Barry Callebaut introduced at ISM this week 100 percent dairy-free ‘M_lk Chocolate’ as part of the Plant Craft Indulgence range. 

The new chocolate correlates with the growing demand for plant-based indulgence, particularly among Millennials and Generation Z consumers. The new chocolate is part of a wider portfolio of ‘Plant Craft’ products ranging from chocolate, cocoa, nuts and fillings to decorations. 

The dairy-free ‘M_lk Chocolate’ is creamy and has the typical milk chocolate flavor 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 this innovation.  

“The next generation of consumers is looking for experiences that are tasty, good for them and good for the planet,” said Pablo Perversi, chief innovation, sustainability and quality officer and head of gourmet at Barry Callebaut. “With that in mind, we aim to accompany the industry in this plant-based revolution. With more than 175 years of experience in mastering chocolate, creating indulgent experiences is at the heart of what we do. Through this innovation, we’re proud to offer chocolate creations with all of the creaminess consumers love, 100% dairyfree.”  

To bring these plant-based products to market, Barry Callebaut has developed a unique 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.

This introduction follows Barry Callebaut’s September 2019 launch of WholeFruit Chocolate, created with 100 percent cacaofruit and no added sugar.