Cargill taps into ‘future trends’ through deal with cocoa and nut-free vegan confectionery manufacturer

The agreement means that Cargill will become the exclusive B2B global distributor for Voyage Foods products, which include nut-free and vegan alternatives to cocoa-based items such as its chocolate-style hazelnut-free spread.

The US-based firm also manufactures cocoa-free chocolate, a peanut-free spread and bean-free coffee, which it has developed using proprietary technology that is able to replicate these distinctive flavours.

Cargill said that Voyage Foods’ cocoa-free ingredients range will be used in the recipe formulation process for categories such as bakery, ice cream and confectionery, with the firm keen to expand its existing chocolate portfolio through the addition of more sustainable alternatives.

Voyage Foods’ existing range of cocoa-free confectionery will initially be rolled out in Europe, before being made available more widely around the world.

Partnership is about ‘anticipating future trends’

“Cargill is proud to partner with Voyage Foods, investing in the next generation of even more sustainable food solutions,”​ said Inge Demeyere, managing Director of bakery, ice cream and chocolate confectionery Europe at Cargill.

“We want to be our customers’ main source of inspiration and growth, setting new standards for innovating and collaborating. To do this, we’re anticipating future trends by focusing on exciting, high-value categories such as ice cream, sweet bakery and chocolate confectionery.”​

Demeyere believes that the alternatives to cocoa-based products developed by Voyage Foods serve as a “great accompaniment to the traditional chocolate solutions that Cargill offers its customers”.​

“This partnership is just one of the many ways that we are future-proofing our portfolio and meeting consumer demands and market regulations when it comes to even more sustainable options,”​ she added.

Meanwhile, Voyage Foods founder and CEO Adam Maxwell said the firm was focused on “solving human and environmental health challenges through food”.​

“The best way to accomplish this is by supplying the world's food brands and manufacturers with our impactful ingredients,”​ Maxwell continued.

“Partnering with Cargill, a leader in the food industry for over 100 years, is the perfect way to scale these solutions globally to offer food manufacturers the ability to integrate cocoa-free confectionery and spreads, produced with no nut or dairy allergens used in the recipe formulation, into their portfolios. Together, we’re amplifying our impact on people and the planet,” says Adam Maxwell, CEO and Founder of Voyage Foods.”​

In other news, CAMRA has called for an investigation to be launched into Carlsberg Marston’s ‘Fresh Ale’ concept.​​