How much progress has really been made on sustainable palm oil production?
As Ferrero is applauded for its efforts in sourcing sustainable palm oil, Greenpeace says the rest of the industry has a long way to go
Ferrero
Chasing China: Ferrero says freshness and flavours key to ensure lasting power for chocolate brands
Chocolate giant Ferrero believes that freshness and flavour variety are key factors for chocolate brands to ensure lasting power in the China market, with product innovations needing to be both diverse and unique.
How is Ferrero balancing M&A growth with packaging sustainability?
A strong acquisition strategy is fuelling growth at Ferrero. But inevitably, with that growth comes more packaging. How is the confectionery major working to decouple the two?
Sustainability
Ferrero reports solid progress towards sustainability targets
Ferrero said the release of its 15th Sustainability Report demonstrates considerable progress across its key sustainability pillars: protecting the Environment, Sourcing Ingredients Responsibly, Promoting Responsible Consumption, and Empowering People.
World Cocoa Conference 2024
Oxfam slams large chocolate companies at World Cocoa Conference
Against a backdrop of cocoa topping $11,000 per metric ton on the futures market for the first time last week, Oxfam says its experts will be highlighting the discrepancies in farmgate price at this week’s World Cocoa Conference (WCC) in Brussels (21-24...
NPD
US consumers vote Ferrero’s Kinder Chocolate ‘Product of the Year’
Ferrero’s Kinder Chocolate has been voted the 2024 Product of the Year Winner in the Chocolate category, chosen by 40,000 US shoppers in a national survey conducted by Kantar Group, a global data, insights, and consulting company.
News
Cargill Worksop workers vote to strike
Employees at the Cargill's Worksop site in Nottinghamshire have voted in favour of walking out following a pay dispute.
‘Buying deforestation-free should not be a choice’: Ferrero ‘well placed’ to comply with EUDR, but sector challenges remain
Ferrero Group considers itself well prepared for the EU Deforestation Regulation, which will apply to its palm oil and cocoa supply chains. But potential challenges and unintended consequences could threaten its effectiveness, suggests Francesco...
M&As
Ferrara Candy Company to acquire Jelly Belly Candy Company
Ferrara Candy Company has made an agreement to buy Jelly Belly Candy Company, the Chicago-headquartered company announced in a media statement.
R&D
Ferrero invests in Chicago with new confectionery R&D labs
Ferrero North America, part of the global company the Ferrero Group, has opened a new Innovation Center and North America R&D Labs in Chicago.
Current energy costs challenge Burton’s biscuit sustainability journey
Burton’s Foods - now operating as Fox’s Burton’s Companies (FBC UK) under a Ferrero-related company - enlisted 42 Technology (42T) to investigate the feasibility of replacing its gas-fired ovens with electric ovens to help cut its carbon emissions.
Sustainability
Ferrero aims to be a ‘force for good’ in latest Cocoa Charter Progress Report
Confectionery giant Ferrero has released its latest annual Cocoa Charter Progress Report, claiming ‘significant progress in the company’s efforts to ‘source cocoa responsibly.’
Seasonal
Brach’s new global flavours add to spring awakening
Brach’s is broadening its horizons beyond its own territory this spring by taking fans on a flavour journey with its first-ever globally-inspired jelly beans.
Financial results
Ferrero’s turnover up 10%, annual results reveal
Ferrero International has posted a €14 billion turnover ($14.92bn), up 10.4% over the previous year (€12.7 billion), according to the Group’s fiscal year 2021-2022 results.
Valentine's Day
The one where Brach's introduces limited-edition Friends’ Conversation Hearts
America’s #1 conversation heart brand has teamed up with Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products to spark a connection and conversation among ‘friends’ this season.
Ferrero snaps up major US ice cream brands
The Ferrero Group has bought Wells Enterprises, maker of ice cream brands Blue Bunny and Bomb Pop, the two parties have announced.
Seasonal
Ferrero launches Christmas lineup with Kinder countdown calendar
Ferrero's 2022 holiday product lineup is set to spread holiday cheer for confectionery lovers no matter the occasion.
