Cadbury predicts 2010 price hikes will be cocoa linked

Cadbury said it may have to further raise its prices for 2010 as the cost of cocoa has remained stubbornly high, economic conditions are turbulent and markets competitive.

Consumers look to health and wellness in recession

Focusing on health and wellness and building brand awareness are the most successful strategies for weathering the global economic storm, according to a Frost and Sullivan analyst.

Sustainability Roundtable to reduce green label overload

The priority of the new Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP) Roundtable is to reduce the confusing array of different labels and statements appearing on food packages but fostering agreement on...

Line producing rPET aims to meet hike in demand

A new line enables commercial production of a recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET) food grade resin that overcomes the typical performance challenges of this type of packaging material, claims Phoenix Technologies.

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Recession-hit consumers turn to Cadbury's chocolate

Evidence that people do turn to chocolate during an economic downturn as number one UK chocolate maker Cadbury reports worldwide global chocolate sales were up 6 per cent in 2008,...

Thorntons cuts Easter egg packaging weight

Efforts by industry to slash Easter egg packaging continue with UK confectioner Thorntons announcing savings of 22 per cent across its core product range.

Barry Callebaut welcomes new cocoa anti-depressant link

Barry Callebaut is a step closer to boasting about the antidepressant properties of cocoa on its product labels after a study funded by the company found that it could...

Innovations in chocolate: asparagus, smoked figs and 23-carat gold

Innovation in product design, be this packaging or formulation, will play a key role in boosting margins to help confectionery manufacturers beat the economic downturn. At this year's confectionery...

Nestle cuts plastic packaging for Easter eggs

Confectionery giant Nestle has removed plastic packaging from around 80 per cent of its shell Easter eggs in a move to further its green credentials.

ABF trading update shows sugar and ingredients growth

The sugar and ingredients divisions of Associated British Foods (ABF) are expected to show good growth backed favourable foreign exchange rates when its interim results are announced in April.

Comment

Turning the key on new food technologies

Consumer concerns about a synthetic growth hormone used in milk production have prompted two leading food producers in the United States – General Mills and Dannon – to reformulate...

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Hershey non-exec chairman resigns

Non-executive chairman Kenneth Wolfe has stood down at chocolate giant Hershey following a request from the company's controlling stockholder, the Hershey Trust.

TNA technology adjusts load balance for even flavour delivery

Australia's TNA targets even flavour distribution in food formulations with the roll-out of its intelli-flavR 2 flavouring technology that adjusts load balance to match product demand.

Peanut-gate: Will consumers still trust American food – your views

The salmonella contamination of peanut products has brought American food safety under scrutiny causing some to question the value of the Made In America brand.

Cinnamon may improve blood sugar levels: Study

Consumption of three grams of cinnamon a day may improve people’s control of blood glucose levels, Scandinavian scientists have reported.

Study gives light at the end of the peanut allergy tunnel

Gradual exposure to peanut may put an end to peanut allergy, if results of a small study from Cambridge are followed by similar positive results.

Confectionery coating system provides alternative to gum arabic

TIC Gums has developed a fast-drying shell coating system for chewing gum, confectionery and nuts, which it said was prompted by continued high demand and uncertain supply of gum arabic.

Nestle uncowed by economic outlook

Nestle expects to carry on seeing growth in earnings over 2009 despite the global recession, using its strong 2008 results as a springboard for growth.

UK awards reflect growing consumer demand for fine chocolate

The UK consumer palate continues to move towards fine chocolate, evident in the mushrooming popularity of the UK's academy of chocolate awards that clocked-up an increasing number of entries...

Magnet-detectable material in pendulum bucket slashes tampering risk

German firm Wiese Förderelemente has rolled out a magnetically detectable polypropylene pendulum bucket for quick detection of unwanted plastics, in response to growing demand for detectable plastic materials in conveyor...

Quadro-shot tech for premium chocolate grabs consumer eye

Opportunities for eye-catching premium chocolates emerge with quadro-shot technology from swiss confectionery machinery firm Awema.

New cost-effective tech adds value to gravure printing

A new concept for cost-effective packaging could see confectioners switching from standard filmic overwrap for carton boxes to using a new ink developed by US firm Sun Chemical.

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Nestle seeks packaging design advice

Nestle Confections and Snacks in the US are turning to the consumer for design advice with the firm launching a competition to ask consumers to vote for the latest packaging...

Private label trend reduces the power of brands

The switch to private label over branded food is gathering pace in the recession, according to an index compiled by a UK newspaper, which may tighten the squeeze on branded...

