neill barston
Hershey’s West African sustainability programme reinstated after being banned marks a key milestone
With sustainability being firmly at the core of many companies’ agendas within the confectionery sector, the breaking news that Hershey had been banned from carrying out its activities supporting cocoa farmers in West Africa was hugely significant.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Ingredients, Sustainability
Major $10 billion income gap for Ghana and Ivory Coast farmers remains a critical sector goal
Delivering on cocoa supply chain sustainability remains the most single pressing task for major players within the confectionery industry, with an especially notable milestone having just been put down.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Ingredients, New products, Regulatory, Sustainability
Loacker USA: behind the scenes focus interview
Confectionery Production editor Neill Barston interviews TJ Rooney, President of Loacker USA on its handling of the pandemic, key trends and hopes for 2021
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Ingredients, New products, Packaging, Processing, Sustainability
Snacking study shows consumers favour comfort food amid challenging times
According to the latest state of snacking report by Mondelez, it seems nine in ten of us are eating the same, if not more, treats than we did before the lockdown.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Ingredients, New products, Regulatory, Sustainability
Industry shows resilience on the eve of a second coronavirus lockdown
This week, following in the footsteps of several other nations around Europe including Belgium, France and Germany, the UK is set to enter a second period of lockdown in England amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Business news, Food safety, New products, Packaging, Processing, Regulatory, Sustainability
Confectionery sales gain a supernatural boost ahead of this weekend’s Halloween festivities
Ever since watching the Halloween celebrations featuring in Steven Spielberg’s ET as a kid, I’ve been fascinated by the lengths that some will go to mark this key annual extravaganza heralding the long, dark nights of winter.
Key NORC report on child labour within cocoa supply reveals significant concerns still remain
It seems there’s rarely a week within the confectionery and wider food and drink market that passes without a major breaking issue that proves of significant impact and offers the industry plenty of reason to take a step back and reflect.
Major report on reducing sugar in ranges poses ongoing industry challenge
This past week has seen the release of Public Health England’s (PHE) assessment of how its much-publicised drive to reduce sugar intake by 20% within food categories including confectionery has performed, and the results have been far from what was anticipated.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Ingredients, New products, Regulatory, Sustainability
Crucial season lies ahead for manufacturers and confectionery retailers
The next few months are likely to prove extremely critical for both manufacturers of confectionery, snacks and bakery ranges, as well as the retailers they serve around the world.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Food safety, Ingredients, New products, Packaging, Processing, Regulatory, Sustainability
Major confectionery businesses continue to make key investments despite pandemic tests
Amid a notably turbulent year for global markets, Cargill has made a major announcement this week for expanding its innovation facilities at its key European site in Mouscron, Belgium (pictured), which is set to have a sizeable impact for the business.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, New products, Regulatory, Sustainability
Halloween is still happening, says US confectionery sector
One of the key issues to emerge over the past week has been that of plans for celebrating Halloween, particularly in the US, which remains one of the most significant dates in the confectionery calendar.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Food safety, New products, Regulatory, Sustainability
Hope is on the horizon with major seasonal confectionery launches ahead
While we are still in August of what has proved a particularly testing year, confectionery manufacturers are already fixing their gaze on the vital Christmas market.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, New products, Packaging, Processing, Sustainability
Hope is on the horizon with major confectionery launches being unveiled
While we are still in August of what has proved a particularly testing year, confectionery manufacturers are already fixing their gaze on the vital Christmas market.
Industry doubts whether banning television advertising on treats will impact on reducing obesity
This week has again brought a renewed spotlight on the major issue of obesity, which has been characterised as having reached crisis levels within the UK, with two thirds of UK adults considered as being overweight, according to Public Health England.
Cocoa & chocolate, Food safety, Ingredients, New products, Processing, Sustainability