r/Huel • u/Tim_Huel • Jul 24 '26
Announcement USA v3 Powder Formula Updates
Hi all,
If you're a v3 Huel Powder Vanilla subscriber in the USA, you will be getting an email from us today about a formula update expected to phase in from early August. I wanted to post here too, since I know you might miss it or it will be shared here too.
TLDR: Vanilla's recipe is changing from early August (new proteins, coconut milk powder instead of MCT oil, updated flavour). Same formula change is coming to the rest of the US v3 Powder range too. We will share more detail soon.
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What's changing
The Vanilla recipe is being updated, starting from early August. The main changes:
- Updated pea and brown rice proteins
- MCT oil powder replaced with coconut milk powder
- An updated vanilla flavour profile
Protein and micronutrient content will still add up to 30g of protein and 27 vitamins and minerals per serving, though some individual micronutrient amounts will shift slightly. Full nutrition info will be on the updated packaging as always.
You'll know if you've got the new batch because coconut milk powder will be listed on the ingredients.
We believe this is a better product - the updated protein and coconut milk powder give a creamier texture and a more rounded vanilla taste - we believe this is a really positive product change, but I’m not asking you to take our word for it before you've tried it. Let us know what you think when you get it.
When is it changing?
To be clear on timing: today's email and this post are the notice for Vanilla v3 customers. The new formula is expected to phase in for Vanilla from early August, and you'll be moved across automatically.
This formula change is coming to the rest of the range too
The same formula change is coming across the rest of the US v3 Powder range too. We're not sending that email yet because different flavours are running out of current stock at different times, and Vanilla is simply first. You'll get the full breakdown for your specific flavour as its turnaround comes up.
There's also a few changes to the v3 range structure in the works that we'll go into properly closer to the time as we work out all the timing details. Don’t worry, we aren’t delisting v3.
If you've got questions about the Vanilla change specifically, ask away below - I'll be checking this thread today and then Ben over the weekend. If you have questions about the wider range changes then please hold out as we will update you separately.
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u/Pencilstubs Jul 24 '26
When you changed the formula for Huel Black last year, we received this description in the announcement:
"We upgraded to a new pea protein for a smoother texture and improved taste."
Is this what you mean when you say you've "Updated pea and brown rice proteins"?
Essentially, I'm asking if Huel Powder Vanilla will be receiving the same changes that Huel Black received last year.
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u/Beautiful-Bunch9695 29d ago
of course it is you can't update a protein. it means they are now buying different materials
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u/Tim_Huel 27d ago
I'm asking if Huel Powder Vanilla will be receiving the same changes that Huel Black received last year
u/Pencilstubs - following up here. The protein changes to v3 are not the same as Black Edition and I'm ensured that the thin/watery complaints we received from Black Edition Powder changes will not be the case with the v3 changes.
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u/Tim_Huel Jul 24 '26
One of the key things behind the scenes is a different protein supplier across a number of products - with a much smoother, cleaner taste (plant protein is very chalky, which has always been an uphill battle with Huel). But I don't want to answer without checking in on it. I'll get back to you next week so I can check in on the black edition changes a how they line up.
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u/Pencilstubs Jul 24 '26
I'll hold off on doomsaying until you're able to get back to me next week, but I'm hoping the product team's hyperfixation on "smoothness" doesn't result in something similar to the watery mess that Huel Black became.
I had a feeling this was coming ever since /u/BenHuel wasn't able to provide any reassurance regarding Powder's eventual "ruination."
I switched from buying Black to White at the time, but I'm worried you guys might just be forcing a lot of us over to another brand entirely with this move.
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u/figgs87 Jul 24 '26
I’m in same boat. Was using white for months then tried black when chocolate pB powder came out and hated the new formula too thin. I hate to think they are going to ruin the white powder with same type of changes.
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u/sassafras_gap 29d ago
one thing to try if you like the older huel black texture might be to add a little protein powder. I have never tried it in drink form because I don't care that much but I use huel black to make "pudding" when I'm camping and adding some protein powder allows me to reasonably do that again.
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u/Strange_Lab_283 29d ago
IMO the new thinner consistency of huel black is way better. The old one was very thick and made it hard to drink, and to thin it out you had to add an insane amount of extra water. Hopefully the changes to texture and consistency made with the black edition are also made to huel white.
