Barry Callebaut to Harness AI for Chocolate Innovation

ZURICH, November 18, 2025 – Switzerland’s Barry Callebaut (BARN.S) announced on Tuesday a strategic partnership with Chilean start-up NotCo AI to incorporate artificial intelligence into chocolate recipe development. The move comes as global cocoa prices hover near record highs and demand for cocoa products faces pressure.

AI-Driven Recipe Development

The collaboration leverages NotCo’s AI platform, Giuseppe, which scans ingredients and analyses thousands of alternatives to simulate replacements without compromising the taste or texture of the final product. By doing so, Barry Callebaut aims to streamline recipe innovation, reduce trial-and-error in product development, and explore cost-effective alternatives to cocoa.

“This collaboration enables us to test how AI can enhance process efficiency and scale our innovation efforts,” said Barry Callebaut CEO Peter Feld. The company emphasized its commitment to traditional chocolate while experimenting with AI-assisted cocoa alternatives to strengthen supply resilience.

NotCo CEO and co-founder Matias Muchnick explained that the platform identifies potential ingredient substitutes, helping companies cut costs and reduce dependency on high-priced raw materials. “This approach allows companies to innovate faster while avoiding conventional trial-and-error methods,” he said.

Context and Industry Adoption

Barry Callebaut is following a growing trend among consumer goods companies integrating AI to optimize product development. NotCo’s platform is already used by Unilever’s Magnum, as well as by Kraft Heinz and Ferrero, while Mondelez recently reported using generative AI to reduce marketing content production costs by 30%–50%.

Barry Callebaut products are present in roughly one in four chocolate and cocoa items consumed globally. While the company has not provided specific financial projections for the partnership, it anticipates AI-driven innovation could help manage costs and boost efficiency. “While we see strong potential, it’s too early to guarantee specific outcomes,” said Kai Hummel, global head of corporate communications.

Industry Implications

The partnership highlights the growing role of artificial intelligence in the food and beverage sector, particularly for companies facing volatile raw material prices. As cocoa costs remain elevated and consumer demand fluctuates, AI-assisted innovation could become a key strategy for maintaining competitiveness and profitability in the global chocolate market.

---

Key Takeaways

• Barry Callebaut partners with NotCo AI to develop AI-assisted chocolate recipes.
• The AI platform Giuseppe identifies and simulates ingredient replacements to reduce trial-and-error.
• High cocoa prices and fluctuating demand are driving the need for innovation and cost efficiency.
• NotCo AI is already used by Unilever, Kraft Heinz, and Ferrero.
• Barry Callebaut products are in 25% of chocolate and cocoa products worldwide.