Chocolate and confectionery ingredients

Fresh evidence of links between ultra-processed food and health risks revealed

31-May-2019 By Oliver Morrison

Two pieces of research published in the British Medical Journal provide fresh evidence of the links between popular processed food and a range of health risks.

The latest scoop on ice cream trends: ‘Marrying health and indulgence’

31-May-2019 By Flora Southey

The global ice cream category is “stepping up its innovation game”, according to Mintel global food & drink analyst Honorata Jarocka, who says brands are responding to consumer demand for healthy and tasty desserts.

Vanilla for Change: Unilever leveraging tech to tell sustainable sourcing story

29-May-2019 By Katy Askew

Unilever hopes to leverage growing consumer interest in sustainable sourcing and present the “human” side of its vanilla supply chain through its new ‘Vanilla for Change’ marketing campaign.

Healthy OOH eating sector ‘set to grow’ predicts Kantar

20-May-2019 By Oliver Morrison

Opportunities for healthier out-of-home food sector choices will grow in the UK as the food industry tackles the obesity crisis, according to market research specialist Kantar.

Better evidence needed on Mondelēz cocoa sustainability commitment: analyst

03-May-2019 By Oliver Morrison

The commitment by Mondelēz International to use 100% sustainable cocoa makes business sense -- but it now it needs to demonstrate it can truly improve people’s lives and the planet, says one analyst.

Nine trends driving flavour innovation

17-Apr-2019 By Oliver Morrison

The ‘Instagram effect’ means consumers are more open than ever to new flavours. International Taste Solutions (ITS), which manufactures and supplies natural flavourings to the baking, snacks, dairy and active lifestyle sectors, teamed up with market research...

Fazer pledges to use 100% cage-free eggs: ‘It is realistic, but there are challenges’

11-Apr-2019 By Flora Southey

The Finnish food company is collaborating with suppliers in its commitment to use cage-free eggs across operations in Nordic and Baltic countries, sustainability director Nina Elomaa told FoodNavigator.

Why ‘beating up the food industry’ won’t solve the UK’s obesity crisis

10-Apr-2019 By Oliver Morrison

A holistic approach is needed to tackle the UK’s obesity crisis, according to Dominic Watkins, head of food at the global regulatory and compliance at law firm DWF.

THE INGREDIENTS SHOW

Growing single origin trend to ‘transform Colombia through chocolate’

10-Apr-2019 By Flora Southey

Single origin chocolate is attracting strong sales and high product satisfaction among consumers. For ingredient suppliers, this presents an opportunity to give back to the rural communities growing the commodity. FoodNavigator caught up with an analyst,...

Beyond fat and sugar: Diets low in whole grains, fruit and nuts associated with 1 in 5 deaths

05-Apr-2019 By Flora Southey

A suboptimal diet lacking in whole grains, fruit, nuts and seeds, vegetables and omega-3 fatty acids is responsible for more deaths than any other risk factors globally, according to findings published in The Lancet.

Guittard Chocolate on ethics, education, and ‘the evolution of artistry’

02-Apr-2019 By Flora Southey

San Francisco-based Guittard Chocolate Company has invested in farmer training to preserve chocolate flavours from cocoa growing regions and advance its sustainability mission, director of marketing Amy Guittard told FoodNavigator.

‘Making cocoa a tool for change’: Luker Chocolate talks single origin cocoa

01-Apr-2019 By Katy Askew

Luker Chocolate is a Colombian cocoa supplier and chocolate maker that believes cocoa production can deliver positive societal change: “We believe that chocolate makes the world a better place.”

‘Putting our money on priority areas’: Orkla unveils swathe of acquisitions

29-Mar-2019 By Katy Askew

Nordic food and ingredients group Orkla today (29 March) unveiled a slate of acquisitions that, it said, reflected its strategy to invest behind priority areas.

Plant Lipids UK on a natural, vegan and transparent supply chain: ‘If you don’t have traceability, invariably you won’t supply’

27-Mar-2019 By Flora Southey

There is growing demand for vegan status, 100% natural processes, and transparency across the supply chain, ingredients supplier Plant Lipids UK tells FoodNavigator.

Superfood stardom: Social media drives the rise of ‘standout colour’ purple

25-Mar-2019 By Flora Southey

The nutritional benefits of purple superfoods, together with their social media ‘worthiness’, have contributed to an increase in all things purple on supermarket shelves, according to Mintel analyst.

