NEW TECH FOODS

Italian food ingredients company Foreverland has opened its first production facility in Puglia, Southern Italy, to produce its flagship cocoa-free chocolate alternative, Choruba.

Choruba is made from Mediterranean crops such as carob, pumpkin seeds and chickpeas. The cocoa-free alternative aims to replicate the indulgent flavour and texture of chocolate while reducing environmental impact.

By decreasing reliance on cocoa, it also offers manufacturers a way to manage supply volatility, price fluctuations and climate-related pressures.

The plant is expected to produce over 500 tonnes of the ingredient annually, which is designed to help food manufacturers navigate cocoa market challenges and meet sustainability targets.

The new facility is part of Foreverland’s growth strategy, allowing the company to scale production, run industrial trials with larger clients and serve small and medium-sized businesses. A dedicated pilot fermentation room will enable the team to refine processes, protect proprietary know-how and validate production economics.

Alongside the plant opening, Foreverland announced a new retail partnership with Italian protein company Small Giants. The collaboration has produced Choruba Protein Bites, peanut butter and chocolate-flavoured snacks made with Small Giants’ yeast-based protein and coated with Choruba.

The vegan, high-protein snacks are priced at €3.29 for a three-pack or €1.99 for a single bar and are available online and in Gulliver supermarkets across Italy.

Massimo Sabatini, co-founder and CEO of Foreverland, said: “The launch of our Puglia facility marks the moment Foreverland moves from pilot projects to full-scale production".

"The new plant allows us to work hand in hand with manufacturers, speed up recipe development and bring sustainable chocolate alternatives into everyday products across Europe – all while ensuring we can meet demand at accessible price points. Our partnership with Small Giants is a strong example of this next phase, showing how sustainable chocolate alternatives are ready for the mainstream.”

Edoardo Imparato, CEO of Small Giants, added: “Retailers and consumers are looking for real alternatives in categories like chocolate, where sustainability challenges are growing. Through our collaboration with Foreverland, we’re bringing products made with innovative ingredients to market shelves. They deliver on taste, nutrition and responsibility. It’s a concrete step towards making sustainable indulgence the new normal in European supermarkets.”

Foreverland is also exploring expansion into France and the Nordics, building on its current presence in Italy and Germany.