Breaking News on Confectionery & Biscuit Processing

Wrigley continues to grow strongly within Europe

Sales for the second quarter rose 14 per cent on last year for Wrigley due to worldwide shipment growth, the company said yesterday.

Expert comment

Nitrite free: Where does the truth end?

Cured meat products are appearing on the market as 'naturally cured', 'no nitrite added', 'without added nitrite' or even 'nitrite free' to promote a health image to consumers. Industry expert Gerhard Feiner believes such statements can be misleading.

Cocoa demand on the up

Demand for cocoa is on the up, registering compound growth of 2.7 per cent over the next three years, and most of it will come from Africa, according to a new report.

Mars to increase presence in Russia?

US chocolate manufacturer Mars is set to open a new factory in Russia, according to local paper the Kommersant Daily.

Spray coater protects against contamination

A new spray coater can protect foods from becoming contaminated by pathogens, according to its manufacturer.

Kraft loses copyright case

Food giant Kraft has lost against Euro-Excellence in a court case in Canada over the use of animal pictures on chocolate wrapping.

Obesity concerns drive artificial sweetener market

Social and health concerns relating to obesity is driving market growth for the global artificial sweetener market, according to a new report.

Harry & David expands confectionery division

US-based Harry & David Holdings will invest $16m (€11.6m) in expanding its candy, chocolate and packaging operations, the company said yesterday.

Zetar benefits from targeting market niches

UK-based group Zetar has benefited from focusing on niche sectors of the confectionery market, such as organic and nut-free, the company said today.

Barry Callebaut expands Ivory Coast operations

Barry Callebaut said today it will boost its cocoa processing capacity in Ivory Coast by 50 per cent over the next two years and double the amount of beans it buys.

Cargill expands cocoa business in Ghana

Agricultural firm Cargill has started construction of a new cocoa processing facility in Ghana, in an expansion move designed to meet increasing global demand for cocoa products.

Health awareness drives global organic market

The organic food and beverage market has been predicted to surpass $86bn (€62bn) by 2009, with consumers increasingly turning 'organic' in search of health and safety in their food products.

Weekly Comment

Could the E-number be up?

The European Food Safety Authority's review of additive safety could have a bigger effect on the ingredients industry than the ejection of certain colours and flavours with a suspect safety record. It could give the natural ingredients trend an extra push, and possibly prove the death-knell for the ne'er loved E number system.

High dairy prices affect Hershey's earnings

High dairy prices meant Hershey's operating margins fell to 3.1 per cent for the quarter ended 1 July, compared to 17.3 per cent for the same period in 2006.

Cadbury wins bid for Japan takeover

Cadbury Schweppes has won its bid for Japan-based candy company Sansei Foods.

New approach to sugar needed, says USDA

A new approach to sugar is needed in the US to avoid the pressures on the sugar industry, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) said in a report last week.

Aromatech boards the superfruits flavours wagon

French flavours firm Aromatech has developed a new range of superfruit flavours that it says combines a popular taste trend with antioxidants and a connotation of health.

Tate & Lyle extends Promitor line in US first

Tate & Lyle is launching a soluble corn fiber, which will first appear in the US followed by other countries.

Partnership completed between Barry Callebaut and Hershey

Swiss based Barry Callebaut will start delivering chocolate to Hershey in North America within the next few months, following the completion of the partnership this week.

Sales start to recover for Thorntons

Despite a difficult start to the financial year, sales grew 15.1 per cent due to increased advertising and expansion in the fourth quarter, Thorntons said yesterday.

Cadbury Schweppes invests in gum confectionery

Cadbury Adams USA has extended its partnership with ingredients firm Senomyx in a bid to boost its gum business, the company announced this week.

Unhealthy diet a lifestyle choice, says UK study

People on low incomes consume just as much unhealthy food and drink as the general population, and so bad diets are the result of personal choice, according to a study published by the UK regulator Sunday.

