Confectionery

Consumers demand for healthy snacks has increased over the past year. Image: Getty, Lucentius

News

Consumer demand for healthy snacks on the rise

By Gwen Ridler

Consumers are ditching the chocolate bars and reaching for healthy snacks in their pursuit of foods that have a significant impact on wellness and health, according to UK wholesaler Epicurium.

Manufacturers have hit back at a report highlighting businesses that make most of their money from the sales of HFSS foods. Image: Getty, Chris Ryan

News

Manufacturers hit back at 'unhealthy' food sales report

By Gwen Ridler

A recent report pointing a finger at food and drink firms that make most of their money from the sales of ‘unhealthy’ foods has been criticised for its lack of scope and failing to acknowledge manufacturers’ effort to control portion sizes.

Food manufacturers are providing special treats this Valentine's Day

NPD

Valentine's Day new food product launches

By Gwen Ridler

From Wagyu sharing steaks to personalised iced Bakewell tarts, we round-up some of the latest Valentine’s Day product launches from food and drink manufacturers.

Cocoa and Sugar prices were up this year, while wheat and almonds saw a derease. Image: Getty, Galeanu Mihai

Raw materials

Bakery and confectionery raw material prices report

By Gwen Ridler

The prices of raw bakery and confectionery ingredients continued to fluctuate throughout the past year, with sugar and cocoa hitting yearly highs as wheat and almonds decreased year-on-year.

The big Food Manufacture trends report 2024

Feature

The biggest food and drink trends of 2024

By Bethan Grylls

From flavours of the moment, to the importance of health and functionality, to the impact of an unstable world – Food Manufacture unpicks the major trends and drivers for food and beverage producers in 2024.

Caramel was one of the top trends identified for 2024. Credit: Getty / Danielle Wood

News

Top flavour trends for 2024

By William Dodds

Specialist flavour house I.T.S has launched a new report analysing the top trends that are set to drive the food and drink industry in 2024.

A Ferrero-related comapny is in talks to acquire French cookie brand Michel et Augustin from Danone

News

Danone eyes sale of cookie business

By Gwen Ridler

Dairy nutrition firm Danone is in talks with a Ferrero-related company regarding the potential sale of baked snacks brand Michel et Augustin.

Danone, Synergy Flavors and LoSalt speak to Food Manufacture about reformulation. Credit: Top - Danone/Bottom - Synergy Flavors

Feature

Food and drink reformulation: the story so far

By Bethan Grylls

Accelerated by the health-conscious consumer and new UK rules, food and drink producers have been working hard to reformulate their recipes. But what have been the obstacles in their way, is there any benefit to these tweaks, and will it help curb obesity?

Nestlé has invested in a new recycling plant that will be able to handle hard-to-recycle flexible plastic. Image: Nestlé

News

Nestlé invests £7m into hard to recycle plastics project

By Gwen Ridler

Nestlé has invested £7m in a new recycling plant set to process hard-to-recycle flexible plastics, with the potential to recycle more plastic than the manufacturer places on the UK and Ireland market.

The UK had a strong raft of products on show at this year's Anuga. Photo credit: Koelnmesse / Anuga / Eingang Süd

Long read

How are UK food and drink producers achieving sustainable growth?

By Sandra Sullivan

More than 7,800 exhibitors set up shop at Anuga earlier this month, with sustainable growth a key theme. FDEA’s Sandra Sullivan interviewed several UK producers to understand how they are balancing sustainability with profit.

Step inside the Speciality & Fine Food Fair 2023

News

Food and drink trends at the Speciality & Fine Food Fair

By Gwen Ridler

From alcoholic tea to mango chutney spiced cheese, join us on our tour around this year’s Speciality & Fine Food Fair as we discover some of the up-and-coming food and drink trends on display.

Food Manufacture hears from popcorn brand Joe & Seph's MD. Credit: Getty/mediamasmedia

Me & My Team

From home kitchen hobbyist to thriving SME

By Adam Sopher

Adam Sopher, co-founder and CEO of gourmet popcorn brand, Joe & Seph’s, tells his family’s story of success, fun flavours and non-soggy popcorn.

What's the secret to HARIBO's success? Credit: Getty/deepblue4you

Short read

Standing the test of time

By Bethan Grylls

Food Manufacture interviews Phil Murphy, HARBIO’s UK head of marketing, to find out how the sweets brand has maintained relevance since it rolled out UK production more than 50 years ago.

Nom Bites has been acquired by The Serious Sweets Company

News

The Serious Sweets Company acquires Nom Bites

By Gwen Ridler

The Serious Sweets Company (SSC) has acquired the share capital and branded interests of gluten-free sweet treats maker Nom Bites and the marshmallow brand Lexi’s for an undisclosed sum.

Tracey Hughes is no stranger to challenging times, taking on the role as MD of Henley Bridge shortly before the Covid pandemic hit

Me & My Team

Surviving hard times in business

By Tracey Hughes

Tracey Hughes, managing director of the sweet treat sourcing and suppling specialist, Henley Bridge, discusses how she has been leading a team through these tough times we’ve all felt.

Funds raised by Fudge Kitchen have helped to donate 3,000 meals to FareShare

News

Fudge Kitchen raises funds to donate 3,000 meals

By Gwen Ridler

Sales of Fudge Kitchen’s limited-edition Birthday Cake fudge and drinking fudge have helped raise funds to donate more than 3,000 meals to food redistribution charity FareShare.

Tony's Chocolonely's additional €20m of funding will support its work to end slavery in the cocoa supply chain

News

Tony’s Chocolonely secures €20m funding from shareholders

By Gwen Ridler

Confectionery brand Tony’s Chocolonely has secured an additional €20m (£17.1m) of funding from its existing shareholders to accelerate its growth in multiple markets and expand the reach of its ethical bean sourcing company.

Searches for vegan chocolate dropped in the past year, according to Ashbury

News

Demand for vegan chocolate drops this easter

By Gwen Ridler

The demand for vegan chocolate has dropped by almost a quarter (23%) year-on-year this Easter, according to research by food label consultant Ashbury.

UK food and drink exports hit record highs in 2021

News

UK food exports reach record highs in 2022

By Gwen Ridler

UK food and drink exports reached record highs in 2022, with most categories exceeding pre-pandemic levels, according to the Food and Drink Federation (FDF).

Oterra red striped gelatin desserts

Feature

Food and beverage colour trends for 2023

By Bethan Grylls

From TikTok to wheat prices, Bethan Grylls explores the influences for this year’s colour trends, the most sought-after tones, and the events which are triggering changes in food and drink.

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