Doehler is stepping up its presence within both the sourcing and
processing of citrus fruits via a Brazilian investment designed to
meet changing needs of beverage manufacturers.
Heineken says it hopes to consolidate its position within the high
growth Romanian beer and mineral water market by acquiring
Transylvania-based brewer Bere Mures for an as yet undisclosed fee.
While the world's media is bemoaning rising food prices, the French
government is sniffing around the food industry for signs of
gleeful profiteering. If it is right, the long-term losses of the
nouveau cher will be far greater...
The European spirits industry has slammed the Hong Kong
government's decision to omit liquor from a recently announced
exemption of duties on imported alcohol products.
This week, Diageo's Korean operations receive a boost, PepsiCo may
look to improve ingredient sourcing for its Indian operations, and
Cott hopes to maintain shelf space at Wal-Mart's US stores.
A new range of enzymes is designed to improve the juice volume and
vitamin yield of blackcurrants for beverage use, in order to
maximise the benefits of the superfruits, its manufacturer says.
The UK's Food Standards Agency (FSA) has begun consultation with
food and beverage manufacturers over their progress in bringing
plastic packaging contact materials in line with health and safety
rules.
New proposals designed to improve the traceability of consumer
goods like beer have been cautiously welcomed by an association of
European brewers, despite concerns over the exact cost of
the system.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison has announced the development
of web-based resources to help small meat and poultry processors
with HACCP implementation.
Ingredients giant Archer Daniels Midland has criticised media
reports linking the use of high fructose corn syrup (HFCS)
with the rise in US obesity levels, saying it is not the sole cause
of the epidemic.
This week, SABMiller declines to bid for S&N, Playboy makes a
push into US energy drink market and The Scotch Whisky Association
aims to maintain a freeze on spirits tax.
Cadbury today said the demerger of its beverage arm will no longer
result in any capital return to its shareholders, as the company
reported profit losses for the tax year 2007.
The UK environment minister has this week kicked off a war of words
with the bottled water industry, claiming that it is acting in a
"morally unacceptable" manner.
This week, Diageo posts half-year profit improvements thanks to
Guinness and spirits, Grolsch continues to struggle with the UK
premium lager market, and P&G reportedly hikes prices for its
coffee brands.
EU member states must recognise erythritol as an approved sweetener
by tomorrow, which is expected to increase its use in low-calorie
products across Europe.
Coca-Cola posted a 20 per cent improvement in operating revenues,
amounting to $28.8bn during the full fiscal year as the company
harnessed its international presence to drive growth in both its
carbonated and non-carbonated brands.
Brewer Scottish & Newcastle (S&N) expects to close its
Berkshire Brewery in England by 2010, in a bid to organise its
production capabilities within the UK market to drive cost
efficiency improvements, the company said.
Though the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) claims to be winning the
fight to curb irresponsible consumption in its homeland, it has
called for more cooperation between industry and government to meet
responsible drinking aims.
A recent development in heat exchanger testing can offer brewers,
soft drink makers and dairy manufacturers a practical and
sensitive alternative to existing technologies with heightened
sensitivity, according to its manufacturer.
While most consumers agree that ethically-sourced cocoa is no bad
thing, an ever increasing number of different schemes risks
muddying the issue and puzzling chocolate fans.
This week, Canada-based Canadian Blue reveals merger discussions,
Belvedere plans vodka consolidation and the WTO backs
India over a tariff disagreement.
Diageo will not move for V&S' Absolut brand, after announcing
this week that it will buy into a joint venture with a
Netherlands-based premium vodka maker instead.
Coca-Cola will acquire a 40 per cent stake in US-based organic
beverage group Honest Tea, as part of an ongoing drive to focus on
non-carbonated alternatives for its brands.
Spirit group Pernod Ricard is to sell off 14 sherry and brandy
labels, excluding its Domecq brand, as it continues to focus on
strong growth in the premium liquors segment.
Ecolab, a global supplier of hygiene and safety systems, hopes to
step up its focus on sustainable water and energy supply for the
beverage and food industries with its latest acquisition.
A new standard for measuring embodied greenhouse gases in products
and services could help food manufacturers reduce their carbon
footprint, according to Campden Chorleywood Food Research
Association (CCFRA).
Procter and Gamble (P&G) has announced that it will look to
operate its folgers coffee operations as an independent business in
a bid to improve the value of the brand, which it says does not
meet annual growth expectations.
Pouring hot water on polycarbonate plastic bottles appears to
trigger leaching of the chemical bisphenol A (BPA) that could be
harmful to consumers, according to a new study.
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.
Diageo is to expand its presence within the high growth US market
for premium wines with the acquisition of national producer
Rosenblum Cellars for $105m (€71m).
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 headlines are sensationalist: twenty-four people have died in a
probiotic trial. Therefore, probiotics may be fatal. Throw those
yoghurt shots away!
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.
This week, Pernod Ricard lifts its full year profitability
expectations, Tata Tea is brewing expansion plans for entering
retail, and Efes brewery posts sales volume growth.
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.
Encapsulating probiotic bacteria in alginate-coated gelatin
microspheres could protect the friendly bacteria against the harsh
conditions of the stomach and upper intestine, allowing for greater
delivery of these value-added ingredients,...
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.
