Candy Industry articles from March 2006

Candy Industry archives from March 2006

All will be well(ness).(Opening Shots)(candies for health)
March 1, 2006... At the risk of being accused of wearing religion on my shirtsleeve, I opted to have some fun this month, tweaking a hymn that's sung at my local Catholic Church into a confectionery headline. Relax, everyone, there's enough visual demonstration...

Wrigley files suit against Cadbury Adams.(Newsletter)
March 1, 2006... Wrigley filed a lawsuit against Cadbury Adams in the U.S. late last month claiming that Cadbury Adams intentionally replicated its packaging. The claim relates to specific dements of Wrigley's packaging, which are seen as non-functional, not...

Food labeling bill passes in the House.(Newsletter)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... The House of Representatives approved a bill earlier this month that would standardize food safety labeling requirements throughout the U.S. The National Uniformity for Food Act would establish federal regulations for all food safety...

European Commission suggests cutting sugar quotas.(Newsletter)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... In order to ease the transition into the new reformed sugar regime starting this July, the European Commission has suggested that quotas will have to be cut for the 2006-2007 marketing year to prevent a serious oversupply of sugar. Oversupply...

Testing shows no cancer risk for aspartame ...(Newsletter)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... Despite earlier testing that showed aspartame increased brain tumors, new research conducted by the National Toxicology Program (part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services) found that the sweetener does not increase the incidence...

... While foundation supports chocolate cancer studies.(Newsletter)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... The U.S. National Foundation for Cancer Research announced this month that it supports recent findings that tout the health benefits of dark chocolate and that it can reduce the risk of certain types of cancer. The antioxidants and...

ICCO discusses unstable cocoa supply.(Newsletter)
March 1, 2006... As part of Eurochocolate Modica in Sicily, the International Cocoa Organization (ICCO) hosted a discussion on the sustainability of cocoa production earlier this month. The cocoa supply has been disrupted because of farmers switching to more...

Ferrara pan to distribute Kraft's chocolate brands.(Newsletter)
March 1, 2006... Expanding its current line of panned, hard and chewy candies, Chicago-based Ferrara Pan Candy Co. announced this month that it has obtained principal U.S. distribution rights to Kraft Foods' four premium chocolate brands. The brands include...

Cargill enters glycerin market.(Newsletter)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... Cargill announced late last month that it will begin producing glycerin with the addition of a refinery adjacent to its new biodiesel production plant in Iowa Falls, Iowa. The plant is due to open by May with the glycerin plant to follow in...

ADM acquires cook cocoa powders.(Newsletter)
March 1, 2006... Archer Daniels Midland Co. announced its acquisition of the Cook cocoa powder line from World's Finest Chocolate early this month. The Cook powders will be integrated into ADM Cocoa's De Zaan cocoa line. "We are excited for the opportunity to...

UK councils receive funds to clean up gum litter.(Newsletter)(Chewing Gum Action Group )(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... In an effort to help combat gum litter, 15 local councils in the UK will receive funding from the Chewing Gum Action Group (CGAG), an organization of gum manufacturers including Wrigley. The funding will help authorities advertise and implement...

Mars introduces historically accurate chocolates.(Newsletter)(Historic Division of Mars Inc. with Colonial Chocolate Society)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... The Historic Division of Mars, Inc. and the Colonial Chocolate Society announced the launch of American Heritage Chocolate late last month. The historically inspired line contains products that celebrate chocolate's role in the lives of...

UK looks to ban candy sales in schools.(Newsletter)(School Food Trust)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... Following a recommendation from the School Food Trust, the UK government has launched a consultation on standards for food sold in schools that could lead to a ban on confectionery and carbonated beverages. The consultation will seek advice...

Confectioners face broad range of challenges in expanding sweets universe.(NEWS)
March 1, 2006... For many of the 400-plus attendees at the National Confectioners Association's (NCA) State of the Industry conference held at the JW Marriott in Orlando earlier this month, particularly those north of the Mason-Dixon line, the Florida sunshine...

Spangler expands management team.(Spangler Candy Co. appoints James Knight, Kirkland Vashaw and Stephen Kerr as vice presidents)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... Dean Spangler, president and ceo for Bryan, Ohio-based Spangler Candy Co., announced the recent election of three new vice presidents: James Knight, v.p.--marketing; Kirkland Vashaw, v.p.--contract business; and Stephen Kerr, v.p.--Bryan...