NPD
Fannie May ramps up the indulgence factor with two new innovations
US premium chocolate brand Fannie May has announced the launch of ‘two new decadent innovations’ in time for the winter season.
Appointments
The Ferrero Group appoints Alanna Cotton to head US business
Cotton joins the company as President and Chief Business Officer of Ferrero North America to support its global business strategy of strengthening its position in the sweet packaged food category.
R&D
Ferrero to consolidate R&D teams with new Innovation Centre in Chicago
New confectionery and sweet packaged foods products will be developed in the new 45,000 square foot Innovation Center in Chicago's Marshall Field and Company Building, which will also bring together Ferrero teams from across the US.
Health & safety
Ferrero factory linked to Salmonella outbreak set to reopen
The Italian confectionery giant said the plant will be operational in the coming weeks after undergoing a deep clean.
Production
Ferrero invests in new Bloomington plant to produce Kinder Bueno for US market
Ferrero North America has announced plans to invest up to $214.4m to expand its chocolate processing and product manufacturing plant in Bloomington, Illinois.
Sweets & Snacks Expo 2022
Ferrero walks away with two awards at Sweets & Snacks Expo
Ferrero’s massive footprint at this year’s Sweet & Snacks Expo also included recognition from its peers in the confectionery world by walking away from Chicago with two product innovation awards.
Food safety
62 people infected by salmonella outbreak at Kinder factory, FASFC confirms
An investigation by Belgium’s Federal Agency for the Safety of the Food Chain (FASFC) has concluded that 62 people were infected with salmonella after consuming Kinder chocolate products made at a Ferrero factory in Arlon, Belgium, in April.
Health & safety
Recalled Kinder products still on sale in Scotland
Food Standards Scotland (FSS) are investigating reports that Kinder products linked to a salmonella outbreak in Ferrero's Belgium factory are still on shelves across the country.
Health
EU health authorities investigate Ferrero salmonella outbreak, caution advised for US consumers on Kinder chocolates
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) is launching an investigation into the salmonella outbreak at Ferrero’s factory in Arlon, Belgium, which has led to the company recalling several batches of Kinder Surprise chocolate eggs and...
Health & safety
Kinder salmonella cases: Ferrero expands recall to include US market
Ferrero has been forced to extend its recall of Kinder products to include all those manufactured at its site in Arlon, Belgium, due to an outbreak of salmonella.
Health & Safety
Ferrero’s Kinder Surprise eggs recalled in UK after Salmonella scare
The UK’s Food Standards Agency (FSA) has issued an alert recalling batches of Ferrero’s Kinder Surprise eggs in the UK due to a salmonella scare.
Warnings over fake Wonka Bars issued after ‘sharp’ increase in counterfeit chocolate
Food safety authorities across Great Britain and Ireland have issued safety warnings over fake Wonka Bars which are being sold in shops and online.
Ukraine invasion
Ferrero donates €1m to UNICEF, suspends operations in Russia
Ferrero has announced it has joined the list of international companies pulling out of Russia – and has made a donation of one million euros to UNICEF to help children and families in Ukraine.
Sustainability
African cocoa farmers warn EC over industry pressure on deforestation
In a row over the impending European Commission’s deforestation law, African smallholder cocoa farmers say European organisations do not speak on their behalf and claim their proposal risks damaging their livelihoods.
Financial results
Ferrero International reports 3.4% increase in global turnover
Ferrero International has closed the financial year with a consolidated turnover of €12.7bn ($14.43bn), an increase of +3.4% compared to the previous year’s turnover of €12.3bn.
Seasonal
US chocolate brands spread the love this Valentine’s Day
Valentine’s Day is known as the ‘chocolate event’ for US consumers and the big confectionery companies are going to town with their marketing and advertising campaign head of 14 February.
Online
Fannie May launches D2C site to showcase rich confectionery portfolio
Fannie May, the premium confectionery brand now owned by the Ferrero Group, is launching a new Direct-to-Consumer website for new and existing fans across north America to experience the brand’s portfolio of confections.
