Swiss food company Nestlé has announced its plans to launch its new vegan KitKat V product later this year.

Developed by Nestlé’s confectionery research and development centre in York, UK, KitKat V is a plant-based variant, which is claimed to offer a right balance of a crispy wafer and smooth chocolate.

The company claimed that its new KitKat V is produced using 100% sustainable cocoa sourced via Nestlé Cocoa Plan in conjunction with the Rainforest Alliance.

Nestlé Confectionery Product Technology Center (York) head Louise Barrett said: “Taste was a key factor when developing the plant-based chocolate for our new vegan KitKat.

“We used our expertise in ingredients, together with a test-and-learn approach, to create a delicious vegan alternative to our original chocolate KitKat.”

With KitKat V, the firm will be expanding its KitKat portfolio that includes KitKat Ruby and KitKat Chocolatory Cacao Fruit Chocolate, which is claimed to be the first chocolate made entirely from cocoa fruit.

KitKat V will initially be available through the KitKat Chocolatory and seleced retailers, to test for a wider rollout.

Nestlé Confectionery head Alexander von Maillot said: “One of the most common requests we see on social media is for a vegan KitKat, so we’re delighted to be able to make that wish come true.

“I can’t wait for people to be able to try this amazingly tasty new KitKat. This is a product for everyone who wants a little more plant-based in their life!

“There is a quiet food revolution underway that is changing how people eat. We want to be at the forefront of that, championing the discovery of plant-based food and beverages.”

With new plant-based innovations, Nestlé stated that it aims to help people in embracing a more plant-based diet.

The company has already introduced plant-based alternatives to dairy, made from rice, oat, soy, coconut, pea and almonds across categories.

In August 2020, Nestlé entered the plant-based seafood alternatives market with the launch of a plant-based alternative to tuna.

The company had then noted that it produces its new tuna alternative using six plant-based ingredients.

It was claimed to be rich in pea protein and contains essential amino acids and free of artificial colourings or preservatives.