Barry Callebaut introduces 100% dairy-free ‘M_lk Chocolate’ as part of an indulgent ‘Plant Craft’ range

Barry Callebaut has announced the introduction of the 100% dairy-free ‘M_lk Chocolate’ as part of a ‘Plant Craft’ Indulgence range.

According to the chocolate and cocoa manufacturer, the new chocolate satisfies the growing demand for plant-based indulgence, particularly among millennials and centennials. The new chocolate is part of a wider portfolio of Plant Craft products ranging from chocolate, cocoa, nuts and fillings to decorations.

The launch comes at a time when sustainability-conscious consumers, especially millennials and centennials, are increasingly adopting a flexitarian or freegan lifestyle – navigating between plant-based products one day and animal products the next, or taking part in milestones like Veganuary. In the UK alone, a 2019 YouGov study found that while only 1% of consumers classify as vegan, 14% of the population have adopted a plant-based diet one or more days a week.

The new dairy-free ‘M_lk Chocolate’ is creamy, milky and has the typical milk chocolate flavour and texture. It is made with an ingredient of natural origin, exclusively available to Barry Callebaut. It took a Barry Callebaut R&D team two years to develop.

The next generation of consumers is looking for experiences that are tasty, good for them and good for the planet. With that in mind, we aim to accompany the industry in this plant-based revolution,” said Pablo Perversi, chief innovation, sustainability and quality officer and Head of Gourmet at Barry Callebaut.

To support artisans and brands across the world in creating plant-based indulgent experiences, Barry Callebaut has introduced Plant Craft, a wide range of dairy-free and vegan ingredients: chocolates, cocoa powders, nut products from paste to fillings as well as decorations.

To bring these plant-based products to market, Barry Callebaut has developed a European footprint of fully-segregated dairy-free production facilities, including a state-of-the-art chocolate factory in Norderstedt, Germany.

The new factory will be the manufacturer’s first facility capable of supplying dairy-free chocolate to the European market, with annual production capacity expected to reach tens of thousands of tons. The factory will be opened as a dairy-free facility in the first half of 2021.

The new range of dairy-free chocolate, cocoa and nut products will equip industry confectioners with everything needed to create indulgent dairy-free creations.