Flavours Newsletter
Aug 2003 - What’s new in Flavours

Key Statistics
UK mouthwash market grew by 8% in past year
Data for the 52 weeks to 15 June 2003 shows the UK mouthwash market to have grown by 8%, with the market now worth £57 million.
Listerine is the leading brand, responsible for over a 3rd of sales and the first mouthwash brand to pass through the £20 million sales mark.
Grocer, on Headlines from Mintel

Key Statistics
Americans consumed 10.1bn 192-oz cases of carbonated soft drinks in 2002
Americans consumed 10.1 billion 192-oz cases or just under 53 gallons per capita of carbonated soft drinks in 2002, up 0.8% from 2001.
FOODNEWS, on Headlines from Mintel

Key Statistics
£1.6bn cheese market grew 4% last year
Despite cheese being one of the largest sectors in UK food retailing, research by Dairy Crest reveals major opportunities for growth remain. Dairy Crest conducted research to develop a greater understanding of how shoppers "shop" for cheese. The research revealed a misunderstanding between the retailer and the consumer. Until now the trade has segmented cheese by style and origin whereas the consumer buys cheese with consumption in mind.
Independent Retail News, on Headlines from Mintel

Key Statistics
UK public distrusts state food safety advice
A Mori poll has found that only 12% of UK consumers trust the advice of the government of company scientists on the safety of chemicals in food products.
The Scientific Alliance, which commissioned the poll, blamed the influence of "anti-chemical" environmental campaigners for promoting public mistrust.
Financial Times, on Headlines from Mintel

Key Statistics
Sales of burgers jump 800% in the UK
The August 2003 heatwave in Britain has led to a boom in sales at supermarkets.
Safeway reports that sales of burgers rose by 800% even before the record temperature of 100F was recorded on Sunday 10 August.
Other products experiencing high demand included iceburg lettuces (+700%), sun cream (+400%) and bottled water and fruit juices (+300%).
Independent, on Headlines from Mintel

Key Statistics
Britons have surprisingly limited knowledge of native cuisine
According to a survey by contract caterer Avenance, Britons have a surprisingly limited knowledge of native cuisine, with people citing pizza and spaghetti Bolognese as traditional to their areas.
More than half of people in Lancashire do not know that hotpot originates from there, and nearly a third of Scots are unaware that haggis is a national dish. Just under half of people from the South-west do not know that pasties originate from Cornwall, with 15% believing pizza to be a local dish. A third of people in Wales did not realise that rarebit originated locally, despite the name, with 17% believing chicken tikka masala to be a regional food. Many Londoners think doner kebabs are from the capital.
Caterer & Hotelkeeper, on Headlines from Mintel

Key Statistics
Ambient packaged cake market is worth £1.2bn
The ambient packaged cake market is worth £1.2 billon and is growing at 4.0% year-on-year. 97% of households purchase cake at least once throughout the year.
The Convenience sector accounts for £146 million. The market growth is primarily being driven by new product and packaging formats which are suitable for snacking and lunchbox opportunities. The growth reflects the shift in consumer UK eating habits away from formal family mealtimes to grazing, and eating on-the-move or outside the home.
Convenience Store, on Headlines from Mintel

Key Statistics
UK chewing gum business continues to show dynamic growth
The UK Chewing gum business continues to show dynamic growth.
The gum business was worth £236 (RSP) in the UK last year, and continues to grow with sales up 1 4% on the previous year. Gum has grown four times faster than other confectionery since 1999, while sales of mints have declined by 9%. Currently over half the UK population regularly chew gum.
The Wrigley Company is largely responsible for driving consistent growth in the chewing gum business.
Convenience Store, on Headlines from Mintel

Key Statistics
Global ice-cream consumption growing by 1-2% a year
Given modest consumption growth, ice-cream manufacturers have expanded over the past decade mostly by scooping up competitors. Nestlé completed a $2.4 billion takeover of Dreyer's Grand Ice Cream. Together, Unilever and Nestlé now have roughly one-third of the global market - and roughly half of the American one.
Given the limited opportunities for further acquisitions, ice-cream companies are turning to innovation. Unilever is testing a solar-powered fridge, to be taken to the beach. Its Cornetto Soft brand, launched in Europe in 2001, is dispensed in individual portions from cartridges. In the US, the latest craze, led by companies such as MaggieMoo's, is "mix-in" ice cream, offering combinations of dozens of flavours plus extra bits and pieces mixed on a frozen granite slab in front of the customer.
Economist, on Headlines from Mintel

