Breaking News on Confectionery & Biscuit Processing

Australian heart health market ripe for education

The Australian market for heart-healthy foods or supplements could be a tough one to crack, but consumer signs indicate that it holds potential for manufacturers willing to make the extra awareness-raising efforts.

Comment

Confusion reigns in cosmeceutical name game

The term cosmeceutical has always been controversial, but the blurring boundaries between the worlds of nutrition and cosmetics are highlighting divisions that neither industry can ignore.

Global food safety drive hitting smaller companies, developing nations - UN

Food companies in developing countries may face being squeezed out of the market by the proliferation of public and private food safety standards, a report by the United Nations will spell out this week.

Healthy chocolate and candy products to beat the recession

Confectionery product ranges featuring new flavours, flexibility and variety will help manufacturers grow consumer purchases over the next five years despite economic uncertainty, according to the National Confectioners Association's (NCA) Confectionery Industry Trend Report 2009.

Consumers sue Nestle, but FDA still baffled

One week on from Nestle’s recall of its Toll House cookie dough, the source of an E. coli strain that has sickened 69 people across 29 states still has FDA officials baffled, but lawsuits have already been filed.

Sweetness perception could vary with ethnicity: Study

Researchers claim to have discovered a particular gene variant that could affect sweetness perception among different ethnic groups, raising the possibility of more targeted flavor profiling of foods.

Water inefficiency costing UK food and drink companies up to ₤160,000 a day - report

Food and drink producers in the UK may be pouring up to ₤160,000 a day down the drain by failing to maximise the potential for water efficiency, according to Envirowise.

Americans warming to probiotics, says Datamonitor

Probiotics are picking up in the US market as consumers become more aware of their role in maintaining digestive health, says Datamonitor.

New UTZ certification for world’s biggest cocoa producers

Producers in the world’s largest cocoa-producing country, Côte d’Ivoire, are taking part in the first independent audits in preparation for the UTZ Certified code of conduct; a programme that sets internationally recognised standards for responsible cocoa and coffee production and sourcing.

Bar product distribution station increases plant efficiency, says company

Flexibility, cost effectiveness and ease of access for cleaning and maintenance all mean the latest distribution station from Sigpack Systems is designed to boost overall plant efficiency, said the company.

News in brief

Nestle joins group to sponsor bioplastics research for food packaging

Nestle has signed up to a joint venture to sponsor research into bioplastics with the aim of developing materials adapted to the food packaging segment on a large scale

Ocean Spray – Decas cranberry dispute steps up a notch

Two leading North American cranberry producers – Ocean Spray and Decas Cranberry Products – have turned to the courts in a fight to maintain competitive positions and market shares for their sweetened dried cranberry products.

Honey extract may ease heat stress for cyclists: Study

An extract from propolis, the waxy resin collected by honeybees, may reduce the detrimental effects prolonged exercising in hot climates, according to a new study.

Taste psychologist maps 'dialects' of flavour preference

The mapping of ‘taste dialects’ could help food firms develop products that appeal to the specific preferences of consumers in certain geographical locations, according to a taste psychologist.

FSA to investigate anecdotal aspartame reactions

The UK’s Food Standards Agency (FSA) is seeking individuals who believe they have suffered a reaction to aspartame to take part in a pilot study.

Petra Foods ups cocoa game as new plant gets going

Delfi Cocoa, a division of Petra Foods, has started production at its new processing plant in Hamburg, Germany, as it positions to better serve its European customers.

Frutarom buys Chr. Hansen savoury unit in Germany

Acquisition-hungry firm Frutarom continued its rapid growth strategy, today announcing an "extremely synergetic" €5.2m deal to buy Chr. Hansen's savoury functional systems activities in Germany.

Almonds take top spot for global new product launches

Almonds have usurped peanuts as the number one nut ingredient for new product releases, according to Mintel’s Global New Products Database.

Credit squeeze key concern for food makers, OECD report

Prices for key commodities used by food manufacturers may have eased since their peaks last year, but the cost of cereals and vegetable oils in the near term will remain far higher than pre-2008, projects the OECD.

Sweeteners in water supply could affect acceptance: Study

New research that shows artificial sweeteners are not removed in waste water treatment could affect consumer acceptance, according to the lead scientist.

Pecan Deluxe buys kit for chocolate beasts

Pecan Deluxe Candy has invested in new equipment for its plant in the UK that will enable it to make chocolate shapes like pigs and monkeys, and expand its fair-trade chocolate range.

Courts rule on chocolate rabbits and malt balls

Two court cases have demonstrated confectioners’ dogged protection of their trademarks – one involving Mars’ Maltesters, and the other chocolate rabbits from Lindt.

Technical challenges to reducing sugar

Tate & Lyle’s manager of sweetener technology development gives insight into the role of sugar beyond providing sweetness, and how to pick alternative sweeteners that build back the properties.

Wild looks to maximise chocolate-fruit filling potential

A supplier of fillings for confectionery goods says that it is can now allow manufacturers to maximise fruit content in their chocolate products without compromising functionality or regulatory approval.

Big hopes for EFSA’s big health claim day

Shane Starling reports from the European Food Safety Authority’s (EFSA) much anticipated industry stakeholders’ meeting about health claims in Brussels today.

Comment

IFT '09: In defence of trade shows

As the dust settles on another IFT the absence of several big players has left some questioning the relevance of trade shows in the 21st Century.

Aldi takes colours out of Australian products

Aldi is removing the Southampton Six food colours from products in its Australian supermarkets, following a campaign by consumer groups.

