Mondelez unveils new Chips Ahoy! gluten-free cookie  

USA- Mondelez International, through its Chips Ahoy! brand has launched the first-ever certified gluten-free chocolate chip cookie.  

The snacks giant’s new product offering will hit retail outlets in May. Mondelez announced that the new offering had been developing for over a year. 

The product’s successful development stems from the company’s opening of a state-of-the-art R&D facility in May 2023. The company invested US$50 million in the facility.  

Although the facility includes pilot capabilities for new products, it also includes technologies that advance R&D for established brands like Ritz crackers, Oreo cookies, and South Patch Kids candies.  

The process involved creating more than 40 recipes over 3,000 hours of development. 

The development process sought to meet the strict gluten-free standard certification while delivering the signature taste and texture of Chips Ahoy! Products. 

Jainette Quinones, Chips Ahoy!’s brand manager, said, “When we set out to create our first Chips Ahoy! Gluten-Free cookie, we didn’t want it to be a good gluten-free cookie; we wanted it to be a great, gluten-free cookie. I am proud to say that our innovation team has succeeded—the new Chips Ahoy! Gluten-Free cookie is an absolutely delicious cookie that everyone can enjoy.” 

The new product line is part of Mondelez’s growth efforts, aimed at diversifying product offerings and meeting the needs of a diverse snack market. 

Although prices for the new product line have not been announced, analysis predicts it will be slightly more expensive than other Chips Ahoy! Brands. 

This is because of the additional costs of developing gluten-free products compared to snacks with wheat ingredients.  

However, this price difference is not a derailing factor for customers. 

Mondelēz acknowledges the importance of tapping into the growing gluten-free snack market. 

The global gluten-free snacks market was valued at US$844 million in 2021 and is projected to grow to US$1.8 billion by 2031, growing by 8.3% annually. 

The growth of the gluten-free snacks market can also be attributed to the increase in celiac patients worldwide.  

Gluten-free snacks appeal to the market segment that enjoys snacking while remaining weary of health and wellness. 

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