Vegan Chocolate News - vegconomist - the vegan business magazine

UK Brand NOMO Launches Three New Vegan Chocolate Bars

May 21, 2025

UK vegan chocolate brand NOMO has launched three new flavours — Salted Popcorn, Birthday Cake, and a new version of its Cookie Dough bar. The 32g Salted Popcorn bar consists of dairy-free chocolate with roasted corn pieces and sea salt. It is said to be ideal for movie nights, and combines sweet and salty flavours. The larger 127g Birthday Cake bar has been introduced in celebration of NOMO’s sixth birthday, which takes place this month. It features vegan chocolate with a filling of vanilla birthday cake flavour and sprinkles. Additionally, NOMO is expanding its Cookie Dough line with the introduction of a smaller 32g snackable bar, combining chocolate with a crumbly cookie dough filling. The launch follows the continued success of the line, which is …

Organisations and brands:

NOMO

Sweets & Snacks

Lindt Responds to Canadian Vegan Cravings with Launch of LINDOR Vegan Truffles

May 14, 2025

Lindt & Sprüngli has launched its LINDOR Vegan Truffles in Canada, catering to the growing demand for indulgent, plant-based chocolate alternatives. The new truffles, which come in both Original and Dark Chocolate varieties, are made with oat-based chocolate to replicate the smooth, melting experience traditionally associated with milk chocolate. The LINDOR Vegan Truffles are available in 120g bags, with each truffle individually wrapped. Lindt & Sprüngli, based in Switzerland, has been producing high-quality chocolates for over 175 years and continues to expand its range of offerings to meet the demands of various dietary preferences, including veganism. Last year, the company launched vegan truffle balls in the US, and also recently invested in Food Brewer, which produces cocoa alternatives using plant cell culture. The introduction of …

Organisations and brands:

Lindt

Products & Launches

Galaxy Launches Dairy Free Honeycomb Bar in the UK

April 25, 2025

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 …

Organisations and brands:

Galaxy

Mars

Investments & Finance

Food Brewer Raises Over $11M with Backing from Lindt & Sprüngli and Sparkalis

February 24, 2025

Zurich-based food-tech startup Food Brewer has secured new investment from Swiss chocolate manufacturer Lindt & Sprüngli and Sparkalis, the corporate venture arm of Puratos, as part of a CHF 5 million ($5.6 million) seed extension round. The investment brings the company’s total funding to CHF 10 million ($11.1 million), according to AgFunderNews. Food Brewer specializes in producing cocoa and coffee alternatives using plant cell culture, a process that involves selecting and cultivating plant cells in bioreactors. The startup aims to provide a climate-resilient alternative to traditional cocoa and coffee production, which faces increasing challenges due to climate change and rising raw material costs. In a statement on social media, Food Brewer said that Lindt & Sprüngli’s involvement would support its go-to-market strategy and product development …

Organisations and brands:

Food Brewer

Products & Launches

NotCo Launches Limited-Edition Dubai-Style NotSquare Chocolate Bar

February 12, 2025

NotCo, the plant-based food company, has introduced a new product, the Dubai Style NotSquare, which originated from an informal internal discussion. Matias Muchnick, CEO and founder, shared on LinkedIn that the idea came up during a casual conversation about a viral pistachio-filled chocolate. “This was one of those ideas that was never supposed to go anywhere (but of course it did),” he wrote. Within two weeks, the company moved from concept to production, resulting in a limited-edition product featuring a crunchy texture, 7g of protein, no sugar, and a plant-based chocolate coating. The company notes that the product is limited edition (for now), but has not yet confirmed where it will be available. To promote the new product, Notco is engaging consumers through an ASMR …

Organisations and brands:

NotCo

Portrait of Meurens' Tim Van De Gehuchte

Tim Van De Gehuchte © Meurens Natural

Interviews

Meurens Natural: “We Tailor Solutions to Bring Ingenious Plant-Based Ideas to Life”

February 10, 2025

Meurens Natural specializes in cereal-based syrups, proteins, and extracts—primarily derived from oats, millet, and rice. These ingredients are manufactured using enzymatic hydrolysis, which retains maximum nutrients and avoids refining. The company emphasizes local and European agriculture and produces mainly organic products. We spoke with Tim Van de Gehuchte, International Sales & Marketing Manager at Meurens Natural, about their innovative plant-based ingredients, including low-sugar syrups, oat proteins, and vegan chocolate solutions. This interview offers insights into how they support brands in creating sustainable, health-conscious products while addressing key market trends. Can you provide an overview of Meurens Natural core products and how they contribute to the quality of plant-based products? Our syrups are manufactured by enzymatic hydrolysis and are not refined. This process mimics what happens naturally …

Organisations and brands:

