Prodigy becomes UK’s first plastic negative chocolate brand

Plant-based chocolate brand Prodigy today (13) has announced that it has become the UK’s first plastic negative chocolate, as part of its ongoing commitment to making the future of chocolate not only healthier, but more sustainable. 

This month, the brand’s new Carbon Neutral status will also be called out on-pack, as part of a fresh new look for its plastic-free packaging.

To achieve its plastic negative certification the brand has worked in partnership with rePurpose Global to fund the removal, processing and reuse of 10 ocean-bound single-use plastic wrappers for every single Prodigy bar sold, the company said. In a second sustainability commitment within the month, the Prodigy has achieved its Carbon Neutral status, which will now be signposted on pack, as part of a wider packaging refresh. 

The brand is working with Climate Partners to offset the carbon footprint of its bars by funding a forest preservation project in Peru – the source of its cacao.

The packaging refresh not only delivers on calling out sustainability credentials, it also aims to strengthen the product identity and appeal to a broader customer. The new design, which has been led by new consumer research, incorporates new chocolate swirls and cues as well as a cross section of the bar itself on pack. 

As well as the visual changes, key benefit messaging has been brought front and centre, leading with ‘All the Taste, Half the Sugar’. This supports the revised recipes for the full product range that have not only reduced the sugar content further but also created an improved product with even stronger taste and health credentials.

Sameer, founder says: “We’re on a mission to inspire positive change in society and the food industry as a whole, further underlined by these bold new sustainability commitments. We’re extremely proud to be the UK’s first plastic negative chocolate brand, we’re literally cleaning up after the large players that continue to use damaging single-use plastic wrappers for their bars because they are cheap to source and they are resistant to change.

“Our overall aim is to deliver sweet snacks that not only taste amazing, but benefit the environment, have a significantly healthier nutrition profile and are accessible to all. By using premium, plant-based and clean-ingredients we have created a range that delivers the full chocolate hit of your classic bar, but with half the sugar. This is chocolate that inspires change and we’re thrilled that our new packaging brings all our credentials and brand values to life.”

Prodigy launched to market in 2019, heralding a natural revolution in snacking. The brand prides itself on reimagining favourite impulse chocolate bars to be all natural, better-for-you and more sustainable.

The Prodigy plant-based range is made using all natural premium nutrient-rich ingredients. Each bar contains less than half the sugar of the competition and is high in fibre, free from gluten, palm oil and refined sugar and vegan friendly. The brand is going from strength to strength and continues to build strong distribution, most recently launching into 300 Holland & Barrett stores nationwide, as well as securing a growing international presence in the Middle East and Hong Kong.