Forthcoming European legislation on health claims could pose a
roadblock to rapid market expansion of polyphenols, the plant-based
antioxidants gaining increasing attention for their
disease-fighting actions, warns a new report.
Food giant Cargill has acquired OCG Cacao, a major supplier of
industrial chocolate to the European food industry. The deal, which
was initially announced in September, has been completed following
the necessary regulatory approvals.
Spain might well have a culinary heritage to rival that of France,
but like it trans-Pyrenean neighbour, consumption patterns have
been changing over the last few years, with more hectic lifestyles
(even in the land of the siesta)...
The Confectionery Manufacturing Expo has said that ZDS Solingen,
The Central College of the German Confectionery Trade, will be
organising the seminar programme at the event in Germany, 27th to
29th April.
Scientists warn this week that our traditional christmas snack of
brazil nuts might not be for much longer if intensive harvesting
practices continue in 'persistently exploited' areas.
The British are the biggest consumers of chocolate in Europe,
munching their way through more than 10 kg each every year. A
reflection of Britain's ongoing love affair with snacking - and
consumers' reluctance to choose...
The European Commission has approved the proposed functional
confectionery joint venture between Swiss consumer goods company
Nestlé and the US-based personal care company Colgate-Palmolive,
but approval is just the first of several...
Leading Japanese emulsifier supplier Riken Vitamin is set to boost
production at its subsidiary in Malaysia with the opening of a new
plant this week. High hopes to increase market share.
Eating two portions of chocolate a day may help prevent
cardiovascular heart disease claims Masterfoods USA. The company's
new functional chocolate, CocoaVia, contains plant flavonols and
phytosterols believed to reduce cholesterol...
Finland's leading confectionery company, Leaf, has said that it is
to build a factory in St. Petersburg, Russia, for the production of
functional pastilles and lollipops.
Early depletion of African gum stocks have driven up global prices
of gum acacia. US company TIC gums this week passed the price rise
of gum arabic on to the market.
German confectionery manufacturer Alfred Ritter is readying to open
up two new production lines in a 50/50 joint-financed project with
Russian company Odintsovo Confectionery. The $20 million investment
will see Ritter Sport brand...
One of Romania's leading and longest established chocolate makers,
Excelent, has relaunched its Kandia branded chocolate under a
multi-million dollar investment. The money has also included an
extensive revamp of its production...
Regular consumption of the sugar replacer Isomalt appears to have a
prebiotic effect on gut bacteria, according to preliminary findings
of a study being carried out in Germany.
More than three years after Danish ingredients company Danisco
filed an application to the EU for approval of its fat replacer
salatrim, the Commission finally rubber stamped the product on
Tuesday. The move clears the way for Danisco...
Hard negotiations followed by new European rules put to bed
long-standing disputes over labelling issues that hung over
chocolate manufacturers. As more European manufacturers turn to
vegetable fats, the challenge is on for ingredients...
After several years of gains, growth in the Russian confectionery
market looks set to slow over the next six years or so, with only
premium chocolate products likely to bring big returns.
Controversial changes over two years ago to Europe's chocolate
rules - that had cocoa puritans and producers up in arms - came
into force in the summer, providing ingredients companies with a
raft of new opportunities.
Jacob's has appointed Jeremy Hughes as the new commercial
development manager in a bid to strengthen Jacob's offerings to its
trade customers. As more European manufacturers turn to vegetable
fats, the challenge is on for...
According to YouGov, the on-line research company, a recent survey
has revealed that 81 per cent of UK parents would like to see
Vending machines removed from schools, and replaced with healthier
alternatives as a means of helping...
Spurred on by criticism concerning the marketing of food to
children, several of Britain's leading food trade bodies have
joined forces to discuss potential solutions to the problem of
childhood obesity.
Britain could see obesity levels soar up to 40 per cent or higher
within a single generation unless urgent action is taken,
think-tank the International Obesity TaskForce, warned this week.
Spinning off the US soft drinks business could bring substantial
gains to Cadbury Schweppes, but any demerger is unlikely to take
place until at least 2006, claim analysts Goldman Sachs.
Major British sugar and sweetener group Tate and Lyle has reported
a sixper cent decrease in half year profits today and the success
of agreementsfor future prices for it starches and sweeteners will
have a major impact onthe profits...
Cadbury's India has announced that it is to change the packaging
for its Dary Milk chocolate bar following last month's revelation
that a batch had been infested with insects.
Research carried out by the US-based Howard Hughes Medical
Institute has moved closer to understanding why some people cannot
resist the impulse brought on by sweets.
Two years after the Russian authorities imposed massive import
duties on confectionery products in a bid to keep out cheap imports
from Ukraine, that country's biggest sweet maker Roshen is about to
take Russia by storm with...
The organisers of Confectionery Manufacturing Expo have reported
that they have already taken bookings from a series of global
companies representing all parts of the chocolate, sugar and gum
industry.
The Food Commission has got the knives out for the UK supermarket
sector and confectionery manufacturers over the sale of sweets and
snacks at the checkout, which it claims is contributing to the
worsening health of the nation.
Japanese chocolate output remained relatively constant throughout
the first six months of 2003, according to the latest figures from
the Chocolate and Cocoa Association of Japan.
An astonishing 72,000 bakers and confectioners turned out at the
iba world market for baking in Dusseldorf last week. The event
attracted more visitors from around the globe than ever before.
Ireland's Kerry group has continued its rapid expansion programme
which has already seen it add 20 new companies to its portfolio in
the last two years.
House of Brussels Chocolates has announced the development of a new
medical advisory board to investigate and research the use of
chocolate as a carrier for dietary supplements, functional foods
and pharmaceutical compounds to treat...
British sugar and sweeteners group Tate & Lyle said this week
that first half profits should be in line with expectations, and
the second half stronger than in the previous year.
Cargill Incorporated is to acquire European industrial chocolate
company OCG Cacao as its first significant investment into
chocolate manufacturing in Europe.
Nestlé Rowntree has already got itself into trouble with its Yorkie
chocolate bar featuring the tagline 'Not for Girls' but appears
happy to step on a few more toes with the latest development for
the brand.
Despite the failure of Cancun, it still seems likely that Europe's
sugar regime will be overhauled. Europe's farm commissioner said
that the continuation of the EU's heavily subsidy sugar industry is
simply unviable.
Consumers tempted by bigger portions for less money might be
getting better value but they are also putting their health at
risk, the World Cancer Research Fund in the UK claimed yesterday.
The EU has asked the Ivory Coast, to abolish a law that requires
all cocoa beans to be exported in jute bags. This would mean cocoa
could only be exported in 60 kg or 65 kg bags rather than in bulk.
The $3 billion market for food bars is expected to more than double
by 2007, largely due to the popularity these items enjoy among US
women, according to 'The US Market for Food Bars'.
