Bernie Pacyniak

Long-time confectionery veteran Jan O’Brien has returned to the chocolate industry as she takes on new responsibilities as a signature line chocolate brand manager for Blommer Chocolate.

According to a recent flavor report from Geneva, Ill.-based FONA International, the use of honey as a sweetener is on the rise. Last year, 10 311 products were rolled out globally using honey. 

If you missed the column, which appeared in Sweet & Healthy Issue 1, it dealt with a mother’s proposal to create candy- and tabloid-free checkout aisles for parents who are shopping with their children.

Earlier this week, Sioux City, Iowa-based Palmer Candy Co. issued a limited recall of certain chocolate products after being informed by Valley Milk Products, a Maryland-based cooperative, that the milk powder used in a compound chocolate coating supplied by Blommer Chocolate Co. to Palmer Candy Co. has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.

Brussels, Belgium-based The Good Chocolate Co. has launched Lavlé, a dark Belgian chocolate rich in cocoa flavanols

As Judy Putnam, Lansing State Journal columnist put it, “If you have a kid, you know the moment.” Putnam was referring to the checkout drama that occurs when children tug at their parents’ sleeves and ask for candy, which is conveniently placed at eye level. 

Snacking rules. And fruit snacks — of all varieties — are grabbing more and more shelf space. 

Parker Products, a Fort Worth-based supplier of inclusions and other specialty ingredients for the baking, beverage, confectionery, dairy, ready-to-eat and snack industries, on Monday broke ground on a new 90,000-sq.-ft. facility.