Simionato expansion looks to flexible-format packing potential

Flexibility remains at the heart of one packaging group’s latest expansion plans as it moves to target confectioner interest for bespoke, multi-purpose processing machines in Northern Europe.

Dispatches from IFT

Take advantage of recession, says former White House director

Food firms can benefit from the downturn by taking advantage of lower advertising and input rates and positioning for recovery, said economic expert at IFT.

Cocoa-derived Cirku launched for better circulation

Mars Botanical is launching a new flavanol-rich cocoa extract called Cirku for use in products aimed at maintaining healthy circulation.

Tic Tac turns it back on polystyrene in recycle push

In a bid to play up sustainability in its operations Ferrero is relaunching its Tic Tic line of packaged mints in the US to make use of more readily recyclable materials.

Mars looks to UK kosher appeal in ongoing brand shake-up

Mars has obtained kosher certification at one of its UK production plants in attempts to ensurebrands like Mars bars, Snickers and Galaxy made at the site comply with the religious standards.

Dispatches from IFT

Niutang nears launch for new stevia sweetener

Niutang is preparing to introduce its Reb A sweetener from stevia next year and is starting discussions with existing customers and new ones that have a parallel product development timeline.

US extends antidumping duty on saccharin from China

The United States has extended an antidumping duty order on saccharin from China, after a review concluded that cheaper imports of the sweetener would damage the domestic market.

News in brief

Cadbury mulls India cocoa supply strategy

UK-based Cadbury is hoping to extend its presence in India with the confectioner reportedly set to use the country as a major regional production centre for its cocoa supplies.

Sudan scraps gum arabic monopoly to liberalise market

Sudan, the world's biggest producer of gum arabic, has scrapped a government monopoly on the production and export of this naturally-sourced, 'Rolls-Royce' of gums widely used in food and drink formulations.

Healthier compounds cementing chocolate’s candy innovation dominance

The potential health benefits of certain compounds found in chocolate are helping to drive greater levels of innovation and product launches in the candy segment compared to sugar confectionery, according to recent research.

Dispatches from IFT

SGF doubles stevia production with new 1,000 MT plant

Sweet Green Fields (SGF) has announced the opening of a new facility in China with annual production of 1,000 MT of finished product, doubling its current capacity.

Barry Callebaut buy targets instant-drink vending innovations

Barry Callebaut has extended its presence in the European market for vending machine beverage mixes to focus further on so-called gourmet chocolate and cappuccino products.

Comment

A big day for European health claims

Next Monday, June 15, is a big day for the European healthy foods and food supplements industries. Let’s call it Big Monday. Or J15.

Dispatches from IFT

Innovation, food safety and economic pep talks in Anaheim

Top prizes for innovation, stevia capacity and taste tests, food safety, and doing business in a tough economy... the FoodNavigator team shares thoughts on the opening day of the IFT trade show in Anaheim, California.

Consumer packaged goods companies show resilience in recession

The consumer packaged goods (CPG) industry in the US has shown resilience in the current recession and significantly outperformed the rest of the market in 2008, according to a report released this week.

News in brief

Stevia conference comes to Europe

Companies planning to be present in the European stevia market will be convening in Leuven, Belgium, on Wednesday 1st and Thursday 2nd of July for the Stevia in Europe conference organised by EUSTAS.

Packager taking innovation inspiration from sweet wrapper reductions

As environmental groups and consumers call for less waste and material use in candy wrappers, the confectionery industry still remains a key market for global packaging group Chesapeake as it contemplates life under a new financial structure.

Tangerine says modern additive needs are key to ‘classic’ candy push

In its strategy to revamp ‘cult’ sweet brands thought lost to bygone eras, UK-based confectioner Tangerine says it continues to focus on products that are seemingly classic, yet innovative in their formulation.

Meet Our New Owners

Don’t miss this video interview with Robert Marr, chief operating officer of William Reed Business Media, which recently acquired Decision News Media, publisher of ConfectioneryNews.com.

Stevia reference standards developed for Food Chemical Codex

US Pharmacopeia (USP) has developed a set of new reference standards for stevia-derived sweeteners Reb A and stevioside for inclusion in the Food Chemical Codex (FCC).

News in brief

Stevia market development will ease price importance

The price of stevia sweeteners relative to sugar need not be an issue as the market develops, according to PureCircle, as supply chain investments are expected to encourage penetration.

Comment

Economic depression a stimulus for fresh business

The economic recession is biting across the globe, and bleeding casualties litter all industries, but now is not the time to cower. Those willing to spend may provoke a stimulation of their business that could set them up for years, if not decades, to come.

Nestle aims for lorry reliance reduction with co-pack rethink

Nestle this week commences operations at a new UK contract packing site it claims will offer more environmentally friendly distribution of its confectionery brands in the country.

France and rest of Europe prepare for stevia approval

Manufacturers in France are gearing up to start using high purity stevia extract Reb A as soon as approval is signed off, according to a supplier, making use of an anticipated two-year window before full European approval.

‘Exotic’ and ‘indulgent’ brand-twists form key candy developments

Sweets that make greater use of exotic ingredients like super fruits joined innovative new takes on tried and tested brands as key trends at this year’s All Candy Expo, highlighting potential industry developments ahead.

ConfectioneryNews.com acquired by William Reed Business Media

Decision News Media, publisher of ConfectioneryNews.com and 16 other websites serving the international food, nutrition, pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries, has been acquired by the leading UK business-to-business publisher William Reed Business Media.