Finance Journalism - Natasha Spencer-Jolliffe

Financial Journalism

Manufacturing businesses with sustainable practices ‘attract higher investment’

Manufacturing businesses that adopt sustainable practices are worth more than those that fail to do so, attracting investors to pay a premium, research suggests.

Accelerating AI to answer the food sector’s biggest questions

As concerns about food security continue to grow, investigators are examining how artificial intelligence (AI) can help enhance the sector’s resilience.

European alternative protein sector investment rises 23%

Privately held European alternative protein companies raised $509 million (€470 million) in capital in 2024, 23% more than the previous year, figures reveal.

Sustainable food sector requires synthetic chemical solutions

Researchers from global organisations have released a study analysing the prevalence of food contaminants in food packaging and their health impacts.

Africa and Middle East most vulnerable markets to food fraud

Consumers in Africa and the Middle East face a higher risk of consuming adulterated foods – especially with tariffs causing chaos in the global food supply chain, experts warn.

Dog food startup teams up with Harvard to accelerate AI-driven pet nutrition

A premium dog food startup is teaming up with Harvard to enhance its artificial intelligence (AI) platform and accelerate pet nutrition product development.

Grocery retail shows cautious optimism and stabilisation

Health and functionality, personalisation, convenience, advancing technologies, and sustainability dominate the grocery retail landscape and the shoppers of the future.

US artificial dye phase-out plan drives growth for natural alternatives

With the US phasing out artificial dyes, brands are exploring aquatic environments, fruits, and food waste to replicate colour in formulations.

ConfectioneryNews.com • 21st July 2025

Tony’s Chocolonely ranked most ethical chocolate brand in 2025 scorecard

Dutch chocolate brand Tony’s Chocolonely has emerged as the most ethical and sustainable large-scale chocolate company globally, according to the newly released 2025 Chocolate Scorecard. The company earned a score of 91%, ranking in the top two for every major category assessed — traceability, living income, child and forced labour mitigation, climate and deforestation, and pesticide use.

ConfectioneryNews.com • 21st July 2025

Confectionery exporters hit hard by new US tariffs

New US import tariffs are sending shockwaves through the global confectionery industry, with chocolate, candy, and gum producers facing mounting challenges to maintain market access, pricing, and innovation pipelines.

ConfectioneryNews.com • 21st July 2025

Bon Bon Bum kicks off US expansion with bold football partnership and playful flavour campaign

Colombian confectionery brand Bon Bon Bum is making a punchy entrance into the US market with its first national campaign – and it’s doing it with flavour, football and fun. Backed by parent company Colombina, the bubblegum-filled lollipop brand is targeting Gen Z and millennial consumers through a digital-first launch and a bold partnership with US football team Miami FC.

ConfectioneryNews.com • 21st July 2025

Tariffs and cocoa costs bite for Hershey

On May 1, 2025, global confectionery giant The Hershey Company released its financial results for the first quarter ending March 30, 2025.

“I am pleased with the progress we are making on our key strategic initiatives for the year,” said Michele Buck, president and CEO of The Hershey Company.

ConfectioneryNews.com • 21st July 2025

Big-name brands drop their chocolate volume predictions

Cocoa prices have soared to unprecedented levels this year, hitting a record high of $10.75 per kilogram on January 31 – the highest price seen in 60 years. This follows a turbulent first half of the 2024/25 fiscal year, when prices nearly doubled compared to the same period last year.

ConfectioneryNews.com • 21st July 2025

What’s hot in confectionery? New product development from Mars and Hu

Staying on top of the confectionery sector’s latest innovations, insights and ideas is crucial to maintaining a competitive edge and consumer appeal in the growing sweet treat industry.

ConfectioneryNews.com • 21st July 2025

Why non-vegan sweets still matter in a plant-based world

As awareness of global environmental challenges grows, consumers increasingly seek autonomy and self-expression in their confectionery choices. They are carefully evaluating the products, brands and values they support at the tills.

ConfectioneryNews.com • 21st July 2025

What Ring Pop’s super-fast factory opening tells us about how the US candy sector can tackle tariff traumas

Bazooka Brands’ hard candy icon Ring Pop has reopened US production just six months after a surprise factory shutdown – showcasing a rare level of agility that could serve as a model for food and beverage manufacturers facing renewed pressure to reshore production amid Trump tariff threats.

The Staff Canteen • 19th May 2025

Clare Ratcliffe: 'A good service is poetry in motion'

Clare’s entry into hospitality and the world of fine dining was an accidental one. A story shared with many of her peers, Clare fell into the profession by chance with a part-time job.

The Staff Canteen • 19th May 2025

Jesse Wells head chef of Terroir Tapas in Dorset: “I still remember telling a whole room that my dish was inspired by McDonald’s”

“I often shock customers with what inspires me,” Jesse Wells, Head Chef of Terroir Tapas, shares. Pomp and circumstance surrounding food is not his go-to. “I don’t like dishes that look incredibly pretty, and then you eat them, and they’re a huge letdown.”

Aesthetically pleasing, sure, but for Jesse, it’s all about taste. “It does have to look good to a certain point, but not if it’s going to mess you up with flavour”.

Urban Agriculture: A Key to Sustainable Cities or Just a Trend?

As the world grapples with a growing population, food scarcity, and waste, urban agriculture (UA) is gaining attention as a potential solution.

Researchers have delved into the food production and resource use of urban farms and gardens in the UK, France, Germany, Poland, and the US, assessing their role in sustainable agriculture.

ConfectioneryNews.com • 19th May 2025

Chocolate takes centre stage at the White House Easter Egg Roll 2025

The White House’s famous Easter Egg Roll teamed up with the National Confectioners Association (NCA) to provide chocolate and candy at the event, reinforcing the role of seasonal confectionery in American culture.

How biotechnology is developing novel ingredients of the future

Fermented ingredients have the potential to change the food sector at a more rapid pace than once thought, a report by global management consultancy McKinsey suggests.

Grocery retail shows cautious optimism and stabilisation

Health and functionality, personalisation, convenience, advancing technologies, and sustainability dominate the grocery retail landscape and the shoppers of the future.

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