There’s no more evident sign that the winter holidays are here than the emergence of candy canes on store shelves in the US – but what is the “right” way to eat them? It’s a fun question that always gets American consumers in a twist, so here goes …
Heavier-than-usual rainfall during the past three to six months in the main cocoa-producing countries of West Africa - Cote d'Ivoire, Ghana, Nigeria, and Cameroon could impact the chocolate industry due to a shortage of its main ingredient, according...
From the launch of the first branded health-focused bread in the 1920s to the development of a fibre-packed sourdough ingredient in 2021, Puratos has been at the forefront of the health trend. It’s part of the company’s DNA.
Food and flavours collide with the film world and a fictional favourite as a University of Warwick professor explores the most famous creations of chocolate idol Willy Wonka ahead of its reimagined release premiering in December 2023.
Barry Callebaut, the world’s largest supplier of cocoa and chocolate, says it ‘remains steadfast in its advocacy of policies to make sustainable chocolate the norm as it releases its seventh Forever Chocolate progress report (covering fiscal year 2022-23).
To mark the opening of COP28, the UN Climate Conference (30 November to Tues 12 December 2023), held this year in Dubai, the Rainforest Alliance, calls for substantial funding increase from governments, financial institutions, and private sector in support...
The food and beverage industry is inherently linked to the climate crisis, responsible for at least a quarter of global greenhouse gas emissions. The COP28 summit, held this year in Dubai, UAE, focuses more significantly on food than in previous years.
Vegan and free-from-chocolate brand NOMO has won Best Independent Brand for the third consecutive year at the Free From Food Awards and a big win at William Reed’s The Grocer New Product & Packaging Awards.
First Lady Jill Biden has enlisted the help of the National Confectioners Association's (NCA) help with Christmas decorations as she unveiled The White House 2023 holiday theme and décor.
Consumers still crave familiar flavors and experiences, as they did during the pandemic, but they also are open to new innovations and technologies -- leading to an emerging trend of 'newstalgia,' Kevin Ryan, CEO, Malachite Strategy and Research,...
Health and wellness remain top priorities for snackers, but as peak pandemic continues to recede, indulgence is becoming more important and as such consumers are less willing to sacrifice taste for functional benefit, according to Emily Strobel, VP, growth...
While traditional amylase-based enzymes have helped bakery snacks improve shelf-life and freshness, its efficacy is limited if the dough contains high amounts of sugar. Kerry’s anti-staling enzyme, Biobake Fresh Rich addresses freshness and moisture for...
Mars Incorporated has launched a first-of-its-kind digital and out-of-home campaign that ‘reuses’ fan-favourite advertisements, giving them a second life and claiming the new messages bring hope and progress around climate action.
As part of Mars Inc.’s strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the confectionery major is optimising product recipes to include more environmentally friendly ingredients.
The former Nestlé factory at Fawdon, Newcastle, due to shut at the end of December, has been bought by British baker Country Style Foods, which makes bread, cakes and baked goods, it has been revealed.
Mintel's 2024 food and drink trends list for North America shows consumers will be concerned about their health, the environment, and how AI might make their lives easier, Jenny Zegler, director of Mintel Food & Drink, shared during a webinar....
The cocoa and chocolate making industry has been warned that cocoa stocks languishing in EU warehouses during the 18-month transition period leading up to the European Union’s Deforestation law that kicks in at the end of December 2024 may have to be...
Fine Chocolate Industry Association (FCIA) has launched a new membership drive with special incentives as it seeks to attract more craft chocolate companies and grow its impact.
Chocolate continues to lead the food and beverage industry as the top flavour found in global food and drink launches, appearing in over 12,000 launches this year, according to research by Flavorchem.
Cadbury’s owner, Mondelēz International, revealed an uplift to its margins this year from price increases that helped offset higher costs for cocoa, sugar, and transportation.
Increased scrutiny of environmental sustainability claims by regulators and competitors has many brands turning to third-party certifications to reassure consumers about claims’ veracity and to protect against litigation – but recent movements in the...
Sustainable craft chocolate stockists Cocoa Runners is celebrating its tenth anniversary by hosting the Christmas Craft Chocolate Fair in London on 2 and 3 December, at Fidelio, a music venue, cafe and restaurant.
‘Aligning for Global Action’ is the theme for The World Cocoa Foundation’s 2024 Partnership Meeting, the leading global industry event in sustainable cocoa, which this year takes place in the Beurs van Berlage (Old Stock Exchange) in Amsterdam from 6...