NPD trend tracker: From ‘nostalgic’ fudge to premium ice cream for adults

18-Mar-2019 By Flora Southey

From fudge flavours inspired by the school tuck shop, to turmeric and mango muesli, and exotic ice cream championing Australian macadamia and salted caramel. FoodNavigator brings you the latest new product development trends in Europe.

NPD trend tracker: From insect-based snacks to chocolate coated superfruit

11-Mar-2019 By Flora Southey

Nestlé launches its first ever Milkybar milk and white chocolate offering, cricket-based crackers hit UK shelves, and Red Date superfruits get a dark chocolate makeover. FoodNavigator brings you the latest new product development trends in Europe.

Cargill overcomes colour challenge in cocoa with enhanced ‘reddish’ pigment

06-Mar-2019 By Flora Southey

Food giant Cargill has filed a patent for a method to “naturally adjust” the colour of chocolate products with an increased reddish hue.

‘The first product to put our plastic pledge to the test’: Nestlé launches Nesquik All Natural in paper packaging

04-Mar-2019 By Katy Askew

Nestlé is launching a new variety of Nesquik in Europe. In a move indicative of its global commitments on single-use plastics, Nestlé is rolling Nesquik All Natural out in an innovative new paper packaging material that is plastic-free and fully recyclable.

NPD trend tracker: From Brexit hampers to kombucha energy drinks

04-Mar-2019 By Flora Southey

From an Italian 'Brexit Box' full of non-perishables for UK shoppers, to a kombucha and apple cider vinegar energy drink, and a 300th-year anniversary Jubilee cheese in Liechtenstein, FoodNavigator brings you the last new product development...

Norwegian gov’t called to action: ‘Social media is actively used to promote unhealthy food’

01-Mar-2019 By Flora Southey

Norway’s youth is not adequately protected from the often subtle and sophisticated digital marketing techniques of unhealthy food brands, says the Norwegian Consumer Council.

Five health & wellness trends transforming packaged food strategies

28-Feb-2019 By Natasha Spencer

As health and wellness and snacking trends emerge as leading influences in the packaged food industry, we explore how food manufacturers and brands can appeal to consumer needs in this competitive landscape.

NPD trend tracker: From Nestlé ‘on the go’ cereal to Kinder ice cream for kids

25-Feb-2019 By Flora Southey

As February draws to a close, Nestlé launches recyclable breakfast cereal boxes, Unilever and Ferrero bring Kinder ice cream to the UK, and a Welsh bakery champions historical legends in a range of packaged breads. FoodNavigator brings you the latest...

Chocoa Conference 2019

Chocoa 2019: The economics and politics of cocoa

22-Feb-2019 By Anthony Myers

The seventh Chocoa Conference in Amsterdam got straight down to business on the opening day, with discussions ranging from deforestation, child labor and famer incomes.

Nestlé looks East for inspiration: Japanese KitKat Green Tea Matcha to hit Europe

21-Feb-2019 By Katy Askew

KitKat Japan is a notable success story for Nestlé. At a time when food sector revenue has been under pressure – not least in Japan where demographic trends such as the ageing and declining population have depressed the market – KitKat Japan has gone...

NPD trend tracker: From Starbucks capsules to ruby chocolate and gluten-free snacks for kids

18-Feb-2019 By Flora Southey

This month sees the nationwide launch of KitKat Ruby in retailers across the UK and spring water packaged in eco-friendly cartons – sealed using caps made from sugarcane. FoodNavigator brings you the latest new product development trends to hit supermarket...

Sustainable stevia: Tate & Lyle to assess eco impact of sweetener

14-Feb-2019 By Flora Southey

Ingredients supplier Tate & Lyle has partnered with NGO Earthwatch to assess the sustainability of its stevia supply chain, from seedling producers to industrial farms.

New product

Cargill adds to its cocoa powder range with launch of Gerkens CT70

12-Feb-2019 By Anthony Myers

New cocoa powder is specifically aimed at creating a chocolate experience in taste and smell in baked goods.

Spirulina maker Prolgae developing organic ‘superfood’ treats and 'antioxidant' tablets

08-Feb-2019 By Katy Askew

Indian company Prolgae Spirulina Supplies sells its sun-dried spirulina as an ingredient to food and nutraceutical markets in Europe and the US. With ambitious plans to expand, the group is now working on establishing finished food products and tablets...

Should Norway ban energy drink sales to kids? Ever-increasing consumption perceived ‘a real problem’

01-Feb-2019 By Flora Southey

A survey has revealed that three out of four Norwegians support the introduction of age limits on energy drink sales.

