As noted in the article, Nutella is made with palm oil, whose farming often results in habitat loss for animals such the Bornean orangutan, which is critically endangered. Ferrero claims they have a chain for palm oil such that it doesn’t come from devastating monoculture plantations, but whether that’s enough or even if it’s true at all isn’t my call to make for you. I don’t personally take palm oil as part of my diet as I see it as something I can practicably cut out to reduce harm, but whether this is vegan or just plant-based is something you’ll have to decide.
This entire comment confuses me.
I can’t speak to Germany, but at least where I am, chickpeas really aren’t exotic, even to people who really don’t know much of anything about other cultures. (Also, this won’t be in the German market yet; closest is the Belgian one.)
I’ve never heard of this stereotype of rice syrup being especially prevalent in vegan products. I see rice syrup as a bit exotic, but not in a way that anyone who isn’t vegan but would be willing to buy vegan Nutella would think “well that’s just too out there for me. Syrup? Gross.”
That does seem to be the point of them removing dairy, yes.
?_? How would this be alienating to someone who’s not vegan would otherwise try it as a vegan alternative? Like say what you want about enormous corporations like Ferrero, but I’m at least reasonably confident they did some market testing for this. The problem this comment is addressing feels extremely manufactured. If it doesn’t appeal to you, that’s one thing, but it feels like you’re overgeneralizing your own niche experience onto everyone else.
It’s also not like only vegans are going to be buying this. There are other people who don’t drink milk or milk products or people who are lactose intolerant etc