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222 EU health claims become law; experts predict “tsunami of cheap innovation”

Shane.STARLING@wrbm.com (Shane STARLING) — Wed, 16 May 2012 15:18:24 +0200

It’s official. Companies have six months – until December – to comply with the controversial European Union article 13, general function health claims register which today won final approval from the European Commission.

‘Confusing’ EU wine labelling rules unfit for consumer needs: UK winery

Ben.BOUCKLEY@wrbm.com (Ben BOUCKLEY) — Wed, 16 May 2012 16:22:34 +0200

An award-winning UK winery pulled up by regulators for illegally calling a wine it made using Argentinian grapes ‘wine’ under EU law says that current labelling rules are hopelessly out of step with consumer needs.

'Sin taxes' must raise food prices by 20% for any effect, argue experts

Nathan.GRAY@wrbm.com (Nathan GRAY) — Wed, 16 May 2012 13:17:11 +0200

In order to have any effect on population health, fat taxes must raise food prices by 20% and should be combined with subsidies on healthy foods, say UK-based experts. However industry leaders have branded the calls as ‘irresponsible.’

Tamar eyes European market growth after Irish takeover

Rory.HARRINGTON@wrbm.com (Rory HARRINGTON) — Wed, 16 May 2012 11:36:02 +0200

Tamar Labels said its takeover of self-adhesive label producer Labelit will open up new food and beverage market opportunities in Europe.

Call for HDPE recycling action by EU trade body

joe.whitworth@wrbm.com (Joseph James Whitworth) — Wed, 16 May 2012 11:28:41 +0200

All the high-density polyethylene (HDPE) value chain needs to take action to increase recycling rates, according to an EU body representing plastic recyclers.

Cider drives profits for C&C

Rod.Addy@wrbm.com (Rod ADDY) — Wed, 16 May 2012 11:33:11 +0200

C&C Group has posted annual profit growth in its global alcoholic drinks business, driven by robust growth in cider.

Black tea shows heart health benefits: RCT data

Stephen.DANIELLS@wrbm.com (Stephen DANIELLS) — Wed, 16 May 2012 00:32:09 +0200

Three cups of black tea per day may improve heart health measures, such as cholesterol and triglyceride levels, says a study from Mauritius, Scotland, and the USA.

Vitafoods: EU nutra space wriggles into new health claims clothes

Shane.STARLING@wrbm.com (Shane STARLING) — Tue, 15 May 2012 14:42:17 +0200

Vitafoods celebrates its 15^th birthday next week. It’ll be my 11^th consecutive May visit to Geneva for the jamboree and promises to be one of the most intriguing chapters with the (partial and belated) resolution of years of ambiguity regarding health claims in Europe.

Emotions hit fever pitch as PepsiCo draws fire for Michael Jordan Gatorade advert

Ben.BOUCKLEY@wrbm.com (Ben BOUCKLEY) — Tue, 15 May 2012 13:18:22 +0200

PepsiCo says it is ‘reviewing’ the Public Health Advocacy Institute’s letter to the US Federal Trade Commission, attacking the firm for claiming that Gatorade helped basketball star Michael Jordan win a key match whilst ill, and asking whether film had been doctored to show him drinking it.

Some bigger cranberry buyers want a ‘price break’ our auctions don’t provide: Ocean Spray

Ben.BOUCKLEY@wrbm.com (Ben BOUCKLEY) — Tue, 15 May 2012 17:28:56 +0200

Some rival big brands seeking ‘price breaks’ don’t participate in Ocean Spray’s online auctions for cranberry concentrate, but converts appreciate an ‘efficient, transparent and trustworthy’ process.

Alcoholic beverage brands seek social media connections as Millennials come of age

Caroline.SCOTT-THOMAS@wrbm.com (Caroline SCOTT-THOMAS) — Tue, 15 May 2012 17:17:24 +0200

Alcoholic beverage brands increasingly are looking to connect with Millenials via social networks, as younger members of the demographic begin to celebrate their 21^st birthdays.

Crown appoints new European president

Rory.HARRINGTON@wrbm.com (Rory HARRINGTON) — Tue, 15 May 2012 13:15:45 +0200

Crown Holdings has announced a senior management shake-up in its European division – including the appointment of a new president for the region.

Radioactive beverage snapped in 'glowing' cans

Ben.BOUCKLEY@wrbm.com (Ben BOUCKLEY) — Tue, 15 May 2012 13:24:23 +0200

Radioactive Energy Drink has been relaunched in 16oz (473ml) cans from Rexam that glow in the dark through the use of glow-in-the-dark graphics using fluorescent inks.

C&C ripe for acquisition, says analyst

Rod.Addy@wrbm.com (Rod ADDY) — Tue, 15 May 2012 13:00:01 +0200

Drinks group C&C is ripe for acquisition, according to Phil Carroll, equity analyst at Shore Capital.

Coke takes ‘natural’ mid-calorie carbonate plunge in Pepsi NEXT wake with stevia-based trials

Ben.BOUCKLEY@wrbm.com (Ben BOUCKLEY) — Tue, 15 May 2012 12:03:13 +0200

The Coca-Cola Company is poised to test its own mid-calorie sodas in the US using Sprite and Fanta using natural sweeteners including Cargill's stevia brand, hot on the heels of PepsiCo’s mid-calorie cola launch Pepsi NEXT.

Top 10 US beer brands: consumers shun ‘king of beers’ for crafty choices but Heineken scores

Ben.BOUCKLEY@wrbm.com (Ben BOUCKLEY) — Mon, 14 May 2012 11:21:49 +0200

US beer consumers sprung a crafty surprise in an influential 2012 research poll by Harris Interactive, reporting higher satisfaction levels with smaller craft brands and below average scores for mainstream beers such as Budweiser and Coors.

2011 UK carbonate sales fizz while fruit juice stalls

Ben.BOUCKLEY@wrbm.com (Ben BOUCKLEY) — Mon, 14 May 2012 17:23:27 +0200

UK volume sales of fruit juices and dilutables fell last year, according to a new report from the British Soft Drinks Association (BSDA) but carbonates, smoothies and sports drinks all saw growth.

Rexam reveals Pepsi trial of 'unique' FUSION aluminium bottle in Italy

Ben.BOUCKLEY@wrbm.com (Ben BOUCKLEY) — Fri, 11 May 2012 10:57:54 +0200

Rexam has revealed to BeverageDaily.com that its FUSION aluminium bottle has established a foothold in Europe, with PepsiCo even trialing it in Italy this year, the first launch using a carbonated soft drink (CSD).

Coke opens new 'closed loop' site to double UK rPET output

Ben.BOUCKLEY@wrbm.com (Ben BOUCKLEY) — Fri, 11 May 2012 12:36:41 +0200

Coca-Cola Enterprises (CCE) officially opened its multi-million pound recycling venture in the UK yesterday, the first such facility in the country, to more than double the amount of bottle grade recycled PET (rPET) created by the nation.

Coca-Cola Hellenic hit by perfect political and economic storm

Ben.BOUCKLEY@wrbm.com (Ben BOUCKLEY) — Fri, 11 May 2012 12:03:24 +0200

Economic and political uncertainty across its markets and ‘persistent’ input cost pressures have hit Coca-Cola Hellenic's first quarter results, with volume sale declines of two per cent and significant losses for the quarter.