Breaking News on Beverage Technology & Markets

Europe approves new vegetarian omega-3 source

UK-based supplier Croda Health Care has won European Union Novel Foods approval for a vegetable oil-sourced, omega-3 ingredient, as it expands its omega-3 offerings.

UK firm meeting growing demand for rPET packaging

Linpac Packaging has invested £3m in new equipment to enable it to manufacture recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET) packaging at its UK facility in West Yorkshire.

Bud maker busied with eco-energy drive

One in seven beers sold by Anheuser-Busch in the US will have been made with renewable energy come the end of 2009, as part of a environmental shake up of its operations in the country, the brewer says.

Wild works on wastewater for cost and green benefits

Ingredients supplier and beverage manufacturer Wild says it has inaugurated a new water processing plant at its German headquarters site to ensure effective use of the resource in its operations.

Packaging machine enhanced to take all size ranges, claims firm

An enhanced case erector can accommodate more size ranges while remaining compact, according to supplier Endoline.

Exclusive interview

Nurturing the next generation of food scientists

The number of food science graduates is falling across the globe, but measures are in place to halt the decline. Has disaster been averted? Is the industry’s future assured?

Study links fruit drinks to sweet beverage diabetes risk

Sugar sweetened beverages like fruit-flavoured drinks may increase the likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes, according to a new US study.

Special edition: Natural colours

Natural colours catching up with synthetic

Colours derived from natural sources look set to overtake synthetic alternatives in market value as manufacturers continue to meet the rising demand for clean label ingredients.

Vitamin C-rich diet may slash diabetes risk

Increased blood levels of vitamin C may reduce the risk of developing diabetes by 62 per cent, says a new study from Cambridge.

Comment

Can we believe the Danisco-Apax rumours?

Rumour, according to the Romans, is a feathered beast with a myriad eyes and tongues. Last week she went bristling through the Danish business pages, spreading the news that Danisco could be bought by a private equity firm.

Light-weighting is key sustainability driver for Sonoco

Light-weight packaging is one of a number of initiatives global packager Sonoco is employing to cut its environmental footprint and production costs, claims the company in its first annual sustainability report.

Australia's 'alcopop' war rages on amidst global concerns

The Australian drinks industry continues to hit out at government tax hikes on ready-to-drink (RTD) ‘alcopop’ beverages amidst press reports of new statistics suggesting consumers are opting for spirits in their place.

Brits' healthy drink demand defies weather

Britain's wettest summer on record failed to quench UK soft drink demand as consumption remained virtually unchanged in 2007 amidst growing demand for health and functional products, says consumer analyst Zenith International.

Regulator confirms safety of BPA for use in food packaging

International food safety experts have concluded that the human body rapidly metabolises and eliminates Biphensol A (BPA) and thus the substance presents no risk to adults, children or infants.

Government must back rPET revolution, say drink makers

Green aspiring beverage manufacturers need greater support from governments in turning to materials like recycled Polyethylene terephthalate (rPET) in their packaging, says the British Soft Drinks Association (BSDA).

Which? survey adds to bottled water woes

Consumer watchdog Which? could be set put further pressure on the bottled water industry with the publication of new UK research suggesting that consumers would openly embrace free public water refilling stations.

Natreon builds science behind its Indian gooseberry

New-Jersey-based Natreon says the latest study on its Indian gooseberry ingredient finds it to have longer lasting antioxidant properties than other extracts of the berry.

Health minister proposes drink clampdown

Drink makers operating in the UK may face tighter sales restrictions on their products amidst concerns at an alleged rise in hospital admissions from alcohol, according to the country's public health minister.

News briefs: Coca-Cola and probiotic juice

Coca-Cola has announced that profits are increasing from its non-carbonated soft drink brands across the globe and a new beverage brand is combining probiotics with fruit juice to target US health demands.

Wild taps potential for fruit and blossom combos

Wild is extending its use of blossoms in flavour blends for use in beverages and other products, and is working with more companies to use the likes of lavender, rose and elderberry in combination with fruit flavours.

Down-sizing trend driving US rigid food packaging

The trend towards smaller, more portable beverage and prepared food containers will play a large part in the increased use of plastics in rigid food packaging in the US market, according to a new report.

Comment

Budweiser to be Belgian? Big deal

The news that all-American brewer Anheuser-Busch is to be sold to Belgium’s InBev for $52bn has made sports bar patrons across the US weep into their Budweisers. But the idea that an American firm must remain American for all time runs counter to the world of global commerce.

UK Government needs rethink of drink rules, says charity

The self-regulation of alcohol sales and promotion has come under new criticism by a leading alcohol charity within the UK, which claims that current licensing laws at pubs and bars are failing to prevent alcohol abuse in the country.

Coffee aroma may have stress-busting qualities

Just the smell of freshly brewed coffee can help relieve stress, say researchers who studied the effects of coffee aroma on sleep-deprived rats.

