Breaking News on Beverage Technology & Markets

Is taurine slipping out of energy drinks?

Manufacturers of energy drinks are less frequently including the ingredient taurine in their new product launches, according to the latest post-market statistics.

News in brief

Study challenges coffee’s reported brain benefits

Increased intakes of coffee do not affect the rate of decline in mental functions as we age, nor the risk of dementia, according to new results from Finland.

Chr Hansen introduces pure wild yeast for wine-making

Chr Hansen is claiming to be first amongst yeast suppliers in commercialising the pure wild yeast strain Torulaspora delbrueckii to add complexity to wines.

New light barrier claims high protection for dairy at low usage levels

ColorMatrix is launching new light barrier colourants at Drinktec for PET dairy packaging that promises effective light protection and good visual appearance at low addition levels.

Sleeve and seal system has bottling wrapped up

An up-graded ‘sleeve and seal’ range cuts production time and costs for the sauce and drinks sectors, said manufacturers Chadwicks.

New torque tester for caps and closures boosts accuracy, cuts downtime

A new torque testing device simplifies testing on closures and caps as well as improving accuracy and minimisation of downtime, said manufacturers Plastic Technologies Inc (PTI).

New yeast strains promise to protect wine from hydrogen sulfide

California-based Phyterra Yeast has launched three yeast strains to prevent sensory and spoilage problems in wine caused by the formation of hydrogen sulfide during fermentation.

New aseptic cap boosts efficiency and security

A triple seal function and new pull up controls that help maximise production efficiency and security are benefits claimed by the manufacturer of a new closure cap designed for cold and aseptic fill applications.

Heart charity sets strict guidelines for added sugar intake

The American Heart Association (AHA) has set down strict guidelines for added sugar intake that put a woman over the daily recommended limit for drinking just one 12-once can of regular soda.

Food label habits to improve nutrition: Survey

Making healthy food choices and adding specific nutrients into their diet are the two main reasons why US consumers read food labels, according to a recent survey.

New scavenger promises to keep bubbles in and oxygen out

ColorMatrix is preparing to launch a new barrier product at DrinkTec that promises to not only block oxygen from entering bottles but also prevent carbon dioxide from escaping.

SIGG removes bisphenol A on consumer anxiety

Aluminum bottle producer SIGG has removed bisphenol A (BPA) from its containers in the face of mounting consumer concern – despite no evidence of the substance leaching from the lining, said the company.

Low calorie drinks and low-fat foods effective for weight loss

Regular consumption of low-calorie beverages and low fat foods may help maintain weight loss and a stable body weight, suggests findings from a new study.

Comment

Folic acid: Old women and children first!

Look at the globe and you’d be hard pressed to find two countries further apart than Ireland and New Zealand. But they stand side-by-side on the folic acid fortification issue – it is not needed.

New player prepares sucralose launch in Europe

BioPlus is introducing a new sucralose to manufacturers around the world, and sees future market growth in developing new versions of the popular sweetener.

FDA issues draft guidance on gluten-free beer labeling

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued draft guidance on the labeling of beers made with grains other than malted barley and hops, such as sorghum, rice or corn, the agency said on Wednesday.

European beer sales dry up in the first half of 2009

Soft drink sales in Western Europe outshone beer in the first half of the year suggesting the recession is prompting people to turn away from the bottle.

Nestle launches its first rPET bottled water product

Food giant Nestle is to launch its first range of mineral water in the US packaged in bottles containing 25 per cent recycled PET (rPET) and is supporting the launch with a recycling scheme.

FDA promises BPA decision by end of November

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has re-affirmed its pledge to review the latest studies on bisphenol A (BPA) and to issue a statement by the end of November about whether the chemical is safe for use in food and beverage containers.

US and Mexico sweetener dispute yields $58m for HFCS damages

Corn Products International’s Mexican affiliate CP Ingredientes has been awarded $58.386m in damages by a NAFTA tribunal after Mexico placed discriminatory taxes on high fructose corn syrup (HFCS).

Amcor offers over $2bn for Alcan packaging businesses

Australian packaging giant Amcor has offered to buy the European and Asian arms of Alcan Food Packaging along with its pharmaceutical and tobacco businesses for $2025m (€1434m).

News in brief

Diageo launches legal battle for Pimm's

Diageo has launched a legal action against J Sainsbury for an alleged copyright infringement of its Pimm’s brand.

New lubricant for food machinery claims to cut costs

A new lubricant for food and beverage machines helps to cut maintenance costs, claims its manufacturer Lubrication Engineers.

New York court approves expanded green bottle bill

A federal judge has unblocked the passage of the expanded New York State bottle bill following a legal challenge from beverage companies.

'Electronic tongue' could aid sweetened formulations

Scientists have developed an ‘electronic tongue on a chip’ to quickly and accurately identifies sweetness, giving manufacturers an inexpensive quality control tool.

Comment

Free farmers to farm and bank UK food security

How best should Britain plan to secure reliable supplies of reasonably-priced food? Should the nation put its trust in home production or food imports from the world market?

Danisco pushes probiotic straw range

Danisco is using major trade shows in Europe and Asia to boost exposure of the probiotic straws it launched last year in conjunction Australian firm, Unistraw.

