A YORK chocolatier has launched the UK’s first range of vegan-registered oat milk chocolate bars.

Confectionery manufacturer, Choc Affair has created the plant-based bars which have been verified by The Vegan Society, with four flavours: classic, salted caramel, lemon and raspberry, and orange and rhubarb.

Linda Barrie, founder, said: “We are delighted to be introducing the first Oat M!lk chocolate bar range registered with the Vegan Trademark in the UK.

"There has been a really positive shift in consumer behaviour in recent years with people becoming far more ethically minded and diet conscious, and I believe that as a business we are perfectly aligned with our values to support this shift. By continuing to work closely with our chocolate supplier, we have the assurance that all our chocolate is sustainably sourced, palm oil free and is having a positive impact on people, communities and the planet."

The bars, which are available to purchase from Choc Affair’s website, are all made by hand in their chocolate factory in York.

Linda added: “Producing all our chocolate on site provides us with the opportunity to experiment with different flavours for our Oat M!lk range, and we’ve enjoyed some great tasting sessions before deciding on our final choice of flavours for this launch, and we’re looking forward to introduce more to this range early next year.”

Ericka Durgahee, of The Vegan Society, said: “The Vegan Trademark team are delighted to see that Choc Affair have added to their already amazing vegan lineup of chocolates with the new oat milk bars. Not only do they carry our trusted mark, but they’re a first amongst over 54,000 products to use an oat milk base. Congratulations and we can’t wait to try them.”