Breaking News on Confectionery & Biscuit Processing

Ethnic, organic could boost falling seasonal chocolate sales, report

Chocolate manufacturers suffering from a dip in sales of seasonal products should consider introducing products for lesser holidays, including traditionally ethnic celebrations, according to Mintel.

Cadbury probe set to receive cash boost

The UK Cadbury salmonella scare continues to dog the company as its local council applies for around £30,000 (€44,500) in funding to investigate safety breaches at the factory where contamination occurred.

'Sexy' chilli chocolate hits market

A UK food company has found a unique way to target the growing functional confectionery market, mixing aromatherapy with chocolate.

Wrigley pioneers new gum production method

Gum production could be revolutionized thanks to a new method developed by the Wrigley company.

Sweet forecast for CSM despite upcoming sugar sale

Despite extensive company restructuring and the imminent sale of its sugar division, Netherlands-based ingredients group CSM today announced strong profits in the first half and is optimistic the upward trend will continue.

Olam profits up on higher volumes of coffee, cocoa

Singapore-based coffee, nuts and cocoa group Olam reported much improved profits for 2006, thanks to significantly higher volumes across all its segments as well as better product pricing.

Weekly Comment

Some home-eating truths

As food manufacturers inch closer to the holy grail of low-calorie, trans-fat free flavor-fantastic products one has to ask how we veered so far from the common sense of fresh home-cooked meals.

Scottish toffee saved as company finds a buyer

The iconic UK Highland Toffee bar has been saved from extinction after the company which produces it, Millar McCowan, was bought out of receivership this week.

Wrigley patents metallic gum

The world's foremost chewing gum producer, the Wm Wrigley Jr Company, is set to make inroads into the growing functional confectionery market with a new gum to combat bad breath.

Seasonal spending doubles Lindt profits

A cool spring and late Easter has contributed to booming business at Swiss chocolate maker Lindt, who announced it has more than doubled its profits in the first half.

ASDA bid for 'chav' candy

There have been a number of developments in the confectionery industry in the last week, not least of which is the news that UK retailer ASDA is attempting to blend popular culture with novelty candy.

New gum set to chew its way through tooth decay.

A chewing gum which fights tooth decay using bacteria commonly found in yoghurt is poised to join the growing functional confectionery market.

Tate & Lyle's new venture arm targets health and renewable ingredients

Food and beverage makers could soon tap into a range of new ingredients with a healthy twist as sugar and sweetener firm Tate & Lyle launches a new venture capital arm to focus on next-generation ingredients.

Confectionery dynasty comes to an end

John Thornton, the last family member on the board of one of the UK's leading confectionery companies, Thorntons, has announced his resignation, bringing to an end nearly a century of direct family ownership.

Sweet profits for Nestlé despite rising costs

European confectionery giant Nestle has overcome rising energy costs to report strong profits in the company's first half results announced today, but admits there remains room for improvement in UK brands.

Weekly comment

Food science for all

Food scientists are becoming a rare species in Britain, and things won't change unless schools and food firms start telling young people there is more to food than a supermarket depot.

Sweet possibilities for honey

Different types of honey have similar glycaemic indexes, and because of its potential health benefits ranging from prebiotic to antioxidant it could be substituted for sugar, says a new study from the US.

Danisco's sugar production in line with new regime

Danisco has predicted that sugar production will be in line with EU quotas, despite the exceptionally hot and dry summer.

Turkish delight at maltitol potential in chocolate

The sugar alcohol maltitol is the most promising polyol sweetener to replace sucrose in chocolate, says new research from Turkey, a result that could lead to new types of sugar-free chocolate to the booming "diet" candy sector.

Danisco Sweeteners targets health-focused consumers

Danisco Sweeteners has developed a range of ingredients designed to help food makers create snacks with less than 100 calories.

Keeping sugar farmers sweet

British sugar growers can breathe a sigh of relief after learning that one of the country's foremost beet producers will not be closing facilities as originally thought.

Russia bans sweets in school canteens

Sweets such as chocolate and toffees will not be sold in school canteens throughout Russia from September 1 of this year under a new initiative announced by the country's chief sanitary doctor, Gennady Onischenko.

Cacao diseases threaten chocolate industry

An industry expert has warned that the situation could be 'dire' for the chocolate industry if ways of preventing cacao diseases are not effectively explored.

