Breaking News on Confectionery & Biscuit Processing

Cadbury rapped for 'insensitive' gum ads

A series of adverts for Cadbury's best-selling gum brand, Trident, have been pulled from UK television after viewers found them 'offensive and racist' - leading to a flurry of negative publicity over the gum's first introduction to the UK market.

Tate & Lyle teams up with Eridania for Italian sugar supply

Tate & Lyle and Italian sugar producer Eridania Sadam have formed a joint venture for the marketing and sales of all sugar products to the Italian market, seen as an important step in developing new sugar markets following EU sugar reform.

Report reveals candy, snacks as most advertised kids products

Food is the top product seen advertised by children, with American kids watching an average of 17 food ads every day, according to a new study.

Another Indian company moves in on sucralose

An Indian pharmaceutical firm has completed a new sucralose facility and is ready to begin production of the popular sweetener, using what it claims to be a non patent-infringing process.

Chocolate depositor promises efficient, easy moulding

Italian confectionery supplier OPM Chocolate has developed a new chocolate depositor which claims to boost efficiency levels on moulding lines while delivering on accuracy.

Super Gum 'wows' as delivery system for food

The modified gum arabic product 'Super Gum' could stabilise water-in-oil-in-water emulsions, opening up opportunities for fat reduction and novel encapsulation, researchers from New Zealand have reported.

Organic baking mixes help target trend

Industrial baking supplier Steenbergs Organic has extended its range of organic spice mixes used in the production of bakery items such as loaves, biscuits and cakes to help bakers target the growing organic sector.

Sweetener study shows no cancer link in humans

An epidemiological study in Italy concluded that there is no indication of an association between sweetener consumption and cancer risk - findings that lend some support to EFSA's conclusions on the safety of aspartame.

Sugar reform continues to leave a sour taste

EU sugar reform combined with unfavourable trading conditions in the UK are continuing to hit food manufacturers hard - denting profits and squeezing margins.

Weekly Comment

Swallow your tongue

Fluffy language is increasingly clogging up the information air passages, and the food and drink industry must accept blame like everyone else.

Hershey builds on health portfolio

US chocolate manufacturer Hershey is adding to its health-boosting chocolate range with two new products designed to capitalise on cocoa's antioxidant properties.

Tate & Lyle launches 4m R&D centre

Tate & Lyle has announced a €4m investment to establish a Wellness & Nutrition Centre in Lille, France.

Wild develops 'natural' blue colour

Wild has developed a blue colour from nature that it claims is ideal for confectionery applications.

Cocoa polyphenols may offer diabetes benefits - study

Dietary supplementation with cacao liquor proanthocyanidins (CLPr) reduced blood glucose levels in obese diabetic mice, and may offer human diabetics significant benefits, says a new study from Japan.

Danisco on track after structural change

Danisco recorded revenue of DKK 15,220 million in the first three quarters of 2006/07, a period which saw significant structural change within the company.

Sugar crops improve after hurricane losses

Sugar production in Florida increased during the last crop year, reaching "more normal" production levels after significant losses during the string of hurricanes in recent years.

Roquette sweetens low-sugar market with soluble fibre range

Helping confectioners target the health trend, French ingredients firm Roquette has developed a new soluble fibre range suitable for use in low-sugar, low-calorie jellies and gums.

Overseas market proves profitable for Lindt & Sprungli

Swiss premium chocolate maker Lindt & Sprungli has performed well in the competitive North American market - helping to push consolidated full year sales for the company 15.1 per cent to CHF2.586 billion (€1.6bn).

Weekly Comment

Rise and shine: the GM wake-up call

News that a variety of GM corn produced signs of liver and kidney toxicity in rats should be a wake-up call for better testing and more transparency from biotechs, if GMOs are to be accepted by increasingly sceptical consumers.

Biscuit giant Burtons poised to expand after takeover

The UK's second largest biscuit manufacturer, Burton's Foods, has been acquired by British buy-out firm Duke Capital from US group HM Capital Partners for what is believed to be around a £200 million (€292.3m) sum.

Wrigley targets teens with tastebud-tingling gum

Leading US gum manufacturer Wrigley is to launch a new sugar-free chewing gum with mouth-freshening and long-lasting flavour properties and designed to target the big-spending teen market.

