Nestlé has just come out with a plant-based version of the duck liver pâté, Foie Gras. Nestlé, the multinational food giant, sees plant-based food as one of its biggest growth opportunities.  Based in Switzerland, Nestlé’s products cover everything from baby food, breakfast cereals, coffee and tea to confectionery, dairy products, frozen food and even pet food.  They are produced in 447 factories operating in 189 countries.  So when they decide to launch new plant-based products, it’s a big deal.

One of the products we’re most excited about is their Garden Gourmet Voie Gras, a vegan pâté that mimics the taste and texture of the traditional duck liver pâté, Foie Gras, which is making its debut in Switzerland.  We’ve written before about the horrific way that ducks are treated in order to produce Foie Gras, which is considered a delicacy in many high class restaurants.  However, with various cities, states and even countries banning Foie Gras, the production of an animal-free replacement product seems like a great opportunity.

Recognizing that the market for vegan products and ingredients is growing across the world, Nestlé are launching dairy-free chocolate chips in their Toll House baking brand, and a plant-based egg powder, in the coming year.

Another way they are adding to their plant-based portfolio is by purchasing successful small brands, enabling them to be distributed and marketed much more widely.  The Nestlé family of brands now includes Garden Gourmet, Natural Bliss, Vuna and Sweet Earth brands, while they continue to add vegan versions of traditional favorites such as KitKat.

The more plant-based products that are available, particularly those that replace long-standing animal-based favorites, the easier it is for people to make the switch to a vegan diet, so we applaud this trend.