Chocolate and confectionery ingredients

Nestlé shakes up confectionery production: ‘We need a more efficient manufacturing footprint’

29-Apr-2021 By Flora Southey

In the UK, Nestlé says it is strengthening its business for the long-term with the proposed closure of its Fawdon site and investments in York and Halifax factories.

Upcycled cocoa fruit waste sweetens deals in confectionery, bakery and beverage

27-Apr-2021 By Flora Southey

Swiss chocolatier Lindt and Italian confectioner Venchi are among the brands incorporating upcycled cocoa fruit into their products.

Nestlé sets carbon target for KitKat: ‘We are reducing and removing emissions to reach carbon neutrality by 2025’

21-Apr-2021 By Flora Southey

Over the next four years, Nestlé will be working within and outside of its value chain to reduce and remove emissions related to its KitKat brand. The goal, a company spokesperson explained, is carbon neutrality.

The brittle truth about vegan Easter eggs

31-Mar-2021 By Oliver Morrison

Vegan alternatives pass the flavour test (up to a point) but are prone to shattering, according to market research.

Snack sector looks to lentils, beans and insects as ‘health by stealth’ hits limit

25-Mar-2021 By Oliver Morrison

As the snack sector reaches its technological limits in cutting salt and fat from products, European manufacturers are accelerating reformulating efforts using lentils, beans, other vegetables -- and even insects -- as a way of meeting consumer demand...

Protein bar appeal explodes: Mondelēz buys sports nutrition brand Grenade

23-Mar-2021 By Nikki Hancocks

US-based global snacking heavyweight Mondelēz International taps into the mass appeal of protein bars as it acquires a significant majority interest in the UK's leading protein bar brand Grenade.

End the cage age: Unilever and Nestlé petition to phase out caged hens in Europe

17-Mar-2021 By Flora Southey

Nestlé, Unilever and Mondelēz International are among the food majors calling for an EU-wide ‘phase out’ of caged hens in farming.

Health campaigners call for ‘honest’ labelling on so-called healthy snacks

10-Mar-2021 By Oliver Morrison

Researchers at Action on Salt are demanding a restriction on the use of what it calls misleading nutrition claims on HFSS products after its new data revealed seemingly ‘healthy’ snacks contain often higher salt levels than crisps and flavoured nuts.

Not all processed foods should be demonised, say nutritionists

22-Feb-2021 By Oliver Morrison

What do canned baked beans, low fat fruit yogurt, ice cream, pre-packaged sliced bread, ready-made pasta sauces, and breakfast cereals with added sugar all have in common?

Closing the loop in chocolate: Barry Callebaut collaborates on ‘ground-breaking’ process to turn hazelnut shells into vanillin

19-Feb-2021 By Katy Askew

Barry Callebaut has joined forces with Swiss chemistry start-up Bloom Biorenewables to investigate upcycling chocolate side streams. The first result: vanillin produced from hazelnut shells.

The future of ‘clean label’? Radically transparent and naturally healthy

17-Feb-2021 By Katy Askew

‘Clean label’ is an industry term that speaks to consumer demand for recognisable ‘pantry cupboard’ ingredients. But, without a clear definition, the meaning of clean label is evolving. What other mega-trends will shape the future of clean label innovation?

Tony’s Chocolonely axed from Slave Free Chocolate list, defends ties with Barry Callebaut

16-Feb-2021 By Flora Southey

The chocolate disruptor brand has been removed from a list of ethical chocolate companies due to ties with ‘Big Cocoa’. Tony’s Chocolonely tells FoodNavigator it deliberately works with Barry Callebaut to show full traceability is possible at scale.

Food trends of the future where innovation opportunities are rife

04-Feb-2021 By Oliver Morrison

To celebrate its 20th anniversary, UK artisan chocolate brand Montezuma’s commissioned food anthropologist Caroline Hobkinson to predict food industry trends over the next two decades with a specific focus on chocolate.

