Toxic metal found in bottled water

Trace amounts of a little-researched toxic metal have been found in bottled water brands in PET bottles across Europe and Canada, says new research from Germany.

Nestlé to re-organise bottled water division

Nestlé Waters has confirmed it is examining how to re-organise its 75 bottled water brands into a more coherent unit, as rivals spring up from all sides.

New evidence linking soft drinks to weight gain in children

Children kept off sugary drinks lost weight after a period of six months, according to a new study, findings that add to the mounting body of evidence linking childhood obesity...

Authorities under pressure over benzene in soft drinks

More soft drinks will be tested for cancer-causing chemical benzene in the UK after it was revealed some drinks contain up to eight times the legal limit for drinking water.

UK food watchdog finds benzene in soft drinks

Britain's food safety watchdog says initial tests on 230 soft drinks show benzene levels above the UK limit for water, as the industry tells BeverageDaily.com how it controls the issue.

Works With Water launch functional bottled water

UK-based Works With Water Nutraceuticals have announced the launch of a range of flavoured spring waters with proven health benefits, claimed to be the first of its kind in the...

Soft drinks industry pledges to tackle benzene in drinks

America's soft drinks association said it would have to look again at benzene in drinks, after new tests revealed to BeverageDaily.com suggest it and food safety authorities failed to stamp...

UK, Germany checking soft drinks for benzene

Food safety authorities in Britain and Germany are checking soft drinks for benzene after tests suggest a private deal with soft drinks firms in the US, 15 years ago, failed...

Special report

FDA re-opens probe into benzene contamination of soft drinks

US food safety authorities have re-opened an investigation closed 15 years ago into soft drinks contaminated with cancer-causing chemical benzene, following evidence the industry has failed to sort out the...

First soft drinks obesity lawsuit set for Massachusetts

A lawsuit aimed at getting soft drinks out of US schools on obesity grounds will be filed in Massachusetts, just as lawmakers there prepare to vote on a school junk...

Still drinks market growing faster than carbonates

The global still drinks market has lost its cheap image and is booming because beverage companies are concentrating on the premium end.

Bacteria-killing water replaces chemical cleaners

A US company has made inroads in bringing its electrolysed water technology to market as a replacement for chemical cleaners.

Soft drinks shift rocks Cott profits

Profits tumbled by two thirds last year for the world's largest supplier of private label soft drinks, Cott Corporation, as the group struggled to cope with rising input costs and...

Europe's soft drinks firms ban adverts to children

Soft drinks firms will voluntarily ban advertising to children across the European Union in an effort to curb public criticism amid the bloc's growing obesity problem.

Obesity lawsuits loom for soft drinks industry

A lawsuit aimed at getting soft drinks firms out of US schools on obesity grounds is now ready to go, says one of the leading lawyers involved to BeverageDaily.com, as...

Bottled water to beat fizzy drinks in five years

Bottled water consumption is expected to overtake fizzy soft drinks around the world within five years, says a new report, with Nestlé, Danone and PepsiCo leading the charge.

Fizzy soft drinks not linked to esophageal cancer, study

Consuming fizzy soft drinks is not linked to esophageal cancer as previously thought and diet drinks may even help decrease the risk, suggests new research on the issue.

Under pressure Cott to close soft drinks factory

Cott Corporation, the private label soft drinks maker, said it would close its Ohio factory in the US next year as part of its plan to cut costs and get...

Cadbury Schweppes sells European soft drinks arm

Cadbury Schweppes has announced it plans to sell its European beverages arm for £1.2bn to a private equity consortium led by Lion Capital and Blackstone.

Danone dumps US water business

French water and dairy firm Danone has signed a deal to get rid of its troublesome water cooler business in the US, though not without taking one last hit.

Sweetener tackles off colour in organic soft drinks

Belgian company Orafti has introduced a new low colour organic sweetener that could tackle the problems faced by organic soft drink manufacturers, including off-notes in colour and taste.

Cott profits stung by soft drinks market shift

The world's largest supplier of private label soft drinks, Cott, says 2005 profits will be badly hit by low fizzy drink consumption, rising PET costs and poor performances from own-label...

Weekly comment

Water wastage syndrome

Praise where praise is due. And it is certainly due for one small-time drinks firm in southern Britain, which is spear-heading answers to global water shortages that threaten to wreak...

Nestlé Waters improves as rivals multiply

Nestlé's bottled water sales are rising again in Europe but competition from both private labels and brands, as well as soaring plastics costs, are increasing pressure in the sector.

Pepsi and co launch soft drinks school ban

Consumer health trends and political pressure have pushed America's soft drinks industry to ban fizzy sodas from elementary schools, and radically reduce their presence in others, in favour of juice,...