National Confectioners Association

NCA Calls For FDA Action, Challenges Misinformation In Debate Over Proposed Food Additive Bans

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, March 20, 2024
Rash, NCA, National Confectioners Association, Food, FDA, Food safety, Pharmaceutical industry

WASHINGTON, March 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Confectioners Association is taking a stand against a rash of pending state-level proposals aimed at banning several FDA-approved food additives. There has been widespread media attention given to this topic, but there has been no accountability and little to no fact-checking happening among legislators, non-governmental organizations, nonprofit advocacy groups, activists, and members of the media. Unfortunately, support for these proposed bans has been built on falsehoods that are all too easy to accept at face value.

Key Points: 
  • Unfortunately, support for these proposed bans has been built on falsehoods that are all too easy to accept at face value.
  • "Some states are proposing to dismantle our well-developed national food safety system in an emotionally-driven campaign that lacks scientific backing," John Downs, NCA's president and CEO, said.
  • "FDA needs to assert its authority as the rightful national regulatory decision maker and leader in food safety.
  • "Usurping FDA's authority does nothing but create a state-by-state patchwork of inconsistent state requirements that increase food costs, create confusion around food safety, and erode consumer confidence in our food supply," Downs said.

92% of Americans Who Celebrate Easter Plan To Include Chocolate and Candy In Their Celebrations

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, March 20, 2024
Friends, Chocolate, Candy, NCA, Tail, National Confectioners Association

WASHINGTON , March 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Across the country, people are getting egg-cited for Easter and the numbers speak for themselves: the National Confectioners Association reports that confectionery sales for the Easter season will surpass $5 billion.

Key Points: 
  • Why it matters: 92% of Americans who celebrate Easter do so with chocolate and candy – and 85% of people who make Easter baskets include these special, seasonal treats.
  • No matter what treats they prefer, Americans can agree that every celebration is sweeter with chocolate and candy."
  • What you need to know: Accompanying their strong enthusiasm for Easter candy, consumers understand that chocolate and candy are treats.
  • "Hoppy" Easter!

Sales of Chocolate and Candy Reach All-Time High of $48 Billion in 2023

Retrieved on: 
Monday, March 11, 2024
Reward, Season, Research, Candy, Holiday, Report, Analytics, National Confectioners Association, Chocolate, Shopper, Retail

AVENTURA, Fla., March 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Confectionery sales hit $48 billion in 2023, a number largely driven by inflation, according to the 2024 State of Treating report published today by the National Confectioners Association. The report projects that U.S. confectionery sales will reach $61 billion by 2028.

Key Points: 
  • The report projects that U.S. confectionery sales will reach $61 billion by 2028.
  • Why it matters: More than 98% of American consumers purchased chocolate, candy, gum, and mints in 2023.
  • Consumers seek out chocolate and candy to help enhance holiday seasons, family celebrations, and those important 'treat yourself' moments."
  • Chocolate and candy play important roles in celebrations and holidays, as a reward, a little escape, a gift, or to share with others.

New NCA Report: Seasonal Confectionery Is Key Driver of the Category and Business

Retrieved on: 
Monday, November 13, 2023
Holiday, NCA, Season, National Confectioners Association, Candy, Millennials, Chocolate, Easter, Generation Z, IRI, Analytics

WASHINGTON, Nov. 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Seasonal chocolate and candy drive confectionery sales as consumers view these treats as a key part of their celebrations, according to the National Confectioners Association in a new report out today. The report found that 64% of total chocolate and candy sales are attributed to the big four seasons – Valentine's Day, Easter, Halloween and the winter holidays – which allows for merchandising opportunities that ensure that confectionery products continue to enhance special occasions and that the category remains strong year-round.

Key Points: 
  • NCA's new report, Getting to Know Seasonal Chocolate & Candy Consumers , offers an in-depth look at the trends, attitudes and behaviors related to confectionery treating during the four main seasonal moments, as well as secondary seasons and micro-occasions like Mother's Day and back-to-school.
  • Even in challenging economic times, consumers are celebrating and making room in their budgets for the affordable luxury of chocolate and candy."
  • Survey Methodology: NCA's Getting to Know Seasonal Chocolate & Candy Consumers was conducted in August 2023 by 210 Analytics, LLC with sales data overlay by Circana (formerly IRI).
  • The sample of 1,604 individuals mirrors the U.S. population in terms of key demographics, including age, income, ethnicity and region.

NCA Statement on Recent Consumer Reports Chocolate and Cocoa Article

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, October 25, 2023
Judgement, Consumer Reports, Cadmium, Consent, NHANES, OEHHA, National Health, Chocolate, CDC, Lead, Nutrition, Food safety, Candy, Superior court, San Francisco, National Confectioners Association

WASHINGTON, Oct. 25, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- In response to an October 25, 2023 Consumer Reports article on chocolate and cocoa, the National Confectioners Association released the following statement:

Key Points: 
  • WASHINGTON, Oct. 25, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- In response to an October 25, 2023 Consumer Reports article on chocolate and cocoa, the National Confectioners Association released the following statement:
    "Chocolate and cocoa are safe to eat and can be enjoyed as treats as they have been for centuries.
  • Food safety and product quality remain our highest priorities and we remain dedicated to being transparent and socially responsible."
  • More on our California Proposition 65 settlement and the expert investigation/final report: In 2018, the chocolate and cocoa industry agreed to a Consent Judgment in California.
  • The Consent Judgment established concentration levels for both lead and cadmium that supersede the OEHHA MADLs for cocoa and chocolate products.

