worldwide
M&Ms ‘spokescandy’ social media backlash sees new characters withdrawn
M&Ms has been hit with a US consumer backlash against its newly-introduced ‘spokescandy’ characters that have been branded by some American national media observers as ‘woke’ publicity, sparking thousands of online social media posts, writes Neill Barston.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, New products, Sustainability
Mars Australia recognised for its major sustainable packaging drive
Mars Australia has emerged with industry honours for its developments in sustainable packaging, after claiming the prize for Outstanding Achievement for Recycled Content as part of the Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation’s annual awards in Sydney, writes Neill Barston.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, New products, Packaging, Sustainability
Fairtrade creates human rights and environmental risk map revealing cocoa sector’s key issues
Fairtrade is set to enhance its sustainability work with plans for a new online mapping system in a bid to identify human rights and environmental risks in some of its core supply chains, including the cocoa sector, in a bid to combat ongoing major industry issues, reports Neill Barston.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Ingredients, Processing, Sustainability
BDSI reports annual German confectionery sector export growth, in spite of major supply chain issues
Germany’s BDSI confectionery trade body has reported a 6.5% sales volume increase for the nation’s sector, backed by an increase in exports, despite ongoing major energy crisis and significant spikes in ingredients costs, reports Neill Barston.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Food safety, Ingredients, New products, Packaging, Processing, Regulatory
Cargill marks UN International Day of Education with continued cocoa community engagement
Cargill has expressed its ongoing commitment to supporting families in cocoa growing communities, amid global celebrations for the UN’s International Day of International Education, writes Neill Barston.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Ingredients, New products, Processing, Regulatory, Sustainability
Exclusive: Ferrero World Confectionery Conference preview interview
The World Confectionery Conference will be returning to Brussels this September. Editor Neill Barston speaks exclusively to Francesco Tramontin, Ferrero’s vice president of EU institutional relations and the group’s public policy centre, who will be featuring as part of a dynamic line-up of speakers for our must-attend event of 2023
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Ingredients, Processing, Regulatory, Sustainability
Blommer Chocolate’s cocoa sustainability plans enhanced by Satelligence partnership
US-based Blommer Chocolate’s environmental strategies have gained a valuable boost from a partnership with Satelligence, an established specialist in geospatial sustainability, focused on the confectionery group’s cocoa farming network, writes Neill Barston.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Ingredients, Processing, Sustainability
Barry Callebaut reports quarterly sales drop amid challenging trading conditions
Barry Callebaut has delivered its latest results which have shown a first quarter downturn of 5.1% in sales volumes for its chocolate and cocoa business, to 578,694, amid challenging trading conditions, writes Neill Barston.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Ingredients, Processing, Regulatory, Sustainability
FDF says sector faces ‘significant medium term challenges,’ with confectionery among categories hit by high inflation
Steep pre-Christmas price rises averaging 16.9% in December across food categories including confectionery has placed continued pressure economic pressure on UK households, facing inflation at a near 40-year high, according to Food and Drink Federation studies, reports Neill Barston.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Regulatory, Sustainability
NCA confirms 2023 future industry leadership programme intake
The National Confectioners Association has confirmed its latest intake of six confectionery industry professionals selected for the 2023 Future Leadership Programme, representing a broad cross-section of the sector, reports Neill Barston.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, New products, Packaging, Processing, Regulatory, Sustainability
Lindt & Sprüngli claims innovation and consumer confidence as key results growth drivers
Swiss premium chocolate brand Lindt & Sprüngli has cited key product innovation and increased consumer confidence visiting its stores as core drivers in creating organic growth of 10.8% to CHF 4.97 billion, reports Neill Barston.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Ingredients, New products, Sustainability
Environmental friendliness and the power of plant-based take centre stage for Veganuary
We may only be a couple of weeks into January, but its overriding megatrend from a business perspective across segments has surrounded delivering on key corporate sustainability targets on improving environmental performance.
TopGum extends fast-rising neutraceutical gummies with organic sugar free variety
Israel’s TopGum Industries has confirmed release of its latest offering of sugar-free, organic gummies to the nutritional health supplement category, writes Neill Barston.
Business news, Ingredients, Packaging, Processing, Regulatory, Sustainability
Shemesh Automation asserts packaging sector’s environmental improvement goals remain vital
With major logistics and energy challenges facing the sector in 2023, addressing climate change through improving company environmental performance is set to continue play a central role within the packaging segment, according to a key firm in the sector, writes Neill Barston.
Business news, Ingredients, New products, Processing, Regulatory, Sustainability