EU sugar quota reform: 2015 v 2020? Is it time to give sugar beet a caning?

On the day 27 associations issued a joint open letter imploring the EU to keep to its word and scrap widely despised sugar quotas across the bloc in 2015 -...

Monster Energy CEO chose ‘beverage’ birth to cut Red Bull advantage

Monster Beverage Corporation says it will reclassify Monster Energy as a beverage in the US to remove Red Bull’s competitive advantage, and admits that no 5-Hour Energy energy shot rival...

Coke admits Atlanta city may seek wastewater damages

The Coca-Cola Company revealed yesterday that City of Atlanta regulatory authorities may seek monetary or other sanctions against it due to potential inaccuracies in wastewater reports submitted by its Atlanta...

News in brief

Sidel claims ‘firsts’ with triangular PET bottle design

Sidel says it has created the first triangular PET bottle for the water market, and the only mineral water bottle without a label, where product information is engraved in to...

News in brief

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs and Mark Wahlberg team up with maker of ‘performance water’ AQUAhydrate

Actor and producer Mark Wahlberg, who recently lent his name to a new range of sports nutrition products called MARKED, has teamed up with fellow celebrity Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs to promote and...

Unilever & Nestlé tell Oxfam to bring other stakeholders to food ethics table

Unilever and Nestlé say Oxfam missed an opportunity for a wider and more comprehensive debate about food ethics after the NGO published a damning report on the supply chains of...

miller coors jv partners will both 'vigorously' contest action

Molson Coors sues SAB Miller for move to kill Canada licensing deal

Molson Coors has launched legal action against SAB Miller in response to the UK company's move to terminate a licensing agreement granting the US-Canada brewer rights to license SAB products...

LUXURIOUS SPA HOTEL Did NOT HAVE SPA

UK man wins Red Bull ‘VIP trip’ to Grand Prix by budget airline

A UK man won a Red Bull ‘VIP trip’ to the 2012 Belgian Grand Prix, only to travel there by budget airline, stay in a spa hotel without a spa,...

Marc Jacobs designs new Diet Coke cans as 2013 ‘creative director’

US fashion designer Marc Jacobs has been confirmed as Diet Coke’s creative director for 2013, and has created three limited edition can designs for the brand’s 30 year anniversary.

AB InBev fiercely denies ‘watered down’ Budweiser allegations in face of US class action

A US class action alleges that Anheuser-Busch InBev (AB InBev) labels showing the alcohol content of brands such as Budweiser are ‘false in every instance’, with consumers deliberately overcharged for...

Exclusive interview

Datamonitor’s Streeter: recycling is “holy grail” of sustainable packaging

Closed loop recycling is the “holy grail” of sustainable packaging, according to Andrew Streeter, packaging innovation director at market analyst Datamonitor.

Gulfood 2013 blog

Sports legend meets pragmatism as a brand enters India

It is hard for a food industry trade show to pack the same level of glamour as, say, the Tokyo Motor Show, so it’s probably best for organisers not to...

Coca-Cola Enterprises defends ‘French way’ after fierce Titan attack

Coca-Cola Enterprises has ridden to the rescue of French industrial recovery minister Arnaud Montebourg following his spat with the CEO of US tyre firm Titan International, who claimed that Goodyear’s...

Oxfam slams PepsiCo, Coke over workers’ well-being

The Coca-Cola Company and PepsiCo both received dismal scores in a new Oxfam report that claims the world’s ‘Big 10’ food and beverage companies fail to protect workers, especially women....

News in brief

Tetra Pak claims ‘world first’ in aseptic carton packaging

Tetra Pak says its TBA/19 Retrofitability Kit allows clients to transform the package shape and base area on the same machine platform, and claims the launch is a world first.

SPIRITS GIANT PLANS $3.19M M&A SPEND TO BACK UK LAUNCH

Diageo hopes for UK frozen cocktail frenzy with Parrot Bay

Diageo is set to introduce a new sub-category within RTD cocktails in the UK, by launching its Parrot Bay frozen alcoholic drinks in April following ‘explosive’ US growth.

Film tipples

Popcorn, spirits and Les Mis: an Oscar-winning combination

With the film awards season now in full flow, an Australian market research company has identified that cinemagoers are more likely to have a tipple than those who stay in...

