Chicago in May, without the Sweets & Snacks Expo rolling into town, is going to feel different and it will also be a blow to the city’s coffers, as it is estimated the huge trade fair historically pulls in at least $21 million when it sets up shop...
As an experiment, I turned to the Artificial Intelligence (AI) chatbot ChatGPT* to obtain an outside eye on the current state of the cocoa industry. I was curious to know if a computer algorithm could come up with credible answers to the main issues that...
With preparations for this year’s Sweets & Snacks Expo well underway, ConfectioneryNews can reveal what key trends will be making the headlines for the rest of 2023 and beyond.
There was a 16% fall in new product launches among retailers and brands last year as retailers showed a strong Q4 2022 market performance despite raising the prices of private labels higher than national brands.
Affordability is a growing concern among consumers, according to data released by the EY Future Consumer Index, with the cost-of-living crisis meaning that many are forced to be more careful with what they buy. When compared to previous surveys, the data...
The luxury dessert franchise with 45 UK stores and two further afield is turning to the land of the rising sun for inspiration for its newest mocktail menu.
#healthandwellness, #better-for-you and #better-for-all – that is both people and the planet – have become familiar trigger words in the bakery and snacks sectors. But what is behind the consumer preference towards more natural, more nutritious, function...
The New England supplier of 100% pure and organic maple syrup and maple sugar recently highlighted how its maple products can help bakers tick consumer boxes: sustainability, plant-based/vegan, clean label, sugar alternative, organic and a good source...
A lack of transparency around 2025 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee members' affiliation with industry trade groups and multinational brands sparked scrutiny by public health advocates after last week's committee meeting.
Mondelēz International has announced major reformulation plans for its historic UK Cadbury brand that will include plant-based alternatives in an effort to cut up to 75% of sugar and fat.
South East Asian biscuit heavyweight Julie’s is looking to capitalise on the rising trend of indulgence as well as the longstanding demand for chocolate products in the Malaysian market with its new range Charm.
Charity calls for ‘Big Chocolate’ to pay more to Ghana’s cocoa farmers after it revealed that their net incomes have fallen on average by 16% since 2020, with women’s incomes falling by nearly 22%.
During “The Promise and Pitfalls of Generative AI for Food and Beverage Operations” webinar, Nick Markman, senior product manager, Evocalize, explained that while the risks of producing misinformation from generative AI are significant, it’s up to brands...
The World Health Organization (WHO) has released a new guideline on non-sugar sweeteners (NSS), which recommends against the use of NSS to control body weight or reduce the risk of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs).
Among other ambitious targets, a goal of the TSIRO Alliance in Madagascar is to 'conserve biodiverse ecosystems'. It’s a tall order, but one that the programme is uniquely designed to meet.
The World Cocoa Foundation (WCF) has announced Christine McGrath, SVP and Chief Impact & Sustainability Officer at Mondelēz International, as its new chair, along with two new board officers.
Plant-powered confectionery brand H!P has released its latest offering - a Crunchy Orange bar - that ticks all the boxes for conscious consumers … smooth, creamy oat m!lk chocolate combined with zesty orange and crunchy waffle cone pieces.
With new inventions and innovations coming thick and fast, the plant-based confectionery category is increasingly shifting into the mainstream market with big brands like Mars entering the space in the past couple of years.
Both countries’ economies have been ‘hit hard by the triple shock of the Covid-19 pandemic, global financial tightening, and adverse spillovers from Russia’s war in Ukraine’.
The Federal Association of the German Confectionery Industry (BDSI) has called for its government to prioritise strengthening the domestic economy after a decline in sales in the first quarter of 2023.
Developing sharp and effective messaging through loyalty programs can effectively strengthen consumer engagement and loyalty at a time when 65% of consumers are concerned about inflation, according to 84.51°’s recent Inflation Special Report.
Nestlé officially inaugurated its Lausanne, Switzerland-based research institute, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, to improve agricultural sustainability throughout its supply chain.
Barry Callebaut Group has announced significant changes to its Forever Chocolate sustainability programme adding additional targets and sharpening existing ones as it looks to make sustainable chocolate the norm beyond 2025.
