All news articles for December 2022

Trident is one of the brands being sold by Mondelēz to Perfetti Van Melle. Pic: Mondelēz

Analyst reaction to transaction

Mondelēz sells part of gum business to rival Perfetti Van Melle for $1.3bn

By Anthony Myers

Mondelēz International has announced it has entered into definitive agreements to sell its developed-market gum business in the United States, Canada and Europe to Italian-Dutch company, and European rival, Perfetti Van Melle Group for $1.350bn.

ofi's Dezaaan single origin cocoa. Pic: ofi

Special report

Asian consumers driving demand for single origin cocoa

By Anthony Myers

As ConfectioneryNews reported last month, the trend for single-origin cocoa ingredients has been growing for some time, as consumers with a sweet craving also look more closely at how and where their cocoa is sourced.

Decorating the Christmas tree is popular in Utah (82%), New York (79%) and Vermont (79%), according to a Hershey survey. Pic: GettyImages

Seasonal

Hershey covers all candy bases with Christmas heat map for consumers

By Anthony Myers

American candy lovers can now discover what Christmas tradition is most popular in their state with Hershey’s holiday tradition heat map and then use the candy pairing guide to make sure they’re stocking up on the right iconic sweets to help make holiday...

Pic: Chocolove

Seasonal

Chocolove rings in the season with Tree-Shaped Chocolates

By Anthony Myers

Chocolove is announcing the return of its popular Tree-Shaped Bites in Pouches, which are individually wrapped, mini chocolate trees in Peppermint Crème and Hazelnut Truffle flavors, in the run-up to Christmas.

Brownie Brittle is joining the Second Nature Brands' family. Pic: Second Nature Brands

M&As

Second Nature Brands acquires Brownie Brittle

By Anthony Myers

Second Nature Brands, a US-based creator of premium, nutritional and better-for-you snacks and treats, has announced it has completed the acquisition of Brownie Brittle from Encore Consumer Capital.

© GettyImages/Richard Drury

EU agrees deforestation law

By Jane Byrne

A provisional political agreement has been reached between the EU Parliament and the Council in relation to EU regulation on deforestation-free supply chains.

Clean Food Group is fermenting yeast to develop a lab-grown, bio-equivalent alternative to palm oil, which has attracted the attention of ingredients major Doehler Group. Image credit: Laurie Lapworth: University of Bath

Doehler invests in lab-grown palm oil alternative

By Flora Southey

The German ingredients supplier is investing in UK-based Clean Food Group (CFG) – a start-up developing a bio-equivalent cultivated alternative to palm oil – via its investment arm, Doehler Ventures.

Germany's popular chocolate Santa Clauses are proving more popular this year. Pic: CN

Seasonal

Germany’s chocolate Santa Clauses enjoy export boom

By Anthony Myers

Despite soaring energy costs and supply chain issues, the German confectionery industry said it has produced approximately 5.6% more chocolate Santa Clauses for the Christmas season this year.

Raw cacao pioneers Lovechock has a new owner. Pic: Lovechock

M&As

Lovechock eyes expansion after company takeover

By Anthony Myers

Lovechock, the Dutch raw cacao company, has been acquired by Belgian family-owned company Pauwels Engineering NV, the two parties have announced in a statement.