In the UK, National Chocolate Week starts on Monday 12 October and there is a sweet smell of success in the air for the nation's chocolate industry, as latest research from Mintel's Global Market Navigator (GMN) finds that Britons spend more on chocolate than any other country in Europe.

Carbs - they are every dieters nightmare, but it seems Britons simply can't resist them, as new research from Mintel highlights Britain's insatiable appetite for pasta, rice and noodles.

It's confirmed: the recession is seeing Americans chow down on potato chips and other salty snacks. A new report from market research firm, Mintel, shows that after years of mediocre sales increases, the potato chip market grew 22% during the economic downturn.

The race is on, as latest research from Mintel finds sales of sports and energy drinks are set to hit the £1-billion finishing line in UK sales.