Breaking News on Confectionery & Biscuit Processing

News briefs: Gummies, labels, vitamins and Thorntons

12-Oct-2007 - The key trends of health and vitamins, labelling regulations and indulgent treats continue to dominate confectionery news headlines this week.

New bill proposes stricter trans fat labeling

11-Oct-2007 - A new bill has been introduced in the US to require food manufacturers to adjust the labeling of their products in order to better inform consumers of their trans fat content.

Cadbury confectionery sales rise 10 per cent

10-Oct-2007 - The Cadbury Schweppes drive to boost margins is full steam ahead, boosted by the demerger of an underperforming drinks arm, as the company today announced confectionery revenues grew by ten per cent over the third quarter.

Weekly comment: Food prices

Will value-added lose out to the basics?

09-Oct-2007 - Food companies have been focussing on value-added products in a bid to reduce their reliance on commodities, which can fluctuate wildly and deliver slim margins. But now that prices of basic foods are at an all-time high, can value-added foods still compete for their share of the consumer buck?

Tate & Lyle says adios to Mexican sugar

09-Oct-2007 - Tate & Lyle has taken new measures to remove itself from volatile commodity markets and refocus on value-added ingredients, with a plan to sell its Mexican sugar business, Grupo Industrial Azucarero de Occidente.

Cadbury goes green across supply chain

09-Oct-2007 - Cadbury Schweppes today announced it will publish data on greenhouse gas emissions from across its global supply chain, as part of plans to reduce its carbon footprint by 50 per cent.

Swedes plough SEK 200m into anti-diabetic food research

08-Oct-2007 - The Swedish government has announced the funding of a research centre at Lund University for anti-diabetic foods, following a growing trend to harness diet to prevent or delay the onset of costly disease.

Barry Callebaut set to boost output with Philadelphia move

05-Oct-2007 - Chocolate giant Barry Callebaut has taken over a factory in America, which will help the firm boost output by more than 50,000 tons over the next three years.

Tate & Lyle woos Asia with R&D drive

04-Oct-2007 - Tate & Lyle has opened a new research and development centre in Shanghai, China to help manufacturers develop food products that are targeted to the preferences of Asian consumers.

Ebro Puleva wont predict sugar hit before terms

04-Oct-2007 - The sugar arm of Spanish food group Ebro Puleva has said it is impossible to estimate the impact of EU sugar reform on its business, until the regulatory situation in Spain is clarified.

Financial news: Cadbury, Cloetta and Rocky Mountain

03-Oct-2007 - Cheap labour pulls Cadbury eastwards, airport franchise boosts profits for a US chocolate company, and Cloetta is tempted by Swedish pastilles.

Weekly comment

Ripping the red tape

01-Oct-2007 - They say that patience is a virtue. But when it comes to the regulatory process on both sides of the Atlantic, patience too often results in dust gathering in the "to do" box on some regulator's desk.

Sugar reforms prove bittersweet for ACP

01-Oct-2007 - The African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) sugar producing countries have said they are deeply concerned about the amendments to the EU sugar reform, which brings to an end "preferential access" to Europe's market.

News briefs: Nestle, Cadbury and anthrax

28-Sep-2007 - A dose of this week's confectionery stories; Manufacturers get a sweet tooth for Eastern Europe plus Malaysia gets into a pickle over anthrax.

Barry Callebaut doubles Japan chocolate volumes

27-Sep-2007 - Barry Callebaut is moving in on the expanding chocolate market in Japan through a new alliance with confectionery company Morinaga.

Wrigley gets a crown for its dental benefits

27-Sep-2007 - Three of Wrigley's sugar-free chewing gums have become the first in the US to earn the American Dental Association's seal of approval.

Ministers debate milk, wine and sugar reforms

26-Sep-2007 - Food safety and animal health top the agenda at today's meeting of EU's agricultural ministers, with the future of milk, wine and sugar production also up for discussion.

Cadbury highlighted for its green fingers

25-Sep-2007 - The Climate Disclosure Project yesterday highlighted Cadbury Schweppes as the best in its class for the actions it has taken against climate change.

A happy world for Haribo following sweet victory over 'kinder'

25-Sep-2007 - A four-year battle between Haribo and Ferrero came to an end this week following a decision by the German court declaring there was no copyright infringement in using the word 'kinder'.

Consumer group complains about Nutella ad

25-Sep-2007 - The Advertising Standards Agency (ASA) has received a complaint from the UK's consumer association over the way Nutella chocolate spread is being marketed to children.

Weekly comment

Consumers and the confidence crisis

24-Sep-2007 - Consumer demand - the holy grail of any industry - is a fragile and easily manipulated treasure. But influencing consumers for anything other than their own benefit will, more often than not, carry unintended consequences.

News briefs: Nestle, squeezy chocolate and Cadbury

21-Sep-2007 - This week's news briefs include Nestle's new CEO, squeezy chocolate in a bottle, and Cadbury closing factories.

Danisco bolstered by costs discipline, price increases

20-Sep-2007 - Controlling costs with an iron hand and upping sales prices has helped Danisco's ingredients division towards Q1 growth, against an overall profit dip as a result of ongoing sugar reform.

Russia becomes a key market for Barry Callebaut

19-Sep-2007 - Barry Callebaut has highlighted Russia as a key target market in Eastern Europe following the opening yesterday of its new chocolate factory near Moscow.