Candy

Consumer demand for functional gummies keeps growing. Pic: GettyImages

Special report: Gummies keep on growing

Nutraceuticals are at the centre of gummy appeal

By Anthony Myers

Darling Ingredients’ health brand, Rousselot, has been at the forefront of much of the innovation involving clean-label gelatin and collagen-based solutions and has discovered a way to fill them with the correct amounts of nutraceuticals.

Pic: GettyImages

Special report: Gummies keep on growing

Gummy market: space for growth for new competitors

By Anthony Myers

The Global Jellies & Gummies Market size is expected to reach $19.9 billion by 2030, rising at a market growth of 4.2% CAGR during the forecast period, according to fresh research by ResearchAndMarkets.com.

Pic: GettyImages

Special report: Gummies keep on trending

Go gummies! Whether hard or soft, consumers love the tastes and textures

By Anthony Myers

At last year’s Sweets & Snacks Expo in Chicago, new and innovative gummy products proved irresistible to confectionery industry delegates with new lines from manufacturers, including Harribo, Hammond, Bazzoka, and Mars. Ultimately, the diversity of...

Pic: NCSA

Industry voices

NCSA to oversee this year’s Kettle Awards

By Anthony Myers

The National Confectionery Sales Association (NCSA) has announced it is organising the prestigious 77th Kettle Awards with a ceremony on Tuesday, 14 May, to coincide with the 2024 Sweets & Snacks Expo in Indianapolis.

Sarah Atkinson. Pic: NCA

Appointments

Sarah Atkinson joins NCA executive team

By Anthony Myers

The National Confectioners Association (NCA) has announced that Sarah Atkinson will join the organisation as vice president of membership & business development.

Pic: GettyImages

Seasonal

Love me do: Americans want sweet treats for Valentine’s Day

By Anthony Myers

Chocolate and candy's role as a social currency has been reinforced during the Valentine’s Day season in the US, with 92% of Americans claiming they plan to share confectionery with friends, family, and loved ones.

Image source: Getty/urbazon

Super Bowl ranks high among holiday weekends, snacks take center stage

By Deniz Ataman

As Las Vegas prepares for the estimated $215bn economic growth from the additional 215,00 visitors for the Super Bowl, CPG companies and retailers have a significant opportunity to feature value-added offerings for viewers across the country, according...

Career path: Pic: GettyImages

Mentorship

NCA announces its 2024 Future Leaders class

By Anthony Myers

The National Confectioners Association (NCA) has announced the eight confectionery industry professionals selected for its 2024 Future Leadership Programme.

Pic: EXBERRY Colors

ProSweets Cologne 2024

EXBERRY to showcase plant-based colours at ProSweets Cologne

By Anthony Myers

GNT, the company behind EXBERRY food colors, will demonstrate how its plant-based, sustainable portfolio can help maximize product appeal for manufacturers at ProSweets Cologne, which runs this year from 28-31 January.

Stevia seedlings. Pic: Howtian Group

BALANCING HEALTH AND INDULGENCE IN CONFECTIONERY

Colombia’s sugar reduction tax targets confectionery

By Anthony Myers

The global landscape of food consumption is undergoing a significant shift with the introduction of sugar taxes in over 120 countries. These initiatives are primarily aimed at guiding consumers towards healthier lifestyle choices by reducing the intake...

The chocolate, confectionery, and bakery industry has adapted to demands for more healthy sweet treats. Pic: Getty Images

BALANCING HEALTH AND INDULGENCE IN CONFECTIONERY

How confectionery embraced ‘healthy indulgence’

By Anthony Myers

Consumers are increasingly focusing on their health without compromising on taste, which is why healthy indulgence has become a serious trend. Millennials (Gen Y) and Centennials (Gen Z) are looking for foods and beverages that are tasty, good for you,...

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 …

The Swiss pavilion at last year's ISM Middle East. Pic: Switzerland Global Enterprise

ISM Middle East 2023

ISM Middle East sells out in Dubai and announces expansion plans for 2024

By Anthony Myers

As ISM Middle East prepares to open the MENA region's premier trade fair for confectionery and snacks at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) from 7 to 9 November, organisers Koelnmesse has announced it will be moving its usual November date to September...

US consumers will still have plenty of candy treats on hand this Halloween. Pic: Getty Images

Seasonal

Reality bites? US Halloween candy sales unspooked by inflation

By Anthony Myers

Scary monsters (and super creeps) with false teeth may not be the only ones to bite this Halloween as inflation is also hitting households across the United States, forcing many families to keep tight control of the purse strings.

Let's twist again: Candy companies can revitalise timeless classics with new flavours. Pic: Corbion/istock

Guest post

Survey shows confectionery consumers crave fruity flavours

By Linda Tomaselli

According to the most recent Corbion Consumer survey, the primary drivers for consumers of confectionery remain centered around flavour and reputable brands. In the realm of sugar confectionery, fruit flavours continue to hold sway as the top choice among...

The Sweets & Snacks Expo 2024 will be held in Indiana. Pic: NCA

Sweets & Snacks Expo 2024

NCA puts call-out for speakers for 2024 Sweets & Snacks Expo

By Anthony Myers

The National Confectioners Association’s (NCA) Sweets & Snacks Expo is accepting education curriculum proposals for its 2024 event, which takes place at the Indianapolis Convention Center in Indianapolis, Indiana, from 13 to 16 May.

The Candy Hall of Fame class of 2023. Pic: NCSA

Industry

NCSA announces inductees into Candy Hall of Fame 2023

By Anthony Myers

Registration is open for the National Confectionery Sales Association (NCSA) 52nd Candy Hall of Fame weekend, honouring 11 industry leaders who have significantly impacted the confectionery industry.

HI-Chew creates an experiential pop-up for its latest candy launch

HI-Chew creates an experiential pop-up for its latest candy launch

By Deniz Ataman

FoodNavigator-USA visited HI-Chew's pop-up to speak with Teruhiro Kawabe, Chief Representative for the USA & President, CEO of Morinaga America Inc. and Joanne Hsu, senior brand marketing manager, to discuss the brand's HI-Chew bites launch.

John Bull rock has been a feature of Bridlington for over 100 years. Pic: JB

Mergers & acquisitions

Serious Sweets buys classic rock maker

By Anthony Myers

The Serious Sweet Confectionery Group (SSC) has snapped up rock maker and wholesaler John Bull Confectioners for an undisclosed sum.