Mars bets on CRISPR to save cocoa from climate chaos
Mars teams up with biotech firm Pairwise to futureproof cocoa crops using gene editing
Smart technology
Where will the cocoa supply of the future come from?
As yields decline in Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire, could beans come from elsewhere?
7 dos and don’ts for confectionery innovation in 2025
The confectionery space is evolving fast – from AI and agile R&D to stealth health and consumer-first design. Here are seven insights from industry leaders on how to innovate successfully in 2025
What every food and drink brand must know about AI and innovation
AI can speed up your pipeline – but it won’t tell you why everyone still picks chocolate. Here’s how to innovate without losing your edge
Startup Spotlight
Digital sampling campaigns expand startup’s reach beyond limited retail distribution
Startups with limited retail distribution can test consumer interest in potential new regions and generate viral buzz that can prime a market for launch with digital sampling campaigns that convert first-time buyers into micro-influencers
What Ring Pop’s super-fast factory opening tells us about how the US candy sector can tackle tariff traumas
Hard candy brand’s rapid rebound highlights how food manufacturers can respond to supply chain disruption and Trump-era tariff uncertainty
Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire’s cocoa maps more accurate than global datasets, says new WCF report
New assessment helps chocolate companies prepare for EUDR by evaluating map accuracy for deforestation monitoring
Can combining detection technologies prevent confectionery recalls?
Advancing systems are making their way into the confectionery production environment.
TikTok drives €2.2bn boom in freeze-dried candy as confectioners upgrade tech
From viral videos to high-tech treats, freeze-dried candy is reshaping the confectionery game. Here’s how
New report anticipates negligible costs of implementing EUDR
As the industry prepares for the regulation’s December 2025 arrival, confectioners explore what’s needed to build transparent and sustainable supply chains
How Mondelēz International is using AI to maximise product innovation
From production and supply chain optimisation, to marketing and consumer engagement, AI transforming the confectionery sector. Here’s how
Meet the top technology trends shaping confectionery in 2025
Take a glimpse at the anticipated tech innovations and evolutions for the year ahead
AI - like having a crystal ball for flavour trends
Here’s what the future of confectionery flavours has in store...
Four ways confectionery brands are customizing the consumer experience
Confectionery brands are now offering custom experiences that go beyond taste, making every bite uniquely memorable. Here we examine four game-changing trends
Five ways robotics tech is revolutionising confectionery
How Hershey, Nestle, Mars and Nutresa México are ramping up and re-imagining their production using robots
Should you be marketing on the metaverse?
As one confectionery firm launches its own candyland on Roblox to appeal to young gamers, we explore the merits of brand-building in virtual reality
Smart technology
Five ways AI is transforming the confectionery sector
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
Artificial Intelligence - special report
How AI can improve product quality and consumer experience in confectionery
Two of the standout sessions at the NCA’s recent State of the Industry Conference covered ‘The transformative power of AI for business and personal use,' where experts unlocked the secrets of artificial intelligence to help brands stay ahead of the...
ProSweets Cologne 24
ProSweets Cologne focuses on the reformulation of sweets and snacks
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.
Generative AI shows potential to streamline marketing and communications for CPG brands, as long as brands oversee its output
During “The Promise and Pitfalls of Generative AI for Food and Beverage Operations” webinar, Nick Markman, senior product manager, Evocalize, explained that while the risks of producing misinformation from generative AI are significant, it’s up to brands...
Interpack 2023
Mettler-Toledo launches 100% automated label inspection solution suite
Mettler-Toledo Product Inspection has launched a completely automated, full label inspection service for food manufacturers in time for Interpack, which takes place in Messe Düsseldorf from 4 May until - 10 May 2023.
Logistics
How a small chocolate business is unwrapping the importance of digital supply chain management
York Cocoa House, like many confectionery businesses, has taken steps to diversify its supply chain to combat recent and future market uncertainty.
Technology
Accenture collaborates with Mars to develop ‘digital twins’ of production lines
Strategy and consulting firm Accenture is working with confectionery giant Mars to transform and modernise its global manufacturing operations with artificial intelligence (AI), cloud, edge technology and digital twins.
Clean label
Fresh Start accelerator targets clean label, plant-based disruptors
The Fresh Factory has launched Fresh Start, an accelerator programme designed to pioneer the next gen of disruptors creating better-for-you products made with recognisable ingredients.
Robots ‘ready to extend reach’ in food industry
There’s a strong case for the future growth of robots in food production in Europe, believes Dutch bank ING, as companies look to boost competitiveness, improve product quality and respond to rising labour costs.
Environment
Barry Callebaut opens sustainable ‘Chocolate Box’ warehouse in Belgium
Opened in the week leading up to the COP26 Climate Change Conference in Glasgow, Barry Callebaut claims its ‘Chocolate Box’ is not only the world’s largest chocolate warehouse, but also the most sustainable.
Guest post
Preventing damages to cocoa beans in transit through increased supply chain transparency
Stefan Reidy is the founder and CEO of Arviem, a Swiss-based provider of multi-modal, in-transit supply chain visibility. He explains how best to protect valuable cocoa beans during their journey from West African ports to Europe and North America.
Ism/ProSweets 2022
ISM & ProSweets Cologne to offer full on digital platform to complement live event
After a successful re-start to Anuga, one of the leading global trade fairs for the food and beverage industry that took place in Cologne earlier this month, organisers Koelnmesse are now switching their attention to ISM & ProSweets - due to open at the...