Ben & Jerry’s pioneers living income for cocoa farmers: ‘The challenges we face as a planet come back to economic justice’

27-Jan-2021 By Katy Askew

Ben & Jerry’s has ramped up its living income approach for Cote D’Ivoire cocoa farmers in partnership with Fairtrade. Global Values Led Sourcing Manager Cheryl Pinto tells FoodNavigator that addressing poverty is key to tackling supply chain issues,...

Tony’s launches ‘iconic’ look-alikes in ethical cocoa campaign: ‘Your favourite chocolate can be made better’

26-Jan-2021 By Flora Southey

The challenger brand says it has struggled to roll out its limited-edition bars in the UK, claiming chocolate manufacturers pressured Sainsbury’s to delist the look-alikes.

Olam Cocoa launches Twenty Degrees to deliver ‘artisanal cocoa with a unique flavour and story’

20-Jan-2021 By Katy Askew

Olam Cocoa is launching a new premium cocoa business, Twenty Degrees. By giving remote cocoa producers market access the company will be able to offer ‘artisanal products with a unique flavour and story’, business head Leopold Palmer told FoodNavigator.

Sustainability

Tony’s Chocolonely opens its supply chain platform to other chocolate makers

11-Jan-2021 By Anthony Myers

Dutch ethical brand Tony’s Chocolonely is inviting international chocolate makers to join its transparent supply chain platform in order to create a more sustainable cocoa industry.

‘The failed experiment of self-regulation’: UK urged to adopt robust approach to HFSS foods

07-Jan-2021 By Flora Southey

As the UK plans to dismantle Public Health England – in a move health expert Dr Anthony Laverty describes as ‘retrograde’ – the Government is being called on to take ‘bolder action’ to combat obesity.

Ferrero to reduce Nutella jar sizes in latest shrinkflation move

06-Jan-2021 By Oliver Morrison

Nutella-owner Ferrero has confirmed it is to reduce the size of Nutella jars in the UK and Belgium without altering the price.

Does cocoa make you smarter? The cognitive benefits of flavanols revealed

11-Dec-2020 By Katy Askew

Increased consumption of flavanols – molecules that are particularly abundant in cocoa beans – can increase your ‘mental agility’, fresh research suggests.

'Shea is a uniquely sustainable and healthy crop': Bunge Loders Croklaan on its latest cocoa butter equivalent

04-Dec-2020 By Oliver Morrison

BLC has launched a shea-based premium cocoa butter equivalent. It says the nutritionally balanced ingredient will support food manufacturers to meet consumer demand for health-conscious and sustainable options that don’t compromise on taste and quality.

Nestlé’s net zero roadmap: ‘We have no time to lose’

04-Dec-2020 By Katy Askew

Swiss food giant Nestlé wants to halve its emissions by 2030 and achieve net zero by 2050. “We have no time to lose,” CEO Mark Schneider told journalists at an event detailing how the company plans to get there.

Tate & Lyle’s Sweet Green Fields acquisition unlocks innovation leveraging 'deep technical stevia expertise'

01-Dec-2020 By Katy Askew

Tate & Lyle has taken full control of stevia supplier Sweet Green Fields (SGF). Abigail Storms, Global Sweeteners Lead, says the move will create ‘more opportunities to innovate with customers leveraging SGF’s deep technical stevia expertise’.

‘Mega trends’ in clean label revealed: ‘It’s what’s not on the label that’s important’

26-Nov-2020 By Flora Southey

For today’s consumers ‘clean label’ is less about the ingredients featured back-of-pack and more about what isn’t listed, be it preservatives, genetically modified ingredients or artificial sweeteners, according to L.E.K. Consulting.

Barry Callebaut wants to crack the plant-based market with global expansion of La Morella Nuts

19-Nov-2020 By Katy Askew

Barry Callebaut is planning a global push for its La Morella Nuts business as it works to tap into growing demand for plant-based products and consumer interest in health and sustainability.

