Breaking News on Beverage Technology & Markets

New juice drink concepts recall Grandma's garden

Wild has developed new juice concepts based around familiar fruits that grow in gardens in Europe, which taps into a trend towards comforting, nostalgic products.

DD Williamson launches new caramel colour in Europe

DD Williamson is introducing a new class one acid-stable dark caramel colour and burnt sugar flavour for use in beverages with pH below 2.5.

Africa poised for non-carbonated evolution as Coke ups investment

Coca-Cola has announced plans to double its annual investment in Africa to $1bn and profit from the growing middle class by strengthening its non-carbonated drinks businesses in Africa, according to Reuters.

News in brief

EFBW appoints Nestle exec as new president

The European Federation of Bottled Waters (EFBW) has appointed a Nestlé Waters executive as its new president with a brief to protect the image of natural mineral and spring waters.

Tea producers urged to bolster demand at home

Tea-producing nations should up their marketing efforts at home to take advantage of domestic market potential, according to a new FAO report.

Comment

Where next for ingredients since Cognis and National Starch?

‘Billion dollar deal’ was not a phrase bandied about the food ingredients industry much last year. With BASF buying Cognis for €3.1bn and Corn Products International paying $1.3bn for National Starch, M&A looks to be thawing – but best not get over-excited just yet.

Baltimore approves two-cent bottle tax

Baltimore City Council gave its final approval late last week for a two-cent tax on bottled beverages as part of its $2.2bn budget for fiscal 2011.

Comax flavors tap into trendy coconut water

Comax Flavors is the latest flavor firm to respond to coconut water’s rapid growth in popularity by adding a range of flavors for the drink to its product offerings.

News in brief

Rexam expands US bottle, jar closure plant

Rexam is to expand its closure operations at one US plant as it announced plans to create 150 new jobs by the end of the year.

Scotch whisky battles bourbon in Czech Republic

Scotch whisky is winning the battle against US bourbon for dominance of the expanding Czech Republic spirits market, according to the latest report from Global Agricultural information Network (GAIN).

Tetra Pak and Ball Corp showcase eco-initiatives

Packaging giants Tetra Pak and Ball Corporation both underlined their green credentials as they presented new sustainability initiatives.

DD Williamson develops acid-stable class one caramel color

DD Williamson has introduced a new class one acid-stable dark caramel color for use in beverages with pH below 2.5, the company has said.

Senomyx and PepsiCo negotiating sweet taste technology deal

California-based flavor firm Senomyx has signed a letter agreement with PepsiCo to negotiate a deal for the development and commercialization of new sweet taste technology, Senomyx said on Thursday.

Relaxation drinks make opening moves in Europe

Datamonitor claims relaxation drinks are taking their first steps in the European market with new products featuring herbal remedies and, more unusually, laughing gas.

Watchdog gives withdrawn Red Bull ad the all clear

A Red Bull video featuring a young boy watching a woman in fishnet stockings has been cleared by the UK advertising watchdog although the initial complaint prompted the company to pull the ad.

Honey extract may slow apple juice spoilage

An extract from honey may prevent undesirable browning of apple juice and help the beverage stay on shelves longer, suggests new research from Mexico.

Sidel unveils game-changing heat-shrink and roll-fed labeller

A unique two-in-one sleeving and roll-fed labelling system offers significant cost and material savings, flexibility and a quick return on investment, said manufacturer Sidel.

News in brief

Pepsi launches Baobab Cola in Japan

Pepsi has launched a limited release version of Pepsi Baobab in Japan to join its exotic range that includes Pepsi Cucumber.

Fruit pulp replacer launched for mango juice drinks

National Starch has launched a fruit pulp replacer in Europe that aims to bring down the cost of making mango juice drinks without upsetting flavour or texture.

Resveratrol’s heart health benefits pinpointed?

Resveratrol – a compound in red wine - may be influencing both blood vessel function and the function of fat cells, say new studies which may help explain its heart health benefits.

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Europe must keep cool over country of origin labelling

Always read the small print. Good advice and nowhere more so than in food labelling with today’s increasingly savvy consumers demanding to know what’s in their food, where it came from and what it’s going to do to them.

News in brief

International beverage event offers exposure to Chinese market

The first International Beverage Exposition and Competition (IBEC) is set to take place in Shenzhen, China from 26 – 28 August, giving firms a platform for launching drink products in an emerging market.

Failure to establish EU organic wine rules angers lobbyists

Organic lobbyists have expressed disappointment and concern over the failure of the Commission to agree on standards for the production of organic wine.

