Candy Industry articles from March 2008

Candy Industry archives from March 2008

Breaking away from the bunch.(OPENING SHOTS)(Book review)
March 1, 2008... Here's an interesting statistic: According to author Keith McFarland, only one tenth of one percent of small businesses ever break through $250 million in sales. There's a good reason he dug up that stat; it helped him write a book, "The...

Chocolate companies suspected of fixing prices ...(NEWSLETTER)
March 1, 2008... Seven chocolate companies, four of which are Nestle, Mars, Kraft and Ritter, are being investigated by German authorities on suspicion of price collusion. The companies rose prices between 10% and 12% within a few weeks of each other, citing...

... As European Commission questions Hershey's pricing practices.(NEWSLETTER)
March 1, 2008... According to Hershey's annual report, price-fixing allegations against The Hershey Co. have led to 50 civil antitrust suits in the U.S. and three in Canada. The report suggests that European regulators are looking at Hershey Co., along with...

Factory explosion kills 11, injures dozens.(NEWSLETTER)
March 1, 2008... On February 7, an explosion at an Imperial Sugar plant located in Georgia killed six people and injured 42. At the time, around 100 employees were on site. Seventeen workers were hospitalized after the blast. Of those 17, two are in serious...

Mars, Nestle join sustainable cocoa program.(NEWSLETTER)
March 1, 2008... Mars and Nestle have come together to eliminate child labor, deforestation and low salaries by joining a sustainable cocoa program called The Good Inside Cocoa Programme. The program was established by the Dutch non-profit organization Utz...

Commission calls for mandatory labeling.(NEWSLETTER)(European Commission)(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... The European Commission (EC) announced it will put an end to inconsistent labeling and create a stricter, standardized labeling system. The proposed legislation requires manufacturers to display nutritional information, such as energy, fat,...

Ferrero builds factory in Russia.(NEWSLETTER)
March 1, 2008... Italian-based producer of premium confectionery, Ferrero, will produce Raffaello and Kinder Chocolate in the Vladimir region of Russia in the coming year. Its 200-million euro factory will produce 25,000 tons of chocolate annually. Ferrero will...

Bon Bon Buddies expand to new territory.(NEWSLETTER)
March 1, 2008... Bon Bon Buddies, Europe's leading supplier of licensed confectionery and novelty biscuits, announced it will move from its current headquarters in Crumlin, UK to a 1-million [pounds sterling] site in Oakdale Business Park near Blackwood in the...

Industry experts recognize 'fine' cocoa-producing countries.(NEWSLETTER)(Ecuador)(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... During a review of the International Cocoa Agreement, experts suggested that 17 countries be recognized as producers of fine or flavor cocoa. More specifically, they made the following recommendations: the Dominican Republic be recognized as a...

Wrigley keeps focus on gum, candy.(NEWSLETTER)
March 1, 2008... Rather than expanding into the chocolate division, Wm. Wrigley Jr. Co. has decided to focus on chewing gum and candy in Europe. Kai Panholzer, head of company operations in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and the Netherlands, explained,...

Simply Lite Foods gives licensing rights to Healthy Food.(NEWSLETTER)
March 1, 2008... Healthy Food Brands, LLC recently made an agreement with Simply Lite Foods that gave them licensing rights to market Sweet 'n Low sugar-free candies and chocolates globally, and Sunkist brand confectionery products domestically. In light of...

Licorice lollipop may prevent tooth decay.(NEWSLETTER)
March 1, 2008... Scientists in California discovered that the mix of a special ingredient and orange extract in lollipop form can destroy bacteria in the mouth that cause cavities. The special ingredient is a licorice root extract called Glycyrrhiza uralensis....

Spangler puts Dum Dums on merchandise.(NEWSLETTER)(Lisa Marks & Associates Inc)(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... "America's favorite giveaway lollipop," according to Spangler, might be featured on apparel, back-to-school items, stationary, greeting cards and more. Spangler Candy Co. has come to an agreement with a New York marketing firm (Lisa Marks &...

Speculators a factor in cocoa markets.(CANDY NEWS)
March 1, 2008... A funny thing happened to cocoa beans on their way to market; they--along with some other commodities--have become the latest safe haven for investors. During Cargill Cocoa & Chocolate's presentation on the global cocoa market, which...

Annual sweets exhibition returns.(CANDY NEWS)
March 1, 2008... Sweet Eurasia, the annual sweet, chocolate, biscuits and confectionery exhibition, held in Istanbul, Turkey, expects to host 300 exhibitors from more than 30 countries. The exhibitors will be searching for clients for private label and contract...

Spangler uses votes to add new Dum Dums to assortment.(CANDY NEWS)(Spangler Candy Co.)(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... Spangler Candy Co., creator of Dum Dum Pops, is asking Americans to vote for two new flavors. Beginning on June 1, 2008, limited edition Dum Dums bags marked "Pop Vote '08" will be available. These bags will contain the following eight new...

Endangered Species Chocolate hires new sales manager.(CANDY NEWS)
March 1, 2008... Indianapolis-based Endangered Species Chocolate has added Mark Waddell as the company's western regional sales manager. His responsibilities will include building retail relationships and participating in the company's humanitarian efforts. ...

Barbara Hilliard dies.(NEWS)
March 1, 2008... The wife of Alan Hilliard (founder of Hilliard's Chocolate Systems), Barbara Hilliard, 87, passed away peacefully Sunday evening, Feburary 3, 2008, at her daughter Judy's house in Falmouth, Mass. Alan and Barbara opened the Hilliard's...

