The World Cocoa Foundation is offering a guide to the cocoa industry on sustainability principles that focus on equitable profit, labour standards and environmental issues.
GSB Flavor Creators continues to tap into the trend for more adventurous flavor combinations with the launch of three new pairs of ‘shuffled flavors’ for the Christmas holidays.
Russian confectioner Landrin, best known for its chocolate eggs containing children’s toys, is attempting a move into the premium confectionery market for adults.
Food packaging companies must implement sustainable environmental strategies or risk income falls of more than 30 per cent by 2013 and nearly 50 per cent by 2018, warns a new study from the environmental think-tank World Resources Institute and management...
Cadbury has added another string to its eco-friendly bow by introducing a mobile computerised system for its market research data collectors, cutting down on paper and travel while improving efficiency.
Spanish cocoa firm Natra is launching a line of functional chocolate ingredients, which would allow manufacturers to improve the health profile of their products though the addition of omega-3 and fibre.
An industry initiative to reduce seasonal confectionery packaging waste has gathered pace with many manufacturers embracing biodegradable packaging and reducing package volume.
The global furore over the recent melamine contamination scandal in China appears to have driven consumers in that country increasingly towards premium and international brands, according to research group TNS Worldpanel.
Swiss-based cocoa and chocolate manufacturer Barry Callebaut has weathered wild volatility on world cocoa markets, reporting a 66.5 per cent rise in its full-year net profits.
The daily consumption of 17 grams of ACTICOA dark chocolate, containing 500 milligrams (mg) of cocoa flavanols, for two weeks helps to maintain healthy blood pressure, according to new research presented at Health Ingredients Europe (HIE) 2008 Show in...
Squarely targeting the growing demand from confectioners and retailers for health-promoting products, chocolate maker Natra has rolled out a range of functional chocolate bars specifically directed at private label brands.
Consumers’ wallets in Europe may be taking a hit, but investment in premium chocolate ploughs on with luxury products taking centre stage at this week's Salon du Chocolat in Paris.
Efforts this month under the sustainability mantle by leading pod-to-pallet cocoa player Barry Callebaut include a 250,000 tree-planting project in Tanzania, and a tripling of grindings in Ivory Coast.
With sustainability a buzz word for today's confectionery makers, a symposium that kicked off in Ghana today will attempt to get to grips with current issues impacting sustainability in Africa's cocoa supply chain.
Driven by consumer demand for clean labels the shift from artificial to natural additives is undoubtedly gaining pace in the realm of European confectionery, a fact mirrored by this year's selection of Halloween products that show a massive leap...
The Russian confectionery market, the second largest in the world, will see growth of 14-16 per cent next year, according to chocolate manufacturer Cadbury.
Flavour firm Symrise has added new development labs and a sensory and consumer research centre to its site in Moscow, as it aims to increase understanding of Russian tastes.
The UK Department of Health (DoH) says that measures taken to combat the promotion of junk food to children seem to be taking effect – at least in terms of television advertising.
The international chocolate manufacturing company Barry Callebaut is continuing its push into the added-value sector of the confectionery market with the opening of the latest of its ‘Centres of Excellence’ in Dijon.
China is taking steps to reassure countries that are banning its imports following the melamine crisis with the introduction of new safety levels for food and drink.
Mid-melamine scare, food safety issues are compounded for European confectioners as Europe's alert system flags up a confectionery product for children containing an additive from China that could constitute a choking risk.
Two major confectionery players have this month announced inroads into Russia, demonstrating that cocoa ingredients suppliers and their customers are seeking to spear fresh wins in Russia's emerging, and burgeoning, confectionery market.
A China-based manufacturer of weighing and packaging products is looking for greater collaboration with confectioners and other food manufacturers to establish itself on the European market.
Spanish chocolate firm Natra sets its sights on the booming health and wellness market for adults and children, launching a chocolate bar with a healthy twist for the private label market.
While the food inflation rate continues to gallop ahead in the eurozone, observers speculate as to whether premium chocolate products could help confectionery firms ride the storm.
Spanish food firm Natra has reported yet more impressive sales and revenue growth as its integration of newly acquired All Crump continues with success.
Cadbury has signalled that it will take “whatever measures are necessary” to deliver on its 2008 performance promises – despite H1 results that show good profit growth.
Focusing further on cocoa bean sourcing and processing, Zurich-based Barry Callebaut spins-off Chococam, the last of its consumer activities in Africa, to South African food firm Tiger Brands.
Herculean efforts are required by the global chocolate industry to
ensure that sourced cocoa supplies are not linked to exploited or
trafficked child labour, underlines labour watchdog International
Labor Rights Forum.
New outsourcing contracts for industrial cocoa from new and
existing chocolate makers boost volume growth for cocoa supplier
Barry Callebaut, helping to offset harmful exchange rates, energy
prices and inflation.
As the UK's Carbon Trust initiates a scheme to reward companies for genuine carbon emission reduction, a new study will determine how influential a company's sustainability image is in terms of consumers' purchasing decisions.
Cargill has started production of two new xanthan gum products out
of its facility in China, after implementing technology transfer
from France and ensuring quality and safety standards meet
requirements.
As ever shorter product life cycles continue to dominate the
packaging landscape for confectioners, two Bosch Packaging
Technology firms have extended their range of horizontal
pillow-pack machines.
In recent years there has been an increasing trend towards healthy
and premium confectionery products, aimed at making consumers feel
better about the treats they eat and giving them a taste of luxury
and sophistication.
Barry Callebaut has successfully closed its acquisition of a 60 per
cent stake in Malaysia's KLK Cocoa - a strategic move expected to
give the Swiss firm leverage to expand in the high-potential
Asia-Pacific region.
British chocolatier Montezuma is one of the latest confectionery
companies to promote its green credentials by introducing recycled
and recyclable packaging.
Barry Callebaut has acquired a 49 per cent stake in Biolands of
Tanzania, Africa's largest exporter of certified organic cocoa,
after purchasing 100 per cent of its top-end cocoa for the past
eight years.
In recent confectionery news, ADM reshuffles its management team,
Hershey launches a new premium line to try and boost its US market
share, and Sweet China reports a quarterly profit loss.
Swiss chocolate company Barry Callebaut is to purchase a 60 per
cent share of Malaysia's KL Kepong Cocoa Products in a move
designed to increase its sourcing capacity in Asia.
In financial news this week, cocoa prices go up yet again, Cadbury
reveals more de-merger plans, and Sweet China is allowed to return
to the London stock market.
The Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) is coordinating a
confectionery working group in order to reduce the packaging of
seasonal products such as Easter eggs.