NEW YORK (Reuters) – Unilever's Magnum ice cream business is set to be launched in November and will use artificial intelligence from Chilean startup Notco to reformulate its products and create a new one.
Magnum will use Notco's AI to examine the calories in ice cream, create new plant-based products, and help increase product costs, according to Zbigniew Lewicki, chief research, design and innovation officer at Magnum Ice Cream Company.
Lewicki said he hopes consumers will indulge, but is also looking for less parts and more sustainable products.
Magnum, which also includes the Ben & Jerry and Cornett ice cream brands, is one of more than 12 consumer goods companies to work with Notco to overhaul their products.
Over the past few years, major food manufacturers have been using their AI to quickly respond to changes in consumer preferences inspired by the Make America Healthy Movement and Surging Inflation of raw ingredients like Cocoa.
Companies use Notco's technology to find alternatives to synthetic dyes, reduce sugar, and find the next viral flavor, like Dubai chocolate, Muchnick said.
Notco previously worked with Kraft Heinz on plant-based macaroni and cheese, cheese singles and Mayo.
(Reporting by Jessica Dinapoli of New York, edited by Lisa Shoemaker)
By Jessica Dinapoli
