Confectionery manufacturers are increasingly looking to new
processing and packaging firms for new technology, in order to
create products specifically targeted at the health market.
A new cableless video system allows bakery manufacturers to inspect
the inside of their oven using only the oven's own conveyor belt
and a camera, the manufacturer claims.
Ferrero UK has been told to remove its recent TV advertisement for
Nutella, after a British Advertising Standards Authority (ASA)
verdict that it contains misleading information about nutritional
content.
A quarter of Western consumers are interested in chocolate with
physical or emotional health benefits, according to Barry
Callebaut, indicating that there is a strong market for functional
products.
A debate on flavourings has erupted over a report from a consumer
pressure group that claims fruit flavourings mislead consumers into
believing they contain actual fruit extract.
Riding the wave of the functional trend, herbal sweet firm Ricola
is hoping this year to boost its share in the UK market to become
the number one healthy confectionery company in the country.
UK chocolatier Thorntons yesterday posted an increase in net sales
for the fifth quarter running, as the company's business recovery
plan continues to prove effective.
Repositioning on a healthy food platform and investing in research
of value-added ingredients has lifted Nestle out of the reach of
raw material prices and other economic encumbrances.
Mars UK claims it is the first confectionery company to launch an
online platform which will allow members of the networking site
Facebook to buy real chocolate bars such as Twix or Galaxy.
A blue colorant developed by ColorMaker in partnership with D.D.
Williamson is designed to provide a shelf-stable natural blue hue
at a low pH for increased flexibility.
A recent survey of executive opinions on climate change found that
the majority regard it as a strategically important issue - but
more than a third said it is seldom or never considered when
actually developing strategy.
Alfred Ritter is moving production of its chocolate bars out of
Russia and back to Germany to use the same milk materials for
products sold the world over.
Chocolate has come out on top as the star of the emerging mood food
category - but its future maybe under threat if companies fail to
win health claims for their products.
EU member states must recognise erythritol as an approved sweetener
by tomorrow, which is expected to increase its use in low-calorie
products across Europe.
UK packaging solutions firm Paragon Flexibles is introducing a new
flexible film lid called i-lid, which is designed to reduce the
need for packaging materials and ensure food freshness.
More than half of consumers say they are willing to switch to
sugar-free versions of traditional confectionery lines, which
suggests that sweeteners are no longer considered a 'niche'
ingredient in sweets, claims Beneo Palatinit.
The juice of pomegranate is more effective than apple in boosting
the body's antioxidant defences, which decline naturally with age,
reports a new study.
A manufacturer of high barrier oxygen scavenging materials says it
plans to extend the products applications in food and beverage
packaging after receiving approval from the US Food and Drug
Administration (FDA).
Kellogg Company's new product launches are designed to meet the
continuing trend for healthy indulgence, with kids' cereals that
embrace whole grain and more varied healthy adult cereals.
A recent development in heat exchanger testing can offer brewers,
soft drink makers and dairy manufacturers a practical and
sensitive alternative to existing technologies with heightened
sensitivity, according to its manufacturer.
While most consumers agree that ethically-sourced cocoa is no bad
thing, an ever increasing number of different schemes risks
muddying the issue and puzzling chocolate fans.
An all-natural colouring derived from seaweed has put blue Smarties
back on the shelves following their removal two years ago in
response to concerns over artificial additives.
Global confectioners Mars and Nestle have joined a sustainable
cocoa programme, which aims to establish a traceability system for
all farmers in the Ivory Coast.
There is increasing scope for healthy yet indulgent products as
consumers refuse to sacrifice taste for nutrition, according to a
new Datamonitor study.
Cosucra Groupe Warcoing is seeking to press home the message that
pea protein can be used in place of milk protein, reflecting a
trend that has picked up speed in the ingredients sector in the
light of high dairy prices.
Ecolab, a global supplier of hygiene and safety systems, hopes to
step up its focus on sustainable water and energy supply for the
beverage and food industries with its latest acquisition.
A panel of experts recommend that more countries be
recognised as fine or flavour cocoa producing countries in order to
provide new opportunities for trade.
US-based chewing gum firm Wrigley today posted full
year growth in both operating profit and margins, thanks to
international and developing market sales.
Packaging manufacturer TNA will launch six new technologies, aimed
at improving confectionery and snack packing, at the Interpack
trade show in Germany in April.
Global confectionery giant Cadbury has stepped up its
microbiological surveillance by adopting the Pathatrix pathogen
testing system, according to its creator.
The European Food Safety Authority is expecting to complete its
evaluation of the safety of 2,800 flavouring substances by April to
allow for a positive list to be established, but is seeking for
more information from industry.
In confectionery news this week, Woolworths secures sweet supplier
EUK with a loan deal, confectionery product launches outnumber
other food categories, and dark chocolate continues to prove
popular with manufacturers.
Leatherhead Food International (LFI) intends to tap into a very
pressing technical challenge for manufacturers looking to produce
low fat foods that maintain an indulgent appeal.