Oreo’s New White Chocolate Vegan Launch, a Unicorn Frappuccino Comeback, and Other Food News

From vegnews.com

By Charlotte Pointing

From Oreo’s latest vegan collaboration to Starbucks’ returning Unicorn Frappuccino and a viral $2 vegan caviar, catch up on this week’s top food stories

It's official: Zohran Mamdani is the people’s mayor. Alongside pledges to protect the city’s carriage horses, tax billionaires, and make New York City more affordable for working people, he has appointed a lifelong vegan as executive director of the Mayor’s Office of Food Policy.

Curious to learn more about Siddhartha Sanchez? We’ve got the full story.

And that’s not all. Below, you’ll also find this week’s biggest food news, including new vegan restaurant openings, a nostalgic update from Starbucks, and a new vegan-friendly Oreo launch.

Oreo has teamed up with Clif on a new plant protein-packed bar. | Clif Builder’s

Oreo finally debuts vegan white fudge flavour … kind of

Oreo has a surprisingly long list of vegan-friendly flavours. Not only are classics like Double Stuf and Golden Oreo free from animal-derived ingredients, but several special edition varieties, including its collaboration with Reese’s, are vegan, too. Its latest vegan launch? White fudge.

There’s a twist, however. The new product isn’t actually an Oreo cookie, but a White Fudge Oreo Clif Builders Bar. Designed to support post-workout recovery, the bar delivers 20 grams of plant-based protein along with carbohydrates to help refuel after exercise. It marks the second collaboration between Clif and Oreo, following the launch of the original Oreo-flavoured Builders bar in 2025, which also contains 20 grams of protein.

“Following the strong success of our Builders Oreo-flavoured launch in 2025, we’re expanding the partnership platform in 2026 with a new White Fudge Oreo-flavoured protein bar,” said Saurabh Kaushik, Head of Clif & Builders Innovation at Mondelēz International. “This innovation continues to deliver what fans expect from Builders: high-quality ingredients, delicious taste, and high protein to help support post-workout recovery.”

Starbucks’ 2017 favourite is coming back again, for a limited time. | Starbucks

Starbucks’ Unicorn Frappuccino is back again

Back in 2017, social media feeds were awash with heavily filtered photos of sparkly purple drinks from Starbucks. The beverage in question was, of course, the now-iconic (and vegan-friendly) Unicorn Frappuccino.

In a Reddit thread that same year, one Starbucks barista explained how to order the drink vegan: “I work at Starbucks. Order it with a non-dairy milk, no whip, and ask for some extra blue powder inside the cup instead of the sour blue drizzle. The blue powder is vegan and is what makes the blue drizzle sour-tasting.”

In April 2026, Starbucks tapped into nostalgia for the colourful beverage by bringing it back for Coachella. Now, the Unicorn Frappuccino is making another return—but there are two catches. First, it will only be available for three days. Second, Starbucks hasn’t revealed exactly when those three days will be. Watch this space.

Daily Harvest’s new lineup pays tribute to the host nations of the World Cup. | Daily Harvest

Celebrate the World Cup with Daily Harvest’s new smoothie range

The World Cup has officially kicked off, and Daily Harvest is celebrating the occasion with smoothies, of course.

The brand has launched three limited-edition blends inspired by the tournament’s host nations, and, as always, they’re all vegan. There’s Cherry Pie Protein for the US, Blueberry Maple for Canada, and Mango Chile for Mexico. Fans can try them individually or pick up the Hat-Trick Pack, which includes all three flavours.

“This summer, the world’s eyes will be on the three host nations of North America, and we wanted to celebrate the best way we know how: through delicious food powered by organic fruits and vegetables,” said Daily Harvest CEO Ricky Silver. “Each of these countries brings something extraordinary to the table, and that inspired us to capture those flavours in a cup.”

The smoothie brand is also running a sweepstakes tied to the launch, with vacation prizes to each of the three North American host countries up for grabs.

Mother Other is a tribute to the “women who taught us hospitality,” say founders Taylor Herbert and Alexi Mondolini. | Mother Other

Vegan Food Network food truck champions set to open new restaurant in Denver

Back in 2023, Food Network’s The Great Food Truck Race crowned its second-ever vegan winner: The Easy Vegan. Now, founders Taylor Herbert and Alexi Mondolini are embarking on a new chapter. But this time, it’s one with a permanent home.

