What Kraft Heinz’s Big Split Means for Its Vegan Foods

From vegnews.com

What happens next for Kraft Heinz’s vegan range and its venture with NotCo?

Earlier this month, The Kraft Heinz Company announced plans to split into two independent, publicly traded firms, provisionally named Global Taste Elevation Co. and North American Grocery Co.

Later this year, Global Taste Elevation Co. will position itself as a “global leader” in taste elevation, overseeing iconic brands like Heinz, Kraft Mac & Cheese, and Philadelphia. North American Grocery Co., meanwhile, will focus on “North America staples,” managing brands such as Oscar Mayer, Kraft Singles, and Lunchables.

The Kraft Heinz Not Company

According to Kraft Heinz, the separation is meant to reduce operational complexity and unlock growth potential by ensuring “the right level of attention and resources” go to each business. “Kraft Heinz’s brands are iconic and beloved, but the complexity of our current structure makes it challenging to allocate capital effectively, prioritize initiatives, and drive scale in our most promising areas,” said Miguel Patricio, Executive Chair of the Board.

So what does this mean for the vegan products currently sold under the Kraft Heinz umbrella?

What happens to Kraft Heinz’s vegan range?

For now, there’s been no indication that Kraft Heinz will discontinue its vegan offerings, which include Oscar Mayer’s NotHotDogs and NotSausages and Kraft’s NotMac & Cheese.

However, the company hasn’t clarified what will become of The Kraft Heinz Not Company, its joint venture with Chilean food tech start-up NotCo, launched in 2022 to combine NotCo’s AI-driven innovation with Kraft Heinz’s scale and distribution power.

“It helps deliver on our vision to offer more clean, green, and delicious products for consumers,” Patricio said when the venture was first announced. “We believe the technology that NotCo brings is revolutionizing the creation of delicious plant-based foods with simpler ingredients.”

Oscar Mayer

Based on the split, NotMac & Cheese will likely sit under Global Taste Elevation Co., while Oscar Mayer’s vegan hot dogs would fall under North American Grocery Co.

The division reflects broader trends in consumer demand. North American Grocery Co. will manage Kraft Heinz’s “slower-growing grocery business,” according to NPR, while Global Taste Elevation Co. will handle faster-growing categories. That tracks with the market: dairy-free products are surging in popularity, while plant-based meats are facing headwinds, in part, amid growing concerns over ultra-processed foods.

That said, Kraft Singles—which produces the American Style Not Cheese Plant-Based Slices—will shift to North American Grocery Co., grouping it with slower-growth staples like Oscar Mayer and Maxwell House.

The company will continue to operate as one unified business throughout the separation processes, which is expected to close in the second half of 2026. 

“This move will unleash the power of our brands and unlock the potential of our business,” said current Kraft Heinz CEO Carlos Abrams-Rivera. “This next step in our transformation is only possible because of the commitment of our 36,000 talented employees who deliver quality and value for consumers every day. We will continue to operate as ‘one Kraft Heinz’ throughout the separation process.”

https://vegnews.com/kraft-heinz-big-split-vegan-products 

New Kraft Chipotle Mayo, Vegan BBQ Doritos, and Patrick Schwarzenegger’s Mosh Protein Bars Get Even Cleaner

From vegnews.com

This week in food news: Patrick Schwarzenegger’s protein bars get an upgrade, Ikea debuts vegan bacon-topped hot dogs, new steak bites hit shelves, and more

If you’re all about juicy, refreshing fruit, now’s your moment, because peach season is here. Time to whip up everything from cobbler to homemade popsicles. Need some inspiration? We’ve got you covered with our ultimate guide to the best peach recipes for summer. 

More of a watermelon fan? We’ve rounded up the tastiest topping ideas, too. Sure, watermelon is great on its own, but add dairy-free feta or a sprinkle of chili, and it’s a whole new level. 

And while you’re snacking on your summer favorites, we’ve got the perfect reading material. Catch up on the biggest vegan news of the week below—from vegan crab burgers and Ikea’s vegan bacon hot dogs to spicy mayo and more.

Patrick Schwarzenegger’s protein bar brand launches first vegan flavours

Mosh, the protein bar brand founded by Patrick Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver, has launched its first-ever vegan products. The new protein bars come in three flavours: Hazelnut Chocolate Chip, Peanut Chocolate Chip, and Chocolate Chip Cookie.

