Key Takeaways
- Cargill and Voyage Foods launch NextCoa, a cocoa-free chocolate alternative in the U.S., available in various flavors.
- The product is vegan, allergen-free, and offers environmental benefits, including a 67% lower carbon footprint than traditional chocolate.
- Cargill serves as the exclusive distributor for NextCoa and plans to expand distribution to Canada in the near future.
Innovative Confectionery Alternative Launch
Cargill has teamed up with food technology firm Voyage Foods to introduce NextCoa, a chocolate alternative that will debut in North America, initially in the United States. This innovative product aims to deliver a “chocolatey-like taste” using plant-based ingredients, notably grape seeds, while following traditional chocolate-making techniques.
Available in two varieties—mild (similar to milk chocolate) and dark mild (akin to dark and milk chocolate)—NextCoa can be incorporated into various confections, including bars, baked goods, ice cream, and snack coatings. Cargill emphasizes that NextCoa is not intended to replace chocolate but to expand the options available for manufacturers and consumers alike. According to Kojo Amoo-Gottfried, Cargill’s vice president and managing director of cocoa and chocolate for North America, this line represents a significant step in creating new flavors while enhancing the resilience of the food system.
NextCoa’s formulation is vegan, Kosher pareve, and Halal suitable, intentionally avoiding major allergens like dairy, soy, peanuts, and tree nuts. This ingredient profile not only broadens choices for food manufacturers but also addresses growing consumer demand for allergy-friendly foods. Furthermore, the use of plant-based components allows producers to achieve better pricing stability and availability, alongside notable environmental advantages. Cargill claims that NextCoa has a 67% lower carbon footprint compared to conventional chocolate.
Adam Maxwell, CEO and founder of Voyage Foods, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration, stating that the partnership with Cargill enables broader accessibility to their reimagined approach to chocolate-like products. Voyage Foods is dedicated to creating innovative food solutions, including nut- and allergen-free spreads and single-ingredient coffee.
Under this commercial partnership, Cargill acts as the exclusive global distributor for Voyage Foods, enhancing the availability of NextCoa in the market. The company is also collaborating with regional partners such as Batory Foods, Blendtek, and Azelis company Gillco Ingredients to cater to U.S. customers, with plans to extend its reach to Canada in the near future. This strategic alliance aims to deliver advancements in food innovation while addressing consumer preferences for healthier, sustainable options.
The content above is a summary. For more details, see the source article.