to showcase their solutions at the Asia-Pacific Agri-Food Innovation Summit in Singapore from November 4–6, 2025. “We must invest in innovation to help us …

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Galaxy dairy-free honeycomb bar

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Products & Launches

Galaxy Launches Dairy Free Honeycomb Bar in the UK

Galaxy is expanding its dairy-free chocolate range in the UK with the launch of the new Honeycomb bar, which combines cocoa, hazelnut paste, and crunchy honeycomb pieces. Like the remainder of Galaxy’s dairy-free range, the new product is made in a completely dairy-free and gluten-free environment. It has also been certified by the Vegan Society. “This new bar brings you the signature silky Galaxy taste you know andlove, now with melt-in-your-mouth honeycomb pieces,” says the brand. “It’s the indulgence you expect from Galaxy, without the dairy. Crafted for those living a dairy-free lifestyle, the new 40g bar is ideal for popping in your bag and enjoying as a moment of pleasure on the move.” An evolving range The news comes just months after Galaxy introduced …

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Dog with a bowl of food

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Pet Food

Big Idea Ventures Partners with Key Industry Players to Launch Next Gen Pet Food Innovation Program

Big Idea Ventures, in collaboration with Mars Petcare, AAK, and Bühler, has announced the launch of the Next Generation Pet Food Program. This initiative seeks to foster innovation in the pet food industry by engaging human food startups to develop sustainable solutions for pet nutrition. The program is particularly focused on reducing carbon emissions through the development of novel ingredients, sustainable protein and fat sources, and advanced processing technologies. This initiative is a joint effort by several industry leaders. Mars Petcare, known for its contributions to veterinary care and pet nutrition, is partnering with AAK, a company specializing in plant-based oils and fats, and Bühler, a global provider of technology for food and feed production. Together, these companies aim to support startups that can introduce …

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Galaxy vegan fruit and nut bar

© Galaxy
Products & Launches

Galaxy Launches Vegan Version of Popular Fruit and Nut Chocolate Bar

Mars-owned chocolate brand Galaxy has launched a vegan version of its much-loved Fruit and Nut chocolate bar in the UK. The product consists of dairy-free milk chocolate made with hazelnut paste, combined with raisins and roasted hazelnuts. It is available as a large 100g bar and a 40g snack-size format, which have both gained listings at Morrisons stores UK-wide. Expanding vegan range Galaxy previously launched another dairy-free option — the Vegan Salted Caramel bar — in July of last year. Also made with hazelnut paste, the product was introduced in response to growing demand for free-from confectionery. The brand’s first dairy-free range was launched in 2019, making Mars the world’s first major confectionery company to produce vegan chocolate. It featured the flavours Caramelized Hazelnut, Caramel …

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Company News

What Will the NotCo X Mars Wrigley Collab Look Like?

As announced on social channels this week, NotCo is partnering with Mars Wrigley, a subdivision of the Mars Co. and the “world’s leading manufacturer of chocolate, chewing gum, mints and fruit confections”. NotCo CEO and co-founder Matias Muchnick shared on his feed: “So thrilled to announce NotCo’s exciting new collaboration with family-owned Mars Wrigley! We’re beginning to work on very exciting innovation projects, combining NotCo’s patented Al, both company’s mighty team of scientists and Mars’ deep understanding of leading consumer categories. “I am truly impressed by the Mars commitment to fueling innovation and recognizing Al’s key role in the present and future of the food industry. They are looking to push boundaries, find new ways of working- so excited that we will be doing it …

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Society

Mars, Just Eat, the MoD & the NHS On Why They Are Embracing the Veganuary Workplace Challenge

Veganuary reveals the latest in the currently 80+ strong list of organisations signing up for this year’s Veganuary Workplace Challenge. So far this year, we have reported on new vegan food service offerings from McDonald’s, Burger King, Heavenly Desserts, Hungry Horse pubs, Wagamama, Domino’s (in Germany and UK), and Sushi Daily; as well as new vegan NPDs from Heinz, Cauldron Foods and THIS. Additionally, further news came through today with new plant-based menu items at high street chains Starbucks and Greggs. Some of UK’s largest organisations sign up Veganuary today reports that Suffolk County Council; NHS Supply Chain: Food; the MoD; London North East Railway; Odeon Cinemas; Mars Food Europe; Just Eat Takeaway and Jude’s ice cream are also joining the 80+ organisations joining Veganuary’s …

