Ingredients

Artisanal Truffles: Who can resist the melt-in-your-mouth goodness of a chocolate truffle? Pic: GettyImages

Special edition: plant-based confectionery

Top 11 vegan chocolate trends

By Anthony Myers

New research into the vegan chocolate market reveals that the sector is poised to gain even wider popularity with conscious consumers thanks to major brands embracing the plant-based wave.

Pic: Cargill

Special edition: Plant-based confectionery

Tantalizing textures: the new frontiers of plant-based gummies

By Anthony Myers

Across Europe, there is a palpable enthusiasm for plant-based gummies, reflecting a growing consumer interest in perceived health-promoting and more sustainable products; we speak to Quentin Schotte, Convenience and Snacking Manager for Cargill Food Solutions...

Consumers are becoming increasingly discerning. Pic: GettyImages

Special edition: Plant-based confectionery

Sweet Revolution: Embracing diversity with plant-based confectionery

By Anthony Myers

From creamy chocolates to chewy candies, plant-based options are paving the way for a more inclusive and compassionate approach to snacking that caters to the diverse tastes and preferences of consumers worldwide. We look at some of the key trends.

Moo Free can now track its ingredients in The Hub. Pic: Moo Free

Special edition: Plant-based confectionery

Moo Free launches new traceability tool, The Hub

By Anthony Myers

Dairy-free chocolate maker Moo Free is strengthening its sustainability credentials with the launch of The Hub, a business tool offering the manufacturer complete traceability across its supply chain.

Should vanilla production be stopped? GettyImages/Diana Miller

Should vanilla production be stopped?

By Donna Eastlake

Vanilla is one of the most common flavours for sweet treats around the world. But is the farming of this much-loved spice sustainable? And, if not, should we be consuming it at all?

Cargill explores cocoa and nut-free vegan confectionery

Plant-based confectionery

Cargill explores cocoa and nut-free vegan confectionery

By Anthony Myers

Global cocoa and ingredients company Cargill has announced a new commercial partnership with Voyage Foods to produce alternatives to cocoa-based products and nut spreads without using cocoa, peanuts, and hazelnuts.

Pic: GettyImages

Special edition: Better-for-you confectionery

The sweet truth: Embracing better-for-you confectionery for a healthier future

By Anthony Myers

In an era of rising health consciousness, the confectionery industry finds itself at a crossroads. Traditionally associated with indulgence and guilty pleasures, confectionery products are now undergoing a transformation to meet the demands of a more...

Pic: Getty Images

Special edition: better-for-you confectionery

Top tips for better-for-you confectionery

By Anthony Myers

The better-for-you trend continues transforming the confectionery market. Expect to see the latest innovations at this year’s Sweets & Snacks Expo, which opens in May at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis. In the meantime, we examine the...

dsm-firmenich teams with SCN BestoCo for omega-3 gummy innovation

dsm-firmenich teams with SCN BestoCo for omega-3 gummy innovation

By Asia Sherman

Global health and nutrition company dsm-firmenich is partnering with U.S. supplement manufacturer SCN BestCo to package high-dose, algae-derived omega-3 gummies that overcome traditional formulation challenges and address sustainability issues in the...

Source: Incredo

Incredo Sugar G2 provides versatility across categories

By Deniz Ataman

Foodtech company Incredo expands its sugar reduction solutions with the launch of Incredo Sugar G2, a concentrated version of its clean label, protein-sucrose blend Incredo Sugar made from cane and/or beet sugar and a dairy- or plant-based protein to...

From 'swicy' to sour and fermentation, Puratos predicts an exciting year for the baked goods sector. Pic: GettyImages/Willie B. Thomas

On the rise: The top bakery trends for 2024

By Gill Hyslop

Gut health, fermentation, plants and the classics will dominate the headlines this year, according to Puratos’ proprietary Taste Tomorrow ‘always-on’ research program. But there’s more in store, too.

Consumer demand for functional gummies keeps growing. Pic: GettyImages

Special report: Gummies keep on growing

Nutraceuticals are at the centre of gummy appeal

By Anthony Myers

Darling Ingredients’ health brand, Rousselot, has been at the forefront of much of the innovation involving clean-label gelatin and collagen-based solutions and has discovered a way to fill them with the correct amounts of nutraceuticals.

Pic: GettyImages

Special report: Gummies keep on growing

Gummy market: space for growth for new competitors

By Anthony Myers

The Global Jellies & Gummies Market size is expected to reach $19.9 billion by 2030, rising at a market growth of 4.2% CAGR during the forecast period, according to fresh research by ResearchAndMarkets.com.

Pic: GettyImages

Special report: Gummies keep on trending

Go gummies! Whether hard or soft, consumers love the tastes and textures

By Anthony Myers

At last year’s Sweets & Snacks Expo in Chicago, new and innovative gummy products proved irresistible to confectionery industry delegates with new lines from manufacturers, including Harribo, Hammond, Bazzoka, and Mars. Ultimately, the diversity of...

Could low-sugar chocolate actually taste better? GettyImages/Chris Ryan

Could low-sugar chocolate actually taste better?

By Donna Eastlake

Less is apparently more when it comes to the amount of sugar used in the creation of the perfect chocolate bar. So will manufacturers reduce the amount of sugar they use in the making of this sweet treat and will consumers welcome the change?

Cocoa and Sugar prices were up this year, while wheat and almonds saw a derease. Image: Getty, Galeanu Mihai

Raw materials

Bakery and confectionery raw material prices report

By Gwen Ridler

The prices of raw bakery and confectionery ingredients continued to fluctuate throughout the past year, with sugar and cocoa hitting yearly highs as wheat and almonds decreased year-on-year.

Stevia seedlings. Pic: Howtian Group

BALANCING HEALTH AND INDULGENCE IN CONFECTIONERY

Colombia’s sugar reduction tax targets confectionery

By Anthony Myers

The global landscape of food consumption is undergoing a significant shift with the introduction of sugar taxes in over 120 countries. These initiatives are primarily aimed at guiding consumers towards healthier lifestyle choices by reducing the intake...

Beers made with cacaofruit. Pic: Cabosse Naturals

Trends

Beer and wine brands jump on the Cacaofruit bandwagon

By Anthony Myers

Apart from the positive impact on the planet - potentially preventing millions of tonnes of fruit waste – cacao fruit opens up new categories after the pulp, juice, and powder from the cocoa pod are used, according to latest research.

ProSweets Cologne is set to attract over 250 exhibitors from over 25 countries at next year's event. Pic: Koelnmesse

ProSweets Cologne 24

ProSweets Cologne focuses on the reformulation of sweets and snacks

By Anthony Myers

More than 30 ingredients specialists are set to attend ProSweets Cologne, the supplier fair that runs along side ISM sweets and snacks trade show, to offer natural and sustainable solutions that contain less sugar or carry a clean label declaration.