Nestlé is about to roll out a vegan version of its iconic Kit Kat candy bar, joining several other major candy companies in trying for a piece of the vegan market.
Known as Kit Kat V, the new product’s major formulation tweak is the substitution of a rice-derived ingredient for milk in chocolate. The cocoa used for the chocolate is 100% sustainable, as certified by the Rainforest Alliance.
"Taste was a key factor when developing the plant-based chocolate for our new vegan Kit Kat," a Nestlé formulations researcher said in a statement quoted by CNN. "We used our expertise in ingredients, together with a test-and-learn approach, to create a delicious vegan alternative to our original chocolate Kit Kat."
Kit Kat V will be tested this year in select markets in the UK and other countries. Nestlé’s announcement did not refer to any plans to introduce it in the USA, where Kit Kat is manufactured and distributed by the Hershey Co. under a licensing agreement.
Mars Wrigley, Lindt and Cadbury have previously come out with vegan chocolate bars or other products.