NCA Statement on California Governor Newsom Signing Bill (AB 418) to Ban Certain Food Ingredients

Retrieved on: 
Monday, October 9, 2023
FDA, Food safety, National Confectioners Association, Confusion, Safety, Science, Dietary supplement

WASHINGTON, Oct. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- In response to California Governor Newsom signing a bill to ban certain food ingredients, the National Confectioners Association released the following statement:

Key Points: 
  • WASHINGTON, Oct. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- In response to California Governor Newsom signing a bill to ban certain food ingredients, the National Confectioners Association released the following statement:
    "California is once again making decisions based on soundbites rather than science.
  • Governor Newsom's approval of this bill will undermine consumer confidence and create confusion around food safety.
  • This law replaces a uniform national food safety system with a patchwork of inconsistent state requirements created by legislative fiat that will increase food costs.
  • We should be relying on the scientific rigor of the FDA in terms of evaluating the safety of food ingredients and additives."

98% of Americans Will Welcome Trick-or-Treaters With Chocolate and Candy

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, September 26, 2023
Analytics, NCA, Friends, Chocolate, Parent, Candy, Halloween, Season, Love, National Confectioners Association, Family, Social media, Fireworks

The answer is resoundingly in favor of treats, with 93% of Americans saying they'll share chocolate and candy with friends and family to celebrate the Halloween season this fall.

Key Points: 
  • The answer is resoundingly in favor of treats, with 93% of Americans saying they'll share chocolate and candy with friends and family to celebrate the Halloween season this fall.
  • To begin the 2023 Halloween season and get a better understanding of current consumer attitudes and behaviors related to the holiday, NCA conducted a survey uncovering new consumer insights including the fact that 98% of Americans who welcome trick-or-treaters will hand out chocolate and candy.
  • Opinions abound on the ultimate deal, but most Americans agree they'd trade away some of their gummy candy in exchange for a chocolate treat.
  • Coming in first is chocolate, followed by gummy candy.

"Summer Gets Bueno" by Kinder Bueno Returns with Themed Rest Stop to Help Roadtrippers Savor the Journey

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, June 20, 2023
Taste, RV, Chocolate, Journey, Fourth, Candy, White chocolate, National Confectioners Association, Tourism, Nightclub, Marketing

PARSIPPANY, N.J., June 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Kinder Bueno® is kicking off the busy road trip season with the return of "Summer Gets Bueno," an annual program that helps travelers transform an ordinary road trip into an extraordinary journey. Building on the success of last year's program, "Summer Gets Bueno" helps people get to where they need to go and savor their trips by taking a crispy, creamy Kinder Bueno along for the ride.

Key Points: 
  • Building on the success of last year's program, "Summer Gets Bueno" helps people get to where they need to go and savor their trips by taking a crispy, creamy Kinder Bueno along for the ride.
  • At this year's Kinder Bueno "Summer Gets Bueno: Savor the Journey" rest stop takeover in Connecticut, fans can expect a one-of-a-kind white glove experience that makes pumping gas feel anything but ordinary.
  • Back by popular demand, the "Summer Gets Bueno" program gives travelers a special trip experience that they can savor, thanks to crispy, creamy Kinder Bueno chocolate."
  • Share your summer fun with Kinder Bueno by using #SummerGetsBueno and tagging @KinderBuenoUS.

Consumers Kick Off the Summer With National Candy Month in June

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, June 1, 2023
Chocolate, Friends, Candy, NCA, Magic, National Confectioners Association, Life, Family

WASHINGTON, June 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- June is National Candy Month , and there is no better way to kick off the summer than by embracing this month-long celebration that is gaining momentum with retailers and consumers nationwide.

Key Points: 
  • WASHINGTON, June 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- June is National Candy Month , and there is no better way to kick off the summer than by embracing this month-long celebration that is gaining momentum with retailers and consumers nationwide.
  • Major retail activation of National Candy Month started in 2020 with just 570 stores and by 2022, more than 50,000 stores participated in summer promotions that showcased the fun and unique nature of chocolate and candy.
  • These activities are all a fun part of the summer season, and – according to the National Confectioners Association – 81% of consumers say that chocolate and candy are a fun part of life.
  • NCA recently polled consumers nationwide, asking them for their favorite flavors and types of summer treats.

New City, New Brand for the 2024 Sweets & Snacks Expo

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, May 25, 2023
Chocolate, Rotation, Candy, Las Vegas Convention Center, Snack, National Confectioners Association, Indiana Convention Center, Video game

CHICAGO, May 25, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Sweets & Snacks Expo announced today a new brand for the world's premier confectionery and snack trade show.

Key Points: 
  • CHICAGO, May 25, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Sweets & Snacks Expo announced today a new brand for the world's premier confectionery and snack trade show.
  • Rolling out immediately to coincide with the show moving to a two-city rotation starting in 2024 with Indianapolis, attendees at this year's Sweets & Snacks Expo caught a preview of the new brand – and it's 'big and bold.'
  • "As we look to the future of this important brand we have built through the Sweets & Snacks Expo, we continue to evolve to meet the needs of our growing exhibitor and attendee community," John Downs, president and CEO of the National Confectioners Association, host organization of the Sweets & Snacks Expo, said.
  • Nearly 18,000 people registered for the 2023 Sweets & Snacks Expo, with more than 800 exhibitors on the show floor.