MyProtein Partners With Hotel Chocolat For Vegan Chocolate Protein Brownie

From plantbasednews.org

The new bar is available to buy now 

                                                               The new vegan brownie bars are completely dairy-free - Media Credit: MyProtein

Sports nutrition brand MyProtein has partnered with chocolate manufacturer Hotel Chocolat to produce a new vegan protein bar.

The new product is a variation of MyProtein’s popular Vegan Double Dough Brownies. The bars consist of a cookie dough base with a brownie protein dough, topped with low-sugar caramel, and encased in vegan chocolate. The Hotel Chocolat bar is Caramel Pecan flavor and features 12g of protein and 10g of fibre.

This new launch is just the latest from the MyProtein x Hotel Chocolat collaboration, which was named the “Most Exciting Partnership” in the European Specialist Sports Nutrition Awards in 2022. While most other offerings contain dairy, the Vegan Double Dough Brownies are completely free from animal ingredients. Hotel Chocolat has become a popular fixture with vegans over the years, as it offers a wide range of dairy-free products in its stores.

Vegan Protein Bars Become Mainstream

                                Vegan protein bars are becoming more mainstream    Adobe Stock

Many people believe that it’s difficult – or even impossible – to get enough protein on a plant-based diet, but this is a myth. In addition to the huge number of vegan protein sources available for meals, the high-protein snack market is also booming.

MyProtein is one of several mainstream brands offering plant-based versions of their popular protein products. In addition, all-vegan companies like Vive, Vivo, Huel, and Trek don’t use any animal ingredients at all. Last week, Trek collaborated with Biscoff to unveil a new protein flapjack.

The Hotel Chocolat Vegan Double Dough Brownie is available online now. You can buy a box of 12 for £25.99.

https://plantbasednews.org/lifestyle/food/myprotein-hotel-chocolat-chocolate-protein-brownie/

Nestlé to discontinue vegan KitKat chocolate bar

From theplantbasemag.com

Nestlé has revealed it will discontinue the vegan version of its popular KitKat chocolate bar in a blow to the plant-based confectionery market.

KitKat V was first introduced in 2021, responding to consumer demand for a vegan-friendly and dairy-free version of the brand’s beloved chocolate wafer bar. It features a rice-based plant-based chocolate alongside KitKat’s trademark crispy wafer, made with ingredients including cocoa butter, corn fibre and vegetable fats.

Now, less than four years after its launch, Nestlé has confirmed it will be discontinuing the product due to slowing sales.

A spokesperson for Nestlé told The Plant Base: “We know that KitKat Vegan has been popular for those looking for dairy or vegan alternatives. Unfortunately, global demand has been reducing to the point that production was making manufacturing more and more complex and we have now made the difficult decision to discontinue the product.”

KitKat V will be pulled from all markets, however the spokesperson confirmed it would still be available in the UK and Ireland “until the summer”.

This latest decision follows Nestlé’s axing of its plant-based Wunda and Garden Gourmet retail offering in the UK and Ireland in 2023 as the company looked to focus its investment on its ‘core’ portfolio. The Garden Gourmet brand is still available in the UK and Ireland for foodservice businesses through the company’s Nestlé Professional arm. 

https://www.theplantbasemag.com/news/nestl%C3%A9-to-discontinue-vegan-kitkat-chocolate-bar

Swizzels ramps up production as demand for vegan sweets soars this Veganuary

From doncasterfreepress.co.uk

Love Hearts, Drumstick, Parma Violets and Refreshers are among the vegan sweets rolling off the production line at Swizzels as the UK’s largest family-owned sweet manufacturer gears up for rising vegan demand in the confectionery aisle.

With its extensive range of vegan favourites, Swizzels is answering the growing call for plant-based sweets – a trend that has seen a significant rise, with vegan claims in the sugar confectionery category up 33% in 2024, compared to 17% in 2019.

