All news articles for January 2021

Alvin Lee. Pic Cargill

In brief

CAA appoints Cargill director as new chairman

By Anthony Myers

The Cocoa Association of Asia (CAA) has announced it has elected Cargill Cocoa & Chocolate’s Commercial Director for Asia-Pacific, Alvin Lee, as the new chairman of the Association for the next two years, with immediate effect.

Montpellier's Corum Convention Centre. Pic: visit-languedoc.fr

Policy

ICCO Symposium on cocoa research to be held in France in September

By Anthony Myers

The International Cocoa Organization (ICCO), in partnership with the French institution Agricultural Research Centre for International Development (CIRAD), has announced its second edition of the International Symposium on Cocoa Research (ISCR) will take...

SFA plans 'modified' in-person Fancy Food Show in New York Sept 27-29

SFA plans 'modified' in-person Fancy Food Show in New York Sept 27-29

By Elaine Watson

The Specialty Food Association (SFA) - which was forced to cancel the 2020 Summer Fancy Food Show and 2021 Winter Fancy Food Show due to the pandemic – will hold a ‘modified’ in-person trade show September 27-29 at the Javits Convention Center in New...

The new recyclable paper packaging is now added to the full Smarties range. Pic: Nestlé

Packaging

Smarties makes switch to recyclable paper packaging

By Anthony Myers

Nestlé’s Smarties is set to become the first global confectionery brand to switch to recyclable paper packaging, eliminating approximately 250 million plastic packs sold worldwide every year.

The Movie Night Sweet & Salty Snack Bundle is just one of the curated packs available on BBU's new D2C platform.

Bimbo Bakeries launches D2C shopping site

By Gill Hyslop

Bimbo Bakeries USA (BBU) – a subsidiary of the Mexican bakery giant Grupo Bimbo SAB de CV – has launched a direct-to-consumer platform that delivers BBU brands to the doorsteps of consumers.

Godiva is closing all its retail outlets across the US and Canada. Pic: Godiva

Coronavirus

Godiva shuts up shop in North America and Canada

By Anthony Myers

‘Waning demand’ caused by the coronavirus pandemic has resulted in luxury chocolatier Godiva announcing it will close all its retail outlets in North America and Canada by the end of March this year.

Indulgence, health, shopping more locally and purchasing foods with real provenance will drive the bakery sector in 2021, says the CBA.

Snacking trends

Coronavirus blues expected to continue propelling snacking movement in 2021

By Gill Hyslop

Snacking – both in and out of the home – is a category that did very well in 2020 and the movement looks set to continue in 2021 as consumers look for inexpensive sweet treats to cheer themselves up, writes Karen Dear, director of operations for the Craft...

Food security priorities are driving applicants for Olam's Food Prize 2021. Pic: Olam International

Innovation

Olam extends food prize application deadline to March

By Anthony Myers

Olam International Limited, one of the world’s leading food, cocoa and agri-businesses, has extended the application deadline for its bi-annual innovation prize to March 15, 2021, citing the challenges of COVID-19.

William Reed's UK Food & Drink Shows will now go ahead in July in Birmingham. Pic: WRBM

Trade

William Reed announces new dates for its UK Food & Drink Shows

By Anthony Myers

The UK Food & Drink Shows comprising Food & Drink Expo, Farm Shop & Deli Show, The Ingredients Show, Foodex, National Convenience Show and The Forecourt Show have been postponed until 5-7 July 2021, said organisers William Reed.

Guittard's shining example of solar panels at its Fairfield facility. Pic: Guittard Chocolate Company

Environment

Guittard installs solar panels in its Fairfield facility

By Anthony Myers

Premium chocolate supplier Guittard Chocolate Company has announced it has added solar panels to its production facility in Fairfield, California, reaffirming its commitment to consistently work to reduce its environmental impact through renewable energy,...

Schluckwerder was founded in 1956 and produces the 175-year-old Lübecker marzipan brands. Pic: Schluckwerder

Acquisition

Valeo Foods buys Lübecker marzipan owner

By Anthony Myers

Dublin-based Valeo Foods Group has agreed a deal to buy German confectioner Schluckwerder Holding, in a bid to further consolidate its position as a major international food business across the UK, Continental Europe and Ireland.

Food companies selling vanilla-flavored products have been hit with a wave of lawsuits. Picture: GettyImages-OlgaMiltsova

GUEST ARTICLE: The scoop on all that vanilla flavor litigation

By Robert Guite and Abby Meyer, Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP

If your company sells any vanilla-flavored food or beverage product, then you are probably aware of the innumerable class action cases that have been filed over the last 18 months attacking these products – 67 cases by our count. Here, we trace the history...

NCA president and CEO John Downs with last year's Future Leaders intake. Pic: NCA

NCA

NCA announces its 2021 Future Leadership Class

By Anthony Myers

The National Confectioners Association (NCA) has announced the five confectionery industry professionals selected for its 2021 Future Leadership Program, which is dedicated to helping young professionals in the US the confectionery industry access networking...

McVitie’s British Icons. Pic: pladis

NPD

McVities biscuits launch British Icons range

By Anthony Myers

pladis, owner of McVitie's, the UK’s largest biscuit brand, has announced a new limited-edition range, McVitie’s British Icons, which features four on-trend flavours as part of its Milk Chocolate Digestives and Milk Chocolate Hobnobs brands.

Ritter Sport are offering vegan options for Veganuary and beyond. Ritter Sport

Veganuary

Ritter Sport launches ‘Accidental Vegan Range'

By Anthony Myers

Ritter Sport’s ‘Accidentally Vegan Range’ has been launched to help the thousands of consumers participating in Veganuary this year who are craving a chocolate fix.