One of the world’s largest food companies, Nestlé, has responded to worldwide criticism by announcing an investigation into whether children are working on cocoa farms supplying its factories. Nestlé will be working with the non-profit Fair Labor Association (FLA), a multi-stakeholder initiative that works with major companies to improve working conditions in their supply chains. This is the first time a food company has partnered with the FLA. In January 2012 the FLA will send independent... ...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 »

Kraft Foods is encouraging the Indian government to develop a comprehensive cocoa production development policy, claiming domestic supplies are too poor and scant to fuel its growing needs. Atul Bhatia, executive director for research and innovation at Cadbury’s Indian subsidiary, stressed in an interview with just-food that while cocoa is an essential part of his company’s business, imports are often essential. Production is not widespread – cocoa is not a native crop – and... ...Read more »

Nestlé has launched a new addition to its Kit Kat range, the Kit Kat Chunky3, which features the brand’s signature wafer, topped with three breakable chunks containing three separate textures – fudge, crisp and sauce. The new chocolate bar will be available in three flavours – chocolate, caramel and cookies & cream. The new line was developed over two years from an idea sourced from the factory floor at the Nestlé factory in Campbellfield in Melbourne, which produces the majority... ...Read more »

Mars Chocolate Australia has announced that it will source enough Rainforest Alliance Certified cocoa to cover the production of its iconic Mars Bar, which will bear the Rainforest Alliance treefrog logo. The move follows Cadbury’s switch last year, when the company began purchasing enough Fairtrade cocoa to cover the production of its Dairy Milk blocks. Mars Chocolate Australia said that chocolate lovers want to know that their special treat not only tastes delicious, but has been produced... ...Read more »

Chocolate and cocoa supply giant Barry Callebaut has announced plans to strengthen its offering of healthier confectionary alternatives, with plans to reduce saturated and hydrogenated fats, and practically eliminate the use of trans-fatty acids. The company, which supplies many of the world’s largest food companies with their confectionary raw materials and ingredients, said that it was developing healthier confectionary applications in response to growing demand for products with lower saturated... ...Read more »

The Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), The Hershey Company, and the World Cocoa Foundation (WCF) have announced a first-of-its kind program to use mobile technology to deliver practical information on agricultural and social programs to rural cocoa farmers, and enable the farmers to ask questions and provide feedback. The program, called “CocoaLink – Connecting Cocoa Communities,” will make use of Ghana’s rapidly developing mobile phone infrastructure and build on the existing successful... ...Read more »

Edible oils giant Cargill has announced a new product innovation: cocoa powder with a greatly improved ability to mix into cold drinks. The new cocoa powder, launching next year as part of the Gerkens cocoa powders range, has double the wettability – the speed with which cocoa disappears below the surface of th cold liquid – and will disperse through the liquid evenly. The company said that, crucial to the discovery, the performance would be maintained throughout the product’s shelf... ...Read more »

Swiss chocolate maker Lindt & Sprungli yesterday posted a jump in 2010 profits as sales grew, boosted by its operations in the US and the UK. The company booked net profit of CHF241.9 million (A$265 million), up 25.3% on 2009. EBIT, meanwhile, rose 22.8% to CHF325.3 million. Lindt said its sales were up 7.3% on an organic basis at CHF2.6 billion. That figure, however, was measured in local currencies. The strength of the Swiss franc dampened growth, with sales in Lindt’s domestic currency... ...Read more »

US confectioner Hershey yesterday posted an 18% rise in underlying annual profits as the Reese’s maker finished 2010 with accelerating sales growth.The company said its adjusted net income reached US$587.7m in 2010, up 18.2% on 2009. The adjusted figure stripped out the impact of restructuring costs in both years. Adjusted earnings per share-diluted was $2.55, up 17.5% on the year. Taking into account the restructuring costs, which were linked to Hershey’s supply chain revamp, first launched... ...Read more »