Italian chemist Francesco Rivella, widely recognized as the creator of Nutella, passed away on Valentine’s Day at the age of 97, as reported by multiple news outlets.

Known as the “father” of Nutella in Italian media, Rivella played a crucial role in developing the world’s most beloved hazelnut spread.

He joined Ferrero, the renowned Italian confectionery company, in 1952—12 years before Nutella was officially introduced, according to news agency Jam Press.

At 25, he had just completed his studies in bromatological chemistry in Turin. Rivella worked in Ferrero’s “chemistry room,” where many of the brand’s signature products were created.

As a key member of Ferrero’s research team, he analyzed raw materials and experimented with blending, refining, and tasting ingredients to craft new products with the ideal flavor profile.

Over his decades-long tenure at Ferrero, Rivella rose to become a senior manager within the company, which was established in 1946 by Pietro Ferrero.

He worked closely with Michele Ferrero, Pietro’s son, serving as his right-hand man when he took over the family business, according to Jam Press.

The precursor to Nutella was first introduced in 1946 under the name Giandujot, inspired by gianduja—a chocolate and hazelnut-based confection.

“The sweet paste of the first recipe was shaped into a loaf that could be sliced and spread on bread, named after a local carnival character,” according to Nutella’s website.

By 1951, the formula evolved into a creamy, more easily spreadable product called SuperCrema, the website states.

It wasn’t until 1964 that the recipe was further refined, resulting in the first official jar of hazelnut and cocoa cream, as per Nutella’s website.

In his book Mondo Nutella (Nutella World), Italian journalist Gigi Padovani noted that Rivella and Michele Ferrero traveled the world to sample sweets—not to imitate them, but to enhance them.

Nutella consists of seven ingredients, according to its website: sugar, palm oil, hazelnuts, milk, cocoa, lecithin, and vanillin.

World Nutella Day, founded in 2007, was observed on February 5.

Following his retirement, Rivella devoted his time to fruit farming and the traditional Italian sport of pallapugno, Jam Press reported.