Candy Industry articles from October 2008

Candy Industry archives from October 2008

'Sin stocks' surge as recession wears on.(OPENING SHOTS)
October 1, 2008... Given the recent collapse of several key U.S. investment banks and the subsequent Wall Street tailspin that reduced my 401k retirement savings to something akin to a 201k, I thought readers (and yours truly) could use a little cheering up. ...

Reports suspect Hershey-Nestle merger.(NEWSLETTER)
October 1, 2008... A Datamonitor article referred to a UK newspaper report that stated Nestle and The Hershey Co. are discussing a possible merger or stake sale. The Telegraph article indicated that Nestle would buy 25% of Hershey in the near future and purchase...

Wrigley stockholders approve Mars-Wrigley merger.(NEWSLETTER)
October 1, 2008... Wm. Wrigley Jr. Co. confirmed its merger with Mars Inc., thanks to approval from its stockholders. As a result, the merger was scheduled to be finalized Monday, October 6, 2008. "We are pleased with the outcome of today's vote [September...

Nordic, CVC may sell Leaf International.(NEWSLETTER)
October 1, 2008... According to an article by Ambereen Choudhury and Andrew Cleary on Bloomberg.com, Nordic Capital and CVC Capital Partners Ltd. may sell Dutch confectioner Leaf International for more than $1.5 billion, unidentified people familiar with the plan...

Seventy lose jobs at nut processing plant.(NEWSLETTER)
October 1, 2008... Reporter Scott Jason at the Merced Sun-Star reported that John B. Sanfilippo & Son Inc. will close its packaging facility in Gustine, Calif., this month, resulting in the loss of about 70 jobs. The processing and packaging of Fisher brand nuts...

Kraft, Stark launch Mirabell in U.S.(NEWSLETTER)
October 1, 2008... Kraft Foods International, Inc. and Stark Foods International have partnered to market the Western European line of premium chocolates Mirabell to specialty retailers in the United States. The chocolate line is currently available in more than...

Hershey, Mars turn pink for Breast Cancer Awareness month.(NEWSLETTER)
October 1, 2008... Two of the U.S.'s largest confectionery companies, The Hershey Co. and Mars Snackfood, are flagging breast cancer awareness this month by adding pink to their packaging palette. Hershey will feature pink packaging on its Hershey's Kisses Milk...

Ferrero Co. fights child hunger in U.S.(NEWSLETTER)
October 1, 2008... One of the world's largest confectionery companies, The Ferrero Co., is partnering with Share Our Strength for the second year in a row to fight childhood hunger in America. As part of the partnership, Ferrero will donate $150,000 to the...

Confectionery companies encounter melamine scares.(CANDY NEWS)
October 1, 2008... It began with reports that melamine-tainted milk had been sold to infants and children in China, killing four infants and sickening 54,000 children. As horrific as that scandal was, the impact soon spread further, with investigators having...

Urbanski captures Stroud Jordan award.(CANDY NEWS)
October 1, 2008... Last year's Stroud Jordan award winner, Ed Wilson from AarhusKarlshamn, presents John Urbanski from Cargill Cocoa and Chocolate with this year's honor at the American Association of Candy Technologist's annual conference in Lincolnshire, Ill.,...

Barry Callebaut opens first U.S. Chocolate Academy.(CANDY NEWS)
October 1, 2008... On Sept. 24, 2008, Barry Callebaut opened the doors to its first U.S. Chocolate Academy; located in Chicago. The state-of-the-art 8,500-sq.-ft. training center will provide professionals in the industry an opportunity to hone their skills...

Cargill to hold 'The Chocolatier's Workshop'.(CANDY NEWS)
October 1, 2008... Cargill Cocoa & Chocolate has announced the start of a three-day seminar in Letitz, Pa. called "The Chocolatier's Workshop." From Nov. 10-12, aspiring chocolatiers and confectioners will learn through classes and hands-on experience how to make...

Stacey Crosio joins Crosio & Associates.(People News)(Brief article)
October 1, 2008... Russ Crosio, president and founder of Buford, Ga.-based Crosio and Associates, welcomed a familiar face to the company recently--his daughter, Stacey. As a sales associate, Stacey will be responsible for managing and assisting with all spare...

Scharffen Berger co-founder dies.(People News)
October 1, 2008... Robert Steinberg (61), co-founder of Scharffen Berger Chocolate Maker, died Sept. 17 in San Francisco of lymphoma, the company reported. Steinberg was a family physician, Harvard University graduate and cook before being diagnosed with...

Brach's exec and Kettle recipient Robert Allen dies.(People News)
October 1, 2008... Former E.J. Brach and Sons Candy Co. executive Robert P. Alen (83) died last month on Monday, Sept. 8. After graduating from Pratt Institute in Brooklyn with a degree in mechanical engineering, Allen worked in management for Mars Inc. in...

Natra opens offices in China, U.S.(Supplier News)
October 1, 2008... Spanish food and chocolate company Natra opened its first sales office in China and a second office in the United States. Currently producing 115,000 tons of chocolate products a year from its five factories in Europe, Natra plans to take...

From pod to palette: Tcho's Timothy Childs look to build a 'beta' chocolate company.(Cover story)(Company overview)
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] "Be regular and orderly in your life, so that you be violent and original in your work."--Gustave Flaubert French novelist (1821-1880) The reasonable man adapts himself to the world; the unreasonable one...