Consumer research by Tate & Lyle reveals almost half of 18-34-year-olds across the UK and Europe tuck into a sweet or savoury baked treat daily. A third of consumers aged 34 and above are doing the same.
Cargill-owned Aalst Chocolate is putting “substantial investment” into insights-driven R&D, customised products, and strengthening of its bean-to-bar supply chain to push growth in Asia and beyond.
The co-founders of Hotel Chocolat, Angus Thirlwell and Peter Harris, will receive £144m ($180m) each after agreeing to sell the UK luxury chocolate business to Mars, which has agreed to pay £534m for the high-end chocolatier.
The Cocoa and Forests Initiative (CFI) is set to present updates on the industry’s commitment to eliminate deforestation and restore degraded forests at COP28, the United Nations Climate Change Conference, which will be held this year in Dubai from 30...
After two consecutive years of deficit in conjunction with the expectation of another negative for the current season, cocoa futures in London and New York have continued to be bullish as demand for chocolate remains high, pushing up prices in the face...
Mars has bought ailing UK business Hotel Chocolat for approximately £534 million ($662.25 million) in a deal announced to the London stock market this morning.
Barry Callebaut has been ranked in the 1st percentile in the management of ESG risks in both the Food Product and Packaged Food companies by Morningstar Sustainalytics.
Technology is often crucial for keeping supply chains traceable, and blockchain, with its reliability, is supremely well-suited for this. Hungarian tech company TE-Food uses blockchain, alongside QR codes, to help its customers ensure their supply chains...
Global organisation Fairtrade is working to ensure farmers receive just and equitable working conditions. A new campaign, led by two jurisdictions, is reasserting these efforts.
With enforcement of a new deforestation law on the horizon, stakeholders along the food supply chain and working to ensure compliance. We look at the new tools and services being developed that promise enhanced traceability and due diligence.
The Dutch capital and largest cocoa port in the world is preparing to celebrate cocoa and chocolate during February by becoming an important hub for business and for innovative thinking on the sustainability of the cocoa value chains.
Snacking giant Mondelez has highlighted continued strong demand for its snack brands such as Oreo and Cadbury in emerging markets as key to its Q3 profitability, playing down threats from cheaper supermarket private label products.
A new report from the National Confectioners Association (NCA) has found that 64% of total chocolate and candy sales in the US are attributed to the big four seasons – Valentine’s Day, Easter, Halloween and the winter holidays - ensuring that confectionery...
The manufacturer of the cookie and mini biscuits brand is launching a 360-marketing campaign, including social and in-store campaigns and a new TV advert, as it debuts new-look packaging.
The National Confectionery Sales Association (NCSA) has opened nominations for the Candy Hall of Fame Class of 2024, the highest honour in the US confectionery industry.
As if the news that Nestlé is discontinuing the decades-old favourite Caramac bar had left a bad taste in the mouth for some, UK consumers have been equally left devastated by the announcement from Mars that it is ending production of the Milkyway Crispy...
Cocoa prices in New York reached a record high of $4,000 per tonne at the close of play last week – with some analysts predicting a supply shortfall in the 2023-24 season, which could push up prices even higher over the coming months.
The Salon du Chocolat’s reputation for showcasing artisanal chocolatiers from across the globe was enhanced this month with Paris providing an ideal backdrop to an event that attracted 250 exhibitors, drawing more than 60,000 people over five days to...
The VOICE network, publishers of the influential Cocoa Barometer, which calls to account the chocolate industry on child labour and other sustainability issues, has issued a statement following reports in ConfectioneryNews and other media, on allegations...
Ferrero Group considers itself well prepared for the EU Deforestation Regulation, which will apply to its palm oil and cocoa supply chains. But potential challenges and unintended consequences could threaten its effectiveness, suggests Francesco Tramontin,...
Fairtrade International has announced a new partnership with Satelligence to scale up satellite monitoring of forested areas and farms to its globally certified cocoa and coffee producer organisations to meet new EU regulations.
The International Cocoa Organization (ICCO) has put a call-out for bids to host the 3rd edition of the International Symposium on Cocoa Research (ISCR).
The African Platform for Sustainable Cocoa, which brings together civil society cocoa platforms from Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana, has issued a statement alleging the cocoa industry is refusing to pay at the current market price plus the Living Income...
Luxury UK chocolatier and cacao grower Hotel Chocolat has launched two new chocolate bars, pledging 100% of the bar sales to fund a ‘better way for cacao farming’, as part of the brand’s drive for positive change for nature and farming families.