Vegan treats, once a niche trend, are now a fixture in the confectionery aisle. Veganuary’s popularity has surged each year, with over 25 million participants worldwide in January 2024 alone.

Swizzels has been leading the way with its vegan-friendly range that paved the path long before the current surge in demand. Today, nearly all of its popular products are entirely vegan, appealing to plant-based and traditional sweet lovers alike.

                                          Swizzels ramps up production as demand for vegan sweets soars this Veganuary

Swizzels’ Variety Bags are a vegan favourite, especially during January, with packs like Scrumptious Sweets, Curious Chews, and Luscious Lollies. With a RRP of £1.25, these individually wrapped sweets make vegan snacking easy and accessible for friends and family alike, available nationwide in supermarkets and convenience stores.

Ailish Pope, Brand Manager at Swizzels, said: “For many, Veganuary is a fun opportunity to explore plant-based options they might not otherwise try, and we’re proud to offer a wide range of vegan sweets for everyone, whatever their flavour preferences or budget.

“Our sixth annual ‘All These, All Vegan, All Year’ campaign celebrates delicious vegan treats that people can enjoy any time, not just during Veganuary.

“For those curious about going vegan, our range offers an easy, tasty introduction without sacrificing the flavours they love. And should anyone choose to continue, our vegan sweets are available all year round at affordable prices.”

Swizzels’ vegan range – starting at just 20p – is available in major retailers and convenience stores across the UK.

https://www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk/lifestyle/food-and-drink/swizzels-ramps-up-production-as-demand-for-vegan-sweets-soars-this-veganuary-4937792 

Swizzels set to meet the Veganuary demand

From scottishgrocer.co.uk

Production boost for sweet toothed vegans

BRITISH confectionery firm Swizzels has announced its ramped up its production in a bid to meet the growing demand for vegan sweets in time for Veganuary.

Popular products such as Swizzels’s Variety Bags, Drumstick Choos and Refreshers Choos are among the vegan sweets that are expected to perform well this coming Veganuary as consumers continue to seek more plant-based options.

With this in mind, the confectionery brand has urged retailers to stock up on its expanding vegan range following Mintel research which found that vegan demand in sugar confectionery has risen by 33%, up from just 17% in 2019 showing the clear demand.

The sweet maker’s popular range of Drumstick Choos and Refreshers Choos are now available in PMP formats as well, to help provide a good for value option for sweet-toothed vegans, with an on-pack price of £1.15.

To help draw further attention to the range of plant-based options, Swizzels has kicked off its ‘All These, All Vegan, All Here’ campaign once again, with a key focus on the plant-based nature of the products that are available all the year round.

Clare Newton, trade marketing manager at Swizzels, said: “Vegan sweets are growing in popularity, with vegan claims now way more common in sugar and confectionery products than they were five years ago.

“Swizzels has long been ahead of the trend, offering a vegan-friendly range well before the current surge in demand. Today, nearly all of our products are fully vegan, catering to a diverse customer base and helping boost sales for the retailers and wholesalers we work with.

“We are at the forefront of the vegan confectionery movement, offering an exciting range of sweets that deliver the familiar taste and texture of classic treats, all with a plant-based twist!

“Our vegan range is available all year-round, ensuring customers can enjoy their favourite sweets anytime, not just during Veganuary.”

https://scottishgrocer.co.uk/2024/11/26/swizzels-set-to-meet-the-veganuary-demand/ 

Walkers Thai Sweet Chilli Sensations Finally Go Vegan

From plantbasednews.org

The hugely popular crisps have officially removed milk powder 

In probably the biggest crisp-related news of the decade, Walkers has seemingly removed milk powder from its Thai Sweet Chilli Sensations.

                                 Thai Sweet Chilli Sensations have changed their recipe - Media Credit: Russell Hart / Alamy Stock Photo

Milk powder is a notorious ingredient often found in otherwise animal-free snacks. Vegans have long criticized its inclusion, which – seemingly without reason – renders numerous popular food products non-vegan. Thai Sweet Chilli Sensations are one of the most well-known of milk powder’s victims. As one of the most beloved crisp flavours in the UK, vegans have been calling for years for the recipe to be changed.

