Chocolate and confectionery ingredients

We must unite Fairtrade and trade union movements: Fairtrade CEO

10-Feb-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

We must follow the example of Sweden and bring together the two “very noisy” movements of workers' trade unions and Fairtrade, the CEO of Fairtrade International Harriet Lamb has said.

Stricter standards and broader scope for Nordic Keyhole label

04-Feb-2015 By Niamh Michail

Sweden’s National Food Association (NFA) has made changes to its Keyhole healthy eating label in light of new nutrition guidelines, meaning less salt, more wholemeal and a broader range of products that can bear the logo.

Online ‘advergames’ link to child obesity studied

04-Feb-2015 By Rick Pendrous

The debate about childhood obesity will intensify tomorrow (February 5) when a comprehensive review of digital and online food and drink marketing to children is published.

Prepare for legislation to tackle obesity, Euromonitor warns industry

03-Feb-2015 By Caroline SCOTT-THOMAS

Tighter legislation seems inevitable in order to cut calories and reduce obesity rates, according to a new analysis from Euromonitor International.

Sugar intakes 'decreasing' or 'stable' globally, report finds

28-Jan-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Dietary sugars intakes are decreasing or stable in most countries, according to a data review of ten European countries, Australia, New Zealand and the US.

Waitrose executive chef: ‘How do we get to a place where we are cooking and not manufacturing?’

27-Jan-2015 By Caroline SCOTT-THOMAS

No one wants their food to be ‘manufactured’ – and unsurprisingly that’s a challenge for those in the food manufacturing business, says Waitrose executive development chef Jonathan Moore.

Legal loopholes allowing ‘junk food’ ads to kids must be closed: British Heart Foundation

26-Jan-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

There is an urgent need in the UK to close legal loopholes that allow the promotion of unhealthy foods and drinks to children online and on TV, according to the British Heart Foundation (BHF).

Voluntary public health measures 'can only go so far’: UK Responsibility Deal chair

21-Jan-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

We need a strong portfolio of voluntary and mandatory measures to tackle the huge burden of diet-related diseases, according to the chair of the UK Responsibility Deal food network.

Barry Callebaut grows above chocolate confectionery market in Q1

21-Jan-2015 By Oliver Nieburg

Leading cocoa processor Barry Callebaut has reported volume growth ahead of the global chocolate confectionery market in its first quarter.

EU and Morocco reach deal on PGIs

19-Jan-2015 By Caroline SCOTT-THOMAS

The European Union and Morocco have agreed measures to promote protected geographical indications (PGIs) and to encourage trade.

Q4 cocoa grind analysis

Recoiling at chocolate price hikes? Cocoa grind slumps in developed markets

16-Jan-2015 By Oliver Nieburg

Weak fourth quarter cocoa grinds in developed markets suggest that consumers have reacted negatively to wholesale chocolate price hikes from the major brands, according to an analyst.

UK Labour party pledges cap on salt, sugar and fat in foods aimed at children

15-Jan-2015 By Nathan Gray

If elected, a UK Labour government will introduce limits on the levels of fat, salt and sugar that manufacturers are allowed to include in food marketed towards children.

What are industry’s science and technology needs?

14-Jan-2015 By Caroline SCOTT-THOMAS

Food fraud, healthy diets and sustainability are among the issues needing innovation in science and technology, according to a major survey from Campden BRI.

Intense sweeteners have no proven nutritional value, says French authority

13-Jan-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Recommending intense sweeteners as a way to reduce sugar intakes cannot be justified as a public health strategy, the French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety (ANSES) has concluded.

Lindt ‘playing in another league’ after stellar 2014, says analyst

13-Jan-2015 By Oliver Nieburg

Lindt reached record annual sales this morning, surpassing CHF 3bn for the first time - surprising growth given cocoa price hikes and a tough market, an analyst says.

Researchers aim to improve ‘may contain’ allergen advice

12-Jan-2015 By Caroline SCOTT-THOMAS

Better defined thresholds at which common allergens trigger reactions in a majority of allergic consumers could improve ‘may contain’ labelling, according to researchers from the University of Manchester.

