Public health England
Health campaigners call on UK government to take urgent obesity action amid pandemic
Health campaign groups including Action On Sugar and Action on Salt, have joined with 47 other organisations in calling on the UK’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson to urgently implement all remaining chapters of the government’s childhood obesity plan. Neill Barston reports
Cocoa & chocolate, Food safety, Ingredients, Processing, Regulatory
Industry stalling on Public Health England targets for confectionery sugar reduction
Government-backed advisory body Public Health England set a voluntary target for sugar reduction for food manufacturers operating within the sweet goods and confectionery sector of 20%, which has yielded a low level of attainment over nearly five years, reports Neill Barston
Cocoa & chocolate, Ingredients, New products, Processing, Regulatory, Sustainability
Confectionery expert offers warning over government policy on sweets reformulation
UK confectionery expert Andy Baxendale has criticised government-backed public health agencies for potentially impacting on the industry through ‘families feeling guilty’ for enjoying sweets and chocolates during the upcoming Christmas season.
Campaigners call for ‘calorie levy’ on unhealthy foods
Campaigners are calling on the government to introduce a calorie levy on processed foods including cakes, biscuits and other confectionery items, in a bid to reduce levels of obesity and other health issues.
Children ‘exceed recommended sugar limit by age 10’
The average 10-year-old has consumed as much sugar in their lifetime as the recommended limit for an 18-year-old, according to Public Health England (PHE)
Cocoa & chocolate, Food safety, Ingredients, Packaging, Regulatory
England’s leading doctor calls for extension of tax on high sugar product ranges
Reducing sugar content within a broad range of product groups has posed considerable challenges for the sector. Neill Barston reports on latest recommendations for potentially extending taxes upon the industry to encourage greater product reformulation
World Obesity Federation calls for greater regulation of online product advertising
A study from the World Obesity Federation has called for food and drink adverts, including confectionery, that target children with video games, apps and social media, to be more intensively regulated.
Mondelēz International pledges 100% packaging recycling by 2025
Global confectionery group Mondelēz International today has built on its sustainability policies in committing to making its entire packaging operations recyclable by 2025.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Packaging, Regulatory, Sustainability
Brexit concerns give industry food for thought
This year’s Food and Drink Federation convention was dominated by discussion over how industry can handle the prospect of Brexit, as a number of key issues on trading arrangements remain unknown. Neill Barston reports
Return of the Toblerone missing peaks prompts media spotlight
One of the biggest headlines within the confectionery sector for the past weeks has been news of a return for Toblerone in a larger format, which has gained broad media attention.
Caobisco welcomes its first female president
This month has seen Mary Barnard, president of Mondelēz International’s European chocolate division appointed as Caobisco’s first female president.
Lack of results on sugar reduction leads to calls for confectionery tax
The latest report from Public Health England (PHE) on progress made by the food and drink sector in reducing sugar content in products is likely to make particularly difficult reading for the confectionery and bakery markets.
PHE report highlights failure to reduce enough sugar content
With concerns continuing over increasing levels of obesity within the UK, figures from government body Public Health England reveal that the confectionery sector has much work to achieve targets on reducing sugar.
Plamil set to expand its free from production facilities
Tapping into the ever-growing free from movement of confectionery has proved a winning formula for Kent-based Plamil Foods. Neill Barston reports exclusively on its fortunes since its major rebranding exercise.