Breaking News on Beverage Technology & Markets

Cranberry extract near match for antibiotic UTI potential - study

A cranberry extract may play some role in supplementing use of the antibiotic Trimethoprim for prevention of urinary tract infections (UTIs) in older women, according to a new study.

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Viscosity probe is functional and low maintenance, says Hydramotion

New on-line viscosity measuring equipment is more flexible to position than similar tools on the market, and also eliminates maintenance costs, said the UK based manufacturer.

MillerCoors' brand falls in US caffeine crackdown

MillerCoors has become the latest brewer to bow to pressure from authorities after voluntarily agreeing to reformulate its caffeinated beer products amidst wider national crackdowns on stimulant beverages.

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Obesity: A taxing solution

Benjamin Franklin once said that nothing is certain in life but death and taxes, conveniently forgetting the human race’s desire to avoid both inconveniences at any cost.

Software upgrade enhances plant safety, says developer

An upgraded version of a health and safety management software application allows food and drink processors to track incidents and hazards and also aids inspections and corrective action, says TRA.

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Benecol buys into Thailand

Finnish group Raisio has entered Thailand- its third Asian market - following a deal with a Thai-based company that will see its cholesterol-lowering, plant stanol ingredient featuring in a beverage targeting increasing numbers of obese consumers.

Video season's greetings from Decision News Media

The Decision News Media team would like to bring you its seasonal greetings in person and show you around the offices.

Own Label Show to spur buoyant UK sector

The UK is set to have its first Own Label Show next November, billed as a forum for sourcing new product lines, finding partners and tracking developments.

Coke seeks sterol juice approval Down Under

Coca-Cola South Pacific has applied to the joint regulator in Australia and New Zealand to allow phytosterols to be added to fruit juice drinks in the two countries.

InBev upbeat despite losing latest ‘Budweiser’ battle

Anheuser-Busch Inbev, the newly formed brewing power house, insists that a ruling in favour of a Czech Republic-based rival over marketing will not set back its global aims for the Budweiser beer brand.

Use of TiN nanoparticles in PET bottles not toxic, says EFSA

The specific use of titanium nitride (TiN) nanoparticles in a material used to make polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic drinks bottles did not give rise to toxicological concern, claims a scientific panel of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).

Stevia sweetener gets US FDA go-ahead

The FDA has given the long-awaited green light for Reb A, the sweetener made from the stevia leaf, to be used in food and beverages - opening the flood gates for new product launches.

Study raises fruit juice pesticide-concerns

Manufacturers of juice and other fruit-based beverages may need to rethink how they make their products amidst fears over the level of pesticides that may reside on their ingredients, suggests a new study.

FDA to undertake further research on BPA

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said yesterday it has no plans to review its stance on bisphenol A (BPA), but will continue to research the chemical found in food packaging.

Nitrogen blasting designed for beer shelf life boost

A supplier of liquid nitrogen fobbing devices to improve the shelf life of carbonated beverages claims recent developments to its technology can ensure more cost and hygiene-efficient capping.

Carbonated drinks braced for ‘economic storm’

While leading soft drink groups continue to pledge a path towards product diversification, the often-criticised carbonated drink will continue to undergo sales growth despite wider economic worries, says a new report.

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Why is food science the ‘baddie' for consumers?

It sometimes seems as if life is a pantomime, and food science is the baddie, complete with boos and hisses from the audience.

Prepare now for new additive and enzyme regulations

Companies should check now whether their additives, enzymes and flavourings comply with the EU’s new Food Improvement Agent Package, says Xavier Lavigne, food law manager with nutrition policy consultancy EAS.

Coca-Cola could launch stevia drink ahead of FDA GRAS

Coca-Cola is expected to launch a drink sweetened with stevia in the US this week, according to reports, but there is still no word from the FDA on GRAS status.

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Rexam aims to tackle overcapacity in US market

Rexam said that it is to make further reductions in its 12oz beverage can making operations in the US to address overcapacity in that market.

Looking to the future for biomaterial supply

Stefano Cavallo looks to the future for biomaterial supply.

Companies taking their own approach in playing up end of life messages

Stefano Cavallo discusses how companies can take their own approach in advertising the end of life benefits of packaging.

Processors to bear brunt of supermarket slashing - expert

Beverage and food manufacturers are likely to have to bear the brunt of a price war that is driving leading global retailers to increasingly turn to suppliers of discounted brands, according to one industry expert.

Firms need to act now on refrigerant fluid, says Arkema

Very few installations have been retrofitted with HFC or topped up with recycled R22, a HCFC refrigerant fluid, with the deadline of 2009 phase-out fast approaching, claims a HFC/CHIC refrigerant manufacturer.