Sibling showcase: supplying the Green Bay area with chocolates for more than 100 years, Seroogy's offers hospitality and quality products to its customers--a foundation the company thrives on.(CHOCOLATE TRENDSETTER)
October 1, 2008... They say one shouldn't mix business with pleasure, but the Seroogy family does it every day--and has for the past 109 years--because for them, business begets pleasure. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Having emigrated from Lebanon in 1893, the...

Making a comeback: prospects are high for the category as companies integrate "better-for-you" sweet treats.(CATEGORY CLOSE-UP: CHOCOLATE BISCUITS)
October 1, 2008... Between 2003 and 2005, when the low-carb diet fad was at its peak, chocolate biscuit sales suffered, a recent Euromonitor report observed. Since then, the category has been gradually picking itself off the floor. While overall biscuit sales...

P-Not Butter treats.(NEW PRODUCT MARKETPLACE)
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] THE COMPANY: Oak Leaf Confections, a division of SweetWorks, Inc., Buffalo, N.Y. THE PRODUCT: Peanut free P-Not Butter-flavored Sixlets THE HOOK: SweetWorks introduces Sixlets, which feature a real peanut...

Chocolaty Holidays.(NEW PRODUCT MARKETPLACE)
October 1, 2008... THE COMPANY: La Maison Du Chocolat, Paris THE PRODUCT: Holiday Snowflake Collection THE HOOK: Inspired by the delicate form of a snowflake, La Maison Du Chocolat introduces its Holiday Snowflake Collection. Creative director Gilles...

Vroom Foods, Inc.(At a glance)(Brief article)
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Costa Mesa, Calif.-based Vroom Foods, Inc. adds a new flavor to its Buzz Bites line. The energy chews now come in mint chocolate and contain 100 mg of caffeine per chew, which is approximately the same as a cup of...

Big Sky Brands Inc.(At a glance)
October 1, 2008... Adding to its new carbonated candy line, Toronto-based Big Sky Brands Inc. debuts two new Jones Soda candy flavors: Pure Cane Cola and Pure Cane Root Beer. After introducing the Cola and Root Beer flavors into its beverage line last year, they...

Clif Bar & Co.(At a glance)(Brief article)
October 1, 2008... Berkeley, Calif.-based Clif Bar & Co. introduces seasonal energy bars in flavors Pear Apple Strudel, Spiced Pumpkin Pie and Iced Gingerbread. The bars are certified organic and all natural (no artificial sweeteners, colors or preservatives)...

Verve, Inc.(At a glance)
October 1, 2008... Based out of Providence, R.I., Verve, Inc. expanded on its Glee Gum brand with a new flavor and variety pack. Raspberry, blueberry and strawberry flavors are combined to make the new flavor, Triple Berry Glee Gum. A pack of the gum contains 18...

Sour Power.(NEW PRODUCT MARKETPLACE)(Can You Imagine That! Inc.)(Brief article)
October 1, 2008... THE COMPANY: Can You Imagine That! Inc., Covina, Calif. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] THE PRODUCT: Payback Attack, Sour Attack THE HOOK: Can You Imagine That! Inc. introduces new sour treats for kids: Payback Attack and Sour Attack....

Chocolate gets smart.(New Product Spotlight)
October 1, 2008... THE COMPANY: Kellogg Co., Battle Creek, Mich. THE PRODUCT: Live Bright brain-health bars THE HOOK: In an effort to enhance brain health, Kellogg Co. introduces Live Bright brain-health bars with 100mg of DHA Omega-3. And what better...

Number of new confectionery products launched globally by sub-category.(NEW PRODUCT: MARKETPLACE)
October 1, 2008... Number of New Confectionery Products Launched Globally by Sub-Category Chocolate Snack/Cereal/ Date Confectionery Gum Energy Bars Aug. 2007 244 50 89 Aug. 2008 ...

Premium Popcorn.(NEW PRODUCT MARKETPLACE)
October 1, 2008... THE COMPANY: Dale and Thomas Popcorn, Englewood, N.J. THE PRODUCT: Popsters THE HOOK: Privately-held Dale and Thomas Popcorn takes its caramel corn to the next level by dipping it in premium chocolate and other ingredients to make...

Sensient develops natural color system.(CREATORS' BRIEFS)
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Part of Sensient Technologies Corp., Sensient Food Colors Inc. launches Fusion Precise Natural Color Systems for the bakery and confectionery industries. Market research finds consumers asking for healthier...

Frutarom showcases green mate, root extract.(CREATORS' BRIEFS)
October 1, 2008... Exhibiting at Health Ingredients Europe (HIE) in November 2008, Frutarom will introduce Finomate (EFLA 920), a green mate extract, and EFLA 956 Pelargonium Root Extract. Green mate is known for its stimulant, diuretic and appetite suppressant...

CNI introduces nutritional texturizer.(CREATORS' BRIEFS)
October 1, 2008... Colloides Naturels International (CNI) debuts EQUACIA, which functions as a nutritional texturizer to mirror fat and sugar consistencies while providing dietary fiber. EQUACIA, an ingredient based on all-natural soluble Acacia fiber and...

Shopping for solutions.
October 1, 2008... The combination of Pack Expo International (sponsored by the Packaging Machinery Manufacturers Institute-www.pmmi.org) and Process Expo (sponsored by the Food Processing Suppliers Association--www.fpsa.org) brings together almost 2,000...

Candy wrapper.
October 1, 2008... While studying the Russian language and classical guitar at Oberlin College in Ohio, Daniel Herskovic founded and taught a class on World Cuisine that was ultimately offered for college credit. It was there that Herskovic realized his...