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CONFECTIONERY FROM PAGE 47 Nestlé’s Smarties brand is now using recyclable paper packaging for its confectionery products worldwide, she says. “This represents a transition of 90 per cent of the Smarties range, as 10 per cent was previously already packed in recyclable paper packaging,” Ms Matheson said. “Smarties is the first global confectionery brand to switch to recyclable paper packaging, removing approximately 250 million plastic packs sold globally every year. Smarties paper packaging will be available in Australia from April.” While recyclable packaging is a huge factor when it comes to promoting sustainability, there are other ways in which brands are encouraging environmentally friendly actions, which can be seen through the strategies of other confectionery brands. Ruben Lezcano, Sales Manager at Cooks Confectionery, cites the recent changes the company has made to its products to keep up with social trends. The Cooks team, he says, are focused on “portion control, clean label with natural-locally sourced ingredients where possible, while of course being conscious of our environmental footprint”. “\\\[It all\\\] plays a part in optimising our offer to the consumer,” Mr Lezcano said. “Proudly, the Scorched Peanut Bar and Danny’s Thins range are now produced using 100 per cent renewable solar energy.” Freddo hides again for frogs’ sake For the second year in a row, Cadbury’s Freddo is giving up his place on the purple confectionery packaging to help raise awareness for Australian endangered frogs, which are at risk of disappearing forever. The team at Taronga Zoo in Sydney has joined in and will be partnering alongside Zoos Victoria and Conservation Volunteers Australia to raise awareness and funds for endangered Australian frogs: the spotted tree frog and the northern corroboree frog. After the initial launch of the ‘Save the Frogs’ campaign in 2020, Cadbury donated $600,000 to support Australian and New Zealand zoo and conservation experts on their mission to help the frogs to survive, in a three- year partnership. “While children are curious, adventurous and inherently passionate about the world around them, we tend to lose this adventurous spirit as we get older,” Cadbury Marketing Manager Katrina Watson said. “This is our opportunity to foster Australian’s passion for the environment and encourage families to continue caring for nature, so that these frogs can thrive for generations of adventurous explorers to come.” together familiar favourites in miniature form. After all, everything is always better with chocolate! Perfect for all occasions and shareable in size, Allen’s Mini White Choc Raspberries, Allen’s Mini Chocolate Black Cats and Chokito Bites are sure to bring a smile to your next gathering.” Touching on consumer reaction to the Bites, Ms Matheson said: “Initial launch performance of the Nestlé Chocolate Bites range has exceeded expectations with high trial. “The launch has been supported with an out-of-home activation to drive awareness, as well as a social campaign to boost engagement.” Cooks Confectionery is another brand on top of the bite-sized business. 2021 sees the introduction of a version of the brand’s popular Scorched Peanut Bar, with bite-size pieces. “Australia has welcomed the Scorched Peanut Bar back into their hearts with open arms,” Mr Lezcano said. “Building on this, the Scorched Peanut Bar will be expanding in 2021 into other categories through seasonal offerings, hangsell bite size, share packs and gifting. Starting things off will be the Scorched Peanut Bites, mini-Scorched Peanut Bars in a convenient 140g bag. “Consumers enjoy their treats in a variety of formats, so providing a varied offer is essential in putting the brand front of mind.” Another bite-sized treat, Sour Patch Kids, is now available in a new flavour, Sour Patch Kids Berry. “Sour Patch Kids is the sour candy category ringleader in Australia, and with the arrival of three deliciously appealing berry flavours in one bag, this launch is set to further bolster the brand’s sour (patch) domination,” the company said in a media release. Of course, it would be no Easter season without the release of new chocolate bunnies or egg products. This year, Mondelēz has come up with different formats of its Caramilk “golden blend of caramelised white chocolate”. The product is now available in a 125g Cadbury Caramilk Bunny format, as well as in a 150g Caramilk Gift Box. Alongside the Caramilk debutants comes products such as the Mint Chip and Cherry Ripe 125g Bunnies, 186g Cherry Ripe Gift Box, and the Easter Egg Decorating Kit, which allows consumers to decorate their chocolate Easter egg with their own design. 48 RETAIL WORLD APR, 2021 “This is our opportunity to foster Australian’s passion for the environment and encourage families to continue caring for nature, so that these frogs can thrive for generations of adventurous explorers to come.” Ferrero’s portion and sustainability focus Ferrero’s latest product launch is in line with consumers’ increasingly prevalent on-the-go attitude, the confectioner says, while the range also addresses portion control and sustainability trends. “Ferrero has long offered products in a variety of sizes to suit intended occasions,” Ferrero Australia Category Development Director Sheri Juchau said. “... Individual portions, most under 130kcal (500 kilojoules), complement nutritional information and ingredients displayed on-pack to help consumers choose the foods they enjoy, as part of their own varied diet throughout their day. “Beyond products, Ferrero’s sustainability commitments guide work to reduce our environmental footprint across packaging, raw ingredients and production.” Elaborating on the company’s latest product, Ms Juchau said: “2021 has seen the launch of Ferrero’s delicious new Nutella B-ready bar. Already popular in Europe for on-the-go snacking occasions, Nutella B-ready takes the unique Nutella taste into bar format.” Bite size, bunnies and big flavours Ms Matheson discusses the launch of Allen’s Mini Bites. “To guarantee 2021 starts off sweet, Australia’s iconic lolly brand Allen’s and choc favourite Chokito are launching three new bite-sized treats,” she said. “The new Bites creations bring