Beta-carotene, used in foods and beverages as colourants and health
ingredient, can be stabilised by novel nano-scale carriers,
suggests innovative research from Germany.
The Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company (CCH) has announced plans
to cut its annual carbon dioxide emissions by about 20 per cent by
the end of next year, with a new production strategy.
A group of leading UK food and drink manufacturers is pledging to
reduce water use under a new programme designed to improve their
environmental credentials and cut costs.
The European Spirits Organisation (CEPS) yesterday welcomed moves
by the EU to open talks with the World Trade Organisation (WTO)
over its concerns regarding Thailand's custom charges.
PepsiCo is teaming up with the Earth Institute and the H2O Africa
Foundation in a bid to encourage sustainable use of non-industrial
water supplies in developing countries.
American and Japanese researchers have identified how peptides in
food activate human bitter taste receptors, data that could have
implications for the food industry and food formulators.
Proposals for new mandatory labelling requirements on alcoholic
beverages in the US have come under criticism this week from
foreign manufacturers and watchdogs for offering no benefit to the
consumer.
As the EU debates retaining national bans on genetically modified
(GM) crops, one industry expert believes that failure to adapt
could grant foreign rivals using the technology an upper hand, not
least in terms of brewing a good beer.
Despite growing pressure on beverage and food manufacturers to curb
marketing junk food to children, the British Heart Foundation (BHF)
says that some groups are still using online and label-based games
for promotion.
In the latest briefs, Heineken steps up its presence in Algeria,
The C&C Group continues to be hit by a weak UK cider market,
and Foster's goes brand mad by extending an exclusive deal to push
Corona Extra in Australia.
Foods and drinks developed to address the specific health needs of
consumers are expected to exceed category growth in the US
functional food segment, according to a new report.
US consumers are becoming increasingly concerned over social and
environmental implications when choosing packaged food and beverage
brands, according to a new report by Information Resources, Inc
(IRI).
Sales of children's beverages in the US declined by four per cent
last year to $4.6bn over the same period in 2006, as concerns over
obesity and child health increasingly shape the market, research
has found.
The refusal by regulators to provide a formal definition of the
term 'natural' will ultimately lead to confusion for consumers and
a legal headache for manufacturers.
The superfruits trend is set to endure for the long term, according
to a Datamonitor analyst, as consumers will prioritise their own
health over environmental concerns like food miles and carbon
footprint.
Rising demand for ready to drink (RTD) coffee in both Western
Europe and North America is expected to drive global growth in the
market as the industry meets consumer demands for taste and
functionality, new research says.
In the latest briefs, Anheuser Busch continues to profit from its
increasing focus on export brands; not to be outdone San Miguel
also continues to enact cost savings in South China; and Rexam hits
Russia.
Promoting the potential health benefits of coffee remains one of
the foremost challenges ahead for manufacturers of the product in
2008, according to a newly formed industry trade association within
the UK.
Anglo-Dutch food group Unilever is facing disruptions to its tea
supplies from Kenya, after looters in one of country's major
tea-growing areas caused workers to flee and led to the deaths of
eight of the firm's employees.
This week, Heineken goes shopping in Belarus; Coca-Cola remains
tip-lipped on Honest Beverages deal; and a US energy drink brand
steps up its distribution in the country.
As phase two of the UK's new rules on TV advertising of unhealthy
foods targeted at children came into effect this week, the food
industry is preparing to lock horns with campaigners over a 9pm
watershed.
Polyphenols from wine may reduce the negative impact of high-fat
foods, according to a small study from Israel that suggests a role
in the formulation of healthier food products.
It is not resolution, but regulation driving New Year optimism in
Scotch whisky production, as the UK government this
week opens consultation on new rules to protect the liquor's
reputation internationally.
UK trade authorities have given a consortium formed between
Carlsberg and Heineken a four-week window in which to outline a
"firm" intention to acquire brewer Scottish and Newcastle
(S&N) or cease any further action...
Pernod Ricard has says it will purchase either Absolut
or Stolichnaya in its attempts to add an premium vodka label
to its portfolio, though it has not yet finalised any
acquisition plan.
'Antioxidants' crop up every where, from beverage cans to cereal
packets. But industry must wake up to over use of the antioxidant
tag before the term loses meaning for consumers.
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) agreed at last week's
management board meeting that next year's budget, set by the
European Union, is sufficient to align to the growing legislative
demands without losing focus...
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has put together a
working group to provide the European Commission and EU member
states with scientific advice on the effects of food additives on
behaviour by the end of February.
In this week's briefs, Coca-Cola Enterprises lifts sale
expectations for the year ahead, the Absolut vodka brand will go
the highest bidder at an upcoming auction, and Pepsi consolidates
its bottling presence in the US.
EU Agricultural commissioner Mariann Fischer Boel will continue to
work towards driving greater innovation in EU wine production,
though she vowed yesterday to get tough on wine enrichment as part
of industry reform in the bloc.
US consumers drank 990m litres of energy drinks during 2006, a 47
per cent increase over the previous year, making the
country the largest global market for the product.
Drinks groups may stepping up their efforts to promote responsible
alcohol consumption, but some of their latest advertising campaigns
have been labelled as "catastrophically misconceived",
according to new research.
The food and drink industry has added more techniques to its
handbook advising processors on how to reduce acrylamide formation,
a bid to help smaller companies voluntarily reduce the potential
carcinogen in their products.
An attempt to introduce a new technique for producing a
low-alcohol sparkling wine has backfired for one UK processor,
which received a decision yesterday confirming the ban of the
product as it is now marketed.
Effectively educating consumers about alcohol misuse in an
enlarged EU is one of the main issues
facing spirits companies in the year ahead, according
to an industry report.
Following World AIDS Day, the food industry should reflect on its
own potential to advance the fight against a disease that continues
to sweep a devastating toll.
UC Rusal moves to consolidate its position as the world's leading
producer of aluminium-foil packaging by expanding in Russia, whilst
manufacturers and retailers are faced with new proposals for
recycling labels in the UK.
A food industry initiative launched this year is promoting one
standard, easily recognisable symbol to aid identification of
healthy foods across the world and encourage manufacturers to
reformulate products along healthier lines.
The top 10 trends to watch for next year include fresh and organic,
superfruits, bold flavors, and probiotics beyond yogurts, according
to Datamonitor's Productscan database.
Increasing criticism over the environmental impacts of consuming
water from bottles instead of a tap supply is needlessly misleading
consumer opinion, according to an international association
representing the industry.
Teaming-up genistein from soy and resveratrol from grapes enhances
the anti-obesity effects of the individual compounds, reports new
research from the University of Georgia.
Nestle intends to step up its focus on beverage production with the
opening yesterday of its first research and development centre
dedicated solely to drink brands destined for the food service
industry.
Coca-Cola and PepsiCo continued to dominate the soft drinks market
in 2006 accounting for more than a third of global sales in the
sector, according to market analyst Euromonitor.
The Metro Group has upped the ante in Europe's move toward using
radio frequency identification (RFID) technology, completing the
roll out of its use to 180 additional stores and warehouses in
Germany.