Healthy Brits still have sweet tooth

Despite the trend towards healthy eating and an increase in nutritional awareness consumers just can't help themselves when it comes to chocolate.

'Edible paint' has food applications, claim scientists

Scientists at Cornell University have created an environmentally friendly, non-toxic, removable, edible paint that could be used in candy and dietary supplements.

Customized branding brings corporate logos to M&Ms

Masterfoods USA will soon allow companies to feature their logos or messages on its M&M chocolates, in a marketing move expected to launch a new platform of growth for the product.

Highland Toffee in a sticky situation

Millar McCowan, the Scottish confectionery firm which produces the iconic Highland Toffee bar, has fallen into administration

Tangerine takes on Burton's

UK sweet-maker Tangerine is set to take over the confectionery arm of Burton's Foods for an undisclosed sum.

The obesity blame game- reader feedback

Last week's comment on the food industry's role in the rising obesity epidemic has generated a flood of responses from readers agreeing with or disputing our position that the industry deserves a break. Some of the comments received are published below.

Typhoon damages China's sugar crop

Up to 10 per cent of sugar cane in China's key sugar growing region may have been damaged by the typhoon that hit southern provinces last week.

Weekly Comment

The obesity blame game

Laying the blame for a fatter world at the feet of the food industry has become a convenient mistake, and until this is recognized there is little chance of controlling the growing obesity epidemic.

Latex used in one-third of food packaging, study finds

About one-third of the UK's food packaging has been found to contain hidden latex, leading to calls for processors to note the presence of the known allergen on their products.

Cocoa infestation leaves Papua New Guinea with bitter taste

A moth with a penchant for cocoa may not sound too great an ecological threat, but the Cocoa Pod Borer (CPB) is threatening to ruin Papua New Guinea's entire crop.

Cadbury updates old favourites

Undeterred by this week's news that the recent UK salmonella scare could cost the company £20m (€29.3m), Cadbury Schweppes has announced the addition of three new chocolate products to the market.Cadbury Flake Dark, Dairy Milk Melts and Cadbury Highlights will go on sale in the UK where the company was forced to recall seven well-known brands in June after discovering salmonella in samples of its chocolate.

Chocolate giants push small companies into niche markets

The domination of the confectionery market by global heavy weights such as Nestlé, Mars and Cadbury Schweppes is forcing small companies to target highly specialised markets, according to a new report.A number of high profile mergers and acquisitions in the industry last year by large companies jostling to acquire more market share could result in smaller companies being sidelined.

Cargill takes control of gum venture in China

Cargill has taken full control of its xanthan gum joint venture in China, opening the way for it to take a bigger share of the competitive gums market.

NutraSweet targets blended sweetener for best profile

Researchers from NutraSweet and Duke University are working in tandem to produce blends with more desirable sweetness profiles.

Danisco performance impacted by 'eventful' year

Danisco's takeover of Genencor International, the EU sugar reform and rising raw material prices feature prominently in the group's recently published annual report.

Cadbury invests in R&D to grow Asia sales

Global confectionery maker Cadbury Schweppes has opened its first R&D centre in south-east Asia, as it seeks to drive growth in emerging markets like China, Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia.

Baby-boomers may benefit most from flavanol-rich cocoa

The heart health of the baby-boom generation could benefit from flavanol-rich cocoa, reports a study co-funded by Mars, but independent experts warn against confusion with commercial chocolate snacks.

Suedzucker predicts growth in sugar revenues

European sugar giant Suedzucker expects a revenue increase of 5 per cent in 2006 / 07, underlining the group's confidence in the future of the EU sugar sector.

Amazonian aphrodisiac hits market

A new dark chocolate bar, formulated by a US-based research food technology company, promises to increase libido, boost energy levels and improve mood thanks to exotic rainforest ingredients.

Kids boost Kinnerton sales

UK-based confectionery company, Kinnerton, has recorded encouraging profits on the back of seasonal sales and lucrative licensing deals.

Cadbury contamination proves costly

A UK product recall due to Salmonella contamination could cost £20m (€29.3m) and perhaps more, Cadbury Schweppes said yesterday.

Lotte confectionery buys up Chinese chocolate maker

South Korea's leading confectionery maker Lotte has bought a Shanghai-based chocolate company, as it seeks to expand in the fast-growing Chinese market.