If you love hazelnuts but prefer a milk-free chocolate, Nutella could make your wish come true: As Plant Based News reports, Ferrero, which owns Nutella, confirmed the rumors, telling the outlet that Nutella Plant-Based will be launched in select European countries in fall 2024.
Few details are available at this time, such as which countries the product will be sold in or how much it will cost, but it will reportedly be vegan certified.
Ferrero’s decision to launch a vegan version of its spread comes amid growing interest in plant-based diets across Europe, with a 2023 survey showing that 28% of Europeans eat plant-based alternatives once a week, with milk alternatives being the most popular.
Eating plant-based foods, even occasionally, benefits both human health and the environment.
Agriculture is responsible for more than one-tenth (11%) of the world’s pollution that causes global warming. Reducing demand for meat and dairy products could also reduce this pollution.
Additionally, studies have shown that a plant-based diet can increase lifespan and lower the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes.
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The plant-based trend isn’t just limited to Europe: Consumers around the world are shifting to a plant-based diet, and many major companies are jumping on the bandwagon with their own eco-friendly initiatives, making it easier than ever for hungry people to reduce their meat and dairy intake.
To name a few trendsetters, Kraft Mac & Cheese is now dairy-free for the first time in 85 years, Oscar Mayer is introducing plant-based hot dogs, sausages and bratwurst, and Hershey’s is adding two dairy-free products.
So, plant-based Nutella has found some good company, and Ferrero is right to jump on the trend.
“At Ferrero, we are always exploring and exploring new categories and emerging food trends,” a company spokesperson said. “Leveraging our innovative spirit and the expertise of our long-loved global brands, we are gearing up to launch Nutella Plant-Based (in several European countries) from autumn 2024. This new addition to the Nutella family offers the same unmistakable experience, using plant-based ingredients instead of milk, providing a delicious new option that will welcome even more people into the brand.”
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