News in brief

Nutrition information to hit front of Jelly Belly packaging

Jelly Belly Candy Co. announced at the National Confectioners Association (NCA) show in Chicago this week that it will roll out voluntary front-of-package nutrition labeling on some of its most...

LIVE FROM SWEETS AND SNACKS EXPO IN CHICAGO

Nestlé Cocoa Plan to expand to US products

Nestlé USA announced at the National Confectioners Association (NCA) show that the company is expanding its Nestlé Cocoa Plan responsible sourcing program to its American product offerings.

Hershey brand launch in ‘fastest growing’ Chinese confectionery segment

Hershey has launched a new brand in China that will operate in what it has called the country’s fastest growing confectionery segment.

Cloetta acquires ‘very special’ natural candy technology with Goody Good Stuff buy

Scandinavian confectioner Cloetta has acquired UK firm Goody Good Stuff and its unique gelatin free technology to help it capitalise on what it calls a growing natural candy category.

Mondelez upsizes Cadbury Dairy Milk blocks in New Zealand

Mondelez International will introduce larger rounder pieces for Cadbury Dairy Milk in New Zealand for the same price point.

Natra to double North America sales with new Canadian factory

Spanish-based firm Natra claims sales for its private label division in North America will double within three years after it agreed a deal to rent a production facility in Canada...

News in brief

Ezaki Glico enters JV in Korea

Japanese firm Ezaki Glico has entered a joint venture with Haitai Confectionery Food to sell its Pocky chocolate candy in Korea.

Dispatches from Vitafoods Europe 2013

Confectionery ‘a new way to control weight’ claims Carmit Candy

Confectionery is a novel way to control your weight, according to private label firm Carmit Candy which has just launched a weight management chocolate wafer bar.

Petra Foods buoyed by ‘vibrant’ Asian consumption in Q1

Singapore-based Petra Foods has reported first quarter profit gains in its branded consumer division driven by rising chocolate consumption in markets such as Indonesia and the Philippines and improved margins...

‘We’re not sitting idly by and accepting dismal gum sales’, says Mondelēz CEO

While Mondelēz is not expecting a significant turnaround in gum this year, the world’s #2 gum maker behind Wrigley is “actively testing a number of ideas to rejuvenate the category” that are...

News in brief

Hershey takes collaboration up a gear with first open innovation forum

More than 70 Hershey suppliers assembled in Baltimore on Wednesday (May 8) to attend an open innovation forum designed to help the firm improve and accelerate the innovation process via...

Big Interview: Gene Dunkin, CEO Thompson Brands

Thompson Brands CEO: Novelty chocolate doesn’t have to be cheap and nasty

Founded in the same year that Edison created the first functioning light bulb, Thompson Brands is one of America’s oldest chocolate companies. But it hasn’t stayed in business this long...

Petra Foods to defend Nestlé claims of Kit Kat copying

Petra Foods says it will defend itself from accusations that its Delfi Take-It bar infringes Nestlé’s trademark on Kit Kat.

Pearson Candy snaps up Nestlé‘s Bit-O-Honey brand

Minnesota-based Pearson Candy Company has sealed its fifth brand acquisition from Nestlé USA with  chewing candy brand Bit-O-Honey.

Sanchez Cano establishes Chilean subsidiary

Fini brand owner Sanchez Cano has set-up a new trade branch in Chile to help it grow in Latin America.

Thorntons commercial focus pays off over key seasonal period

UK chocolatier Thorntons has reported increased sales in the third quarter as its focus on the commercial channel drove performance over Valentine's Day, Mother's Day and Easter.

Mondelez overhauls women’s rights commitment after criticism

Mondelez International has followed its peers Nestlé and Mars in making commitments to tackle gender inequality on cocoa farms after coming under fire from Oxfam and consumers.

Haribo devotes division to travel retail

Haribo has spotted an untapped opportunity for sugar confectionery in travel retail and has set up a new division dedicated to the channel to fill the void.

Necco faces $133,000 fine for ammonia release

Necco is facing $133,000 in fines after being cited for 19 serious health and safety violations after an ammonia release at one of its plants.

News in brief

Lees reports sales gains after pack revamp

UK independent confectionery firm Lees of Scotland has reported that sales for its Snowball and Teacakes have increased 20% since it launched redesigned packs in February.

Bon Bon Buddies looks overseas to double sales in five years

Wales-based character confectionery firm Bon Bon Buddies is aiming to double its sales in the next five years through growth in international markets such as the Middle East.

News in brief

Rainbow Confectionery acquires Australian plant

New Zealand-based Rainbow Confectionery has acquired a new production facility in Australia from Metford Confectionery.

Hershey adopts front of pack nutrition labelling

The Hershey Company is to roll out front of pack nutrition labels in the second half of this year to help consumers make more informed choices.

Duc d’O eyes growth in Russia and China with authenticity as ‘bling-bling’ era dies

Belgian chocolatier Duc d’O has rebranded its flaked chocolate truffles to appeal to Chinese and Russian consumers looking for authentic handmade chocolate.

Nestlé sales growth slows – but CEO reconfirms expectations

Nestlé has reported slower sales growth in the first quarter of 2013 hit by unrest in the Middle East and a cold start to spring, which affected sales of ice...