UK confectionery firm Zetar today said it is expanding its range of
luxury and premium products thanks to the acquisition of Lir
Chocolates in Ireland.
'Kosher' was the most frequently used claim on new products
launched in the US during 2007, while 'All Natural' and 'No
Additives or Preservatives' were amongst the other most popular
claims used on new...
'Antioxidants' crop up every where, from beverage cans to cereal
packets. But industry must wake up to over use of the antioxidant
tag before the term loses meaning for consumers.
Nut manufacturers no longer face Russian import duties; a new gum
product is marketed at overall mouth health; and Hershey appoints a
new executive board.
AarhusKarlsmann (AKK) will face a difficult start to 2008 with
two months of delayed deliveries of it specialty fats after this
week's fire, though no raw materials were destroyed.
Hershey may be forced to withdraw mint pouches; A chocolate factory
fire kills a worker in Denmark; and yet another book promotes the
health benefits of dark chocolate.
Following World AIDS Day, the food industry should reflect on its
own potential to advance the fight against a disease that continues
to sweep a devastating toll.
The seemingly opposing trends of health and indulgence will
dominate the confectionery market over the next few years, and
manufacturers who do not target both risk losing market share, says
a new report.
Cadbury, Mars and a number of other leading global confectioners
are under investigation in Canada over allegations of price fixing
in the country, press reports have said.
Spain-based Natra is now the largest private label producer of
chocolate spread in the EU, after recent acquisitions in Italy and
Belgium, the company claims.
Proposals on the suggested amounts of artificial colourings in food
supplements are being drawn up for Codex because the current limits
are too low, according to the International Alliance for
Dietary/Food Supplement Associations...
Barry Callebaut has reported growth in full year 2006/7 that
outstrips the chocolate sector at large, largely driven by sales to
food manufacturers with which it has several big new deals.
In a policy document released yesterday, the EU's food and
drink sector called on the European Commission to take account of
economic conditions when setting environmental and production
sustainability targets for industry.
UK-based Associated British Foods (ABF) today reported real
operating profit increased by 11 per cent in 2007,
despite EU sugar reforms and the weak US dollar's effect on
margins.
Wrigley claims that chewing gum focuses the mind; Global Exchange
organised a Fairtrade chocolate protest at Halloween; and the
Jamaica's cocoa board says it has invented a chocolate bar that can
be eaten or mixed with water...
Israeli fructose supplier Galam Group will take a majority share in
the Spanish company Atomer SL, building on the market demand for
natural sweeteners with a low Glycemic Index and calorie count.
The UK government has taken a significant step towards the possible
banning of trans fatty acids by asking the Food Standards Agency
(FSA) for its urgent advice.
Natra said yesterday it will tap the premium and private label
chocolate markets with a new range of Belgium truffles, only two
days after acquiring a chocolate factory in the country.
Halloween is one of the top holiday in terms of volume
sales for confectioners, as consumers will spend more than $2.1bn
(€1.5bn) on chocolate and sweets later this month in the US alone,
states a new report.
With all the threats facing food and beverage production -- from
contamination in the food chain, to rising input prices --
there appears to be one menace that towers above the rest, namely
'The Weather'.
Spanish cocoa company Natra announced yesterday the
acquisition of Belgium-based All Crump, as part of the company's
plans to enter the chocolate spread market.
Hershey said yesterday that third quarter margins fell a massive 13
percentage points from the same period in 2006, as a result of
tough competition in the premium chocolate market and rising milk
costs.
International firms such as Cadbury are the most successful
confectionery companies in Western Europe, according to
Euromonitor, suggesting that a global outlook is necessary to
survive in an increasingly competitive market.
A four-year battle between Haribo and Ferrero came to an end this
week following a decision by the German court declaring there was
no copyright infringement in using the word 'kinder'.
The Advertising Standards Agency (ASA) has received a complaint
from the UK's consumer association over the way Nutella
chocolate spread is being marketed to children.
Barry Callebaut has highlighted Russia as a key target market in
Eastern Europe following the opening yesterday of its new chocolate
factory near Moscow.
Barry Callebaut has sold its Brach's confectionery business to
Farley's & Sathers following the slow growth of the US private
label market, the company announced yesterday.
UK-based Glisten has acquired 50 per cent of the Skinny Candy brand
in a bid to expand its portfolio to meet the demand for
healthier confectionery products, the company said today.
Confectionery sales are booming in the global duty free and travel
retail sales market, faster than the market average growth,
according to a new report.
Reducing fat intake continues to be the main priority of consumers
looking to improve their diets, according to a new report from
market analyst Datamonitor.
Leading kids' entertainment brand Nickelodeon has said it will stop
licensing its characters for use on 'unhealthy' foods and
beverages, as part of its commitment to help slow the growth of
childhood obesity.
Consumer watchdog Which? has launched a new campaign to oust
cartoon characters from unhealthy snack advertising, claiming that
superheros are being exploited to encourage kids to clamour for
foods that are high in fat, sugar and...
The Codex Committee on Food Additives (CCFA) is calling for
comments and additional information on uses of certain compounds,
including sweeteners and colors, in order to assess their inclusion
in the Codex General Standards for Food...
Masterfoods has announced plans to introduce a vegetarian labelling
scheme for some of its chocolate products as of next year, but the
Vegetarian Society says ingredients still do not meet its sourcing
requirements.
Consumers are bombarded with an overload of nutritional advice and
product marketing - be it from magazines, television shows, and
product advertising - and without a degree in nutritional science,
it's a wonder they can make...
The trend towards reducing the fat content in food products is
contributing to growth in the emulsifiers market, as R&D
produces new ingredients that can help healthier products taste as
good as the original full fat versions.
Campbell Soup is considering selling its Godiva Chocolate business
in order to focus upon its simple meals and healthier options, the
company said yesterday.
Danone yesterday announced a major restructuring of its senior
management as it continues to refocus its operations towards being
a leading player in health and nutrition.
