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‘Fat tax' – why is Denmark such a quitter?

‘Fat tax’ is a neat thought, but like all simplistic ideas it falls down at the execution, as the progress of the policy in Denmark shows – it simply doesn’t...

Indian schools to ban junk food in 2013

Junk food will be banned from sale in and around Indian schools after India’s food agency indicated it would follow guidance from a local court to restrict their availability.

Study backs chocolate for stroke prevention

Consuming a ‘moderate’ amount of chocolate each week could be associated with lower risk of developing stroke, according to new research from Sweden.

“Critical breakthrough”: 12 labs validate new cocoa-flavanol measurement method

A multi-centre collaboration between academia and industry has confirmed a new validation method for cocoa flavanols and procyanidins that study backer Mars says could have, “far-reaching implications for researchers and consumers.”...

Food industry advertising spat deepens

The Children’s Food Campaign (CFC) has stepped up its assault on food industry advertising, vowing to press on with complaints against Nestlé after winning a challenge against UK confectionery firm Swizzels Matlow....

Brazil orders Nestlé to label GM products

A court in Brazil has ordered Nestlé to impose mandatory labelling for all its products in the country highlighting more than 1% genetically modified (GM) ingredients.

Sustainability initiative tackles cocoa and coffee losses

The Sustainable Agriculture Initiative (SAI) Platform is making headway in preventing cocoa and coffee crop losses, improving supply and yields for manufacturers.

Barry Callebaut pumps millions into sustainable cocoa

Chocolate processor Barry Callebaut has paid €2.4m in premiums to Ivory Coast cooperatives in Africa for Rainforest Alliance certified cocoa.

Roshen Corporation expands footprint in Ukraine

Confectionery manufacturer Roshen Corporation has started production at its latest plant in the Ukraine, in which it has invested UAH 600m (€59.1m).

Mars set for UK launch of low calorie caramel bar

Confectionery giant Mars is set to launch a slimmer sister to its trademark Mars bar in the UK later this month, with a new caramel only version containing 20% less...

Independents call on Hershey to address child labour

US candy brand Hershey’s faces a fresh campaign demanding that it should embrace fair trade principles and reject the use of child labour.

Special edition: Oral health

Health claim wins drive oral health NPD

Functional gum is the obvious stand-out when it comes to nutrition-focused oral health solutions. Some of these products may be aimed at other health conditions like satiety, but the majority...

Sweeter start to 2012 for Lindt & Sprüngli

Swiss chocolatier Lindt & Sprüngli is off to a stronger start for 2012 with operating profits up 16% following stagnant results for last year.

Smurfit Kappa introduces multi-storey packaging for confectionery impulse buys

Packaging firm Smurfit Kappa has launched a one-piece shelf ready pack for confectioners that it claims helps products to stand-out on store shelves.

News in brief

Medical marijuana chewing gum set for US debut

US firm Medical Marijuana has acquired a 50% stake in CanChew BioTechnologies and plans to launch a marijuana chewing gum in the US this October.

Haribo plans second UK sweet factory with 300 jobs

Sweet manufacturer Haribo is recruiting maintenance fitters, electricians and packaging fitters as it prepares to open a second factory in the UK, which could create up to 300 new jobs.

Confectionery coaters Capol to penetrate US through distribution deal

German confectionery coatings firm Capol will have increased presence in the United States after its private equity owner purchased a US distribution business.

Barry Callebaut teams with Rainforest Alliance for certified Cameroonian cocoa

Barry Callebaut has announced that it will collaborate with Rainforest Alliance to train members from five farmer cooperatives in Cameroon to produce certified cocoa.

Labelling chocolate ‘reduced-fat’ puts off consumers, finds study

Consumers are likelier to have lower expectations of ‘reduced-fat’ labelled chocolate creating a cause for concern for chocolate makers, according to a study.

News in brief

Purac gets GRAS for malic acid powder for confectionery, powdered beverages and jellies

Purac has self-affirmed the GRAS status of its coated malic acid, Purac Powder MA, for use in confectionery, powdered beverages and jellies.

News in brief

Bug-infested cocoa shipment forces Brazil to suspend Ivorian imports – reports

Brazil has temporarily suspended imports from the world’s biggest cocoa grower Ivory Coast after bugs were found in a 10,000 tonne cocoa shipment, according to reports.

Mars spends $67 million on US factory expansion to up Pretzel M&M capacity

Mars Chocolate is to invest $67m on a plant expansion in the US as it looks to introduce a new production line for Pretzel M&Ms.

Dark chocolate could reduce heart disease risk, says study

Cocoa compounds found in dark chocolate can reduce blood pressure in the short term and could help guard against cardiovascular disease, according to a recently released study.

