Alyse Thompson-Richards

Hu Products, maker of organic, paleo and vegan chocolate, has received a minority investment from Sonoma Brands, the food incubator responsible for Krave jerky, SMASHMALLOW and other brands.

Somerville, Mass.-based Taza Chocolate has named Barbara Reilly as the company’s first chief operating officer and chief marketing officer.

Mastika, The Mastika Gum Co's award-winning mastic-flavored chewing gum, continues to capture attention in Middle Eastern markets.

Belgian chocolate brand Callebaut will make its Ruby RB1 product available to chocolatiers and chefs in China this September.

The Barry Callebaut Group has opened a Chocolate Academy in Johannesburg, South Africa, the group’s 21st academy and its first on the African continent.

Wauconda, Ill.-based Synergy Flavors, Inc. has acquired Janoušek, one of the world’s first suppliers of herbal extracts and natural flavoring and an expert in Italian flavor profiles.

Mondelēz International will acquire Long Island, N.Y.-based Tate’s Bake Shop for $500 million. Known for its signature thin-and-crispy cookies made with simple, high-quality ingredients, Tate’s is a fast-growing premium cookie and baked goods brand.

International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. will acquire Israel-based flavor firm Frutarom for $7.1 billion. The cash and stock transaction — unanimously approved by both companies’ boards of directors — also includes Frutarom’s net debt.

The New England Confectionery Co. — NECCO — is headed to auction after a failed attempt by a Boston investment firm to buy the embattled confectionery company.

Mars, Inc. plans to triple its global cocoa yield through developing more disease-resistant clones and continuing to improve farmer practices based on genetic knowledge of cocoa.