All news articles for October 2016

Pic: iStock/ValentynVolkov

AB InBev notes craft beer slowdown

By Rachel Arthur

AB InBev has noted a slowdown in the US craft sector in its Q3 results, although CEO Carlos Brito says it’s ‘too early to call’ on what this means for the future. 

Premiumization, crowdfunding, & more acquisitions... here's what experts predict for craft beer. Pic:iStock/Maksymowicz

What's next for craft beer?

By Rachel Arthur

It’s a big question, so we put it to beer gurus from around the globe. Crowdfunding, a split between ‘mass craft’ and ‘true craft’, and the continued rise of premiumization are all on the cards. From brewers to bloggers, and from analysts to associations,...

Senomyx CEO John Poyhonen

Pepsi won’t be rolling out Mug Root Beer with Sweetmyx 617 nationwide

Senomyx natural sweetener to move to the development phase

By Elaine Watson

Senomyx is focusing on advancing a new high intensity natural sweetener claimed to more potent than Reb-A into the ‘development phase,’ says its CEO.

A premium product in Australia: but with different promise in India

Water sourced from plants: Premium in Australia; precious in India

By Rachel Arthur

AquaBotanical – a water sourced entirely from fruit and vegetables – is currently sold as a premium brand in Australia. But the brand’s potential is much greater, according to its founder: the technology could be used to unlock drinking water from sugar...

Removing Reb A restrictions will allow better tasting formulations, say stevia palyers. ©iStock

Law applies from 3 November 2016

Stevia sector says imminent EU law changes will sweeten NPD

By Lynda Searby

An amendment to the EU food additives regulation has removed the requirement for stevia blends to contain at least 75% stevioside or reb A, giving food and beverage manufacturers scope to formulate better tasting stevia-sweetened products.

'Updates will have a major impact on beverage producers' Pic:iStock/PRUDENCIOALVAREZ

How to plan for the FDA’s new beverage label rules

By Marsha Frydrychowski, Resource Label Group

In May 2016, the FDA released its final rules for updated food and beverage labels. Marsha Frydrychowski of Resource Label Group outlines how beverage brands can plan for the new rules.

Choices chopped: Consumer groups are celebrating the end of the industry-backed tick but have already denounced the replacement app as insufficient.  © iStock/DragonImages

Option paralysis: Consumers were confused by 'Choices'

Dutch ditch healthy eating logo for an app

By Niamh Michail

The Dutch government has ordered the industry-led healthy eating logo to be phased out and replaced with an app that allows consumers to scan products for nutrition information.

The study examines the sensory perception of four wines consumed by test participants both with and without four types of cheese. ©iStock/Evgeny Karandaev

Wine and cheese do go hand in hand, study says

By Mary Ellen Shoup

The Center for Taste and Feeding Behavior in Dijon, France, conducted a scientific study using a new sensory evaluation method to identify how exactly eating cheese with wine impacted an individual’s tastes and preferences.

Pic:iStock/cioncabogdana

‘Exceptional growth’ in Australian wine exports to China

China becomes top wine export market for Australia

By Rachel Arthur

China has become the top market for Australian wine exports (by value), thanks to the middle class’ increased interest in wine and the benefits of the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement. 

'The way protein is currently defined in labelling regulation needs to change because this is precisely the root of the protein spiking problem,' says ESSNA vice-chair. ©iStock/ogichobanov

Nitrogen spiking: The loophole jeopardising protein’s podium place

By Annie Harrison-Dunn

The European sports nutrition industry is calling for a ‘protein spiking’ loophole to be closed, but if there is any Brussels movement it is likely to be slow and this lapse threatens to knock the nutrition staple from the top step of the sports nutrition...

Sparkling Ice launches in Mexico

Sparkling Ice launches in Mexico

By Rachel Arthur

Talking Rain Beverage Company is rolling out its Sparkling Ice brand in Mexico, continuing international expansion after the recent launch in the UK and Ireland. 

Pic:iStock/KuzmikA

Tesco expands craft beer section

By Rachel Arthur

UK supermarket giant Tesco says craft beer is the fastest growing drinks trend in the UK, as it rolls out more craft drinks in its stores this week and trials a chilled beer and cider delivery service.