It’s been a big week for ice cream lovers: Magnum ice cream has officially partnered with Chilean food-tech brand NotCo to develop new dairy-free frozen treats. If NotCo’s past collaborations (like Kraft NotMac & Cheese) are anything to go by, this one is bound to be delicious, so watch VegNews for updates.
In less positive news, plant-based seafood company Konscious Foods has quietly gone out of business, citing “unforeseen changes in US-Canada trade relations” alongside broader headwinds in the plant-based food sector.
Still, there’s plenty of good news across the industry. From Oatly’s new hot cocoa to Wicked-themed Takis, vegan mini chocolate bars, and more, here’s a roundup of the latest launches and updates in plant-based food.
Live Más Café
Taco Bell Café is expanding to nearly 30 stores by the end of the year. Here’s what’s vegan
Back in December 2024, Taco Bell opened its first Live Más Café in Las Vegas. The café, located inside a Taco Bell restaurant, specializes in coffees, juices, shakes, and soft drinks, catering to the growing demand for non-alcoholic beverages. The concept proved popular, and Taco Bell has now announced plans to expand it to 28 stores by the end of 2025.
“What differentiates Live Más Café from other beverage concepts is the elevated experience paired with the innovative spirit of Taco Bell,” Kathryn Chen, Taco Bell Marketing Director and Live Más Café Concept Lead, said in a statement. “You can satisfy two cravings at once by getting a specialty beverage and food under the same roof.”
Several vegan-friendly options are on the menu, including the Pineapple Lime Rockstar Energy Refresca (made with lion’s mane, B vitamins, guarana, and taurine), Strawberry Passionfruit Limonada, and Mango Peach Agua Refresca.
Oatly Hot Cocoa is your new holiday staple
The weather is starting to cool down, which means many people are casting their minds ahead to winter and the holidays. One thing that should be on your shopping list as the festive season rolls in? Oatly’s new Hot Cocoa Oatmilk. The cozy new drink is set to hit Whole Foods Markets in November and has already been spotted in some H-E-B and Albertsons stores.
“We’ve made you the perfect hot cocoa! You just have to do the ‘hot’ part if you don’t mind,” notes Oatly. “It’s a delicious chocolatey treat ready to warm you up in the most charmingly cozy way known to humankind.”
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Two ‘Wicked’-themed Takis flavors are coming, but only one is vegan
If you needed an excuse to indulge in more snacks, here it is: a new vegan Takis flavor is on the way. The upcoming Emerald Heat Takis were created to celebrate the launch of the Wicked: For Good movie and feature a spicy habanero kick balanced with a cool cucumber aftertaste.
A second flavor, Spellbindingly Sweet, is also being released. However, this cinnamon-sugar variety isn’t vegan, as it contains skimmed milk powder.
A&W Canada
Canada is getting another vegan burger nationwide
Hot on the heels of the McVeggie, A&W Canada has launched a new plant-based burger that’s rolling out to more than 1,000 stores across the country. The patty is made with a blend of pea protein, soy protein, coconut oil, and beet juice. It’s served with mayonnaise, which isn’t vegan, so plant-based customers will need to ask for it without.
“All guests deserve a fantastic variety of delicious, innovative menu items. By taking the lead on our own plant-based recipe, we can ensure we are always delivering delicious, crave-worthy burgers that our guests expect from A&W,” said Karan Suri, Senior Director of Innovation at A&W Canada. “We’re excited for Canadians to enjoy the new A&W Plant-Based Burger alongside all their other favorites.”
The chain was also recently recognized with the 2025 Environmental Stewardship Award of Recognition at the Restaurants Canada Awards of Excellence.
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High-end vegan afternoon tea service launches in Los Angeles
Want to treat yourself? Head to Dahlia at the Downtown LA Proper Hotel this weekend for an elegant vegan afternoon tea. Every week, from Friday to Sunday, diners can sip champagne or a mocktail with a variety of tea blends, paired with delicate savory and sweet bites like heirloom tomato sandwiches, raspberry madeleines, key lime meringue tartlets, and vanilla scones with maple butter.
Break Free Candy
Mini vegan candy bars are here just in time for Halloween
Vegan candy brand Break Free Candy has launched bite-sized mini versions of its popular chocolate treats, just in time for Halloween.
“Last year we got closer with snack-size bars, but we were still cutting them by hand,” reads an Instagram post from the brand. “This year? We finally did it. We’ve got the one-to-two bite Minis we all love and adore—and trust me, you’re going to go wild for them.”
Right now, you can grab two one-pound bags of Crunchees, Better Than Theirs, Space Bars, or a variety pack for $28.98 with free shipping.
Hodo Tofu
Hodo tofu gets acquired by a multimillion-dollar Japanese snack company
Japanese snack giant Calbee has entered the US plant-based food market by acquiring the popular tofu brand Hodo. “As demand for sustainable foods grows, tofu is increasingly valued by health-conscious consumers,” Calbee CEO Makoto Ehara said. “Our vision at Calbee is to build a global portfolio of foods that are enjoyable and meaningful. The addition of Hodo to the Calbee Group marks an important step in strengthening our Food and Health businesses as well as expanding our global presence.”
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Charlotte is a VegNews editor and writer based in sunny Southsea on England's southern coast.
