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, …

more

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 …

more

© 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 …

more

California Cultured

© California Cultured

Cultivated, Cell-Cultured & Biotechnology

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

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 …

more

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 …

more

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, …

more

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 …

more

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 …

more

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 …

more

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 …

more

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 …

more

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 …

more

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, …

more

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. …

more

Dr. Bronner's oat milk chocolate

© Dr. Bronner's

Products & Launches

Dr. Bronner’s Launches New Oat Milk Chocolate Line Made with Regenerative Organic Ingredients

Dr. Bronner’s, the American producer of organic soap and personal care products, announces the launch of its new Oat Milk Chocolate line. The new line features three flavors: Crunchy Hazelnut Butter, Creamy Mocha Latte, and Golden Milk Chai. In 2021, Dr. Bronner’s entered the vegan chocolate market as a result of its efforts to support ethical practices for palm and cocoa farmers in eastern Ghana. The new chocolate is made with a blend of Regenerative Organic Certified ingredients, including cocoa from Ghana and Ivory Coast, coconut sugar from Indonesia, and cocoa butter from Congo, according to the company. “Our new plant-based Oat Milk Chocolate offers the smooth, creamy texture and sweetness milk chocolate lovers desire,” said Michael Bronner, president of Dr. Bronner’s.  In addition to its commitment …

more

LoveRaw

© LoveRaw

Sweets & Snacks

LoveRaw Chocolates Launch at Almost 3,000 Tesco & Co-op Stores UK-Wide

Plant-based chocolate brand LoveRaw has announced that its Peanut Caramel Bar and M:lk Choc Wafer Multipack will be launching at 2,804 Tesco and Co-op locations across the UK. The Peanut Caramel Bar — a vegan faux Snickers bar — will be available as part of Tesco’s lunchtime Meal Deal at 1150 Express stores and 650 Tesco Extra locations from August 7. LoveRaw’s Cre&m Wafer Bar is already available as part of the Meal Deal in M:lk and White Choc varieties. The Peanut Caramel Bar will also launch at 550 Co-op stores from August 28, stocked alongside the Cre&m Wafer Bar in Milk Choc and Salted Caramel varieties. Additionally, LoveRaw’s Milk Choc Cre&m Wafer Multipack will become the first of the brand’s products to launch in …

more

Boosting plant-based chocolate sales

© ProVeg International

Sweets & Snacks

Learn These Market Challenges to Boost Your Plant-Based Chocolate Sales

Although the plant-based chocolate sector is expanding, it faces several barriers and challenges that threaten growth. These include supply issues, competition, cost, labelling restrictions (a growing contention), and the big hitter – taste. Fortunately, with the right strategy, you can work to overcome many of the industry’s greatest challenges. In its recent New Food Hub article, ProVeg International uncovers the most significant barriers to the plant-based chocolate industry as well as recommendations on how to overcome them. Increasing confectionary competition One key point highlighted in the article is how increasing competition from other confectionery products affects chocolate sales. Indeed, overall chocolate consumption has decelerated in some developed markets, like Europe and North America, while growth in emerging markets has also begun to slow. This deceleration …

more

© Mars Chocolate Drinks and Treats

Sweets & Snacks

Galaxy Launches Vegan Salted Caramel Bar as Category “Shows No Signs of Slowing”

Chocolate brand Galaxy (owned by Mars Wrigley) has launched a new plant-based option in the UK — the Vegan Salted Caramel bar. The bar is made with hazelnut paste and is filled with salted caramel. It is said to feature a comparable taste and texture to Galaxy’s original salted caramel bar, along with a similar packaging design. The new product has been launched in response to growing demand for free-from confectionery; Galaxy’s existing vegan range now makes up 43% of the free-from chocolate block category. The brand introduced its first line of dairy-free flavours — Caramelised Hazelnut, Caramel & Sea Salt, & Smooth Orange — in 2019. This was followed by Crumbled Cookie and Smooth Mint flavours in 2020, then vegan white chocolate last year. …

more

Häagen-Dazs Start-Up Innovation Challenge

© WNWN

Sweets & Snacks

Cocoa-Free Choc Ice Cream by WNWN Wins Award at Häagen-Dazs Start-Up Innovation Challenge

British company WNWN Food Labs has won ‘Best Demo’ at the Häagen-Dazs Start-Up Innovation Challenge, after showcasing how its cocoa-free vegan chocolate could be used to make ice cream. In the final phase of the competition on June 13, WNWN presented its developments in the category of ice cream with the lowest carbon footprint. The company had developed nine preparations, including three varieties of chocolate hazelnut ice cream — one encased in a WNWN chocolate shell with WNWN choc chips inside, one in a tub, and one in the form of bite-sized pieces. As well as winning the Best Demo award, WNWN has been named as one of three finalists in the lowest carbon footprint category; the others are France’s YUMGO and Denmark’s Agrain. A …

more

KitKat Plant-Based return to Australia for a limited time

Image courtesy of Nestlé

Sweets & Snacks

KitKat Plant-Based Returns to Australia Following Extraordinary Demand Online

Nestlé announces the official relaunch of a limited edition of KitKat Plant-Based in Australia —  after extraordinary demand online. The famous bar will be available exclusively at Coles stores nationwide and at KitKat Chocolatory online while stocks last. Melanie Chen, Head of Marketing Confectionery at Nestlé, said, “You asked, and we delivered! KitKat Plant Based is one of our most requested products and we are so excited to be able to bring this vegan-certified treat back for everyone to enjoy for a limited time.” A break with vegan milk  According to Nestlé, this vegan-certified bar offers the same indulgent taste that people love but without dairy. It combines KitKat’s ​crispy wafer, thinly crushed between layers of rice milk-based chocolate, made with Rainforest Alliance-certified cocoa.  Last September, Nestlé announced …

more