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31-Jan-2005
Relief in the Molson boardroom
Molson management will be relieved that Friday's shareholder vote approved the $4 billion merger with Adolph Coors; the family brewer is now safe from being an obvious takeover target, writes Kim Hunter Gordon.
29-Jan-2005
Enzyme aroma improvement is grape specific
A Portuguese study has shown that for some grape varieties, white wine can benefit from enzyme-treatment to enhance aroma, reports Kim Hunter Gordon.
28-Jan-2005
Moldovan Asconi to launch new wine ranges
Moldovan wine producer Asconi Corporation is launching 14 new wine ranges as the company seeks to build on a recent sales increase and recover Moldovan wine's lost export markets in Russia, writes Chris Mercer.
Australian wine 'set for growth'
Wine grape production is projected to increase by over 5 per cent to 1.93 million tonnes over the two years to 2006-07, according to a new report that goes against industry opinion that slowing exports could lead to a red wine glut.
Lyondell new resins offer improved packaging clarity
Lyondell Chemical has introduced two new resins that deliver enhanced clarity in food and beverage packaging.
27-Jan-2005
Danone takes a hit from US water business
Danone's rapid expansion into the home and office delivery (HOD) bottled water market has given it a global market share to match that of rival Nestlé in recent years, but the growth has not come without a price, writes Chris Jones.
The clever pipe that knows what's inside
UK-based company Kaiku has unveiled the I-pipe, which can identify what liquid is inside it using a non-invasive method - upping line efficiency and improving quality control for beverage makers.
26-Jan-2005
Oeneo gets cash for its corks
The wine industry's principle barrel and closure manufacturer has sold its natural cork activities, but signed a contract to outsource them as it needs. Kim Hunter Gordon reports.
New PET resins approved
PET industry association Petcore has given its full endorsement to Plasmax, a SiOx-coated barrier from SIG Corpoplast, and ActiTUF, an in-resin barrier technology from M&G, for coloured bottle applications.
French appeal for wine crisis distillation
In the last two years Spain, France and Italy's wine production has increased by over 8 million hectolitres each. In the face of a global glut, the French wine confederation is calling on the EU to fund a crisis distillation, reports Kim Hunter Gordon.
Heineken, Suntory to up Chinese presence
Dutch brewer Heineken is considering expanding its presence in China with the acquisition of an additional stake in the Kingway Brewery, while Japan's Suntory has already stepped up its operations there with the acquisition of the Shanghai Donghai Brewery.
High fluoride levels in instant tea?
The increasingly popular instant tea beverage may be a source of harmful levels of fluoride, claim US scientists on findings from a very small study.
Healthier consumers drinking more fruit juice
Fruit juice sales are soaring in the UK, driven by consumers' perception of the beverage as a healthier alternative to coffee and fizzy drinks, shows a new Mintel report.
25-Jan-2005
Brewers seek clarity on Russian ad ban
A recent ban on televised beer adverts in Russia may be reformed by the country's parliament later this year after complaints from the industry, but a new ban on outdoor drinking still looms in 2005, reports Chris Mercer.
24-Jan-2005
Hanging PET filler takes up less floor space
Serac has launched a new PET filling machine in Europe, the first to be suspended from the ceiling. This, claims the company, means that it will occupy less than half the factory space than traditional models, as well as offering easier access for cleaning and maintenance.
Daily tipple for older women pushes away dementia?
Evidence continues to mount suggesting the benefits of moderate drinking to overall health with a new study on over 4,000 older women finding a daily drink could sharpen the mind.
Enhanced water - American science, European branding
Sales of oxygen-enriched water have almost quadrupled in Germany since 2002 to 30 million litres. But in the US where it has been available for over a decade longer, growth has been attributed to a much more sophisticated product, reports Kim Hunter Gordon.
PepsiCo's Smart Spot spreads to Canada
PepsiCo is rolling out its Smart Spot symbol in Canada to help consumers identify brands that can contribute to healthier lifestyles. It will appear on an estimated 5 billion servings of foods and beverages this year.