All contain Cognizin Citicoline, a patented form of citicoline, a naturally occurring compound that plays a crucial role in brain health. Up until now, all of Mosh’s products have been formulated with whey. “We’ve always believed brain health nutrition should be for everyone,” said Schwarzenegger in a statement. “These vegan bars aren’t about replacing what we have—they’re about inclusion. Now people who couldn’t try Mosh before can experience what we’re all about, and our loyal customers get even more delicious choices.”

Pecana

Pecana is the first organic pecan milk on the market

Texan pecan milk brand Pecana has received an official organic certification, making it the first organic pecan milk brand on the market. “Going organic has always been part of the vision since day one,” founder Kortney Chase said in a statement. “Developing Pecana has been a deeply personal journey for me as I discovered my own health needs and what works for me. So it’s an amazing thing to now be able to share it with the world. Pecana Organic is a true reflection of my roots, values and commitment to offering something truly pure and purposeful.”

Pecana is currently available in more than 400 stores across the US, including H-E-B, Erewhon, select Albertsons locations, and Whole Foods in the Southwest.

Mind Blown and Plnt Burger team again on vegan crab burger

Vegan fast-food chain Plnt Burger has teamed up with vegan seafood brand Mind Blown to offer its beloved crab-free burger, The Happy Crabby Sandwich, for the third time across its 13 locations.

The new menu item, launched in honor of World Ocean Month, will be available until September 1. “What started as a seasonal special has become a true celebration of flavor, sustainability, and the power of partnership,” Mind Blown CEO Monica Talbert said in a statement. “There’s no better way to honor World Ocean Month than by offering something delicious that makes a real impact.” Mind Blown has an ongoing partnership with the Coral Restoration Foundation.

Viva! is giving out free vegan burgers in the UK

In a bid to encourage more Brits to reduce their meat consumption, animal rights charity Viva! will be giving out free vegan burgers in cities across the UK throughout June. The new campaign, called the Halfway Heroes Tour, will visit Bristol, Bath, Leeds, Manchester, and Oxford to give out 300 free burgers.

“This is a campaign about action, not perfection,” reads a statement from Viva! “It’s about helping people take that all-important first step: swapping out meat and dairy for delicious, planet-friendly plant-based options. It’s for the climate-conscious but not-yet-vegan, the curious but overwhelmed. And it’s here to show that every bite counts.”

The Chicago Diner

Chicago named the most vegan-friendly city in the US

According to People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, Chicago is the most vegan-friendly city in the US. “The Windy City has blown away the competition, nabbing the top spot on the list with its plethora of plant-powered choices,” the animal rights organization stated, highlighting plant-based eateries like Kale My Name, Buona, and The Chicago Diner. Philadelphia, PA came second on the list, while Washington, DC nabbed third place.

Ikea now offers hot dogs topped with vegan bacon

Ikea’s UK customers can now order its Plant Dogs with a Korean Style Topping, which features La Vie vegan bacon, coleslaw, and barbecue sauce. The best part? The topping option is less than $1.50. “It’s officially the cheapest way to try La Vie,” La Vie posted on Instagram. “And the only time you’ll say ‘mmmmmmm’ while assembling something with bits.”

Doritos’ new Korean BBQ flavour is vegan 

Doritos has a handful of flavours that are free of non-vegan ingredients, like Spicy Sweet Chili and Salsa Verde, and per Big Box Vegan, a new flavour has joined the pack: Korean BBQ. Want to sample it for yourself? You can find it in Walmart stores right now. 

Planted

Planted launches new vegan steak bites

Swiss brand Planted has launched its new vegan steak bites in Coop stores across Switzerland. Made via fermentation, the bites are umami-rich, juicy, meaty, and packed with protein, fiber, and vitamin B12. Planted describes the new product as “a delicious, ready-to-eat innovation designed to make plant-based eating easier, more flavourful, and endlessly inspiring.”

Cadence to host Juneteenth celebrations

In honour of Juneteenth, Cadence is hosting a special six-course dinner featuring dishes like fried pickled okra, summer Cobb salad, and barbecue maitake skewers. Part of Cadence’s exclusive Dinner Club series, the event will be curated by Chef Haley Duren and promises an “intimate evening of culinary storytelling, culture, and community.” Find out more and reserve your seat here.