Germany pushes for EU-wide ‘binding regulations’ in cocoa production

31-Jan-2019 By Flora Southey

Establishing a single standard for sustainably-produced cocoa could impact how industry buys and processes the soft commodity.

2019 on the pulse: France champions nuts, legumes and wholegrains in dietary guidance

28-Jan-2019 By Flora Southey

Unsalted nuts, pulses and wholegrains have been added to France’s dietary guidance, which in 2019 also promotes environmental sustainability and consideration of the Nutri-Score label system.

NPD trend tracker: From vegan butter to 'wonky' veg crisps

28-Jan-2019 By Flora Southey

From a functional, on-the-go apple cider vinegar juice, to a two-ingredient vegan butter, and gluten-free Japanese rice flour for French bakers. FoodNavigator looks at what is trending in Europe's new product development space.

Sustainability goals hamstrung by competition law, Fairtrade body argues

25-Jan-2019 By Flora Southey

A Fairtrade report has found that UK businesses perceive competition law as a hindrance to sustainability objectives across the supply chain.

WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM ANNUAL MEETING 2019

Waste experts gather in Davos: There is ‘no silver bullet’ to the world’s plastic pollution problem

24-Jan-2019 By Flora Southey

Is there an end in sight to plastic pollution? Industry experts say the answer lies in addressing the economics of waste, changing consumer behaviour, and prioritising product design.

EU votes to blacklist ‘dual quality’ food with maximum €10m penalty

22-Jan-2019 By Flora Southey

MEPs have voted to fine companies marketing ‘dual quality’ food up to €10m, or 4% of the trader’s annual turnover, in a bid to protect consumer rights.

‘Europe has huge potential and a long way to go’: Algaia eyes growth in algae ingredients

22-Jan-2019 By Katy Askew

French algae ingredients supplier Algaia wants to expand the European market for algae-based products. CEO Fabrice Bohin speaks to us about the region’s potential and runway for growth.

NPD trend tracker: Aperitif pairings, Arabica coffee & Fairtrade basmati

21-Jan-2019 By Flora Southey

Another chocolate and hazelnut spread enters the market, organic rice varieties come to Germany, and experts pick which snacks best match our wines. FoodNavigator looks at what is trending in new product development.

'Drastically increased price': Damaged crop drives cardamom and poppy seed price spike

18-Jan-2019 By Flora Southey

EHL Ingredients says it is working hard to fulfil orders for UK customers after adverse weather in India and the Czech Republic damaged cardamom and poppy seed crops.

Sustainability rankings: FMCG ‘more responsive’ to campaigners but single-use plastics still a top concern

17-Jan-2019 By Flora Southey

Unilever and Nestlé’s initiatives in palm oil sustainability and animal welfare have helped rank the corporates among the most praised by non-government organisations.

Nutella rival’s ‘more ethical and healthier positioning’ to attract repeat customers, predicts analyst

16-Jan-2019 By Flora Southey

Barilla’s chocolate hazelnut spread is palm oil-free, contains less saturated fat than Nutella, and according to Euromonitor analyst Emil Fazira, threatens Fererro’s stronghold in Italy’s bread spread market.

Danish ‘foodshakers’ advise government on ingredients policy

15-Jan-2019 By Flora Southey

Denmark’s advisory board for the ingredients industry has issued recommendations to the government, detailing how to “reap the industry’s large growth potential up to 2030”.

Germany targets food waste with supermarket scanner tech

15-Jan-2019 By Flora Southey

A compact scanning device that determines the freshness of food in supermarkets is under development in Germany, where the Bavarian government is tackling food waste.

UK launches consultation on restricting junk food promotions

14-Jan-2019 By Katy Askew

The UK’s Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has launched a public consultation on the government’s plans to restrict promotions of food and drink products that are high in fat, sugar and salt (HFSS).

FuturMaster on 2019 supply chain trends: Machine learning, IoT and data sharing

11-Jan-2019 By Flora Southey

Food companies are increasingly aware that processing big data, and sharing selected sets with competitors, can help boost their bottom line, says FurturMaster sales manager, Martin Sewell.

Few UK consumers recognise RSPO logo, but does it matter?

10-Jan-2019 By Flora Southey

The Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) says it is ‘not surprised’ by findings that just 5% of consumers in the UK recognise its logo, noting that as a voluntary label, “not all companies want to draw attention to an ingredient that is one of many”....