Not Co unsweetened vanilla

© Not Co

Products & Launches

NotCo Announces Launch of New Unsweetened Vanilla, Expands Availability of Barista Line

Foodtech leader NotCo has announced an expansion in the distribution of its latest products, NotMilk Unsweetened Vanilla and NotMilk Barista, at retailers in the United States. Starting in February 2024, NotMilk Unsweetened Vanilla will be available nationwide in Whole Foods Market stores. This product is an extension of NotCo’s NotMilk line and is designed with no added sugar, offering a creamy, vanilla-infused alternative to traditional milk. With health being a considerable driver in consumer behavior, NotCo’s sugar-free options aim to give customers more control over their sugar intake. NotMilk Barista, the coffee-optimized version of NotMilk, has seen increased expansion in its distribution across the US since its introduction last year. Beginning with a foodservice launch in August, this product is now available in major grocers, …

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NotCo Not So Happy Animal Campaign

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Marketing & Media

NotCo Launches Innovative AR Campaign to Challenge Perceptions of Animal-Based Food Logos

Food-tech company NotCo, recognized for its use of AI to craft plant-based alternatives, has launched an innovative campaign titled “Not So Happy Animals.” This initiative aims to challenge the presence of seemingly joyous animal logos in the fast-food industry, shedding light on the often overlooked realities behind these symbols. The campaign, debuting today across the United States and Mexico, employs Augmented Reality (AR) technology, creating an immersive and interactive experience for users. By visiting nothappy.com on their mobile devices, consumers can scan animal logos they encounter in various public spaces. The AR technology is designed to recognize and animate logos featuring animals, ranging from well-known brands like Chick-fil-A to smaller establishments such as Mr. C’s Fried Chicken and Waffles. Once scanned, these logos are transformed …

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NotCo wins appeal in Chile as court rules in favour of using the word 'milk'

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Politics & Law

“NotCo is Officially NotGuilty” – Chilean Unicorn Defeats Dairy Union as Court Allows ‘Milk’ on NotMilk Labels

After filing an appeal against a court ruling prohibiting using the NotMilk trademark in Chile, NotCo has received positive news. As reported by local media, the Court of Appeals of Valdivia revoked the first instance’s sentence and rejected the lawsuit filed by the Association of Milk Producers of the Los Ríos Region, which accused NotCo of unfair competition for using the name milk on its plant-based beverages.  “We’re officially NotGuilty,” Matias Muchnick, founder and CEO, shared on social media.  The legal action against NotCo started in 2020, and last May, the court ruled in favor of the dairy union, mandating the cessation of any branding or imagery related to the dairy industry.  However, NotCo fought back and, during the appeal, presented a study by Cadem, the country’s …

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A man holding multiple NotMilk products

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Politics & Law

NotCo Challenges Dairy Allegations in Court: 99% of Consumers Know it’s NOT MILK

In a recent appeal against a court ruling prohibiting the use of the NotMilk trademark in Chile, NotCo presented a study by Cadem, showing that most consumers understand that NotMilk is a plant-based beverage despite its branding and packaging displaying the word “milk,” reports La Tercera. Cadem, the country’s leading market research and public opinion company, demonstrates in its Analysis of the reception of the NotMilk product by consumers in Chile that only 0.1% of participants believe that NotMilk comes from a cow. The legal battle began in late 2020 when the dairy farmers union Aproval (Los Ríos Region Milk Producers’ Association) filed a lawsuit alleging “unfair competition” and accusing the food tech company of capitalizing on the reputation of milk and confusing consumers. Last May, the court’s …

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Melt Pizzas collaborates with NotCo

Image: Melt Pizzas/NotCo

Food Service

NotCo Partners With Chile’s Melt Pizzas to Launch Two Vegan Pizzas Topped With NotCheese

