With current tougher times in the economy impacting disposable income, a charity for past and present confectionery employees, Sweet Charity, affirms its key aim in 2009 is to raise awareness and reach out to more people in need in the industry.
Gum makers must continue initiatives for a sustainable solution to gum litter, with new research finding discarded chewing gum makes up more than three-quarters of the litter found on UK streets.
Confectionery manufacturers need to boost the appeal and nutritional value of their products to earn a place in the school lunchbox as parents focus on healthy eating, according to new research from Mintel.
The UK's advertising watchdog ASA has ruled in favour of Swiss confectionery giant Nestle following a complaint from Sustain, an alliance for better food and farming, for irresponsible product placement.
Leatherhead Food International (LFI) intends to tap into a very
pressing technical challenge for manufacturers looking to produce
low fat foods that maintain an indulgent appeal.
An industry body yesterday said consumers are unaware of the high
salt content on some sweet products such as popcorn, cereals and
hot chocolate, sparking calls for reformulation and improved
labelling.
The UK government has set in motion a review of food policy and
strategies with the publication of an analytical study on current
and emerging food trends.
With heart disease and obesity levels booming in Western Europe,
manufacturers and scientists are increasingly trying to make a link
between health and confectionery, traditionally seen as a 'naughty'
treat.
A UK food safety panel is recommending that the mandatory addition
of folic acid should be made at the milling stage rather than at
the manufacturing stage, shifting the cost burden to suppliers.
UK food formulators and manufacturers should be applauded for their
progress on salt reduction, say the findings of a survey from the
Consensus Action on Salt and Health (CASH).
Pure fruit and vegetable juices are generally regarded as healthy,
despite containing less fibre than the whole fruit. A review of
studies into their potential to reduce risk of chronic disease may
serve to validate the popular perception...
The traditional breakfast appears to be making a comeback with
consumers tuning into the health benefits of porridge oats and
driving growth in a formerly small sector of the cereal market.
There will be no special measures to cover food products from
cloned animals in the EU, member states have agreed, following news
the offspring of a cloned cow was growing up in the UK.
Time is running out for producers of specialist, cloth-bound cheese
in the UK as efforts stall in their bid to continue using a
chemical that is banned across the EU.
Ethical chocolate company Green & Black's has devised an
innovative new way to raise its socially responsible profile in the
confectionery industry with a unique Christmas concept.
The world's second largest gum company, Cadbury Schweppes, is to
introduce its most popular chewing gum brand into the UK market
next year, putting the pressure on foremost competitor Wrigley and
adding to larger firm domination...
UK sweet manufacturers could soon see a slump in retailer sales
following talks between the Department of Health and industry
bodies to wean consumers away from convenience shop confectionery.
The burgeoning organic chocolate market is taking off thanks to an
increase in ethical consumerism and the willingness of
confectionery makers worldwide to exploit the trend.
Following a £15m (€22.2m) investment in research and development at
the company, UK crisp giant Walkers has launched a new 'healthier'
range to attract snack-loving consumers worried about their
waistlines.
European confectionery giant Nestle has overcome rising energy
costs to report strong profits in the company's first half results
announced today, but admits there remains room for improvement in
UK brands.
Sugar-free alternatives are beginning to take off in a number of
food sectors, driven by health concerns and product innovation
according to new research.
In a move emphasising the flight of many food manufacturers out of
the UK, Heinz has decided to move production of the HP Sauce brand
to Holland from its plant in Birmingham.
Sugar confectionery was the only sector to see a significant
decline in the first half of 2005 as UK exports of food and drink
grow 3.1 per cent indicating the industry is on track to break the
£10 billion barrier for the first time...
Mars, one of the most recognisable chocolate confectionery brands
in the world, has confirmed that UK production of its Twix and
Starburst brands is to be outsourced to Continental Europe, ending
weeks of speculation and axing 700...
Mars, one of the most recognisable chocolate confectionery brands
in the world, could soon have its UK production outsourced to
Europe following increasing competition in the domestic
confectionery sector and flagging overall sales...
Growing demand for exotic flavours in food formulations guide UK
food ingredients firm JO Sims to source a wider range of tropical
fruits from South America.
Chocolate consumption in the UK is slowing down as health and diet
concerns impact sales, a trend which has created opportunities for
major players to roll out sugar free and low carbohydrate products,
according to market analysts...
The UK confectionery market has seen a burgeoning trend for
sugar-free confectionery, bolstered by innovative product launches
and continuing consumer demand for healthy products, writes Tom
Armitage.
UK retailer Sainsbury will be the first of the country's four large
grocery chains to launch 'traffic light' healthy eating labelling
in January, according to reports.
A change of management and a number of new product launches in the
UK were the main reason for a solid nine-month sales performance
from the confectionery arm of Swiss food group Nestlé.
Teenagers frequently opt for healthier drinks if given a choice,
claims the UK's food watchdog, after testing the response to
vending machines that offer fruit juices and milk in British
schools.
UK confectionery firm Glisten Confectionery has gained a stronger
foothold at the higher end of the confectionery market after food
ingredients business Kiril Mischeff sold its House of York toffee
brand to the Blackburn-based firm.
An industry drive to push the nutritional benefits of flour could
lead to increased sales for the £3 billion UK bread market.
Farmer's in the UK last week met with the National Association of
British and Irish Millers (NABIM)...
Much of the flour that goes into breads, pasta, cakes,
breakfastcereals and other foods comes from so-called 'winter
wheats', planted in autumn and harvested in spring. New research
has identified the key gene involved in...
UK ingredients and additives supplier S. Black has extended its
flavour range for Irish and UK food businesses announcing a new
distribution deal with private Swiss company Firmenich.