Candy Makers Coming Together to Provide Healthier Choices
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Eight leading global confectionery companies are coming together to provide consumers with healthier choices through transparency and options.
The companies include: Mars Chocolate North America, Wrigley, Ferrero Rocher, Lindt, Ghirardelli, Russell Stover, Ferrara Candy Co., and Nestlé USA.
Announcing their commitment at the Partnership for a Healthier America (PHA) Building a Healthier Future Summit, these organizations are redoubling their efforts to create more options in innovative packaging, and educate consumers about how chocolate and candy play a role in a happy, balanced lifestyle.
John Downs, president and CEO of Washington, D.C.-based National Confectioners Association said chocolate and candy have always been a treat, and this commitment by participating companies ensures that will stay the same.
“We are proud to make this five-year commitment with The Partnership for a Healthier America, a highly regarded nonprofit organization that will help us track and verify this meaningful initiative,” he commented. “This is the first step on our journey to recruit other companies to join us as we work to help consumers manage their sugar intake and ensure that they feel empowered to make informed choices.”
Among the companies’ commitments include:
Calories count. Half of the individually wrapped products made by the participating companies will be available in sizes that contain 200 calories or less per pack by 2022. Currently, more than 60 percent of the companies’ individually wrapped products contain less than 250 calories per pack.
Upfront messaging. Within the next five years, 90 percent of the best-selling candy and chocolate products made by these companies will have calorie information prints on the front of the pack.
Digital resources. Over the next five years, the newly established AlwaysATreat.com will evolve into a digital resource that provides easy-to-use information for consumers to better understand the role confections have in a balanced lifestyle.
Progress of the commitment will be monitored and reported by PHA in conjunction with Hudson Institute, a policy research organization.
“Over the next five years, the participating chocolate and candy companies will help consumers better understand the unique role that confections can play in a happy, balanced lifestyle,” Downs said. “As we focus and leverage the companies’ expertise in marketing, innovation, and distribution, our goal is to reinforce for consumers that chocolate and candy are treats.”