Nestlé launches new vegan KitKat

New Kit Kat V will be available later this year in several countries where Nestlé owns the brand.

Kit Kat V, which is vegan, will be launched later in the year in several countries across the globe where Nestlé owns the brand.

Soon, even vegans will be able to “have a break.” Nestlé is launching a vegan KitKat in 2021, called KitKat V.

Nestlé owns the KitKat brand globally except in the United States, where it’s owned by The Hershey Co. The new vegan KitKats will be launched later in the year in several countries across the globe where Nestlé owns the brand. It will only be available through the KitKat Chocolatory and selected retailers to test the opportunity for a wider roll-out.

KitKat V was developed by chocolate experts in Nestlé’s confectionery research and development center in York, UK, the original home of KitKat. They worked to make a vegan version that would live up to the high expectations of KitKat lovers everywhere.

"Taste was a key factor when developing the plant-based chocolate for our new vegan KitKat,” said Louise Barrett, head of the Nestlé confectionery product technology center in York. “We used our expertise in ingredients, together with a test and learn approach, to create a delicious vegan alternative to our original chocolate KitKat."

KitKat V is certified vegan and made from 100 percent sustainable cocoa sourced through the Nestlé Cocoa Plan in conjunction with the Rainforest Alliance.

"One of the most common requests we see on social media is for a vegan KitKat, so we're delighted to be able to make that wish come true. I can't wait for people to be able to try this amazingly tasty new KitKat,” said Alexander von Maillot, head of confectionery at Nestlé. “This is a product for everyone who wants a little more plant-based in their life!"

Nestlé is helping people embrace a more plant-based diet, with options across its wide range of food and beverages.

The company has already launched plant-based alternatives to dairy made from rice, oat, soy, coconut, pea and almonds across categories. Examples include non-dairy ice cream, coffee creamers, rice- and oat-based drinks, pea-based beverages, plant-based cappuccinos and lattes, a vegan condensed milk alternative, as well as a range of non-dairy cheese to complement existing plant-based burgers.

Surveys have shown that people are interested in exploring more plant-based foods across different categories.

"There is a quiet food revolution underway that is changing how people eat,” von Maillot said. “We want to be at the forefront of that, championing the discovery of plant-based food and beverages. What better way to do that than offering a vegan version of one of our most famous and much-loved brands? The new KitKat V means chocolate lovers now have a great plant-based option when they have a break."

Kit Kat V follows other recent innovations from KitKat, including KitKat Ruby and KitKat Chocolatory Cacao Fruit Chocolate, using the first chocolate made entirely from the cocoa fruit.

Crystal Lindell, Former editor-in-chief of Candy Industry Magazine. While here she has worked on Candy Industry Magazine, Food Engineering Magazine and Food Safety Strategies. She holds a master’s degree in public affairs reporting from the University of Illinois – Springfield and a bachelor’s degree in political science from Western Illinois University. And her favorite breakfast is a cup of espresso and Twix bar.

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