Shape-shifting packaging and hidden streams: 7 Key Trends

The US beverage industry is poised to introduce packaging that molds to the shape of your bag by 2020, according to industry analysts exploring seven key future trends.

Innocent Drinks has no plans to crack US as Coke swallows new stake

Innocent Drinks tells BeverageDaily.com it will retain its current European focus and has no plans to crack to the US, as Coca-Cola moves to acquire almost all the shares it...

News in brief

Elopak installs UK's first gable-top aseptic filling machine for Fruitapeel

UK juice and smoothie company Fruitapeel has installed the UK's first gable-top carton aseptic filling line for juice, enabling British-based production for the first time, using an Elopak machine.

News in brief

O-I signs agreement to boost R&D

O-I has partnered with a US university to provide support at its R&D innovation center due to open later this year.

News in brief

New 8oz format helped drive 30% rise in juice sales at POM Wonderful in 2012

Strong sales of POM Wonderful’s new 8oz bottle of 100% pomegranate juice helped POM post a 30% rise in juice sales in 2012, said the California-based firm. 

Special edition: New trends in weight management

A conversation with Margo Wootan, CSPI: ‘On a good day, I think my job is totally do-able; on a bad day I feel completely overwhelmed’

With its flair for sound bites -‘soda is a slow-acting but ruthlessly efficient bioweapon’ - and its undisputed PR skills (remember those diabetic bears? ), the Center for Science in the...

Nestlé loses latest skirmish in Nespresso coffee capsule wars

Nestlé says it is disappointed that a German appeal court has not granted it an injunction to stop sales of Nespresso compatible pods made by a smaller Swiss rival.

GoodBelly re-ups with Probi because its probiotic 'just works'

NextFoods, maker of the GoodBelly line of probiotic drinks, and Swedish supplier Probi have extended a supply agreement, the companies announced.

DISPATCHES FROM CAGNY, FLorida 2013

Sweet PepsiCo impasse delays beverage review until 2014

PepsiCo CFO Hugh Johnston tells analysts the firm believes its new sweetener innovations will be 'more evolutionary than revolutionary' and that work in this direction has delayed a beverage business review until 2014....

Around the world in numerous food labeling ways

Smart food labelling must emphasise good science and careful thought about consumer impact, the European Food Information Council has concluded after completing an exhaustive global survey.

News in brief

Automation boost for bottling company

Kawasaki Robotics UK has supplied a palletising robot to a beer bottling company to boost competitiveness.  

The Stella Cidre sensation – Where AB InBev went right: Mintel

Mintel analyst Chris Wisson tells Ben Bouckley how Anheuser Busch InBev (AB InBev) hit the bull's eye with its £62m Stella Artois Cidre brand in the UK, sucking beer drinkers...

‘Sugar-free’ and ‘diet’ sodas linked to diabetes: Study

Consumption of ‘light’ or ‘diet’ sodas may be linked to an increased risk of developing type 2 diabtes, according to new research.

FEBRUARY 2013 COMMENT

Weight in gold or waste of space? Celebrity beverage brand ambassadors

Whether it’s the latest starlet bouncing round in a boob tube, or that bad boy musician who swops his rap records for raki, there’s no doubting that celebrity endorsements are...

Ultra-fine wheat bran plugs health and can improve texture and structure, says Limagrain

Limagrain Céréales Ingrédients (LCI) has extended its fibre range with a new ultra-fine wheat bran ingredient that it says can improve structure, texture and nutrition in a broad range of...

Australian advertisers

Doctors hit out at alcohol’s ability to self-regulate

Accusing Australia’s alcohol industry of being incapable of self-regulation, the Australian Medical Association (AMA) has called on the government to launch an inquiry into alcohol marketing amid what it calls...

Mexican regulators scrutinize $76m UBS brokered Coca-Cola FEMSA share trade

Mexican authorities are reportedly examining a $76m trade brokered by UBS in Coca-Cola FEMSA shares just hours before the firm announced its acquisition of rival bottler Grupo Yoli on January 17.

‘US consumers will stop buying Coca-Cola’: 7 Key Trends report

The US beverage industry must accept seven key changes in the near future, including a slump in traditional soda sales and touch sensitive labeling, according to a white paper penned...