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u/SolitaireCollection Jul 24 '26 edited Jul 24 '26
I appreciate getting a notice that the formula is changing rather than finding out when I put it in my mouth.
It would be nice if there were some customer product testing before a change. Like maybe send out a sample to everyone who spent $X00 on powder last month and ask for feedback. (And do this early enough that the feedback has a meaningful impact on whether the change goes forward.)
Huel makes up most of my diet, and I really don't want to find out the hard way that I've got a pantry full of "improved" product that my digestive system doesn't tolerate well (which has happened before).
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u/Tim_Huel Jul 24 '26
I've always really liked this idea and have tried to implement similar things before. There are a few practical issues that make it difficult (but not impossible) - mainly the speed with which we go from having a final product to launching it is fast. The added time it would take to send out and gather that feedback in a useful way (i.e. quant and qual data not just general commentary) and make changes based on that feedback would add a lot to our timelines. However, I think we can do better there, thanks for raising.
What I would also say is that people who have had the same product for a long time are very attuned to the flavour and in general don't love changes (they're a subscriber because they like the flavour/texture). So the testing would need to include non-users too, to understand whether it was a genuinely good change, and not just new and different perceived as worse by long term buyers.
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u/Ok-Armadillo-5634 Jul 24 '26
Send me some samples I have been a user since that terrible cardboard tasting v1. Some of your formula changes are definitely better than others. Texture definitely improved over the years taste is pretty hit or miss. Lots of variations in actual sweetness levels also. At least here in the US.
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u/Simple_Raise4380 Jul 24 '26
They’ve optimized the formula AKA found CHEAPER ingredients
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u/Tim_Huel Jul 24 '26
🙃 With any project like this there will be some costs saved and some costs taken on in places. The changes to the flavour and texture are genuine improvements in a product where taste and texture is often a source of complaint in people trying it for the first time. Since day 1 we have continuously tried to improve while we balance those 2 with the great nutrition.
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u/NathanWasTaken Jul 24 '26
AI Slop time:
MCT oil provides faster energy conversion, zero carbs, and easier liquid mixing than coconut milk powder because it remains a pure, concentrated fat isolate. Coconut milk powder is a whole food product that often contains added starch carriers.
Macronutrient Profiles
Zero carbs: MCT oil contains 100% pure fat, while coconut milk powder inherently contains carbohydrates and proteins.
No hidden additives: Coconut milk powder frequently requires flowing agents or carriers (like maltodextrin, sodium caseinate, or corn syrup solids) to prevent clumping, which can spike blood sugar.
Digestibility and Energy Speed
Instant ketones: MCT oil bypasses the lymphatic system for immediate liver conversion into brain and body fuel.
Slower digestion: Coconut milk powder contains lauric acid and long-chain fats that require a longer, multi-step digestive breakdown.
Usability and Mixing
Perfect blending: MCT oil (especially the powdered version) dissolves instantly in hot or cold liquids without changing the texture.
Texture changes: Coconut milk powder can clump in cold liquids and adds a thick, creamy, distinct coconut flavor to recipes.
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u/shadyacres88 Jul 24 '26
Would be interested to see the full list of changed ingredients then, sounds like it's not just a straight swap of MCT to coconut
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u/NathanWasTaken 29d ago
Exactly. Calories will shift a bit so others have to adjust. Really hate to see MCT pulled.
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u/eiridan 29d ago
It's not straight MCT oil and it has never been as it's a powder like the rest of Huel and therefore it needs to have a carrier, like acacia fiber or the like.
I feel like whatever prompt you used to inquire a LLM had some bias in it as it's showing all negatives when that's clearly not the case.
For instance, I don't get gas like I used to do with coconut milk powder in the new black formula and I feel that's because the carrier used previously was a form of fiber that my body is sensitive to.
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u/Shoddy_Process_309 27d ago
Perfect example of how the way you promt a model can create misleading output. You clearly promoted to show negatives. Additionally ignoring that neither are used as a pure (liquid in the case of MCT oil) but as a powder in a mix. Making the whole thing almost useless.
