Nestlé has announced the launch of its KitKat V, a vegan version of the iconic chocolate bar, in 15 European countries. The decision to expand follows a test in the UK that confirmed that the product was a hit.
“This is one of the biggest launches ever of a vegan alternative of a major confectionery brand”
Louise Barrett, Head of the Nestlé Confectionery Product Technology Center in New York, commented on the launch: “Last year, we decided to produce KitKat V in our R&D production facilities to bring the product to the shelves much faster and test with our consumers. The response from consumers was overwhelming, and we are now excited to launch it at a much wider scale.”
“The response from consumers was overwhelming”
Nestlé’s confectionery site in Hamburg will be responsible for making KitKat V for Germany, the United Kingdom, France, Austria, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Greece, Portugal, Poland, Hungary, and the Netherlands.
Delicious as ever but sustainable
According to Nestlé, KitKat V still offers the perfect balance between the crispy wafer and smooth chocolate that people know and love. In the new recipe, rice milk replaces dairy milk for the right flavor and texture.
“Our challenge when we set out to create a vegan-friendly KitKat was to recreate this iconic product using plant-based alternatives. To achieve this, we worked very hard to get the right balance between the milk alternative and the cocoa. The result is vegan chocolate that we’re very proud of, and I hope all KitKat fans will love it as much as we do”, commented Louise Barret.
Over its full lifecycle from farm to consumer, KitKat V has an 18% lower carbon footprint than a standard milk chocolate KitKat. This lower carbon footprint has been certified by the Carbon Trust, claimed Nestlé in a press release.
“We are seeing a strong trend in food with more people looking for plant-based options, including for treats. This is one of the biggest launches ever of a vegan alternative of a major confectionery brand and it shows our confidence in this trend. We’re delighted to offer KitKat V to all those KitKat fans out there who asked us to make it happen!” said Corinne Gabler, Head of Confectionery for Europe at Nestlé.