Now, as reported by Instagram page Vegan Food UK, the milk powder has officially been removed. Please be aware, though, that many supermarkets are still selling old stock, so you must check the ingredients before buying.

Plant Based News checked the ingredients list at various stockists online. They appear to be vegan at Ocado, Sainsbury’s, and Waitrose. However, Tesco and Asda are still selling packs where milk is listed as a main ingredient. Ingredients may vary in stores, so always check the label.

What does ‘may contain milk’ mean?

Adobe Stock                                              It’s not uncommon for vegan products to have “may contain milk” written on them

You should note that the new Thai Sweet Chilli Sensations are not certified as vegan. This is because the ingredients list states that they “may contain milk.” This label can often be confusing for those new to plant-based eating, but it doesn’t necessarily mean a product isn’t vegan.

If a product “may contain milk,” it means there is a risk of cross-contamination. This may occur if it’s made in the same facility as milk, making it unsuitable for allergy sufferers. Most vegans consider such products acceptable as long as there are no animal-derived ingredients listed in the primary ingredients.

https://plantbasednews.org/lifestyle/food/walkers-thai-sweet-chilli-sensations/

Vegan Nutella and wafer snacks set to debut in Germany for Veganuary

From veganfoodandliving.com

Italian confectionery giant Ferrero has announced the launch of vegan Nutella in Germany along with a plant-based wafer snack.

Ferrero, the company behind the iconic hazelnut and chocolate spread, is gearing up to introduce a highly anticipated vegan Nutella in Germany.

According to recent reports, German supermarkets are expected to carry this plant-based Nutella as early as January 2025.

In December 2023, Ferrero took the first step toward this launch by registering a trademark for the new variant with the German Patent and Trademark Office.

The new plant-based Nutella is certified vegan, catering to the growing demand for plant-based options, particularly among flexitarians.

The vegan Nutella replaces the spread’s traditional dairy ingredients with plant-based alternatives. However, like its non-vegan counterpart, the plant-based Nutella spread is likely to contain palm oil.

The news of the launch of Nutella Plant Based was shared on Veganuary Germany's Instagram page, along with an early look at the new-look jar. Photo © Ferrero/Veganuary Deutschland

Vegan Nutella to launch in Germany

Germany is set to become the second European country to welcome this plant-based Nutella, after Ferrero’s home country, Italy.

German consumers will also get a bonus treat—Ferrero is launching a vegan version of another classic product, Hanuta, a popular hazelnut wafer snack.

The vegan Hanuta, branded as “Hanuta Crispy Cocoa,” is slated to hit stores as a limited edition for Veganuary 2025.

This move has already been confirmed by Veganuary Germany on Instagram, generating excitement among fans of the original snack.

However, it’s still unclear whether this vegan Hanuta could become a permanent fixture on the shelves after the initial launch.

Veganuary Germany also shared an image of plant-based Hanuta wafer snacks. Photo © Ferrero/Veganuary Deutschland

Nutella’s vegan expansion across Europe

Germany isn’t the only country with a confirmed launch date for vegan Nutella.

In May, Ferrero announced that it would begin rolling out the vegan Nutella in select European countries starting in Autumn 2024.

Italy, Ferrero’s home country, is first in line for the vegan chocolate spread, with a launch event scheduled in Milan on September 3rd.

As for other countries, there’s no official word yet, but many are eagerly awaiting news of a broader European rollout, including the possibility of a UK launch. 

https://www.veganfoodandliving.com/news/vegan-nutella-hanuta-debut-germany-veganuary/

So, Are Marshmallows Really Vegan? A Nutritionist Explains

From womenshealthmag.com/food

You’ll be surprised to know the truth

Marshmallows are the perfect accompaniment to pretty much anything—hot chocolate, smores, dessert toppings, baking—but if you’re following a vegan or vegetarian diet, or just trying to be more plant-based, you may be wondering if those fluffy treats fit in with your lifestyle.

