Chocolate isn’t just delicious (although it definitely is); according to some studies out there, it’s good for your health, too. But as you’ve probably guessed, the research supporting that idea isn’t exactly objective: It was commissioned by chocolate makers [More]
chocolate
There’s A New Chocolate Color For The First Time In 80 Years
By 9.5.17
For the last 80 years, chocolate lovers have only had three types to choose from: dark, milk, and white (which some may argue isn’t really chocolate). But now there’s a new option heading for shelves — “ruby.” [More]
The Russians Are After Our Chocolate And Slot Machines
By 6.8.17
When you think of mobsters involved in trafficking stolen goods, perhaps you drugs, cigarettes, and guns come to mind. But the more than 30 people associated with an alleged Russian crime syndicate in New York arrested this week are also accused of dealing in something a bit sweeter — 10,000 pounds of pilfered chocolate. [More]
Mars Inc. Lawsuit Claims Consumers Might Confuse Chocolates For Supplements Brand
By 4.5.17 — Updated: 5.10.17
My, what a difference a few letters can make: Mars Inc. — maker of candy bars, chewing gum, and dog food — is suing Wisconsin chocolate company CocoVaa, claiming its brand could “confuse and deceive” consumers into thinking it is related to CocoaVia, a line of cocoa extract supplements and snacks produced by Mars. [More]
Valentine’s Day Chocolate Could Be Cheaper This Year Amid Big Cocoa Harvests
By 2.13.17
If you’re waiting until the last minute to run out and buy your sweetie some sweets ahead of Valentine’s Day tomorrow — or maybe you’re planning to treat yourself — you’ll probably be glad to hear that that box of chocolate hearts could be cheaper than it was last year. [More]
Macy’s Sell Frango Chocolate Brand To Garrett Popcorn Owner
By 1.30.17 — Updated: 1.31.17
More than a decade after Macy’s inherited much-adored chocolate brand Frango from Marshall Field & Co., the struggling department store is selling the label to the owner of Garrett Popcorn. [More]
Filling Your Stocking With Chocolate May Be Cheaper This Year
By 12.12.16
If it’s not visions of sugar plums you see dancing in your head at Christmas, but images of chocolate Santa Clauses and reindeer, you’re in luck: cocoa prices are falling, which means chocolate is getting cheaper. [More]
Nestlé Creates A New Sugar: Use Less, Get The Same Taste
By 12.2.16
For years, food and beverage companies like Pepsi Co. have tweaked their use of sugar and sweetener substitutes to find just the right mixture that aligns with consumers’ tastes and perception of a healthy lifestyle. Instead of fiddling around with different kinds of sweeteners like aspartame or Splenda, Nestlé hit the laboratory to create its own version of the crystallized ingredient. [More]
Hershey, PA Residents Worried About Changes If Company Sells To Mondelez
By 8.16.16
Company towns are a remote memory for most Americans: areas where most residents worked at a factory, mill, mine, or brewery have gone away, moving out of state or overseas along with the employers themselves. One of the last remaining classic company towns is Hershey, PA, where the company still has its factory. The company that created the town of Hershey and its surrounding businesses and institutions turned down an unsolicited takeover offer from Mondelez, the owner of Nabisco and Cadbury. [More]
Pumpkin Spice Lindor Truffles Are Coming To Stores, And You Can’t Stop Them
By 7.22.16
Did you think that because it’s the peak of summer that you were safe from pumpkin spice mania? No, of course not: that’s when food companies announce their new pumpkin spice food-like objects, before they hit stores in August and September. Thanks to Consumerist’s diligent coverage of how pumpkin spice everything is taking over the American food supply, we now get press releases about new products. [More]
Why Hershey Is Betting Its Future On Dried Meat Bars
By 4.26.16
After making untold billions of dollars as probably the brand name most associated with chocolate in America, Hershey is quickly trying to position itself as something other than a purveyor of sweets. After last year’s acquisition of the Krave line of beef jerky products, Hershey is hoping that folks will gobble up its upcoming dried meat bars. [More]
Judge: Nestlé, Hershey Don’t Have To Put Child Slave Labor Disclosure On Chocolate Labels
By 3.31.16
While it might matter to some consumers that slave labor was involved in making that chocolate bar on the grocery store shelf, food companies like Nestlé and Hershey don’t have to disclose what kind of workers are involved in the production process on product labels, a judge ruled this week. [More]
With High Shipping Costs, Online Shopping Is Not Big Business For Chocolate Makers
By 3.25.16
Sure, shopping from the comfort of your couch can be an easy, convenient alternative to schlepping to the mall or grocery store. But there are just some things that might not be worth the trouble to have shipped. Case in point: chocolate. The sweet treat can be a real pain to transport, for both the company and customer. [More]
Why Do New Starbucks Drinks Have ‘Chocolatey’ Chips, Not Chocolate?
By 2.10.16
Starbucks introduced a new lineup of seasonal drinks this week, which are chocolate-flavored for Valentine’s Day. Sounds romantic. Yet reader Kelly noticed something when reading a news article about them: the drinks were described as containing “chocolatey chips,” but why not chocolate chips? What makes the chips not chocolate? [More]
Seasonal Bags Of Dove Chocolate Recalled Due To Surprise Snickers, Allergy Concerns
By 12.21.15
Food allergies can be a life-threatening condition, which is why the maker of Dove candies has recalled a winter-themed assortment of chocolates available only from one nationwide food retailer and distributed to 35 states. Which nationwide food retailer is that? Mars didn’t bother to include that information, which might have been helpful. [More]
Hershey Ditching Artificial Flavors In Some Chocolate Products
By 11.13.15
The Hershey Co. is hopping on the trend bandwagon and tweaking the ingredients list for of its most two popular products: the candy company is taking artificial flavors out of milk chocolate Hershey’s Kisses and bars. [More]
Nestlé Says It Will Remove Artificial Flavors & Colors From Chocolate Products
By 2.17.15
Crack open a Butterfinger bar and you’ll find a core that uses food dyes like Red 40 and Yellow 5 to get that distinctive orange hue. While these and other artificial ingredients are certified by the FDA for use in food, a growing number of consumers are looking for products with more natural ingredients. That’s why Nestlé USA has pledged to remove artificial flavors and colors from all of its chocolate items by the end of the year. [More]
Deal With Hershey’s Puts An End To Import Of Cadbury Chocolates
By 1.26.15
It will soon be more difficult for consumers who prefer the taste of British-made chocolate to get their sweet-tooth fix. A new deal between Hershey’s and Let’s Buy British Imports essentially puts a stop to the import of many iconic British chocolate brands from overseas. [More]
