Breaking News on Confectionery & Biscuit Processing

Lallemand launches functional cranberry chews

Lallemand Health Ingredients (LHI) yesterday announced the launch of chewy sweets containing PACran cranberry powder, as it moves to find a foothold in the functional confectionery market.

Mandelson expects commodity hike Doha benefits

Growing global concerns over sharp increases for food and commodity prices could have significant benefits in helping to establish free trade, the EU commissioner for trade has said.

Sucros Oy seeks further Finnish beet supplies

Danisco subsidiary Sucros Oy is calling for more sugar beet suppliers in Finland, claiming that EU sugar reforms have reduced the number of its current growers by an unprofitable 43 per cent.

Hershey raises prices three per cent

Confectionery firm Hershey today announced an average wholesale price increase of three per cent across the US, as the company moves to improve on the disastrous profit loss posted last week for the fourth quarter.

UK food and drink makers to cut water use

A group of leading UK food and drink manufacturers is pledging to reduce water use under a new programme designed to improve their environmental credentials and cut costs.

Weekly comment

Probiotics, friend or foe?

The headlines are sensationalist: twenty-four people have died in a probiotic trial. Therefore, probiotics may be fatal. Throw those yoghurt shots away!

News briefs: NewTree, Fairtrade and KitKat

Healthy and ethical chocolate continues to dominate the news, as NewTree creates low-sugar and high fibre chocolate, Nestle launches a lower-calorie version of its KitKat bar, and Divine fairtrade farmers gear up for a UK tour.

Cadbury to protect Ghanaian chocolate production

Cadbury today launched a fund to aid its cocoa suppliers in Ghana, after research suggested that average production in the region is now 40 per cent lower than the potential yield.

Hydrocolloids' health benefits extended

Hydrocolloid ingredients commonly used as gelling agents, emulsifiers and stabilizers may also have benefits for diabetics, suggests new research from the Dow Chemical Company.

Hershey profits continue to tumble

US-based Hershey yesterday posted a Q4 operating profit drop of 65 per cent, as high commodity costs, restructuring charges and competitive US market conditions continue to dog the confectionery giant.

Lawsuit filed over Monsantos GM sugar beet

A lawsuit has been filed against the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) over the approval of a herbicide resistant genetically engineered sugar beet.

News briefs: Lindt, Leaf and caffeinated Snickers

In confectionery news this week, France-based Leaf may sell the Lutti sweets brand; Mars Snackfoods releases a Snickers bar with 60mg of added caffeine; and Lindt chocolate king Rudolph Spruengli dies, aged 87.

Industry consequences of rising prices - report

As the food versus fuel battle continues to rage, increasing competition for prices may prompt a consumer shift towards supermarket own-brand products instead of branded goods, according to a report by Frost & Sullivan.

Asian Xylitol production receives investment boost

Private equity fund 3i yesterday announced its purchase of a minority stake in Futaste, the leading Xylitol producer in the Asia Pacific region, as the company aims to expand its presence in the global sweetener market.

Guide to help industry shelve artificial colors

Color firm DD Williamson has launched a guide for food and beverage processors to help them replace color additives with natural alternatives.

Nestle looks to self-assembling structures for low-fat products

A simple structured emulsion system could correct for flavour imbalances in reduced and low-fat products, scientists at Nestlé Research Center (NRC) have reported.

Outsourcing pushes up Barry Callebaut sales

Barry Callebaut reported increased sales volume for the first quarter of this fiscal year as a result of a mounting trend for food manufacturers to outsource their chocolate needs.

Premium innovation boosts Lindt sales

Strong sales of premium and dark products have led Lindt & Spruengli to predict that full year revenue for 2007 will hit CHF 2.95bn (€1.8bn), a 14 per cent increase from the year before.

'Iconic' brands behind Tangerine's Cadbury buy

UK-based confectioner Tangerine agreed Friday to purchase some of the country's most iconic confectionery brands including Barratt Sherbet Fountains and Butterkist popcorn from market leader Cadbury Schweppes.

Weekly Comment

Exotic fruits or local berries? You choose

As consumer demand for exotic superfruits increases, so will the impact of transport on the environment. But as policy makers and green campaigners devise more ways of monitoring greenhouse gases, who will win the environmental tug of war?

Scotland kicks off food policy debate

The Scottish government has published a new discussion paper setting out its vision for the country's food supply and industry, which will help set the agenda for its first ever national food policy.

News briefs: Cocoa, Thorntons and Dunkin Donuts

The price of cocoa is still on the up; Thorntons reports strong sales over the winter season; and Dunkin' Donuts teams up with Mars for a new 'chocolaty' product range.

ABF revenues increase despite sugar losses

Associated British Foods today reported 13 per cent revenue growth for the 13 weeks ending 5 January 08, however the overall results were marred by a poor performance from the sugar sector.

Environmental concerns dog Cadbury closure

Cadbury has this week confirmed it will continue with plans to switch some UK production to Poland, sparking accusations that the confectioner will be adding 12 million food miles to its brands.

