Chocolate and confectionery ingredients

‘Portion control and re-sealable bags will be the future trends in confectionery’

28-Jul-2016 By Jenny Eagle

Post-Brexit raw material costs, portion control and re-sealable bags are key concerns in the current confectionery market climate, according to Scottish private label confectioner Aldomak.

H1 Financial Results

Lindt continues to grow but warns of ‘stagnating’ chocolate markets

22-Jul-2016 By Oliver Nieburg

Lindt has posted sales and profit growth its half-year results, but has highlighted weak consumer sentiment in some major chocolate markets.

Survey results

Brexit Poll: Confectionery industry outlook negative after Brexit vote

21-Jul-2016 By Oliver Nieburg

The majority of ConfectioneryNews readers polled expect the UK’s exit from the European Union will hit sales volumes for their businesses and lead to price hikes for cocoa and sugar.

Call for UK to bulk up childhood obesity strategy in wake of leaked plans

19-Jul-2016 By Natalie Morrison

Action on Sugar is urging the UK government to revise its childhood obesity strategy, alleging that leaked draft documents show plans do not go far enough.

Tesco to make all its own-label chocolate Rainforest Alliance certified

18-Jul-2016 By Vince Bamford

Tesco – the UK’s largest supermarket chain – has pledged to use only cocoa from Rainforest Alliance sources in its private-label chocolate.

European outcry over ‘discriminatory’ Polish retail tax

12-Jul-2016 By Natalie MORRISON

A new Polish retail tax has angered European commerce heads who brand the decision “discriminatory” against foreign businesses.

Sensient launches yellow and orange colouring foods

11-Jul-2016 By Niamh Michail

Colour and flavour supplier Sensient has widened its colouring food range with yellow and orange, bringing the number of EU-compliant products in its colouring foods range to three digits.

A new standard for quality palm oil?

Good palm oil harvesting and processing keeps cancer contaminants to 'insignificant levels', says industry

07-Jul-2016 By Niamh Michail

Palm oil that is harvested at the right moment, pressed quickly and processed at appropriate temperatures contains insignificant levels of contaminants - if any, says the Italian Union for Sustainable Palm Oil. "This should be the standard for quality...

Junk food ads are screen-lickin' good, say kids; Ban them, says NGO

07-Jul-2016 By David Burrows

Adverts for unhealthy foods like sweets and fast foods are so tempting to children that they should be banned before 9pm, says charity Cancer Research UK.

Could Omega-6 rich oils lessen trans fat health issues?

06-Jul-2016 By Natalie MORRISON

The type of unsaturated fat used alongside trans-fats in food could play a role in modifying negative effects, a new study suggests.

NGOs call for soy, palm oil and beef deforestation laws

05-Jul-2016 By David Burrows

NGOs have urged the EU to expand regulations that curb deforestation beyond timber to encompass commodities like soy, palm oil and beef. 

Will Italy also debate a sugar and sat fat tax?

30-Jun-2016 By Niamh Michail

A small group of Italian politicians have presented a bill to the Senate proposing a tax on sugary and diet drinks as well as palm oil and industrial trans fats in a bid to stem rising obesity rates.

Protein expression drives metabolic changes to increase obesity risk

29-Jun-2016 By Natalie Morrison

The mystery surrounding a protein’s genetic variation and its links with obesity has been solved, say German scientists. 

In-house sustainability and third party certification: Do they complement or cannibalise each other?

29-Jun-2016 By Niamh Michail

From Fairtrade to UTZ, Rainforest Alliance to RSPO, the number of third party certification schemes is on the rise. But alongside this proliferation of consumer–facing logos is the growing numbers of companies developing their own sustainable sourcing...

Giant commodity carbon footprints show more action is needed

28-Jun-2016 By David Burrows

Rice, soy, corn, wheat and palm oil are the “new frontier” of climate action, said Oxfam this week, as it published new data detailing the “massive” environmental impact of the world’s major commodities.

French MPs drop palm oil tax - but accuse producer countries of blackmail

27-Jun-2016 By Niamh Michail

French politicians have dropped the proposed palm oil tax, leading some politicians to say the country is being blackmailed by producer countries. "We are legislating with a knife at our throats," said one.

Kids' nutrition determined by neighbourhood food choices

24-Jun-2016 By Will Chu

Children’ exposure to fast food outlets during trips to and from school makes an unhealthy food purchase much more likely, a study confirms.

Nestlé brings youth apprenticeships to Africa

23-Jun-2016 By Niamh Michail

Nestlé is extending its youth apprenticeships and training schemes to Africa, a continent where it says business goals and social impact converge.