After all, marshmallows are usually dairy-free. And if you’re used to avoiding more traditional desserts like pies and brownies for the sake of your health, you may think you’re doing just fine crumbling up a marshmallow (or three) in a cup of vegan hot chocolate. C'mon, who can resist sipping on melty marshmallows? Not me!

But going more plant-based definitely has tons of benefits, like lowering one’s blood pressure and cholesterol. So it would make sense why you’d want to seek out vegan options as much as you can. However, if you’re choosing a traditional marshmallow to satisfy your vegan sweet tooth, you may want to think again. Sadly, most aren't vegan.

When it comes to marshmallows, figuring out whether they're vegan or not really comes down to their ingredient list. Here's what you should know about marshmallows before you go ahead and open another bag.

                                                                MirageCGetty Images

So, are marshmallows vegan?

Unfortunately, they're not. “Marshmallows are not vegan because they contain gelatin, an animal protein derived from the ligaments, tendons, and skin of animals, such as cows and pigs,” explains registered dietician Grace Pascale. Gelatin doesn’t taste like meat at all, since it’s created by boiling down the various animal body parts with water, but it’s used in marshmallows in order to create that gooey, glutinous center that melts in your mouth.  

“Gelatin and related products are also commonly found in puddings, ice cream, candy, certain yogurts, and even things like shampoo and cosmetics, in order to add that texture,” adds Pascale.

If you want a vegan option, you have to stay away from items that contain this ingredient. But don’t stress. There are several vegan substitutes that use other ingredients to create that same yummy texture.

More here....

https://www.womenshealthmag.com/food/a37169297/are-marshmallows-vegan/

Nestlé’s vegan-friendly KitKat V just launched in Sainsbury’s across UK

From totallyveganbuzz.com

The vegan KitKat costs £1 and is certified vegan by the Vegan Society.

Nestlé’s new vegan KitKat chocolate has hit Sainsbury’s shelves, according to reports.

The new dairy-free bar – called KitKat V- features chocolate blended with a rice-based alternative to milk for a ‘perfect balance’ between crispy wafer and smooth chocolate.

The cocoa used is 100% sustainable, sourced through the Nestlé Cocoa Plan in partnership with the Rainforest Alliance.

The chocolate has been developed by chocolate experts in Nestlé’s Research and Development centre in York, UK.

It costs £1 and is certified vegan by the Vegan Society.

‘Vegan chocolate we’re very proud of’

 “Our challenge when we set out to create a vegan-friendly KitKat was to recreate this iconic product using plant-based alternatives,” Louise Barrett, the head of the Nestlé Confectionery Product Technology Centre, said.

“To achieve this, we worked very hard to get the right balance between the milk alternative and the cocoa.

“The result is a vegan chocolate that we’re very proud of, and that we hope will be enjoyed by KitKat fans everywhere.”

Brand manager Sascha Macchi added: “KitKat has been championing breaks since 1934 and while people’s need for breaks hasn’t changed, the way we take them has.

“KitKat is such a successful brand because it has evolved throughout its history, and the arrival of our vegan-friendly bar means there is now a delicious alternative for anyone looking to enjoy a plant-based break. We hope people love it as much as we do.”

While the vegan version will be rolling out in other European countries as well, Nestlé has also hinted it would soon be launched in Australia.

Nestlé controversy

Despite the vegan-friendly KitKat debut being highly anticipated, many customers avoid Nestlé products due to its history of malpractices when it comes to business strategies.

The brand was embroiled in a major scandal in the 1970s, when many shunned the food and drink company for aggressively promoting its formula milk over breastmilk to women in developing countries.

