Chocolate

It is no wonder, given the massive boom in the plant-based milk and cheese industries, and the resulting need for dairy-free alternatives in other categories, that the vegan chocolate market is exploding globally. Boosted by international celebrities such as singer Billie Eilish and award-winning Canadian-US actor Noah Schnapp, dairy-free alternatives for chocolate products are receiving increasing attention and thus market potential.

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While the conventional chocolate industry is notorious for its involvement in deforestation and other unsustainable practices, most vegan chocolate brands go beyond dairy-free chocolate in addressing environmental and ethical issues, e.g. by using fair trade certification. With studies showing that especially young consumers are looking for sustainably sourced products, there is a place for sustainable vegan chocolate on the mass market.

HiP Chocolate
© HiP Chocolate

Vegan chocolate brands are found all over the world, from Brazil’s female-led brand Super Vegan to South Africa’s sustainably sourced chocolate brand De Villiers Chocolate, to the Vegan Chocolate Co. in Australia. The highest density of vegan chocolate companies is found in the UK, where innovative chocolate manufacturers such as Love Raw, Moo Free, and Prodigy, provide a wide range of vegan chocolate alternatives. Leading the way as UK’s number one vegan and free-from chocolate brand, NOMO offers plant-based chocolate flavors including customer favorite Caramel & Sea Salt.

The market for vegan chocolate is expected to reach USD 1.41 billion by 2028, registering a CAGR of 14.8% over the forecast period. In 2020, the molded bars product segment accounted for the highest revenue shares, as bar chocolates are the most consumed chocolate form in the world. There is particular demand within the vegan chocolate segment for dairy-free alternatives to milk chocolate bars, which many consumers believe are still insufficiently represented on the market.

Dark Chocolate Suitable for Vegans

In their natural form, chocolate bars can be plant-based, as some high-quality manufacturers limit their ingredients to chocolate liquor, sugar, cocoa butter, and vanilla. In many cases, dark chocolate bars happen to be “accidentally vegan” due to a higher cacao percentage and no added dairy ingredients, but are sold as ordinary chocolate without any special declaration. An example of this is the German chocolate company Ritter Sport, equipped with a dedicated vegan category since 2016, but has been making dairy-free chocolate for many more years without a label, including some of its dark chocolate bars and marzipan varieties.

Planet Oat Dark vegan chocolate
© Planet Oat

High Demand for Vegan Milk Chocolate

As not all customers find vegan dark chocolate with a high percentage of cocoa delicious, vegan-friendly milk chocolate options must get some more attention in the mission to develop animal-free alternatives to dairy products. Among the first vegan chocolate manufacturers focusing on vegan options for milk chocolate is US-based startup Trupo Treats, a manufacturer of ethically sourced versions of iconic milk chocolate childhood favorites that are already familiar to the consumer.Major chocolate manufacturers are increasingly recognizing the demand for vegan milk chocolate, as, for example, German chocolate giant Ritter Sport announced to launch a new addition to its vegan milk chocolate line in 2021. With this launch, Ritter Sport intends to not only meet the need for vegan milk chocolate, but also the demand for high-quality chocolate with favorably few organic ingredients, as its vegan milk chocolate alternative called the ‘Vegan Pure Without Moo’ only contains sugar, cocoa mass, high-quality almond flour, and cocoa butter.

Other conventional chocolate manufacturers responding to the growing market potential for vegan milk chocolates include US multinational chocolate manufacturer Hershey’s, as it launched its first vegan chocolate made with oat milk in 2021. Moreover, US food giant Trader Joe’s launched its “Organic Almond Beverage Chocolate Bar” made with almond milk, while other ingredients are claimed to be identical to dairy milk, including cocoa butter, sugar, and cocoa mass.

Swiss chocolate company Lindt has announced it is adding three vegan
© Lindt

What About White Vegan Chocolate Bars?

