Breaking News on Confectionery & Biscuit Processing

Nano group focuses on Wow emulsions

Leatherhead Food International (LFI) is investigating the potential of novel and emerging technologies for emulsions which could help food manufacturers reduce fat content of products without sacrificing mouth-feel.

Cocoa prices remain resilient despite commodity slump

Cocoa prices have proved resilient in the economic downturn, even as other commodity prices have slumped, and confectionery manufacturers are concerned that tight supply will keep prices high for some time yet.

News in brief

All Candy Expo announced

The 2009 All Candy Expo, the largest cookie, confectionery and snack show in the Americas, has been announced.

Vitamin K may have anti-diabetes benefits: Study

Supplements of vitamin K1 may reduce the development of insulin resistance in older men, and thereby offer protection against diabetes, suggests a new study.

Chocolate bar recall underlines labelling shortcomings

A Chicago Tribune investigation into the recall of Swiss-manufactured Whole Foods chocolate bars has highlighted problems with the US Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) labelling guidelines for allergens.

Chocolate covered bacon or chicken skin? Sophisticated, says Mintel

Chocolate consumers are becoming more adventurous, enjoying darker, more unusual flavour combinations with higher cocoa percentages, according to Mintel.

Industry response to additive, enzyme regulation adoption

Additive and enzyme associations have welcomed the adoption of the new FIAP package on additives, flavourings and enzymes – but concern remains about the Southampton colours warning.

Nestle’s ‘uphill struggle’ in block chocolate market

Nestle has slashed spending on marketing its Heaven chocolate bar, launched just last year, prompting insiders to question the company’s marketing strategy and the logic of the launch in the first place.

News in brief

Christmas boosts boxed chocolate sales

Retailers rely on boxed confectionery as a key sales driver, according to a report from market researchers TNS.

Nestle market share growing despite economic downturn

Nestle has said that it is unaffected by current economic conditions and has seen its share of the UK confectionery market rise to 15.6 per cent with a 0.5 per cent growth this year, according to a Reuters report.

Combining and explaining texture effects

Cargill Texturizing Solutions' regional director explains how combinations of texturisers can produce the required effect in foods, and how texture descriptions like 'velvety' and 'crunchy' now crop up in promotional materials.

DSM quality seal responds to consumer reliability demands

DSM has launched its new Quality for Life seal in response to growing demand for ingredient quality assurance, which guarantees the quality, traceability and sustainability of its ingredients.

ABF ready to buy Ebro’s sugar business – in principle

Associated British Foods has reached an agreement in principle to acquire Ebro Puleva’s sugar business for €385m – a deal that would further fortify the world’s second biggest sugar firm.

Industry response to gum arabic calorie count decision

The notification by the FDA that it has no objection to the lowering of the caloric value of gum arabic in the US has met with a mixed response from the food industry over its significance.

News in brief

Baker Perkins offers services to Vietnamese firm

Bibica, one of the largest Vietnamese confectionery manufacturers, is hoping to expand by installing a Baker Perkins cooking and depositing plant.

Gifts and share packs prompt Nestle travel launches

Nestle International Travel Retail (NITR) is concentrating on expanding its range of confectionery and increase the frequency of its product launches in order to profit from its fastest-growing product sectors.

Wrigley set to cut carbon

Chewing gum manufacturer Wrigley has announced plans to reduce its carbon footprint in Western Europe.

What zero-calorie approval means for erythritol users

Henry Hussell, European marketing manager for Cargill Sweetness, explains what the recent EU approval of erythritol's zero-calorie claim means for food manufacturers.

News in brief

Hershey appoints senior VP

US chocolate manufacturer Hershey has appointed Terence O’Day as its senior vice president of global operations.

EFSA says yes to xylitol dental health claim for chewing gum, no for pastilles

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has approved a health claim that xylitol-sweetened chewing gum reduces the risk of tooth decay but rejected the same claim for pastilles.

Boost to sunflower lecithin use expected with Cargill entry

Cargill is launching its first ever lecithin from sunflower, which it expects to attract interest from manufacturers pursuing allergen-free claims and to prove particularly popular for confectionery.

New Natra chocolate ingredients deliver omega-3, fibre

Spanish cocoa firm Natra is launching a line of functional chocolate ingredients, which would allow manufacturers to improve the health profile of their products though the addition of omega-3 and fibre.

News in brief

Olofsson leaves Nestlé for Carrefour

French retail giant Carrefour has appointed Nestlé executive Lars Olofsson as its new CEO.

Confectioners on track for environmentally friendly Christmas

An industry initiative to reduce seasonal confectionery packaging waste has gathered pace with many manufacturers embracing biodegradable packaging and reducing package volume.

Whey coating of dried strawberries could extend use: Study

A new study suggests that coating freeze dried strawberry pieces with whey protein, glycerol and lactose can help reserve texture when they are rehydrated, thereby making them suitable for use in a broader range of moist and liquid applications.

In search of probiotics' oral potential

UK-based Leatherhead Food International (LFI) is seeking commercial interest for a research project that will explore the potential of probiotics to deliver oral health benefits.

New texturising system promises crispier wafers

Ingredients manufacturer National Starch Food Innovation claims that its new texturising system will enable food producers to improve the texture and crispiness of wafer-style products.