The Kraft Heinz Not Company launches new vegan chipotle mayo

We recently reported that the Kraft Heinz Not Company had launched Kraft NotMac & Cheese Cups in retailers, but that’s not the only new product to come out of this innovative joint venture. Kraft and NotCo have also developed NotMayo Chipotle Squeeze for spicy mayo-lovers across the US. “The Kraft Heinz Not Company, the joint venture which aims to create mouth-watering, plant-based foods for all, is delivering all three with [these] new launches,” reads a press release.

https://vegnews.com/food-news-patrick-schwarzenegger-kraft-heinz-notco-ikea

USA: Kraft Heinz Unveils Vegan Instant Mac And Cheese Cups

From plantbasednews.org

Kraft's new vegan mac and cheese is a first-of-its-kind on the market 

Kraft Heinz and NotCo just launched instant vegan mac and cheese cups in the US.

The cups require just 3.5 minutes to prepare, and each one contains a single serving of fortified macaroni pasta and a powdered plant-based “cheese” sauce mix.

According to the companies, Plant-Based Kraft x NotCo Mac & Cheese is the only plant-based, microwavable mac and cheese cup currently on the market. Kraft described the product as having the same “familiar creamy, comforting taste” as the original Kraft Easy Mac – first introduced over 25 years ago in 1999 –  but featuring a dairy-free recipe.

The company noted that over half of Millennial consumers cite convenience as a top purchase driver, and said that the new product has been designed with them in mind. Up to 72 percent of Millennials – particularly those with younger children – are also interested in plant foods.

                                            Kraft Heinz has unveiled dairy-free mac and cheese pots - Media Credit: Kraft Heinz

Kraft x NotCo’s new vegan mac and cheese is available now in Original flavour, and costs USD $6.99 per 4-pack. The company introduced plant-based Original and White Cheddar flavour mac and cheese boxes in Canada in 2024, following an initial US launch the year before.

In addition to the new vegan mac and cheese pots, Kraft x NotCo has now rolled out a new chipotle-flavoured mayonnaise in a squeezable plastic bottle at an RRP of $4.99.

https://plantbasednews.org/lifestyle/food/kraft-heinz-vegan-instant-mac-cheese-cups/

The 10 Biggest VegNews Stories of 2023: From Kraft and Taco Bell to Reese’s

From vegnews.com

What a year it’s been. Here are our top stories for 2023

It’s been a big year in vegan media, and honestly, even that feels like an understatement. 2023 has seen so much growth and progress across the board. We’ve had inspiring celebrity stories (did you know Cher eats like a Blue Zoner?), new ground-breaking research (like this fascinating study into identical twins), and plenty of heart-warming content (yes, cows really do have best friends. No we’re not crying—it’s the onions).

It’s been incredibly difficult to pick the top 10 stories of 2023, but somehow, we’ve managed it. Taco Bell and Kraft really pulled it out of the bag this year (anyone else can’t stop eating blue box vegan mac and cheese?), and Hershey’s, too (thank you, vegan chocolate Gods). But while there have been many high points, we’ve also had to say goodbye to one animal icon (RIP, Esther) and we saw Miyoko Schinner part ways with her eponymous vegan cheese brand.

But overall, we have to say, in the vegan world, the vibes were good. Here are just a handful of our top stories from the year. Cheers to 2024, we can’t wait to find out all the great news we’ll be sharing with you come the new year. 

VegNews’ Top 10 Stories of 2023

The Hershey Company

1Hershey’s Launches Vegan Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups

Back in the spring, Hershey’s made many chocolate lover’s dreams come true when it launched the first-ever vegan version of its iconic Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups. And that wasn’t all, it also launched Hershey’s Plant-Based Extra Creamy with Almonds and Sea Salt. 

“Our purpose is to create more moments of goodness for consumers,” a spokesperson for The Hershey Company told VegNews at the time of the launch. “We are excited to make those moments more accessible now for chocolate lovers looking for plant-based alternatives.”
READ MORE

Taco Bell

2Taco Bell Launches First Vegan Crunchwrap

The Crunchwrap is one of Taco Bell’s most-loved menu items, but because it’s usually made with animal products, it has long been off the menu for vegan customers. But this year, that all changed. The popular fast food chain started trialling its first-ever Vegan Crunchwrap, complete with plant-based beef, dairy-free sour cream, and nacho sauce, in select locations back in June. 