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Mars Perfect Day Chocolate

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Sweets & Snacks

Mars Partners with Perfect Day to Launch First Animal-Free Milk Chocolate

Confectionery leader Mars, Inc. is joining with startup Perfect Day to launch the company’s first animal-free chocolate innovation in the US. Made with Perfect Day’s nature-identical dairy protein, the new CO2COA chocolate provides consumers with silky smooth, lactose-free chocolate that is also earth-friendly.  An eco-chocolate experience CO2COA joins Mars’ iconic family of snacks and treats, including M&M’S, Snickers, Skittles, and Extra Gum. The CO2COA name is inspired by sustainability, which pays homage to the reduction of CO2 greenhouse gases and the sourcing of Rainforest Alliance-Certified cocoa. In addition to being lactose- and cholesterol-free, the chocolate is wrapped in paper-based packaging.  “At Mars, we bring our consumer-passion to innovation, developing on-trend innovations that support a world where both people and the planet thrive,” said Chris Rowe, …

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Ben's Original

©Ben's Original
Products & Launches

Mars Launches Ben’s Plant Powered Range After Seeing “Permanent Shift” in UK Eating Habits 

Mars Food UK is to launch a plant-based range for its Ben’s Original brand. Rebranded from Uncle Ben’s, the new Ben’s Plant Powered range includes vegan versions of UK classics and will hit shelves in June.  Debuting with three SKUs – Chilli Non-Carne, Spicy Lentil Stew, and Tikka Masala – the Ben’s Plant Powered products are all microwaveable in 90 seconds and have been launched by Mars Food in response to what the multinational calls; “a permanent shift in eating habits in the UK”, as first reported by the Grocer.  After becoming the first major confectionery producer in the world to launch a vegan chocolate bar back in 2020, Mars has since expanded its plant-based offerings across its food brands. The Mars Petcare division is …

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vegan Galaxy and Topic bars

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Sweets & Snacks

New Vegan Galaxy and Topic Chocolate Bars Launch in the UK

Mars has expanded its range of vegan Galaxy and Topic bars with two new launches. The Galaxy Vegan Smooth White and the Topic Vegan Fruit and Nut bars will be available exclusively at Asda stores. The new Galaxy bar replaces dairy with almond paste and is described as providing an improved taste compared to other brands of vegan white chocolate. The Topic bar is made with hazelnut paste combined with raisins, hazelnuts, and cocoa. Vegan chocolate by Mars Mars launched its first vegan Galaxy bars in 2019, becoming the first major confectionery brand to introduce plant-based options. The bars were initially available in three flavours — Caramelised Hazelnut, Caramel and Sea Salt, and Smooth Orange. They were followed by a plant-based Mars drink made with …

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Mars Petcare Karma

© Mars Petcare

Products & Launches

Eyebrows Raised as Mars Launches KARMA “Plant-First” Dog Food That Contains Meat

One of the biggest companies in the global pet food industry, Mars Petcare, has introduced a new brand of sustainability-focused dog food. Called KARMA, the new range is marketed as “plant-first” though both products in the line contain meat.  Coming in recyclable bags designed by TerraCycle, the KARMA dog food line claims to provide dogs with “plant-based superfoods”, with more than 60 percent of the recipe made up of plants. Back in 2019, vegconomist reported that the producer of Whiskas and Pedigree was looking to develop meat-free pet protein products, and the KARMA line looks to be a step in that direction despite not actually being meat-free.  The terms “plant-first” or “plant-forward” are becoming popular with producers keen to promote their sustainability credentials, even though …

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Galaxy vegan range

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Products & Launches

Mars is World’s First Major Confectionery Company to Produce Vegan Chocolate

Confectionary giant Mars has debuted a new line of vegan chocolate bars in the UK, which makes it the world’s first major confectionery company to offer a vegan alternative to milk chocolate. The vegan line of Galaxy chocolate is now available in the UK. The Galaxy bars are available in Caramelized Hazelnut, Caramel and Sea Salt, and Smooth Orange. The products will be available at Tesco, Ocado and Amazon, and the cost of each bar is reportedly set at £3 ($3.85)  which makes it 3 times more expensive than its dairy milk counterpart. Kerry Cavanaugh, unit director of chocolate at Mars, said to CNN that the vegan market was impossible to ignore. “Wherever you look you can’t avoid the vegan buzz in the UK — …

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