Cocoa & Sugar

The hunt for the ‘holy grail’ of clean label palatability

Clean label special feature

The hunt for the ‘holy grail’ of clean label palatability

By Anthony Myers

New technology and food science are helping food ingredient manufacturers provide innovative solutions to meet the consumer-fuelled clean-label megatrend. From hunting for the ‘holy grail’ of clean-label bakery mould inhibitors to freeze-drying fruit...

GCB Cocoa formally take over the factory in the UK. Pictured (left to right): Chris Starkie (New Anglia LEP), James Cartlidge MP, Khai Vualnam (GCB Cocoa), Cllr Michael Holt (Babergh District Council) Picture: courtesy of James Cartlidge MP

Expansion

Malaysia’s GCB cocoa to open new factory in UK

By Anthony Myers

GCB Cocoa, a Malaysian-owned chocolate company, has announced the acquisition of a former Phillips electronics factory in the UK with a pledge to invest £62.2m and the creation of 220 jobs.

Cocoa Horizons farmer Nélida Morán Reyes receives new cocoa seedlings to start training in Good Agricultural Practices. Pic: Barry Callebaut Group

Sustainability

Barry Callebaut introduces its Cocoa Horizons scheme in Ecuador

By Anthony Myers

Following on from the Group’s groundbreaking ceremony in Ecuador for a new state-of-the-art cocoa facility, Barry Callebaut is ramping up its presence in the world’s third largest cocoa-growing country with a wider introduction of its Cocoa Horizons programme....

ECA reports a decline in European cocoa grind figures Pic: ConfectioneryNews

Coronavirus

Coronavirus crisis affects European cocoa grinds

By Anthony Myers

Cocoa grinding figures across Europe, the indicator of the demand for cocoa for chocolate and confectionery production, declined in the 3rd quarter of 2020 by 4.7% on the same period the previous year, the European Cocoa Organization (ECA) reports.

Pic: Chocolat Madagascar

Recognition

Chocolat Madagascar bags three Great Taste Awards

By Anthony Myers

Chocolat Madagascar is celebrating winning three awards from the year’s Great Taste competition, the world’s most trusted food and drink awards from the UK.

 Mars said it remains committed to working with others to create a sustainable cocoa supply chain in-line with its Cocoa for Generations strategy. Pic: Mars Wrigley

Sustainability

Mars welcomes minimum price guarantee for cocoa farmers in West Africa

By Anthony Myers

Cote d’Ivoire and Ghana, the world’s largest cocoa producers, have hiked up their minimum price guarantee given to farmers by 21% for the 2020-2021 growing season that starts in October, and has support of major chocolate companies including Mars Wrigley.

Fairtrade America's cocoa is now part of Amazon’s Climate Pledge Friendly program. Pic: Fairtrade America

Sustainability

Fairtrade America joins Amazon’s Climate Pledge Friendly program

By Anthony Myers

Fairtrade America has announced it is participating in Amazon’s Climate Pledge Friendly program, making it easier for customers to discover and shop for more sustainable products on the online shopping channel, including many Fairtrade-certified goods.

A cocoa farmer in Cote d'Ivoire  Pic: Mars

Coronavirus

Mars updates its ongoing COVID-19 Response Plan

By Anthony Myers

In April, Mars committed US$20m in cash and in-kind donations to support the people, pets, and communities most affected by COVID-19, including communities in cocoa-growing.

CNVIDEO: Satelligence to focus on cocoa's deforestation problems

Interview with Satelligence founder and CEO, Niels Wielaard

CNVIDEO: Satelligence to focus on cocoa's deforestation problems

By Anthony Myers

Satelligence is a new company that specializes in assessing patterns and trends in forests, agriculture and water, providing highly detailed satellite images for mapping purposes to help combat deforestation.

Pic: ConfectioneryNews

Commodities

ICCO halves its cocoa surplus estimate for 209/20 season

By Anthony Myers

The impact of the coronavirus pandemic has led the International Cocoa Organization (ICCO) to halve its forecast for the expected global cocoa surplus in the 2019/20 season as demand for beans from chocolate manufactures slows.