Diageo technical director Luca Lupini believes confectionery flavored spirits are an ‘amazing opportunity’ for the firm, and insists the sub-category brings out the best in its R&D team.
Cocoa processing is increasingly moving to origin countries, particularly those in regions where chocolate consumption is rising such as Brazil and Indonesia, according to ADM Cocoa’s head of innovation.
More than 70 Hershey suppliers assembled in Baltimore on Wednesday (May 8) to attend an open innovation forum designed to help the firm improve and accelerate the innovation process via collaboration with external partners.
Fair Trade USA claims that draft changes to its labeling policy allowing brands with 20% certified ingredients to carry its logo are justified in composite products like chocolate because components like sugar are mainly sourced domestically in the US...
Barry Callebaut’s innovation department has revealed that the level of cocoa flavanols, which are associated with a string of positive health effects, vary depending on where beans are sourced.
Founded in the same year that Edison created the first functioning light bulb, Thompson Brands is one of America’s oldest chocolate companies. But it hasn’t stayed in business this long by resting on its laurels, CEO Gene Dunkin tells Elaine Watson.
Consumers in emerging markets are more receptive to new chocolate products than counterparts in established markets because they don’t have a point of reference, according to ADM Cocoa’s innovation chief.
Not-for-profit organization Fair World Project has criticized changes to Fair Trade USA's labeling policy, which allows chocolate to carry the seal when it contains a high percentage of other ingredients like sugar that are not fairly traded.
UK chocolatier Thorntons has reported increased sales in the third quarter as its focus on the commercial channel drove performance over Valentine's Day, Mother's Day and Easter.
Launches from Hershey, Mondelez and Nestlé were among the top 100 bestselling new food and drink items in 2012 having filled consumer needs for convenience, indulgence and functionality, according to Information Resources (IRIs) ‘New Product Pacesetters’...
Mondelez International has followed its peers Nestlé and Mars in making commitments to tackle gender inequality on cocoa farms after coming under fire from Oxfam and consumers.
The chocolate industry in Switzerland has reported a value sales decline in 2012 as the strong Swiss franc harmed exports and warm weather damaged consumer sentiment at home, according to trade association Chocosuisse.
Wales-based character confectionery firm Bon Bon Buddies is aiming to double its sales in the next five years through growth in international markets such as the Middle East.
Eating chocolate may increase incidence and severity of acne by stimulating microorganisms that cause the condition, according to a team of Dutch researchers.
The North American cocoa grind has risen 5.77% in the first of quarter (Q1) compared to last year, leading one analyst to say there is still room for growth in the US chocolate market.
Belgian chocolatier Duc d’O has rebranded its flaked chocolate truffles to appeal to Chinese and Russian consumers looking for authentic handmade chocolate.
UK firm Fudge Kitchen believes it has spotted a gap in the market for premium fudge and has invested in a new production facility and product development to break out of the category’s image as a cheap gift.
The German confectionery Association (BDSI) has denied media rumors that allege unused chocolate bunnies are melted down and remade as chocolate Santas.
Consumers in New Zealand are spending more on healthier and ethical chocolate variants - a move that has aided growth in the burgeoning sector, an analyst says.
Thorntons has recalled three varieties of chocolates after they were found to be contaminated with glass while fake Wonka bars have been found on sale in the UK.
Premium chocolatier Lindt & Sprüngli has reached a deal with market expansion services group DKSH to strengthen its position in the Singapore where demand for premium chocolate is rising.
The US’s largest natural foods retail cooperative PCC Natural Markets claims it has become the first grocer in the nation to sell chocolate made only from ethically sourced cocoa.
Mondelez has reported growth through innovation in the atypical French market that favors premium and dark chocolate more than most places in the world.
Barry Callebaut has reported a slight dip in half-year profits as lower cocoa prices meant customers were paying less for the company’s range of cocoa ingredients compared to last year.
Mondelez International’s Cadbury India has introduced a two-week promotion on Toblerone in most modern retailers in a bid to grow the premium chocolate category.
Unilever has made its first foray into the UK confectionery market after reaching a licensing deal with Kinnerton Confectionery for ice cream brands Magnum, Cornetto and Mini Milk to be made in chocolate form.
Mondelez has filed a patent for chocolate bar packaging featuring multiple holographic images that change depending on the angle you look at the product.
The Belgian confectionery association Choprabisco is considering applying for protected geographical indication for Belgian chocolate to protect authentic producers from imitations.
Consumers think candy bars with green nutrition labels, such as those used by Mars, are healthier than ones with red or white labels containing the same calories, according to new research.
A Rainforest Foundation ethical food product guide based on companies’ palm oil use unjustly discourages the use of palm oil even if it is sustainably sourced, claims the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO).
Brazil has one of the largest markets for Easter confectionery and has had more Easter launches than anywhere else, but the Chinese have yet to look beyond the religious nature of the season as they have for Christmas, according to an analyst.
Confectioners are changing the structure of Easter chocolate egg packaging to cut the amount of materials needed while improving consumer appeal, according to a packaging expert.
Swiss chocolate maker Lindt & Sprüngli will invest €70m ($90m) to expand its factory in the South of France to up its capacity for premium tablet ranges.
Self-sorting chocolates and ketchup that regulates how much you dispense for you are just some of the future packaging trends flagged up by UK firm Benson Group.
ConfectioneryNews takes a look at the latest confections to hit store shelves across the globe including stevia-sweetened Haribo in Germany, low calorie chocolates in Japan, and teeth friendly candy in the UK
Mars Chocolate promises to assess conditions for women cocoa farmers and will sign up to the UN Women’s Empowerment Principles after Oxfam accused it of neglecting gender inequality.
The UK organic food sector remained flat in 2012, but branded goods enjoyed a sales boost as supermarkets shrank their organic private label portfolios, according to the Soil Association.
SPECIAL EDITION - FLEXIBLE AND HIGH-SPEED CANDY MAKING
Enrobing is fast and arms manufacturers with the ability to create varied, decorative confections that appeal to the ever-demanding consumer, a leading industry consultant says.
Special Edition - Flexible and high-speed candy making
A group of small-to-medium-sized enterprises along with multinationals Nestlé and Valor have embarked on a project to improve chocolate tempering using ultrasound.
China will become Hershey’s number two market behind the US in the next five years and will get there through advertising, expanding distribution and new launches, according to the company’s CEO.
ConfectioneryNews.com examines the sustainable cocoa commitments of one of the leading premium chocolate makers, Lindt, after it announced a big charitable investment last week.
Hershey has called attacks on its text messaging tips for farmers program CocoaLink “disingenuous” after a group of NGOs questioned the effectiveness of the project.
