Nestlé, the world's largest food & beverage company, has recently announced a new addition to the KitKat range in the UK with the launch of a vegan version.
The new KitKat V features chocolate blended with plant-based ingredients, paired with the brand's trademark crispy wafer and was developed at Nestlé's R&D centre in York.
"Taste was a priority when developing the plant-based chocolate for our new vegan KitKat," said Louise Barrett, head of the Nestlé Confectionery Product Technology Centre in York. "We used our expertise in ingredients, together with a test and learn approach, to create a delicious vegan choice for KitKat fans."
Alex Gonnella, marketing director for Nestlé Confectionery, said: "There is a quiet food revolution underway that is changing how people eat. We want to be at the forefront of that, championing the discovery of plant-based food and beverages.
"What better proof of that than offering a plant-based version of one of our oldest and most famous brands? The new KitKat V means people can enjoy a delicious vegan option when they have a break."
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.
KitKat V is certified vegan, and made from 100% sustainable cocoa sourced through the Nestlé Cocoa Plan in conjunction with the Rainforest Alliance. It 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.
Find out more about the Nestlé brand and its product range here.