Green packaging
Ferrero Rocher introduces eco-designed boxes
The Ferrero Group has announced a new eco-designed box for its iconic Ferrero Rocher range of chocolates.
Halloween 2021
Butterfinger Investigators launch nationwide search for Halloween candy ‘thieves’
Ferrero-owned candy brand Butterfinger is reintroducing its ‘investigation unit’ to track down ‘guilty’ fans accused of ‘swiping the crispety, crunchety, peanut-buttery, irresistible candy bar’ from friends and family this Halloween.
NPD
Ferrero Rocher launches chocolate bar version in UK
Ferrero Rocher is set to launch its first ever range of premium chocolate bars in the UK later this month.
Sweets & Snacks Expo 2021
Ferrara’s NERDS scoops major honours at this year’s Sweets & Snacks Expo
Two of Ferrara's NERDS innovations have been named winners of the ‘Most Innovative New Product’ awards at this year’s Sweets & Snacks Expo in Indianapolis.
Sweets & Snacks Expo 2021
Ferrero rolls into Indianapolis with refreshed portfolio at Sweets & Snacks Expo
Announcements include investments in new products, licensing deals, and seasonal offerings.
‘We are on a learning journey that goes beyond the baseline for responsible palm oil’: Ferrero updates Palm Oil Charter
Ferrero has updated its Palm Oil Charter to ‘go beyond’ what it says is a ‘baseline’ for sustainable palm oil sourcing. This means new commitments on human rights, environmental protection and supplier transparency.
Community
Ferrero USA launches ‘Raising the ‘Bar’ to Help Kids’ campaign for children’s hospitals in North America
CRUNCH, Butterfinger and Baby Ruth have launched a new campaign in the United States, ‘Raising the ‘Bar’ to Help Kids,” that aims to positively impact kids' health through a partnership with the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.
Fox’s and Kelsen Group owner adds Burton’s to growing biscuit portfolio
Italian confectionery and biscuit manufacturer Ferrero is amplifying its ownership of the sweet biscuit market with the acquisition of the Wagon Wheels and Jammie Dodger maker.
Retail
Ferrara announces partnership with UTZ to move into Sweet & Salty Snack aisles
Ferrara has announced it is breaking into the Sweet & Salty category with a first-ever collaboration with Utz Brand snack foods, which are sold in leading retailers across the United States.
Palm oil
Ferrero releases Palm Oil Progress Report, looks to make all its supply chains 100% RSPO certified
Nutella manufacturer Ferrero has reiterated its commitment to sourcing sustainable palm oil that is 100% RSPO certified and segregated, and traceable to farms, the Italian confectionery group said in its Palm Oil Progress report for 2020.
Sustainability
Ferrero achieves 2020 target of 100% sustainable cocoa
Company also announces strategic partnership with Save the Children through a €8m project to further scale and strengthen activities to protect children.
Podcast
LISTEN: NCA new Chairman Paul Chibe on why sustainability counts in the US confectionery industry
Paul Chibe, President and CEO of Ferrero North America, is the new Chairman of the National Confectioners Association Board of Trustees for a two-year term. In an exclusive ConfectioneryNews podcast, Chibe talks about his 30 years of experience within...
Easter
Ferrero counts down to Easter with limited-edition treats
Ferrero has unveiled limited-edition Easter products from its classic portfolio along with a Kinder Kalendar, as an online destination featuring daily activities to help families countdown to spring and Easter.
Sustainabilty
Black Forest brand to become category leader in sustainability
In celebration of International Day of Forests on March 21, Ferrara's Black Forest, a candy and snack brand inspired by real forests, has announced its purpose commitment to become a sustainable brand.
NCA State of the Industry Conference 2021
Ferrero’s Chibe named next chair of NCA
The National Confectioners Association (NCA) has announced that Paul Chibe, President and CEO of Ferrero North America, will assume the role of Chairman of the NCA Board of Trustees for a two-year term that begins immediately.
Sustainability
Ethical consumer research company calls for ‘guilt-free’ chocolate this Valentine’s Day
As Valentine’s Day approaches, there are renewed calls for supermarkets and multinational chocolate companies ‘to put people before profit’.