Mintel unveils 2009 flavor forecast

Persimmon and Masala are among the flavor trends that Mintel has named in its new forecast for 2009, which focuses on exotic fruits and ethnic influences.

Research boost for allergen-free ginger

A manufacturer of confectionary ginger is developing a new processing system that eliminates the need to use sulphites as a preservative, making its ginger products allergy-free.

Ministers on board with ‘Southampton six’ phase-out

UK ministers have agreed with a Food Standards Agency proposal on voluntary phasing out of the ‘Southampton six’ food colours by the end of 2009, according the agency’s chief executive.

Chinese consumers go premium after melamine scare - TNS

The global furore over the recent melamine contamination scandal in China appears to have driven consumers in that country increasingly towards premium and international brands, according to research group TNS Worldpanel.

News in brief

Divine launches new chocolate hearts

Fairtrade chocolate manufacturer Divine is launching a new chocolate heart product for Valentine’s Day.

The wrong time for another healthy eating campaign?

The UK’s DoH should have waited to launch its new anti-obesity initiative until the economic situation has improved, as many small food businesses are already busy enough coping with the recession, according to the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB).

News in brief

Nestlé goes compostable for Quality Street wrapping

Confectioner Nestlé UK has turned to Innovia Films for a new wrapper for its Quality Street chocolates.

Promising stevia sales ahead of GRAS

Sales of a stevia supplement across the US could hint at the potential demand for the natural sweetener in food and beverages as GRAS notification is expected within days.

Chocolate benefiting from economic gloom, says Natra

Natra’s nine month results provide more evidence that the chocolate sector can withstand – and even do well – in periods of financial depression.

DoH and FDF move up a gear in struggle against obesity

New steps in food’s role in the fight against obesity in the UK are being taken today by the DoH and the FDF.

News in brief

Tunnock’s goes east

Scottish confectioner Tunnock’s is looking to export its traditional sweet treats to Russia.

Early peanut exposure may reduce chances of allergy: Study

Avoiding peanuts in infancy and early childhood may increase the risk of developing peanut allergy, says a joint British-Israeli study.

Barry Callebaut’s profits reflect healthy appetite for chocolate

Swiss-based cocoa and chocolate manufacturer Barry Callebaut has weathered wild volatility on world cocoa markets, reporting a 66.5 per cent rise in its full-year net profits.

Trend for kid-adult fusion foods

The line between children’s and adult’s food is blurring along with a growing interest in Asian flavors and hidden nutrition, according to a report looking at opportunities for food and beverage manufacturers.

News in brief

Belcolade to launch books

Belgian chocolate manufacturer Belcolade has announced a collaboration with publisher Editions Françoise Blouard.

Dispatches from Health Ingredients Europe

Solbar revamps Bontex for broader food uses

Solbar is exploring new applications for its Bontex steam textured soy proteins, and believes that attention to their nutritional benefits could make them attractive for bakery and confectionery goods geared towards health.

Yoghurt drink makers wary of soft drink challenge

As drink manufacturers strive to provide innovative functional products to increasingly health focused consumers, dairy goods such as yoghurt may be an emerging route able to help bridge demand.

GRAS notice sucralose targets drink maker cost cuts

A US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) decision to provide Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) notice for a sucralose-based sweetener may ensure more cost efficient formulation for global drinks groups, says it manufacturer.

News in brief

Cargill teams up with ANADER for rural development

Agricultural manufacturer and processor Cargill has announced a new partnership with ANADER, the national agency for rural development in Ivory Coast.

Cocoa flavanols cut blood pressure, says study

The daily consumption of 17 grams of ACTICOA dark chocolate, containing 500 milligrams (mg) of cocoa flavanols, for two weeks helps to maintain healthy blood pressure, according to new research presented at Health Ingredients Europe (HIE) 2008 Show in Paris.

Nordenia expands packaging plant for Russian confectionery market

Keeping pace with the burgeoning Russian confectionery market, flexible packaging firm Nordenia has injected about €25m into its Russian plant.

FSA reassess drink and chocolate caffeine pregnancy stance

The UK-based Food Standard’s Agency (FSA) has revaluated its guidance on the recommended caffeine intake for pregnant women in a variety of products such as coffee, tea, cola drinks and even plain chocolate over health concerns.

Functional chocolate bars with private label appeal, new launch

Squarely targeting the growing demand from confectioners and retailers for health-promoting products, chocolate maker Natra has rolled out a range of functional chocolate bars specifically directed at private label brands.

Competition watchdog extends probe of Danisco-Nordzucker deal

The Danisco deal to spin-off of its sugar arm to Germany's Nordzucker faces delays after German competition authorities take their review into a second phase, opting to investigate the €750m takeover further.

Weekly comment

A menu for American food policy

At the time of writing, the US is poised to go to the polls. The next two days are going to be hugely exciting. And when it’s all over, after the victor gets some well-earned rest… he’ll rub his sleepy eyes and ask: ‘What’s for breakfast?'.

EFSA health claim opinion

EFSA ok's cholesterol lowering claim

Benecol has joined its main competitor, Unilever-owned plant sterol-based, functional food range, Flora pro.activ, in having a cholesterol-lowering health claim approved by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).

Price volatility setting back lactose and whey value - report

While the availability of whey and lactose products continue to climb during 2008, price volatility has managed to hamper hikes in profitability of the segment as manufacturers hunt for cheaper ingredients, says a new report.