Top Headlines
‘Confusing’ EU wine labelling rules unfit for consumer needs: UK winery
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.
Some bigger cranberry buyers want a ‘price break’ our auctions don’t provide: Ocean Spray
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.
Top 10 US beer brands: consumers shun ‘king of beers’ for crafty choices but Heineken scores
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.
Coke takes ‘natural’ mid-calorie carbonate plunge in Pepsi NEXT wake with stevia-based trials
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.
Emotions hit fever pitch as PepsiCo draws fire for Michael Jordan Gatorade advert
PepsiCo says it is ‘reviewing’ the Public Health Advocacy Institute’s (PHAI’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.
2011 UK carbonate sales fizz while fruit juice stalls
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.
Spotlight
Rexam reveals Pepsi trial of 'unique' FUSION aluminium bottle in Italy
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)...
Coca-Cola Hellenic hit by perfect political and economic storm
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...
Red Bull hopes new ‘Total Zero’ variant will give it wings after analysts warn of limited portfolio
Red Bull is launching a new variant of its eponymous energy drink with no calories, sugar or carbohydrates, adding to a limited product portfolio that analysts had identified as a weakness...
BrewDog slams ‘jealous’ Diageo for trying to fix innkeeping awards
Diageo has ‘apologised unreservedly’ after Scottish independent BrewDog accused it of ‘overbearing and blackmailing behaviour’ in leaning on a judging panel to prevent its smaller rival from winning an award...
US firm nears first consumer order for ‘game changing’ self-heating beverage packaging
US firm HeatGenie claims to have received a letter of intent from an unnamed European food and beverage brand to license its technology and order up to five million self-heating packaging...
Pepsi NEXT risks re-hashing failed concept with new flavour: analyst
PepsiCo’s new mid-calorie cola brand ‘NEXT’ risks 're-hashing a failed concept behind a new flavour', despite data supporting low-calorie cola growth, according to Euromonitor International...
Global Industry News
Personal Nutrition: Vitamin B may offer blood pressure benefits to 1 in 10 peoplefrom NutraIngredients.com
Increased intake of vitamin B2 (riboflavin) could significantly lower blood pressure in around 10 percent of people, according to new research that links a common genetic factor with the vitamin.
EFSA risk assessment of composite foods hazard to pave the way for harmonized EU regsfrom FoodProductionDaily.com
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has outlined a raft of key factors needed to assess the hazard posed by pathogens in composite foods after Brussels said it needed to develop harmonised risk-based rules for their import into the region.
Zetar’s nuts hit by raw material price inflationfrom FoodNavigator.com
Zetar took a 5% hit in annual group revenue after exiting from low margin core commodity sales, particularly in processed and packed nuts, at the beginning of 2012.
PTI's new testing facilities to improve 'speed-to-market'from FoodProductionDaily.com
A plastic research company has established a testing laboratory that it claims will enable brand owners to improve their speed-to-market performance.