Italy: Health concerns drive dark and organic chocolate boom

Sales of chocolate rose by nearly 19 per cent in Italy in the four years up to 2010, driven by the trend towards premium, but also higher selling prices, finds...

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Mars invests in new US facility

Mars says growing demand for its confectionery products in the US has prompted the firm to invest in a new “state-of-the-art” manufacturing facility in the country.

Cargill sets up dedicated team to accelerate sustainable cocoa agenda

Cargill has appointed a specialist team to drive forward its work on the production and supply of sustainable cocoa.

Barry Callebaut optimistic after positive Q3 results

Ingredients giant Barry Callebaut has confirmed its positive midterm outlook after posting a 7.3 per cent rise in sales volumes over the first nine months of the fiscal year.

Heavy rain puts Ivorian cocoa quality under threat

Questions have been raised about the quality of the cocoa crop in the Ivory Coast following heavy rainfall in the region.

Commission flags up November for EU-wide approval of stevia

November 2011 should see steviol glycosides get regulatory backing for use in food in drink products in the European market, according to a European Commission (EC) representative.

Barry Callebaut pushes onward into Latin America

Reflecting the continuing industry trend toward outsourcing and its growing foothold in emerging markets, pod to pallet chocolate supplier Barry Callebaut said it has signed a long-term agreement with Mexican...

Chocolate and gum boost Indian confectionery sales, Euromonitor

Indian confectionery retail sales grew by seven per cent last year, boosted by “key indulgence categories” such as chocolate and functional gum, says Euromonitor.

Packaging revamp set to help Slavyanka grab shelf space from multinationals

In a bid to stave off the competition from Nestle and other confectionery giants, Russian biscuit, cake and jelly maker Slavyanka has engaged a UK agency to revitalize its packaging...

Campaigners hit Ferrero with 'misleading advertising' award

Consumer advocates Foodwatch say a chocolate product from Ferrero has the ‘most misleading advertising’ by any food manufacturer this year; the chocolate maker has rejected the claim.

Cocoa shortage by 2020 unless industry acts now, warns Mars

Confectionery giant Mars predicts a major cocoa shortage by 2020 and reveals harmonization of global cocoa certification programmes to ensure meaningful income hikes for farmers is one of its sustainable...

Beauty gum reveals consumer health claim scepticism, Datamonitor

Controversy behind a new “beauty” gum product reveals the increasing consumer scepticism over functional health claims, says Datamonitor.

Details of labelling rules released as EU gives “green light”

A final deal on EU food labelling legislation is heading towards the finish line with the provisional agreement approved by council yesterday.

DKSH opens bakery and confectionery innovation centre in Thailand

DKSH Holdings Ltd, the Swiss market expansion services group, has invested in a new innovation centre in Thailand as part of an initiative to introduce new concepts and ingredients to...

Dairy industry takes joined up approach to health research

Against the backdrop of a difficult financial climate and more stringent health claims regulation, the dairy industry is taking a coordinated approach to nutrition and health research with the formation...

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Beneo hikes up prices of Isomalt by 20 per cent

Ingredient supplier, Beneo, has announced a 20 per cent hike in the price of its sweetener Isomalt, citing rising inflation rates and the need to secure a flexible supply chain.

Demand dip will see cocoa prices levelling off, Rabobank

Lacklustre demand for cocoa in Europe and North America and expectations of an average crop next season will see cocoa prices remain steady over the coming months, claims a market...

Gum arabic blend may boost satiety, and aid weight management: Study

A dose as low as five grams of gum arabic may increase satiety and reduce caloric intake, without causing compensation at a subsequent meal, according to research.

New lollipop can combat bad breath says firm

A new sugar-free lollipop can combat bacteria that cause bad breath, with an effect that can last up to six hours, claims Israel based manufacturer Breezy.

Industry makes tentative steps towards organic food colours

Chr Hansen has an organic food colour project at development stage in the US although the Danish supplier said the market is unlikely to become significant in the near term.

ADM launches “crucial” cocoa training project in Ghana

A new education and training scheme in Ghana that aims to develop the country’s cocoa supply chain is the “first of its kind” for Archer Daniels Midland Company (ADM), says...

Confectionery still top for impulse buys, survey

Sweets and chocolate remain at the top spot for unplanned grocery buys, according to a new UK survey, however there’s a risk that promotions could rob confectionery of its indulgent,...

New Scandinavian packaging JV already eyeing future IPO

The private equity owners of two established Scandinavian packaging companies have joined forces to create a new venture called Arch Packaging Group – which they hope to float within five years.

No link between ADHD and food colouring, but more science needed, says expert

There is no known link between food colouring and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), however wider safety issues remain, says one expert.

EC defends flash boosts to sugar quotas

The European Commission has defended its decision to release thousands of tonnes of sugar on to the market after accusations that the move would have a detrimental impact on the...

US and Latin America markets target of new stevia-based chocolate

Leading pod-to-pallet chocolate supplier, Barry Callebaut, is targeting manufacturers in the Americas with a stevia-based dark chocolate for use in multiple applications, including moulding, enrobing and inclusions.

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Cargill opens innovation center in Brazil

Cargill has opened a new 20,000 square meter innovation center in Brazil, which includes laboratories for flavors, application development and sensory analysis.

ADM-led project aims to boost Indonesian cocoa quality

Leading cocoa processor Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) has announced it is kick-starting its Ivory Coast sustainable cocoa initiative – Serap – in Indonesia in a bid to boost cocoa quality...

PureCircle introduces flavor modifier for sweetness enhancement

Stevia supplier PureCircle has developed a natural flavor modifier that enhances the sweetness of stevia, sugar and high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) to allow larger calorie reductions, the company has...

Sugar supply gaps ongoing claim German confectioners

Confectionery manufacturers in Germany are faced with sugar supply gaps and dramatic price rises despite EU regulatory intervention on the crucial food ingredient, argues the German chocolate and confectionery industry...

First UTZ cocoa shipment in US, sustainable cocoa boom expected

Cargill has received the first ever shipment of UTZ cocoa in North America, a move which will be followed by other sustainable cocoa developments in the region, said the certifying...

Rabobank predicts consolidation wave to flow from private label trend

Private label growth will set off a wave of consolidation in the European food industry but how each product category is affected will vary significantly, according to Rabobank.

Pleasure extends dominance of food innovation work in Europe

Food companies may talk more about R&D work related to health but it is pleasure that has extended its lead at the top of the list of European food innovation...

New artisan ice cream emulsifier boosts quality without heat, Danisco

A new emulsifier/stabilizer can boost the quality and enhance the storage stability of artisan ice cream without requiring further processing, such as heating and homogenisation, according to Danisco.