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 »

  Coles Supermarkets is doing a natural recall of its home brand Chocolate Cake with Icing (cake mix) from its stores, including Bi-Lo and Pick N Pay stores, due to undeclared sesame content. Sesame is listed as one of numerous allergens (others can include milk, wheat, soy, seafood or nuts) that are required to be declared on a food label in accordance with the requirements of the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code. Failure to do so is considered to be sufficient ground for a food to... ...Read more »

Mars Chocolate Australia has created special edition Pink and White M&Ms, to be sold exclusively at IGA stores during October 2011 as part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The Pink and White M&Ms are now available exclusively at more than 700 independent IGA grocery stores nationwide. Mars Chocolate Australia will be donating 30 cents from each 200g pack sold to the McGrath Foundation. Co-founded by Australian cricketer hero Glenn McGrath and his wife Jane after her initial recovery from... ...Read more »

Cadbury has created Cadbury Screme Egg Minis in time for Australia’s own Halloween (‘ANZAC Beersheba Day’, 31 October in Australia). The new eggs are a miniature version of the Cadbury Creme Eggs and are filled with “green gooey goodness” encased in Cadbury Dairy Milk chocolate. Cadbury Screme Egg Minis will be putting all the spooky touches on the Werribee Mansion for the Screme Egg Spook Party at Werribee Park, Victoria, in preparation for the freaky, scary and ghostly Halloween festivities... ...Read more »

A German scientist believes he has discovered the scientific explanation for chocolate’s unique aroma and taste. Professor Peter Schieberle, of the Technical University of Munich, says a combination of raw beef fat, human sweat, cabbage and an improbable palate of other distinctly un-cocoa-like aromas are what makes chocolate taste and smell the way it does. His findings have been published this week by the American Chemical Society. Professor Schieberle believes that better knowledge of flavor... ...Read more »