Sudzucker struggles with sugar, but special products deliver

The Sudzucker group has reported a 18.3 per cent increase in sales for the first nine months of its year thanks to special products and fruit preparations, while sugar was responsible for a big drop in operating profit.

Chocolate linked to weaker bones

New research suggests that regular consumption of chocolate may weaken bone density and strength, which in turn could increase the risk of health problems such as osteoporosis and fracture.

Nestle explores probiotics' impact on metabolism

Strains of probiotic bacteria can affect metabolism, says a new study from Nestle and Imperial College London that could help the development of new probiotic products tailored for individuals.

Weekly comment

How natural is 'natural'?

The refusal by regulators to provide a formal definition of the term 'natural' will ultimately lead to confusion for consumers and a legal headache for manufacturers.

News briefs: Vietnam, Lotte and biofuel

In Asia, Vietnam creates a new cocoa organisation and Lotte acquires Cozy Corner cakes; while on a more light-hearted note, a chocolate-fuelled truck completes its travels in Africa.

Harvest report shows slump for sugar, soybean

Harvests for sugarcane, flaxseed and soybean were all down last year but canola and corn production was up, according to the US Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Global Sweeteners buys out sorbitol JV partner

Chinese corn-based sweeteners producer Global Sweetener Holdings has taken a new step towards its aim of becoming a leader in the Asian and worldwide markets for corn sweeteners by buying out Mitsui's share of their sorbitol joint venture.

Concerns raised by sorbitol weight loss reports

Excessive intake of sorbitol, a widely used sweetener in "sugar-free" products such as chewing gum and sweets, may lead to weight loss and diarrhoea, German doctors report.

Barry Callebaut completes Japanese acquisition

Swiss-based Barry Callebaut today announced the completion of a deal to acquire production facilities from Japanese company Morinaga, only one day after the inauguration of the company's manufacturing plant in China.

News briefs: Barry Callebaut, Cadbury and Rocky Moutain

Swiss-based Barry Callebaut hopes to profit from China, Cadbury denies selling its Australian beverage arm, and Rocky Mountain focuses on franchises after poor Q3 sales.

Fingerprints could help stop fake food

Researchers at the University of the Basque Country are working on a way to develop a "fingerprint" using polyphenol groups to help cut adulteration in foodstuffs.

Scientists examine health in honey

The health benefits of honey are the focus of discussions taking place today at an international symposium bringing together scientists to examine the potential of the natural sweetener.

Chocolatiers face price fixing lawsuits

Chocolate giants Mars, Hershey, Nestle and others have had lawsuits filed against them in the US, after the companies were investigated for price fixing last year, according to news reports.

Weekly comment

Back to tap: bottled water's enviro-woes

It looks set to be a vintage year ahead for Chateau Eau De Source Public - or as it is more humbly known, tap water - as consumers find themselves encouraged to shun the mineral variety of the product to reduce packaging waste.

Health benefits of chocolate questioned

Dark chocolate risks tumbling from its "good for you" confectionery pedestal, as a UK medical journal claims that many manufacturers in fact remove the heart healthy element - the flavanols.

Barry Callebaut sets up shop in China

Swiss chocolatier Barry Callebaut will open a new Chinese manufacturing plant near Shanghai later this month, a company spokesperson today confirmed.

Healthy gum drives growth trends

Opportunities are rife for the manufacturers of functional and sugar-free gums, as consumer analysts predict that these items will far outstrip chocolate and sugar confectionery in terms of value growth.

Health, safety and food origin main issues for UK policy

The UK government has set in motion a review of food policy and strategies with the publication of an analytical study on current and emerging food trends.

Sprayer launched for chocolate enrobement

A new pressure spray system, that uses precise temperature settings, gives confectioners better control when coating products with chocolate and other viscous liquids, the manufacturer claims.

Global cocoa deficit increases, says report

The International Cocoa Organisation (ICCO) estimates that the world's current cocoa shortfall is now 55 per cent larger than previously thought, after adverse weather conditions led to crop reductions over the 2006/07 season.

Soy ice is moving mainstream, says Danisco

Danisco is predicting that soy ice will move out of the dairy intolerance niche and into the mainstream and has developed a concept that overcomes some of the common problems in developing this kind of product.

Cloetta Fazer completes gum acquisition

The acquisition of Finnish gum manufacturer Fennobon Oy by Cloetta Fazer today comes into force, as the Sweden-based confectionery company moves to make its mark on the sugar-free and functional gum market.

Tate & Lyle completes Mexican sugar sale

Tate & Lyle has completed its sale of its Mexican sugar business, removing itself from volatile commodity markets and allowing it to refocus on value-added ingredients.

News briefs: Ferrero, Necco and Nireus

Ferrero's Russian division invests in the country; Necco is sold to an investment group; and Nireus concludes its deal to get out of the confectionery market.

Ulker makes Turkish delight out of Godiva

The Campbell Soup Company is set to sell its luxury chocolate brand Godiva to the Turkey-based Yildiz, parent company of confectionery and snack firm Ulker, for $850m (€580m).