Russian Guinness deal heads flurry of Heineken activity
A deal with Britain's Diageo group to begin licensed production of the Guinness stout brand in Russia was the highest profile announcement by Dutch brewer Heineken last week, but with moves to consolidate its position in China and Germany as well, the company is clearly keen to return to mainstream industry consolidation after a couple of years snapping up breweries in some of the world's lesser beer markets, writes Chris Jones.
V-Net to test rival beverages for ginseng
V-Net Beverage has condemned the drinks industry's lack of transparency about its use of ginseng and is launching a 'Truth in Ginseng' campaign which it hopes will force manufacturers to reveal full information about herbal content on the label, reports Jess Halliday.
21-Jan-2005
Alcoa begins US production of new wine closure
In the US, Alcoa Closure Systems International has begun the commerciallaunch of VinTegra, its new closure system for wine bottles as an alternative tocorks and synthetic stoppers.
Citrus growers could be free of marketing tax
The Florida Citrus Commission has approved a proposal to allow citrus growers to opt out of paying taxes that support its marketing program, according to the Florida Ledger.
Sports drink improves footballers' stamina
Drinking a carbohydrate-electrolyte sports drink helped soccer players maintain their stamina, a small study found.
20-Jan-2005
Oeneo and the Diamond route to recovery
Figures released today confirm that the mere unveiling of the taint-proof Diamont cork improved sales of all Oeneo closures in the last half of 2004. But can this boost be transferred to its barrels division? asks Kim Hunter Gordon.
Beer compounds, not alcohol, may fight cancer
Non-alcoholic beer may fight off cancer, suggests new laboratory research on mice.
19-Jan-2005
Heineken looks to Russia to compensate sales slump
Heineken, the third biggest brewery in the world, plans to purchase some more breweries in Russia due to sales decrease in Western Europe.
Chinese prosperity boosting drinks groups
Growing consumer spending levels in China have helped boost sales at two of the world's leading drinks groups. South Africa's SABMiller and France's Rémy Cointreau both benefited from the increasing interest in premium drinks brands as status symbols, writes Chris Jones.
The foreign policy of American wine drinking
As a weak dollar encourages the ever growing number of American wine drinkers to stick to home-grown varieties, a survey has reassured the rest of the viticultural world that they would still be willing to try other things, writes Kim Hunter Gordon.
18-Jan-2005
Ongoing risk to wheat prices
Wheat prices are still open to risk as low global stocks provide little buffer to surprise supply shocks but soybean prices should remain low on record high global inventories, writes Lindsey Partos.
Fuller's accommodates growth with KHS kegging
Fuller Smith & Turner, the brewer of London Pride ale, has geared up for growth by investing in a £2 million new line of keg racking equipment supplied by German manufacturer KHS, writes Kim Hunter Gordon.
Sherwood develops laser-responsive packaging ink
Sherwood Technology has developed a laser-responsive coating or 'virtual label' for packaging materials such as cartons, cases and overwraps that removes the need for the application of variable-data print-and-apply labels in the distribution chain.
Crown investment shows commitment to regional growth
Crown Bevcan Europe & Middle East has started construction of its new beverage can plant in North Africa, further underlining the division's commitment to the emerging markets of North Africa and the Middle East.
17-Jan-2005
Increase in sales for Asconi Moldovan wines
Moldovan wine producer Asconi Corporation has announced that its 2004 case sales increased by 20 per cent on 2003 to almost 2 million cases. The news comes at the same time as the inclusion of 10 of the company's wine in a list of the 100 best wines produced in Moldova.
PET popularity growing in Russia
Rumours of the death of PET bottles in Russia have been greatly exaggerated, as plastic continues to be the packaging medium of choice for both brewers and soft drink producers, writes Angela Drujinina.
Milk labeling divides dairy industry
A campaign launched this month by the Center for Global Food Issues (CGFI) warning consumers against claims made on milk cartons has received short shrift from the organic industry, reports Philippa Nuttall.
