A manufacturer of confectionary ginger is developing a new processing system that eliminates the need to use sulphites as a preservative, making its ginger products allergy-free.
Sales of a stevia supplement across the US could hint at the potential demand for the natural sweetener in food and beverages as GRAS notification is expected within days.
The UK’s DoH should have waited to launch its new anti-obesity initiative until the economic situation has improved, as many small food businesses are already busy enough coping with the recession, according to the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB).
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.
A US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) decision to provide Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) notice for a sucralose-based sweetener may ensure more cost efficient formulation for global drinks groups, says it manufacturer.
As drink manufacturers strive to provide innovative functional products to increasingly health focused consumers, dairy goods such as yoghurt may be an emerging route able to help bridge demand.
The UK-based Food Standard’s Agency (FSA) has revaluated its guidance on the recommended caffeine intake for pregnant women in a variety of products such as coffee, tea, cola drinks and even plain chocolate over health concerns.
Benecol has joined its main competitor, Unilever-owned plant sterol-based, functional food range, Flora pro.activ, in having a cholesterol-lowering health claim approved by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).
At the time of writing, the US is poised to go to the polls. The next two days are going to be hugely exciting. And when it’s all over, after the victor gets some well-earned rest… he’ll rub his sleepy eyes and ask: ‘What’s for breakfast?'.
The Danisco deal to spin-off of its sugar arm to Germany's Nordzucker faces delays after German competition authorities take their review into a second phase, opting to investigate the €750m takeover further.
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.
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...
Opportunities for European confectioners to boost organic and internal growth will see firms digging deeper into emerging markets as domestic markets stare at tougher economic times. Next week's Sweets Middle East trade show to be held in Dubai aims...
Continuing our focus on innovative product ideas showcased at this year's SIAL event in Paris, we present a round-up of new food designs yet to hit the market.
Innovations in pleasure and sophistication gained pace from 2006 to 2007, mirrored by the innovative new confectionery product designs highlighted at this year's SIAL food exhibition that opened its doors yesterday in Paris.
Question: When is a crisis not a crisis? Answer: When it’s a food crisis. Compare the two responses to failures in the food system and financial markets.
Food makers confronted by today's challenging economic times must continue to invest hard in innovation to beat the downturn. This year's SIAL, which opened yesterday in Paris, is a showcase of new ideas that could help to boost margins and...
Raising the benchmark for the confectionery sector regarding nutrition claims, a UK watchdog has concluded a Maltesers advert from confectionery giant Mars misled the public by implying they were a low calorie snack.
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 European Commission has adopted a new decision to prohibit the import of all composite infant formula products containing milk and milk from China, and to require testing of all other Chinese milk-containing products.
Turmoil in the global financial markets could, ironically, offer relief to prices in the commodity exchanges, where leading confectioners lock in key raw materials for their formulations, with evidence this week suggesting a wave of non-commercial speculators...
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.
Before reading this you’re probably going to need a coffee, in fact why not have a few? After all who’s to say when enough is enough in our hunt for a caffeine kick.
Strong brands are a powerful weapon in a company's armoury, and when new rules emerged in the 1990s allowing colours to be registered as a trademark, the fight for brand recognition stepped up a gear, encapsulated in the ongoing case in Australia...
The fall-out from the melamine crisis in China is prompting manufacturers to be super careful about sourcing safe ingredients, say industry sources – not just dairy and not just those coming from China.
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.
The Australian food authority FSANZ has approved the natural sweetener steviol glycosides (stevia), as an ingredient in foods and beverages in Australia and New Zealand.
New product launches for organic sweets in Europe increased by a factor of six from 2006 to 2008 suggesting confectioners are starting to tap into new organic revenue streams as this burgeoning food trend spills over into confectionery.
After two years of spiralling upward costs, an easing in soft commodity prices across the board could reduce manufacturing input costs for confectioners.
Reclassification of cacao trees into ten distinct genetic sets may lead to enhanced cultivation and cross-breeding, according to research from confectionery giant Mars.
Organic has an image problem. As some consumers fear they are, quite literally, priced out of the farmers market, it’s time to stir up more debate about organic as a set of principals, not as a status symbol.
Confectioners and food firms in the UK are on the alert after the country's food watchdog announces the recall of certain batches of White Rabbit products from China containing up to 60 times the melamine limit.
Using animals, and specifically rats, to build the science behind ingredients is vital, but dismissing conflicting studies just because a rat is not a human is not acceptable.
Sugar-free candy and sweet products offering specific health benefits are set to increase rapidly in popularity over the next few years, answering a growing market demand for functional confectionery and rising fears over the alleged obesity epidemic.
Children are becoming more aware of environmental issues from an earlier age, offering food and drinks manufacturers a chance to directly target them with ethical products, according to a new report.
A new consultancy in The Netherlands has been established to give more closely targeted advice to food developers on technical issues on the one hand, and how to comply with the changing regulatory landscape on the other.
Dannon has become the latest company to sign up to a scheme against junk food ads for children, but it comes as the kids channel Nickelodeon is accused of mainly marketing products that are of poor nutritional quality.
Fluorochemicals player Arkema has speared chocolate processing, announcing that chocolate maker Leonidas has installed the firm's forane 427A refrigerant fluid ahead of virgin HCFC bans.
Danisco has charged an internal task force with identifying new applications for xylitol, as the sweetener continues to blight its otherwise positive financial results – but has reduced production in the meantime.
Hong-Kong listed firm Global Sweeteners has delivered mixed results for the first half of 2008, but escaped a potential hit from the price hike in corn by passing on costs to the market.
Consumers in the US view chocolate as an “indulgent pleasure” that they are not willing to give up despite the tight economic environment, according to Mintel.