Key Statistics
Consumption of packaged water in the US growing at a startling rate
Despite carbonates still being the backbone of the US beverage industry, consumption of packaged water in the US is growing at a startling rate.
Consumption of packaged water grew by 18% in 2002 compared with an increase of 3% for the total soft drinks market. Furthermore, packaged water accounted for almost 80% of total sort drinks growth.
FOODNEWS, on Headlines from Mintel

Key Statistics
Walkers tops UK brand sales
Health concerns appear to take a back seat when it comes to British snack habits. Walkers crisps was by far the biggest UK grocery brand last year, helped by the almost constant advertising of the brand featuring ex-footballer Gary Lineker.
According to the latest list of Britain's top grocery brands compiled by Marketing Magazine, the snack brand's sales topped £245 million in 2002, a clear sign that Britain remains a nation of snackers despite the popularity of the Atkins Diet or fears over cancer-causing chemical acrylamide.
The list, which includes both food and non-food items, is one of contrasts. Walkers' popularity suggests that consumers remain broadly unconcerned about health concerns when it comes to snacking, but the same is not necessarily true when it comes to soft drinks: the third most popular brand was Diet Coke with sales of £200 million.
The core Coca-Cola brand was number five in the list with sales of £190 million.
Two other brands in the list show that this packed lunch is likely to be finished off with a Mullerlight yoghurt (at number 11) and a cup of Nescafé coffee (number nine).
The magazine also highlights the shift upmarket evidenced by a number of high profile brand launches during the year, such as Walkers Sensations, Maltesers ice cream and Nestlé double cream.
Foodanddrinkeurope.com
http://www.foodanddrinkeurope.com/news/news.asp?id=2724

Business & Economics
Retail sales boosted by warm weather
Retail sales in July grew at their fastest rate in over a year, according to a survey from the CBI employers' organisation.
Some 54% of retailers said sales this July were up on 2002, while only 27% said their sales were down. The resulting balance of 27% is higher than June's 10% figure.
Financial Times, on Headlines from Mintel

Business & Economics
Retail sales values rise
The value of sales in UK shops rose 5.5% in July, slightly down on the 5.7% recorded in July 2002.
The British Retail Consortium says that like-for-like sales value increased 2.6% in July, compared with 3% in June.
The Times, on Headlines from Mintel

International Developments
INDIA: Coke and Pepsi deny toxin allegations
US soft drinks giants Pepsi and Coca-Cola have denied that drinks produced in their Indian plants contain higher toxin levels than are permitted.
The Centre for Science and Environment in India has carried out tests and claims Pepsi drinks contain 36 times the maximum pesticide levels permitted under the European Union and that Coca-Cola's have 30 times the limit.
Financial Times, on Headlines from Mintel

Indian MPs ban Coke and Pepsi
Indian MPs have removed Coca-Cola and Pepsi from cold cabinets in Parliament buildings after recent claims that the soft drinks produced in Indian plants contain dangerous toxin levels.
MPs also called for a nationwide ban on the sale of all 12 Pepsi and Coca-Cola products found to insecticides and pesticides.
The Times, on Headlines from Mintel

International Developments
RUSSIA: Love of vodka driving Russian premix market
Russia's abiding love affair with vodka is now driving sales of flavoured alcoholic beverages based on the national drink. The FAB category is just one of several categories with potential for good growth in the years to come.
It was inevitable that the country best-known as a nation of vodka drinkers would also become a major market for the late 1990s version of the drink - the vodka-based premix.
A new report from drinks industry analysts Canadean claims that flavoured alcoholic beverages (FABs) will be the fastest growing category in the Russian spirits market this year after volume sales in 2002 were up 20 per cent to around 3.5 million nine-litre cases.
FABs are helping drive an overall recovery in the Russian spirits market, according to Canadean. Although overall per capita and volume figures remained below the high of 1999 last year, both are continuing a year-on-year climb back.
Foodanddrinkeurope.com
http://www.foodanddrinkeurope.com/news/news.asp?id=2638