Another product that is hard to find in the assortment of vegan chocolate brands is white chocolate, as most bars are dark chocolate bars with a higher cacao percentage. For instance, vegan chocolate brand Super Vegan started after the founder couldn’t find delicious vegan white chocolate on the market. As of 2021, Super Vegan is offering 11 different variations of white chocolate made with plant-based milks and organic ingredients. Other offerings for delicious white chocolate variations include Love Raw‘s white chocolate bar White Cream Wafer, with market researchers predicting increasing demand for white chocolate alternatives that include options made with organic ingredients, while being animal-free and gluten-free.

white chocolate
© beats_ – stock.adobe.com

Popular Chocolate Classics Turning Vegan

A big trend within the vegan chocolate segment is the veganizing of popular chocolate classics to reactivate one’s childhood taste buds. Following this trend, confectionery giant Mars became the first major confectionery company to launch a vegan line with Galaxy Vegan in 2019. Continuing this strategy in 2021, the multinational company launched vegan Bounty and Topic chocolate bars. However, Mars has been overtaken in the development of a vegan Snickers bar, as Swedish startup Vegan Delights became the first company to launch a veganized Snickers bar with its Vegickers.

Vegickers
©Vegan Delights

Why Consumers Buy Vegan Chocolate

Apart from a dairy-free ingredient list, not containing any milk powder or milk fat, and advanced efforts regarding fair trade and sustainable practices, there is another reason to buy vegan chocolate. In order to help tackle health problems such as heart disease and Type 2 diabetes, many vegan chocolate manufacturers are making organic dark chocolate that is gluten-free, as well as free from refined sugar and palm oil. Therefore, vegan chocolate options from companies like Prodigy and HiP, without or with less added sugar and gluten-free, are the best chocolate options for anyone looking for health benefits in chocolates.In 2021, proof of the profitability of vegan chocolates was provided by the British company Moo Free, manufacturer of vegan chocolate bars and more vegan sweets. In its mission to make UK’s chocolate vegan, the company reported a 300 percent rise in online sales in 2020, as demand for vegan-friendly confectionary rose exponentially in the UK. The trend to shop online is likely to increase, as well as net profits in vegan sweets. In making chocolate vegan, chocolate manufacturers are responding to a growing demand for vegan chocolate, as more and more consumers are going to buy vegan chocolate over the next years.

Ritter Sport Vegan Variety Tower

© Ritter Sport
Sweets & Snacks

Ritter Sport Adds New Double Crunch Flavour to Vegan Variety Tower

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 …

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© Catherine's Originals
Sweets & Snacks

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

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 …

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Ms Gems, the new vegan M&Ms

© Mummy Meegz
Sweets & Snacks

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

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 …

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Lindt launches vegan truffles in USA

© Lindt
Sweets & Snacks

Lindt Launches Vegan Truffle Balls in the USA

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. …

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

© Macalat
Sweets & Snacks

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

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 …

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Italian startups address cocoa supply chain crisis

© Foreverland
Sweets & Snacks

Italian Startups Address Cocoa Supply Chain Crisis Through Innovative Technology

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 …

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7th Heaven peanut butter cups

© 7th Heaven
Products & Launches

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

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, …

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LoveRaw named one of Europe's fastest-growing companies in FT1000 ranking

© LoveRaw
Studies & Numbers

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

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 …

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© H!P
Sweets & Snacks

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

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 …

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California Cultured

© California Cultured
Plant Cell Cultivation

California Cultured Signs 10-Year Agreement with Japan’s Largest Chocolate Company for Cell-Cultured Cocoa

California Cultured, a West Sacramento-based startup specializing in plant cell culture, has announced a partnership with Meiji Ltd. Co., Japan’s largest chocolate company. This collaboration involves the integration of California Cultured’s cell-cultured cocoa products into Meiji’s lineup of packaged goods. Part of the co-branded collaboration includes a 10-year commercial agreement positioning California Cultured as the supplier of its “Flavanol Cocoa Powder” to Meiji. California Cultured uses cellular agriculture to create cultured chocolate and coffee, addressing several critical issues associated with the chocolate industry, such as deforestation and biodiversity loss. The company gained financial backing from CULT Food Science Corp in 2022, which has furthered its mission by diversifying CULT’s cell-based food portfolio and aiding the advancement and commercialization of California Cultured’s products. Alan Perlstein, founder …

