In exciting news for KitKat-loving vegans, Nestlé has confirmed plans to roll out a plant-based version of the chocolate favourite this year. Elsewhere in new product development across Europe, vegetarian chicken salt crisps are coming to the UK, Bauer is launching plant-based cheese alternatives in Germany, and KIND has developed a ‘UK exclusive’ chocolate orange bar.
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In exciting news for KitKat-loving vegans, Nestlé has confirmed plans to roll out a plant-based version of the chocolate favourite this year. Elsewhere in new product development across Europe, vegetarian chicken salt crisps are coming to the UK, Bauer is launching plant-based cheese alternatives in Germany, and KIND has developed a ‘UK exclusive’ chocolate orange bar.
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Nestlé is preparing to launch a plant-based KitKat, which it is calling KitKat V.
Without giving too much away, the Switzerland-headquartered food company confirmed it will be rolled out in ‘several countries across the globe’ this year.
KitKat V will only be available through the KitKat Chocolatory and selected retailers to start with, to test the opportunity for a wider roll-out.
“One of the most common requests we see on social media is for a vegan KitKat, so we’re delighted to be able to make that wish come true,” said Nestlé Head of Confectionery, Alexander von Maillot.
“I can’t wait for people to be able to try this amazingly tasty new KitKat. This is a product for everyone who wants a little more plant-based in their life!”
The new product was developed at Nestlé’s research and development centre in York, UK. According to Louise Barrett, who heads up the Confectionery Product Technology Center in York, taste was a key factor when developing the plant-based chocolate product.
“We used our expertise in ingredients, together with a test and learn approach, to create a delicious vegan alternative to our original chocolate KitKat.”
Image source: Nestlé
Snacks brand Made for Drink is entering the crisps category with two new products: Chicken Salt Fries and Tapas Fries.
Chicken Salt crisps have long been staples of the Australian snacks aisle. Made for Drink has stressed that despite the name, the Chicken Salt Fries are in fact vegetarian. Originally made famous in the 1970s by seasoning house Mitani, Made for Drink suggests pairing the product with a cold beer.
The second product, a ‘tapas in a bag’ is a mix of thin cut straw fries with slices of Spanish chorizo. The fries are seasoned with olives, tomatoes and paprika.
“Having taken the time we needed to bed down as a business, team and a brand, we felt 2021 was the perfect moment to build upon a blossoming off-trade/online reputation by taking an ambitious ‘next step’ in to the £1bn potato crisp category,” said Made for Drink founder Dan Featherstone.
“We have shown our ability to bring new foodie shoppers into the snacks category through our unique brand proposition, products and reputation.
“We’ve had this idea for a range of ‘Fries’ products for a time, in fact we’ve been buzzing about it for ages and they are absolutely delicious. They will be our biggest and best-selling products; they are that good.”
Both products are launching into Sainsbury’s from 21 April 2021.
Image source: Made for Drink
Mummy Meagz has developed a Vegan Cream Egg, which is says is the ‘perfect solution’ for sweet-toothed vegans who miss biting into chocolate cream eggs around Easter.
“It’s safe to say Mummy Meagz has developed the perfect substitute for one of the nation’s most popular treats,” noted the company.
“Containing zero animal ingredients or palm oil, this delicious vegan chocolate egg is the perfect Easter indulgence, with no added nasties. The smooth dark chocolate complements the sweet fondant filling so perfectly that even non-vegans will enjoy it.”
Image source: Mummy Meagz
Private dairy company Bauer is bringing a line of new plant-based cheese alternatives to market under its GrünKraft brand.
The range comes in three flavours: Natural, Chives, and Tomato and Olive. Based on olive oil and potato starch, the new product is free from preservatives, artificial flavours and flavour enhancers.
Compared to conventional hard plastic packaging, Bauer says its innovative packages save 80% plastic.
The 125g packets will be available from March 2021 at an RRP of €2.79.
Image source: Bauer
Atlantic Natural Foods’ tuna alternative TUNO has expanded its presence across the pond, where it is now being sold by Sainsbury’s.
The plant-based seafood alternative is available in three flavours: Thai Sweet Chili, Lemon Pepper, TUNO Mayo, and Spring Water. Its primary ingredient is textured soy protein, and each flavour contains 55-70kcal.
According to the company, the move comes after two years of unprecedented growth. During this time, the brand also placements in Morrisons, Aldi, Lidl, Asda, and Holland & Barrett, and is expanding its presence in Scandinavia, Switzerland, and South Africa.
Image source: Atlantic Natural Foods
KIND is rolling out a new bar next month in its ‘first UK exclusive’.
The new flavour, Dark Chocolate Orange Almond – is designed to offer a ‘healthier alternative’ to one of the country’s ‘favourite flavour combinations’.
KIND has described its offering as ‘drizzled in dark chocolate’ with a ‘hint of zesty orange peel’. It is made using ‘whole and natural ingredients’, the company stressed, adding that it is gluten-free, high in fibre, and contains 52% nuts.
“Dark Chocolate Orange Almond is such an exciting product for us. Not only is it the first time we’ve ever launched a bar exclusively for the UK market, but we know ‘chocolate orange’ is one of the nation’s most loved combinations.
“By putting a healthy spin on this flavour favourite we’re confident we’ve created a bar that can satisfy those sweet cravings, in a healthy and minimally processed format. We can’t wait to hear what our customers think.”
The new bar (RRP £1.50) will roll out across Waitrose, Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Boots and WHSmith.
Image source: KIND