Chilean food tech company NotCo has partnered with Melt Pizzas, a popular Chilean restaurant chain, to develop two plant-based pizzas. Both pizzas — The Vegan Pesto Margarita and the Vegan Veggie — are topped with NotCo’s mozzarella-style plant-based NotCheese. The Vegan Pesto Margarita also features cherry tomatoes and vegan pesto, while the Vegan Veggie is topped with red onion, green pepper, mushroom, black olives, corn, and tomato. Melt Pizzas said it chose NotCheese because the product’s melting properties are superior to other vegan cheeses, hinting that it may also roll out more options using the cheese alternative in future. The chain added that it has previously offered four vegan pizzas, which have all been a “complete success”, as the trend towards plant-based foods continues to …

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NotChicken Spicy Patties

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Products & Launches

NotCo Launches NotChicken Spicy Patties in US Whole Foods Markets

Food tech company NotCo has unveiled its newest plant-based offering in partnership with Austin-based hot sauce company, Yellowbird Sauce. The product, known as NotChicken Spicy Patties, is now available in select Whole Foods Market stores across the United States.  Combining the signature NotChicken Patties with Yellowbird’s Spicy Habanero flavor, these patties are designed to replicate the taste, aroma, and texture of chicken, with an additional spicy kick, thanks to Yellowbird’s Spicy Habanero flavor. Matias Muchnick, CEO and founder of NotCo, expressed his commitment to delivering delicious plant-based options, stating, “We already deliver on our promise to provide consumers mind-blowingly delicious plant-based options, and we were looking for a way to build on that flavor-forward guarantee to reach even more plant-based eaters and flexitarians. The only …

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NotCo Juicy NotBurger

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Fairs & Events

NotCo Recognized as Climate Tech Company to Watch by MIT Technology Review

Food tech company NotCo has recently been recognized among the 15 Climate Tech Companies to Watch 2023 by MIT Technology Review, a Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) media company.  The list highlights startups and established businesses that the MIT Technology Review editors consider to have the potential to reduce GHG emissions or address the challenges posed by global warming. NotCo has been recognized for using AI and cutting-edge technology to create plant-based products similar in taste and texture to animal products. Also recommended to “watch” are other businesses developing cleaner ways of generating electricity, storing energy, manufacturing, and transporting people and goods, including BYD, Blue Frontier, General Motors, and NuScale. It is worth mentioning that Notco is the only food tech company featured on the list.  AI tech …

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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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NotCo launches NotMilk Barista

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Products & Launches

NotCo Introduces Shelf Stable NotMilk Barista with “Cold and Hot Foam Like No Udder” for US Foodservice

After one year of R&D, NotCo US has launched NotMilk Barista, a shelf-stable oat-based milk that masters foam in hot and cold beverages. Specially designed for the food service industry, the NPD was created with NotCo‘s patented AI technology and the input of professional baristas.  The company claims it provides comparable functionality to traditional dairy milk, creating “perfect” foam, even in high-acidity coffees and regardless of the steaming setting. According to NotCo, 60% of food service operators perceive plant-based as an enduring trend, and many restaurants will incorporate meatless and dairy-free alternatives to their menus.  “We took action and hired baristas to come to our labs to help with improvement and design phases. After a year or so, NotMilk was performing great, delivering amazing macchiatos, lattes, flat whites, cappuccinos, …

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drawing of a black chicken crossed in purple purple on a yellow background

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Company News

NotCo Joins Brazilian Companies to Launch Base Planta, a New Association to Make Plant-Based More Accessible

NotCo Brazil has joined Brazilian plant-based companies NUDE, Positive Company, and Vida Veg to launch Base Planta, an association seeking to make plant-based foods more accessible to consumers. The group will establish a dialogue with authorities, suppliers, regulators, governments, and commercial partners searching for better prices, and more favorable conditions to propel the development of the sector in Brazil. Base Planta will act as a representative of the plant-based market in the country, searching for fiscal equality with animal-based products. According to the association, while plant-based milk pays a federal tax of 9.25%, UHT milk (of animal origin) does not. Additionally, plant-based products include municipal, state, and federal taxes making them more expensive. Base Planta believes that by making taxes more fair and balanced, they will be able …

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NotCo Plant-based Chicken Nuggets

