Nestlé Milo
Nestlé’s plant-based version chocolate malt beverage Milo. Credit: Nestlé.

Swiss giant Nestlé is set to launch a plant-based version of Milo chocolate malt beverage in the Asian market.

The new version replaces milk with almond and soy in the original recipe while the other two core ingredients, malt and cocoa, remain unchanged.

The new dairy-free Milo beverage will be initially launched in Malaysia, followed by several other countries in Asia.

Last year, Nestlé introduced the plant-based Milo powder in Australia, where Milo was first introduced in 1934.

Nestlé dairy strategic business unit head Mayank Trivedi said: “Milo is an iconic brand in Malaysia and across Asia and much-loved across generations. We want to provide consumers with on-trend alternatives in formats they want. That’s why we’re delighted to launch Milo Dairy Free to support people’s lifestyle choices.”

Additionally, Nestlé Malaysia has unveiled a plant-based version of coffee mixes, namely Nescafé Dairy Free Almond Latte and Nescafé Dairy Free Oat Latte.

Together with Nestlé Malaysia’s new range of plant-based Nescafé lattes, the new version of Milo beverage is planned to be made available to consumers in Malaysia starting this month.

Nestlé earlier launched the plant-based version of coffee mixes in several countries in Europe, Latin America and Oceania.

Most recently, the firm introduced a range of plant-based Nescafé and Starbucks lattes in Japan.

Nestlé Singapore Research and Development (R&D) Centre head Guglielmo Bonora said: “We’re expanding our offerings across Asia by developing a variety of great-tasting, nutritious and sustainable plant-based products.”

“We want to make it easier for people to embrace plant-based alternatives in their diet while also reducing our carbon footprint across the supply chain.”