Their new restaurant, Mother Other, is set to open on South Broadway in Denver at the end of June. Like their award-winning food truck, the space will be entirely vegan, serving elevated plant-based dishes such as carrot and ginger bisque, potato and chive pierogi, and spring pea and leek dumplings.

“This place was built by community, inspired by the women who taught us hospitality & made possible by all of you,” the duo wrote in an Instagram post. “We can’t wait to share it with you.”

LesbiVeggies has a brand new spot in Camden, and it’s already a hit. | LesbiVeggies

Cult-favorite New Jersey vegan restaurant  returns just in time for Pride Month

LesbiVeggies is back. The vegan, gluten-free restaurant previously operated in Audubon, New Jersey, but that location closed in 2024 after founder Brennah Lambert decided the neighbourhood wasn’t the right fit. Now, the business has found a new home in Camden, NJ, where Lambert says it’s connecting with a more diverse customer base.

“I just feel like what I’m going for now matches my surroundings,” she told Philadelphia Gay News. “I feel like I’m in the right space.”

The new location is already proving popular, serving an array of plant-based dishes, including cauliflower wings, birria tacos, fried oyster mushrooms, and more.

“People think that communities like Camden don’t care about their health or don’t want to try something different—that they wouldn’t want a vegan spot,” said Lambert. “But no, they’ve been waiting for it.”

The new vegan caviar is made with seaweed.

Lidl has created vegan caviar, and it costs just over $2

Traditional caviar—the salt-cured, unfertilized eggs of sturgeon—is far from vegan, and it’s certainly not cheap. In fact, some of the world’s most expensive varieties can cost more than $34,000 per kilogram. But according to European grocery retailer Lidl, you can enjoy a similar experience without the fish eggs—or the eye-watering price tag.

Earlier this year, the retailer’s vegan seaweed pearls (aka plant-based caviar), which retail for £1.79—or just over $2 per tub, went viral in Ireland before making their way to the UK for Japan Week in May. Could the US be next? Keep a close eye on the shelves. Sold under Lidl’s Vitasia brand, the seaweed pearls come in two varieties: black and orange.

https://vegnews.com/white-chocolate-oreo-bar-frappuccino-smoothies-food-news

UK: Lidl Is Selling Two Different Kinds Of Vegan Caviar Right Now

From plantbasednews.org

Lidl's vegan caviar is officially back in UK stores 

You can find two different kinds of vegan caviar at Lidl.

The budget supermarket produces Japanese-style Seaweed Pearls, a “vegan alternative to caviar,” under its Vitasia brand.

                                                      Lidl's vegan caviar is available in orange and black - Media Credit: Lidl

Lidl’s vegan caviar first appeared on shelves last year, but the Seaweed Pearls were unavailable until now. One keen-eyed shopper posted about the line in the Vegan Ireland subreddit two months ago, while another posted in Vegan UK last week.

Seaweed Pearls are, as the name suggests, primarily made from seaweed, and contain roughly 13 calories per 100g. They are available in black (likely emulating caviar from sturgeon) and orange (inspired by salmon). According to Redditors who have tried the caviar, it has a pleasant, delicate flavour and works well in sushi.

Seaweed is typically the go-to ingredient for vegan caviar, and last year’s Bafta Awards served guests a similar version paired with sourdough bread. IKEA also makes and sells SJÖRAPPORT, its own seaweed pearl-based vegan caviar.

Lidl’s vegan caviar has an RRP of £2.29 per 100g.

Lidl’s 700 percent plant-based sales growth

                                                         Lidl reported a 700 percent increase in plant-based sales last year   Adobe Stock

In November last year, Lidl called on the UK government to introduce plant-based targets as part of mandatory healthy food sales reporting.

The supermarket has been voluntarily publishing data on its protein sales since 2023, including what percentage of those sales is made up of plant-based foods. Lidl said that introducing compulsory reporting would help to “level the playing field.”

Lidl notably surpassed its own plant-based sales target in 2025 by achieving nearly 700 percent growth. At the time, the supermarket said that the milestone reinforces its commitment to the Planetary Health Diet and to making sure “healthy and sustainable choices” are widely affordable.

https://plantbasednews.org/lifestyle/food/lidl-two-kinds-of-vegan-caviar/

Food News of the Week: Bafta Serves Vegan Caviar, Oatly Sales Spike, and the US Gets a New Vegan Egg

From vegnews.com

This week’s food news sees vegan egg and oat milk sales increase, plus a meat giant backs mycoprotein and Bafta serves vegan caviar

If bird flu is putting you off your morning eggs, we don’t blame you. Research suggests that in the last month alone, more than 23 million birds in the US have been affected by the virus. As a result, pandemic fears are growing and egg prices are rising. But if you need eggs for breakfast to set you up for the day, there is another way: vegan eggs. Keep reading to find out which plant-based brands are cutting prices to fill the chicken egg void in grocery stores right now. 