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Products & Launches

NotCo Launching NotChicken Burgers, Nuggets and Tenders Across Canada

Global food tech company NotCo announces it is launching a full range of plant-based NotChicken™ products in Canada, including burgers, nuggets and upcoming tenders.  Created with NotCo’s patented AI technology, the new chicken products are now available at major Canadian grocery stores nationwide. NotChicken is the company’s third product launch in Canada following the successful rollouts of NotMilk in 2021 and NotBurger in 2022.  Made with ingredients like peach, bamboo fiber, and fava bean, the new line of NotChicken products are non-GMO, cholesterol-free, and range in price from CAD $7.99 to $8.99. The company states the products are also proudly made in Canada.  Canada expansion In April, NotCo partnered with Canadian fast-casual chain Hero Certified Burgers, which added NotBurgers, NotChicken patties, tenders and two varieties of …

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NotCo appeals lawsuit against its trademark NotMilk

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Politics & Law

NotCo Fights for NotMilk Trademark Following Dairy Lawsuit in Chile

Yesterday Chilean giant NotCo announced that in the next few days, it will appeal against a ruling prohibiting the use of the NotMilk trademark in Chile.  At the end of 2020, Aproval, the Valdivia dairy farmers union, filed an “unfair competition” lawsuit to the 1st Civil Court of Valdivia, accusing NotCo of taking advantage of “milk’s prestige.”  Aproval argued that NotMilk’s advertising strategy uses the word milk to sell its product and, at the same time, disqualifies natural milk, saying it is harmful to health and the environment. The court, which ruled in favor of the dairy union, ordered the “cessation and prohibition of the use of any mark, labeling, distinctive or image, of any nature (whether on the packaging of its product or in …

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NotCo Argentina

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Marketing & Media

NotCo Argentina Launches NotCow Campaign to Promote Cruelty-Free Dairy

Chilean B Corp certified unicorn company NotCo has launched a marketing campaign in Argentina called NotCow, featuring the slogan “Cross out what you don’t want, Keep what you like,” encouraging consumers to switch to cruelty-free, healthier, and more sustainable alternatives.   NotCow aims to promote NotCo’s plant-based products — NotMilk, NotCream Cheese, and NotDulce de Leche — as options for traditional Argentinean favorites such as milk coffee, toast with cream cheese, and dulce de leche (a ubiquitous sweet in the country’s gastronomy). “The category of dairy replacements is a clear example of how countless recipes and occasions at home can become plant-based without effort and without leaving aside taste and enjoyment,” says Matias Latugaye, Country Manager Argentina of NotCo. In Argentina, the vegan population amounts to 4%, and …

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Veggie Shack Burger Patty at Shake Shack

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Fast Food

Shake Shack Unveils First Vegan Patty, Adds NotCo Milkshakes and Custard to Permanent Menu

US burger chain Shake Shack announces it is adding three plant-based items to its permanent menu, including the Veggie Shack, its first 100% vegan patty. The chain will also make its Non-Dairy Chocolate Shake and Non-Dairy Frozen Custard, developed in partnership with NotCo, a new part of its core menu.  NOTE: To be fully vegan, the Veggie Shack must be ordered without cheese, ShackSauce and with a lettuce wrap instead of bun. According to Shake Shack, the new Veggie Shack required months of extensive R&D and taste tests in its New York City locations. Made with grains and seasonal vegetables, the patty features mushrooms, sweet potatoes, carrots, farro and quinoa, American cheese (non-vegan), crispy onions, pickles and ShackSauce (non-vegan.)  The burger is priced at $8.29, …

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Burger King Colombia launches NotCo-powered Veggie Whopper, King Veggie, and Nuggets Veggie

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Fast Food

Burger King Colombia Launches NotCo-Powered Veggie Menu

Chilean plant-based company NotCo announces a partnership with Burger King Colombia to offer flexitarians a veggie menu and continue the expansion of the plant-based movement across LATAM. Using the slogan “We declare ourselves Flexitarians!”, the fast food chain has added three new items made with NotCo’s plant-based meat and chicken: Veggie Whopper (previously served with The Vegetarian Butcher’s burger patty), King Veggie, and Nuggets Veggie. The new options are promoted as 100% plant-based, but it’s yet to be specified if the bread and sauces are vegan.  “Hey, burger lovers from Colombia! We’re feeling like royalty with the new veggie line from Burger King that joins the plant-based movement. More and more people believe that removing animals from the equation is the answer for a more sustainable yet equally delicious …

