Breaking News on Confectionery & Biscuit Processing

Sugar free gum chews up mint market

Sugar free chewing gum is the biggest growth area in the UK gum and mints sector, according to a report by Mintel.

Zetar seeks next acquisition in snack market

After encouraging first half 2005 results, food buyout company Zetar will look to build in 2006 by acquiring a snack foods company.

Record number of visitors to ISM trade fair

The International Sweets and Biscuits fair (ISM) this week in Cologne, Germany has attracted a record number of suppliers coming from more countries than ever before.

Gum tax prevented as industry steps in

Ireland has scrapped plans for a chewing gum tax after manufacturers, including Wrigley, pledged €7 million to a campaign fund aimed at reducing litter.

Weight Watchers and Whitman's link up for new chocolate line

Whitman's Candies, the US maker of boxed chocolate assortments, has joined forces with Weight Watchers to launch a new line of products.

European Commission investigates Chupa Chups over state aid

The European Commission has launched an open inquiry into lollipop maker Chupa Chups to establish if a €35 million loan granted by Spain's Catalonian government breaks EU competition rules.

EU firms can withstand sugar reform, says study

The slow nature of EU sugar regime reform should enable European producers to offset the worst effects, according to a new credit rating report.

Chocolate chip cookie lowers cholesterol

A chocolate chip cookie containing soluble fiber and plant sterols reduces cholesterol, according to the manufacturer.

Hershey's growth not without its costs

New products and seasonal success may have given Hershey increased 2005 sales, but income for the confectionery colossus remains blighted by the cost of reorganisation.

Cost cuts to balance high input prices, Nestlé says

Prices for raw materials and energy are forecast to rise by around five to 10 per cent this year, but Nestlé believes cost cuts will balance the equation out, the company's chief executive said yesterday.

Wrigley tackles chewy problem

Chewing gum manufacturers have taken up the fight against discarded gum that costs tax payers millions of pounds to clean.

Lindt expects strong 2005 results

Lindt today announced its 2005 sales had increased by 12.6 per cent as a result of growth across the group.

Compounds in liquorice root may help fight tooth decay

Compounds isolated from liquorice root used for confectionery products may help fight tooth decay, according to researchers at UCLA.

Weekly Comment

Food miles leave a bitter taste

The organic food movement has been hijacked by supermarkets intent on being seen to be green, but their disrespect of food miles shows they are anything but.

Chewits production to move to Eastern Europe

Further job cuts in the UK confectionery market are likely, as Leaf signals it will move production of Chewits to Eastern Europe from Merseyside.

Ireland and Denmark top confectionery consumption charts

Ireland has the highest per capita consumption of chocolate in the world, whilst the Danes consume the most sugar confectionery, according to the latest figures.

Ferrero looks for growth in North America

Italian confectionery giant Ferrero will soon open its first manufacturing plant in the Americas.

Jelly Belly looks for growth in new markets

US confectioner Jelly Belly plans to expand its international markets by constructing a new plant in Thailand.

Thorntons takeover uncertain after sales drop

UK chocolate seller Thorntons' sales have fallen by 6.2 per cent, jeopardizing a possible takeover of the public company

Italian firm offers tailor-made ingredient solution

An Italy-based ingredients firm has launched a range of functional food formulations based on stabilisers, hydrocolloids and emulsifiers.

Texture analyser measures quality of thin foods

A texture analyser for measuring the quality of thin foods can now be used to test the strength of packaging.

Signs of hope for troubled Barry Callebaut

Troubled chocolate maker Barry Callebaut has increased sales volumes during its financial first quarter, but the growth has meant a tumble in profit margin.

Amcor to develop flexible, biodegradable packaging

Amcor has teamed up with Plantic Technologies to develop a biodegradable, flexible plastic packaging for confectionary.

Tate & Lyle focuses on value-added ingredients

Tate & Lyle's launch of its new Merisorb sorbitol powder and dextrose underlines the firm's increasing focus on value added ingredients.

'Direct evidence' that cocoa benefits heart health

A team of international researchers claims to have 'direct evidence' for a cocoa flavanol improving blood vessel relaxation.

Dietetic chocolate takes American hit

A dramatic decline in US sales of dietetic chocolate signals the product's popularity is fading.

Italy set for collision with EU over chocolate

Italy is on course for a head-to-head battle with the EU over the definition of pure chocolate.

Weekly comment

Some news is good news

I am beginning to feel like a freak among journalists. Good or bad, my reporting is the product of hours of questions, fact-hunting and often-times editorial debate. Yet, despite this rigour, every day we receive emails from people asking, or even instructing, us to publish their press release on our sites.

Can sugar be addictive?

Researchers at Penn State university remain open to the question over whether sugar is an addictive substance or not.

Confectionery exports to France see impressive growth, says report

Rising sales to France have cemented the UK's role as a leading force in European confectionery, despite a fall off in overall exports.

Ferrero wins battle against Chinese counterfeiters

Italian confectioner Ferrero has won its battle against Chinese counterfeiters who have been producing copycat versions of its products for the Asian market.

Cadbury signs record TV deal as Dairy Milk tops 2005 sales charts

Cadbury has signed the biggest TV sponsorship deal in Europe, with ITV's Coronation Street, promoting brands such as the UK's bestseller Dairy Milk.

Machine automates confectionery bar packing

An automated machine for packing cereal and confectionery bars into cartons helps manufacturers speed up their production lines and cuts down on labour costs, its manufacturer claims.

Sucralose breakthrough could smash Tate & Lyle monopoly

An India-based company claims it has developed a sucralose that will break Tate & Lyle's lucrative monopoly in the sweetener.

Crown wins packaging award for Thorntons

Crown has won a packaging award for, the UK confectioner, Thorntons and new food packaging indicates that innovation is driven by social trends.

Glycaemic index 'here to stay'

The glycaemic index has not risen to the same astronomic trend proportions of its low-carb predecessor, but this does not mean there is a lack of interest. Rather, a slow build up could be a sign that it is here for the long-haul.

Cocoa supplies still tight

Cocoa supplies will remain tight for confectionary companies as production for the last growing season continue to be below demand for the ingredient.

Confectionery exports slump as UK food gets back on track

Sugar confectionery was the only sector to see a significant decline in the first half of 2005 as UK exports of food and drink grow 3.1 per cent indicating the industry is on track to break the £10 billion barrier for the first time in a decade.

Nestlé counts the calories with new nutritional labelling

Nestle Rowntree is phasing in nutritional labelling for its confectionery brands in the UK and Ireland.

Hershey takes legal action against publisher

One of the world's largest confectioners, Hershey, has successfully taken legal action against a publisher who it says had unfairly used the company's trademarks.

Malaysia expects record cocoa exports from 2005

The Malaysian cocoa board expects 2005 to set a new record for cocoa exports, exceeding RM 2 billion ($530 million), thanks to increased global consumption and access to new markets.

Britons working on chocolate diet pill

The British-based Chocolate Powder Company says it is testing the weight loss effects of a cocoa-based diet pill that could soon be ready for launch on the US weight loss market.