Breaking News on Confectionery & Biscuit Processing

Ghana addresses cocoa labour issues

15-May-2007 - The Ghanaian government is continuing its investigation into labour practices in the country's cocoa industry with the publication of a report into child labour.

Splenda ad slogans banned in France

11-May-2007 - A European court has said that the marketing of the sweetener Splenda is misleading to consumers, and has ordered that its advertising slogans be ceased. The ruling comes as a similar court battle in the US goes to jury.

UK farmers bitter over altered sugar reform

11-May-2007 - Farmers in the UK have condemned the newly amended EU sugar restructuring scheme saying it will benefit processors rather than growers struggling to compete at the lower end of the supply chain.

Hershey hit by higher dairy costs

11-May-2007 - US chocolate giant Hershey has been forced to revise its full year trading expectations in the wake of higher dairy costs and greater investment for the global firm.

Sugar processors offered restructuring sweeteners

09-May-2007 - The European Commission is stepping up efforts to force less competitive sugar processors from the market, with a series of changes to the EU sugar restructuring scheme.

Savvy confectioners should aim for Eastern expansion, report

09-May-2007 - UK confectioners are well-placed to take advantage of the potentially lucrative food market springing up in the Gulf States, according to a new report.

Weekly Comment

Ingredients for cheap?

07-May-2007 - As recent incidents of food contamination demonstrate, the cheapest source for ingredients may not turn out to be so cheap after all.

Bourse may be best for confectioner, says report

07-May-2007 - Pobeda, a Bulgarian confectionery company, could be set to list on the country's stock exchange as it moves to take greater advantage of the growing trade opportunities offered by EU membership, according to local news reports.

Wrigley sales gains offset stagnant markets

02-May-2007 - Confectioner Wrigley posted a 17 per cent sales rise throughout its global operations during its first quarter 2007 to US$1.6bn (€1.1bn), with demand from emerging markets propping up sluggish growth in North America

Norwegian obesity tax must be encouraged says expert

02-May-2007 - A Norwegian government proposal to tax products high in sugar and fats should be encouraged in the battle against obesity, says a nutritional expert.

Weekly Comment

Training the salt of the earth

30-Apr-2007 - On International Labour Day, workers across the world will be raising a glass in honour of the salt of the earth.

CAP code backlash highlights UK food ad divide

30-Apr-2007 - Ten organisations have voiced concerns over a new code for non-broadcast advertising of food products aimed at children in the UK, claiming that it is inadequate and will not reduce children's exposure to promotions for unhealthy foods.

ABF sugar buy helps keep business afloat

27-Apr-2007 - After a problematic year involving tampering incidents and disappointing bread sales, UK food producer Associated British Foods (ABF) has posted a 7 per cent rise in profits which the group attributes to increased investment and acquisitions.

Special edition: Global food trade

EU sugar reform sours at home and abroad

25-Apr-2007 - Still in its initial stages of implementation, the EU sugar reform effort appears dogged by problems - a significant quota cut in the last few months left producers scrambling to keep up while non-members seeking a stable trading partner remain concerned over its long-term effects.

Food ads make fat kids eat more, study

25-Apr-2007 - A study at the University of Liverpool has shown up a strong tendency for children to eat more after watching food adverts on TV - a finding that lends support to recent UK curbs on junk food advertising around children's programmes.

Weekly Comment

Ditch the marketing madness

23-Apr-2007 - Marketing strategies - two words that incorporate everything from pseudo scientific research to shock value advertising campaigns. But shouldn't honesty be the best policy?

Competition heats up in Ukrainian chocolate sector

20-Apr-2007 - Ukrainian confectionery company AVK has announced it will up chocolate production in order to strengthen its leading position in the country's highly competitive market.

Thorntons recovers from sales slump

20-Apr-2007 - UK luxury chocolate manufacturer Thorntons has managed to boost sales after a difficult start to the trading year saw consumers shunning the high street confectionery maker.

Hershey dark chocolate growth boosts sales

20-Apr-2007 - US based chocolate giant Hershey may have successfully taken advantage of the consumer trend for dark chocolate but work still remains to be done to reinvigorate core brands.

Tate & Lyle grows value-added offering with GC Hahn buy

17-Apr-2007 - Tate & Lyle has signed an agreement to acquire an 80 per cent holding in German family-run specialty ingredients firm GC Hahn - the latest step in a refocusing on value-added ingredients in place of commodities.

Nestle Nutrition acquisitions continue with Gerber

12-Apr-2007 - Swiss food giant Nestlé has acquired iconic US baby food brand Gerber as the group's transition to a nutrition, health and wellness company continues.

Investor acquires German candy maker

11-Apr-2007 - German equity investment company Arques has taken over confectionery firm van Netten in yet another example of private investors moving into the food industry sphere.

Hershey ups prices to offset costs

06-Apr-2007 - US chocolate manufacturer Hershey has announced it is to raise prices on its domestic confectionery line to offset the rising cost of ingredients, such as corn syrup, and packaging materials.

Barry Callebaut profits from outsourcing trend

03-Apr-2007 - The trend towards food manufacturers outsourcing their chocolate ingredient needs translated into impressive volume and sales growth for Barry Callebaut's industrial business segment for the first six months of the fiscal year.