Sweet news for plant-based chocolate lovers is turning bittersweet.
Nestlé has officially confirmed that they are axing a popular chocolate bar from UK shelves for good.
The beloved dairy-free spin on its classic four-finger treat, KitKat Vegan, has been discontinued.
Launched in 2021, the chocolate bar quickly became a favourite not only for vegans but also for anyone with milk or lactose allergies, praised for its striking similarity to the milk chocolate original.
Despite its popularity, Nestlé had already decided to end production globally earlier this year, citing falling demand.
While the UK and Ireland had been granted a temporary reprieve until summer, the final curtain has now come down. A Nestlé spokesperson has confirmed: “Yes we can confirm that KitKat Vegan has now been discontinued. KitKat Vegan fans can head to Sainsbury’s or Tesco stores where the product may still be available while stocks last.”
For many, this announcement is a disappointment. Online communities quickly expressed their frustration, pointing to the unique niche the bar filled.
In the Facebook group Vegan Food UK, one parent lamented: “No! You are just cruel! It’s one of the only nice tasting vegan chocolate products that my daughter can eat without an allergic reaction. We’ve been paying your over-inflated prices for a long while and now you’re taking that little bit of pleasure away from her and so many thousands of others.”
Others highlighted the practical challenges that may have contributed to its lower sales, such as availability and price. While a standard four-finger KitKat retails for around 75p at Tesco, the vegan version came in at £1. Some shoppers noted that the higher cost and limited distribution in smaller towns might have discouraged repeat purchases. One commenter wrote: “Maybe if they weren't double the price of their standard KitKat, more people would buy them! Plus finding them is hard enough.”
Another echoed this sentiment, suggesting a better rollout could have made all the difference: “Nooo! I love these, so do my kids! Maybe if they’d sold them in multi-pack and brought the price down, and put them next to the regular KitKats instead of only in the ‘free from’ aisle.”
The KitKat Vegan was a pioneering move when it launched, one of the first 'high street' chocolate bars to cater to plant-based diets without compromising on flavour. Its disappearance raises questions about how mainstream brands support alternative diets and whether better marketing or pricing could have secured a longer shelf life.
However, all hope isn’t lost for chocolate lovers.
While Nestlé is winding down production, KitKat Vegan can still be found in select Sainsbury’s and Tesco stores while stocks last, giving fans a last chance to stock up before the shelves are empty.
Better still, you can also stock up via Amazon, which is selling multipacks of the bars at £18.99 for 10. That should keep you going for a while, at least!
It’s also worth keeping an eye out online or checking smaller independent retailers, which sometimes carry discontinued or niche products.
As Nestlé continues to innovate in the chocolate space, fans of plant-based treats may see new alternatives emerge.
In the meantime, this is a bittersweet moment: the end of an era for KitKat Vegan, but a reminder of the growing demand for accessible, allergen-friendly chocolate.
Whether you’re a vegan, lactose-intolerant or just someone who appreciates a dairy-free twist on a classic, now might be the time to grab that last KitKat Vegan before it disappears for good.
Featured Image Credit: Instagram/@kitkatTopics: UK Food
Lara Owen