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Cocoa farmer  Eugenia Jiménez is part of the community that benefited from The Cacao Effect. Pic: Luker Chocolate

Sustainability

Mission accomplished: Luker Chocolate wraps up The Cacao Effect project

By Anthony Myers

Luker Chocolate is celebrating the completion of The Cacao Effect, a five-year initiative that the company said positively impacted over 6,000 rural families in Colombia. The closing event was held on 24 November 2023 in Bogotá, Colombia, and showcased...

ProSweets Cologne is set to attract over 250 exhibitors from over 25 countries at next year's event. Pic: Koelnmesse

ProSweets Cologne 24

ProSweets Cologne focuses on the reformulation of sweets and snacks

By Anthony Myers

More than 30 ingredients specialists are set to attend ProSweets Cologne, the supplier fair that runs along side ISM sweets and snacks trade show, to offer natural and sustainable solutions that contain less sugar or carry a clean label declaration.

Pic: GettyImages

Seasonal

Oh! Oh! Oh! Is there a right way to eat a candy cane?

By Anthony Myers

There’s no more evident sign that the winter holidays are here than the emergence of candy canes on store shelves in the US – but what is the “right” way to eat them? It’s a fun question that always gets American consumers in a twist, so here goes …

Sacks of cocoa beans are stacked ready for export in a Ghana warehouse. Pic: COCOBOD

Guest post

Are we heading for a shortage of cocoa?

By Jon Davis

Heavier-than-usual rainfall during the past three to six months in the main cocoa-producing countries of West Africa - Cote d'Ivoire, Ghana, Nigeria, and Cameroon could impact the chocolate industry due to a shortage of its main ingredient, according...

Image source: Getty/Shannon Toth

How newstalgia blends comfort and novelty in the snack category

By Deniz Ataman

Consumers still crave familiar flavors and experiences, as they did during the pandemic, but they also are open to new innovations and technologies -- leading to an emerging trend of 'newstalgia,' Kevin Ryan, CEO, Malachite Strategy and Research,...

Nestlé's former factory at Fawdon, in north east England. Pic: Nestlé

Manufacturing

Bakery company buys former Nestlé factory in Fawdon

By Anthony Myers

The former Nestlé factory at Fawdon, Newcastle, due to shut at the end of December, has been bought by British baker Country Style Foods, which makes bread, cakes and baked goods, it has been revealed.

Tate & Lyle delves into the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) of the European bakery market today. Pic: GettyImages

What is driving growth in bakery?

By Gill Hyslop

Consumer research by Tate & Lyle reveals almost half of 18-34-year-olds across the UK and Europe tuck into a sweet or savoury baked treat daily. A third of consumers aged 34 and above are doing the same.

CFI national traceability systems have entered the piloting phase in cocoa-growing regions in West Africa. Pic: CFI

Sustainability

COP28 to hear of CFI updates on cocoa deforestation in West Africa

By Anthony Myers

The Cocoa and Forests Initiative (CFI) is set to present updates on the industry’s commitment to eliminate deforestation and restore degraded forests at COP28, the United Nations Climate Change Conference, which will be held this year in Dubai from 30...

Barry Callebaut will publish the seventh edition of its Forever Chocolate Progress Report at the end of November. Pic: Barry Callebaut

Sustainability

Barry Callebaut ranked top for ESG risks management

By Anthony Myers

Barry Callebaut has been ranked in the 1st percentile in the management of ESG risks in both the Food Product and Packaged Food companies by Morningstar Sustainalytics.