International Developments
IRELAND: Irish Republic second in drinking league in the EU
Citizens of the Irish Republic are the second highest consumers of alcohol in the EU.
The data show that this is rate of drinking is on the rise, according to the Department of Health. Ireland is now second only to Luxembourg in the EU league table of alcohol consumption. In 1970 consumption was 100 litres of beer per person. By 1999 this was 154 litres. Wine consumption increased from 3.3 litres to 28.7 litres. Spirits sent from 1.5 litres to 2 litres.
Irish Independent, on Headlines from Mintel

International Developments
IRELAND: Leading brands in the Irish Republic grocery sector
The number one selling grocery brand in the Irish Republic is Coca-Cola.
It has 32% of the carbonated drinks market with a sales value of €116.8 million. According to the Checkout magazine/Musgrave top 100 brands survey, Ireland's Top Ten selling brands will have grocery sales of €632 million this. That compares with sales of €644 million in 2002.
Several Irish-owned brands feature in the top ten. These include Glanbia-owned Avonmore, which has sales of €94.4 million and Premier Milk, with sales of €59.9 million. These two rank second and third respectively. Tayto is fourth on the list. This brand has a 43% share of the market.
Irish Independent, on Headlines from Mintel

International Developments
USA: Changes in US drinks culture
Americans are turning increasingly to packaged water as a healthier alternative to sugary fizzy drinks. And with much of the US suffering an almost permanent drought, the growth potential is huge, claims Canadean.
Beveragedaily.com
http://www.beveragedaily.com/news/news.asp?id=701

International Developments
IRELAND: Ireland will become the most expensive country in the Eurozone
Ireland will this year become the most expensive country in the Eurozone, with price levels 12% above average. Ireland's transformation into one of Europe's top performing economies has been accompanied by the highest inflation rate in the EU in recent years.
From homebuyers to coffee drinkers, Irish people are now being ripped off in almost every aspect of their daily lives.
Sunday Tribune, on Headlines from Mintel

International Developments
ISRAEL: Joint venture in Israel
Virgin has teamed up with the big Israeli beverages producer Mayanot Eden to offer some of its soft drink portfolio in Israel. While only seven flavour variants are currently available, the partners intend to expand the choices steadily. The drinks are being sold under the Virgin brand which enjoys high awareness in Israel because of the group's other international activities
Soft Drinks International, August 2003

International Developments
TAIWAN: Coca-Cola launches bottled tea drinks
Coca-Cola is introducing bottled tea drinks on the Taiwanese market.
The drinks are being produced under the brand of Ten Ren Tea, its Taiwanese partner and Taiwan's biggest producer and retailer of tea leaves.
FOODNEWS, on Headlines from Mintel

Retail & Company News
Asda overtakes Sainsbury's
Wal-Mart-owned grocery business Asda has passed Sainsbury's to become the UK's 2nd-largest supermarket chain. Latest figures show Asda to have won 17% of the UK grocery market, up from 16.1%, while Sainsbury's dipped from 17.1% to 16.2%. Overall, Tesco leads the UK grocery market, having a 27% share. Safeway is fourth (9.2%) and Morrisons fifth on 6%.
BBC News Online, on Headlines from Mintel

Retail & Company News
RHM Bakeries centralises marketing
Bakery and flour milling company RHM Bread Bakeries is reorganising its marketing team around a central marketing strategy, which will affect all brands across its flour, bread and part-baked businesses.
Simon Foster, plant marketing manager for Hovis, has been promoted to head of marketing for all of the Hovis brand and Paul Brixey, the former marketing controller for Rank Hovis, will take over as head of marketing for all RHM's other bread brands, which include Nimble, Mother's Pride and Enjoy Organic.
RHM Bread Bakeries is made up of three companies: British Bakeries, Rank Hovis and part-baked brand Le Pain Croustillant. Brands director Paula Moss was promoted to divisional marketing director RHM Bread Bakeries in July.
The restructure aims to bring the marketing and development of all RHM's bread brands under one team. Previously, each brand created its own strategy.
To support the marketing reshuffle, RHM has also appointed British Bakeries head of innovation Deborah Kvolikoiski to head of innovation across all brands. She will be responsible for new product development and design.
Industry News Alert, from Mad.co.uk
RHM Bakeries centralises marketing

