Kraft Foods has said it intends to split into two companies, in a move that would create a global snacks powerhouse separate from its North American grocery business.
US chocolate giant Hershey reported net income of $130.12m for the second quarter, with net income for the period up o $129.56m from $117.05m in the same quarter in 2010.
Elevated agricultural commodity prices will remain this season as unfavourable weather impacts production, offering little chance to replenish stocks, according to Rabobank.
US and Mexican governments have signed an agreement to end a 17-year trucking dispute that has seen Mexico impose tariffs on a long list of US exports, including many food and agricultural products.
Mars says growing demand for its confectionery products in the US has prompted the firm to invest in a new “state-of-the-art” manufacturing facility in the country.
Leading pod-to-pallet chocolate supplier, Barry Callebaut, is targeting manufacturers in the Americas with a stevia-based dark chocolate for use in multiple applications, including moulding, enrobing and inclusions.
Cargill has received the first ever shipment of UTZ cocoa in North America, a move which will be followed by other sustainable cocoa developments in the region, said the certifying body, as momentum gathers in the US market.
A new dark cocoa powder aims to deliver an indulgent rich taste for bakery goods, but also cut costs by reducing the product’s overall cocoa content, claims ADM.
Enzymatic treatment of cocoa almonds may improve flavor profiles by up to 50 per cent, leading to improved chocolate flavors from low quality almonds, according to new research.
Kraft Foods has reported strong sales and profit growth in the first quarter as it increased prices and advertising efforts for core brands to tackle higher commodity costs.
Reflecting the continuing industry trend toward outsourcing, Barry Callebaut said a new supply deal it has agreed with Hershey will put its annual deliveries beyond the current 80,000 metric tonnes.
Kraft Foods is leveraging the growing market for chocolate and cookies in developing markets with the opening of a new $80m production facility in Brazil.
Demand for organic Fair Trade certified food imports increased significantly in 2010, with especially strong growth for vanilla, coffee, citrus and cocoa, according to Fair Trade USA’s 2010 almanac.
Lessons learned improving the quality and nutritional content of food for astronauts could open up opportunities for the food industry back here on earth, says Dr Michele Perchonok, manager of NASA's shuttle food system and advanced food technology...
Confectioners will probably get away with increasing prices on chocolate bars without significantly denting demand because they are generally low ticket items bought as treats in an area with high brand loyalty, analysts have predicted.
Kraft Foods is facing another potential grilling about its takeover of Cadbury in early 2010 with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) examining its actions in relation to India under the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA).
Although many previous attempts have shown that heat resistant chocolate is possible, more research is needed to produce a simple, inexpensive, and tasty chocolate that is resistant to melting, according to a new review.
Cocoa powder and dark chocolate has equivalent polyphenol content and greater antioxidant and flavanol content than various super fruits, claims a new study by research scientists based at the Hershey Center for Health and Nutrition.
Milk fats, used as ingredients in confectionary and bakery, could be enriched with compounds called diacylglycerols which may aid weight control, according to a team of Dutch researchers.
Confectioners must continuously innovate to capture a share of the global gums market, as nearly 80 percent of gum purchases are made on impulse, claims a new report from Global Industry Analysts (GIA).
Research aiming to improve understanding around the sensory attributes of confectionery is the objective of new collaboration between US chocolate giant Hershey and academia.
The National Confectioners Association (NCA) has welcomed an initial proposal that could end an ongoing US-Mexico trucking dispute that has seen Mexico impose tariffs on a long list of US exports.
Mars has been recognized by the Secretary of State’s Award for Corporate Excellence (ACE) for its work in Ghana promoting the well-being and sustainability of cocoa-growing communities.
Grupo Bimbo has completed its acquisition of Mexican confectionery firm Dulces Vero, a deal that should strengthen its position in the US hispanic confectionery market, according to market analyst Jonathan Thomas.
Rabobank has warned that cocoa prices will respond if there is a return to civil war in the Ivory Coast as this could impede cocoa exports onto the world market.
The Hershey Company has sued Mars for allegedly mimicking the packaging design of its Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups by using a similar orange color and pack design for Dove peanut butter milk chocolate Promises.
Participation in ADM’s cocoa growing certification programme - Serap - has tripled since its implementation and it has provided almost 49,000 metric tonnes of sustainable cocoa in the period, said the cocoa processor as it conducts a review of the programme...
US based confectionery firm Necco has announced that it has a hired an investment bank to help it identify a strategic partner or explore a possible sale of its business.
The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has reiterated its late-August prediction that food price inflation will be at its lowest since 1992 this year – but higher commodity costs are likely to increase prices in 2011.
Formulating reduced fat chocolate using defatted cocoa powder may indeed by the ‘best compromise’ for confectionery producers, says a new study from Nestlé Product Technology.
Frequent chocolate consumption was associated with a lower prevalence of coronary heart disease (CHD) in men and women independent of traditional risk factors, according to a review of a national US based heart, lung and blood study.
Kraft has said it expects to make an additional $1bn in revenue by 2013 because of better access to global markets and distribution networks following its takeover of Cadbury earlier this year.
The Streamlined Sales Tax Governing Board has requested comments on a proposed definition of candy for tax purposes, which excludes confectionery that requires refrigeration or contains flour.
New research from the US shows that some flavours of chewing gum are effective in reducing the negative effects associated with nicotine withdrawal such as anxiety.
Chocolate products are smashing through the recessionary gloom in the US with sales expected to top $19bn within four years, according to the latest report from research group Packaged Facts.
Sustainable, healthy, cost-effective cocoa butter equivalents may be produced from enriched sunflower oils, and enable formulation of chocolates with higher melting points.
A new 20 percent tariff on American chocolate and gum being shipped into Mexico has prompted an outcry from US confectioners, as the Mexican government has introduced a raft of new tariffs on American products.
An observational study analysing the eating habits of 31,823 women suggests that only moderate consumption of high quality chocolate has a positive impact on heart failure risk.
Trading directly with Ecuadorean farmers ensures a better quality bean and boosts the ecological and ethical profile of a chocolate company, claims a US manufacturer.
The Child Nutrition Act has been broadly welcomed by the food and beverage industry, following its unanimous passage through the Senate late last week.
The National Confectioners Association (NCA) has said it favors voluntary listing of calories front-of-pack rather than introducing a scale or rating system, in comments to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Cocoa flavanols could improve poor blood vessel function in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), according to research by a team of researchers, including scientists from confectionery maker, Mars Inc.
FDA officials have seized 64 drums of honey imported to the US from China, because it is adulterated with an antibiotic that could cause serious illness or death.
A sales tax on certain candy and gum products is due to come into effect in Washington State on June 1, as part of the state’s effort to plug its $2.8bn deficit.
US food giant Kraft has announced first quarter 2010 revenues up 26 percent to $11.3bn after its acquisition of British food and confectionery company Cadbury.
Ensuring consumers reap the benefits from the beneficial compounds in cocoa may mean formulating products with more sugar, suggests a new study from Kraft.
US chocolate maker, Hershey, said it is still open to international expansion and it claims acquisitions will be made easier by the fact that the global chocolate markets are still fragmented.
Ayana Bio conducted the Ultra-Processed Food (UPF) Pulse survey, offering insight into consumers’ willingness to consume UPFs, as well as the variables...
Join Ingredion for a practical conversation on how food and beverage brands are letting consumers eat cake AND feel good about their indulgent choices...
