Manufacturers

A scientist uses AI at the Nestlé Institute of Agricultural Sciences. Image: Nestlé

Smart technology

Five ways AI is transforming the confectionery sector

By Natasha Spencer-Jolliffe

With AI at the helm, the confectionery industry is entering a new era of innovation and efficiency, transforming everything from product creation to personalized marketing strategies. Here's how

Could the food industry develop luxury brands? Image Source: Getty Images/Lena_Zajchikova

How can luxury food brands succeed?

By Augustus Bambridge-Sutton

While luxury brands in beverage have been highly successful, luxury food brands are, as of yet, less prominent. What foods have the potential to be luxurious?

Ferrero is a long-standing member of the World Cocoa Foundation (WCF) and the International Cocoa Initiative (ICI). Pic: The Ferrero Group

Sustainability

Ferrero reports solid progress towards sustainability targets

By Anthony Myers

Ferrero said the release of its 15th Sustainability Report demonstrates considerable progress across its key sustainability pillars: protecting the Environment, Sourcing Ingredients Responsibly, Promoting Responsible Consumption, and Empowering People.

Image: Getty/	ampueroleonardo

Sustainability

Cocoa investors request major chocolate companies pay farmers more

By Anthony Myers

An investor letter issued earlier this month by non-profit Investor Advocates for Social Justice (IASJ) has called out international chocolate companies to end what it described as “exploitative purchasing practices,” mainly in Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire.

Haribo is back on the shelves at supermarket Lidl. Image credit: Haribo

Haribo and Lidl unite once more

By Natasha Spencer-Jolliffe

Are the two leaders, one in the global sweets space and one in the budget supermarket arena, back for good?

All roads lead to Indianapolis this year for the 2024 Sweets & Snacks Expo. Pic: CN

Sweets & Snacks Expo 2024

Chocolate brands cash in on America’s largest candy and snack trade show

By Anthony Myers

The 2024 Sweets & Snacks Expo became a launch pad for companies looking to crack the US confectionery market with new products from Colombia’s Vivamor, Canada’s Lovo Chocolate, along with reboots of classic brand Godiva and a new partnership deal...

Image: Getty/Chris Cook

The top five sustainability trends in confectionery

By Natasha Spencer-Jolliffe

As consumers’ ethical values become ever more baked into their confectionery choices, from Hershey to Mondelez and Nestle, we explore the ways brands are pivoting to more sustainable practises

Pic: Nestlé

Marketing

Aero temps sharers with new campaign

By Anthony Myers

Nestlé’s Aero has launched a new ‘ShAero’ marketing campaign in the UK and Ireland, with an on-pack promotion that will see more than 33,000 sharing bars of Aero Peppermint up for grabs.

UK-made seaside treat on rocky ground from 'cheap' imports posing as locally produced goods. Credit: Stanton & Novelty

News

British rock candy faces extinction

By Bethan Grylls

Ten Blackpool-based confectionery manufacturers have come together to urge UK Government to grant rock origin protection status after ‘cheap, imitation imports’ place their businesses at risk.

Source: Nassau Candy

Nassau Candy introduces more bulk candies, expands into dextrose market

By Deniz Ataman

Nassau Candy’s positioning in confectionery as an importer, manufacturer and distributor allows the company flexibility to focus on innovation and its customers’ needs by filling in the gaps from discontinued but in-demand products, Dana Rodio, director,...

Daniel Servitje has been working for the family business since 1984. Pic: Grupo Bimbo

Daniel Servitje steps down as CEO of Grupo Bimbo

By Gill Hyslop

After more than four decades with his family-owned business, Daniel Javier Servijte Montull is passing on the CEO baton, having built up an impressive legacy: Bimbo today is 8x larger than when he became CEO in 1997, has completed 93 acquisitions and...

Richard Parson. Pic: Fudge Kitchen

Appointments

Fudge Kitchen appoints Richard Parson as new MD

By Anthony Myers

UK artisanal confectionery brand has announced it has appointed Richard Parson as its new managing director after founder and previous MD Siân Holt stepped down last year due to illness.

Source: FoodNavigator-USA

Natural Products Expo West

Mondelez: As snacking becomes more ‘purposeful' portion control becomes key

By Elizabeth Crawford

Nearly nine out of 10 consumers snack daily to fuel their busy days, carve out a mindful moment of ‘me time,’ and connect with family and friends – but according to Mondelez International’s recently released 5th State of Snacking report, what they are...

Getting the ball rolling in Indianapolis - Nassau Candy announces new innovations. Pic: Nassau Candy

Sweets & Snacks Expo 2024

Nassau Candy set to add extra colour to Sweets & Snacks Expo 2024

By Anthony Myers

The Sweets & Snacks Expo is the premier showcase in the US for the confectionery, candy, and snacking industries and an ideal space for brands and companies to launch new products and reveal the latest innovations.

The Hub allows Moo Free to trace every part of its supply chain

News

Moo Free unveils new traceability tool, The Hub

By Gwen Ridler

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.

Ralf Hilpuesch. Pic: Ritter Sport

Appointments

Ritter Sport USA appoints Ralf Hilpuesch as CEO

By Anthony Myers

Alfred Ritter GmbH & Co. KG, owner of the popular chocolate brand Ritter Sport, is to establish a United States subsidiary headed by confectionery industry veteran Ralf Hilpuesch.

Cocoa farmers in Cote d'Ivoire plant new seedlings to promote agroforestry. Pic: Nestlé

sustainability

Nestlé onboards suppliers to help cocoa farmers with climate change

By Anthony Myers

Nestlé has announced it is launching two new projects to help address the impact of climate change on cocoa and reduce and remove carbon emissions from its supply chains—as part of its commitment to reach net zero emissions by 2050.

Since 2012, Mondelēz has invested more than £200m into the home of Cadbury - Bournville

News

Millennials driving ‘chocstagia’ trend

By Bethan Grylls

Mondelēz International reveals the UK’s love for nostalgic chocolate treats with Cadbury trends report, as the purple wrapped brand turns 200.

Pic: Moo Free

Seasonal

Moo Free extends Easter range with three new products

By Anthony Myers

UK vegan chocolate brand has expanded its best-selling Easter collection with the launch of three new products: the White Bunnycomb Crunch Easter, Moofreesas Organic Egg, and Easter Egg Hunt Kit.