Comment

Our inalienable right to a Big Gulp: But is Bloomberg’s soda ban really an assault on our freedoms?

Americans have rights. To bear arms, to enjoy free speech, life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. They also have the right - argue opponents of NYC Mayor Bloomberg’s super-size...

News in brief

‘Sophisticated party beverages’ see Del Monte partner SIG Combibloc

SIG Combibloc is supplying Del Monte with 1000ml carton packs for its new fruit-based drink range Del Monte Occasions in the UK.

Coca-Cola Europe chair issues ‘call for action’ at 2013 Global Beverage Congress

Coca-Cola Europe chair and new president of the European Beverages Association, Dominique Reiniche, will deliver the keynote address at this year’s 2013 Innobev Global Beverages Congress in Warsaw.

Testing the law

NT container deposit scheme moves to court

Following an ongoing furious stand-off between drinks manufacturers, environmental groups and the local government, the Northern Territory’s opinion-splitting container deposit scheme has now reached the point of litigation.

Rexam strengthens Red Bull bond with new $175m Swiss investment

Rexam says it will build on its already strong relationship with Red Bull by building a new £115m ($175m) specialty can plant with a 2.2bn capacity for the energy drinks...

Underage US drinkers prefer Bud Light, Smirnoff, Budweiser: Study

Bud Light, Smirnoff malt beverages and Budweiser were the brands most widely consumed by by 1000+ underage US drinkers over a 30-day period, according to the authors of a new...

Carlsberg defends slight erosion in Russian market share

Carlsberg insists that analysts following the firm should take a long-term view of its market share in Russia, as it brushed off concerns over a slight erosion of its position...

News in brief

Campari buys back Appleton Rum US distributon rights for $20m

Campari America has agreed to pay $20m to Kobrand Corporation to secure the distribution rights to its recently acquired Appleton Rum brand portfolio in the US, and 'exploit the brand's...

EC cans EFSA fees plan over income, independence concerns

Charging the private sector for European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) work will not generate enough cash and compromise the agency’s independence, a European Commission working group has found.

Caffeine linked to low birth weight babies: Study

A high intake of caffeine during pregnancy may be linked to higher risks of low birth weight babies, according to new research.

Molson Coors shies away from major M&A in short term

Molson Coors does not contemplate making any major acquisitions in the short term but says it may examine small portfolio ‘in fills’ if the right transactions present themselves.

‘Very difficult’ to be a Danish food producer under sugar tax system, says Toms

Danish excise duties on confectionery, ice cream and soft drinks have been raised in 2013, making it "very difficult" to be a Danish food and drink company, according to leading...

Monster Energy ‘beverage’ switch slashes regulatory red tape: Top Attorney

One top food attorney says he is not wholly surprised by Monster Beverage Corporation's decision to reclassify its energy drinks as beverages rather than dietary supplements, and that it will...

News in brief

Coca-Cola recalls Schweppes due to glass defect

Coca-Cola Amatil is recalling five Schweppes mixers because of possible glass contamination.

Diageo tells FTC: ‘Help us cross US alcohol facts finish line’

Diageo tells BeverageDaily.com it welcomes a US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recommendation that high-alcohol malt beverage brand Four Loko carry 'serving fact' information on some cans, but urges regulators to...

Editor’s blog

Which 2 global health brands grew by $1bn in 2012?

Something probiotic? Omega-3? A diet cola? Nope. 

‘Terrific' Russia position boosts PepsiCo beverage business: Indra Nooyi

PepsiCo CEO Indra Nooyi says the firm has a ‘terrific position’ as the top food and beverage business in Russia, where 10% organic revenue growth in 2013 helped offset weaknesses...

Glass-filling investments boost South America for O-I

O-I said heavy investment in glass-filling capabilities in South America is ensuring they are well positioned for continued growth in the region.

Amcor claims lightest 64oz hot fill PET bottle

Amcor Rigid Plastics has claimed to have developed the lightest 64oz hot fill polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottle.