Equipment supplier Von Allmen dies.(Erwin von Allmen)(Obituary)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... Erwin von Allmen, internationally known entrepreneur and local manufacturer of production machinery for the candy industry, died February 6, at home. The cause of death was complications of cancer. Von Allmen was a graduate of the...

New strategic account manager at Kliklok-Woodman.(Supplier News)(Rich Camps )(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... Rich Camps has joined Decatur, Ga.-based Kliklok-Woodman as the company's strategic account manager--Vertical Form Fill Seal (VFFS) Systems. He will further develop and guide the sales of Woodman VFFS bag makers to snack, bakery and frozen and...

Innovia Films Inc., Americas appoints new president.(Supplier News)(Joe Piccione)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... Joe Piccione, previously president of Filtrona Extrusion in Atlanta, has been appointed President, of Innovia Films Inc., Americas. Piccione has worked in the packaging and plastics sectors for 20 years, beginning his career in packaging with...

Ongoing confectionery currents picking up strength.(International Sweets and Biscuit Fair)
March 1, 2006... Health and hedonism. Fruit and fancy. Elite and everyday. Confectionery contradictions? Not really. These themes simply reflect the modern-day consumer's mindset, one that metamorphoses in a given moment. This year's International Sweets...

Reception: co-mingling with colleagues, kolsch in cologne.(International Sweets and Biscuits Fair)
March 1, 2006... After an exhilarating albeit exhausting first day at the International Sweets and Biscuits Fair in Cologne, Germany on January 29th, U.S.A. pavilion exhibitors and confectionery professionals had an opportunity to revitalize their beings with...

Supreme makeover: a new 200,000-sq.-ft. office manufacturing complex, coupled with added emphasis on recently acquired brands, signals a new era for this third-generation family business.(Supreme Chocolatier, Price Candy Co.)(Cover story)
March 1, 2006... "Send her a box of candy from Blum's. Ten dollars. The kind... you know... each piece wrapped in gold paper. She'll like that. She'll think she's eating money." Cary Grant in the role of Roger Thomhill in the Alfred Hitchcock thriller,...

Close-knit confectioners: featuring southwest-inspired products, Santa Fe, N.M.--based Senor Murphy has been in business for more than 30 years. Such longevity dovetails--not surprisingly--with the tenure of its current employees.(Chocolate Trendsetter)(Company overview)
March 1, 2006... Every business, no matter what industry it's in, must deal with some amount of employee turnover. While some larger businesses keep workers for decades, many smaller candy companies go through several different owners and even more employees...

Better than bittersweet: sure, there are new challenges in the candy industry-especially now that it competes against all snacks--but opportunities abound for those addressing consumer needs and wants.(Special Report: U.S. STATE OF THE INDUSTRY REPORT)
March 1, 2006... As Andrew Lazar, managing director at Lehman Brothers, indicated during this year's National Confectioners Association State of the Industry conference, there's been a lot to love about the confectionery industry by investors (See News section...

The kinder, gentler mint: while intense-flavored mints and breath fresheners remain popular, manufacturers have begun featuring milder flavors with new products.(MINTS)
March 1, 2006... Each year when March roils around, the phrase "In like a lion, out like a lamb" surfaces again. Sometimes it's vice versa, depending on how the weather turns out. While the old saying, which has its origins in the constellations Leo and Aries...

Kerry fortifies compounds and coatings with Omega 3.(CREATORS BRIEFS)(Kerry Ingredients Inc.)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... While more and more studies tout the health benefits of chocolate, Beloit, Wis.-based Kerry Ingredients has developed a way to add an additional healthy ingredient to chocolate. The company now offers compound and pure coatings fortified with...

Robertet Flavors offers new cherry line.(CREATORS BRIEFS)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... Piscataway, N.J.-based Robertet Flavors, Inc. introduces a new line of cherry flavors that are available to consumers. With applications ranging from beverages and confections to pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals, the line offers seven...

Bedemco debuts hazelnut powders.(CREATORS BRIEFS)
March 1, 2006... Offering confectioners a new alternative to liquid praline paste, White Plains, N.Y.-based Bedemco Inc. introduces its new hazelnut praline powder. Made exclusively of ground hazelnuts and sugar, the ingredient can be used in any applications...

Rainbow 'color'ition: while synthetic colors remain the most popular, more manufacturers are looking toward all things natural, from natural colors to colors inspired by nature.(Candy R&D: TRENDS & APPLICATIONS IN INGREDIENT TECHNOLOGY)
March 1, 2006... When walking down the candy aisle in most grocery or convenience stores, one is likely to find many colors not normally found in nature. Especially in products marketed to kids, the brighter and more unusual the color, the better. Recently,...

