CHICAGO—Mars Inc. announced a new chocolate bar called CO2COA that is earth-friendly, animal-free and lactose-free, according to a news release. The company has partnered with Perfect Day to launch the product. The candy uses Rainforest Alliance-Certified cocoa and Perfect Day’s animal-free dairy protein, making it free from lactose and cholesterol while wrapped in paper-based packaging.
“At Mars, we bring our consumer-passion to innovation, developing on-trend innovations that support a world where both people and the planet thrive,” said Chris Rowe, global vice president of research and development, Mars Wrigley. “The creation of CO2COA is an inventive example of how we partner with technology innovators, like Perfect Day, to bring great new offerings to our consumers. We’re excited to collaborate with Perfect Day and continuing to explore the potential of alternative proteins to help create a more delicious and sustainable future.”
Perfect Day has created the world’s first nature-identical dairy protein, without any animal inputs. A recent life-cycle assessment found that the company’s precision fermentation process uses up to 99% less water and produces up to 97% fewer greenhouse gas emissions, compared to traditional production methods.
“Partnering with a forward-looking leader like Mars to accelerate their innovation and sustainability initiatives is a hallmark example of how we’re extending our impact,” said Ryan Pandya, Perfect Day co- founder and CEO. “Today, companies big and small need to deliver on the needs of their consumers, who won’t compromise on taste or the future of our planet. We’re thrilled to help a world-class company like Mars do just that as we champion a path towards a more resilient food system for all.”
CO2COA is part of Mars’ Sustainable in a Generation Plan, which focuses on three areas: healthy planet, thriving people and nourishing wellbeing.
“CO2COA is another example of how Mars continues to think and act differently to help create the world we want tomorrow,” said Alastair Child, chief sustainability officer, Mars Wrigley. “From certified cocoa and a reduction in CO2 emissions to animal-free dairy, CO2COA was thoughtfully designed as we work to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions across Mars’ full value chain by 2050.”
CO2COA follows Mars’ recent global packaging innovations including BALISTO® paper-based packaging in Germany, ORBIT® Gum Megapacks adding on-pack recycling guides from How2Recycle in the U.S., and the announcement that all Mars bars sold in the UK, Ireland and Canada will be certified as carbon neutral by 2023.
CO2COA will be available for purchase online beginning today while supplies last.
Read more about better-for-you confections in “Candy, But Better” in NACS Magazine.