Meiji takes 113% hit to confectionery operating income

Japan’s second biggest confectioner Meiji Holdings has reported a steep decline in its first quarter (Q1) confectionery profits as its chocolate sales fall and it suffers from a “shrinking” gum...

Comment

Move more…but please don’t eat less: Why industry should stress ‘calories in’ to fight obesity

The more we move, the slimmer we will become, right? However, with ballooning obesity rates over the past 30 years, research suggests that this is not the case. US adults...

Healthy food should be cheaper, argues Israeli lobbyist

Healthy food should be made cheaper and a ‘fat tax’ should not be treated simplistically in Israel, the head of the public health lobby in Israel’s parliament has told FoodNavigator....

News in brief

Zetar agrees license deal with Unilever for Marmite nuts

UK confectionery and snack maker Zetar has announced a licensing agreement with Unilever to make Marmite branded nuts.

Butter flavouring is respiratory hazard for industry workers, warns study

The artificial butter flavouring 2,3-pentanedione, used to provide butter taste and aroma in microwave popcorn is an ‘inhalation hazard’ that may cause severe lung disease in food industry workers, warns new research....

High flavanol cocoa can boost brain functioning, finds Mars study

Cocoa flavanols can improve mild cognitive impairment, according to new research funded by chocolate giant Mars.

Slash chocolate fat in half and prevent bloom with fruit juice, says study

Fat content in chocolate can be cut in half and fat bloom avoided by using fruit juice, without any impact on mouthfeel, according to researchers.

News in brief

Hershey-funded school performs U-turn on HIV pupil admission

A school funded by the Hershey Company has backtracked on its decision to refuse admission to a 13-year-old boy over his HIV-positive status.

Lead tainted candy sparks US Health watchdog to take legal action

The Center for Environmental Health (CEH) has initiated legal proceedings against eight Californian retailers after fourteen varieties of Asian candies were found to contain dangerous levels of lead, which could...

Nestlé results fall out: analysts comment

Analysts raised warnings about aspects of Nestlé's half year results, which were announced yesterday, while broadly welcoming them.

Highest chewing gum consumption worldwide revealed

Research from Kantar Media has unearthed the countries that consume more chewing gum than anywhere else worldwide, which could help manufacturers choose their geographic focus.

Europe eats at Nestlé’s confectionery margins as Kit Kat drives growth elsewhere

Nestlé has reported declining profit margins for its confectionery business in its half-year results due to the turbulent European economy, but grew sales in the segment thanks to its Kit...

News in brief

Hershey hits Tesco store shelves in UK

Products from US chocolate giant Hershey will be a fixture on Tesco store shelves in the UK as the supermarket launches dedicated US sweet and snacks bays.

Petra Foods’ cocoa arm tumbles on ‘weak’ chocolate demand as own products profit

Singapore-based Petra Foods’ cocoa ingredients business had nosedived in its second quarter (Q2) results due to weakening chocolate demand in developed markets.

Kraft extends Cadbury price marked pack range to catch consumer eye

Kraft Foods plans to extend its 50p price marked pack range in the UK by adding Cadbury Picnic and Cadbury Chocos in a bid to boost sales.

Cadbury rethinks flow wrap to encourage impulse buying

Kraft-owned chocolate maker Cadbury has filed an international patent for a redesigned flow wrap package that it claims will allow chocolate bars to be displayed closer to sales counters to...

Cocoa and green tea extracts show anti-inflammatory benefits: Study

Flavanol-rich extracts from cocoa and green tea may reduce markers of oxidative stress and inflammation in obese adults at risk for insulin resistance, says a new study.

Haribo fined €2.4m for conspiring with rivals after Mars tip-off

Gummi-bear manufacturer Haribo has been fined €2.4m by German antitrust authorities for exchanging sales information with competitors.

Gum the ‘main challenge’ for Kraft as chocolate category grows

Kraft Foods has reported that the biggest challenge in its otherwise growing confectionery/global snacks category is gum.

Kraft boosts profits 5% in Q2, reaffirms outlook

Kraft Foods reported a 5.4% rise in second quarter net profit, more than offsetting higher raw material costs and adverse effects of currency exchange rates, the company said on Thursday.

Revolymer enters Canada to ‘exploit’ $40m nicotine gum market

Rev7 degradable chewing gum maker Revolymer is set to exploit Canada’s lucrative nicotine gum market following two distribution deals with pharmacies, its CEO said.

Caragum claims cost and speed savings on Acacia-blend coating system

Ingredients specialist Caragum International has said its coating system is a cost effective, rapid alternative to other colloids for confectionery and chewing gum.

Hershey’s apologises after rusty razor blade found in Jolly Rancher candy

Confectionery giant Hershey’s has been forced to issue an apology in the US, after a consumer reported finding a rusty razor blade in a bag of Jolly Rancher candy.