Don't give children palm oil, says Italian consumer group

23-Jun-2016 By Niamh Michail

After finding that 12 kids' food products from Nestlé, Barilla, Ferrero and Danone contain high levels of carcinogen 3-MCPD, Italian consumer group Altroconsumo is calling on parents to stop giving products that contain palm oil to children.

EU sugar sector must retain strategic importance after reform: report

21-Jun-2016 By Niamh Michail

The liberalisation of the EU sugar market next year must be accompanied by market measures to maintain sugar beet production and allow the sector to retain its strategic importance, according to a recent EU report.

The first silica-based colouring approved for food

‘Non-synthetic’ food colours: Acceptable compromise or too far from nature?

21-Jun-2016 By Natalie Morrison

Next-gen food colourings like Merck’s new silica-based pigment could offer a compromise between colouring foodstuffs and synthetic products. Yet, experts have questioned potential for consumer acceptance.

‘Make Europe's food healthier by 2017,’ Council tells member states

17-Jun-2016 By Niamh Michail

The Council of Health Ministers has called on member states to draw up national plans to improve Europe's food composition by the end of 2017.

'The resources to tackle obesity are there. It's just the will that's lacking': Expert

16-Jun-2016 By Niamh Michail

The global discourse on obesity is full of people saying it's a complex problem but offering simple solutions - it's time we put in place a bottom-up and top-down approach, says food and health expert Dr Mike Gibney.

Belgium to reduce nation's calorie intake by 5%

15-Jun-2016 By Niamh Michail

Belgian manufacturers and retailers have signed a voluntary convention with the Health Minister to cut the nation's calorie intake by 5% by next year - but without independent monitoring, critics say it lacks credibility.

Are you dictating to me? UK industry group and health charity clash over reformulation

14-Jun-2016 By Niamh Michail

When it comes to joint stakeholder efforts on public health issues such as obesity and reformulation, where does cooperation end and 'dictating' policy begin? UK industry group Food and Drink Federation and NGO Action on Sugar can't decide.

Nestlé selling Rosanna and other Italian candy brands to Fida

13-Jun-2016 By Vince Bamford

Nestlé is selling six of its Italian confectionery brands including Rossana and Fondenti to Italian manufacturer Fida.

'radical reassessment' of the low-fat approach needed

More evidence in favour of healthy fats for weight loss

10-Jun-2016 By Niamh Michail

A study published in The Lancet provides more evidence that a low-fat, low-calorie diet is not beneficial for weight loss, while a Mediterranean diet high in healthy fats could help.

The ease of the squeeze: As austerity ends, how have UK eating habits changed?

09-Jun-2016 By Niamh Michail

‘Scratch cooking’ is fuelling demand for meal kits - to the detriment of ready meals, soups and cooking sauces - while rising incomes means more snacks, cereals and juices can go premium. Mintel charts the food winners and losers since the end of austerity...

Prehistoric instinct could explain mystery of glucose-boosted self control

07-Jun-2016 By Natalie MORRISON

Glucose’s mysterious positive effect on self control could be due to the brain’s natural instinct to grab immediate rewards when deprived of sugary foods, a new theory suggests.

Sweeteners in the clear? Study finds saccharin does not lead to weight gain - but sugar does

06-Jun-2016 By Nathan GRAY

In contrast with previous reports that link artificial sweeteners with weight gain, new research on rats has found the non-nutritive sweetener saccharin has no effect on weight, while glucose does.

Four NOF members resign over controversial report publication

03-Jun-2016 By Niamh Michail

Four board members of the National Obesity Forum (NOF) have resigned because they were not consulted before the publication of a controversial report which slammed public health advice for fuelling the obesity crisis.

NUTRITION LABELLING IN THE US AND EUROPE

Should Europeans be told how much sugar is added to their food?

01-Jun-2016 By Niamh Michail

Nutrition labels in the US will now have to tell consumers how much sugar has been added by manufacturers and how much is naturally occurring. Is it time Europe introduced similar measures so consumers know whether the food they are eating is healthy?

Ditching 'diet' and laying off 'light': Consumers mistrust healthy processed foods, says Mintel

27-May-2016 By Niamh Michail

The National Obesity Forum's advice to shun processed foods such as low-fat yoghurts and cheeses for whole foods this week has provoked mixed reactions – but consumers are already turning away from foods labelled as low-fat, diet or light, according...

