Mars News - vegconomist - the vegan business magazine

What Will the NotCo X Mars Wrigley Collab Look Like?

September 14, 2023September 14, 2023

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 …

Bookmark

ClosePlease loginn

Society

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

January 4, 2023

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 …

Bookmark

ClosePlease loginn

Topics:

NHS

veganuary

©Mars, Inc.

Sweets & Snacks

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

June 16, 2022

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, …

Bookmark

ClosePlease loginn

Topics:

Chocolate

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

May 31, 2022

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 …

Bookmark

ClosePlease loginn

Sweets & Snacks

New Vegan Galaxy and Topic Chocolate Bars Launch in the UK

May 2, 2022

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 …

Topics:

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

August 9, 2021

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 …

Topics:

Mars Releases Vegan Bounty and Topic Chocolate Bars

January 4, 2021

Mars announces today the launch of Bounty Vegan and Topic Vegan, following the news in November that it became the first major confectionary producer in the world to launch a vegan chocolate, with the launch of dairy free Galaxy. In July, Mars also launched vegan drinks in the form of oat-based Mars, Bounty and Galaxy flavoured milkshakes.

Topics:

Don Robinson ©Eat Beyond Global Holdings

Interviews

Eat Beyond Global Holdings: “Laser-Focused on Driving Innovation in the Food Sector”

February 24, 2022November 21, 2020

Don Robinson, former CEO of Mars Inc., was appointed as Chairman of the Board of Eat Beyond Global Holdings this Thursday. Eat Beyond is a Vancouver-based global investment fund that is seeking to invest in startups and businesses in the area of plant-based and alternative foods.

Bookmark

ClosePlease loginn

©Mars

Food & Beverage

Mars Launches Vegan Chocolate Drink Mars Oat in UK as Oat Trend Continues

June 7, 2022July 21, 2020

Confectionery giant Mars has launched new certified vegan chocolate drink Mars Oat in the UK in response to the growing demand for oat milk products. So far, the company already launched a product line of two comparable drinks, imitating the taste of the well-known chocolate bars Galaxy and Bounty.

Topics:

Mars Petcare Is Developing Meat-Free Pet Food – Says it is a “Market Opportunity”

March 1, 2022December 17, 2019

As reported by The Telegraph, Mars Petcare, the world’s second-largest manufacturer of pet food, is developing meat-free food for companion animals amid concerns over the environmental impact of factory farming.

Topics:

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

February 24, 2022November 22, 2019

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 — …

Topics: