Chocolate and confectionery ingredients

R&R Ice Cream tops mid-market private food firms

24-Oct-2014 By Rod Addy

R&R Ice Cream is the top mid-market private food processor in the UK by sales, according to the 10th annual Sunday Times Grant Thornton Top Track 250 list.

Unilever reports lowest quarterly growth in five years

23-Oct-2014 By Caroline SCOTT-THOMAS

Unilever share prices fell 3% in morning trading after the company reported its lowest quarterly growth in nearly five years.

Barry Callebaut to spend $11.5m on Brazilian plant expansion

23-Oct-2014 By Oliver Nieburg

Barry Callebaut will increase capacity at its factory in Extrema, Minas Gerais in Brazil in anticipation of rising demand in the region.

Cocktail Candy: We're not marketing to kids

20-Oct-2014 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Belgian firm Candy Pack says it understands why some people might be "touchy" about the idea of alcohol-themed confectionery, but insists it isn't targeting children for its Cocktail Candy range.

Six turrón ‘nougat’ firms investigated for market rigging in Spain

15-Oct-2014 By Vladimir Pekic

Spanish authorities have opened disciplinary proceedings against possible anti-competitive practices of half a dozen manufacturers of the country’s traditional almond candy turrón.

Ebola outbreak threatens West African food security with severe inflation and labour shortages: FAO

15-Oct-2014 By Paul Gander

The UN’s Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has launched an appeal for $30m (€23,72m) to support food supply resilience and recovery in the three African countries most affected by the Ebola outbreak, where long-term impacts on food security are...

Med diet may reverse metabolic syndrome – but not prevent it

15-Oct-2014 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

A Mediterranean diet that includes extra-virgin olive oil or nuts may help to reverse symptoms of metabolic syndrome, but cannot be linked to prevention of developing the condition, a long-term study claims.

Food industry must slash sugar – not just tinker

14-Oct-2014 By Caroline SCOTT-THOMAS

Food industry ‘tinkering’ with sugar content while foods and drinks remain relatively high in sugar may detract from more basic sugar reduction strategies, warns a public health expert.

Novel food proposals

Does 'history of safe consumption' mean foods are safe?

10-Oct-2014 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Proposals to create a separate process for novel food approval from countries outside of the EU will not see the market flooded with unsafe foods, a European Commission official told a concerned audience at a European Parliament workshop.

Microbiological stability of confectionery fillings ‘compromised’ in quest for clean labels: Study

07-Oct-2014 By Oliver Nieburg

Confectioners’ products are at a greater risk of fungal spoilage when using clean label or alcohol free chocolate confectionery fillings, according to researchers.

UK's traffic light label is 'negative', says Commission

06-Oct-2014 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

The UK’s traffic light label has incited more objections than the Nordic keyhole system because the former is more negative in its nutrition guidance, says the European Commission.

FoodNavigator 2015: What’s on our editorial calendar?

06-Oct-2014 By Caroline SCOTT-THOMAS

From developments in fats and flavours, to the latest trends in fighting obesity, food for kids, and protein, FoodNavigator's special editions calendar for 2015 spans the hottest topics for the European food and drink industry.

Commission opens infraction proceedings against UK’s 'traffic light' label

01-Oct-2014 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

The European Commission has formally opened infraction proceedings against the UK for its 'traffic light' food labelling system, giving the state two months to defend itself against business complaints.

EFKO grows confectionery fat sales as multinationals make gains in Russia

30-Sep-2014 By Oliver Nieburg

Fats and oils supplier EFKO has reported sales growth for its confectionery fats division in H1 as multinational confectioners post sales gains in Russia.

80% of Swedes give keyhole labelling thumbs up

29-Sep-2014 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Around 80% of Swedish people think the keyhole labelling system is a good thing, according to a survey published by the Swedish National Food Agency (NFA).

United Biscuits to axe 157 jobs amid sales speculation

24-Sep-2014 By Oliver Nieburg

UK firm United Biscuits plans to cut up to 157 jobs at its Manchester plant as rumors of a potential sale to Ülker, Kellogg or Burton’s mount.

World’s biggest food companies to tighten marketing rules

22-Sep-2014 By Caroline SCOTT-THOMAS

Eleven of the world’s biggest food and beverage companies have signed a commitment to harmonise nutrition labelling, and approaches to reformulation and marketing to children on a global basis.

Any objections? Protected geo-indication could be on cards for Ecuadorian 'arriba' cocoa

18-Sep-2014 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

An application to the European Commission for protected geographical indication (PGI) status for ‘cacao arriba’ from Ecuador is now open for public consultation.

What would a Scottish vote for independence mean for food?

18-Sep-2014 By Caroline SCOTT-THOMAS

As Scots head to the polls today, FoodNavigator asks, how would an independent Scotland affect the food industry there and in the UK as a whole?

Wine not? Grape-skin powder ups candy flavonol and fiber count, say researchers

17-Sep-2014 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Adding grape-skin powder to fruit candies may increase antioxidant content, open fiber claim doors and shorten dehydration time, according to a study.

Turning emotions in to actions: Why do consumers spend more on ethical products?

17-Sep-2014 By Nathan Gray

Ethical consumption, and consumer willingness to pay more for ethical products, is motivated by a need to turn emotions about unethical practices into action, say researchers.

Researchers call for ‘radical rethink’ of free sugars targets

16-Sep-2014 By Nathan Gray

Intakes of free dietary sugars should make up no more than 3% of total energy intake in order to battle the ‘significant’ financial and social burdens of tooth decay, warn researchers.

German appeal court rejects ‘natural’ vanilla suit against Ritter

15-Sep-2014 By Oliver Nieburg

A German appeal court has ruled that Ritter Sport’s vanilla flavor in its whole hazelnut product is correctly labelled after consumer group Stiftung Warentest challenged it.

Oxfam calls for greater controls on huge agri public–private partnerships

12-Sep-2014 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

The increasing trend towards government investment partnerships with large multinationals threatens land rights, equality and the environment in Africa, an Oxfam report warns.

Wild taps spirulina for natural colors range

10-Sep-2014 By Oliver Nieburg

Wild Flavors has developed a natural color series that includes a blue derived from microalgae spirulina, giving confectioners a natural option for fruit flavors like blueberry.

UAE set for torrent of new entrants as chocolate market excels

09-Sep-2014 By Oliver Nieburg

The United Arab Emirates chocolate market is one of the fastest growing chocolate markets across the globe as big players such as Mars and Nestlé up their investment and others eye entry, according to TechSci Research.

Sweeteners flat line in EU and US as consumers turn backs on soft drinks

08-Sep-2014 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

The global market for high intensity sweeteners is flat lining in Europe and North America as consumers drink fewer soft drinks, according to a market report from IHS.

Nestlé, ADM and Cargill can’t escape liability for cocoa child slavery, rules court

08-Sep-2014 By Oliver Nieburg

A US appeal court has ruled that Nestlé, ADM and Cargill can be held to account for aiding and abetting child slavery in Côte D’Ivoire and has allowed a US lawsuit to proceed.

AAK investing in new edible oils factory in eastern China

08-Sep-2014 By RJ Whitehead

Edible oils major AAK will make a significant investment in China for a speciality and semi-speciality edible oils factory in Zhangjiagang, Jiangsu province. 

Fairtrade certified goods on the up in producer countries

05-Sep-2014 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Consumers in producer countries are increasingly interested in Fairtrade certified products as a means of supporting their domestic economy, according to Fairtrade International’s annual report.

MEPs voice GM cultivation ‘loophole’ concerns: Member states mustn’t face corporate court action

04-Sep-2014 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Legislation on the cultivation of genetically modified (GM) crops must be made “watertight” to avoid GM-opposing member states being taken to court, the European Parliament has urged in a European Council debate this week.

Infographic

‘Then there were two’: Cargill takes risk by entering industrial chocolate ‘duopoly’

04-Sep-2014 By Oliver Nieburg

Cargill joins Barry Callebaut as the joint industrial chocolate powerhouse after its acquisition of ADM’s chocolate operations, but the move is risky in the volatile cocoa economy, says an analyst.

Patent Watch

Givaudan files patent for MSG-free umami

04-Sep-2014 By Kacey Culliney

Givaudan has developed a compound blend that creates an acceptable umami impression in food and beverages, enabling elimination or reduction of monosodium glutamate (MSG).

Sugar methylglyoxal may turn ‘good’ HDL cholesterol ‘bad’

02-Sep-2014 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Sugar-derived methylglyoxal may damage ‘good’ cholesterol which helps protect against heart disease but protective proteins could counter this, according to research from the UK’s University of Warwick.

Unilever-Solidaridad supply chain partnership grows from sugar to gherkins

02-Sep-2014 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

A Unilever agreement with Solidaridad is set to extend supply chain sustainability beyond the usual suspects of tea and cocoa to vegetables like gherkins.

Mondelēz picks Poland over Botswana for African gum

02-Sep-2014 By Oliver Nieburg

Mondelēz International will close its chewing gum plant in Botswana and move production to Poland as African consumers ditch pellet gum for slab gum.

Chocolatiers offered ‘some release’ as ICCO extends cocoa surplus

02-Sep-2014 By Oliver Nieburg

The International Cocoa Organization (ICCO) has revised its estimate for the 2013/14 cocoa season and now expects a slightly larger supply surplus.

Confectioners rally against traffic light label proposals in France

21-Aug-2014 By Oliver Nieburg

Europe’s confectionery association Caobisco has backed French chocolatiers in blocking proposals for traffic light labels on food products in France.

Nestlé beats H2 expectations despite strong currency impact

07-Aug-2014 By Nathan Gray

The world’s biggest food manufacturing group Nestlé has posted a better-than-expected rise in a key sales figure for the first half of the year despite currency impacts causing a 10% fall in net profits.

Breaking News

Russia steps up food fight: Official ban on food imports signed by Russian PM

07-Aug-2014 By Nathan Gray

The Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev has announced a complete ban on the import of beef, pork, fruit, poultry, cheeses and milk from the EU, US, Australia, Canada and Norway, according to Russian media.

If France moves towards US-style class actions, innovation will be stifled: Lawyer

07-Aug-2014 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Plans to expand the scope of class actions in France could be part of a wider trend towards group claims of damages to health as seen already in the US, according to a law firm urging food and beverage companies to engage on the policy.

Nestlé to source 100% sustainable cocoa for UK and Ireland by 2015

01-Aug-2014 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Nestlé’s will use sustainable cocoa for 100% of its UK and Ireland portfolio by the end of 2015, up from its current 60% mark.

Patent watch

Watertight idea? Mars files patent for multi-texture caramel

31-Jul-2014 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Mars has filed a patent for ‘multi-texture’ caramel products, using a method that prevents moisture migration from caramel to crispy components without the need for a fat-based moisture barrier.

German choc firm shifts packaging to Poland in search of cheaper labor

31-Jul-2014 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Hachez, owned by the Danish Toms Group, will move part of its packaging production from Germany to Poland in an attempt to claw back some of its recent losses.

Plain packaging pay out to Mars would ‘certainly not be trivial’, says Institute of Economic Affairs

30-Jul-2014 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

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...

Wood you? Novel pigment tipped for gummy and hard candies

30-Jul-2014 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Neocandenatone, a purple pigment found in the heartwood of Dalbergia congestiflora trees, could hold colorant possibilities for gummy and hard candies, according to Mexican research.

'Sin taxes' on unhealthy foods will work, says EU report

29-Jul-2014 By Nathan Gray

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.

‘New chapter’ in sourcing: Ritter controls supply chain with own cocoa plantation in Nicaragua

24-Jul-2014 By Oliver Nieburg

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.

Strong Scottish food & drink brands will instil referendum confidence, says Scot food minister

22-Jul-2014 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Retail sales of Scottish food and drink brands in the UK rose by £513m from 2007 – figures the Scottish government says will deliver clout in the upcoming independence referendum.

Fat replacement: Researchers modify protein to mimic and replace fat in a wider range of food

18-Jul-2014 By Sarah Hills

Researchers claim they have developed proteins that could help bring a wider variety of low-fat foods to market without compromising on texture and taste.