“We never want our vegan and vegetarian fans to feel like they have to compromise at Taco Bell. The goal while in product development was to create a vegan alternative that was just as crave-able as the original, while also being equally convenient as a ready-to-order menu item with no modifications needed,” Missy Schaaphok, Taco Bell’s Director of Global Nutrition & Sustainability, told VegNews.
READ MORE

The Kraft Heinz Not Company

3Kraft’s First Vegan Cheese Singles Roll Out Nationwide

Back in the summer, Kraft took everyone’s vegan cheeseburgers to the next level when it launched its new vegan Kraft NotCheese slices in collaboration with Chile-based The Not Company nationwide. The slices are available in Cheddar, American, and Provolone flavours.
READ MORE

Taco Bell

4Taco Bell Launches Vegan Nacho Fries

Yep, it’s another entry from Taco Bell, because this year, the TexMex chain stepped up its vegan game. In September, it announced it was debuting Vegan Nacho Sauce, meaning that plant-based diners could order Taco Bell’s Nacho Fries without dairy for the first time.

“This sauce, born from the success of our Vegan Crunchwrap, represents Taco Bell’s commitment to providing delicious, crave-able food for a variety of lifestyles—whether you’re vegan, flexitarian, or want to try something new, there’s a place for you at our table,” Liz Matthews, Global Chief Food Innovation Officer at Taco Bell, said in a statement.
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Michael Kovac/Getty Images for Support & Feed

5Billie Eilish and Finneas Are Opening a Vegan Restaurant in Los Angeles

Not content with topping the charts, music duo Billie Eilish and Finneas also decided that 2023 was the year when they would enter the restaurant business. The siblings partnered with vegan restauranteur Nic Adler to open a new plant-based Italian restaurant in Los Angeles, called Argento. “I want plant-based food to be more accessible,” Eilish said at the time.
READ MORE

The Kraft Heinz Not Company

6Kraft’s Iconic Blue Box Mac and Cheese Finally Ditches the Dairy

Kraft was the brand that kept on giving this year. After launching its vegan cheese slices in the summer, in November the food giant launched a dairy-free version of its iconic blue box Macaroni & Cheese. Again, it’s made with vegan cheese from The Not Company. 

“By leveraging the strengths of both companies, we’re offering the creamy and comforting experience Kraft Mac & Cheese fans have loved for over 85 years—without the dairy,” Lucho Lopez-May, CEO of The Kraft Heinz Not Company, said.
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Miyoko’s Creamery

7Miyoko Schinner Removed as CEO From $260 Million Vegan Cheese Brand

In February, Miyoko’s Creamery announced it was parting ways with founder and CEO Miyoko Schinner, shocking fans of the brand, as well as Schinner herself, who wasn’t aware the news was about to be publicly announced. In October, however, the entrepreneur and chef reassured VegNews that she was doing just fine. In fact, she is better than fine. “This may come as a surprise, but I’m actually doing fantastically,” she said. “I mean that in a very, very genuine, real way. Had you asked me that three months ago, I wouldn’t have been able to say the same.”
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Esther the Wonder Pig

8Beloved Farm Animal Ambassador Esther the Wonder Pig Dies

Also in October, the sad news came that Esther the Wonder Pig, a beloved ambassador for farm animals all over the world, had died. She inspired several books, accumulated nearly 580,000 followers on Instagram, and even motivated her dads, Steve Jenkins and Derek Walters, to open a farm animal sanctuary.

“Thank you Esther for showing millions how beautiful, sweet, and funny pigs really are, and we thank you, Steve and Derek, for letting us all follow along,” a spokesperson for PETA wrote on Esther’s Instagram page after her death was announced. “Love her forever, the pig who changed the world for pigs.”
READ MORE

Impossible Foods

9Eat an Impossible Burger—It’s Good for Your Heart, Says AHA

In November, the American Heart Association (AHA) confirmed that yes, plant-based meat can be beneficial for heart health. The organization granted Impossible Foods’ Beef Lite with its Heart-Check Food Certification. In May, Beyond Meat’s Beyond Steak was awarded the same certification. “For nearly 100 years, the American Heart Association has been helping people live longer, healthier lives,” Beyond Meat CEO Ethan Brown said in a statement in May. “As part of that legacy, the Heart-Check Mark has become a gold standard in empowering consumers to make informed health decisions.”
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Netflix

10The ‘Chicken Run’ Sequel Is About to Change Everyone’s Mind About Nuggets

And finally, in December, we covered the news that experts are expecting the sequel to the biggest stop motion animation film of all time to inspire a whole new generation of vegans. Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget follows the same gang of chickens from the original Chicken Run as they attempt to break into a factory farm to save their fellow birds from becoming nuggets. 

“We want the film to be engaging and entertaining and a great ride, mostly,” Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget director Sam Fell said, per the Guardian. “But yes, if you come away and you think a little bit more like a chicken by the end of it, then that’s not a bad thing.”
READ MORE

https://vegnews.com/2023/12/biggest-vegnews-stories-2023