CEO LARRY YOUNG WARNS ATTACKS ON CARBONATES WILL CONTINUE

Dr Pepper Snapple risks ‘big swing’ on critical TEN calorie platform

Dr Pepper Snapple CEO Larry Young warns that US health lobby attacks on carbonates will persist, as his firm gears up to spend millions marketing new 2013 launches on its...

EFSA rejects 6 article 13.5 health claim opinions

EFSA’s health claims panel has rejected 6 article 13.5 health claims for two digestion-focused probiotic submissions; cranberry and UTI; a potato extract and weight management; krill and menstrual discomfort; and...

PepsiCo CEO promises ‘disruptive’ innovation: Novel natural sweeteners, flavorings, could ‘alter the trajectory of our cola business’

PepsiCo says it is exploring novel natural sweeteners and flavorings that will bring “disruptive innovation” to the cola market.

50 Cent ‘really hands-on’ with powerhouse energy shot brand: SK Energy CEO

SK Energy CEO Chris Clarke tells BeverageDaily.com about rapper Curtis ’50 Cent’ Jackson’s passion for their energy shot brand, and plans to cement the US No.2 spot by selling 40-50m...

Patented process boosts polyphenol content in roasted coffee

Applied Food Sciences Inc. has obtained a US patent on its technology that allows roasted coffee to retain its full suite of polyphenols.

Gatorade G Series Fit failed because it offered 'entry level products to advanced users at high prices’, says Euromonitor

Growth in the US sports nutrition market has been pretty explosive in recent years, but the failure of high profile launches such as PepsiCo’s Gatorade G Series Fit range shows...

First UK drinks carton reprocessing plant opens soon

The chief executive of the Alliance for Beverage Cartons and the Environment (ACE) UK said everything was on track for the country’s first beverage carton reprocessing facility to come online from...

Nestlé reports slower growth, expects challenging year ahead

Nestlé’s share price fell 2.3% on Thursday as the company announced its slowest growth in three years, with developing markets hit by natural disasters and continued market weakness in Europe...

News in brief

They've been Tangoed: OFT refers Barr Britvic merger to Competition Commission

Uncertainties over the $2.2bn merger of AG Barr and Britvic remain, as the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) yesterday referred the deal to the UK Competition Commission, citing concerns over...

dutch brewer will not 'change course' in china

Heineken hints at appetite for non-core European disposals in FY 2012 results call

Heineken said today it is reviewing its non-core European businesses that don’t focus fully on beer, and asking whether its ownership of such assets makes strategic sense.

uk drinks firm upset by 'inaccurate' daily mail article

AG Barr slams ‘absolutely untrue’ IRN-BRU sugar deception claims

AG Barr tells BeverageDaily.com it is 'very concerned' by an inaccurate article in UK national newspaper the Daily Mail, claiming it prefers profit to consumer health by hiding sugar values on cans of...

Study provides ‘compelling’ evidence that HFCS and sucrose do not increase liver fat in ‘real world’ conditions

A new study provides “compelling” evidence that high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) and table sugar (sucrose) do not increase fat levels in the liver when consumed in ‘real-world conditions’, says...

Soda is 'like a slow-acting but ruthlessly efficient bio weapon': CSPI petitions FDA to determine safe limits for added sugar in beverages

The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) has upped the ante in its crusade against sugary drinks with a petition calling on the FDA to reassess the GRAS...

Ultra lightweight Beck’s bottle retains original strength: Ardagh Group

Ardagh Group says its new ‘ultra lightweight’ 275ml beer bottle produced for Anheuser Busch InBev brand Beck’s weighs 11% less than the original while retaining the same container strength.

Does taurine counter the performance enhancing effects of caffeine in energy drinks? New study says it does

Taurine in energy drinks and shots may diminish the effects of caffeine for enhancing performance in certain tasks, says a new study from Australia.

China’s foodservice packaging market to overtake US

China’s foodservice packaging market will become bigger than that of the US by 2020 at current annual growth rates, according to a report just issued by Smithers Pira.

Portola re-aligns to target packaging closures

Portola Packaging is to shut one site while expanding two others as part of a $12m investment in its closure business.

Novelis hopes investment will overcome tough Q3

Novelis has said it is undergoing a “heavy investment period” but added that the focus on key end markets will enable continued growth.