EXCLUSIVE: Mondelēz urges IOI Group not to sue RSPO

26-May-2016 By David Burrows

Mondelēz International has called on palm oil supplier IOI Group to withdraw its legal action against the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO).

Multinational firms sell poorer quality (but more expensive) food to Eastern Europeans

26-May-2016 By Niamh Michail

Multinational food firms are manufacturing poorer quality, unhealthier (but sometimes more expensive) versions of their trademarked brands for the Eastern Europe market, says the Czech Republic, which wants to see EU legislation to protect consumers....

Sweet potential: Tongue enzyme research may aid zero calorie sweetener industry

25-May-2016 By Nathan GRAY

The discovery of ‘gut enzymes’ in sweet taste receptors on the tongue could point industry towards a new route in the development of non-caloric sweeteners, say those behind the research.

What’s hitting the shelves? Coffee & broccoli; coconut tea; and strawberry & cream gin

24-May-2016 By Rachel Arthur

From the US to Scandinavia, and the UK to Australia, we take a look at some of the new products reaching beverage aisles across the globe this month. 

Serving suggestions play important role in consumer expectations and willingness to buy

19-May-2016 By Nathan GRAY

Pack images that depict serving suggestions play a vital role in driving consumer expectations and ‘willingness to buy’, say researchers.

Why are carcinogens in the food chain evading scrutiny?

19-May-2016 By Niamh Michail

Vegetable oil, processed food, infant formula and cancer: All the ingredients for a consumer food scare over the carcinogenic contaminant 3-MCPD are there - so why hasn't there been one yet?

Good Chocolate Company's heart health chocolate comes to UK and Denmark

19-May-2016 By Oliver Nieburg

The Good Chocolate Company is to introduce better-for-you chocolate brand Lavlé, containing Barry Callebaut’s Acticoa, to the UK and Denmark.

'It's still an attractive market': How are companies overcoming political instability in Turkey?

18-May-2016 By Niamh Michail

At the crossroads of east and west, Turkey offers huge promise but given the current political and economic situation, there are also challenges. FoodNavigator spoke to both Turkish and global companies at Food Ingredients in Istanbul this month to get...

Low-fat or 'light' foods encourage over-eating in the long-term

17-May-2016 By Niamh Michail

Low-fat, light and diet versions of products may actually contribute to rising obesity rates by encouraging over consumption compared to regular products both in the short- and long-term, Dutch scientists have found.

Ethical 'bulge' in middle-age offers market opportunities for food brands

17-May-2016 By David Burrows

Don’t believe everything you hear – women are no more ethical than men and the propensity to buy green goods doesn’t increase with age, according to new research carried out in the UK.

Brexit debate

Food firm mergers and acquisitions rise 11%

16-May-2016 By Michael Stones

Food and drink sector mergers and acquisitions (M&A) climbed by 11% in the first quarter of this year, with 51 deals completed, according to business consultancy Grant Thornton.

Tyrrells acquires German snack maker

16-May-2016 By Gwen Ridler

Tyrrells Crisps has bought German organic crisp maker Aroma Snacks for an undisclosed amount – the company’s first European acquisition.

Imprinting obesity: Mum's metabolic health may have lasting impact on baby

16-May-2016 By Nathan GRAY

Mothers who gain excess weight or have high blood sugar levels during pregnancy could ‘imprint’ obesity on their children, even if they are born with a normal body weight.

The big issue: How can industry be part of the obesity solution?

13-May-2016 By Niamh Michail

Obesity and overweight rates continue to rise across the globe and although no country has managed to reverse the trend to date, all agree action is required. Join us for a free online event on May 25 where key issues will be up for debate.

Portion distortion: The EU must define realistic portion sizes, says MEP

12-May-2016 By Niamh Michail

With obesity levels on the rise, MEP Mairead McGuinness has called on the Commission to set realistic portion sizes to stop consumers being misled over nutrition values. People don't calculate how many 100 g servings are in a bowl of soup, she says.

Artificial sweeteners linked to overweight babies

12-May-2016 By Nathan GRAY

Consumption of artificially sweetened beverages during pregnancy could double the risk infants being overweight one year after birth, according to new research in mothers.

BREAKING NEWS

Nestlé to cut all ties with IOI over palm oil action plan: 'It doesn’t go far enough'

12-May-2016 By David Burrows

Nestlé is cutting ties with palm oil supplier IOI. No new contracts will be awarded to the Malaysian firm and all existing ones will be “phased out” by the end of August, explained senior corporate spokesperson Nina Caren Kruchten in an email to FoodNavigator.