Retail & Company News
Big names in High Street retailing developing c-store formats
Many of the big names in high street retailing are developing their own convenience food formats.
Boots, Marks & Spencer, Thresher and others have their eye on the lucrative lunchtime and evening meal market and are putting money behind testing new food retailing concepts.
Boots has unveiled a new concept that aims to tempt morning, lunchtime and evening shoppers to its convenience food section. The so-called 'Work Convenience' store in Holborn, London, is aimed at city professionals and has a much stronger emphasis on food than is the case at other stores in the chain.
Marks & Spencer is making its mark with small stores through its Simply Food outlets. Currently, M&S has 30 Simply Food stores but they are opening at an advanced rate
Thresher, the high street off licence chain, signalled its intention to get into the food business with its purchase of Leapingsalmon. The company currently supplies consumers with prepared meal kits. While the online business will continue, Thresher will introduce the meal kits into selected stores this summer.
Convenience Store, on Headlines from Mintel

Retail & Company News
Safeway launching own-label Oriental range
Safeway is introducing an own-label Oriental range comprising 70 cross-category lines including ready meals and delicatessen items.
Marketing Week, on Headlines from Mintel

Retail & Company News
Asda to launch Yorkshire's Best range
UK supermarket Asda is to launch Yorkshire's Best, a range of local food and drink products, to be sold at stores in the northern county.
Asda has already successfully introduced local products into supermarkets in Cornwall, the South-West, the Lake District, Scotland and Wales.
Such is the appeal of locally-produced items, that they often sell better than major brands.
theretailbulletin.com, on Headlines from Mintel

Retail & Company News
McDonald's global effort centres on premium food and in-store changes
In several US locations, McDonald's customers can access the Internet free with the purchase of a Value Meal. Meanwhile, in Raleigh, N.C., they can order that Value Meal at a kiosk and have it delivered to their table. And in Rockford, Ill., McDonald's customers, after being seated by a host, can eat their Value Meal with clear flatware off black plastic "china".
McDonald's has shifted its strategy from adding stores to adding customers and is focusing on innovation to drive sales.
The new product pipeline centres on premium, wholesome and snacks that appeal to on-the-go lifestyles. McDonald's is launching new products for local tastes: Feta Cheese Salad in the UK, Croque McDo sandwich line extensions in France and Deluxe meals in Germany.
Advertising Age, on Headlines from Mintel

Retail & Company News
Restructure hits Vimto profits
Vimto and Sunkist maker Nichols yesterday announced interim losses of £2.17m due to a £4m restructuring charge, but was confident of reaching profit forecasts after the hot summer.
Daily Telegraph, on Headlines from Mintel

Retail & Company News
Richmond Foods to supply UGC
Ice-cream maker Richmond Foods has signed a three-year deal to supply UGC Cinemas. Britain's biggest ice-cream maker Richmond owns the Nestle and Treats brands and will supply the UK's 43 UGC cinemas with Napoli ice-cream tubs, Smarties Pop Up, Rowntree's Fruit Pastille lollies, Ribena Ice and other products.
Daily Express, on Headlines from Mintel

Retail & Company News
Consumers choose own-label
The latest IGD Shopper Insight research shows that many UK Consumers opt for retailers' own brands because they provide better value than manufacturer brands. Across all supermarket ranges, 45% of consumers buy own brands because they are cheaper 45% because they provide better value. Some 12% buy because they think they are better quality than the branded counterpart.
theretailbulletin.com, on Headlines from Mintel

Retail & Company News
John Lewis plots new look for Waitrose stores
John Lewis is making the biggest single investment in its history, ploughing £134 million into revamping the store design of its Waitrose supermarket chain.
Industry News Alerts, on mad.co.uk
http://www.mad.co.uk/story.aspx?uid=47a986f2-f9f1-433f-823d-7e44b08240bf

Waitrose to invest £134 million in its stores
John Lewis Partnership-owned UK supermarkets chain Waitrose is to launch a £134 million revamp of its 143 branches during the next three years.
This will include new tills, new refrigerators, self-scanning tills plus devoting extra space to fresh foods and greater investment in its home delivery business.
Waitrose is looking to expand around a fifth of its current supermarkets and will also open eight new branches in 2004.
Grocer Today, on Headlines from Mintel

Retail & Company News
Marketing company bought by Seven Seas manufacturer
Seven Seas manufacturer Merck KGaA has bought Peter Black Direct Marketing for £16 million.
The healthcare company said it intends to use the company to take advantage of the growing demand for vitamin and mineral supplements in the UK. The market is reportedly worth £430 million a year.
Daily Telegraph, on Headlines from Mintel

