Chocolate

Barry Callebaut will publish the seventh edition of its Forever Chocolate Progress Report at the end of November. Pic: Barry Callebaut

Sustainability

Barry Callebaut ranked top for ESG risks management

By Anthony Myers

Barry Callebaut has been ranked in the 1st percentile in the management of ESG risks in both the Food Product and Packaged Food companies by Morningstar Sustainalytics.

Pic: Hotel Chocolat

Sustainability

Hotel Chocolat launches new bar with 100% sales going to cocoa growers

By Anthony Myers

Luxury UK chocolatier and cacao grower Hotel Chocolat has launched two new chocolate bars, pledging 100% of the bar sales to fund a ‘better way for cacao farming’, as part of the brand’s drive for positive change for nature and farming families.

The Swiss pavilion at last year's ISM Middle East. Pic: Switzerland Global Enterprise

ISM Middle East 2023

ISM Middle East sells out in Dubai and announces expansion plans for 2024

By Anthony Myers

As ISM Middle East prepares to open the MENA region's premier trade fair for confectionery and snacks at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) from 7 to 9 November, organisers Koelnmesse has announced it will be moving its usual November date to September...

York Cocoa House combines a small manufacturing facility with a retail cafe in the heart of the city. Pic York Cocoa House

Podcast

How York Cocoa House is keeping the city’s chocolate industry alive

By Anthony Myers

A recent article in National Geographic described York as ‘England’s chocolate capital’. The city was home to two major confectionery companies, Terry’s founded in 1767 and Rowntree’s in 1862, the inventor of KitKat, which is still produced today at the...

Cocoa trees naturally absorb cadmium from soils via their roots and deposit it in the nibs (centre) of cocoa beans. Pic: As You Sow

Special report

Chocolate companies respond to latest claims of excessive cadmium in cocoa

By Anthony Myers

Consumer Reports (CR), a US independent, non-profit member organisation, has doubled down on its campaign against lead and cadmium in chocolate and urges changes after a new survey finds a third of products contain ‘concerning’ levels of heavy metals.

'It's an exciting time in the confectionery space'. Pic: Getty Images

Special Edition: Natural & Clean label confectionery

What it means to eat ‘clean’

By Markus Gaertner

In the realm of the food and beverage industry, few terms carry as much weight and complexity as the term 'clean.

Pic: GettyImages

Sustainability

New database launched to drive innovation in Sustainable Food Systems

By Anthony Myers

IFIS Sustainability a cutting-edge, free Abstracting and Indexing (A&I) database that curates the latest scientific research at the intersection of food and sustainability, has launched a new digital tool providing food innovators access to the latest...

Image: Getty/Media Lens King

Cocoa leaders demand a fair price for all

By Natasha Spencer-Jolliffe

Off the back of Tony's Chocolonely’s warning that the new cocoa farmgate price is still too low, other chocolate brands and global organisations call for an end to corporate greed and push for equity.

US consumers will still have plenty of candy treats on hand this Halloween. Pic: Getty Images

Seasonal

Reality bites? US Halloween candy sales unspooked by inflation

By Anthony Myers

Scary monsters (and super creeps) with false teeth may not be the only ones to bite this Halloween as inflation is also hitting households across the United States, forcing many families to keep tight control of the purse strings.

The Sweets & Snacks Expo 2024 will be held in Indiana. Pic: NCA

Sweets & Snacks Expo 2024

NCA puts call-out for speakers for 2024 Sweets & Snacks Expo

By Anthony Myers

The National Confectioners Association’s (NCA) Sweets & Snacks Expo is accepting education curriculum proposals for its 2024 event, which takes place at the Indianapolis Convention Center in Indianapolis, Indiana, from 13 to 16 May.

Women from the  COOPAAPROMAN community in Cote d'Ivoire organise their Village Savings Loans. Pic: Magnum

Sustainability

AWA by Magnum supports more female cocoa farmers in Cote d’Ivoire

By Anthony Myers

To mark World Cocoa & Chocolate Day (which took place on 1 October) Magnum ice cream has released more details on its female empowerment programme, upscaling the work to reach thousands of additional women throughout cocoa communities in the West...

Pic: Werther's

SPECIAL EDITION: Flavour inspiration

Werther's Original taps into caramel

By Anthony Myers

Classic UK confectionery brand Werther's Original has captured this season’s flavour trend with the launch of its Chocolate Covered Caramels, combining the rich, buttery taste of Werther's caramel with the smoothness of milk chocolate.

Caramel is making a splash in chocolate this season. Pic: GettyImages

Special edition: Flavour inspiration

The flavour trends redefining chocolate indulgence

By Anthony Myers

Luker Chocolate, a premium and sustainable brand from Colombia, has also been at the forefront of introducing new flavours to chocolate bars over the past couple of years, and the company has gathered valuable insights from recent trade fairs ExpoWest...

Pic: Cocoa Canopy

Packaging

Cocoa Canopy repackages its beads for the service sector

By Anthony Myers

UK-based drinking chocolate brand, Cocoa Canopy, has announced a new format for its 900g foodservice packs across all five of its varieties, supplying the sector with a product they can display all year round.

Cameroon cocoa farmers are benefitting from better production facilities for their premium beans. Pic: The African Development Fund (ADF)

Cameroon raises cocoa farmgate price and sees uplift in output

By Anthony Myers

Cameroon has announced a significant increase in cocoa production over the past two seasons, with figures showing that the crop in the 2022-23 season was 681 tonnes, almost four times higher than the 182 tonnes recorded in 2020-21.