Breaking News on Confectionery & Biscuit Processing

Olam, ADM acquire Cameroon cocoa processor

Singapore-based cocoa bean supplier Olam has jointly acquired the Cameroon cocoa processor Usicam with ADM, the world's largest cocoa processor, giving both firms greater economy of scale in the African market.

UK firm uncovers 'traditional' strawberry flavour

UK firm Create Flavours has developed an innovative method that it claims is capable of recreating more accurately the original flavour of strawberries.

New portion packs for Tate & Lyle's Golden Syrup

Ingredients group Tate & Lyle has made further inroads into the bakings, toppings and spreads market with the introduction of new portion sized packaging for its signature Golden Syrup product.

Halloween does the trick for sweet sales

Given its popularity with sweet-hungry children, Halloween has become an important trading period for confectioners.

Cadbury enters UK gum market

The world's second largest gum company, Cadbury Schweppes, is to introduce its most popular chewing gum brand into the UK market next year, putting the pressure on foremost competitor Wrigley and adding to larger firm domination in the sector.

Weekly comment

A fair trade future

The world needs an independent trade watchdog to properly regulate the international food supply chain if we as a society are to truly create a more sustainable and ethical food market.

Cadbury struggles in poorly performing UK market

Confectionery giant Cadbury Schweppes has been forced to lower profit expectations after feeling the effects of poor performance in the UK market.

Nestlé backtracks after re-branding blunder

Swiss confectioner Nestlé has been forced to relaunch one of its signature European brands following the failure of its original re-brand.

Blackstone and PAI devour United Biscuits

Blackstone and PAI acquired United Biscuits (UB) from private equity firms Midocean and Civen yesterday, in a deal worth £1.6bn (€2.3bn).

Tate and Lyle considers sale of EU starch, sweeteners business

Ingredients giant Tate & Lyle is considering the sale of its Food & Industrial Ingredients, Europe (TALFIIE) division, in a move designed to sharpen its focus on value added ingredients, the firm announced yesterday.

Supply resumes as cocoa strike ends

Disruption to cocoa supplies from the Cote d'Ivoire has ceased following suspension of strikes organised by the cacao growers' trade union Anaproci.

Business feels tremors of EU sugar shake-up

The shake-up of Europe's sugar industry is already having an effect on internal EU-25 trade, according to a recent USDA report.

Wrigley's no longer a family affair

For the first time in the gum maker's long history, the William Wrigley Jr Company has appointed a non-family member to take over the leadership of the global confectionery business.

Kraft reports mixed third quarter results

US food giant Kraft has reported third quarter net revenue growth at a modest 2.3 per cent, with European chocolate sales contributing to the upturn.

China to lift tariffs on Indonesian cocoa

China will remove the import duty on Indonesian cocoa from 1 January next year, a move likely to increase demand for the beans from the world's third biggest producer.

Cognis launches non-hydrogenated fat

Cognis has developed an emulsifier system that it claims can help food makers use non-hydrogenated fats in whipping agents.

Packaging firm moves into confectionery market

RPC Bebo is to expand its packaging operations in Poland through the acquisition of rival firm 4 You Sigal, as the company looks to move into the confectionery packaging market.

Hershey enters organic chocolate market

US confectionery company Hershey has extended its foothold in the premium chocolate sector with the purchase of Dagoba organic chocolate company.

Chinese chocolate heads for Europe

Singapore-based healthcare company Eu Yan Sang is hoping to make an impression on the European chocolate market with a range of sweets containing traditional Chinese herbs.

Nestlé enjoys strong organic growth

Nestlé today said sales are up 9.1 per cent to CHF72.2bn (€45.4bn) in the first eight months of this year compared to the same period in 2005.

Roquette targets sugar-free 'premium' chocolate range

French ingredients firm Roquette has formed an alliance with Meert to develop a range of sugar-free premium chocolate.

Cocoa strike disrupts supply

Cote d'Ivoire cocoa growers have downed tools over pay disagreements, beginning a strike which could dramatically cut supplies to chocolate manufacturers.

Starchless moulding machine opens up jelly and gum market

A new cost-cutting moulding and depositing system suitable for use in the manufacture of jelly and gum confectionery has been launched by UK firm Baker Perkins to attract confectioners previously daunted by the processes involved.

World Food Day

What the food industry can do

In a world of famine, the food industry has a lot to give.

