Content about Chocolatiers

SAN FRANCISCO — The Ghirardelli Chocolate Company announced today the addition of Mint Cookie and Toffee Crunch, two new varieties to its line of filled chocolate flavors.

The company also announced a rebranding effort with new smaller portion-control squares and packaging to help keep the candy crumb-free and fresh.

BETHLEHEM, Pa. — The maker of Peeps marshmallow candies is introducing a new flavor for Valentine's Day.

Just Born said Monday that it would introduce Peeps Cherry-Flavored Marshmallow Dripped & Drizzled in Chocolate, in three-count packages with deep-red accents.

"Our chocolate-dipped peeps have been a phenomenal success, and the new Peeps Cherry-Flavored Marshmallow Dipped & Drizzled in Chocolate will definitely excite our fans," Peeps senior brand manager Mark Hoffman said.

VEVEY, Switzerland — Nestlé on Tuesday named Luis Cantarell head of Nestlé Nutrition with the departure of Kurt Schmidt, deputy EVP Nestlé Nutrition, who has decided to leave the company for personal reasons effective Dec. 1. 

Cantarell will assume this role in addition to his current responsibilities as president and CEO of Nestlé Health Science. Between 2001 and 2005, he was in charge of Nestlé’s Nutrition Strategic Business Division.

STRATHAM, N.H. — Lindt has expanded its Excellence chocolate line.

New caramel with a touch of sea salt and coconut flavors join the lineup of Lindt Excellence bars.

"The two new Excellence bars embody the passion Lindt has for creating exceptional chocolate with high-quality ingredients," Lindt master chocolatier Ann Czaja said. "Whether indulging in dark chocolate fused with exotic coconut or the perfect blend of Fleur de Sel sea salt crystals and savory caramel, the combinations create the ultimate chocolate pleasure."

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — An aerodynamic chocolate product, invented by Harvard professor David Edwards, has made its U.S. debut.

Showcased at the Sweets and Snacks Expo in Chicago this week, AeroShot Chocolate, a reformulation of the original Le Whif Chocolate, delivers the taste of chocolate without the calories. Using a small lipstick-sized tube, consumers draw fine particles of chocolate into their mouth for a unique chocolate experience, according to AeroDesigns.

NEW YORK — Nestlé on Tuesday released a scorecard on the company's progress in the areas of nutrition, health and wellness in the United States over the course of 2011.

"[In] the past year, Nestlé has introduced and expanded new NHW initiatives, announced several partnerships with leading industry organizations and launched multiple campaigns to increase nutrition awareness and help combat epidemic rates of obesity," the company stated.

PERRYSBURG, Ohio — Glass container manufacturer Owens-Illinois announced its acquisition of a single-furnace glass container plant in France.

O-I, which announced its intent to acquire the VDL Co. plant in Vergeze, France, last November, said that purchasing the plant was the result of the company's strategic relationship with Nestlé Waters — the plant is located near Nestlé Waters' Perrier bottling facility, and has a longstanding supply relationship with Nestlé Waters.

STRATHAM, N.H. — Lindt is expanding its dark chocolate offerings with two new Excellence bars.

The Excellence 70% cocoa almond brittle balances the sweet crunch of almond brittle with dark chocolate, while the Excellence 70% cocoa nut crunch combines the subtle flavor and delicate crunch of of caramelized walnut and hazelnut pieces with dark chocolate. Each bar provides a "delightful dark chocolate experience," Lindt said.

GLENDALE, Calif. Nestle USA announced its voluntary recall for one of its confections, which may contain peanuts.

The company said its Raisinets fun-size bags (10-oz. variety) with a production code of 02015748/UPC number 2800010255 may contain peanuts. The fun-size bags with this production code were sold in Target, Shop Rite and Don Quixote retail stores, the company said.

The company alerted the Food and Drug Administration and said no other Nestle products were impacted.

PARIS Nestle will set up a health-and-wellness division to address such problems as obesity, cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer’s disease and others, according to published reports.

The New York Times reported Monday that the company would create the Nestle Institute of Health Sciences, set to begin operations on Jan. 1.

The division, which will operate as a wholly owned subsidiary, will be based at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in the city of Lausanne, the Times reported. Nestle is based in Vevey, Switzerland.

NEW YORK Ethnic personal care company Dr. Miracle's has appointed former Reynolds Consumer Products executive Randy Zeno as its new CEO.

WEST BRIDGEWATER, N.J. It seems that Equal Exchange's chocolate sector is gaining momentum.