Vegan KitKat Relaunches Across Europe

Take a plant-based break and enjoy a dairy-free KitKat!

KitKat V, the vegan version of the legendary treat, is launching now in 15 European countries. The multinational launch follows a test in the United Kingdom and some other countries in 2021.

The brand new KitKat V was developed by chocolate experts at Nestlé's confectionery R&D centre in York, UK, which is the original home of KitKat. Combining their expertise in chocolate innovation and dairy-free alternatives, the team created a recipe that blends the creamy chocolate with plant-based ingredients. KitKat V offers the perfect balance between the crispy wafer and smooth chocolate that people know and love.

Sustainable vegan chocolate

KitKat V is certified vegan and made from sustainably sourced cocoa through the Nestlé Cocoa Plan, with Rainforest Alliance certification. The dairy milk is replaced with a rice milk, for the perfect flavour and texture.

Commenting on the launch, Louise Barrett, Head of the Nestlé Confectionery Product Technology Center in York, says: "Last year, we took the decision to produce KitKat V in our R&D production facilities so we could bring the product to the shelves much faster and test with our consumers. The response from consumers was overwhelming, and we are now excited to launch it at a much wider scale."

More environmentally-friendly option

Thanks to the fully plant-based ingredients, KitKat V has an 18% lower carbon footprint compared to original KitKat made with dairy. The lower carbon footprint has been certified by the Carbon Trust.

Corinne Gabler, Head of Confectionery for Europe, says: "We are seeing a strong trend in food with more people looking for plant-based options, including for treats. This is one of the biggest launches ever of a vegan alternative of a major confectionery brand and it shows our confidence in this trend. We're delighted to offer KitKat V to all those KitKat fans out there who asked us to make it happen!"

Consumers want more plant-based options

According to consumer surveys, people are interested in more plant-based foods. Nestlé is one of the companies helping consumer switching to a more plant-based diet, offering food options for all kinds of meals and occasions - from breakfast, to snack on the go, a family meal or for a special treat. In addition to vegan sweets, recent food innovations include plant-based meat and seafood alternatives, vegan ready meals and pizzas, dairy alternatives, coffee mixes and creamers, vegan chocolate and malt beverages, plant-based cheese and ice-cream.

The new vegan KitKat will be produced at Nestlé's confectionery factory in Hamburg, Germany. It will be sold in 15 countries across Europe including Germany, the United Kingdom, France, Austria, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Greece, Portugal, Poland, Hungary, and the Netherlands.