Cookie/candy combos.(NEW PRODUCTS)(S&S Candies Inc.)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... The Company: S&S Candies, Inc., New York The Product: 1 & Only The Hook: This innovative new product combines several cookie and candy favorites into one confection. The two varieties feature two different candy-cookie combinations in...

Tootsie Roll Industries, Inc.(At a glance)(new flavor of Andes Mints)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... The Charms division of Chicago-based Tootsie Roll Industries, Inc. introduces a new flavor of Andes Mints. The limited edition Mocha Mint variety combines a rich coffee flavor with refreshing mint. Scheduled to start shipping this August, the...

Guittard Chocolate Co.(At a glance)(introduces E. Guittard Single Origin Chocolate Tasting Kit)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... Giving consumers an opportunity to experience a variety of single origin chocolates, Burlingame, Calif.-based Guittard Chocolate Co. introduces the new E. Guittard Single Origin Chocolate Tasting Kit. Each kit contains samples of the company's...

Taste of Nature Inc.(At a glance)(new product)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... Offering a unique combination of sweet and sour, Beverly Hills, Calif.-based Taste of Nature, Inc. offers new Sour Patch Cotton Candy. The company entered into a licensing agreement with Cadbury Adams USA LLC, the makers of Sour Patch products,...

Kidsmania Inc.(At a glance)(new product)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... Santa Fe Springs, Calif.-based Kidsmania Inc. offers kids a combination toy-and-candy product with its new Sweet Soaker. The product features a working squirt gun with a serving of assorted fruit-flavored dextrose candy packed in its auxiliary...

Sunrise Confections.(At a glance)(new products)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... El Paso, Texas-based Sunrise Confections recently launched four new hard candy products: Peppermint Starlights and a Big Bag line consisting of Peppermint Starlights, Butterscotch Disks and Cinnamon Disks. The regular size bag of Peppermint...

Mouth-watering wafers.(NEW PRODUCTS)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... The Company: Necco, Revere, Mass. The Product: Necco Wafers Smoothies The Hook: Adding to its current wafer varieties, Necco Smoothies feature five different fruit flavors: blueberry, banana caramel, tropical, peach and strawberry...

Diet development.(NEW PRODUCTS)(GumRunners Inc.)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... The Company: GumRunners, Inc., Hackensack, N.J. The Product: Nutra-Trim Gum The Hook: Designed to help consumers who are watching their weight, Nutra-Trim contains green tea, 1-carnitine and chromium to increase metabolism and control...

Blushing bars.(NEW PRODUCTS)(NewTree America Inc.)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... The Company: NewTree America Inc., San Anselmo, Calif The Product: Sexy, Blush and Cocoon chocolate bars The Hook: Known for its Belgian chocolat eproducts that combine natural extracts with unique flavors, NewTree introduces three new...

Smooth operators.(NEW PRODUCTS)(candy)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... The Company: Jelly Belly Candy Co., Fairfield, Calif. The Product: Smoothie Blend flavors The Hook: Adding to the already extensive variety of Jelly Belly jelly bean flavors, the company introduces new Smoothie Blend flavors. The five...

Delightfully dark.(NEW PRODUCTS)(chocolate bars)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... The Company: Ghirardelli Chocolate Co., San Leandro, Calif. The Product: Ghirardelli Intense Dark Chocolate Bar The Hook: Capitalizing on the growing popularity of dark chocolate, Ghirardelli introduces four bars in its new Intense Dark...

Swiss sweets.(NEW PRODUCTS)(Eurochoc Americas Corp.)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... The Company: Eurochoc Americas Corp., Clearwater, Fla. The Product: Swiss Prestige Chocolate Bar The Hook: Produced in Switzerland and distributed in the United States, the bars are available in Dark Chocolate, Milk Chocolate and...

Prospects balmy at Buhler: a positive climate nourished by strong global chocolate growth suggests continued strong gains for the well-known chocolate/cocoa supplier.(International Spotlight)(Company overview)
March 1, 2006... The Buhler Group's chocolate/cocoa business unit offers a broad range of processing equipment, from cocoa cleaning, sorting, drying and roasting to grinding, mixing, refining, conching and moulding. The short train ride from the Zurich...

