Breaking News on Confectionery & Biscuit Processing

Health & Functionality

The healthy chocolate sector is still in a relatively embryonic stage but is being buoyed by the increasing amount of cocoa polyphenol science, exciting product innovation and increasing public interest. And, while the segment still suffers from a counter-intuitive response in many consumers that a health benefit shouldn’t be derived from an indulgence food like chocolate, this is being overcome.

Natural & Clean Label Trends 2013: How clean is your label? And can GMOs ever belong in 'natural' products?

Recent data from Symphony Consulting (click here ), shows that while US retail sales of products making ‘natural’ claims still grew in 2012, the pace of that growth slowed noticeably compared...

Study suggests there is no correlation between increased candy-eating occasions and obesity

Candy eating frequency unlinked to obesity, suggests NCA funded study

A study funded by the US National Confectioners Association (NCA) has not ruled out that candy may cause obesity but has suggested there is no link between the number of...

Is theobromine responsible for cocoa’s cholesterol benefits?

The potential of cocoa to beneficially impact ‘good’ cholesterol levels may be linked to the theobromine content and not the flavonoids, says a new study from Unilever Research & Development...

Still fuel for caffeine gums after Wrigley halts production on FDA concerns

There is still a market for caffeine gums even after US Food and Drug Administration concerns prompted Wrigley to suspend production of its new Alert gum, according to private label...

Adrian Sagman from Carmit Candy discusses his firm's chocolate wafer with glucomannan and Slendesta potato extract
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.

Fertin Pharma gives the common cold something to chew on with its ImmuneGum containing plant extract Echinacea, vitamin C and zinc
Dispatches from Vitafoods Europe 2013

Chewing gum developed to battle common cold

Private label gum maker Fertin Pharma has developed an immunity chewing gum that it claims can help guard against the common cold.

US firm ProBiotix Foods is using DuPont's Howaru Restore probiotic in stevia-sweetened chocolate brand Active D'Lites
Dispatches from Vitafoods Europe 2013

Chocolate an ‘amenable’ probiotic delivery vehicle, says DuPont

Chocolate is a strong carrier for probiotics and could present an opportunity for brand manufacturers to introduce products to improve gut health, according to supplier DuPont.

Study participants consuming a cocoa flavanol-rich dark chcocolate drink reported being calmer and more content
Barry Callebaut-funded study

Dark chocolate enhances mood but not cognition, say researchers

Cocoa flavanols in dark chocolate may keep you calmer and content but no link has been established with enhanced cognitive performance, according to a study funded by Barry Callebaut.

Cocoa flavanols have been linked to improved cardiovascular health
Exclusive

Cocoa flavanol content varies depending on origin, says Callebaut

Barry Callebaut’s innovation department has revealed that the level of cocoa flavanols, which are associated with a string of positive health effects, vary depending on where beans are sourced....

FDA to probe impact of caffeine on kids' health following launch of Wrigley's Alert Energy Caffeine Gum

The FDA says it will take a “fresh look” at the health effects of caffeine on kids following the launch of Alert Energy Caffeine Gum - a new caffeinated gum...

Hershey's Reese's Minis brand extension was the sixth bestselling consumer packaged goods launch in Convenience stores in 2012

Convenience and indulgence the secret to pacesetting confectionery sales

Launches from Hershey, Mondelez and Nestlé were among the top 100 bestselling new food and drink items in 2012 having filled consumer needs for convenience, indulgence and functionality, according to...

Chocolate may stimulate microorganisms that led to acne, say researchers

Chocolate may worsen acne, say researchers

Eating chocolate may increase incidence and severity of acne by stimulating microorganisms that cause the condition, according to a team of Dutch researchers.

Hershey to roll out front of pack labels on all products expect gifting items in next four years, using the GMA labels pictured.

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.

Cocoa polyphenols activate the BNDF survival pathway, which could help guard against Alzheimer’s, say researchers

Regular cocoa flavanol intake could help maintain brain health – study

New research claims regularly eating cocoa flavanols could protect people from neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s.

Consumer 'trade up' in chocolate is aiding market growth in New Zealand, says analyst

New Zealand chocolate consumers ‘trade up’ for ethics and health: Leatherhead

Consumers in New Zealand are spending more on healthier and ethical chocolate variants - a move that has aided growth in the burgeoning sector, an analyst says.

A standard chocolate tablet (100g) contains enough β-PEA to cause Parkinson's symptoms in mice, say researchers

Chocolate over-consumption may be linked to Parkinson’s Disease – review

Indian researchers have urged consumers to limit the chocolate they eat because it is the food richest in a component linked to Parkinson’s Disease.

Label-reading was associated with less susceptibility to the 'health halo' effect

Foods labelled ‘organic’ may seem tastier and more nutritious

Consumers perceive foods labelled as organic as tastier and healthier than those without organic labels, even if the foods are exactly the same, according to a study published in the...

Dutch confectioner Leaf International (now merged with Cloetta) introduced the first 100% xylitol-based soft gum on the European Market in 2011

Low-cost functional gum opportunity in the Netherlands

Chewing gums backed by approved health claims and with low price points are a rare growth opportunity in the mature Dutch confectionery market, according to market analysts Canadean.

Chewing gum could lead to unhealthy food choices, finds study.

Chewing gum fails to suppress hunger and puts people off fruit: Study

Chewing gum has long been considered a potential appetite suppressant, but new research says there is no evidence it can control hunger and mint-flavored varieties may even deter people from...

Global confectionery NPD: Stevia Haribo and dental candy

ConfectioneryNews takes a look at the latest confections to hit store shelves across the globe including stevia-sweetened Haribo in Germany, low calorie chocolates in Japan, and teeth friendly candy in...

Desert Lab's 'Snack Less' 10-piece hoodia gum packs in three flavors (cinnamon, mint and strawberry) and retail at $2.99 each (typical gum retails at around $1.75).
Desert Labs launches hoodia weight management gum

Hoodia gum maker defends satiety effect

The maker of a newly launched appetite suppressant gum claims to be the first to have self-affirmed GRAS status for hoodia in the US and hopes to overcome the negative...

Has Wrigley's new Alert Energy Caffeine Gum opened up the prospect of future lawsuits?

Wrigley’s caffeinated energy gum misses core youth market - analyst

Mars-owned Wrigley is to launch an energy chewing gum with the caffeine equivalent of half a cup of coffee in each piece but one analyst says the product misses the...

Diabetes UK says flavanol levels in chocolate are too low for diabetics to derive a benefit

Insufficient cocoa flavanols in chocolate to benefit diabetics, says Diabetes UK

Diabetes UK says there are not enough cocoa flavanols in chocolate to benefit diabetics after a study found that a cocoa extract could help people with the condition regulate insulin...

Barry Callebaut says its coffee method can reduce the bitterness of high cocoa chocolate

Dark chocolate bitterness can be reduced with green coffee, finds Callebaut

Barry Callebaut has developed a formula to reduce the bitterness of high cocoa chocolate using green coffee that doesn’t give a coffee taste and ups antioxidant content.

Universal symbol for diabetes

Cocoa may help diabetics regulate insulin, says study

Diets rich in cocoa may help people with diabetes to regulate insulin levels, according to new research.