Export strengths tip EU food and drink industry

Europe’s food and drink industry has tipped its decade-long downward export balance; a shift defined by strong export figures underpinned by emerging market demands, according to FoodDrinkEurope.

Special

Children and chocolate: Sustainable cocoa and the fight against child labour

ConfectioneryNews.com presents a timelined package about the drive towards sustainable cocoa and the elimination of child labour featuring some of the industry’s biggest players.

Industry damns sucralose study at cancer conference

Research led by the controversial Italian scientist, Dr Morando Soffriti, linking the artificial sweeteners sucralose and aspartame to cancer, was presented today at the Children with Cancer science conference in...

Confectionery launches with pacesetting sales almost triples in 2011

The number of confectionery launches achieving sales of over $7.5m in the first year has almost tripled compared to historic averages, according to a report from Symphony IRI.

News in brief

Hershey Godrej launches new product amid split rumours

The Hershey Godrej Indian joint venture has launched a new chocolate product for its Nutrine brand shortly after rumours surfaced of a possible split.

Finnish confectioner Fazer sets 2017 target for sustainable cocoa

Finnish company Fazer has set a target to certify its entire cocoa supply by 2017 to ensure its cocoa comes from traceable sources and is free from the worst forms...

Hershey sales up 10.7% on strong Easter and international growth

The Hershey Company has recorded growth in its first quarter (Q1) results driven by pricing, solid Easter performance and growth in international markets.

Cocoa products may offer fiber source for consumers

Fiber-rich cocoa products may help consumers hit recommended levels and improve their bowel habits, says a new study.

Support cocoa farmers or face a ‘chocolate crisis’, warns academic

Chocolate manufacturers will face a serious cocoa supply shortage unless they work to improve the livelihoods of cocoa farmers and allow them to invest in sustainable production, according to an...

News in brief

Debt mounts for Malaysian confectionery firm Silver Bird

Malaysian firm Silver Bird Group Berhad has defaulted on loan repayments totalling almost €1.7m (RM 6.5m) for its Standard Confectionery subsidiary.

New sustainable sector resonates with ‘lost organic consumers’

In light of current economic difficulties organic consumers are looking elsewhere for foods, and sustainable products resonate with their core values, according to the MD of Cert ID.

Cargill upgrades Dutch cocoa plant with €57m investment

Cargill has added a center of expertise to its cocoa processing facility in Wormer, the Netherlands and automated warehousing at the Port of Amsterdam following a €57m ($82m) investment....

Nestlé posts 7.1% confectionery growth in Q1

Nestlé has recorded 7.1% growth for its confectionery business in its first quarter (Q1) results released today driven by emerging chocolate markets such as Latin America and Asia.

Chr Hansen shares jump 9% on strong H1 profits

First half EBIT profits for 2011-12 surged 19% to €83m at Chr Hansen as it shrugged off the effects of severe fluctuations in the price of red colorant carmine, and...

DKSH opens innovation centre to meet unique Taiwanese taste preferences

Market Expansion Services group DKSH has opened a new innovation centre for confectionery and bakery ingredients in Taiwan to cater to the unique flavour preferences in the country.

Chocolate titans in fresh antitrust lawsuit for alleged US price fixing

Hershey, Nestle, Mars and Cadbury have been hit with a new antitrust lawsuit that alleges the companies conspired together to fix chocolate prices in the US between 2002 and 2008.

Top 9 US chocolate brands – consumer poll

US consumers chose their most popular chocolate brands in a recently published consumer study.

Liquorice root found to contain potentially anti-diabetic substance

Amorfrutins found in the root of liquorice may have anti-inflammatory effects and could aslo be useful in the reduction of blood sugar levels, according to new research.

‘Nimble’ SMEs: The innovators of industry

SMEs are not bound by corporate structure and are therefore flexible to respond to market changes quickly and innovate accordingly with many eyeing the premium, niche segment, according to industry...

Orkla plans plant modernisation in Poland after distribution company buy

Norwegian firm Orkla Brands has acquired a 100% stake in Polish bakery and confectionery ingredients sales and distribution company Kobo as it plans to modernise a plant in Poland.

X-ray launch meets industry drive to replace metal detection systems - Eagle

X-ray systems are increasingly replacing metal detection equipment as food manufacturers respond to growing regulatory and consumer demands for safer products, said Terry Woolford of Eagle Product Inspection.

Ferrero promises transparency as it sets 2020 target for sustainable cocoa

Italian confectioner Ferrero has announced its short term goals towards sourcing 100% third-party verified sustainable cocoa by its 2020 target.

Tangerine gains license for Vimto branded Bon Bon sweets

UK firm Tangerine Confectionery has reached a licensing agreement with Vimto to manufacture Vimto Bon Bon sweets.