Offering specialty equipment for confectioners.(Plant, Processing and Packaging Technology)(Stephan Universal Machines )
March 1, 2006... Hameln, Germany-based Stephan offers a wide range of machines that match the requirements of artisan craftsmanship as well as the need for commercial operations involving specific confectionery operations. For example, the Stephan Universal...

Modular belt provides easier release, cleaning.(Plant, Processing and Packaging Technology)(Habasit Modular Belt M2514 Nub Top 1")(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... The Habasit Modular Belt M2514 Nub Top 1" reduces surface tension and pro vides easier release and cleaning for humid and adhesive products in the food industry. Habasit, a leading manufacturer of lightweight conveyor belts, has launched...

Faster packing speeds for candy and snacks.(Innovations in Packaging)
March 1, 2006... Rovema, based in Lawrenceville. Ga., has expanded its family of new generation continuous motion vertical form, fill and seal (f/f/s) machines with the release of the VPL-180. Given its focus on research and development and its innovative...

More resealable packaging options.(Innovations in Packaging)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... Zip-Pak, based in Manteno, Ill., will display its latest zipper technologies at the upcoming Anuga FoodTec, which will be held in Cologne, April 4-7. One of the new technologies Zip-Pak will highlight at the show is its new Pinch Grip zipper,...

Sunrise Confections brightens up jellies pack.(Innovations in Packaging)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... In rolling out three new 30-oz. jelly items, E1 Paso, Texas-based Sunrise Confections ensured that the new additions would complement last year's 14-oz. jellies, which debuted in brightly colored packages that "literally jumped off the shelf"...

Bradman Lake's German subsidiary moves into larger facility.(Innovations in Packaging)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... Bradman Lake GmbH has moved to a new, 1,800-sq.-meter factory at Dietmannsried in southern Germany, some 60 miles from Munich and at the heart of mainland Europe. Three times bigger than the Wiggensbach plant with 1,200 sq. meters of...

Sweet profile.(CANDY WRAPPER)(Brian Hoffmann )(Interview)
March 1, 2006... As marketing manager of the Holiday Retail and Food Gift business segments or Chicago-based World's Finest Chocolate, Inc. (WFC), Brian Hoffmann oversees the marketing efforts for these new corporate expansion initiatives. Part of his job...

A not-so taxing financial crunch.(CANDY WRAPPER)
March 1, 2006... Recently formed Princeton, N.J.-based Sweet Assets just went national with a delicious public offering that's designed to bring relief to those taxed by the government, their jobs and stress in general. Financial Crunch offers relief...

Industry leaders value FPSA.(Food Processing Suppliers Association)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... "Membership in FPSA is invaluable for establishing meaningful business relationships. We've found supplier partners and supplier services among the FPSA members that have had a significant impact on our business. We've definitely forged new...

FPSA's future: from the top.(Food Processing Suppliers Association)(Interview)(Cover story)
March 1, 2006... The International Association of Food Industry Suppliers (IAFIS) and the Food Processing Machinery Association (FPMA) joined forces January 1, 2006 to form the Food Processing Suppliers Association (FPSA). A major benefit of the merger is the...

Market intelligence: database: accurate and actionable.(Food Processing Suppliers Association)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... Harris InfoSource: Looking for Leads in all the Right Places * National account with Harris InfoSource, a D&B Company, exclusively for FPSA members; * Customized access to nearly 30,000 plants throughout North America in food, dairy,...

Process Expo.(food processing and packaging)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... PROCESS EXPO and its co-located partner PACK EXPO comprise the largest trade show for food, beverage and pharmaceutical companies in the Western Hemisphere. The show is held in Las Vegas in the odd years and Chicago in the even years. Over...

Supporting food safety.(Food Processing Suppliers Association)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... FPSA Represents Suppliers As a Founding Member, the Food Processing Suppliers Association (FPSA) supports food safety in manufacturing through participation in 3-A Sanitary Standards, Inc. (3-A SSl), a non-profit organization representing...

Investing in the future of the food industry.(Food Processing Suppliers Association, Meat Industry Suppliers Alliance)
March 1, 2006... FPSA Foundation The Food Processing Suppliers Association (FPSA) Foundation was established in 1983 to promote food industry education and research. The Foundation funds educational and scientific projects, activities and programs. These...

Career development scholarships.(Food Processing Suppliers Association)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... Benefiting Members Directly * A brand new member benefit designed to promote career and professional development to FPSA member employees who work full time and their immediate family members; * Twenty-one $1,000 scholarships to be...