By Deborah Cassell Executive Editor Candy Industry, Retail Confectioner casselld@bnpmedia.com getting fresh: You are how much you eatI’m a member of the Clean Plate Club … that is to say

Barry Callebaut, the world’s largest manufacturer of cocoa and chocolate products, and Kraft Foods, Inc., the world’s second largest food company and a global leader in confectionery, have signed a long-term global master product agreement.

Candy importer and manufacturer David E. Babiarz, a leader in the candy industry for more than 40 years, passed away peacefully Sept. 1 at home from complications of diabetes. He was 61.

Eleven trends identified by Packaged Facts in the premium chocolate market:

Candy imitates art - and vice versa - in retailer Dylan Lauren’s new book, “Unwrap Your Sweet Life.” Here, the candy queen cleverly illustrates how to breathe new life into seasonal holidays and special events through confectionery crafts and recipes.

Modern twists on traditional black licorice include all-natural and organic options, fruit-flavored varieties and softer chew styles.

Mars Chocolate North America’s Cleveland, Tenn., manufacturing facility, which covers 16 acres and produces the bulk of the company’s M&M’S products, played a critical role in facilitating the launch of M&M’S Pretzel Chocolate Candies.

ZDS invites suppliers to attend Europe’s biggest symposium on everything to do with chocolate, CHOCOLATE TECHNOLOGY 2010, to be held Dec. 7-9 at the Congress-Center Nord of KölnMesse in Cologne,

Candy importer and manufacturer David E. Babiarz passed away peacefully at home on Sept. 1 from complications of diabetes. He was 61.   Babiarz, who succeeded his father, Emil, at

Mars retail group fashions licensee agreement with Monet Intl.Mars Retail Group, Mt. Arlington, N.J., has announced a new licensing agreement with Monet Intl., Inc., a division of Liz Claiborne, Inc.