Breaking News on Confectionery & Biscuit Processing

Gatorade challenges choc milk health claims

Gatorade has challenged a recent advertising campaign that claims that chocolate milk helps athletes to work out longer than conventional sports drinks.

Sonoco boosts packaging capacity

Sonoco's acquisition of Wycon Corporation is designed to tap increasing demand for flexible printed packaging in confectionery.

Wrigley sues Cadbury over packaging

Wrigley has filed a lawsuit against Cadbury Adams in the US for violation of its trade dress.

Cocoa flavonols linked to low blood pressure

Regular eating of flavonol-rich chocolate can cut the risk of death from cardiovascular disease (CVD) by half, reports a long-term study of elderly men.

New guidance fuels food labelling debate

A new guidance document for food manufacturers on the best way to present GDAs (Guideline Daily Amounts) on their products has reheated the ongoing debate on nutrition and health labelling.

Cargill enters glycerin business with new production plant

Cargill is set to expand its ingredient portfolio for the food industry, announcing last week that it is to open a 30-million-pounds-per-year glycerin refinery.

Tate & Lyle commended for green policies

Tate & Lyle has demonstrated excellence in environmental practice by developing supply chain partnerships, according to Environwise.

EC warns of looming sugar oversupply

The European Commission argues that quotas will have to be cut for the 2006/07 marketing year to prevent a serious oversupply of sugar.

Nestlé anticipates improved 2006

Nestle has acknowledged its mistakes in confectionery over 2005 and expects improved sales in 2006.

Big spending Hershey attempt to tap sugar-free gum market

Hershey, the US confectioner, is attempting to tap into the growing sugar free market with the launch of a new gum in the shape of an ice cube.

Thorntons sales decline continues

Thorntons, the UK confectioner, has continued its sales slide, reporting concerning interim results.

Gum and emerging markets drive Cadbury's 2005 growth

Cadbury Schweppes has exploited the continued global growth of chewing gum and tapped into emerging new markets to report increased sales for 2005.

Aquanova Degussa alliance promotes nanotech ingredients

Aquanova's alliance with Degussa could result in a dramatic increase in the use of nanostructured solubilisates in various food applications.

Mars develops technique to produce historical chocolate

Mars has used a new processing technique to produce chocolate that resembles the taste and texture of when it was first imported to America.

Doubts cast over value of low-calorie sweeteners

A lack of convincing evidence means that firm conclusions on the role of artificial sweeteners in weight loss cannot yet be made, according to a scientist.

Nestlé appoints chef to enhance Cailler

Nestle has appointed the Spanish chef Ferran Adria to develop flavours for its Cailler chocolate brand in Switzerland.

Why chocolates on your desk seem to vanish

Confectionery on your desk is likely to be gobbled up without you even so much as noticing, warns a quirky new study from Cornell University.

US confectionery jobs threatened by high sugar prices

Thousands of confectionery industry jobs have been lost as a result of manufacturers relocating due to high sugar prices, according to the US Department of Commerce.

Cloetta Fazer puts faith in its key brands

Cloetta Fazer, the Nordic-based confectioner, had operating profits drop in 2005 as it focused on long-term development over short-term gains.

Tate & Lyle alerted to potential sucralose competitor

The re-appearance of a low-calorie tabletop sweetener product branded as Altern in a small number of Wal-Mart stores in the US has attracted the attention of Tate & Lyle.

Danisco hails scientific backing for sweetener xylitol

Danisco says that two new scientific studies support its claim that the sweetener xylitol is effective in fighting tooth decay.

New emulsifier blend for confectionery

A new emulsifier blend for confectionery, called Sucrosilk, replaces lecithin and partly replaces gelatine.

Traffic light labelling too crude says food lawyer

Food law experts at Eversheds have warned that the adoption of an industry standard for nutritional information looks increasingly unlikely.

Wrigley installs texture analyser

Wrigley UK has installed a texture analyser for quality control and new product development.

Consumers confused about sweetener safety, says study

Despite growing awareness of the health threat of obesity, Americans are still confused about the safety of the most commonly available sugar substitutes, claims an NGO.

World's Finest expands its seasonal business

World's Finest Chocolate has strengthened its position in the US holiday retail market with the purchase of the Queen Anne brand from Gray and Co.

Cocoa reduces risk of cancer and cardiovascular disease, says study

Unprocessed cocoa reduces the risks of cancer and cardiovascular disease, according to a study by Harvard Medical School and Mars.

Cadbury to magnify gum focus

Cadbury Schweppes will buy South Africa's biggest chewing gum business for £33 million(€48m), and sell its drinks business in the country.

A cure for cocoa?

The discovery of factors that help the cacao plant resist diseases could eventually lead to a price drop for cocoa, scientists claim.

Wrigley's sales break $4 billion barrier

Wrigley, the world's largest manufacturer of chewing gum, yesterday said sales grew by 14 per cent in 2005 to $4.2 billion (€3.5bn), a company record.

Cadbury opens $40 million gum research centre

Cadbury has opened a $40 million chewing gum research centre to develop new products for a booming market.

'Healthy' labelling met with contempt

Cadbury and Masterfoods UK will add health guidance to all confectionery products in a bid to stave off anti-obesity legislation on labelling.

Swiss chocolate market boosted by increased exports

Growth in the Swiss chocolate market rose 7.5 per cent boosted by increased exports in 2005, even as domestic sales struggled.

Weekly Comment

Marketing the risky way

Nationality is a dangerous brand.

ADM increases operating profits on less than encouraging sales

Sales at Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) increased during the company's financial second quarter signaling a recovery from the effects of the US hurricanes last year.

APV Baker intends to add value to lollipops

APV Baker has extended the capability of its ServoForm lollipop depositing systems so they can produce flat lollipops.

Thornton's terminates takeover talks

Thornton's have today announced they have terminated talks with Newco over a proposed takeover bid.

World sugar production increases but prices remain high, says USDA

Soaring sugar prices are set to continue with supplies remaining tight, despite increased production, according to the US Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Elizabeth Shaw hopes to extend its range by outsourcing

Elizabeth Shaw, a UK manufacturer of premium chocolates, will close its factory and outsource the production of its brands.

German confectionery market stagnant

Growth in the German confectionery market was stagnant in 2005, and in some segments sales income declined.