CIUS ‘disappointed’ by EC out-of-quota sugar measures

The European Sugar Users Association (CIUS) has criticised the European Commission’s out-of-quota sugar measures which it claims have left sugar users unable to plan ahead.

Natural vs. synthetic: ‘The consumer will always choose the natural product’

Switching to natural colours can be an important product differentiator, as consumers around the world will always choose a natural product when given the option, says ingredient firm Chr. Hansen.

Straight talk

Inquest into NZ Coke addict deserves more than sensational headlines

The story of the death of a New Zealand woman who would drink between six and 10 litres of Coca-Cola a day needs to be treated with caution as it...

Coke unfazed by recent Chinese sales slump, stretches sparkling lead over PepsiCo

The Coca-Cola Company insists it remains confident in the long-term resilience of its Chinese business, despite a 4% slump in volume sales during the last quarter of 2012.

'Death by Caffeine': 354 cans of red Coke would kill this journalist

It would take 354 cans of classic Coke to kill me, or alternatively 174 cans of Pepsi Max, according to a 'death by caffeine' calculator hosted on an intriguing US website.

Bacardi Bottling Corporation faces $192,000 fine after worker ‘crushed to death’

Bacardi Bottling Corporation faces a fine of $192,000 after multiple OSHA citations for alleged safety violations, one of which led to a US young worker being crushed to death by...

What can we learn about energy drink consumption habits from social media?

A small minority of energy drink consumers regularly drink more than one can/shot in one sitting; the peak time for knocking back an energy drink or shot is 3-9pm; and...

Basque researchers hone rapid pathogen detection

Rapid diagnosis tools to identify germs on the production line are being developed by scientists at the Basque CIC microGUNE cooperative research centre.

Naturally coloured drink demand spurs quest for natural emulsifiers

The fast-growing trend of natural colouring has required new approaches to emulsification – particularly for beverages, says Naturex business manager Amandine de Santi – and it is an area of ongoing research....

Nampak to boost beverage business with investment

Nampak is to invest in equipment to boost its bottle and can producing business to meet growing market demand.

Mountain Dew taps ‘natural energy’ trend with coffee, fruit juice Kickstart

PepsiCo brand Mountain Dew will launch a new fruit juice and coffee-based drink across the US from February 25 to provide a morning ‘pick me up’, and tap a key...

Diageo spirits ABC is advantage over SAB Miller: Analyst suggests

Diageo is in an arguably stronger market position than multinational peer SAB Miller due to its core exposure to spirits rather than beer, according to one City analyst who covers...

Booze woes

Two drinking tales give reasons for India's dampened spirits

The latest financial results by two of India’s spirits giants makes for fascinating reading and gives a real insight to casual observers as to the state of the drinks industry...

TWININGS JOINS MILE-HIGH TEA CLUB WITH BRITISH AIRWAYS

Twinings takes to skies with special high altitude tea for British Airways

Twinings has developed a new Signature Blend of tea with British Airways (BA) that took to the skies at the start of February and is specially designed to taste better...

CASE STUDY

Wells & Young’s hails Domino effect after printing investment

The UK’s largest private brewer, Wells & Young’s, says that investing in new coding and marking technology from Domino has enabled it to significantly cut costs and increase productivity....

COCA-COLA ENTERPRISES NOTES 'INTERESTING' GSK LUCOZADE, RIBENA REVIEW

Vanilla Coke back in Britain after six-year absence

Coca-Cola Enterprises CEO John Brock says that GSK’s decision to start a strategic review of Ribena and Lucozade is an ‘interesting development’, while the firm plans to relaunch Vanilla Coke...

New law would enable firms to avoid legal threats and hefty fines if they correct Prop 65 violations within 14 days

A proposal to allow recipients of Proposition 65 notices to avoid legal threats and hefty fines if they correct violations within 14 days has been introduced to the California State Assembly.

Graduates lack personal skills and business acumen – Nestlé boss

Few would-be food engineers are “willing to really roll up their sleeves” and engage with unskilled and semi-skilled operators, the boss of Nestlé in the UK and Ireland said.

News in brief

GSK not A-OK with Ribena, Lucozade? Strategic review begins…

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) has launched a strategic review of its Lucozade and Ribena brands, hinting that the western-facing brands do not fit its increased focus on emerging markets such as China...