Harvard researchers show soda ‘tax’ cuts consumption

Sugary soda consumption at Harvard’s Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston fell by 26 percent when researchers added a temporary tax, adding weight to the argument for soda taxes, the study’s authors claim.

Tea and coffee support heart health: EPIC Study

Between three and six cups of tea a day may reduce the risk of death from heart disease by about 45 per cent, says a new study from The Netherlands.

US food body responds to lead in food allegations

Product safety and adherence to best manufacturing practices are top priorities for food companies, said a leading US industry body in response to allegations that higher-than permitted-levels of lead have been discovered in a range of foods and drinks for children and babies.

Anthocyanin-rich purple corn targets juices

Suntava has developed a non-GMO anthocyanin-rich purple corn concentrate to boost the health benefits of fruit and vegetable juice drinks, the company has said.

Discovering the market for ‘mid-calorie’ stevia-sugar blends

Stevia suppliers have been partnering with sugar companies with the aim of blending the two sweeteners for more sucrose-like taste and lower calories – but the success of hybrid sweeteners relies on consumer acceptance.

Lead found in fruit juices and baby food, alleges group

A US legal public interest group has filed violation notices under a Californian safety law against dozens of companies after alleging it has detected levels of lead in a range of food and drinks for babies and children.

EU withdraws plans for rules on organic wine production

The EU Commission has withdrawn draft proposals to introduce standards for the production of organic wine, citing an unwillingness to dilute organic rules.

Elopak secures FSC certification for key European sites

Having just obtained FSC chain-of-custody (CSC) certification at its main European sites, Elopak is now taking on the higher hurdle of worldwide certification.

Chicken extract builds brain health links

The maker of a 175-year-old chicken extract that peer-reviewed research demonstrates can benefit mental function has established a brain health research centre – with a focus on anti-aging in the brain.

Wild develops coconut water flavors and new drink concepts

Wild Flavors has released a new range of sensory-tested tropical flavors for coconut water, tapping into the continuing attention that the drink is attracting on the market.

LowJuice project delivers low calorie, high fibre apple juice

An EU-funded research project has delivered a prototype apple juice with half the calories and much more fibre than ordinary juice.

NZ kids warned off energy drinks

The New Zealand Food Safety Authority (NZFSA) is advising parents that energy drinks and energy shots are not suitable for consumption by children and young teenagers due to caffeine levels.

News in brief

Genetic analysis follows probiotic drink into the gut

A scientist from NIZO Food Research claims to have gained greater insight into the health effects of consuming yoghurt drinks containing probiotics.

Green, amber or red for alcohol traffic lights

An MEP has called for nutritional traffic light labels on alcoholic drinks ahead of a European vote on food information - industry insiders said this would send the wrong message.

Industry warns against vodka tax hikes

Russian proposals to introduce substantial tax increases on vodka have come in for criticism as industry representatives warn that tax hikes encourage illicit trade and often fail to reduce overall alcohol consumption.

Finnish working group rejects alcohol policy tightening

The Finnish government has advocated not tightening alcohol regulations any further despite well documented abuse problems in the country.

Comment

World Cup is an own goal for food culture

Sorry guys, the World Cup is not all about football. It’s about food too, and this year’s tournament should kick off a whole new debate about our sporting food culture.

Black tea may match green for weight benefits: Study

Like green tea, extracts from black tea may also help reduce weight gain and cut body fat levels, says a new study from Japan with rats and mice.

Brazilian carton plant to meet aseptic demand growth - SIG

SIG Combibloc has unveiled plans to invest €90m in a giant packaging plant in Brazil as it seeks to tap into an explosion in demand for aseptic carton packs in South America over the next few years.

Danisco supports science of probiotic juices

Antioxidant-rich fruit juices can support probiotics, say new findings from Danisco that support the potential of juices to offer an interesting alternative to dairy-based products.

Russia considers tax hike to double vodka prices

The Russian government is considering a hike in vodka taxes so as to more than double the price of the country’s most famous drink by 2013.

Gum Arabic beats modified starches for beverage stability

Gum Arabic is still the best option for stabilising beverage emulsions, when compared with modified starches, according to a comprehensive new study.

Carbery targets sports drinks with clean whey

Irish dairy ingredients specialist Carbery is marketing a “clean tasting” hydrolysed whey protein range aimed at the sports nutrition market after completing sensory studies in conjunction with the North Carolina State University (NCSU).

Drink aroma created from latest fermentation development

Netherlands-based biotechnology company Isobionics has developed a fermentation process for the commercial production of its aroma substance, Valencene Pure.