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Fetcha Chocolates to be included in Oscars gift bags

© Fetcha Chocolates
Sweets & Snacks

Luxury Vegan Chocolates Made by Scottish Brand to Be Included in Oscars Gift Bags

Luxury vegan chocolates made by Scottish company Fetcha Chocolates will be included in this year’s famous “Everyone Wins” Oscars gift bags. Founder Fiona MacArthur has prepared a limited-edition selection box for the event, with flavours inspired by the Oscar-nominated films Oppenheimer, Barbie, Poor Things, The Holdovers, Maestro, and Killers of the Flower Moon. The selection box will also be available from the Fetcha Chocolates website from February 10. All the chocolates are free of gluten, palm oil, and alcohol. The gift bags are given to all Academy Awards nominees, and are created by luxury LA marketing company Distinctive Assets. They have a value of approximately $125,000 and feature over 60 gifts, including a luxury holiday. “Creating chocolates for this gift bag is a dream come …

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Harken Sweets

© Harken Sweets
Sweets & Snacks

Harken Sweets Reimagines Snickers and Milky Way Bars With 100% Plant-Based Ingredients

Harken Sweets, a new ‘better-for-you’ candy brand, has announced the launch of its reimagined, plant-based versions of candy bar classics infused with the nutritional benefits of dates. Katie Lefkowitz, founder of Harken Sweets and former COO of Caulipower, took to social media to announce the launch, commenting on the inspiration for the brand. She created Harken Sweets with the hopes of combining a long-held recipe for date-based caramel with the knowledge that these new candy bars have the potential to revamp a comfort food category with nutritionally elevated options. She shared, “If there is one thing I hope for with the launch of this brand, it is that ripping open one of our candy bars allows you to Harken […] back to your first Halloween, …

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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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LoveRaw launches at Albert Heijn and Shell in the Netherlands

© LoveRaw
Sweets & Snacks

LoveRaw Launches at Hundreds of Albert Heijn and Shell Stores Across the Netherlands

Fast-growing UK-based vegan chocolate brand LoveRaw has gained new listings at two Dutch retailers — Shell and the Netherlands’ largest supermarket chain, Albert Heijn. LoveRaw’s M:lk Choc Wafer Multipack will now be available at 250 Albert Heijn stores, while the brand’s Cre&m Wafer Bar will be available at 150 Shell locations in M:lk and White varieties. This is LoveRaw’s first nationwide listing outside the UK, though the brand was already available in the Netherlands at Holland & Barrett and Flink. Within the UK, LoveRaw is available at major national retailers such as Tesco, Co-op, Waitrose, and Ocado. The brand recently announced that it would be launching at SPAR stores internationally after joining the retailer’s Challenger Brand program, and has also just secured its first ever …

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A close shot of woman hands splitting in two a peanut chocolate bar

© LoveRaw
Market & Trends

Vegan Chocolate Market to Be Worth $2Bn by 2032, Growing at 13.1% CAGR

According to a report by Allied Market Research, significant growth is expected for the vegan chocolate market over the coming decade, with the market value expected to rise from $585.8 million in 2022 to $2 billion in 2032 — a CAGR of 13.1%. Demand will be driven by an increased focus on sustainable and animal-friendly options, along with the perception of plant-based products as a healthier choice. However, the market could be restrained by a lack of production capacity, along with the difficulty of sourcing ingredients at a reasonable cost. Additionally, plant-based chocolate typically requires significant R&D due to the challenge of replicating the taste and texture of dairy-based products, and distribution is more limited than for conventional chocolate. To counter these challenges, the report …

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A woman with a transparent bag with many nucao chocolate bars inside

© the nu company

Investments & Finance

The Nu Company Secures Media Deal to Make Sustainable Chocolate the Norm in Germany