Nestlé has also been guilty of forced labour practices in its supply chain such as child labour, unethical water mining, and deforestation among others.

https://www.totallyveganbuzz.com/news/nestles-vegan-kitkat-v-sainsburys/

Mars to launch vegan Galaxy bar

From theguardian.com/food

Plant-based alternative to milk chocolate a first by mainstream confectioner

Mars is to launch a vegan version of its best-selling Galaxy bar in the UK, the first move by a large mainstream confectionery brand to offer consumers a plant-based alternative to milk chocolate.

The new variant, certified by the Vegan Society, will be available in three flavours: smooth orange, caramel and sea salt and caramelised hazelnut. It will go on sale online and in store at Tesco, Ocado and Amazon from Monday, costing £3 for a 100g bar, double the price of the regular Galaxy.

While all dark chocolate is naturally or "accidentally" vegan if it has not had milk or cream added to it – and is prevalent in supermarkets’ dairy-free aisles – milk chocolate is more challenging to convert because of its dairy content.

Often chocolate products do not carry a vegan label because of the risk of cross-contamination when they have been made in factories where dairy and other products are used.
Mars, the UK’s second-largest confectionery brand, says it has taken more than six months to reformulate its best-selling chocolate bar, which has involved replacing dairy with hazelnut paste and rice syrup.

                     Galaxy’s range of vegan bars. Photograph: Claudia Riccio Photography Ltd

Guardian food writer Tamal Ray tried the new caramelised hazelnut and smooth orange bars. “I have no idea what sort of alchemical magic turns hazelnuts into cream but, whatever the process is, both bars of chocolate certainly look and feel the part: they’re smooth on the tongue and melt away to a pleasant creaminess,” he said.

“The caramelised hazelnut has crunchy little nuggets of caramelised sugar and hazelnut scattered through whilst the smooth orange has just enough citrus flavour to be pleasantly familiar without overpowering. Both are fair efforts that I doubt you would realise were vegan if you didn’t know already.”

He had one major criticism: “Neither tastes particularly chocolatey – the texture is there as are the additional flavours but the underlying taste is of some vaguely sweet thing rather than chocolate. I don’t think either of these would cure my occasional late night chocolate cravings. They are, however, about a million times better than Hershey’s.”

Linda Lopez, the head of the sensory team at Mars, said: “The taste of Galaxy has not changed in the nearly 60 years since it was launched. We wanted to retain the classic smooth and creamy taste and texture without any compromise.”

The new product scored highly in its blind taste tests, she said, with consumers rating rival products (largely dark chocolate) less well because of their bitterness and/or waxy aftertaste.

The UK vegan confectionary market has grown to a record £10m but is dwarfed by the size of the overall confectionery market, which is now valued at £4bn.

Kerry Cavanaugh, the unit director of chocolate at Mars, said: “This is our first vegan product and we felt it was time to offer fans of our best-selling Galaxy brand more choice. We expect it to be very popular at Christmas for families and friends to share, as well as in Veganuary" – referring to the annual phenomenon where people embrace plant-based diets for the whole of January.

It is also Mars’ first UK confectionery product to be wrapped in compostable film packaging. It is made from wood fibre and breaks down in home composting in a few months while the outer card sleeve is widely recyclable.

Abigail Stevens, the trademark marketing manager at the Vegan Society, said: “We’re proud to register Galaxy’s first ever non-dairy milk chocolate bars with our vegan trademark. The brand has demonstrated that dairy is not necessary to make great tasting chocolate, and that people can still enjoy their favourites without the use of animals.”

Existing vegan-friendly products are predominantly dark chocolate. The distinctive Dutch brand Tony's Chocolonely has two vegan bars – a 70% dark and dark almond sea salt – while Hotel Chocolat has expanded its vegan range in the run-up to Christmas. The Moo Free brand, meanwhile, offers “milk flavoured chocolate” made from rice milk.

https://www.theguardian.com/food/2019/nov/13/mars-to-launch-vegan-galaxy-bar