Pols Ice Cream Goes Vegan – For the First Time in History!

Latvia’s leading dairy and ice cream producer Food Union is taking a bold step toward modern snacking trends – for the first time in over 50 years, the iconic Pols brand has introduced a 100% vegan ice cream made with coconut milk. Around €20,000 has been invested in the development and market launch of this innovative new product.

The new Pols recipe is made entirely from plant-based and vegan-friendly ingredients, including coconut-derived components – coconut oil in the glaze and coconut milk in the ice cream base. The product is available in the same recognizable format as the classic Pols – a single-serve ice cream on a stick.

Ģirts Liniņš, Brand Manager for Ice Cream at Food Union emphasizes: "This is more than just an exotic new flavor. It’s a turning point in the Pols story. For the first time since 1971, when the original Pols was created at Rīgas Piena Kombināts, the brand welcomes a fully vegan ice cream, crafted with premium-quality coconut milk."

“Why are we doing this? Because we clearly see – both globally and right here in Latvia – that interest in plant-based products is growing every season. It’s no longer a passing trend or niche preference, but a contemporary, delicious necessity enjoyed not only by vegans. Pols is meeting this moment with its signature passion – creating an ice cream that’s surprising, delightful, and fits effortlessly into any lifestyle,’’ says Ģirts Liniņš.

In creating this vegan option, Pols is – quite literally and figuratively – "bearing" closer to a more sustainable way of living. The new product’s packaging is made from fully recyclable mono-material, meaning it belongs in the yellow recycling bin. With this, Pols is not only following taste trends but also taking an active role in thoughtful, responsible product development – from ingredients to packaging.

As previously announced, Food Union has launched five new Pols ice creams for the Latvian market this summer – each offering creative flavor combinations and aligning with today’s trends. Alongside the most innovative of the bunch – the vegan coconut milk ice cream – the lineup includes four more delicious newcomers:

- Pols in white glaze with chocolate cookie pieces – a creamy classic with a crunchy, chocolatey twist;

- Pols cone with peanut butter – a rich and bold new addition to the popular cone line;

- Pols coconut bar with coconut flakes – a tropical, snack-sized treat for true coconut lovers;

- Pols cream ice cream with raspberry sauce between two whole grain oat cookies – the perfect golden middle between a cookie and an ice cream, offering balance in both texture and taste.

All new Pols ice creams – including the vegan version – are available at the most popular retail chains across Latvia.

ABOUT FOOD UNION LATVIA

Food Union is the leading producer and distributor of fresh dairy products and ice cream in Latvia. The Food Union group in Latvia consists of Rīga Dairy Combine, Valmiera Dairy, and Premia FFL. In the market, the company is known for its historic and widely recognized brands such as Kārums, Limbažu piens, Valmiera, Lakto, Pols, Excellence, and TIO. The main competence of the company is mainly in the segment of fresh dairy products and ice cream, and its brand portfolio boasts healthy and high-value-added products made from the best quality milk obtained from more than 100 Latvian farmers. The central office of the Food Union group is located in Latvia. Since 2019, Riga has been the group's ice cream development center. Every year, more than 100 new ice cream varieties are developed for the European market at the Ice Cream Excellence Center. Since January 2024, Food Union Europe, including Food Union Latvia, has been majority owned by "PAG Private Equity." For more information, please visit https://www.foodunion.lv/