Luker Chocolate, a B4B chocolate manufacturer with over 120 years of expertise, will attend Natural Products Expo West this March to unveil its new Chocolate with Whey Protein. The latest creation, which delivers 5 g of protein per 30 g serving, has been developed to support protein-forward applications while maintaining a smooth sensory profile, the company says.

While functional-ingredients and sugar reduction remain ongoing forces shaping product strategies, Luker has introduced its Chocolate with Whey Protein to meet demand for healthy indulgence, delivering a highly customizable solution that balances functional nutrition with a creamy, elevated taste, it notes. New for 2026, the latest addition to Luker’s signature Balance line is made with fine flavor Colombian cocoa.

The whey-protein coverture contains all nine essential amino acids, helping partners enrich the protein content of their final product without needing to re-engineer the whole recipe. The workable coating is a suitable choice for brands developing protein bars, dragées (candy consisting of a center covered with a coating), moulding, and other functional inclusions. It is also Kosher Dairy certified and gluten-free, making it a suitable option for markets requiring kosher certification or gluten-free options.

Exhibiting at Stand 5104 near the entrance of Hall E, Luker Chocolate will highlight its role as a strategic manufacturing partner, working closely with brands to co-create high-quality, custom chocolate formulations that balance indulgence, functionality and responsible sourcing, it says.

In addition to Chocolate with Whey Protein, the brand will showcase a range of adaptable chocolate solutions that can be customized to meet specific formulation, application, and nutritional goals, including:

• Dark chocolate options aligned with reduced-sugar formulations
• Plant-based options
• Hot chocolate and beverage-ready applications

“Expo West brings together brands that care deeply about ingredients, impact and innovation,” adds Julia Ocampo, VP of cacao sourcing and sustainability. “Our role is to support those brands behind the scenes with the expertise, flexibility and responsible sourcing they need to succeed.”

“Brands today choose to work with chocolate suppliers who can innovate and help them to reach their client's demand for healthy indulgence,” says Rachel Fish, business development manager at Luker Chocolate. “We co-create chocolate solutions that are truly a fit for purpose. We have a team of experts that work hand-in-hand with our partners. Whether brands are developing something new, reformulating for functionality, or scaling a proven concept, our strength lies in adapting quickly and collaborating closely to bring custom ideas to life.”

The family-owned business headquartered in Bogotá, Colombia invests in the systems that make cocoa farming viable and productive long-term, it says. Luker’s sustainability plan, The Chocolate Dream, has delivered measurable impact, according to the company, by:

• Increasing producers’ and families’ incomes by improving crop profitability and enabling income diversification
• Strengthening social wellbeing through education and entrepreneurship, and bolstering human rights in the cocoa value chain
• Promoting environmentally-positive practices through projects designed to enhance biodiversity, conserve water, and protect forests

Related: Luker Chocolate doubles down on cocoa investments