Smart technology

Mondelēz resolves French retailer backlash over wholesale price hikes but loses some distribution in the process

French trade dispute dents Mondelēz Q3 earnings

By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Mondelēz International third-quarter earnings fell 11% compared to last year due to disputes with French retailers over wholesale pricing changes and 'soft' developed market demand.

37% of viable probiotic cells are lost when added to chocolate at 40°C, according to a more precise laser detection method

How to measure probiotic counts in chocolate

By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Flow cytometry – a laser-based cell sensor system – is almost twice as accurate at measuring probiotic levels in chocolate when compared to traditional methods, according to research.

Mars claims solid plant fat holds the key to caramel water migration issues

Patent watch

Watertight idea? Mars files patent for multi-texture caramel

By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Mars has filed a patent for ‘multi-texture’ caramel products, using a method that prevents moisture migration from caramel to crispy components without the need for a fat-based moisture barrier.

Pecan Deluxe Candy (Europe) QSR inclusions expansion

Pecan Deluxe Candy (Europe) to move to bigger premises

By Jenny Eagle

Pecan Deluxe Candy (Europe) has invested in a €300,000 Yamato multihead check weigher, which can operate up to 100 bags per minute, to meet increasing demand for inclusions in products such as ice cream, desserts, cookies and donuts.

Fran Jimenez

Interpack 2014

Natra unwraps potential of ULMA confectionery machine

By Jenny Eagle

Natra and Grupo Bimbo are just some of the firms who have shown interest in the FR500 flow pack wrapper designed specifically for the bakery, confectionery and chocolate industry by ULMA Packaging.

Bossel with the Slug and Pile

Interpack 2014

Bosch launches ‘World first’ two-in-one biscuit machine

By Jenny Eagle

Bosch Packaging Technology has launched a biscuit packaging line, which it claims is the first of its kind, capable of fast slug to pile changeovers, and vice versa, with the same feeding components.

Individually wrapped candies inside smaller flexible bags present a challenge for manufacturers aiming for portion controlled products

Special Edition: Consumer friendly confectionery packaging unwrapped

Getting portion controlled packaging under control

By Oliver Nieburg

Consumer demand is rising for portion controlled packs, but do existing packaging machines have everything under control?

Ecom denies that it has failed to make certification premium payments to farmers

Ecom-Armajaro denies failed co-op payments

By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Ecom and Armajaro maintain they did not fail to pay farmers for certified cocoa beans as Ecom’s trading license is suspended and a media hotchpotch of leaked documents and official positions ensues.  

The ‘Choccie Dodger’ features chocolate cream in the middle

Burton's invests in 'Choccie Dodger'

By Rick Pendrous

Biscuit and snack producer Burton’s Biscuit Company has installed equipment at its Llantarnam factory in Wales to make the chocolate cream for a ‘Choccie Dodger’ version of its iconic ‘Jammie Dodger’.

Sollich gives tips on when to use water during confectionery production. Sollich cooling tunnel pictured.

Special Edition - Hygienic Design & Quality Testing

Access all areas: Knowing when to use water in confectionery production

By Oliver Nieburg

Choosing equipment that allows you to access critical areas for inspection is essential to limiting water use during production, but some processes are better suited to a wet wash, says equipment supplier Sollich.

Swapping paper records for digital scanning technology avoids error and is quicker in the event of a recall, says Intermec

Special Edition: Hygienic Design & Quality Testing

Retailers pressure confectioners to implement digital traceability standards

By Oliver Nieburg

Retailers are piling the pressure on confectioners to swap paper records for quicker mobile scanning technology to trace the source of raw ingredients, protecting them in the event of a recall, according to computing firm Intermec.

Bosch launches flow wrapper machine Pack 101 (pictured) and vertical form, fill and seal (VFFS) machine SVI 2600 at Pack Expo in Las Vegas

Dispatches from Pack Expo in Las Vegas

Flexibility key for small confectioners, says Bosch

By Oliver Nieburg

Bosch Packaging Technology claims that flexibility is crucial for smaller businesses as it launches two new bagging machines at Pack Expo designed for smaller confectioners looking for quick and easy changeovers between products.

Growing confectionery equipment outlays driven by emerging market demand

Dispatches from Pack Expo in Las Vegas

Confectionery equipment investments set to grow, says PMMI

By Oliver Nieburg

Booming demand from the growing middle classes in emerging markets mean confectionery industry investments in processing and packaging equipment will grow 4% to 5% annually, according to a report by processing and packaging association PMMI.

One year on: Key moments in the 12 months since the Mondelēz-Kraft split

Birth of a confectionery giant

Mondelēz International: One year on

By Annie-Rose Harrison-Dunn

As we approach the first year anniversary of the launch of Mondelēz International, ConfectioneryNews peers into the chocolate box of the young confectionery titan.