Comment

Changing the tune on GM

The GM debate at times seems much like the Hokey Cokey (or Pokey, if you’re US-based). There’s been a lot of putting in, some putting out, and quite a lot...

Partnership to speed stevia-sweetened product development

A new partnership between a stevia supplier and a flavors and ingredients firm will speed the process of bringing low-calorie stevia-sweetened products to market, the companies claim.

Roquette concept aims to add value to sweetener

Roquette is re-naming its bulk maltitol sweetener as SweetPearl, and is offering additional services to add value for customers – for no extra cost.

Cemoi has 'big ambitions' for industrial choc markets

Media-shy Cemoi, France's number one chocolate maker, ramps up its image with a new logo, new products and a clear drive to become the number two industrial chocolate supplier...

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Cadbury spears buoyant liquorice market

Cadbury, the UK’s number one confectionery manufacturer, compounds its presence in the buoyant liquorice market, launching Bassetts Red Liquorice Allsorts this month.

Bisphenol A-free chocolate moulds enter the market

In tune to the escalating debate on the use of Bisphenol A (BPA) in food packaging, an innovative German supplier of chocolate moulds has rolled out a new version...

Maryland eyes artificial food color ban

Maryland could become the first US state to ban several artificial food colorings which have been linked to hyperactivity and behavioral problems in children, if proposed legislation is approved.

Confectioners eye small machines bought from cash flow

Demand for products and concepts that through targeted investments can boost efficiency and cut costs for confectioners were particularly in demand, say the organisers of last week's ProSweets trade fair.

Organic an answer to Africa’s woes and tight global supply

Africa needs to grow and export more organic produce to help tackle issues of food security and sustainability and help meet global demand which continues to grow, according to...

Swiss chocolate sales resilient at home and away in 2008

Swiss chocolates proved resilient in 2008 with sales easing forward despite a challenging economic climate.

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Chocolate-covered immigrants in lorry headed for Mars

The UK's Daily Mail newspaper reports that fifteen illegal immigrants were arrested last week after they were found hiding in a lorry filled with around 20 tonnes of cocoa powder.

EFSA reveals milk protein safety conclusions

A new European review of the safety of proteins used in milk and dairy product formulation has found no link between their consumption and an increased risk to health, which...

BOPP eco-film with 'excellent twist'

Slovakian firm Moneta's presented an ecologically clean substitute to cellophane 'with excellent twist characteristics' at last week's ProSweets trade fair in Germany.

Fragrant olive may offer red pigment for formulators

Seeds of the Osmanthus fragrans plant may offer a novel red colour for food formulators, and tap into the growing demand for natural colours, says new research from China.

New polishing agent brings shine to chocolate-coated cereal flakes

German ingredients firm Alfred Wolff rolls out a one-step polishing agent for chocolate-coated cereal flakes to meet the industry's need for improved surface shine and protective coatings.

New ruling in Cadbury’s battle for the colour purple

Cadbury has lost its latest attempt to defend the use of its distinctive colour purple as a court has dismissed the first stage of its appeal.

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Blue California notifies FDA of GRAS for its stevia ingredient

Blue California has notified the FDA of GRAS for its stevia-based Reb-A sweetener and has said that it is confident of receiving a letter of non-objection after two other...

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Cadbury ad campaign backs Trident mint gum

Cadbury, the UK’s number one confectionery manufacturer, will launch a nationwide poster campaign this month to support its Trident mint gum brand.

New packer from Lareka targets carton-packed premium chocolate

Meeting growing demand for premium chocolate packed in carton, Netherland's Lareka launches a new double stage tablet packer with a price tag in reach of small and medium-sized businesses.

Protein maker extends dairy commitment with solid launch

Protein manufacturer Proliant continues to push ahead with its re-entry into the dairy sector through the global launch of a new ingredient it says can provide added value in food...

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Colombian food giant to buy Mexican chocolate maker

Colombia's Grupo Nacional de Chocolates, purportedly the country's biggest food company, will buy Mexican chocolate manufacturer Nutresa for $95m.

Flavanol-boosting chocolate to double in 2009, projects Barry Callebaut

While industry observers and stakeholders continue to speculate on whether chocolate is, or is not, 'recession-proof', Belgium's Barry Callebaut expects the number of consumer products containing its health and wellness...

EU nutrient profiling delays to continue

Nutrient profiling, the system that will govern which foods and supplements can make health claims and which can’t, may not be adopted by the summer, according to consultancy, European Advisory...

CFS labeller allows label reel change with machine running

Dutch equipment supplier CFS has designed a new labelling concept that the company claims can mitigate the need for downtime when changing label reels or torn packing material.