Attention Nutella fans: Ferrero, the manufacturer of the famous spread, is going to change its recipe by modifying several ingredients. A new formula that could alter the taste and texture of this flagship product.
Ferrero, the famous manufacturer of Nutella, recently announced a major new product that could well get people talking. The Italian brand will launch a new version of its famous spread, called Nutella Plant Based. This product will arrive in Italy in the fall and should then be marketed in other countries, including France. This new spread is specially designed for those who want to diversify their diet. The Ferrero group hopes to appeal to a public that is increasingly concerned about their diet and the environmental impact of their food choices.
The exact composition of this new formula obviously remains a closely guarded mystery. However, it is likely that the absence of skimmed milk powder, a key ingredient in the original recipe, will attract the attention of people with lactose intolerance. The Nutella Plant Based logo has already been registered in Italy and Germany, highlighting graphic codes that evoke naturalness and organic.
In fact, behind this name lies a deeper evolution. Because as Ferrero indicates in its press release, the new Nutella recipe will be guaranteed to be free of ingredients of animal origin. In other words, and even if the mention does not appear clearly, it is a vegan recipe, specially designed for followers of this movement that is affecting more and more people around the world.
Ferrero’s move is part of a broader trend in the food industry that is seeing more and more major brands launch special versions of their flagship products. Nestlé, another food giant, has already successfully tested a new version of its popular KitKat, called KitKat V, in the UK. The product, which uses rice instead of dairy, is already on sale in fifteen European countries.
There are several reasons for this trend. First, more and more consumers are becoming aware of the environmental issues related to food production. Animal products often have a larger ecological footprint than their plant-based counterparts. Second, ethical concerns about animal welfare are pushing some to avoid animal products. Finally, health issues also play a role: some people choose these new products to avoid lactose or saturated fats found in dairy products.
However, the move to a different recipe for the popular spread may not please everyone. Nutella purists may be disappointed by a slightly different taste or texture than the original version. Some consumers remain attached to the traditional recipe that made the brand a global success.
The challenge for Ferrero will therefore be to convince these skeptics while meeting the expectations of consumers who are fans of new formulas. In any case, the arrival of “Nutella Plant Based” marks an important step in the brand’s evolution towards a more diversified and environmentally friendly diet.