SevenAccelerator announces a media investment in the nu company, the German food tech behind the vegan chocolate brand, nucao, known for its organic and fair trade sourced chocolate and environmentally friendly packaging. An early-stage venture capital arm of the German mass media and digital company ProSiebenSat.1 Media and part of SevenVentures, a leading TV media investor, SevenAccelerator makes individually tailored investments in consumer-focused startups developing sustainable products.  The media deal will give nucao advertising exposure through ProSiebenSat.1’s TV and digital media to expand the brand’s awareness and distribution channels across Germany, stated the VC. Additionally, nucao will leverage the expertise of the digital group to reach and engage with specific target audiences to develop its marketing strategy. Becoming the standard Nucao’s advertising campaign on TV and …

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Lindt vegan LINDOR truffles made from oatmilk

© Lindt
Sweets & Snacks

Lindt USA Launches Vegan LINDOR Truffles Made From Oat Milk

Swiss chocolatier Lindt has expanded its dairy-free range in the US with vegan versions of the popular LINDOR truffles. The chocolates are available in two varieties — Oatmilk and Dark Oatmilk. They are described as providing a “smooth, melting chocolate experience in a finely crafted premium oatmilk chocolate shell”. “These chocolate candy truffles are the perfect chocolate indulgence for those who do not consume dairy products but still crave a premium chocolate experience,” says Lindt on its website. “Each plant-based, nondairy chocolate truffle is made with premium ingredients, including the finest cocoa and gluten-free oats. These individually wrapped Lindt LINDOR truffles are the perfect size to enjoy anytime, anywhere.” The truffles can be found US-wide at stores such as CVS Pharmacy, Albertsons, and Safeway, with …

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LoveRaw to launch at SPAR stores internationally

© LoveRaw
Sweets & Snacks

Plant-Based Chocolate Brand LoveRaw to Launch at SPAR Stores Internationally

LoveRaw, a plant-based chocolate brand based in the UK, is set to launch at SPAR stores internationally after being accepted into the retailer’s Challenger Brand program. SPAR is one of the world’s largest food retailers, with almost 14,000 stores in 48 countries and more than 14.7 million customers served daily. Through the program, SPAR will help LoveRaw gain access to new regions, facilitating the company’s overseas growth. Other challenger brands in the program include Oatly and ethical chocolate producer Tony’s Chocoloney. To qualify, companies must typically be growing faster than their established competitors, with a proven track record of success in at least one market. LoveRaw said it had worked hard to meet the strict criteria for entrance into the program, with the process taking …

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Trupo Treats Vegan Version

© Trupo Treats
Products & Launches

Trupo Treats Introduces Vegan Versions of Classic Candy Bars

Trupo Treats, a Colorado-based vegan confectionery company, has unveiled a new product line: Trupo Treats Vegan Versions. This new line aims to cater to the growing demand for vegan and gluten-free candy bars reminiscent of childhood favorites. To kickstart the launch, the company has set a pre-order sales target of at least $50,000.00 by November 1, with a push goal of $100,000 in prelaunch sales, and the bars will only be produced if the target is met. But as of this morning, the company is already halfway to meeting its initial goal.  Brian Trupo, co-founder of Trupo Treats, acknowledged the shift in strategy, stating on LinkedIn, “Throughout Trupo Treats history, we tried to conceal how ‘vegan’ our products looked in order to attract the masses, …

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Hershey Canada Oat Made chocolate bars

© Hershey Canada
Products & Launches

Hershey Canada Debuts ‘Hershey’s Oat Made’ Bar Created with Oat Flour

Hershey Canada, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Hershey Company, has officially introduced its first plant-based chocolate bar: Hershey’s Oat Made.  Carly Cowman, brand manager at Hershey Canada, states, “Hershey’s Oat Made bars are everything you love about milk chocolate… except the milk. Our product development team did an unbelievable job delivering the smooth and creamy texture that we know Canadians love and expect from HERSHEY’S in our first-ever plant-based bar.” This new chocolate bar is available in two flavors – Creamy and Almond & Sea Salt, and offers the classic smooth and creamy taste that Hershey’s is known for with a fully vegan formulation. The core ingredient of these plant-based bars is oat flour, and they are Non-GMO Project verified and free from artificial flavors. …

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