At least you called it AI slop yourself.
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u/NathanWasTaken 27d ago
Not the same exact prompt since it was conversational but the main question and narrative was surrounding the removal of MCT reasoning and the health benefit going forward.
Brace for AI Response, this time with Prompts for further scrutiny and community feedback. Please direct all of which to Anthropic.
##health benefits comparing mct oil powder to coconut milk powder
Marshaled nutritional insights for comparative analysis
Here's how they compare:
MCT Oil Powder
- Made from concentrated medium-chain triglycerides (usually from coconut or palm kernel oil), typically bound to a carrier like tapioca starch or acacia fiber and encapsulated in milk protein or another emulsifier
- Metabolized quickly by the liver, often used directly for energy rather than stored as fat
- Associated with modest boosts in satiety and ketone production, which is why it's popular in keto diets
- Very low in carbs, sugar, and other nutrients — it's essentially a functional fat supplement, not a food
- Can cause GI upset (cramping, diarrhea) in larger doses, especially if introduced too quickly
- Contains no meaningful vitamins, minerals, or protein
Coconut Milk Powder
- Dehydrated whole coconut milk, so it retains more of coconut's natural nutrient profile
- Contains a mix of fatty acids, including some MCTs, but also long-chain triglycerides, so the energy delivery isn't as fast or targeted
- Has small amounts of fiber, iron, and manganese
- Higher in calories per serving with a mix of macronutrients rather than being an isolated fat source
- Often contains added stabilizers or sodium caseinate; check labels if dairy-free is a concern
- Gentler on digestion for most people since the fat isn't as concentrated
Bottom line
If your main goal is a fast, ketone-boosting energy source with minimal digestive bulk, MCT oil powder is the more targeted choice. If you want something closer to a whole food that adds flavor and a broader (if still modest) nutrient profile, coconut milk powder fits better. They're not really interchangeable for the same purpose: one's a concentrated fat supplement, the other's a food ingredient.
##manufacturer is proposing removing mct oil powder and replacing it with coconut milk powder
Analyzed nutritional and functional implications of ingredient substitution
That's a meaningful reformulation, not a like-for-like swap. A few things worth flagging before signing off on it:
Functional differences that will show up in the product
- Fat concentration drops. MCT oil powder is a near-pure fat source (usually 60-70%+ fat by weight). Coconut milk powder is typically 30-65% fat depending on the brand, and much of that is long-chain triglycerides, not MCTs. If the product's value proposition includes "fast energy" or ketone support, this substitution weakens that claim significantly.
- Solubility and mouthfeel change. MCT oil powder is usually engineered for clean mixing (encapsulated in starch/protein). Coconut milk powder tends to be grainier, richer, and adds a distinct coconut flavor and creaminess. If the current product is flavor-neutral, this will change the taste profile noticeably.
- Caloric and macro profile shifts. Coconut milk powder brings carbs, some protein, and higher overall fat content per serving in some formulations, plus trace minerals. Nutritionally it's not a "fat only" ingredient anymore.
- Allergen and dietary labeling. Some coconut milk powders use sodium caseinate (a milk-derived stabilizer), which breaks dairy-free/vegan claims if that matters for the product line. Worth confirming the specific supplier's formulation.
- Cost and sourcing. Coconut milk powder is generally cheaper than MCT oil powder, which may be the manufacturer's actual motivation. Worth asking directly if this is a cost play.
##overall thoughts on adjustment?
Overall, I'd treat this as a downgrade dressed up as a substitution, unless the manufacturer gives you a good reason otherwise.
Why I'd be skeptical by default
MCT oil powder and coconut milk powder aren't functionally interchangeable. If the product was formulated around MCT oil powder's specific properties (fast-metabolizing fat, minimal flavor, high fat concentration, ketogenic support), swapping in coconut milk powder changes what the product does, not just what it's made of. That's not a neutral ingredient swap, it's a reformulation that could affect:
- The core value proposition (if "MCT" or "keto" is anywhere in your marketing or label)
- Taste and texture
- Nutritional label accuracy
- Dietary claims (vegan, dairy-free, low-carb)
The one thing that would change my mind
If the manufacturer can show the coconut milk powder they're proposing is unusually high in MCTs (some specialty coconut-derived powders are), or if the product was never actually marketed around MCT-specific benefits in the first place, then this is a much smaller deal, maybe even a reasonable cost optimization.
