All news articles for February 2023

Belcolade's new plant-based white macaron. Pic: Belcolade

Free-from

Belcolade launches ‘first of a kind’ plant-based white couverture

By Anthony Myers

Belcolade’s Selection W. Plant-Based Cacao-Trace offers chocolatiers, pâtissiers and other professional chocolate users more choice as it further expands the company’s plant-based portfolio, following the recent launch of its widely acclaimed milk-alike...

The Olam Group reported 'steady 2022 performance'. Pic: Olam Group

Olam Group remains optimistic, despite drop in earnings

By Anthony Myers

The Singapore-based agribusiness said it remains ‘cautiously optimistic' about its prospects for 2023’ despite reporting 24.5% lower earnings of S$200.0 million (US$148.52m) for the year ending 31 December 2022.

ProSweets Cologne 2023 - Special Edition has increased in size due to popular demand from the industry. Pic: Koelnmesse

ProSweets Cologne 2023

New ProSweets Cologne format attracts exhibitors

By Anthony Myers

Koelnmesse, the organisers of ProSweets Cologne 2023 - Special Edition, have announced they are increasing floor space due to strong demand from exhibitors wanting to take part in this year’s special format.

Iconic brands including Ferrero Rocher, achieved net sales growth. PIC: CN

Financial results

Ferrero’s turnover up 10%, annual results reveal

By Anthony Myers

Ferrero International has posted a €14 billion turnover ($14.92bn), up 10.4% over the previous year (€12.7 billion), according to the Group’s fiscal year 2021-2022 results.

Snacks sales have experienced highs and lows over the past two years. Pic: GettyImages/John Gollop/PM Images

The highs and lows of US snacking sales

By Gill Hyslop

To help drive sales during National Snack Food Month (February), Cincinnati-based retail data science, insights and media company 84.51° has shared an assortment of snacking takeaways for retailers.

In the UK, Perfetti Van Melle is best-known for confectionery brands like Mentos, Fruittella and Chupa Chups. Pic: Perfetti Van Melle

Enviornment

Perfetti Van Melle joins the UK Plastics Act

By Anthony Myers

Perfetti Van Melle, one of the world’s largest confectionary companies, has announced it has joined the UK Plastics Pact, a bold and unique initiative that aims to transform the UK’s plastic system.

Pic: GettyImages

SOTIC 2023

NCA announces 2023 Confectionery Leadership Awards

By Anthony Myers

The National Confectioners Association (NCA) announced that Target’s Tiffany Trombley, director of seasonal candy and snacks, and Sam’s Club’s Todd Budzinski, senior director of merchandising, candy & commercial bread, are the recipients of the 2023...

Cote d’Ivoire's cocoa farmers will now be guaranteed the farmgate price for their beans with the new electronic cards. Pic: Mighty Earth

Legislation

Cote d’Ivoire implements electronic payment cards for cocoa farmers

By Anthony Myers

Cote d’Ivoire’s cocoa regulator, Conseil du Café Cacao (CCC), has initiated a scheme to distribute electronic cards to cocoa farmers to help track beans from farms to their export ports and ensure the growers are paid a guaranteed price for their produce.

H!P's New Share Pouches. Pic: H!P

NPD

H!P Oat M!lk Chocolate launches share pouches

By Anthony Myers

The brand said it is bringing out a trio of bite-sized oat m!lk chocolate delicacies: H!P Caramel Crunch Peanuts, H!P Peanut Butter Truffle Bites and H!P Creamy & Smooth Buttons.

What lessons can be learned from two seperate outbreaks of salmonella in two chocolate factories in 2022?

Long read

Salmonella spp. in chocolate: Lessons 2022 taught us

By Bethan Grylls

The usual foe of Salmonella spp. in chocolate reared its head again in 2022, causing two notable outbreaks. So what lessons can we take from this to ensure safer food in the future?

Chocolove Valentine's Collection 3-Bar Pack. Pic: Chocolove

Seasonal

Chocolove shares its recipe for a sweet Valentine’s Day

By Anthony Myers

Chocolove, the Boulder, Colorado-based premium and ethical chocolatier, is making Valentine's Day sweeter with special heart-shaped bites that are individually wrapped in resealable pouches in Very Cherry and Salted Caramel flavours.

Michele Buck, The Hershey Company Chairman and CEO. Pic: Hershey Co

Financial results

Strong Fourth Quarter sets up Hershey for 2023 sales growth

By Anthony Myers

Hershey Co has exceeded analysts' estimates on full-year net sales and profit after a strong ending to the fourth quarter with consolidated net sales of $2,652.3 million, an increase of 14.0%.