Why Sweet Treats Are Enjoying Better Publicity

Whether one is talking about retail or wholesale, sweets haven’t always been flavour of the month – no pun intended! The approach to both the production and marketing of our sweet treats is changing though, and that can only be good news for both retailers and wholesale sweets manufacturers.

A Not So Tasty Prejudice

For several decades, sweets and chocolate have taken flack in terms of negative publicity. Criticism came in the form of worries over dental hygiene and issues relating to obesity. There were also worries over whether or not additives might be playing a part in things such as Attention Deficit Disorder, as well as the role of sweets in a much wider debate over the education of children’s eating habits.

Many experts, including wholesale sweets manufacturers and some very respected voices in the medical industry, tried to point out again and again that these concerns were, in some cases, poorly researched, entirely subjective and out of all proportion to the real impact of any such issues. By and large, those responses were dismissed as being prejudiced and the tirade against confectionery was on-going.

A Changing Paradigm

It’s pleasing to note that in more recent times there appears to be a growing sense of maturity in the discussion of the role of confectionery in our society.

One of the biggest areas to undergo significant change is that of chocolate; suddenly it has gone from being portrayed by some as something to avoid, to now being described as having potential medical benefits!

Chocolate hasn’t been the only beneficiary. It is being increasingly seen that confectionery overall has a significant role to play in a perfectly safe and balanced diet. Just like almost any other sort of foodstuff, if consumed in excess it may cause undesirable effects, but when eaten sensibly, there is absolutely no reason why people should not enjoy the traditional pleasures of something sweet. This is being particularly evidenced in ranges that make a positive statement relating to the fact that they are free of artificial flavourings and colours.

The Industry’s Response

Even during the darkest days of the barrage of negative publicity, open-minded people were pointing out that it was absurd to simply single out confectionery and chocolate for specific attention. They tried to get recognition of the reality that moderation in what we eat is essential across an entire range of foodstuffs including, of course, confectionery.

So, there is now widespread relief and applause in the retail and wholesale sweets marketplaces to the much more balanced and reasonable stance that many diet advisers are now taking. It is long overdue but nonetheless welcome, and it seems that, at last, we can indulge our chocolate-covered cravings without too much guilt.

Angelina Moufftard works for HF Chocolates, suppliers of high quality wholesale sweets to the retail trade and others who wish to purchase wholesale quantities of chocolate and confectionery. Renowned since 1957, we've sourced the best suppliers from France, Spain, Germany, Holland, Belgium, the USA and UK. Our great tasting and beautifully packaged products also represent excellent value for money.

Writer and Online Marketing Manager in London.