Meet the ‘unbelievably creamy’ vegan chocolate brand paying cocoa farmers 60% more than Fairtrade

19-Nov-2020 By Flora Southey

UK start-up Fellow Creatures has developed a plant-based chocolate its founder says is a far cry from the ‘sickly sweet’ vegan offerings currently on-shelf.

From immunity and sustainability to plant-based and clean label: Top trends out in force at Fi Europe CONNECT 2020

18-Nov-2020 By Katy Askew

Fi Europe is a red-letter event for the European food sector. This year, COVID-19 means things will be a little different. But the need to share ideas and innovation – as well as networking and business opportunities – has ‘never been more important’.

How Tony’s Chocolonely plans to disrupt ‘the big seven’ in chocolate

29-Oct-2020 By Flora Southey

From humble beginnings as a PR stunt, to becoming the biggest chocolate brand in the Netherlands, Tony’s Chocolonely is moving closer to its goal of disrupting ‘the big seven’ in chocolate. FoodNavigator hears how.

Kaffe Bueno to scale upcycled coffee grounds business with seed boost

29-Oct-2020 By Flora Southey

The Danish biotech making upcycled flour from spent coffee grounds is preparing to scale up production having secured €1.1m in seed funding, co-founder and CCO Alejandro Franco tells FoodNavigator.

Valio researchers first to document importance of ash-protein ratio in reduced sugar chocolate

26-Oct-2020 By Jim Cornall

Researchers at Finnish dairy cooperative Valio said they have discovered '30% less sugar' chocolate made with milk-based protein is equal to regular chocolate in taste and texture.

Can supermarkets help tackle obesity? ‘Many diet habits start in the grocery store’

16-Oct-2020 By Flora Southey

Food brands and supermarket retailers seeking to improve the healthiness of consumer baskets in two of London’s ‘most challenging’ boroughs have been rewarded with ‘very encouraging’ first year results.

How ethical is your food supply chain? Self-assessment tools added to Accountability Framework arsenal

12-Oct-2020 By Flora Southey

The Accountability Framework Initiative has launched a self-assessment tool to help companies identify, prioritise, and address elements of their practices that fall short, explains Rainforest Alliance scientist Leah Samberg.

Sugar reduction scheme a ‘Soviet-style diktat’

07-Oct-2020 By Oliver Morrison

Critics have rounded on the UK government’s voluntary sugar reduction plan -- which calls for a 20% cut from the food industry in key products by the end of this year -- after a report revealed it is heading for failure.

Firmenich and Novozymes partner on sugar reduction

07-Oct-2020 By Jim Cornall

Firmenich, the world’s largest privately-owned perfume and taste company, and Danish biological solution leader Novozymes, have launched their new, jointly-developed natural sugar reduction solution: TasteGEM SWL with Saphera lactase.

Mars announces deforestation-free palm oil supply chain

06-Oct-2020 By Flora Southey

Mars, Inc. has announced its Palm Positive Plan has delivered a deforestation-free palm oil supply chain. Yet environmental NGO Greenpeace takes issue with the confectionery giant's strategy.

Sustainability

Cargill’s new CocoaWise portal opens up its supply chain to greater scrutiny

05-Oct-2020 By Anthony Myers

Cargill, one of the world’s largest chocolate producers, has launched a digital portal that provides consumers with increased knowledge and shareability into the origin of the products they source from the company’s direct supply chain.

What does the list of top most valuable UK brands tell us about food trends?

02-Oct-2020 By Oliver Morrison

Despite the nightmare that has been 2020, it has been a good year for food companies, according to the 2020 top 75 Most Valuable UK Brands report from ad giant WPP and insight firm Kantar.