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NotCo Juicy NotBurger

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Gastronomy & Food Service

NotCo Partners with Canada’s Hero Certified Burgers to Bring NotBurger, NotChicken and NotMilk to Menus

Food tech startup NotCo announces a new partnership with Canadian fast-casual chain Hero Certified Burgers. Customers can now order any burger with a NotBurger patty, NotChicken patty or opt for new NotChicken nuggets. In addition, Hero Certified will also offer NotCo’s plant-based milks in Whole or Chocolate flavors.  Based in Toronto, Hero Certified operates dozens of locations across the city and throughout eastern Canada. For a limited time, the chain is also featuring the NotBurger in its Spicy Plant Based Soul Burger combo for $6.99, which includes fries and a beverage.  Canadian expansion NotCo first launched its popular NotBurger in Canadian retailers including Loblaw Companies Limited, Walmart and Sobeys, in May 2022. At the time, the company announced it was strengthening its presence in the …

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NotMayo US launch

©The Kraft Heinz Not Company

Products & Launches

NotCo Announces US Retail Debut of NotMayo

NotCo, in partnership with The Kraft Heinz Not Company, announces its popular NotMayo is now available in US retailers The Fresh Grocer, ShopRite and PriceRite, as well as select regional stores for Target, Kroger and Meijer. According to Matias Muchnick, NotCo’s founder and CEO, the product is launching in the US more than five years after its initial, highly successful debut in Chile. The company says the rollout is made possible by NotCo’s joint partnership with CPG giant Kraft Heinz, and reports NotMayo beat both animal and plant-based mayo’s in consumer tests.  In Chile, a country that is said to consume about 4kg of mayonnaise per capita each year, NotMayo became a runaway success when it launched in Jumbo markets nationwide in 2017. At Jumbo, …

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Kraft Heinz Not Co Joint Venture

©The Kraft Heinz Not Company

Food & Beverage

The Kraft Heinz Not Company Reveals Plans to Enter Multiple Categories and Expand Globally

The Kraft Heinz Not Company, a joint venture between CPG leader Kraft Heinz and Chilean Unicorn NotCo, recently announced the upcoming launch of NotMayo in the US and Canada in 2023. Speaking to vegconomist, Kraft Heinz reveals the company is just getting started, with plans to expand to seven categories and embark on international expansion in 2024.  In February 2022, Kraft Heinz announced it was joining forces with NotCo in a historic, first-of-its-kind partnership to “democratize” access to plant-based foods. By combining Kraft Heinz’s iconic brands and powerful scaling with NotCo’s AI-driven food tech, Kraft Heinz stated the venture would develop new products with an “unprecedented focus” on speed, quality and scale. Eight months later, Kraft Heinz Chief Growth Officer Diana Frost revealed the collaborators’ …

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Fernando Machado/ Matias Muchnick

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Company News

NotCo Hires Veteran Global Marketer Fernando Machado as New Chief Marketing Officer

Food tech unicorn NotCo announces it has hired Fernando Machado, a celebrated leader in global marketing, as its new Chief Marketing Officer, effective in April.  Known for “brilliant” marketing campaigns that pushed creative boundaries to drive business growth, Machado most recently served as CMO of Activision Blizzard, one of the world’s most successful entertainment and gaming companies. Prior to Activision, he also served as CMO for Restaurants Brands International, where he created award-winning advertising for brands like Burger King and Popeyes. Machado’s career began as an intern at Unilever, where he last worked as Global Brand Development VP for Dove.  $1.5Bn brand Machado’s hire follows NotCo’s $70M series D1 funding round in December, which valued the company at $1.5Bn. According to Machado, he has long …

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