Court fines Cadbury 1.5m over salmonella contamination

A UK court yesterday fined Cadbury-Schweppes £1m (€1.5m) for knowingly allowing salmonella-contaminated chocolates to be sold to the public last year.

EU sugar reform hit Agranas sugar revenues

Sales revenues for Agrana's sugar segment were down to €171m for the three months ended May 31, from €243m the same quarter the previous year, due to EU sugar reforms.

KiwiBerry Concentrate could be novelty fruit ingredient in Europe

US-based Effica has applied for authorisation to market a concentrate produced from the hardy kiwi as a food ingredient in Europe under novel foods legislation, which would pave the way for it to be used in a variety of food products.

Barry Callebaut follows India trend

Zurich-based cocoa manufacturer Barry Callebaut will open a sales office in India in September 2007, the company said today.

Cadbury's Sheffield factory washed out by floods

Cadbury is being forced to source alternative supplies after floods suspended production at its Sheffield factory, the company announced today.

Real Good Food focuses on sugar and bakery

Real Good Food said this week it is focusing upon its sugar and bakery sectors following the disposal of its fish business.

Dryer uses less energy and compressed air

A new dryer has been designed to use less energy and compressed air than existing products on the market, its manufacturer claims.

Cadbury spreads further into developing markets

Cadbury has launched its Bubbaloo bubble gum in India, as part of its continuing bid to take advantage of developing markets.

Rocky Mountain Chocolate boosts sales by 8 per cent

US-based Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory this week reported an eight per cent revenue increase for the three months to 31 May, compared to the same period last year.

New natural ingredient may extend chocolate life

A new ingredient extends the shelf life of chocolate products by up to 30 per cent, its manufacturer claims.

Private label bakery keeps strong market position

Private label bakery products continue to hold a strong foothold in the growing UK market, accounting for 58 per cent of sales by value, according to a study by Nielsen.

Marketing to kids in spotlight, obesity report postponed

A task force designed to examine the link between food advertising and childhood obesity has delayed the release of its formal report to take into account the new marketing measures expected to be imminently announced by major food firms.

Weekly comment

The aspartame science kerfuffle

The publication of a new animal study on aspartame last month has - as expected -sparked yet another bout of head butting from the two opposing sides of the debate. But it also highlights a bigger issue: one of transparency.

Future of cocoa prices uncertain, says ICCO

Cocoa prices in June reached their highest levels since 2003, according to the monthly review by the International Cocoa Organisation (ICCO).

Darrell Lea sweet on outside investment

The Australian confectionery manufacturer Darrell Lea is looking for investment as exports boom, the company announced last week.

Sugar prices expected to stabilise, forecasts FAO

A rising global demand for sugar is set to be met by an increase in production, leading to a more stable market and prices, forecasts the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).

Invest in automation, says study

Suppliers and manufacturers alike should investigate and invest in automation production lines, according to a new report.

Sales of honey rise, marmalade drop

Sales of honey rose 14 per cent between 2004 and 2006 while marmalade sales dropped 10 per cent, according to a new study in the UK.

Nibble of chocolate may lower blood pressure

Having a morsel of chocolate every day may lower blood pressure levels and lead to clinically important reductions for cardiovascular diseases, suggests a new study.

Cadbury pleads guilty to all salmonella charges

Cadbury yesterday is to plead guilty to six additional salmonella charges over an outbreak in the Herefordshire factory last year.

Barry Callebaut expands presence with Nestle units

Barry Callebaut has completed the purchase of two Nestle units, the company said yesterday.

Cadbury to cut CO2 emissions by 50 per cent

In a bid to boost its green credentials, Cadbury Schweppes yesterday unveiled a programme to cut down on its use of energy, packaging and water in response to climate change.

Weekly comment

M&A: Urge to merge

Mergers and acquisition activity is always ongoing in every segment of industry, but this summer looks to be a particularly hot one for food and beverage manufacturers.

UK to negotiate changes to EU labelling proposals

UK bakery and confectionery companies face higher costs under proposed EU labelling requirements, according to the country's food regulator.