All news articles for April 2018

pic:getty/janellelugge

AI to map Australian vineyards

By Rachel Arthur

An agricultural software project has set out to map and identify vineyards in Australian wine regions, with the aim of ultimately providing information about grape health and yields fast and accurately.

The sugar tax is not just about number crunching: how will it affect R&D, consumer behaviour, and wider F&B categories? Pic:Getty/Alexlmx

UK sugar tax: The experts weigh in

By Rachel Arthur

The UK’s Soft Drinks Industry levy comes into effect today. Does this signify a sea change in our approach to sugar? Should we expect to see the tax extend to other products? What will the response from consumers be? From R&D consultants to nutritionists,...

3 reasons people take probiotics: maintaining health; promoting health; and reducing the risk of disease. Pic:Getty/chombosan

Guest article

‘Demand for probiotics is increasing significantly’

By Aslam Shaikh, senior research analyst, MarketsandMarkets

While dairy has traditionally been the most common format for probiotic products, the non-dairy beverages segment is expected to growth at a CAGR of 9.6% from 2017 – 2022. With a rise of more than 30% in sales of refrigerated probiotics drinks and juices...

Pic:Getty/erstudiostok

Health continues to be ‘defining trend’ in soft drinks

By Rachel Arthur

Low and no sugar brands are outperforming their full sugar rivals in categories such as cola and lemonade, says UK soft drinks company Britvic. But choice is still important – and taste will always be the top factor in purchasing decisions.

© GettyImagesl/Madeleine_Steinbach

Irish start-up brings bone broth to Europe

By Niamh Michail

Bone broth is small but growing in the US and one Irish start-up is aiming to bring it to Europe. "This is the most traditional forms of nourishment," says its founder.

Gin ‘star performer’ in Western Europe

Gin ‘star performer’ in Western Europe

By Rachel Arthur

Gin and craft beer continue to prove popular in Western Europe, while both the overall beer and spirits categories are seeing good growth driven by premiumization, flavor innovations, and craft credentials, according to IRI.

The new range retains the same environmental credentials as the rest of the Tetra Pak portfolio.

Tetra Pak launches new packaging material effects​

By Jim Cornall

Tetra Pak has launched a suite of new packaging material effects, known as Tetra Pak Artistry, which the company said will help food and beverage producers revitalize the look and feel of their products.

Budweiser and Jim Beam collaborate to create new brew

Budweiser and Jim Beam join forces to create new brew

By Rachel Arthur

Budweiser and Jim Beam are embarking on a ‘new friendship and marketing collaboration’, which will include the launch of new collaborative brew, Budweiser Reserve Copper Lager, later this year.

Pic:iStock

US craft beer exports top $125m

By Rachel Arthur

International distribution of US craft beers continued to grow in 2017, with export volume up 3.6%, according to the Brewers Association.

Stevia, listed as E 960 in Europe, is made by extracting the sweet-tasting molecules from the stevia plant. © iStock/zeleno

PureCircle plays down EU stevia stumbling block

By Niamh Michail

Malaysian supplier PureCircle must provide more data to prove the safety of both minor steviol glycosides and glucosylated stevia, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has said in two separate opinions.

Ireland sugar tax pushed back to May

Ireland's sugar tax pushed back to May

By Rachel Arthur

The introduction of Ireland’s sugar tax has been pushed back to May 1 to ensure the levy does not infringe EU state aid law.

South Africa introduces sugar tax

South Africa introduces sugar tax

By Rachel Arthur

South Africa’s Sugary Beverages Levy has come into effect this week, and is expected to raise the price of sugary soft drinks.

© GettyImages/adrian825

Are some 'no added sugar' claims really illegal?

By Niamh Michail

Claims such as ‘no added sugar’ on foods containing sweeteners are commonplace and an important part of healthy branding - but are they technically illegal under EU law? We put the question to a food law expert.