‘Go Vegetal’: Nestlé’s plant-based Nesquik hits Europe

29-Sep-2020 By Flora Southey

Following the US launch of Nesquik GoodNes in January this year, food and beverage major Nestlé is bringing its plant-based ready-to-drink beverage to Europe.

Food giants launch new deforestation pledge after missing 2020 objectives: ‘Our approach was not agile enough’

24-Sep-2020 By Katy Askew

The Consumer Goods Forum has launched a fresh initiative to tackle deforestation in the food chain. FoodNavigator takes a look at this new effort – and asks why the CGF’s previous zero-deforestation commitment missed the mark.

Olam Cocoa hits 100% traceability in direct cocoa supplies: ‘This is a crucial step towards… eradicating child labour and deforestation’

22-Sep-2020 By Katy Askew

Olam Cocoa has achieved 100% traceability for directly sourced cocoa across its global supply chain. FoodNavigator speaks to Andrew Brooks, Head of Sustainability, to learn more about reaching this milestone and the work that lies ahead to move the cocoa...

Ground-breaking trial gives new hope for peanut allergies

15-Sep-2020 By Oliver Morrison

A trial suggests that oral immunotherapy treatment, which involves repeated exposure over time to gradually increase doses of the allergen, could allow sufferers to increase their tolerance to peanuts. They would not be able to eat nuts at will, but their...

The key to healthy and sustainable diets… more processed foods?

09-Sep-2020 By Oliver Morrison

Opportunities abound for the food industry to address public health and environmental issues through clever food processing, say nutrition scientists.

'We are helping to build positive narratives for our customers': Olam discusses its sustainability platform AtSource

19-Aug-2020 By Oliver Morrison

Agri-business giant Olam International has launched a digital platform, AtSource, that provides detailed information about its supply chains. The company hopes the data and insight on the platform will allow its customers to be more transparent with their...

The recipe for ‘healthier’ milk chocolate? Just add peanut waste

17-Aug-2020 By Katy Askew

Scientists claim to have found a ‘new way’ to boost the antioxidant properties of milk chocolate: by combining it with waste peanut skins.

The FoodNavigator Podcast: Sugar reformulation part 2: The taste conundrum

14-Aug-2020 By Oliver Morrison

The food industry is under pressure to reformulate products with less sugar. The UK has a voluntary target for manufacturers to meet a 20% cut in sugar by 2020. This is unlikely to be met and campaigners are increasingly demanding that mandatory sugar...

Chocolate is ‘good for the heart’: study

04-Aug-2020 By Katy Askew

Eating chocolate at least once a week has been linked to a reduced risk of heart disease, a new study has concluded.

Child labour spikes during COVID-19 lockdown in Côte d’Ivoire, finds International Cocoa Initiative

02-Jul-2020 By Flora Southey

During the partial COVID-19 lockdown in Côte d’Ivoire, a sharp rise in child labour was observed. Yet according to the International Cocoa Initiative, it is too early to attribute the increase to the pandemic alone.

Rainforest Alliance unveils new certification standard: ‘We need new approaches that move beyond a simple pass-fail system’

01-Jul-2020 By Flora Southey

From September this year, Rainforest Alliance will start rolling out the 2020 Sustainable Agriculture Standard worldwide. How does this newly enhanced standard set itself apart in the field? FoodNavigator speaks with the NGO’s director of standards and...

‘Conguitos contributes to racism’: Chocolates Lacasa slammed by consumers wanting change

29-Jun-2020 By Flora Southey

Spanish confectionery company Chocolates Lacasa S.A. is the subject of a petition pushing for the ‘immediate removal’ of all products marketed under its Conguitos branding.

CBD body announces safety study consortium as Novel Foods crunch time looms

19-Jun-2020 By Oliver Morrison

Ahead of the UK Food Standards Agency’s 31 March 2021 deadline for CBD products to have a validated novel foods application, the Association for the Cannabinoid Industry (ACI), which works to create a safe, legal and well-regulated CBD market in the UK,...