Articles by Alyse Thompson-Richards

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Federal Trade Commission have set their sights on manufacturers, distributors and retailers selling e-cigarette liquid branded to resemble kid-friendly food products such as juice boxes, candy and cookies.

In February, Associate Editor Alyse Thompson visited Finca El Cacao, a 2,500-hectare cocoa plantation in Nicaragua owned and operated by Alfred Ritter GmbH & Co. KG. The company, eager to open up its supply chain and highlight its progress in the Central American country, brought Alyse and German journalists to the plantation to show them how they do things.

Dallas-based private investment firm Highlander Partners has acquired the intellectual property, trademarks and associated licensing agreements for 10 chocolate and sugar confectionery brands from Huhtamäki Oyj, a global food and beverage packaging company headquartered in Espoo, Finland.

Blommer Chocolate Co. has launched a new initiative under its sustainability program to further support cocoa farmers in Cote D’Ivoire. 

In addition to revamping its logo, tagline and packaging design for the first time in a decade, the Seattle Chocolate Co. has also reworked the size, shape and taste profile of its beloved chocolate bars.