Cadbury set for confectionery split

Cadbury Schweppes has said it will separate its confectionery and US soft drinks businesses, sending ripples of speculation across the financial sector about the firm's motives.

Wild promotes taste receptor flavour technology

Wild claims to have developed flavour technology that improves the taste reception of artificially sweetened products.

David Michael pushes cocoa extenders as shortage looms

The anticipated drop in cocoa production this year has prompted US flavor firm David Michael to renew a marketing push for its line of cocoa extenders, which claim to help manufacturers cut costs.

Investor takes a bite out of Cadbury

Speculation is growing over a potential takeover of confectionery giant Cadbury following the announcement that US investor Nelson Peltz has acquired almost 3 per cent of the company.

Palatinit eyes Russian sugar-free market

Palatinit is confident that further growth in the Russian sugar-free confectionery market will lead to new opportunities.

TNA displays block bagging options

Integrated processing and packaging manufacturer TNA Solutions will be displaying new additions to its popular lines - offering a variety of different bag styles and block bottom bag capabilities.

Weekly comment

GM: A healthy debate

The development of genetically modified crops to improve human health could be the golden ticket for advocates to persuade the wary public that GM is not a wholly nefarious idea after all. But will a new, healthy spin be enough to counter deep-rooted fears that genetic modification, by its very nature, poses an equal and opposite threat to human health?

Should cocoa flavanol be classed as a 'vitamin'?

Epicatechin, a flavanol found in cocoa, tea and wine, could be so important to the diet that it should be classified as a vitamin, says a Harvard researcher.

Tate & Lyle confirms UK citric acid closure

Tate & Lyle will cease production of citric acid at is UK plant at the end of the month following the completion of an employee consultation process.

EFSA issues barley glucose allergenicity opinion

EFSA has issued an opinion on the production of glucose syrups from barley starch following a request from the EC.

Gloomy cocoa forecast as bad weather hits supply

The International Cocoa Organisation (ICCO) has published its first cocoa forecast for 2006/07 in which global supply is expected to dip.

Evolution of the nanotech revolution

Since nanotechnology was first used to develop the 'seed pre-crystallisation' technique in chocolate, many companies have been investing in the new technology to transform processing methods and product formulation.

Danisco fears effects of proposed corporate tax

Danisco believes that a bill to change the Danish Corporation Tax Act would significantly affect the company's expansion strategy.

Cocoa may reverse blood vessel damage, study

Smokers should be encouraged to indulge their sweet tooth, judging from the results of a new study into how daily consumption of a specially-prepared cocoa beverage benefits blood vessel function.

Tate & Lyle ANZ expands regional presence

Tate & Lyle's new Australasian subsidiary is set to assume responsibility from Danisco for the distribution of Krystar crystalline fructose in the region.

Breakthrough technology

Baking breakthrough improves product quality

Bakers could soon be benefiting from new technology developed to ensure high standards of product quality and appearance are met while maximising efficiency, cutting costs and reducing waste.

Strong trading for Premier as it gears up for RHM takeover

UK food processor Premier Foods remains undaunted by last year's rising raw material costs and unseasonably warm summer weather - posting a 12 per cent rise in pre-tax profits in its preliminary results announced yesterday.

FSA continues to drive traffic light labelling

A new TV ad designed to raise awareness of traffic light food labelling was launched yesterday in the UK.

Friction feeder targets food sector

A machine manufacturer has designed a stainless steel version of its friction feeder, entering the food market for the first time.

United Biscuits brands dominate market

The big hitters in the UK biscuit sector have been busy over the past year with consolidation and major acquisitions re-shaping the industry's landscape, according to a new report by Leatherhead International.

Weekly Comment

No excuses for illegal labour

There is no legitimate defence as to why some companies continue to use illegal labour. This isn't the vice trade, this is the food industry: no excuses.

Cadbury develops timed flavour release confectionery

Sweet-maker Cadbury Adams could be set to bring new innovation to market after being awarded a patent to manufacture a many-flavoured chewable product with different layers and textures.

UK health bodies target unhealthy fats

Two leading UK health organisations want the food industry to radically reduce the amount of saturated fat used in its products and to eliminate trans fats altogether.