Mars in 2012 wrote to the UK’s Department of Health to express concern over the potential impact on branding and intellectual property rights should tobacco plain packaging policy be extended to food – something the Institute of Economic Affairs said...
Taxes imposed on sugary, salty or fatty foods do lead to reductions in consumption, says the European Commission in a new report. But higher taxes could also encourage consumers to simply go for cheaper products, it warns.
Just a week after Mexico banned commercials for soda, snacks and confectionery products during cinema showings of children’s movies and during children’s TV programming, Mexican authorities say ads for Nestlé, PepsiCo, Coca-Cola, Hershey´s and Holanda products...
“The IEA does not accept state money, and all of our research is independent of corporate funding.”
The Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) has said categorically it does not accept state money, following accusations by a Malaysian media outlet that the UK think tank is in bed with the Malaysian Palm Oil Council and the country’s government.
Swapping full-calorie foods and drinks for ones containing low or zero calorie sweeteners results in modest weight loss, according to a new systematic review of clinical data.
The biggest players in the industry are already exploring ways to reduce bitterness and to up cocoa content in chocolate with MycoTechnology’s mushroom myceliation process, says the company’s founder.
Ritter Sport has purchased land for a cocoa plantation in Nicaragua to eventually cover 30% of its cocoa needs and give it greater control of its supply.
‘Neuroprotective effects’ and ‘improved metabolism’ could be the next health claims for cocoa and dark chocolate after Barry Callebaut’s heart health win, according to a medical doctor.
The impulse checkout channel may be under further threat after a survey revealed a third of consumers in New Zealand supported candy-free checkout zones.
Scandinavian confectioner Cloetta has recorded sales and profit growth in the second quarter driven by acquisitions and says it is eyeing further buys.
Giving cocoa farming cooperatives shares in chocolate firms would improve livelihoods and encourage them to boost yields and quality, while giving chocolate manufacturers greater control of their supply chain, says Divine Chocolate.
The rising trend for raw chocolate may present a health hazard to consumers unless adequate steps to eliminate Salmonella are taken, says the US National Confectioners Association (NCA).
Australia’s opposition party has called for Cadbury’s A$16m government funding to upgrade its Claremont plant to be redirected to West Coast development projects.
Lindt’s Russell Stover acquisition gives it a stronger US foothold, but only in a declining category, say analysts, who argue expansion in emerging premium chocolate markets may have been a better choice.
Barry Callebaut says that high flavanol milk chocolate would be too expensive, but is hopeful that its blood flow health claim for dark chocolate will galvanize the functional chocolate market.
The amount of cocoa processed in Europe dropped 1% in the second quarter falling below traders’ expectations, but it's too soon to tell if chocolate demand is sliding.
Industry voices discuss whether raising suggested retail prices for chocolate could incentivise cocoa farmers to invest in farms, bring them out of poverty and keep the next generation growing cocoa.
Swedish-Danish oils and fats giant AarhusKarlshamn (AAK) has acquired Colombian company Fabrica Nacional de Grasas (FANAGRA), which specializes in vegetable oils and fats for the bakery segment.
Brazilian confectionery manufacturers are forced to commit up to 15% of exports costs towards resolving bureaucratic problems that hinder their sales abroad, according to the Brazilian confectionery industry Association (ABICAB).
As start-up food business Sweet Virtues claims to be launching the UK’s first hand-made ‘superfood’ truffles, one industry pundit questions whether confectionery with a health dimension will ever move beyond a bite-sized niche.
Mars has flagged health as a leading priority and has named Debra Sandler, former Mars Chocolate North America president, as chief health and wellness officer for the global company.
Epicatechin is the gold standard cocoa flavanol says a medical doctor, but Barry Callebaut claims all flavanols have a positive effect on cardiovascular health.
Partly replacing vegetable fats in confectionery fillings with maltodextrin gels can cut fat content and calories without impacting taste, according to research.
Investment firm BBX Capital has snapped up another US premium chocolate company - Californian-based Jer’s Chocolates - and is on the look out for more buys, its president says.
Food and Drink Federation (FDF) members including Mondelēz International have signed up to a 250 calorie cap on single-serve confectionery sold in the UK.
ConfectioneryNews asks industry leaders if cocoa production will gradually move closer to the burgeoning chocolate markets of China and Brazil or whether West Africa will always be the king of cocoa.
More small-scale confectionery companies are using pick and place robots to package delicate products as technology becomes more affordable, according to PWR Pack.
Over 20 major food firms have signed up to health and wellness pledges on advertisement to children, consistent product information, open access to formulation policies and employee wellbeing as part of their commitment to Consumer Goods Forum (CGF) targets.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is unlikely to regulate caffeine levels in confectionery products, according to caffeine chocolate firm Awake Chocolate.
Industry fortune-telling of a large cocoa shortfall in 2020 was a shrewd way to secure supply at low prices, but the latest deficit forecasts are nowhere near as gloomy.