Dangerous drug-laced ‘Brazilian slimming coffee’ brand still sold in US

Despite a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warning that a sibutramine-laced ‘Brazilian Slimming Coffee’ may pose a 'significant risk' to some US consumers, the product is still widely available online.

Heineken’s Finnish arm claims EU first with stevia-sweetened booze

Heineken’s Finnish business Hartwall claims to have launched the EU’s first alcoholic beverage sweetened with stevia onto the nation’s market this month in the form of a ‘light long’ RTD....

‘Buying ready-made beverage brands saves SMEs money and time’: My Drink Beverages CEO

Adomas Pranevicius, MD of Lithuanian beverage production management and development firm MyDrink Beverages tells Ben Bouckley why SMEs should buy a ready-made beverage brand, rather than treading the long, thorny...

OSHA cites soda producer for repeat violations

A-Treat Bottling Co. has been cited with 14 repeat violations and fined almost $130,000 after an inspection by the US Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

The world (of Coke and Pepsi) is not enough in emerging markets...

Clinching global culture club membership by swigging Pepsi or Coke is not enough for soft drinks consumers in emerging markets, who are increasingly swayed by regional tastes, according to Euromonitor...

The Apple Tree of Life? Adding leaves to juice boosts health potential: Study

Adding apple tree leaves to cloudy apple juice to boost polyphenol content could prove a reliable and cheap way for manufacturers to produce functional beverages with disease-preventing potential, according to...

News in brief

Coke Super Bowl ad 'not racist': BeverageDaily.com readers

Despite Coke's 2013 Super Bowl ad drawing criticism from some Arab-American groups who claimed that it furthered racist stereotypes, a clear majority of BeverageDaily.com readers disagree, although one critic attacked...

Heineken silent on Finnish sale tattle but confirms JP Morgan strategic review link

Heineken has confirmed to BeverageDaily.com that it is working with JP Morgan as it begins a strategic review of its Finnish business, and PepsiCo licensee, Hartwall but refused to comment...

Asian sweet-tooth may be suppressed by hot drink preferences – study

Asian people may consume fewer sweet goods such as chocolate because they prefer hot beverages, according to new research.

Crown extends JV with self-heating drinks packaging firm HeatGenie

Crown Holdings has signed a deal with Austin-based HeatGenie to accelerate efforts to bring the latter’s self-heating for beverage and ‘sippable soup’ packaging technology to market in 2013.

Comment

Don’t take yer guns to town AB InBev, the Sheriff he’s a-waitin’…

With the US Department of Justice (DOJ) gunning to takedown AB InBev’s $20bn takeover of Grupo Modelo, the firm likely prefers peace talks in the Sheriff’s office to a High Noon-style...

The evolution of energy drinks: What next for Monster, Red Bull and 5-Hour Energy?

While the growth of the US energy drinks and shots market has been nothing short of explosive - last year it was worth $12.5bn, up 60% since 2008 - manufacturers...

News in brief

PepsiCo bids to crank up AMP energy a notch

PepsiCo has reportedly strengthened its relationship with US PR firm Weber Shandwick, by briefing the latter to oversee an extension of its AMP energy portfolio that taps the brand’s racing...

Carlsberg re-enters Burma clutching plans for new 1m hectoliter brewery

Carlsberg today formed a JV with a Burmese brewer to produce and market its brand portfolio, and told BeverageDaily.com the nation offered 'huge growth potential' in an under-penetrated beer category....

‘See you in court’ AB InBev hawks fly back at US Justice Feds

Anheuser-Busch InBev (AB InBev) will fight a US Justice Department (DOJ) lawsuit to halt its $20bn Grupo Modelo takeover, but concedes it will not complete the deal on schedule by...

Paperboard bottle combines 'best features' of cartons, bottles - SIG Combibloc

SIG Combibloc has unveiled its latest beverage packaging innovation - a paperboard bottle that combines the “best features” of a carton pack with the best features of a bottle....

Crown Holdings and Bemis look ahead to bright 2013

Crown predicted strong unit volumes in beverage and Bemis expects to push ahead after a year of re-organising the business, as both firms reported their Q4 and full year results.