Diageo's Canada investment, Ocean Spray gets colorful, and more beverage bites

Diageo invests in new Canadian line​​

On Tuesday Diageo announced a C$6.4m ($5.3 USD) investment in a canning line at its plant in Valleyfield, Quebec, Canada. This is the start of canning capabilities at the site, which distills and bottles a variety of Diageo brands. 

Construction on the line has started with completion anticipated in late spring this year. 

The line will be used for ready-to-drink products, such as Smirnoff Ice Slim Cans, Jeremiah Weed flavors, and future products. The site will increase annual volume production by half a million cases each year as a result of the investment. 

Michel Charpentier, director of operations, Valleyfield, said the popularity of ready-to-drink beverages is driving growth in Canada, with an increase in all provinces. 

“The ability to produce cans in our own facility will enable us to meet demand for ready-to-drink products more efficiently, and make it possible for innovations to go to market faster and more cost-effectively,”​ he said. 

Green tea that’s better, not bitter, says Tetley USA.​​

Tetley USA (a subsidiary of the Tata Group) has launched Natural Green Tea with Lemon. 

Tetley USA says the drink does not have the bitterness that some other green teas leave behind. Positioned along with the company’s other premium teas, Natural Green Tea with Lemon is described as a ‘“smooth blend of the finest tea leaves, made from an age-old Japanese technique that is used to lock in flavour.” ​

The tea is free of artificial additives or ingredients, and available at major retailers in a 72 count value pack, retailing at $3.99.

Conservation in the Cape winelands ​​

UPM Raflatac, a producer of self-adhesive label materials, has partnered with WWF South Africa to boost sustainability in the Cape wine industry. 

The project - which will look at the supply chain from farm production to packaging - has the ultimate goal of encouraging responsible production while supporting the long-term conservation of the Cape Floral Kingdom. 

This plant kingdom is a World Heritage Site, commonly referred to as fynbos (Afrikaans for ‘fine bush’). However, poor land management practices put the area under pressure, as does urban and agricultural growth. 

95% of South Africa’s wine production takes place in the Cape Floral Kingdom. One conservation method used by winemakers is to set aside areas of land for endangered natural habitats and vegetation. 

Controlling invasive plant species, ensuring effective fire management systems are in place, and protecting freshwater resources are other ways to protect the area. 

Ocean Spray and The Color Run​​

Ocean Spray is partnering with The Color Run UK as Official Beverage and Snack Sponsor. 

Dubbed ‘the Happiest 5k on the Planet,’ participants start dressed in white and are doused in different colors at each kilometre - ending up with a ‘color festival’ by the finish line. In fact, “there’s no way to cross the finish line without being covered from head to toe in kaleidoscopic splashes of color,”​ declares Ocean Spray. 

The Color Run pledges to be about ‘fun and positive energy…also promoting a healthy lifestyle.’

Ocean Spray will ‘own’ one of the color zones with its cranberry shade. It will also be present at the event village, start / finish zones, and festival stage. Ocean Spray says it will drive consumer engagement with official social media channels, and sample some of its cranberry-based drinks and snacks. 

Last year The Color Run attracted 85,000 runners across the country. 

See the related news section below for more of this week's news.​