Hershey denies Godrej split in India

The Hershey Company has dismissed reports that it is set to sell its 51% stake in its Indian joint venture with the Godrej Group and tackle the market alone.

News in brief

Baker Perkins revamps sales operation

Equipment supplier Baker Perkins has reorganised its sales team following the departure of a veteran sales manager.

Kraft 2012 outlook stable in face of commodity pressures, says rating agency

Risks remain for Kraft Foods ahead of its planned split as it is squeezed by commodity costs, but it will sustain growth in 2012, according to the rating agency Standard...

News in brief

Cadbury accused of ‘paranoia’ for multiple nut warnings

A campaign group against gobbledygook, jargon and misleading public information has slammed Kraft/Cadbury for going overboard on nut labelling and said that manufacturers are in fear of regulatory bodies.

Protrusions linked to chocolate fat bloom with novel analysis method – study

Researchers using a combined method of microscopy have connected protrusions in chocolate to oil migration and fat bloom.

Hershey faces boycott as school it funds rejects HIV-positive pupil

The Hershey Company is facing a boycott of its products as a school it funds in the US refused to admit a 13-year-old boy over his HIV-positive status.

EU egg shortage: An alternate view on how long it will last

The bakery and confectionery industry claims it has been hit with a “dire and unprecedented” EU-wide egg shortage as suppliers of egg replacers look to profit and offer up their opinions...

Food ingredients drive Q3 turnaround at Cargill

Cargill’s profits edged upward in the third quarter on better results in its food ingredients and applications business, but were only slightly higher than those of a year earlier.

Big packs, big flavours and nuts: confectionery product development trends

Larger pack sizes, products with nuts and spicy and exotic fruit flavours are featuring heavily in new product development in the confectionery sector, according to Leatherhead Food Research.

Improved cutting using ultrasound in bakery and confectionery, claims Döinghaus

A higher quality cut can be achieved by using ultrasound technology for confectionery and bakery products, according to technology firm Döinghaus

Exclusive interview

Food Safety Modernization Act a game changer for packaging machinery design - PMMI

The Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) has changed the game for US packaging machinery manufacturers by obliging them to rethink their design strategies, PMMI’s Jim Pittas told FoodProductionDaily.com from Anuga FoodTec....

Functional health ingredients fail to take off in confectionery - Leatherhead

Functional health ingredients have failed to move into mainstream confectionery and have not penetrated the market as expected, according to a report from Leatherhead Food Research.

US chocolate firm Tsudis fined $84,000 for multiple safety violations

The Tsudis chocolate company has been cited for 16 workplace safety violations by the US Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) after a worker’s head got stuck...

Easter With Analysts

Easter consumers opt for comfort brands amid economic uncertainty, says analyst

New product launches for Easter have soared on last year, but consumers are favouring familiar brands in their Easter confectionery choices, according to an analyst at Mintel.

Easter with analysts

Easter packaging trends 2012

Market analysts give ConfectioneryNews.com the inside track on Easter confectionery packaging, including down-toning, sustainability and limiting the amount of packaging.

News in brief

Kraft CEO Irene Rosenfeld bags $22m in 2011

Kraft Foods head Irene Rosenfeld was paid $22m in 2011, according to figures in a recent filling to the US Securities and Exchange Commission.

Finnish confectioner Fazer sets ambitious plans for Asia

Finnish confectionery leader Fazer is aiming to become an international company by 2016 and has set its sights on Asia.

ExxonMobil touts energy saving claims for food grade lubricants

FoodProductionDaily.com caught up with Dr Ian Davidson of ExxonMobil at Anuga FoodTec in Cologne last week to talk about new energy saving claims the company is making for its range...

Dispatches from Anuga Foodtec 2012

‘Unique’ flavour analysis can optimise chocolate taste profiles – ex Kraft flavourist

A combination of sensory and analytical flavour analysis that is hardly commercially available can optimise the taste of chocolate, according to a flavour consultant.

Callebaut outpaces market but profits hit by partnership and supply chain costs

Barry Callebaut has outshone the global chocolate market in its six month results, but profits were stunted by recent partnership-related costs and supply chain investments.

DISPATCHES FROM ANUGA FOODTEC

Anuga FoodTec - innovation powerhouse

The food and beverage production industry is ramping up its innovation pipeline as a way of bucking the uncertain economic trend, Anuga FoodTec show director Peter Grothues told FoodProductionDaily.com at...

Scraped-surface heat exchanger takes high viscosities, claims Alfa Laval

Alfa Laval claims that its scraped-surface heat exchanger can take high viscosities and avoid burn-ons for applications in bakery and confectionery products.