In more positive news, Dunkin’ Donuts is the latest chain to drop its non-dairy milk surcharge, following in the footsteps of chains like Starbucks and Tim Horton’s. You can read all about that decision here. In more good news for dairy-free milk, Oatly’s sales are up and new products are launching. Find out more below. Plus we’ve got updates on new Easter chocolate at Walmart, Daily Harvest’s new sweet treats, and much more.

Vegan food news

This week in food news: PKN announces minimally-processed pecan milk and KiKi Milk hits Sprouts. One UK vegan egg brand is looking to crack the US market, Coyo launches the first oat and coconut yogurt in Australia, and Daily Harvest has new product news.

PKN

Pecan milk made with just four ingredients launched in the US

Pecan milk brand PKN has launched a new product with just four ingredients: PKN Zero. Made without additives or fillers, it consists of just filtered water, pecan butter, vanilla extract, and sea salt. According to the brand, the new product tastes like pecan pie and was developed in a bid to cater to the rising demand for minimally processed products. “Many of our early customers asked for a pecan milk option that brings out the pecan taste and nutrition made with simple ingredients,” said PKN’s founder and CEO Laura Shenkar in a statement. “Research shows that in 2024, more than 25 percent of consumers who choose to buy plant-based milks prefer simple ingredients they understand and can pronounce.”

Popular UK vegan egg brand to hit the US

With the US market looking up for vegan eggs, now is a good time for international brands to expand, and that’s exactly what UK brand Crackd is planning to do. The plant-based egg company will debut in the US at the Natural Products Expo West in March. “We are so excited to bring this beloved UK brand to American consumers,” Jonathan Traub, the president of Crackd producer Plant Heads Inc., said in a statement. “Because the egg industry shortage is expected to continue at least through 2025, we think this is the perfect opportunity to provide a versatile, delicious—and available—answer for barren egg shelves and soaring prices in supermarkets.”

Bettergoods

Walmart launches oat chocolate bunnies

Walmart is getting ready for Easter early. The grocery store chain, which has more than 4,600 stores across the US, has already launched plant-based chocolate bunnies made with oat milk under its Bettergoods range, per Instagram account Big Box Vegan. The line isn’t vegan, but it does include several plant-based offerings, including almond milk, oat milk ice cream, dairy-free chocolate bars, and more. 

Coyo launches the first oat and coconut yogurt in Australia

Coyo, an Australian dairy-free company based on the Sunshine Coast, has launched the first vegan yogurt in Australia made with both coconut and oat milk. The new product, which is 74 percent oat milk with the rest comprised of coconut cream, will be available to buy from Woolworths stores in March. “Australians are embracing plant-based living like never before, and we’re excited to bring something truly unique to the table,” said Coyo co-founder Sandra Gosling in a statement. “Our oat and coconut yogurt is a game-changer—it’s light, creamy, and packed with the nutritional benefits consumers are seeking in today’s busy lifestyles.”

PlantBaby launches its organic, dairy-free milk for children in Sprouts

PlantBaby, a dairy-free brand that specializes in making organic, plant-based milk for children, is launching its Kiki Milk in Sprouts. The news comes just a few weeks after it announced a successful round of funding, which saw it raise $4 million to expand distribution. “Expanding into Sprouts Farmers Market is a pivotal moment for Kiki Milk,” said Alex and Lauren Abelin, co-founders of PlantBaby, makers of Kiki Milk. They added: “We’re proud to align with Sprouts’ commitment to health and wellness, and we look forward to becoming a staple in households across the nation.”

Daily Harvest

Daily Harvest debuts organic, plant-based sweet snack bites

Meal delivery platform Daily Harvest has launched a new range of organic snack bites made with sustainable, whole-food ingredients. The bites, which are available from the brand’s website, come in four flavors: chocolate chip cookie dough, fudgy hazelnut brownie, peppermint cacao truffle, and banana nut bread. Ricky Silver, CEO of Daily Harvest, said in a statement: “With our new line of USDA-certified organic Bites, we’ve reimagined what snacking can be—offering indulgence, convenience, and quality without compromise.”

