Chocolate and confectionery ingredients

Chocolate brands deny ‘marketing timidity’ of reduced sugar variants

21-Feb-2020 By Oliver Morrison

Mars, Mondelez and Nestlé have insisted they are committed to their sugar-reduced items following accusations they do not back healthier versions of products with the necessary marketing spend.

Was the failure of Nestlé’s Milkybar Wowsomes down to poor demand or poor marketing?

13-Feb-2020 By Oliver Morrison

Nestlé has pulled its reduced sugar Milkybar Wowsomes product after poor demand. But others believe big brands are scared to push their lower sugar products for fear of failure.

Healy leverages cocoa shells for natural sugar reduction

06-Feb-2020 By Katy Askew

Healy Group, the Ireland-based ingredient supplier, has developed a process to turn cocoa shells – an otherwise under-utilised by-product of cocoa production – into a micronised cocoa fibre that can help with sugar reduction in chocolate.

How has global food supply changed in 50 years?

23-Jan-2020 By Flora Southey

Researchers have noted ‘clear shifts’ in global food supply since the 1960s, including a decline in the supply of animal sourced foods and sugar in high-income English-speaking countries.

‘Palatinose is perfect for video gamers’: Beneo discusses the potential mega-trends of 2020

15-Jan-2020 By Oliver Morrison

German-based ingredients provider Beneo says there's a growing desire for its low-glycaemic sweetener Palatinose among the video gaming community, who are keen to use the product’s slow energy release to stay focused.

‘With Pändy we can show the way’: Bayn CEO says Swedish confectionery acquisition will accelerate sugar reduction trend

14-Jan-2020 By Katy Askew

Swedish ingredients manufacturer Bayn Europe plans to leverage its strength in sugar reduction solutions to support synergistic growth following its acquisition of FMCG brand Pändy Foods. FoodNavigator speaks to Bayn CEO Patrik Edström about the company’s...

Mars develops novel confectionery: ‘Shelf-stable’ and ‘soft-textured’ mousse

13-Jan-2020 By Flora Southey

Confectionery giant Mars, Inc. has patented a shelf-stable mousse it says maintains a ‘light’ and ‘soft’ mouthfeel even when stored at an ambient temperature.

From ‘the nichest’ start-up to British cocoa grower: The ‘perpetual evolution’ of Hotel Chocolat

23-Dec-2019 By Flora Southey

From launching a niche start-up to purchasing a cocoa plantation in Saint Lucia, CEO Angus Thirlwell takes us through the ‘perpetual growing ambitions’ of Hotel Chocolat.

Nestlé’s ambition to eliminate child labour from cocoa: ‘It may take many years to get there’

13-Dec-2019 By Katy Askew

Reporting progress made to tackle child labour in its cocoa supply chain, Nestlé said it aims at eradicating the practice but added ‘going to 100% requires huge efforts’.

Nexira eyes carbon-neutral footprint for new Inavea brand

10-Dec-2019 By Flora Southey

French ingredients supplier Nexira is launching a new ingredients brand, Inavea, dedicated to organic ingredients with a strong sustainability message, managing director Mathieu Dondain tells FoodNavigator.

Mission-led chocolate: Reach hardest hit farmers with cocoa province claims

09-Dec-2019 By Flora Southey

Mission-led chocolate brands promoting a cocoa province can not only generate consumer engagement, but help deprived producing communities that need it most, according to a sustainability analyst.

Consumer trends to watch for in 2020

27-Nov-2019 By Oliver Morrison

Trends towards health and wellness, plant-based and clean label will continue next year, but the need for food businesses to innovate is greater than ever, says consumer research.

‘Reducing sugar is a balancing act’: From natural sweeteners to fruity flavours

19-Nov-2019 By Katy Askew

As food makers look to develop better-for-you options that are lower in sugar they are seeking out innovative approaches to formulation.

‘We’ve learned a lot from the start-up world’: Unilever on how it has ‘re-framed’ innovation

08-Nov-2019 By Oliver Morrison

The consumer goods giant says it has embraced a start-up culture and values of purposefulness to unlock growth.

Cargill invests in reformulation solution: ‘There are benefits to our soluble fibres that go beyond what’s currently available’

25-Oct-2019 By Katy Askew

Cargill is investing €32m in Europe to add soluble fibers to its existing portfolio of starches, sweeteners and texturizers.