Polyphenol-rich juice passes bioavailability test: Coca-Cola

Polyphenols can be absorbed into the blood stream when consumed from a beverage, showing the potential to deliver the antioxidants via a juice, says a new study from Coca-Cola.

Aluminium beverage can recycling trends upwards

Aluminium beverage can recycling in Europe increased to 63 per cent, according to the latest figures from a leading trade association.

Bosch unveils flexible and integrated packaging system on market demand

Increasing customer demand for integrated and flexible systems were the drivers behind developing new vertical flat pouch equipment for packing a range of free-flowing goods including granulates and powders, said Bosch Packaging Technology.

Structural explanation found for vodka taste variation

Scientists claim to have uncovered a chemical explanation for why vodka drinkers can taste significant differences between brands.

Coke settles $715m distribution rights for Dr Pepper as bottling takeover looms

The Coca-Cola Company has agreed a $715m (€600m) lump sum with Dr Pepper Snapple Group (DPS) to distribute certain brands subject to the acquisition of the North American branch of Coca-Cola Enterprises (CCE) expected in the fourth quarter of this year.

German alcopops tax failed to reduce teenage drinking, says study

An alcopops tax in Germany may have succeeded only in changing adolescent drinking preferences rather than reducing consumption levels, according to a new study.

Hydrohermetic seal boosts beverage separator performance

High throughput capacity, versatility and a special feature to enhance gentle handling of product are benefits of a new separator for clarifying wine, grape must and fruit juice, said manufacturers GEA Westphalia.

Third of European children are obese, warns report

More than one third of European children are obese or overweight, according to the latest report from research organisation Datamonitor.

Evidence linking lower weight with fewer sugary drinks not strong: Review

There is not enough evidence to suggest that cutting consumption of sugary drinks would reduce obesity rates, according to a new research review published in Obesity Reviews.

News in brief

Coca-Cola to open fruit-drink plant in India, report

Soft drink giant Coca-Cola has finalised plans to set up facilities in Biddai in the state of Karnataka, India, to specialize in the manufacture of fruit-based beverages, according to media reports.

Anti-dumping PET ruling could push prices up for European converters

A European Union proposal to impose import duties on polyethylene terephthalate (PET) shipments from Iran and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is expected to result in cost increases for European converters, said Brussels.

Margin pressures to drive beverage sector convergence, report

Beverage companies will need to move beyond their traditional categories in terms of future mergers with increasingly health focused consumers and an unprecedented level of retail pricing pressure creating serious challenges for the sector, says a Rabobank report.

News in brief

Volac rebrands whey protein for sports drinks

Volac is rebranding its heat stable whey protein as ‘Volactive Hydrapro’, aimed at sports nutrition, to emphasise the benefits of hydration combined with protein.

X-ray transparent belt boosts performance on contaminant detection lines

X-ray transparency and added durability are benefits of a new conveyor belt that helps improve performance for contaminant detection in glass containers on food and pharmaceutical lines, said Mettler Toledo Safeline.

Natural trumps health claims in adult soft drinks NPDs, analyst

Health and wellness positioning based on growing consumer awareness of inherent properties such as antioxidants along with provenance is proving a market driver in the adult soft drinks sector as it navigates the challenges posed by EU health claims regulation, claims a Mintel analyst.

Special Edition: Nanotechnology

Nano risk assessment a work in progress

The risk assessment framework for nanotechnology in Europe – like so much else connected to the technology – appears to be in its infancy but developing at a rapid pace.

National Starch targets functional beverages category with emulsifier

The R&D team at National Starch Food Innovation (NSFI), looking at further uses for its emulsifier, Q-Naturale, said results showed that it is highly suited to clear beverages such as vitamin waters due to its compatibility with natural colours.

Special Edition: Nanotechnology

Food sector and R&D need to chew the nano fat for wider take-up: analyst

The benefits for nano-packaging, showing how it can overcome current food and drink industry challenges in terms of shelf life, distribution or sustainability, need to become more apparent in order to ensure widespread commercial implementation, says an industry insider.

Europe facing rPET supply gaps – recycling body

European packaging converters could be facing gaps in supply of recycled PET (rPET) as a perfect storm of soaring exports to the Far East combined with other market conditions has hit material availability, warned one trade body.

Stevia tops preferences for low-cal chocolate

Beverages formulated with stevia are preferred by consumers over similar products sweetened with sugar or other common high intensity sweeteners, says new research from Croatia.