ConfectioneryNews.com • 6th May 2025

Does new study pave the way for cocoa’s future as a functional food?

For comfort-eaters who turn to fatty foods in times of anxiety, there may be a new (and delicious) way to curb the negative effects of their behaviour: a cup of cocoa.

ConfectioneryNews.com • 6th May 2025

Driving change in student snacking through sugar reduction

The availability of healthy food options in secondary schools does not equate to healthy eating, a UK university finds. In the new study, researchers at Birmingham University found that, on average, less than two-thirds (64%) of schools meet UK food standards.

ConfectioneryNews.com • 6th May 2025

What’s hot in confectionery? New product development from M&M’s to Fulfil Protein

Keeping up-to-date on the latest confectionery developments and chocolate, candy and gum trends is vital in today’s competitive and changing sector. In our bi-weekly new product development (NPD) roundup, we bring you the latest launches from confectionery companies, big and small, to show you the latest product releases in this fast-moving space.

ConfectioneryNews.com • 6th May 2025

Rising cocoa prices set to test confectionery innovation for Easter

According to Financial Times market data, cocoa market prices were up 143% on January 15 compared to the same time in 2024. The spike in cocoa costs came only a month after the business and economic publication reported how the cocoa sector was on “the brink of a big price surge”.

ConfectioneryNews.com • 6th May 2025

How brands are tackling cocoa shortages, shrinkflation, and pricing pressures

Price is on the mind of all confectioners as attention turns to the strategies sweet makers will be adopting to navigate the changing and complex confectionery landscape.

ConfectioneryNews.com • 6th May 2025

Caramel comes under fire as confectioners seek natural brown alternatives

Natural colour development, is a leading trend in 2025, responding to consumer calls for natural pigments from natural raw materials.

ConfectioneryNews.com • 6th May 2025

Prebiotic confectionery attracts scalable start-ups

While remaining in its infancy, prebiotic confectionery has been growing in functional formulations in recent years. Known for their high-fibre content and healthy gut bacteria, prebiotics have gained a reputation as a formidable functional food ingredient, standing out as a sought-after claim, particularly on dairy products such as yoghurt.

ConfectioneryNews.com • 6th May 2025

Predictions for the future of chocolate

After a year of escalating costs that culminated in an already peak price of $12,261 per ton in April 2024, cocoa prices surged once again in December 2024, which, according to the World Bank, were up by 30%. On December 18, they reached an all-time high, once again, hitting $12,646 per ton, TrackInsight reports.

ConfectioneryNews.com • 6th May 2025

Kid-friendly confectionery gets a functional upgrade

In 2025, the global confectionery market’s revenue is projected to be worth $619.20bn, growing at an annual growth rate of 5.35% between 2025 and 2029. Health and wellness are expected to play a pivotal role in the space, with a noticeable shift in consumer demands centring around more health-conscious choices such as plant-based, gluten-free and reduced-sugar varieties.

ConfectioneryNews.com • 6th May 2025

2025’s top confectionery flavour trends

A new year brings new concepts, creations and culinary confectionery twists to surprise and delight sweet treat shoppers. According to Statista, the confectionery market will be worth $619bn in 2025, and it is projected to grow by 5.35% between 2025 and 2029.

ConfectioneryNews.com • 5th May 2025

What’s hot in confectionery? New product development from Hershey to Hi-Chew

As the countdown to the holiday season ramps up, confectioners are releasing festive-focused SKUs and new formulations that can stand out to shoppers on the shelves. Leading confectionery names are leaning into the festive season’s popularity to unveil new products, selections and flavour combinations across the sector.

ConfectioneryNews.com • 5th May 2025

Five EU packaging rules confectioners need to know

Following calls to further update the 30-year regulation on packaging and packaging waste, the proposed updates have now been given the formal go-ahead, with Members of the European Parliament approving the law.

ConfectioneryNews.com • 5th May 2025

Natural colour development set to ramp up in 2025

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is considering the future of red dye as a colour additive in foods. The FDA is actively reviewing a petition filed for FD&C Red No.3 colour, which details the legal reasoning behind banning the red dye type in foods, including confectionery products.

ConfectioneryNews.com • 5th May 2025

How mouthfeel will drive confectionery innovation in 2025

Melty, crunchy, chewy, crumbly and airy are just some of the textures confectionery manufacturers deploy to delight consumers. But what about appealing to their desire for clean label products or foods with functional benefits? These are some of the more subtle shifts in mouthfeel technologies and trends uncovered by a new report.

ConfectioneryNews.com • 5th May 2025

Three new sustainability initiatives transforming the cocoa and sugar sectors

Consumers care about their confectionery choices and opt for brands that align with their values. According to chocolate giant Mondelēz International’s State of Snacking 2024 report, as two-thirds of consumers are already basing their brand selections on their values, this creates opportunities for those with sustainability at their core.

ConfectioneryNews.com • 5th May 2025

New confectionery releases this holiday season

While the hot chocolate weather and cosy nights in front of favourite holiday films may be in full force, that’s not created a cold snap in the land of confectionery launches. Leading industry names are leaning into the festive season’s popularity to unveil new SKUs across the sector.

ConfectioneryNews.com • 5th May 2025

Why Veganuary is the new seasonal sweet spot for Swizzles

British sweet maker Swizzels is upping its vegan sweet output to cash in on Veganuary, a non-profit charity event that aims to inspire consumers to take up – and hopefully continue – the vegan diet throughout January.

ConfectioneryNews.com • 5th May 2025

New Product Development from Toblerone to Hotel Chocolat

Getting the latest insights on the new developments, releases and innovations in the chocolate, candy and gum spaces helps brands and manufacturers guide their research and development (R&D), marketing and launch strategies to mirror what consumers want.

ConfectioneryNews.com • 5th May 2025

GLP-1 drugs affect chocolate giant

The Hershey Company reports ‘seeing a mild year-on-year impact’ on its business from GLP-1 drugs. The global chocolate giant’s Chief Executive Officer and Chairman, Michele Buck, commented on the relationship between GLP-1 drugs and confectionery in Hershey’s recent Third Quarter 2024 Earnings Q&A Session, held on 7th November 2024.

ConfectioneryNews.com • 5th May 2025

Putting sugar reduction on front-of-pack labels

Action on Sugar’s stance on how society can reduce their sugar intake revolves around implementing a multifaceted approach involving education, industry innovations and policy interventions.

ConfectioneryNews.com • 5th May 2025

Clarity, quality and visibility lead natural and clean confectionery in 2025

According to Innova Market Insight’s consumer snacking trends, in 2024, a third of consumers around the globe said they’d increased the number of healthy snacks they’d eaten over the past year.

ConfectioneryNews.com • 5th May 2025

EUDR ‘no risk’ status cancelled and 12 month delay reconfirmed

The European Council raised a serious grievance over the no risk amendment to the European Deforestation Regulation, passed by the European Parliament in a November vote.

ConfectioneryNews.com • 5th May 2025

Manufacturing for allergies and health during candy-focused holidays

Having enjoyed Halloween and Diwali and with Christmas around the corner, ‘tis the season of candy and chocolate-led celebrations for confectioners.

ConfectioneryNews.com • 5th May 2025

Embrace the ‘perfectly imperfect’ era in 2025

It’s that time of year when Q4 is well underway, and the industry sets its sights on evolving consumer demands. As we head into 2025, on the cusp of confectionery changes, brands and manufacturers explore their research and development (R&D) plans, marketing strategies and business goals.