Olam to acquire UK confectionery fats supplier BFI

Singapore based Olam International is to acquire UK confectionery fats supplier Britannia Food Ingredients (BFI) along with a logistic services component for £33.5m ($50m)

EC policy change on sugar could bring relief for bakers

The European Commission, in a policy about face, said it may open the import quota or allow the sale of out-of-quota sugar into the bloc - a move that would...

EU sugar supply deficit threatens Irish industry, says trade group

The deficit in the EU sugar supply could put production at risk for confectioners and other food and drink industry users of the commodity if market intervention does not occur,...

Senate bill aims to reform US sugar policy

US Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) introduced a new bipartisan bill in the Senate this week intended to phase out the sugar support program, claiming sugar prices are artificially high and...

Our cocoa stock levels are sufficient so far, says Barry Callebaut

Leading maker of bulk chocolate, Barry Callebaut, has bought and exported the cocoa beans it needs to fulfill its processing needs, said a company spokesperson in reaction to the suspension...

Cocoa trade bodies press EU for more clarity on Ivory Coast ban

Lack of clarity on the implications for the cocoa industry of the financial penalities imposed by the EU on the Ivory Coast has prompted trade representatives in the bloc to...

Sales sweet for Ukrainian confectioner Roshen

Sales grew 32 per cent for Ukrainian confectioner Roshen in 2010, surpassing the US$1bn barrier, while production volume was up 410,000 tonnes on 2009, said the manufacturer.

Explosion at ADM cocoa processing facility

Archer Daniels Midland Company (ADM) is currently assessing the impact of an explosion that occurred on a production line at its cocoa processing facility in Wormer, Netherlands, which was followed...

Fat tax should be part of policy measures on diets: Study

A new study on the public health impact of fat tax and subsidies for healthy options concludes they should be included as a suite of policy measures to encourage healthy...

Analyst expects Lindt to dominate premium as firm upbeat on results

This week saw chocolate maker Lindt reporting strong growth across all its main regions and consolidated sales of CHF 2.58bn for its financial year 2010, with an analyst claiming the...

Ferrero loses out in Ukraine trademark dispute

Italian chocolate maker Ferrero has lost a counterfeit case in a top Ukraine court in relation to its praline brand, Raffaello.

B2B supplier launches first 100% single source Vietnam chocolate

The first 100 per cent single source chocolate from Vietnam is being launched by Belgian B2B producer, Grand-Place, who in a bid to increase output is investing heavily in improving...

News in brief

Fancy food experts pick top five specialty food trends

A panel of food experts at the Winter Fancy Food Show in San Francisco has identified its top five specialty food trends for 2011.

Comment

EC complacency on dioxins weakens Europe’s food safety standing

The complacency being exhibited by Brussels over the ongoing dioxin contamination incident is every bit as concerning as the carcinogenic chemical that has found its way into the food and...

Enriched milk fats may aid weight control: Study

Milk fats, used as ingredients in confectionary and bakery, could be enriched with compounds called diacylglycerols which may aid weight control, according to a team of Dutch researchers.

‘Continuous innovation’ key to success for gum makers: Report

Confectioners must continuously innovate to capture a share of the global gums market, as nearly 80 percent of gum purchases are made on impulse, claims a new report from Global...

FSA braced for industry backlash on food inspection fee proposals

Proposals to overhaul the fee inspection regime at food and feed facilities in the UK would result in a more consistent and clearer system - but one that would cost...

Growth predicted in European chocolate market despite grindings data

The fall in cocoa grindings by 2.4 per in the fourth quarter of 2010 is not an indication of slowdown in the recovery of the chocolate market in Europe, claims...

New power system cuts carbon and costs for Tangerine

As part of its wider initiative to make its manufacturing more energy efficient, UK sweet maker Tangerine said it is installing a combined heat and power (CHP) system that will...

Chr Hansen explores new carmine sources as prices bite

Chr Hansen is exploring ways of stabilising the supply of cochineal, the raw material used to make natural red colour carmine, as demand for the South American insect is outstripping...

Low-fat confectionery to aid polyol market rebound, study

Confectionery and food end use segments are fuelling the recovery of the polyols market post-recession, with increasing demand for low calorie foods seen as the primary driver, finds new research.

Hershey aiming to develop sensory science with academia link

Research aiming to improve understanding around the sensory attributes of confectionery is the objective of new collaboration between US chocolate giant Hershey and academia.

Cargill acquires German chocolate business

Cargill is to acquire a German chocolate business, as part of the company’s wider plans to expand further into Europe.

Callebaut stands by 4-year goals as choc market slowly recovers

Gourmet and specialty chocolate, and emerging markets, drove sales volume growth for Barry Callebaut in Q1, but Western Europe and the US are still showing mixed results.

News in brief

AAK creates four new spots at the top

AAK has appointed four global executives to its group management team, as it prepares for a new global growth spurt.

Weekly comment

CAP reform circus re-opens - but this time it’s serious

Roll up, roll up, the Great CAP Reform Circus is back in town. Missing those long arguments about the future of farm support? Hungry for more debate about how best...

Confectioners welcome step toward ending US-Mexico trade dispute

The National Confectioners Association (NCA) has welcomed an initial proposal that could end an ongoing US-Mexico trucking dispute that has seen Mexico impose tariffs on a long list of US...

RSPO calls for faster market uptake of sustainable palm oil

Market uptake of sustainable palm oil will need to accelerate in 2011 in order to keep up with rapidly growing production, claims the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO).

Lees faces pressure from coconut price surge

UK confectioner, Lees Foods, aims to mitigate the recent surge in coconut prices and ongoing hikes in packaging material costs through improved efficiencies and passing off a proportion of input...

Kraft likely to have robust defence in India tax probe, says legal expert

Kraft is likely to have a robust defence in relation to the reported investigation into any tax bill it might be liable for following its takeover of Cadbury in February...

Senomyx and Cadbury develop new flavour ingredients for gum

Flavour development company Senomyx has forged a partnership with confectionery manufacturer Cadbury Adams USA, a Kraft Foods division, to develop and commercialise new flavor modulators for gum and medicated confectionery...

Chinese confectioner Au’some invests in its first US factory

Chinese confectioner Au’some is to expand into the developed markets by investing $6m into its first North American manufacturing facility.

Imperial Sugar returns to profit in 2010

Imperial Sugar Company returned to profit during fiscal 2010 as its Port Wentworth refinery continued to boost production following a 2008 explosion, although its losses widened in Q4, the company said.

News in brief

ADM acquires 100% of Golden Peanut Company

Archer Daniel Midlands (ADM) has said it is now the 100 percent owner of Golden Peanut Company after it acquired all outstanding stock from Alimenta (USA), from Alimenta S.A, an...

Nestlé sells Russian confectionery business

Nestlé has sold its Russian confectionery division, Altai Confectionery, in a bid to focus on its core brands.

Comment

Healthy food vouchers are no golden ticket

Change4Life healthy food vouchers are just the ticket for food industry marketers. But changing eating habits requires consistent, co-ordinated policy – not hand-outs to ease the population’s post-Christmas conscience.

Ivorian crisis not impacting cocoa supply, report

Delivery of cocoa bean supplies to ports in the Ivory Coast appears to be unaffected by the recent political turmoil following last month’s election in the West African country.

Convenience driven consumers are key for organic growth, says study

Governments need to implement reforms and promotions to make organic products more attractive to convenience- and price-driven consumers if the organic market is to increase substantially, says a new study.

Ministers back shake up of EU food contact legislation

A wide-ranging regulation that would see the overhaul of rules governing food contact plastics in the European Union (EU) has taken a major step towards becoming law later this year.