ProSweets Cologne 2022
ProSweets Cologne 2022 to focus on 3R principle – Reduce, Reuse, Recycle - for confectionery industry
After skipping last year because of the COVID-19 restrictions on live events, ProSweets Cologne is set to return to its usual home, the Koelnmesse, in January 2022, with a focus on sustainable packaging for the snacks and sweets industry.
Special Report: Post Pandemic Trends 2021
Keeping the production flow going during the pandemic
We have entered into a new era of food safety and with the current situation fuelling fears around food contamination more than ever before, producers have been paying special attention to equipment cleanliness and effective pack sealing, says Edward...
Production
Increasing productivity in the confectionery industry
The global consumption of confectionery is growing steadily, especially during the coronavirus pandemic, and for manufacturers of chocolate, sweets, chewing gum and other confectionery, this means making their production facilities fast, flexible,...
Israeli startup releases ‘game changer in personalised nutrition’ with stress-busting snack bars
myAir has created a range of snack bars that contain proprietary botanical blends designed to deliver a specific stress-release effect depending on an individual’s cognitive response to stress.
Production
Mettler-Toledo’s upgrades its Label Inspection Solution to minimise reworking
Mettler-Toledo Product Inspection has announced the launch of two new Product Data Check technology options to perform product label checks on a wide variety of food and pharmaceutical packaging to minimise rework, mitigate recalls, reduce waste, improve...
Union Process partners with Chocolate Creations on its chocolate grinding attritor
Union Process has partnered with Chocolate Creations, in Ohio, to install a Q2 series grinding attritor to produce large quantities of bean-to-bar chocolate.
Superfos designs 3D pack for Saudia Arabia sweets & savoury snacks brand
Superfos, a Berry Global company, has designed a Unipak tub for Al Wefag Trading & Manufacturing Company, one of Saudi Arabia’s sweet and savoury snacks producers.
Tech startup creates platform for brands to see who sells their products and where in real-time
Netrivals start-up technology company has launched a Marketplace Module for customers to find out who is selling their products in marketplaces such as Amazon, Carrefour, and Cdiscount, among others.
Juicy Drop Pop partners with Wrights Plastics to make the candy aisles ‘pop’
Juicy Drop Pop has partnered with Wrights Plastics to create a two meter FSDU (Free Standing Display Unit) for its candy range in stores worldwide, including Saudi Arabia, UAE and South Korea.
Systech to join Markem-Imaje following Dover acquisition
Dover Corporation has acquired Systech International (Systech), which will now join Markem-Imaje, product identification and traceability business, as part of Dover’s Imaging and Identification segment.
Social media
Parle Products Hashtag Challenge targets Gen-Z gaining 5bn views with its GIF videos
Parle Products has become the first FMCG brand within the Food Category in India to launch a social media campaign using GIF videos.
Innovation
Barry Callebaut opens world's first 3D printing studio to craft ‘unseen chocolate’ experiences
The Belgian chocolate supplier, known for its innovations, is now offering the world’s first personalized 3D printed chocolate at scale through its global decoration brand Mona Lisa.
AIPIA cancels China Summit amid concerns over Coronavirus
AIPIA, the Active & Intelligent Packaging Industry Association has announced it is postponing its China Summit, due to be held in Shanghai in April, due to concerns about Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) in China and many other regions.
Marketing
Mars Wrigley partners with Snapchat to create AR Maltesers Bunny campaign
Mars Wrigley UK has partnered with Snapchat to create the platform’s first-ever AR (Augmented Reality) scavenger hunt to virtually catch a Maltesers Bunny to win a £5,000 cash prize.
ProSweets/ISM 2020
ProSweets/ISM to promote less plastic, renewable raw materials, lower packing weight & recyclability
Less plastic, more renewable raw materials, lower packing weight and recyclability – these are the themes to be discussed at this year’s ProSweets/ISM show.
Guest post
Smarties’ new 3D figures are not just for Christmas, but the shape of things to come
Steve Osborne, a partner at brand and packaging design consultancy Osborne Pike, explains the ideas that brought Nestlé’s Smarties to life and how confectionery companies can capitalize on seasonal offerings with a fresh, new look.
Processing special edition
Brighter Foods set for expansion as client demand for bespoke bars grows
Brighter Foods, which makes a million bars a day for clients in the slimming, sport, organic, Free From and other niche categories, has partnered with Loma Systems to install an X5C X-ray inspection machine.
Technology
Mars partners with tech startup Standard Cognition to develop autonomous checkouts
Standard Cognition and Mars Wrigley, the world’s leading manufacturer of chocolate, chewing gum, mints and fruity confections, has announced a partnership to help retailers reimagine impulse sales in stores with no checkout lines.
Harry & David’s digital evolution gets personal, smarter and faster for mobile
1-800-FLOWERS.com, Inc. has invested in its digital shopping experience with the addition of subscription services, personalized gifts, mystery boxes and a ‘gift finder’ that tailors results based on answers to three quick questions.
Ferrero adds 225 jobs at new 730k-square-foot distribution center
The Pennsylvania facility, located outside the state’s capital Harrisburg, will help the confectioner manage its growing US sales of brands like Butterfinger, Baby Ruth and Crunch.
Mars Wrigley and FanFood test confectionery sales through tech
The confectioner tested FanFood’s mobile ordering platform at a Major League Baseball subsidiary team in July and August – and doubled sales.
Hershey embracing fresh approach to modern retail challenges
Stand-up packaging, consumer-driven innovation and loyalty data are upending the candy aisle and checkout area. We talked with two Hershey execs at the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) show to understand how one of the world’s most...