Vegan restaurant and catering news

This week, Impossible Foods has teamed up with a British brewery pub chain to offer chicken burgers with IPA, and Bafta offers A-listers plenty of plant-based options.

BrewDog

British brewery pub chain BrewDog partners with Impossible Foods

Popular British brewery pub chain BrewDog has teamed up with US vegan meat brand Impossible Foods. Until the end of March, Impossible Foods’ vegan chicken will be available on the chain’s menu in various formats, including burgers and loaded fries. Brewdog’s chief marketing officer Lauren Carrol said: “We know lots of our beer-loving customers opt for plant-based meals, so we wanted to make it even easier to make the switch through this hook-up with Impossible.”

Bafta Awards serve up vegan caviar 

February 16 saw A-listers and guests gather in London for the annual Bafta Film Awards. While there, they witnessed David Tennant sing, Mikey Madison win Best Actress, and Conclave take the prize for Outstanding British Film. They also got the chance to dine on vegan caviar. Catered by Matt Crow and a team of 60 chefs, this year’s event was focused on sustainable dining. It wasn’t a totally meat-free menu, but there were plenty of plant-based options for the stars, including pickled organic mushrooms, seaweed caviar, and vegetable root bhajis. 

Rising vegan sales and funding

It’s been a promising week of rising vegan sales, not just for vegan eggs, but for oat milk, too. Plus German mycoprotein gets funding from an unexpected source: a European meat giant.

Eat Just

Sales of vegan eggs increase

As the chicken egg industry continues to struggle and prices soar, vegan egg brands appear to be thriving. For example, in January, Eat Just—the producer of mung bean-based Just Egg—had sales that were five times what they had been in the previous year. As a result, the brand is planning to increase production and reduce its prices. “This is probably the most important moment for a plant-based market,” Josh Tetrick, Eat Just’s chief executive officer, told Bloomberg. Eran Groner, the CEO of the vegan brand Yo Egg, also told the publication he is looking to expand distribution, as well as reduce prices by as much as 10 percent. 

Oatly reports rising sales and high hopes for 2025

It’s not just vegan egg sales that are on the up, oat milk brand Oatly has also revealed that its revenue is up five percent. This means that 2025 could be a profitable year for the Swedish company. If that happens, it will be Oatly’s first full year of profitable growth. “Over the past two years, we have executed a significant transformation of our company,” said Oatly CEO Jean-Christophe Flatin in a statement. “We have overhauled our supply chain, our overhead structure, and our mindset. We now have a much healthier business with clear strategies, clear accountability, stronger margins, and significantly improved profitability.”

German meat giant backs mycoprotein brand in $3.1 million funding round

PHW Group, a German meat processor and the fourth-largest poultry company in Europe has participated in a funding round for Kynda, an alternative protein company specializing in mycoprotein. Enjoy Ventures led the round, which raised more than $3.1 million, and Swiss Clima Now also participated. “This strategic partnership creates exciting synergies, accelerating the implementation and commercialization of our technology and superfood raw materials,” said Franziskus Schnabel, co-founder of Kynda. He added: “With PHW’s support, we are well-positioned to drive sustainable innovation at scale.”

https://vegnews.com/oatly-sales-bafta-awards-vegan-eggs 

Bafta Guests Served Vegan Caviar As Part Of More Sustainable Menu

From plantbasednews.org

The luxury food can be made without fish eggs

Caviar made from seaweed instead of fish eggs was served at the Bafta Awards as part of the charity’s efforts to promote sustainability.

Around 2,000 guests were served a three-course menu at the Southbank Centre in London after the awards ceremony. The caviar came in reusable tins featuring the Bafta mask, served with sourdough bread.

The Baftas served around 2,000 guests a dinner that included vegan caviar - Media Credit: Peter Vallance / Alamy Stock Photo

There were other plant-forward items on the menu, including pickled or parfait organic mushrooms from Sussex as the starter. The meat-free option for the main was roast crown prince squash and zero-waste root vegetable bhaji.

Bafta promotes sustainability in the film and television industry through its albert programme. Albert provides tools and guidance for the industry to reduce its environmental impact, including how to create content that promotes climate action.