Meurens Natural

Photo courtesy of Albrecht Wolfmeyer

Retail & E-Commerce

Why the Vegan Kitkat Failed To Convince Consumers

February 7, 2025

Nestlé has officially confirmed that the KitKat V, its plant-based version of the popular chocolate bar, has been discontinued in all markets except the UK. The vegan KitKat initially launched in the UK in 2021 before expanding to the EU in 2022. It was later reintroduced as a limited edition in Australia in 2023. Despite Nestlé’s efforts to establish a viable plant-based alternative, the product struggled to gain traction in key markets such as Germany, ultimately leading to its withdrawal. Nestlé promoted KitKat V as a more sustainable alternative, highlighting that its carbon footprint was 18% lower than the dairy-based version due to the removal of milk ingredients. The recipe also featured a higher cocoa and cocoa butter content, aiming to deliver a premium taste …

Organisations and brands:

KitKat

Nestlé

Fairs & Events

BIOFACH 2025 Showcases Vegan Agriculture, Sustainable Packaging, and Ethical Chocolate

February 4, 2025

BIOFACH, the world’s largest trade fair for organic food and agriculture, is set to take place from February 11-14, 2025, in Nuremberg, Germany. The event will feature over 2,700 exhibitors and attract approximately 46,700 trade visitors from around 130 countries. The event will provide a platform for industry stakeholders to explore the latest developments in organic food and sustainability. From plant-based agriculture and compostable packaging to vegan product innovation, the event showcases the shifting landscape of the organic sector and its adaptation to environmental and consumer demands. Biocyclic Vegan Farming: Expanding sustainable agriculture Biocyclic Vegan International will present its approach to organic agriculture, which excludes animal husbandry and animal-derived fertilizers. Instead, the method leverages plant-based cycles, composting, and humus buildup to maintain soil health. The …

Organisations and brands:

Biocyclic Vegan International

biofach

iChoc

Products & Launches

Montezuma’s Launches New Vegan Truffles in Time for Valentine’s Day

January 29, 2025

British luxury chocolate brand Montezuma’s has launched a new vegan truffle selection called Viva Las Vegan ahead of Valentine’s Day. The truffles are sold in a box of nine containing three flavours — Hazy Days (Hazelnut), Sweet Escape (Caramel), and Berry Delicious (Strawberry). They come in fully recyclable packaging and are priced at £10. The chocolates are aimed at vegans, flexitarians, and anyone who is trying to cut down on dairy. They are free of gluten, colourings, genetically modified ingredients, and palm oil. “Deliciously moreish” Montezuma’s offers both dairy and plant-based chocolates, with over half its range suitable for vegans. Products include Dark Peanut Butter Truffle Bites, Dark Chocolate Giant Buttons, and Black Forest (a dark chocolate bar with cherry). According to research, the vegan …

Organisations and brands:

Montezuma's

Products & Launches

Galaxy Launches Dairy Free Hazelnut Praline Chocolate Bar

January 6, 2025

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 …

Organisations and brands:

Galaxy

Investments & Acquisitions

Doisy & Dam Acquired by Organic Cocoa Producer Food Thoughts

November 11, 2024

UK-based vegan chocolate brand Doisy & Dam has been acquired for an undisclosed sum by Food Thoughts, a producer of organic cocoa and cacao products. Doisy & Dam was founded in 2012 and offers a range of ethical and sustainable plant-based confectionery, including plant-based alternatives to products such as M&Ms and Maltesers. The chocolates are available at major national retailers such as Asda, Sainsbury’s, and Holland & Barrett, along with various independent stores. Food Thoughts focuses mainly on fairly traded cocoa powder, along with chocolate chips and cacao nibs. The company is increasingly offering plant-based products such as chocolate chips made with oat milk, making the acquisition of Doisy & Dam a logical step. Food Thoughts purchased Doisy & Dam from plant-based beverage and snack …

Organisations and brands:

Doisy & Dam

Sweets & Snacks

Ritter Sport Adds New Double Crunch Flavour to Vegan Variety Tower

August 29, 2024

German chocolate brand Ritter Sport is expanding its Vegan Variety Tower with a new flavour, the Double Crunch. The 100g bar contains crunchy roasted corn pieces and cornflakes embedded in almond-based vegan milk chocolate. It appears that the new flavour will take the place of the brand’s plain Smooth Chocolate bar in the Variety Tower; the other flavours in the selection are Salted Caramel, Roasted Peanuts, Crispy Cookie, and Crunchy Almonds. The Vegan Variety Tower was launched last year and is part of Ritter Sport’s Travel Retail range, which will be showcased at the TFWA World Exhibition in Cannes from September 30 to October 3. The new Double Crunch flavour will be launched in early 2025. While Ritter Sport has offered several “accidentally vegan” dark …

Organisations and brands:

Ritter Sport

Sweets & Snacks

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

July 23, 2024

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 …

Organisations and brands:

Catherine's Originals

Sweets & Snacks

Mummy Meegz Unveils Next Vegan Dupe with ‘M’z Gems’ Vegan M&Ms

June 13, 2024June 13, 2024

UK-based vegan chocolate brand, Mummy Meegz, announces its latest dupe of a confectionery classic, this time with the launch of ‘M’z Gems’, fully vegan M&M alternatives in both Chocolate and Peanut flavours. Mummy Meegz (previously Meagz) says it is disrupting the vegan category, fast becoming the go-to brand for iconic vegan swaps. The new treats are made with the Mummy Meegz “m!lk” chocolate, are palm oil-free and certified gluten-free, and packaged in recyclable materials. With sales of vegan chocolate reportedly dropping in 2023 due to the cost of living crisis, the brand’s competitively-priced products make vegan shopping more accessible to UK consumers. The new range comes at a price of £2.49 for an 80g sharing pack. Previous vegan swaps launched by the brand include Vegan …

