The following article can be found in full at projectnosh.com

Some of candy’s largest companies are adopting a somewhat counterintuitive business strategy. They’re are taking a page from natural brands’ playbooks, and instead of urging consumers to eat more candy, the confection giants are reminding them of the importance of moderation. The move toward transparency recognizes that while candy is “always a treat,” sweets can still fit into a healthy lifestyle.

At this year’s Sweets and Snacks Expo in Chicago, Illinois, Mars Chocolate, Wrigley, Nestlé, Ferrero, Lindt, Ghirardelli, Russell Stover and Ferrara Candy Company highlighted their new pledge to educate consumers about the portions and calorie counts of their treats. The five-year plan, led by the National Confectioners Association (NCA) and Partnership for a Healthier America (PHA), was announced earlier this month.

The NCA and PHA — which describe the initiative as consumer friendly — plan that by 2022, half of the candy sold by the committed brands in the U.S. will come only in sizes that contain 200 calories or less per packaged serving. This commitment will be met through sizing changes and, in some cases, reformulation.

The companies have also committed to print calorie information on the front of their packaging. A third party non-governmental organization, The Hudson Institute, will verify and track each company’s progress.

NCA President John Downs told NOSH the commitment has been in the works for over two years.

“We think consumers will embrace this because they want more choices, and to feel empowered as it relates to what they want to do in managing their sugar intake, as well as reducing their calories for themselves and their families,” he said.

*Listen as Downs talks to NOSH about how the commitment may also benefit brands’ relationships with retailers. (Story continues below)

To view the rest of this article visit projectnosh.com

The Mission Behind AlwaysATreat.com

The following article can be found in full at http://projectnosh.com

Some of candy’s largest companies are adopting a somewhat counterintuitive business strategy. They’re are taking a page from natural brands’ playbooks, and instead of urging consumers to eat more candy, the confection giants are reminding them of the importance of moderation. The move toward transparency recognizes that while candy is “always a treat,” sweets can still fit into a healthy lifestyle.

At this year’s Sweets and Snacks Expo in Chicago, Illinois, Mars Chocolate, Wrigley, Nestlé, Ferrero, Lindt, Ghirardelli, Russell Stover and Ferrara Candy Company highlighted their new pledge to educate consumers about the portions and calorie counts of their treats. The five-year plan, led by the National Confectioners Association (NCA) and Partnership for a Healthier America (PHA), was announced earlier this month.

The NCA and PHA — which describe the initiative as consumer friendly — plan that by 2022, half of the candy sold by the committed brands in the U.S. will come only in sizes that contain 200 calories or less per packaged serving. This commitment will be met through sizing changes and, in some cases, reformulation.

The companies have also committed to print calorie information on the front of their packaging. A third party non-governmental organization, The Hudson Institute, will verify and track each company’s progress.

NCA President John Downs told NOSH the commitment has been in the works for over two years.

“We think consumers will embrace this because they want more choices, and to feel empowered as it relates to what they want to do in managing their sugar intake, as well as reducing their calories for themselves and their families,” he said.

*Listen as Downs talks to NOSH about how the commitment may also benefit brands’ relationships with retailers. (Story continues below)

To view the rest of this article visit http://projectnosh.com

NCA President Talks Retailer Reactions to New Commitment

In this episode, we’re joined by William Siff, founder and CEO of Goldthread, an innovative brand of plant-based tonics formulated with herbs, spices and adaptogens. A clinical herbalist, ethnobotanist and licensed acupuncturist, Siff launched the company in 2016 as an extension of his apothecary and herb farm in Western Massachusetts.

A pioneer in the emerging category of adaptogenic beverages, Goldthread’s products are designed to&nbsp; “restore, refresh and invigorate our mind, body and soul.” The brand is distributed at natural and conventional retailers nationwide, including Target which recently added Goldthread to 970 of its locations.

In an interview included in this episode, Siff spoke about his background as a natural health practitioner and how his experience led to the creation of Goldthread. He also discussed why building the brand was akin to “inventing the category," effective methods for driving consumer education and brand awareness, defining metrics for success and how the company incorporates ingredient trends into its innovation strategy. 

Show notes:

0:50: Thoughts On An Expo-Less Week (At Least We Have Churro Ice Cream) -- The hosts reflected on the postponement of Natural Products Expo West 2020 and how exhibitors that planned to feature new products and brand updates at the annual event can share the news with BevNET and NOSH. They also chatted about how texting has become a useful tool for communicating with the editorial team, chomped on plant-based ice cream and reiterated that sharing snacks is always welcome. 

10:25: William Siff, Founder/CEO, Goldthread -- Siff spoke with Taste Radio editor Ray Latif about his foray into the beverage industry and why he viewed packaged drinks as “a model that could scale our overall efforts” to “get as many herbs, spices and adaptogens into as many people’s bodies as possible.” He also discussed key benchmarks that the company has reached, why demos and its “Plant Venture” events have been essential to the brand’s development and how he works with retailers to add more adaptogenic drinks to their shelves. Later, he explained why refreshment is a key selling point for Goldthread and why he believes that schizandra berry will emerge as the next “big” functional ingredient.

Goldthread, Fuze, Nos, BodyArmor, Core, Adrenaline Shoc, Cali’flour Foods, Ripple Foods, Van Leeuwen, Halo Top, UnReal, From The Ground Up

Insider Ep. 75: When Building A Brand Means Creating A New Category

The top podcasts for food and beverage professionals, BevNET’s Taste Radio and Taste Radio Insider feature interviews with the leaders and rising stars of our fast-evolving industry. The shows also include discussion on emerging trends, innovation and news of the week from our regular cadre of hosts from the BevNET and NOSH teams.  

Tell us what you think at ask@tasteradio.com. You can also email us if you are interested in Taste Radio sponsorship opportunities.  If you like Taste Radio, share it with a colleague, will ya?

See you every Tuesday and Friday!

Insider Ep. 75: When Building A Brand Means Creating A New Category

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