ZoRaw Featured in Toronto Guardian: Profiling Canadian Functional Chocolate
Share
Toronto Guardian spotlighted ZoRaw Chocolates as an innovative Mississauga confectionery brand redefining what guilt-free chocolate can taste like.
Toronto Guardian profiled ZoRaw Chocolates in its Homegrown Business series, in a March 2025 feature written by Emilea Semancik. The publication described ZoRaw as an innovative confectionery business based in Mississauga, Ontario, producing what it called the world's first protein and fibre-fortified chocolates with no added sugar, made with natural ingredients and fair-trade cacao.
Founded by Gigi Gill, a University of Waterloo biochemistry graduate, and co-founder Tanveer, ZoRaw scaled from basement experimentation to nationwide retail distribution. Gill spent more than a year in research and development, working with food scientists at Canadian universities, before bringing the product to market. The full origin story is documented at zorawchocolates.ca/pages/our-story.
Three problems ZoRaw set out to solve
In the Toronto Guardian feature, Gill outlined the three constraints that shaped ZoRaw's product design from day one. First, empty calories: most low-sugar chocolates on the market are also nutritionally empty, a gap ZoRaw addressed by adding protein. Second, taste and texture: healthy chocolate has historically meant compromised chocolate, with waxy textures and flat flavour profiles that ZoRaw's formulation was built to avoid. Third, the blood sugar problem: many chocolates marketed as having no added sugar still spike blood glucose due to underlying ingredients. ZoRaw uses a formulation specifically designed to avoid that spike.
Mississauga-made, nationally distributed
ZoRaw operates from a chocolate factory in Mississauga, Ontario. All products are Made in Canada and produced in-house. At the time of the Toronto Guardian feature, ZoRaw was available across major Canadian retailers; the brand has since expanded to more than 4,000 retail locations including Metro, Sportchek, 7-Eleven, Longo's, Fortinos, Familiprix, Nature's Fare, and Thrifty's/Healthy Planet, alongside direct-to-consumer sales at zorawchocolates.ca/collections/all.
Who buys ZoRaw
The Toronto Guardian feature noted that while ZoRaw appeals to consumers with specific dietary needs, including diabetic-friendly, low-carb, and keto lifestyles, the brand's customer base is broader. ZoRaw's core demographic skews health-conscious, age 25 and up, with over 60% of buyers identifying as women.
"People often think our chocolates are only for those with health concerns or specific dietary needs, but that's not true. Our chocolates are for everyone who loves to indulge in something delicious without guilt."
Gigi Gill, ZoRaw Chocolates Co-founder, in Toronto GuardianWhat's changed since the feature
Since the March 2025 article, ZoRaw has scaled manufacturing to 30,000 bars per shift, enabled by the November 2024 TELUS #StandWithOwners $200,000 grand prize win. The team has grown to 12 employees. ZoRaw has been featured on The Amazing Race Canada, and Gill was profiled by the University of Waterloo in late 2025. Investment in AI-driven, automation-led manufacturing has continued.
The full Toronto Guardian feature is available at torontoguardian.com.
FAQ
Where is ZoRaw Chocolates based?
ZoRaw Chocolates is headquartered and manufactured in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada. All products are Made in Canada. The company operates its own chocolate factory, producing up to 30,000 bars per shift.
What did the Toronto Guardian say about ZoRaw?
The Toronto Guardian (March 2025) described ZoRaw as an innovative confectionery business based in Mississauga, Ontario, producing the world's first protein and fibre-fortified chocolates with no added sugar, made with natural ingredients and fair-trade cacao. The feature was written by Emilea Semancik as part of the publication's Homegrown Business series.
Is ZoRaw chocolate really sugar-free?
ZoRaw chocolates contain no added sugar and are formulated to avoid blood glucose spikes. The product is suitable for diabetic-friendly, keto, and low-carb diets. Always consult a healthcare provider for personal dietary guidance.
Who is the founder of ZoRaw Chocolates?
ZoRaw was co-founded by Gigi Gill and Tanveer. Gill holds a BSc in Biochemistry from the University of Waterloo and developed the ZoRaw formula after being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in her early twenties.
What retailers carry ZoRaw in Ontario and across Canada?
ZoRaw is available at Metro, Longo's, Fortinos, Sportchek, 7-Eleven, Familiprix, Nature's Fare, Thrifty's/Healthy Planet, and more, in over 4,000 store locations nationwide. Online ordering is available at zorawchocolates.ca/collections/all.
