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.
Leading steel firm Salzgitter is buying SIG Beverages from the
Switzerland-based SIG packaging group, expanding its share of the
plastic bottle market.
Coffee prices continued to rise into 2008 on the back of increased
costs at the end of 2007, according to new figures from the
International Coffee Organisation (ICO).
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.
Soft drink maker AG Barr is to expand into the burgeoning market
for functional beverages and waters with the acquisition of the
Vitsmart and Vitaminsmart labels from Chartered Brands.
Dutch group Avery Dennison is expanding its range of self-adhesive
labelling for the wine sector, offering new products that cut down
on waste and increase efficiency.
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 board of brewer Scottish & Newcastle has today rejected yet
another attempt by Carlsberg and Heineken to jointly acquire its
operations with an improved 780 pence per share bid, though it may
yet be forced to sell.
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.
As the deadline ticks down for brewer Carlsberg to acquire joint
venture partner Scottish & Newcastle, both companies are going
for the jugular in a battle that may significantly shake up the
status quo of European brewers.
SABMiller's Polish arm Kompania Piwowarska received the go ahead on
Friday by competition authorities to acquire local brewer Browar
Belgia to ease strain on its production for an undisclosed sum.
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.
Molson Coors and Mexican-based brewer Grupo Modelo have formed a
new joint venture to tap growing consumer appetite in Canada
for imported beer brands.
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.
Cranberry is no longer just for Christmas as growth in consumer
demand has helped the little red berry find its way into some 900
brand new products this year - a staggering rise from the 2006
position of 54 launches, according to...
Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper has outlined radical plans
to improve the safety of imported and exported foods - after
admitting the country had fallen behind when it came to regulation.
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...
The Trian investment group, led by Nelson Peltz, yesterday called
for Cadbury to make a raft of improvements to its operations,
threatening to take matters out of management's hands if the
requests are not met.
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.
Beverage innovator Wild has come up with a new concept for clear
fruit-juice drinks called Refresher, to help manufacturers tap
demand for near water, spritzer and water-plus products.
Cadbury Schweppes says that its American Beverages division is
defying the increasingly challenging conditions in the global
carbonated soft drinks market by performing above the company's
expectations for the year.
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.
Carlsberg and Heineken will stand by a rejected joint-offer made
last month for British-based rival Scottish and Newcastle
(S&N), despite recent research suggesting that an improved bid
would likely be accepted by shareholders.
Up to 20 per cent of Scottish & Newcastle's (S&N)
shareholders may be ready to support Carlberg and Heinekin's bid to
buy the UK-based brewer, according to an independent survey.
Coca-Cola Amatil (CCA), a major soft drinks producer in Australia
and Asia, has acquired the country's Bluetongue brewery brand to
extend its premium beer focus in a bid to further diversify its
revenue stream.
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.
About 35 new techniques for reducing pathogen contamination in meat
and poultry were added yesterday to a list of such methods being
compiled by the US Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS).
In the latest news roundup, Anheuser-Busch will continue to step up
pricing in the US, Coca-Cola is considering Indian expansion,
Nestle take a controlling stake in bottled water group Henniez, and
the number could be up for cannabis...
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.
