Alyse Thompson

Lindt makes Ghana cocoa supply chain traceable, verified

Swiss company uses third party group to verify farming program.

October 5, 2016

Swiss chocolatier Lindt & Sprüngli announced last week it has achieved its goal of making its entire Ghana cocoa bean supply chain traceable and verifiable through its focus on farming initiatives.

The buzz about honey

National Honey Board illustrates use of sweetener for food and beverage editors during Chicago summit.

Alyse Thompson

October 5, 2016

It’s one thing to see honey on supermarket shelves or in favorite snacks and confections, but to taste it fresh from the hive is quite another. I did just that during last month’s Honey Editors Summit, hosted in Chicago by the National Honey Board. The group, which supports honey education and research, took a half-dozen editors around the city to illustrate how honey is used.

Fannie May approaches online meal-kit market with Apron & Spoon collection

Collection includes bake mixes, hot cocoa, coffee.

Alyse Thompson

October 5, 2016

Chicago-based Fannie May has entered the online meal-kit market with its new Apron & Spoon collection.

Red Vines manufacturer commits to purchasing carbon offsets through conservation organization

American Licorice Co. to purchase 20,000 tons of carbon offsets through investment in California redwood forest.

Alyse Thompson

September 28, 2016

Through an investment in The Conservation Fund’s sustainable working redwood forests in northern California, American Licorice Co., which produces Red Vines, plans to purchase 20,000 tons of verified carbon offsets to counteract carbon dioxide emissions from electricity and fuel used at its headquarters in La Porte, Ind., and offices in Union City, Calif.

FDA begins process to redefine ‘healthy’ claim on food labels

New nutrition guidelines prompt federal agency to review health, nutrient content claims.

Alyse Thompson

September 28, 2016

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has announced it will redefine how and when “healthy” can be claimed on food labels in order to align with new nutrition and dietary guidelines.

Theo flavanol-rich Chocolate Clusters

Theo Chocolate, Seattle.

Alyse Thompson

September 28, 2016

Snackers can now enjoy a heart-healthy option, thanks to Theo Chocolate’s new Chocolate Clusters.

The dawn of fall brings an onslaught of Pumpkin-flavored products, much like this Pumpkin Spice Latte.

Pumpkin Spice season is upon us again – for better or for worse

The Pumpkin Spice Latte, Starbucks’ cult classic, helped spread this fall phenomenon.

Alyse Thompson

September 21, 2016

Summer is rapidly drawing to a close, which can only mean one thing: the onslaught of all things pumpkin spice – for better or for worse.

Packaged Facts: Premium chocolate influences innovation in candy, food and beverage industries

Premium chocolate dollar sales grew by 5 percent over the last year.

Alyse Thompson

September 16, 2016

In the 11th edition of “Chocolate Candy Market in the U.S.,” Packaged Facts, a division of MarketResearch.com, reports that premium chocolate makes up just 18 percent of total chocolate dollar sales and 14 percent of unit sales, but it still leads the way in developing flavor trends and new product formulations, particularly in the use of clean-label ingredients.