More sustainable caviar

Rimma Bondarenko / Alamy Stock PhotoFamous chefs including Aleix Gauthier and Kirk Haworth have made caviar from seaweed

Bafta guests are not the first to have enjoyed vegan caviar. It is becoming a more common alternative, with several producers and restaurants such as Gauthier Soho offering it for sale. Plant-based chef Kirk Haworth won the fish round of Great British Menu with seaweed caviar.

Caviar made from fish eggs, known as roe, is often regarded as both cruel and unsustainable. European sturgeon are on the brink of extinction due to their eggs being harvested for caviar, as the fishes are killed to extract their eggs. There are regulations in place that are supposed to protect wild sturgeon and help their numbers recover. But genetic testing of caviar samples from Eastern Europe have revealed that half of commercial caviar has been harvested illegally.

Farmed sturgeon is often described as more sustainable, with some farms being “no-kill” producers. But this still involves handling the fishes, including making incisions to get their eggs out.

https://plantbasednews.org/culture/events/bafta-vegan-caviar/

What, Exactly, Is Vegan Caviar?

From mashed.com

While caviar has long been a symbol of luxury and class, the reality is that the flavour and texture of fish eggs are very polarizing for those who get the opportunity to taste them. Some people find that fish eggs resemble the unpleasant flavour of the ocean while others love the salty, fishy taste. The texture is also important when consuming fish eggs since you're not supposed to chew caviar but have it melt in your mouth, allowing its buttery flavour to release slowly.

Of course, those who follow a vegan diet don't eat any animal products and wouldn't be able to try real caviar. However, the goal with vegan alternatives to animal-based foods is to replicate the taste and texture of the original. While there are many vegan seafood options that you shouldn't buy, caviar doesn't seem to be one of them. 

Vegan caviar can be done in a variety of ways; one popular method is using seaweed or kelp. Since these sea vegetables are types of marine-based algae, they already contain many similar flavour notes to caviar like the salt water and brinyness.

You can make vegan fish eggs in many ways

                                                                     ElevenStudio/Shutterstock

Cavi-art, a specific plant-based caviar brand, describes their process of turning seaweed into caviar-shaped pearls by mixing water and spices with the seaweed that's been dried into a powder. However, the Amazon reviews of the product are mixed with some claiming the texture resembled "rubber balls," and is "way off" while others thought it was "nicely textured with a hint of the sea" from the seaweed. 

Alternatively, Tonburi, or "land caviar" is sourced from the seeds of the summer cypress tree. It can taste like broccoli on its own and resemble caviar's texture and "pop" once boiled, soaked, and hulled. Plus, you can season Tonburi with soy sauce, sesame oil, or nori for that ocean flavour.

While there have been many advancements in plant-based alternatives, vegan caviar can also be made at home with ingredients in your kitchen. One Reddit user shared a recipe for vegan caviar using chia seeds, soy sauce, ground nori sheets, and lemon juice. The Redditor noted the delicious flavour and described it as salty with a "hint of ocean [and] a hint of lemon." Another vegan alternative mentioned by Redditers was a "southern caviar" made from pickled mustard seeds. It was also noted that agar agar, a plant-based gelatine, is used in more mainstream vegan caviar products.

Vegan caviar will likely be more affordable

                                                                     yuzu2020/Shutterstock

Of course, it's going to be difficult to replicate real caviar perfectly. Even if you're not vegan, the lower price point is quite appealing to consumers. One of the reasons caviar is so pricey is due to the strenuous process of retrieving this delicacy. The traditional harvesting method kills the fish but a more humane alternative can be done to retrieve the eggs via c-section. Understandably, most vegans find both options unacceptable.

While regular caviar is known for being extremely expensive, the price range often depends on the variety of fish, the quality of the product's flavour, and the scarcity of its production. According to Sterling Caviar, top-notch caviar from the Beluga sturgeon or Osetra caviar, which was long favoured by the royals, can set you back hundreds or thousands of dollars for a single ounce. Alternatively, lower quality caviar like the Lumpfish variety can be found at a much cheaper price point, similar to the plant-based caviar made from kelp that often sells for less than $10 an ounce. 

Luckily, when it comes to vegan caviar, the price point is much more attainable for even the highest quality. Beyond pricing, vegan caviar has found favour amongst pregnant people who are often advised to avoid raw fish. So, although it's not identical, vegan caviar can be a great alternative for those craving the real deal.

What, Exactly, Is Vegan Caviar? (mashed.com)