Nampak reviews UK blowmoulding capacity, cuts 80 jobs

Nampak Plastics Europe has announced it is to cut 80 jobs in the UK following the collapse of the huge co-operative Dairy Farmers of Britain (DFB) – one of the company’s major customers.

Targeted and talkative: the Benecol success story

UK Benecol licensee, McNeil Nutritionals, says “daily messaging” of its core audience is the key behind its rise to leadership in the UK cholesterol-lowering foods market.

PepsiCo Brazil acquisition to make it coconut water leader

Beverage giant PepsiCo is to acquire Brazil’s leading coconut water company, as part of a bid to transform its beverage portfolio towards more healthful products.

News in brief

Food marketing deals threatened by waste reduction efforts

Supermarkets in the UK could be offering half-price deals on perishable food items instead of buy one, get one free offers in an effort to reduce food waste, according to a report in Advertising Age.

Artificial sweeteners not linked to cancer: Study

Regular intakes of artificial sweeteners like saccharin and aspartame do not increase the risk of certain cancers, like stomach and pancreatic, suggests a new study from Italy.

News in brief

Dairy UK and Carbon Trust begin work on carbon footprint guide

Trade body Dairy UK and the Carbon Trust have begun work on an industry-wide carbon footprinting guide to increase comparability between businesses.

Dairy Crest delivers milk bag and jug to doorsteps

Dairy Crest has extended its milk bag and reusable jug (JUGIT) scheme to doorstep customers as part of ongoing efforts to cut packaging waste.

News in brief

Denmark proposes vitamin D fortification

Denmark has backed a Swedish scheme that sees voluntary vitamin D milk fortification up to 10 per cent of recommended daily intakes (RDIs).

ABF sells Polish sugar business in advance of EU rule change

Associated British Foods (ABF) has sold its Polish sugar business to Pfeifer & Langen for an estimated £120 to £130m in preparation for the opening up of EU sugar trade.

Business as usual at Diageo despite bottling plant controversy

Diageo insists that suppliers and customers will be unaffected by plans to close its Kilmarnock bottling plant as pressure mounts from unions and politicians to reverse the decision.

Benecol smoothie courts younger cholesterol-lowering market

McNeil Nutritionals has launched a Benecol smoothie in the UK and Ireland in a bid to reach a younger audience with a product it will market on dual benefits – plant stanol-derived cholesterol-lowering and its fruit content.

Nano beta-carotene entrapment offers natural colour options

Nanoparticles containing beta-carotene could be used to naturally colour water-based foods, and offer an array of advantages, according to an innovation from the US.

Snack Size Science: Beetroot catches up with sports nutrition

NutraIngredient’s Snack Size Science brings you the week's top science every two weeks. This week we catch up on the science behind beetroot juice’s sport nutrition potential.

Government urges radical rethink to ensure stable food supply

The UK government has called for a radical rethink of food production to secure sustainable food supplies at reasonable prices.

Comment

FDA’s Commissioner Hamburg: Beefing up US food safety

It looks like the FDA has finally got some muscle. Never mind new legislation – if anything can prevent America acquiring a weedy reputation for food safety, it’s the might of Dr Margaret Hamburg.

Enzymes help post-merger cost reduction, Novozymes

Enzymes can help reduce costs and increase productivity for brewers in the wake of a merger or acquisition, says Novozymes, which has a pipeline of new solutions nearing launch.

ASA dismisses Britvic daily intake claims

A Britvic Soft Drinks advert for Robinsons Fruit Shoots has been banned in the UK for making misleading recommendations about daily fluid intake for kids.

Green tea extracts linked to healthier bones: Study

Compounds from green tea may lead to stronger bones by promoting bone formation, while also inhibiting bone resorption, which leads to weakening, suggests a new cell study.

News in brief

Coca-Cola Amatil stays silent on bottling acquisition rumours

Coca-Cola Amatil is remaining tight-lipped over reports that it plans to re-acquire plastic bottling facilities - but declined to rule out the possibility.

Ocean Spray plans virtual cranberry summit

Ocean Spray’s Ingredient Technology Group has announced a virtual Cranberry World Summit for members of the food industry, to take place online in September.

PepsiCo buys bottlers for $7.8bn

PepsiCo Inc has agreed the takeover of two of its bottle makers in a deal worth $7.8bn that will see the consolidation of 80 per cent of its North American beverage volume.

Comment

Downsize me! FSA right to push for smaller snacks

Chocolate bar makers should embrace the UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) proposals on snack portions and adapt their supersizing skills to downsizing.

Stevia market needs flavor focus, says Blue California chief

Industry-wide focus on flavor issues is crucial to the long term success of stevia-derived sweeteners, says the executive vice president of Reb A supplier Blue California.

News in brief

Sidel breaks record with 5,000th blow molder

Sidel claims to have broken a world record for blow molding with the installation of its SBO 14/20 Universal for ABInBev in Eastern Europe.

Rexam closes beverage can plant in Russia

Rexam has shut down a beverage can factory in Russia because of continued weakness in the country’s drinks market.