A market research report from Lucintel suggests that 'healthy' chocolate products such as low-calorie chocolate and chocolates which double as health supplements could drive industry growth to 2018. [ + ]

A call for entries in the 26th DuPont Awards for Packaging Innovation - the industry's longest-running, independently judged competition - has been issued. The deadline for entries is 1 March 2014. [ + ]

CAPS Australia has been announced as the exclusive Australian distributor for Pedro Gil positive displacement blowers. [ + ]

Wilbur-Ellis Company subsidiary Connell Brothers Australasia has acquired Melbourne company Enzyme Solutions. [ + ]

Scientists have developed a method to authenticate the varietal purity and origin of cacao beans to ensure that the chocolate inside matches the country of origin labelling outside. [ + ]

In response to increased demand for monitoring and labelling of genetically modified (GM) foods, scientists have developed a comprehensive method for detecting GM ingredients. It is claimed to be the first of its kind in the world. [ + ]

Active and intelligent packaging demand is forecast to expand 8% annually to US$3.5 billion in 2017 in the US alone, according to a new study from Freedonia Group. [ + ]

Global packaging company Sonoco has announced several changes to its Protective Solutions and Sonoco Alloyed divisions. [ + ]

Markem-Imaje has acquired Heidelberg CSAT from Heidelberger Druckmaschinen. The acquisition is effective from 1 January 2014. [ + ]

Kellogg Company has announced plans to build a new snack manufacturing facility in Bandar Estek in Malaysia. The facility will increase its Pringles production capacity in the Asia-Pacific region and create at least 300 local jobs. [ + ]

A team of researchers at the Australian Wine Research Institute has identified a strain of yeast that produces a lower level of alcohol, while preserving the flavour of the wine. [ + ]

As traditional sweeteners such as aspartame fall from grace, stevia has been quietly gaining popularity with consumers. Stevia has been valued at US$110 million in 2013, but is predicted to rise to US$275 by 2017. [ + ]

Standard stevia processing does not meet USDA National Organic Program (NOP) regulations, which is a problem for processors hoping to use stevia in certified organic products. SGF has developed a new technology to overcome these obstacles. [ + ]

Suntory has announced it will acquire all outstanding shares of Beam Inc for US$16 billion. Suntory will pay US$83.50 per share, a 25% premium on Beam's closing price of US$66.97 on 10 January 2014. [ + ]

Once Salmonella takes hold and forms a biofilm, it's exceptionally difficult - if not completely impossible - to kill it, even with powerful disinfectants, recent research shows. [ + ]