As Ferrero prepares to market the vegan range of its famous Nutella this Wednesday, RMC Conso took an interest in the plant-based spreads already on the market.
A revolution. Announced in May by the Ferrero group, vegan Nutella is appearing on our shelves this Wednesday. Also marketed in Italy, the product will then be distributed in Belgium, then in Germany.
If the famous Italian brand justifies this launch in France to “attract vegan consumers who wish to diversify their diet with plant-based products”, Nutella made from plant-based products is above all part of an attempt to approach the vegan market, already occupied by certain brands.
This announcement by Ferrero also delights food transparency players such as OpenFoodFacts, who told RMC Conso that they were “happy to see that more and more manufacturers are trying to better meet consumers’ new expectations by reformulating their products or displaying the Nutri-Score”.
Cocoa as a priority, sugar in reasonable quantities
Sporting a green lid in its plant-based version, the famous Nutella spread is therefore swapping certain elements of its composition for something completely vegan. Exit milk, Ferrero adds chickpeas and rice syrup, ensuring that the taste will be identical to its version containing animal products.
Although the precise composition of the new jar of Nutella is not yet known, Florence Foucault, a dietician and nutritionist, explains to RMC Conso to carefully check the label of your vegan spread before buying it.
“Chocolate, or cocoa, must be among the first five ingredients. The higher it is in the list, the better. As for lipids and sugars, they must also be in reasonable quantities. Because, if vegetable fats are better than animal fats, they remain harmful in excess, the expert explains to our editorial staff.
Alternatives already available
While vegan products are relatively new and do not yet reach a wide audience in France, a varied range of products is beginning to emerge. And spreads are not forgotten.
· The Cream
Whether in its original version (4.90 euros for 400g), or reduced in sugar (3.32 euros for 200g), the La Crema spread from the Valsoia brand is composed of hazelnuts, cocoa and oat flour. Both products have the Nutri-Score E.
· The spread OUF!
The brand specializing in vegan products Funky Veggie offers three variations of its “OUF!” spread: cocoa and hazelnut, cocoa and peanut and praline.
For these three products, all with a Nutri-Score B, the brand uses red bean puree as the main ingredient. Price-wise, the 200-gram jar costs 3.99 euros, regardless of the flavor.
· Hazelnut spread
Surely the best-known alternative version to Nutella, the Rigoni di Asiago brand also offers its Nocciolata, a hazelnut spread, in a vegan and organic version. Nutri-Score D. Average price found in stores: 3.79 euros for 270g.
· Pure organic spread
The Nutripure brand also chooses red bean puree for its cocoa and hazelnut spread. Nutri-Score A. Last on this list of alternatives, the product is also the most expensive with a price of 5.99 euros for a 220g jar.
A higher price
While vegan Nutella completes this spread offering, these products have another thing in common: their higher price than a non-vegan equivalent. With a price of 4.19 euros for 350 grams, the plant-based recipe for Nutella is 10 cents more expensive than its classic version.
Depending on your budget and desires, whether vegan or not, spreads should still be consumed in moderation. As Florence Foucault reminds RMC Conso, these products remain very sweet and fatty.