Danisco launches 'novel flavour' salt replacer

Danisco has launched a novel flavour that it claims can reduce the salt in processed foods by 25 to 35 per cent, while retaining the original taste.

Wrigley patents novelty gum process

The Wm Wrigley Jr company has patented a new gum-making process allowing for the manufacture of multi-coloured, multi-flavoured chewing gum.

Cadbury brand targets convenience trend

UK snack maker Kitchen Range Foods has launched a new range of individually packaged chocolate doughnuts, created using the iconic Cadbury confectionery brand.

Food firms cash in as UK turns ethical

The move towards buying ethical foods is more than just a flash in the pan, according to new research.

Chocolate companies team up on sustainable cocoa

Chocolate companies are uniting with the World Cocoa Foundation (WCF) to encourage sustainable cocoa production in West Africa and therefore strengthen the supply chain to Western manufacturers.

Wild targets taste as key confectionery driver

Confectionery remains an indulgence product for consumers who prioritise taste over health concerns, delegates at German ingredients group Wild's Heidelberg Convention were told this week.

New report identifies key growth sectors for flavours

The market for natural and functional ingredients is set to explode, according to a new report on the future of food and drink flavours.

Nestlé France outsources transport logistics

Nestlé France has outsourced its supply chain transport to Geodis for the next three years,under a contract that guarantees the Switzerland-based agrifood giant guaranteed performancetargets.

Sugar reforms take toll on Tate and Lyle in Central Europe

Ingredients giant Tate and Lyle could be set to cease its sugar processing operations in Central Europe, as producers look to lower quotas in light of new EU sugar reforms.

Gelita protein promises to cut fat in chocolate

A special protein generated through a novel enzymatic process has been developed to partially replace the fat in chocolate.

Easy to clean chocolate machine cuts hygiene risks

New chocolate moulding equipment which can be cleaned quickly and easily has been developed by British firm Spooner Vicars, targetting manufacturers wary of hygiene considerations.

Barry Callebaut joins forces to improve cocoa capabilities

Chocolate manufacturer Barry Callebaut has joined forces with NIZO food research to investigate the solubility of cocoa powder.

Weekly Comment

Is a trans fat ban a healthy solution?

Sometimes I just love eating fatty, greasy, unquestionably hazardous foods. But I don't like trans fats, that come as a by-product in some processed foods, and have been linked to high cholesterol and heart problems.

Danisco rebrands Litesse to capitalise on health boom

Danisco has rebranded its Litesse brand of polydextrose in order to better position an ingredient that has been on the market for 25 years.

Tate & Lyle closes in on Israeli sugar deal

Tate & Lyle has formed a joint enterprise to build and operate a sugar plant in Israel, a move that will partially replace traditional sugar imports from the European Union.

Wrigley's pushes gum fortification down under

An application to add calcium to chewing gum has been lodged with Food Standards Australia New Zealand by Wrigley's, which would allow gum sold in Australia to be fortified with the mineral for the first time.

New chocolate mould range launched for confectioners

Innovation may be key in the premium chocolate market but traditional products are still bestsellers among manufacturers, according to equipment supplier Chocolate World.

Danisco launches cost-cutting sugar product for food makers

Danish ingredients group Danisco has launched a new cost-cutting sugar product designed to reduce waste in end product presentation.

'Origin' chocolate fillings target luxury niche

European ingredients firm Puratos is the latest company to tap into the trend towards product traceability with a new range of origin-specific chocolates hailing from prime cocoa growing areas.

Puratos looks to improve bakery with dextrans

Belgium-based Puratos has published research into the use of dextrans in sourdoughs, producing an "innovative functional ingredient for the bakery industry."

On-target Tate & Lyle forms fermentation partnership

Tate & Lyle has formed a partnership to speed up the commercialisation of fermented ingredients after posting on-target interim results.

Greater accuracy in allergy chocolate testing, study

Peanut allergy sufferers may soon be able to dig into dark chocolate without fear of hidden nuts, thanks to new research undertaken by US scientists.

Fruit poised to replace chocolate on shelves

UK sweet manufacturers could soon see a slump in retailer sales following talks between the Department of Health and industry bodies to wean consumers away from convenience shop confectionery.

Weekly Comment

China: a victim of trade wars?

If the Chinese government gives in to mounting international pressure to revalue its currency, it could spell the end of cheap exports, a move that many anticipate would have a knock-on effect on raw materials costs for the food industry. But China may prove to be a less ready victim of western bullying than some expect.