Swiss cocoa processor and chocolate maker Barry Callebaut has reached an agreement with NotCo AI to assess the use of artificial intelligence in chocolate recipe development.
The move marks the first AI-driven integration in the food sector, claims the chocolate manufacturer.
The partnership combines Barry Callebaut’s manufacturing know-how and ingredient data with NotCo AI’s proprietary technology to trial AI-enabled formulation approaches.
These trials are designed to speed up product development, enhance consistency, and support more tailored solutions for customers.
The companies plan to create an end-to-end AI innovation framework spanning formulation, production and distribution, with an emphasis on taste, texture and sustainability.
Barry Callebaut said the project sits within its multi-year digitalisation programme and is intended to enable faster innovation cycles while responding to climate-related pressures, ingredient constraints and volatility in cocoa markets.
NotCo AI’s platform is trained on around a decade of data covering ingredient chemistry, formulation records, sensory outcomes, manufacturing parameters and consumer insights.
The initiative builds on NotCo AI’s work in powering “hundreds of successful product launches” for global food and beverage companies via its Giuseppe AI platform, which it describes as a vertical model stack for the consumer goods sector.
Barry Callebaut CEO Peter Feld said: “This agreement marks an exciting step forward for Barry Callebaut and for our customers. It reflects our commitment to creating best customer experience by boosting innovation and speed to market.
“By combining our deep chocolate expertise and global reach with NotCo’s advanced AI capabilities, we’re aiming to unlock speed for breakthrough recipe solutions – from health-forward formulations to functional ingredients and Nutri-Score-friendly options.”
Barry Callebaut reported annual sales of SFr14.8bn ($18.57bn) in fiscal year 2024/25 and operates more than 60 production facilities worldwide.
NotCo AI positions its system as an end-to-end platform aimed at alleviating traditional R&D bottlenecks and generating new product concepts.
Earlier this month, Barry Callebaut signed a long-term commercial agreement with German food-tech firm Planet A Foods, the developer of ChoViva, a cocoa-free chocolate alternative.
Barry Callebaut said the collaboration is intended to address rising demand for more sustainable chocolate options while keeping its core focus on conventional cocoa-based products.
The move also aligns with its strategy to diversify amid persistent cocoa market volatility, underpinned by research and development efforts centred on innovation and new taste profiles.