Innovation to spur on sports drink demand

Worldwide consumption of sports drink products is expected to grow by a further 33 per cent up to 2012, though further product innovation is required for the industry to meet its potential, says a new report.

End of life: a new dawn for pack-ad focus

Packagers and manufacturers may find opportunity in looking beyond promoting renewability in bio plastics and looking at how the end of life may be sellable to consumers, according to one leading supplier of alternative plastic materials.

FDA aims to improve safety of food imports

Improving the safety of imported food is one of the aims behind a new initiative from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Australia agrees Euro wine protection deal

European and Australian wine makers will kick off the New Year potentially toasting each other’s health after agreeing a new deal to respect geographical indication (GI) like champagne and sherry alongside other trademarks.

Report claims spirit-ad responsibility success

The ongoing debate on the effectiveness of self regulating responsible advertising for European sprits manufacturers rages on with a new report suggesting the industry in generally is living up to its commitments.

Can steel meet the sustainability challenge?

Philippe Wolper, managing director, APEAL, outlines the green properties of steel for food and drink packaging.

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Coping with health claim hurt

One of the most fiercely debated and amended pieces of European Union food law history is playing out before our eyes, and its effects are beginning to be felt.

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Sonoco tightens belt under in response to market conditions

US-based packaging company Sonoco is expecting to save $28 million by implementing further cost reduction measures.

Functional drinks show greatest global growth

UK-based Market researcher Zenith International reports regular carbonated drinks are no longer the world’s biggest beverage category as they were surpassed by bottled waters in volume terms in 2007.

Could consumers suffer from green logo overload?

Food and beverage manufacturers are adopting more sustainable practices and seek to communicate these to consumers. But are well-meaning consumers confused by the many different green and ethical logos in use?

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Heineken follows rivals in Irish brew shake-up

Up to 120 jobs could be lost as a result of Heineken’s acquisition of the western operations of Scottish & Newcastle (S&N), as it opts to close the recently acquired Beamish & Crawford brewery in Ireland.

Future for green pack design may lie in the past

With a seemingly endless number of halls pushing greener solutions at this year’s Emballage trade show, one possible future for packaging could be in looking to the past and getting back to design basics.

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New Campbell bottle for US vending machines

Campbell Soup Company has launched a new 12-ounce bottle to allow the firm to sell its V8 juices in 15,000 vending machines across the US.

Chinese citric acid duties will not halt imports

European producers of citric acid and monosodium glutamate have this week received long-term assurance that their prices will be supported against cheaper Chinese imports, but China is expected to remain a significant player in a more level field.

Kids of all ages targeted next in soft drink shift

While a new child soft drink consumption study in the UK suggests some industry health drive success, nutritionists predict further scrutiny lies ahead for higher sugar, carbonated products, which are still popular with all age groups.

The importance of labelling

Carol Lipton and Jeanne-Marie Devanz of design group Osmotik discuss the importance of labelling.

Following the cosmetic approach for simple pack solutions

Jeanne-Marie Devanz of design agency Osmotik explains how food groups can follow the cosmetic industries' attempts at pack simplicity.

Packagers should go green to keep profits in the black

Food packaging companies must implement sustainable environmental strategies or risk income falls of more than 30 per cent by 2013 and nearly 50 per cent by 2018, warns a new study from the environmental think-tank World Resources Institute and management consulting firm AT Kearney.

Norway debuts high-dose lycopene and omega-3 fizzy drink

Norwegian omega-3 specialist, Pharmalogica is teaming up with Italian carotenoid specialist, Vitatene, to launch a high-dose omega-3/lycopene carbonated beverage.

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Facebook kicks off UK online booze store

After being linked to reviving once popular confectionery items like the Wispa bar, social networking sites are set to try and revolutionise alcohol buying in the UK.

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Second Middle East drink meet announced

Ensuring drink makers can meet demand for cost efficient processing and product innovation will be the key focuses of the second annual Middle East beverage conference (BevME) in Dubai, according to its organisers.

Craft brewer cites small business responsibility fears

Some smaller brewers appear unconcerned by a new UK drive to encourage consumer to complain about alcohol advertising that they deem to encourage irresponsible drinking, citing wider concerns over corporate responsibility.

Report spies smugglers ahoy in EU beer tax variance

Smuggling and undermined public health policies are just some of the impacts resulting from varying policies on beer taxation in an ever-expanding EU, claims a new report.

Additive-free leads beverage launches, says Mintel

The top claims used on beverages over the past four years reveal a distinct shift in focus towards drinks with no additives or preservatives, according to statistics provided by Mintel this morning.

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Why farm support puts food on plates

“Four legs good, two legs bad.” When the pigs take over the land in George Orwell’s Animal Farm, they have no hesitation; any creature with four legs is beyond reproach and any human is bad, mad and dangerous to know.