Australian supermarket chain Woolworths has recalled batches of its Macro Wholefoods chocolate products because they contain milk without the required declaration on the product label. The products in question were sold in Woolworths, Safeway, Flemings, and Food for Less supermarkets in NSW and interstate. The recalled products and batches are: - Macro Wholefoods Market Dark Chocolate Santas, 80g, 6 individual Santa shaped lactose free chocolates, all ‘best before’ dates sold between... ...Read more »

Following the announcement of its “Joyville” marketing campaign last month, today Cadbury Dairy Milk has announced the launch of its new product “Marvellous Creations” chocolate block as the next chapter of the “Joyville”campaign. Advertising commercials two weeks ago introduced Australian audiences to the Joyville concept with Cadbury Dairy Milk focusing the ad on how and where the chocolate is made. In its new commercials, Cadbury Dairy Milk unveils “Marvellous Creations”... ...Read more »

Rapidly increasing chocolate consumption in developing countries, along with instability in cacao growing areas are leading to a chocolate supply crisis. According to Professor Guest, from the University of Sydney’s Faculty of Agriculture and Environment, the current threats to cacao production include ageing plantations, poorly trained farmers and poorly managed trees, dependence on a narrow genetic base and crop substitution where cacao is replaced by maize because of the demand for bioethanol. Cacao... ...Read more »

New research from the University of California, in the United States, has found that consumption of certain types of chocolate is linked to some favourable metabolic associations with blood pressure, insulin sensitivity and cholesterol level. Beatrice Golomb PhD and colleagues at the University of California studied 1,018 men and woman without known cardiovascular disease, diabetes or extremes of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels. To measure chocolate consumption, 1,017 of the participants... ...Read more »

Research undertaken by Roy Morgan Research has revealed the most popular chocolate bars amongst Australian consumers, with Cadbury brands leading the market. Cadbury brands were purchased by the highest number of people in both the chocolate block and chocolate box categories during 2011, according to the research. Roy Morgan Research’s retail data comes from a survey of 18,641 Australians (aged 14 and over) undertaken between January 2011 and December 2011. The results were then projected to reveal... ...Read more »

An Israeli study released in the latest issue of the journal, Steroids, has suggested that adding dessert foods such as cakes, cookies or chocolate to a balanced breakfast meal, could aid in the functionality of weight-losing dieting to help control cravings. The study was conducted by a team of scientists led by Dr Daniela Jakubowicz, a leading professor Tel Aviv University’s Sackler Faculty of Medicine. Over 32 weeks, One hundred and ninety three clinically obese, non-diabetic adults were randomly... ...Read more »

Australia’s most talented chocolatiers and pastry chefs will descend on the Foodservice Expo on 27-29 May, 2012 at Moore Park, Sydney to compete for a spot in a prestigious World Chocolate Masters competition. The World Chocolate Masters, an initiative by Cacao Barry and Callebaut Chocolate, is the world’s premier culinary competition devoted solely to the art of chocolate. During the Australian Qualifier, the talented pastry chefs will go head-to-head as they create a range of chocolate masterpieces. The... ...Read more »

Victoria-based wholesalers Ontrack Pty Ltd has recalled a batch of Walkers Chocolates of London Milk Chocolate Selection Fruit and Nut Selection due to undeclared brazil nuts and almonds. Food Standards Australia New Zealand has advised consumers with a brazil nut and/or almond allergy or intolerance not to consume this product. The product, imported from the UK, has been available to buy from Kmart stores nationally and is packaged in a 450g plastic jar. The products in question have a Best Before... ...Read more »

Nestle has created a new brand, “Maison Cailler” as the launching pad for a new form of direct marketing. The campaign will create a new marketing channel that bypasses conventional retailers. Consumers will register online to order a box of Maison Cailler, with five different testing flavors, such as milk, caramel, nut, fruit, vanilla and cocoa flavors. Consumers then use a profiling system where they “discover their chocolate personality” by sharing their preferences online with friends. Within... ...Read more »

One of the America’s biggest baking companies, Hostess Brands, which owns the iconic Twinkies brand, has filed for bankruptcy. The Texas-based company operates 36 bakeries in the United States and employs up to 19,000 people. According to reports, the company owes US$944 million to the U.S. Bakery & Confectionary Union & Industry Pension Fund alone. Hostess Brands announced yesterday (12 January 2012) that it has filed voluntary petitions for reorganisation under Chapter 11 of the U.S.... ...Read more »