Organisations and brands:

Mummy Meegz

Sweets & Snacks

Lindt Launches Vegan Truffle Balls in the USA

April 18, 2024

Lindt LINDOR has launched a plant-based version of its popular Truffle Balls on the US market. The new vegan product range includes the flavors Non-Dairy OatMilk and Dark Chocolate OatMilk. The truffle balls complement the Lindt CLASSIC RECIPE oat milk bars launched in 2022 and expand the company’s vegan range. They are intended to offer a chocolate alternative for all consumers, not just those who avoid dairy products. “We wanted to create dairy-free truffles for all chocolate lovers, including those who avoid dairy products, are lactose intolerant or simply follow a more plant-based diet,” says Lindt Master Chocolatier Ann Czaja. The new dairy-free oat milk truffle balls from Lindt LINDOR are designed to offer a chocolate experience on a par with milk chocolate truffle balls. …

Organisations and brands:

Lindt

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

Sweets & Snacks

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

April 11, 2024

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 …

Organisations and brands:

Macalat

MycoTechnology

Sweets & Snacks

Italian Startups Address Cocoa Supply Chain Crisis Through Innovative Technology

March 28, 2024

The cocoa supply chain is in crisis, with the cost of raw materials rising by as much as 30-40% and retail prices increasing by 15%. This is largely driven by climate change, which is causing rising temperatures and reduced precipitation — especially in Ghana and Ivory Coast, which together produce around 60% of the world’s cocoa. These factors, combined with seasonal floods, have allowed diseases and parasites that attack cocoa crops to proliferate. Simultaneously, child labour in the industry is on the rise, increasing from 31% to 45% in West Africa between 2008 and 2019; an estimated 1.5 million children are now being exploited in the region. Geopolitical instability and increases in transportation and energy costs are introducing further challenges. These issues have highlighted the …

Organisations and brands:

Foreverland

Trusty

Products & Launches

7th Heaven Chocolate Unveils New Oat Milk Peanut Butter Cups to Rival Reese’s

March 14, 2024

7th Heaven Chocolate, a vegan chocolate brand based in Israel and New Jersey, is expanding its presence in the US dairy-free confectionery market by introducing oat milk peanut butter cups, a new addition to its vegan chocolate bar lineup. The product aims to offer a competitive alternative to Reese’s oat milk peanut butter cups, produced by Hershey’s, which were launched in the US last year. The company claims the formulation of these peanut butter cups is the result of extensive research and development by the company’s founders, Daniel Bareket and Elya Adi, along with chief food technologist Dan Brom. Originally launched in Israel under the brand name “Panda,” 7th Heaven’s products are currently available at over 700 retail locations across the United States, including Wegmans, …

Organisations and brands:

7th Heaven

Company News

LoveRaw Named One of Europe’s Fastest-Growing Companies in FT 1000 Ranking

March 7, 2024

UK-based vegan chocolate brand LoveRaw has been featured in the FT 1000, the Financial Times’ annual ranking of Europe’s fastest-growing companies compiled in collaboration with Statista. LoveRaw has been included after growing its CAGR by 61% from 2019 to 2021, despite a challenging economic environment. The brand offers four popular chocolate ranges — Cre&m Wafer Bars, Peanut Butter Cups, Nutty Choc Balls, and the Peanut Caramel Bar. The products are available at major retailers such as Tesco, Asda, Waitrose, Ocado, Co-op, and Whole Foods Market. “Being recognized and ranked in the FT 1000 marks a pinnacle moment in our journey, a testament to the remarkable dedication and innovation of our team, both past and present,” said Rimi Thapar, co-founder and CEO of LoveRaw. Tesco accelerator …

Organisations and brands:

LoveRaw

Sweets & Snacks

H!P Launches Upgraded Plant-Based Easter Eggs With Chocolate Buttons

February 20, 2024

UK-based vegan chocolate brand H!P (Happiness in Plants) has updated its plant-based Easter eggs for 2024, making them 50% bigger with chocolate buttons inside. The eggs and buttons are made from oat milk and sustainably sourced single-origin Colombian cocoa. They are available in two varieties — Salted Caramel and the new Cookies No Cream flavour, which recently won a Great Taste Award. Despite the increase in size, the eggs are priced the same as last year. The packaging of the eggs is plastic-free and fully recyclable, while the chocolate has a 50% lower carbon footprint than milk chocolate (according to an analysis by My Emissions). H!P is a certified B Corp and a member of 1% for the Planet, donating at least 1% of its …

Organisations and brands:

Happiness in Plants

The vegconomist-newsletterinformation for decision-makers

The vegconomist-newsletter
information for decision-makers