Ingredients

Rethinking UPFs: New perspectives on chocolate

Is all chocolate a UPF?

By Natasha Jolliffe-Spencer

Controversy around ultra-processed foods (UPFs) continues to grow, especially with mounting scientific research as well as media attention scrutinizing the food group.

© Toms Group

Anthon Berg broadens appeal to win over Gen Z market

By Natasha Spencer-Jolliffe

The 140-year-old chocolatier is shaking up its branding and product lineup to capture the attention of Gen Z consumers, refreshing its reputation as a treat for grandparents.

Image: Getty/jtyler

Why pistachio is the must-have flavour of 2024

By Natasha Spencer-Jolliffe & Jess Spiring

Make way marzipan and peanut butter. Pistachios are the green powerhouse perking up premium confectionery sales. Here’s what brands need to know about going green

Sweet proteins are not like other sweeteners. Image Source: Getty Images/Daniel Grizelj

Unpacking sweet proteins

By Augustus Bambridge-Sutton

Sweet proteins can provide benefits that other sweeteners can’t, and without some of the drawbacks they provide. But how can they be produced?

Source: D. Ataman

Sweets & Snacks Expo

Smart Sweets unveils new formula across portfolio at Sweets & Snacks

By Deniz Ataman

Better-for-you gummy maker, Smart Sweets, launched its new and improved formula across its portfolio, including five new SKUs, catering to consumers seeking healthier candy for nearly any type of occasion, Katrina Hahn, Smart Sweets’ co-CEO, told FoodNavigator-USA...

In order to conform to the EUDR, cocoa must be traceable. Image Source: Getty Images/MilenaKatzer

How Nestlé is making its cocoa more traceable

By Augustus Bambridge-Sutton

Nestlé is striving to make its cocoa traceable right back to the farm. Can the multinational give consumers confidence they’re eating sustainable cocoa?

Has the plant-based trend peaked? GettyImages/ArtMarie

Has the plant-based trend peaked?

By Donna Eastlake

The plant-based trend has been on the up and up in recent years. But has it finally peaked and, if yes, can the plant-based industry do anything to prevent a decline?

Milliways was established in the UK as an alternative to traditional gum. Pic: Milliways

Sustainable chewing gum brand Milliways pops the growth bubble

By Anthony Myers

With claims to be the UK’s biggest plastic-free, plant-based chewing gum brand, Milliways outpaced the growth of the chewing gum category by 43 times, according to new IRI data after significant investment in product innovation and a public awareness...

Eco-friendly food colouring: How one company is cutting carbon. GettyImages/coldsnowstorm

Eco-friendly food colouring: How one company is cutting carbon

By Donna Eastlake

The food industry is coming under increasing pressure to reduce its carbon footprint and find more sustainable ways to operate. Food colouring manufacturer Exberry tells us how it's cutting carbon intensity, and improving water efficiency, for greener...

Artisanal Truffles: Who can resist the melt-in-your-mouth goodness of a chocolate truffle? Pic: GettyImages

Special edition: plant-based confectionery

Top 11 vegan chocolate trends

By Anthony Myers

New research into the vegan chocolate market reveals that the sector is poised to gain even wider popularity with conscious consumers thanks to major brands embracing the plant-based wave.

Pic: Cargill

Special edition: Plant-based confectionery

Tantalizing textures: the new frontiers of plant-based gummies

By Anthony Myers

Across Europe, there is a palpable enthusiasm for plant-based gummies, reflecting a growing consumer interest in perceived health-promoting and more sustainable products; we speak to Quentin Schotte, Convenience and Snacking Manager for Cargill Food Solutions...

Consumers are becoming increasingly discerning. Pic: GettyImages

Special edition: Plant-based confectionery

Sweet Revolution: Embracing diversity with plant-based confectionery

By Anthony Myers

From creamy chocolates to chewy candies, plant-based options are paving the way for a more inclusive and compassionate approach to snacking that caters to the diverse tastes and preferences of consumers worldwide. We look at some of the key trends.

Moo Free can now track its ingredients in The Hub. Pic: Moo Free

Special edition: Plant-based confectionery

Moo Free launches new traceability tool, The Hub

By Anthony Myers

Dairy-free chocolate maker Moo Free is strengthening its sustainability credentials with the launch of The Hub, a business tool offering the manufacturer complete traceability across its supply chain.

Should vanilla production be stopped? GettyImages/Diana Miller

Should vanilla production be stopped?

By Donna Eastlake

Vanilla is one of the most common flavours for sweet treats around the world. But is the farming of this much-loved spice sustainable? And, if not, should we be consuming it at all?

Cargill explores cocoa and nut-free vegan confectionery

Plant-based confectionery

Cargill explores cocoa and nut-free vegan confectionery

By Anthony Myers

Global cocoa and ingredients company Cargill has announced a new commercial partnership with Voyage Foods to produce alternatives to cocoa-based products and nut spreads without using cocoa, peanuts, and hazelnuts.

Pic: GettyImages

Special edition: Better-for-you confectionery

The sweet truth: Embracing better-for-you confectionery for a healthier future

By Anthony Myers

In an era of rising health consciousness, the confectionery industry finds itself at a crossroads. Traditionally associated with indulgence and guilty pleasures, confectionery products are now undergoing a transformation to meet the demands of a more...

Pic: Getty Images

Special edition: better-for-you confectionery

Top tips for better-for-you confectionery

By Anthony Myers

The better-for-you trend continues transforming the confectionery market. Expect to see the latest innovations at this year’s Sweets & Snacks Expo, which opens in May at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis. In the meantime, we examine the...