Givaudan alternatives to ease lemon oil squeeze

The high cost of citrus, mainly as a result of poor weather in prime growing regions, has led Givaudan to develop a new range of lemon oil replacers, which it claims are a precise match for the flavour profile and functionality.

Imperial Sugar ups Wholesome Sweetener investment

Imperial Sugar has laid out $4m to increase its stake in the Wholesome Sweeteners joint venture, a move that recognises opportunities in the organic sweetener sector.

High pressure processing kit wins IFT science award

High pressure processing equipment, which uses a working pressure of 87,000 psi (6116.7 Kgf/cm2) was one of three food packaging and processing systems honoured with a 2008 IFT Food Expo Innovation Award.

Black tea extract may offer heart benefits

Extracts from black tea may reduce total cholesterol levels by nine per cent and LDL cholesterol levels by 12 per cent, according to a new study from Japan.

Two separate drinks in one aluminium can adds value, says developer

A beverage can with a dividing wall enables the packing of two drinks within the one container and keeps them separate on the inside, thus adding value for the consumer and manufacturer, claims its developer.

New guidelines aim to do away with misleading marketing terms

The UK's Food Standards Agency (FSA) has revised its guidance on the use of words such as 'fresh', 'natural' and 'pure' to provide clearer advice to manufacturers.

News briefs: Coca-Cola and Anheuser-Busch

This week, Coca-Cola confirms a possible interest in expanding its ingredients operations on the Irish market, and InBev targets Anheuser-Busch's board as it seeks to add the high-profile company to its branded portfolio.

New frozen cultures from Chr Hansen slash costs for white wine makers

Chr. Hansen hones in on cost savings for white wine makers, launching a new frozen range of malolactic starter cultures for white wines that targets process control and energy savings.

Anheuser-Busch sues takeover suitor

Anheuser-Busch is suing Belgian brewer InBev for allegedly misleading its shareholders over its mooted $46.3bn takeover bid.

Improved fruit flavors to taste more like the real thing

A flavor company says it has improved its pear and strawberry products to give them a more natural fruit taste to meet the demand in the US for natural foods and beverages.

Colourings to come with a warning

The European Parliament has adopted a legislative package that will see products containing any of six artificial colours labelled with a health warning for children.

Magnesium ingredient targets beverages market

Israeli supplier Gadot Biochemical has launched a "stable dispersion" magnesium citrate blend that can be used in soy beverages to boost levels of a vital nutrient.

Tree-free, waterproof wine label made from stone

A wine label made from calcium carbonate is a natural fit for an industry already keen on going green, claims US supplier Label Impressions

New emulsifier an alternative to gum arabic

National Starch has introduced an organic beverage ingredient into the US and Canadian market that it describes as "nature's perfect emulsifier" and hopes will rival gum arabic.

European brewers turn to lightweight PET standards

A manufacturer of bottle closures says its latest cooperation with a leading German brewer reflects the growing demands within the industry to adapt to a new lightweight standard.

Weekly comment

A half measure of alcohol reforms

Knife crime, obesity and skiffle music. Out of all the evils currently threatening the welfare of Western teenagers, recent US headlines finger the main culprit as the caffeinated alcoholic beverage.

Green tea's heart benefits gain support

Regular consumption of green tea may improve the function of endothelial cells - cells lining the walls of blood vessels - and boost cardiovascular health, according to new research from Greece.

Upgraded packaging equipment maximises uptime, says firm

The improved functionality of a packaging system following a customer led redesign improves machine uptime, reduces maintenance requirements and simplifies operations, claims Standard-Knapp.

News briefs: InBev's 'Bud' plans, MillerCoors

This week, the US brewing industry continues to look set for additional shake-ups as InBev threatens to get tough on acquisition target Anheuser-Busch, while the MillerCoors joint venture finally comes into action.

Starbucks concerns not stimulating Euro coffee fears

With global café chain Starbucks this week announcing a major restructuring of it US operations to boost profitability, similar concerns are not being shared by European coffee manufacturers and retailers.

Lycopene as effective as statins for artery health: rabbit study

Supplements of the lycopene, the carotenoid that give tomatoes their red colour, may be as effective as statins to reduce the formation of plaques in the arteries that cause atherosclerosis, says a new study with rabbits.

EFSA issues guide on food grade plastic recycling

New guidelines concerning the recycling of plastics intended for use in the packaging of foods have been published by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).

Options abound for controlled delivery of ingredients

The controlled release of food ingredients, like bioactive compounds and flavours, is far behind the pharmaceutical world, but the balance is slowly being redressed.

Sparks remains as Miller sticks with caffeinated beer

The Miller Brewing Company will not be following in the footsteps of rivals by reformulating its caffeinated alcohol brands in the US, claiming the products are fully compliant with regulatory and labelling guidelines in the country.

Ball gets rolling on pack sustainability

Global packager Ball has outlined a number of initiatives designed to slash the environmental impacts and production costs of its operations as part of its first annual sustainability report.