University of Birmingham researchers have reported that caffeine
can boost nerve cell activity in the brain, potentially protecting
against memory loss.
Britain's soft drinks industry has played down concerns that the UK
is facing a shortage of carbon dioxide, the essential bubble maker
in fizzy drinks from Coke to cider.
Recycled packaging has become a more viable option in the UK,
according to three leading firms spanning soft drinks, food
retailing and cosmetics, who have been trialling products and
gauging consumer opinion.
Coca-Cola has recalled 40,000 cases of soft drinks in South Korea
and claimed it was the victim of a blackmail campaign, after a
consumer was allegedly poisoned by drinking a bottle of Coke.
The UK's food, beverage and tobacco producers spent the
mostcompared to other industries on meeting environmental
protection requirements,according to new statistics released by the
government.
The rise of organic food is a knee-jerk reaction to consumer health
fears, and threatens to unhelpfully steer us away from improving
the quality of food generally.
The Codex Alimentarius Commission has set new
internationalstandards on maximum allowed levels of contaminants,
including lead, cadmium,and aflatoxins.
Drinking at least one cup of tea a day could cut the risk of cancer
in the gallbladder and bile ducts by about 40 per cent, suggests a
population-based study from China.
A coalition of UK food, soft drink and advertising industries have
signed and submitted a response to Ofcom's consultation on food
marketing to children.
DSM has launched a new clarification pectinase for the apple and
pear juice industry, which it claims promises a faster and more
complete soluble pectin breakdown.
Ale brewer Greene King said it had sold more beer than expected
since smoking was banned in all Scottish pubs, suggesting the ban
may not hit revenue as much as some feared.
Once derided as a poor relation of real wine, sales of rosé have
rocketed across Britain and France over the last few years as
consumers look to expand their taste experiences.
Chocolate has a nice feeling to it - tasty, fun, luxurious and
slightly sinful. This is comfort food, accessible to all and
epitomised in the recent film, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
Britvic has appointed consultant group Nunwood to carry out product
and concept testing into a new range of innovative soft drinks, as
the firm looks to keep up with changing consumer tastes.
Almost two thirds of Americans are concerned about the safety of
artificial sweeteners, a factor that could potentially impact the
expected continued growth of the sugar-free market, according to a
new Mintel report.
Branded wines and imported beer in the US steered Constellation
Brands to a record first quarter sales growth, revealing how the
firm is sitting at the centre of American drinking trends.
As French, Italian and Spanish winemakers debate life without wine
lakes, producers in one of Europe's smallest wine nations say they
should not foot the bill for others' mistakes.
Danish company, Chr. Hansen has announced that it has won a patent
case to protect its natural LiquidCap colour, a result that
protects not only Chr. Hansen but also the customers, said the
company.
Australian beer and wine group Foster's has said it will sell off
one French and two Australian wineries as part of its plan to
integrate the Southcorp wine business.
Blockbuster brands helped the world's largest alcoholic drinks
firm, Diageo, to a six per cent sales rise over the last year, but
trading in Europe remains tough.
Specialised diploma courses for various manufacturing segments of
the food industry will be created in the UK, part of a bid to
increase the skills levels in the industry.
Squabbling over what ingredients can be used to make true vodka
threatens to hold up European Commission proposals to tighten the
definition of spirit drinks.
Cereal-based beverages, such as those made from rice and oats, are
not suitable as a complete milk replacement for young children,
said the Australian and New Zealand food authorities today.
The health-enhancing properties of hemp have come under the
spotlight this month with the launch of a drink containing
hemp-blossom syrup (Cannabis sativa) in the UK, which is
also being tested by multiple sclerosis sufferers for...
Severe shortages of passion fruit supplies from Ecuador threaten to
disrupt food and drink firms, as Britvic says it will pull its J2O
Orange and Passionfruit drink from shop shelves in Britain this
summer.
The use of aluminium oxide is an effective and safe method for the
removal of fluoride from natural mineral waters, an EU scientific
body has concluded.
A new lager served at below freezing temperature, developed by beer
firm Coors, looks to target an emerging trend for colder beer on
the troublesome UK beer market.
Commission plans to sort out Europe's ailing wine sector hit their
first road block within hours of being unveiled, after the French
government rejected key proposals as too destructive.
Wild and Vitanene have developed a biotechnologically-derived
natural beta-carotene food colour designed to help food makers
formulate clean-label products.
The explosive debate on what to do about Europe's troubled wine
sector will begin in earnest today as the European Commission
outlines several options for member countries.
Danisco flavourists have created a range of sports drink concepts
using their water-soluble citrus flavours and fortified with
healthy ingredients to appeal to the growing number of sports
beverage makers in Asia.
The flavonoid xanthohumol found in hops could help prevent prostate
cancer, but the scientists suggest supplements rather than beer for
exploiting the potential benefits.
A new generation of hops for beer is being developed by researchers
in New Zealand, as the brewing industry looks to science to help it
catch up with changing consumer tastes.
Britain's biggest wine warehouse Majestic Wines said growth in the
premium wine market brought a 10.7 per cent increase in year end
operating profit, encouraging the firm to expand its UK shop base.
In the US, the role of court action in defining limits not set by
regulators is generating a flood of costly court cases for the food
industry: much unnecessary, and all damaging.
The Food Advertising Unit (FAU) has challenged the FSA's call for a
pre-watershed (9pm) ban on food and drink advertising, saying such
calls are "disproportionate".
A rectangular polyethylene terephthalate (PET) container for hot
fill beverages offers increased strength and packs at a greater
density, claims its manufacturer.
Scientists from Spain have reported that they have identified how
grape juice polyphenols help reduce bad cholesterol levels, science
that could extend understanding of a product that is enjoying
increasing consumer awareness.
The UK's FSA has expressed 'disappointment' at Ofcom's proposals on
junk food advertising to kids, arguing that they are an
insufficient response to the problem posed to children's health.
World coffee production over the next year will rise by nearly ten
per cent, or nearly 11 million bags, over the previous year,
fuelling a rising demand for the brew, according to a forecast
report.
Sales of sparkling juices, bottled water and flavoured milk soared
in Queensland this summer, as the Australian state experienced one
of the longest and hottest summers on record.
Australian wine and beer group Foster's has sold its last Chinese
brewery to Japan's Suntory, it revealed today, allowing it to exit
the tough market after 13 years without profits.