Sugar disquiet to hurt Europe’s candy market

12-Jan-2015 By Oliver Nieburg

The European sugar confectionery market is forecast to decline in the next few years as regulators and consumers consider the impact of sugar on public health, according to a report by Frost & Sullivan.

Sugar low: “The use of such a health claim would convey a conflicting and confusing message..."

Glucose health claims: EFSA says yes; EC says no (and closes door)

09-Jan-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Five glucose health claims approved by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) back in 2012 have been officially banned by the European Commission due to concerns over what they would say to consumers about sugar consumption.

Rabobank: Lower sugar prices set to continue in 2015

08-Jan-2015 By Caroline SCOTT-THOMAS

Global sugar prices are likely to remain low in 2015 as production looks set to continue at a similar level, according to Rabobank’s Q4 sugar report.

Brands lead on sustainable cocoa goals, Cargill and Barry Callebaut suggest

08-Jan-2015 By Oliver Nieburg

The leading cocoa processors say they will support brand manufacturers to achieve fully sustainable cocoa, but decline to publicly set their own targets.

UK lack of calorie awareness 'deeply concerning', says British Heart Foundation

08-Jan-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Around two thirds of people in the UK do not know how many calories an average person needs to maintain a healthy weight, according to a survey commissioned by two charities and supermarket Tesco.

BARRY CALLEBAUT WORKS WITH PRINCETON UNIVERSITY RESEARCHERS

Charlie and the Chocolate House! Study probes potential as building material

07-Jan-2015 By Ben BOUCKLEY

Chocolate may have a compressive strength-to-weight ratio 24 times less than concrete but that hasn’t stopped US scientists probing its potential as a building material and even building a ‘chocolate pavilion’.

FoodNavigator predicts top industry drivers for 2015

22-Dec-2014 By Nathan Gray and Caroline Scott-Thomas

It’s time to get out our crystal balls and predict the hottest trends in the European food and drink sector for the year ahead. What’s in store for 2015?

Is low GI too complicated for consumers?

22-Dec-2014 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

As pressure on the food industry to reduce sugar in products increases, is the science behind that reduction getting lost?

Older consumers drive UK’s syrup and spreads market: Canadean

22-Dec-2014 By Anna Bonar

The UK syrup and spreads market is expected to grow by 22.5.% over the next three years, reaching $960mn by 2018 and owes its growth to older consumers, according to a new report from Canadean.

Looking back on 2014: How did we do with last year’s predictions?

19-Dec-2014 By Caroline SCOTT-THOMAS

As 2014 draws to a close, let’s take a minute to look back and ask, how accurate was our forecast for the year? FoodNavigator looks back at its trend predictions for 2014.

Olam International strikes 'transformational' deal to acquire ADM's global cocoa business for $1.3bn

16-Dec-2014 By Elaine Watson

ADM has struck a deal to sell its global cocoa business to Olam International Limited for $1.3bn.

What is organic? Organic packaged food growth stalled by differing perceptions

12-Dec-2014 By Caroline SCOTT-THOMAS

Organic means different things to different consumers around the world – and this is holding back the organic packaged food sector, according to a Euromonitor analyst.

Food manufacturers could be ‘forced out’ of the obesity debate

12-Dec-2014 By Laurence Gibbons

Food and drink manufacturers must emphasise the role of exercise in reducing obesity or risk being sidelined in the debate and hit with stricter regulation, according to new research.

Is added sugar worse than salt for heart health?

11-Dec-2014 By Caroline SCOTT-THOMAS

Sugar in processed foods may have a larger impact on heart health than salt, argues a paper published in the journal Open Heart.

‘No palm oil’ label battle won’t start trade or court war: Malaysian minister

10-Dec-2014 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

The Malaysian government says it is assessing what action it should take to address ‘no palm oil’ labels in France and Belgium, the legal grounds for which have come under scrutiny.