Foster's moves to acquire Southcorp
Southcorp has said that Foster's A$3.1 billion takeover attempt today is "inadequate and opportunistic". But, with its beer business stagnating and the global wine trade consolidating, Foster's may need to get aggressive. Kim Hunter Gordon reports.
InBev maintains profit forecast despite weak growth
InBev, the company formed last year by the merger of Belgium's Interbrew and the Brazilian giant AmBev, says it is on track for solid profit growth in 2004 despite missing its full-year volume growth target, writes Chris Jones.
14-Jan-2005
Bulgaria fines Coca-Cola for illegal promotions
Bulgaria's Supreme administrative court upheld today a lower court ruling to fine the local branch of Coca-Cola leva 20, 000 ($13,400) for using illicit promotional methods.
Update: Molson vote delayed, incentives raised
Molson announced last night that it will again raise the shareholder incentive payout if the merger deal with Coors is voted through.
Kirin ups stakes in San Miguel
Kirin Brewery Company has acquired a further 117 million class B shares of San Miguel Corporation, pushing its share in the Philippines food giant up by 4.12 per cent, giving Kirin a 19.67 per cent stake in San Miguel.
13-Jan-2005
Foster's claims Southcorp wine with a 19 per cent stake
Foster's has bought an 18.8 percent share in Australia's third biggest winemaker, Southcorp, preventing rival bidders from taking it over and keeping it in Aussie hands.
Slow down in exports to cause Australian red wine glut
A drop in export growth and the strength of this year's crop has meant that the addition of the 2005 vintage will cause a surplus of red wine in Australia, reports Kim Hunter Gordon.
This company is not for sale, says Molson boss
The SABMiller vulture has begun to hover as doubt is cast on the outcome of next week's shareholder vote on a merger with Coors, writes Kim Hunter Gordon.
Tsingtao to market low-end beer in Beijing
Tsingtao, China's leading domestic brewer, and one of the few home beer brands to make it on to the international market, has announced that it is about to start marketing a low-end beer in Beijing. The move is significant as competitor Yanjing already sells a low-end beer there.
12-Jan-2005
Convergence starting to show in beer markets
Panic reports of the demise of beer in the US and Germany are a part of the trend for convergence that will see beer sales decline in traditional beer drinking countries but continue to grow globally, writes Kim Hunter Gordon.
Evidence that red wine could prevent prostate cancer
A study published in the International Journal of Cancer this month has provided evidence that red wine could reduce the risk of prostate cancer, and that general alcohol consumtion has no negative effect.
SoBe settles over drink health claims
Connecticut-based beverage company SoBe - South Beach Beverage Company - has paid a $219,000 penalty for falsely claiming that its drinks protect against colds and other illnesses and increase energy levels.
China wakes up to coffee
As China slowly starts to wake up to the smell of coffee, we consider whether or not it will ever prove to be a rival for the nations favourite soft drink, tea. Simon Pitman reports.
Blavod thriving on "shave me" momentum
Following the success of a controversial TV advert, Blavod is set for further growth in the UK as it signs up with wholesaler Matthew Clark. Abroad, it sees Poland and other EU accession countries as lands of opportunity, reports Kim Hunter Gordon.
10-Jan-2005
Regatta to promote key vodka brands
Russian alcoholic beverage giant Regatta is concentrating on marketing a number of key vodka brands in a bid to exploit what it sees as sector of the beverage market that remains underdeveloped, writes Angela Drujinina.
Ochakovo taps into growing health market
Moscow drinks giant Ochakovo has launched a new non-alcoholic product targeted at Russia's growing health market, writes Angela Drujinina.
Cracks begin to show in American oak
Following a two year operating loss, Oeneo has been forced to sell its Bloomfield oak stave mill in Iowa. Is American oak too 'woody' for the wine industry, asks Kim Hunter Gordon.