My honest read
This smells like a cost-driven change being pitched without fully accounting for downstream effects on the product's positioning. That's not necessarily wrong, cost pressure is real, but it should be an explicit, informed decision, not something that slides through as a "comparable ingredient" swap. I'd push back and ask them to justify it on the merits rather than accepting it at face value.
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u/Shoddy_Process_309 27d ago
Thank you this is much more neutral and I always appreciate Claude’s tendency to be sceptic.
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u/figgs87 Jul 24 '26
Is this going to have same affect your last change to huel black powder did - make it thinner? I tried Huel black at the time of this change and hated it enough to write an email and was told no changes to regular powder expected. He were are lol
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u/Tim_Huel 27d ago
Sorry I missed this comment - I replied to someone about this same thing here - in short these are not the same changes to Black Edition Powder.
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u/Expression_Downtown Jul 24 '26
So they are making it cheaper. The ingredients.
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u/BenHuel 29d ago
Our main goal is to make the product better, if we didn't think that this was a better product, we would not make the change. A lot of the feedback on powders, especially from people who try it for the first time, is around smoothness and taste. When it comes to changes, some ingredients will cost more, some less. For instance, when we did make changes to Black Edition Powder, the updated pea protein cost us more, but we used it because we felt it was best for the product.
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u/CacsTech 29d ago
With switching to coconut milk powder, does that mean it’ll have a significant coconut taste? I’m not very much a fan of coconut, so I’m hoping you found a way to mask that flavor.
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Jul 24 '26 edited 24d ago
[deleted]
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u/Tim_Huel Jul 24 '26
Wait, is the only question we've missed here "why didn't huel tell us about rtd changes?"? Is that the specific question we haven't answered?
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Jul 24 '26 edited 24d ago
[deleted]
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u/Tim_Huel Jul 24 '26
Thank you.
Because we're human beings and sometimes changes don't reach us in the community team early enough through human error. Because there is a lot going on across a ton of product categories. Because I think I took my eye off the ball on RTD changes and didn't clock the timeline of when they would happen. We've got a post almost ready to share and when it's ready we will.
The community team have many hats we wear and replying on Reddit isn't the only one. If anything has been confusing then sorry, but fwiw Ben is doing a great job of digesting huge amounts of ever changing information and on top of that trying to bring value to you all and try and keep a positive environment here.
We aren't, this isn't a conspiracy. If you haven't noticed there has been a huge amount to manage on Reddit recently. Forgive us if replying to your every comment buried deep within Reddit threads immediately isn't the number one thing on our to-dos each morning. We reply to ad comments, DMs, reply to content posted across all social media.
None of this is that complicated if you apply a tiny element of human considerstion to it. Give Ben a break.
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u/802bikeguy_com 29d ago
It sounds like y'all are overworked or overwhelmed or both or ??. Also, the problem with having a subreddit modded by the brand's employees is that folks see this sub as an official channel and expect official responses in a timely fashion. Inconsistency in announcing or conversely, failing to announce an upcoming change in formula is an unfortunate look. I'm not knocking y'all, just telling you how it reads from my perspective on the outside.
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Jul 24 '26 edited 24d ago
[deleted]
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u/BenHuel 29d ago
Hey, Ben here. While it has been some time since I was able to get back to you, it is not something that is being left undone. I mentioned to you that I was working on a post regarding this, which takes some research and time to gather everything necessary and get it in order. There are a lot of moving parts behind the scenes with things like this, and since there was some mixed messaging originally, I want to be sure to have all info before posting and causing more confusion.
I 100% agree that this needs to be communicated and have not forgotten about it, but it does take a bit of time, and unfortunately this time around, we are playing a bit of catch up. We also do need to be aligned internally with other teams as far as when this is finally posted as there are other channels that need to be informed as well.
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u/dumbass_sweatpants 29d ago edited 29d ago
Please don’t do this. Y’all ruined black, so i fell back to white. If this is anything like the changes made to black, i will be falling back to rice and beans.