CNI revamps logo.(Supplier News)
March 1, 2008... Colloides Naturels International (CNI), the world's leading manufacturer of acacia gum, unveiled a new corporate image at the most recent FIE show in London. The new logo, which better reflects the company's strategic positioning, accents...

Home improvement: after having acquired the Canadian assets of the House of Brussels 17 months ago, Dynamic Confections quietly began "remodeling" the premium chocolate company to better fit its growth plans.(Company overview)
March 1, 2008... A new product whiz kid he's not, acknowledges Taz Murray, president and ceo of Alpine, Utah-based Dynamic Confections. That was rather poignantly pointed out to him when he became involved in creating a new Valentine's Day promotional heart...

Early and often: fifth-generation, family-owned retailer continues thriving legacy by focusing on traditional techniques and quality ingredients.(ARTISANS IN ACTION)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] In life and business, change is a constant. The skill set and vision honed by one generation may not be appropriate for the next. For family-owned companies, the typical life expectancy rate doesn't go beyond three...

Upscaling, enhancing long-time favorites.(CATEGORY CLOSE-UP: CARAMELS, TOFFEES AND TAFFIES)
March 1, 2008... It's all in the presentation. Each year, candy manufacturers release new products into the market, but usually what's new is their presentation. Caramel, for instance, is not a confection where you can make too many changes, says Mitchell...

Freshly brewed chocolate.(NEW PRODUCT MARKETPLACE)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] THE COMPANY: Mars Snackfood, Hackettstown, N.J. THE PRODUCT: TWIX Java THE HOOK: With Americans consuming 400 million cups of coffee daily, Mars decided to come up with a snack perfect for a coffee break....

Low-calorie treats.(NEW PRODUCT MARKETPLACE)(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... THE COMPANY: Stella D'oro, Bronx, N.Y. THE PRODUCT: 100 Calorie Breakfast Treats [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] THE HOOK: Stella D'oro's signature "S"-shaped cookies have returned, but with only 100 calories. The cookies come in two...

B.T. McElrath Chocolatier.(At a glance)(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... Minneapolis-based B.T. McElrath Chocolatier added two new chocolates to its line- up of spring and summer chocolates: Caramelized Raspberry Ganache and Pistachio Praline Eggs. The Caramelized Raspberry Ganache-laced dark chocolates are covered...

Fairfield, Calif.-based The Jelly Belly Co. has introduced another new chocolate jelly bean flavor: Dark Chocolate.(At a glance)
March 1, 2008... Fairfield, Calif.-based The Jelly Belly Co. has introduced another new chocolate jelly bean flavor: Dark Chocolate. This new jelly bean is made with real dark chocolate and cocoa, along with the Jelly Belly secret recipe. Later this summer,...

Verve, Inc.(At a glance)
March 1, 2008... Providence, R.I.-based Verve, Inc. introduces Glee Gum, its natural chewing gum, in bubblegum and spearmint flavors. Glee Gum uses chicle, which is a sticky tree sap found in the rainforests of Central America. By using chicle, gum can be safe...

Candyrific.(At a glance)(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... Based in Louisville, Ky., Candyrific is presenting a dry erase message board for M&M's and Skittles lovers. The dry erase boards are decorated with M&M's or Skittles so that candy fans can show their love for their favorite colors. The dry...

Candy with caffeine.(NEW PRODUCT MARKETPLACE)
March 1, 2008... THE COMPANY: Mars Snackfood, Hackettstown, N.J. THE PRODUCT: Snickers Charged THE HOOK: It's time to re-power. Snickers has named the hour between 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. "Re-Power Hour." The new Snickers Charged candy bar contains caffeine,...

Vegan chocolate.(NEW PRODUCT MARKETPLACE)
March 1, 2008... THE COMPANY: Theo Chocolate, Seattle, Wash. THE PRODUCT: Fig Fennel Almond Dark Chocolate [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] THE HOOK: Theo Chocolate, which is one of the few companies to directly process cocoa beans into bars of chocolate,...

Cargill presents its lecithin grading system.(CREATORS' BRIEFS)
March 1, 2008... Cargill is introducing its "Lecithin Quality Toolbox." The "toolbox" will act as a grading system of lecithin so that customers can choose which quality they need. Because quality requirements vary for different customers, there are four grades...

Ingredients promote long-lasting gum, candy.(CREATORS' BRIEFS)
March 1, 2008... LycoRed, Israel, developed a new line of slow-release ingredients that also act as artificial sweeteners. These ingredients will be particularly important for gum and chewy candy manufacturers not only because they rely on long-lasting...

Natural sweeteners enhance recipes.(CREATORS' BRIEFS)
March 1, 2008... Alfred L. Wolff Honey (Germany) offers honey and agave syrup as natural sweeteners. Organic honey can have either a neutral or honey taste which customers can choose between to fit their recipe. Organic agave syrup has a neutral taste that does...

Working with peanut butter coatings.(INGREDIENT INTELLIGENCE)
March 1, 2008... Peanuts, which have been used in foods since the early 1900's, are not only popular in the United States, but all over the world. Most recently, peanuts have been marketed for their nutritional benefits. Raw peanuts contain monounsaturated...

'Better-for-you' trends point the whey.(INNOVATION CENTER)
March 1, 2008... Edited and excerpted from a presentation made by Robert Boutin at the CONTECH 2007, which was organized by the Confectionery Manufacturers Australasia Limited and the CMA Technical Committee. Whenever one begins talking about confections...

Candy wrapper.
March 1, 2008... As a young man, John Fascia always wanted to own his own business. Since he loved chocolate, he visited many chocolate shops and read all kinds of confectionery and candy-making books. He consulted with many people in the chocolate industry and...