Coca-Cola defends C2 despite shake-up
Coca-Cola's chief marketing officer resigned last week, but the company would not reveal whether poor sales of the low-carb, low-cal drink C2 prompted this decision.
Quest launches citrus flavor for beverages
Quest International last week launched a range of citrus flavors that it claims provide a real taste of the original fruit.
08-Jan-2005
Trade in Kremlin Supplier trademarks examined
The licence to the trademarks 'Supplier' and Official Supplier to the Moscow Kremlin', which are owned by the KGB, can be bought easily and simply by food manufacturers wishing to use the trademark in their logos. But as Angela Drujinina found out, buying a license can be expensive.
07-Jan-2005
North Korea to export water to the South
North Korean 'Mount Myohyang' mineral water, allegedly a favourite of dictator Kim Jong-il, is to be sold in South Korea later this month.
Asahi joins Japan's fake beer revolution
Asahi Breweries is to become the second brewer to start production of a malt and wheat free, "beer flavoured", alcoholic drink.
Heineken, InBev spread their wings
Two of Europe's top brewers have continued their investments in the international brewing sector. But while Heineken continues to invest in some of the world's less established beer markets, InBev has strengthened its position in one of the rising stars, Russia. Chris Jones reports.
06-Jan-2005
Vintage opportunity for Swiss wine
Predictions of an excellent vintage will help Swiss winemakers regain their domestic market, while focusing on the country's traditional white wine varieties could help build up exports, writes Kim Hunter Gordon.
05-Jan-2005
Thermo develops fill-level monitoring technology
Thermo Electron has developed the Inscan X-Ray System, which it claims offers ultra-safe high speed technology to monitor fill level and closures.
Drinking pattern plays key role in stroke risk
Further evidence to support evidence of the harmful impact of heavy drinking on health as researchers find three or more alcoholic drinks a day considerably ramps up stroke risk in men.
Coca-Cola targets rural China
Coca-Cola has confirmed that construction has begun on a new bottling plant in the Zhangquiu City near Jinan, capital of Shandong Province in east China. The move is part of a trend whereby large food and drink companies are increasingly setting up distribution and manufacturing operations in more rural areas.
New evidence supports camomile tea's health benefits
The popular herbal tea camomile may help relieve a wide range of health ailments, including colds and menstrual cramps, UK researchers will report.
04-Jan-2005
Ukranian vodka, by Paco Rabanne
Fashion designer Paco Rabanne is to create new haute couture bottles for vodka brand Nemiroff LEX, as the drink continues to build on its luxury image writes Angela Drujinina.
03-Jan-2005
Is Tocai wine a threat to Hungarian Tokaji?
EU Advocate General Francis Jacobs has said that the ban on the use of the name 'Tocai' for Italian wine should be upheld. The announcement reignites arguments surrounding Geographical Indications (GIs) and the right to label wine by grape variety, writes Kim Hunter Gordon.
Anheuser-Busch introduces aluminium bottles
Anheuser-Busch, the world's largest brewer, has introduced aluminium beer bottles for its Michelob, Michelob Light and Anheuser World Select brands in certain bars and clubs across the United States, writes Kim Hunter Gordon.
New grape press cuts the cost of controlling oxygen
French company Vaslin Bucher has unveiled a cost effective method of controlling oxidation of grape must during pressing.
Outdated processing equipment hampers Vietnam
The Vietnamese Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Development says that a lack of up-to-date processing equipment is holding back progress for much of the country's food and beverage industry.
Liquid blending system ups efficiency
In the US Oden Corporation and Emerson's Micro Motion division are re-launching Oden's patented Mass/Blend Continuous Stream Liquid Blending Systems. The system features straight tube Coriolis metres that are said to increase blending efficiency and cut back on production costs.
Sri Lankan brewery switches to water
The World Health Organisation has warned that the death toll of the Indian Ocean Tsunami disaster could double if disease is allowed to spread. Clean drinking water is amoung the most important supplies necessary to prevent further loss of life.
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