#healthandwellness, #better-for-you and #better-for-all – that is both people and the planet – have become familiar trigger words in the bakery and snacks sectors. But what is behind the consumer preference towards more natural, more nutritious, function...
The International Cocoa Organization (ICCO) has announced the reappointment of Michel Arrion as Executive Director for a period of 5 years until 30 September 2028.
Latest research suggests the global chocolate retail market is expected to generate $176.20 billion by the end of 2028, up from $11.23 billion in 2021.
The taste and texture of meat and dairy analogues have come a long way. But according to alternative protein experts, ‘there is still room for improvement’. How will the next generation of innovators win over consumers, and what hurdles will they need...
Israeli food-tech startup Sweet Victory has released a chewing gum designed to curb sugar cravings. A consumer study on the gum found that it enabled its users to significantly cut down on sweets, as well as lose weight. The product, which is already...
ConfectioneryNews was invited by Barry Callebaut, the world’s largest cocoa supplier and chocolate manufacturer with a significant operational presence in Cote d’Ivoire, to report on how the country is adapting to new challenges in its supply chain.
The coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla takes place on Saturday, 6 May 2023, at Westminster Abbey in London. While only 2,000 guests have been invited to attend the event, more than 7,000 street parties and community events are expected to...
The Alliance for Fair Sugar Policy (AFSP), a broad-based coalition advocating to modernise the outdated US sugar programme established by Congress more than 80 years ago, hosted a recent panel discussion on opportunities to reform the legislation in the...
The artisan confectionery producer, with outlets in a number of the UK’s most historic cities, has redeveloped two new products in its popular British livery featuring traditional flavours.
This year’s Sweets & Snacks Expo, the last to be held in Chicago, promises to be a celebration of the event’s long association with the ‘Windy City’ – as well as showcasing key trends impacting confectionery and snack category performance.
The International Cocoa Organization (ICCO) has reported cocoa prices at the halfway mark of the year (2022-23) of the first position of cocoa futures were broadly higher year-on-year on both the London and New York markets.
In what it describes as a ‘precautionary measure', Müller has announced it has recalled six Cadbury desserts - including Flake and Dairy Milk Buttons - over listeria concerns.
Traditionally, the idea of buying ‘private label’ products in supermarket retailers – products branded by the supermarket itself rather than a more widely available brand, or ‘national brand’ – has been considered the cheap option. Now, due to a range...
As the agriculture industry continues its mission of feeding the world's growing population amid climate change, the entire supply chain is coming together to boost regenerative farming practices, creating an opportunity for the plant-based foods...
Koelnmesse, organisers of ISM /ProSweets Cologne, has revealed that 1,274 suppliers from 71 countries took part in this year’s trade show with 88% from overseas, attracting more than 25,000 trade visitors from 135 countries.
Grupo Bimbo SAB de CV acquired Natural Bakery in Winnipeg, Canada, and made a minority investment in Delaware-based Olyra Foods during its first quarter, which saw net profit down 9.4%, citing the sale of its confectionary business in the same quarter...
Hershey has become the latest chocolate company to support increased incomes for cocoa farming households in Cote d’Ivoire with the launch of its Income Accelerator programme that will facilitate the provision of cash transfers (CTs) and investments in...
Hershey's net sales increased 12.1% to $2.98bn thanks to price and volume gains across both confectionery and salty snack segments, driven heavily by consumer demand and media investments.
The recent Plant-Based Protein Manufacturing Summit in Amsterdam brought together leading businesses in the plant-based food and beverage industry with co-manufacturers, innovative equipment and solution providers to explore the challenges and opportunities...
Biscuit and chocolate giant Mondelez International nearly doubled its outlook for fiscal 2023 after delivering its “best quarter ever” with organic revenue growth up 19.4% to $1.5bn over the same period last year and “significantly ahead of [an] already...
Nestle’s near double-digit price hike across its portfolio of coffee and confections over the past three months helped buoy sales and offset a notable jump in costs without significantly dragging down volumes, prompting executives and analysts to characterize...
Mettler-Toledo Product Inspection has launched a completely automated, full label inspection service for food manufacturers in time for Interpack, which takes place in Messe Düsseldorf from 4 May until - 10 May 2023.