Retail & Company News
De-list for Christmas
Coors Brewers is urging multiples to slash the amount of space given to tertiary brands over Christmas in order to maximise sales.
Setting out its stall for the festive period as retailers finalise their plans, Coors predict Carling, Foster's, Stella Artois and Grolsch would be the best performers this year. Further suggesting retailers need to de-list tertiary brands to create space and avoid going out of stock.
Grocer Today Daily Alerts
http://www.grocertoday.co.uk/article.asp?s=2&a=257935

Retail & Company News
Halewood buys H & A
Halewood International has added bottling company H&A Wines & Spirits Group to its growing empire. H&A, which went into administration earlier this year, specialised in bottling wine and spirits in miniature and quarter-size bottles.
The Grocer

UK miniatures rescued by drinks millionaire

IOL, on Drinks and beverages industry news
http://c.moreover.com/click/here.pl?e85365492&e=6327

Retail & Company News
7-Eleven launching no-calorie Diet Pepsi version (USA)
With an aim to hang on to older Slurpee drinkers with changing tastes and demands, 7-Eleven Inc. said it is launching several new flavours of its signature frozen carbonated beverage, including a first-ever, no-calorie Diet Pepsi version.
The Dallas-based convenience store chain has said that its line-up of new flavours includes Crystal Light Pineapple Orange, which is targeted at women, dieters and diabetics, as well as those watching their carbohydrate intake. The pineapple-orange flavour would be followed by a Crystal Light Strawberry Kiwi that will be sold at some stores beginning in October.
7-Eleven also is jumping onto the energy-drink bandwagon with Sobe Energy, the first Slurpee energy drink. The citrus-punch-flavoured beverage, with guarana, ginseng and taurine, is aimed at fitness-minded 18- to 34-year-old customers, 7-Eleven said.
The company said it has teamed with Mountain Dew for the "LiveWire" Slurpee; with Sprite for the "Remix" version; and with Fanta for a new banana split flavour. Other new offerings include Memphis Melon and Hawaiian Punch.
Food Ingredients First, on Drinks and beverages industry news
http://c.moreover.com/click/here.pl?e85938095&e=6327

Retail & Company News
Asda expands in-store cake selection
In an attempt to build on the consumer trend for special occasion cakes, Asda has expanded its in-store cake selection.
The supermarket is rolling out a new range of cakes based on the idea that they can be "for any occasion or no occasion at all".
The selection includes The Ultimate Carrot Cake, Coffee & Biscuits Gateaux, Chocolate Indulgence Cake, Oreo Cookie Gateau, Strawberry Gateau and The Ultimate Butterscotch Gateau.
British Baker, on Headlines from Mintel

Retail & Company News
Price-fighting lines from Nisa
Nisa-Today's has launched a new own label economy range, Nisa-Today's Value, with 22 lines. Announced in June the range replaces the Right Price and Everyday Value lines and includes commodity items such as soap powder, washing up liquid, baked beans and teabags.
Grocer Today Daily Alerts
http://www.grocertoday.co.uk/article.asp?s=4&a=257936

Retail & Company News
Spirits market shaken and stirred
Rumours of a takeover bid for Allied Domecq by Brown-Forman and Bacardi have at least thrown light on the perennial problem facing the global spirits players.
Beveragedaily.com
http://www.beveragedaily.com/news/news.asp?id=725

Products & Brands
Nibblers stocking new range of hand-made potato chips
Nibblers, the on-trade snack food supplier, is stocking a new range of Tyrrells hand-made potato chips in unusual flavours.
They include: jalapeno chilli & lemon, cider vinegar & sea salt, Thai curry & coriander, parsnip and mixed root vegetables.
Morning Advertiser, on Headlines from Mintel

Products & Brands
New range of muffins
Cookie Coach Company has launched a range of muffins with a variety of toppings. The new improved muffins, which replace the existing range, are baked to a brand new recipe. Flavours include Cherry, Blueberry, Chocolate Lemon & Sultana, Belgian Chocolate Chunk, Caramel & Toffee and Cappuccino. They muffins are baked in two varieties, standard and topped, with toppings including milk and white chocolate and toffee, and have inclusions such as chocolate chips and Canadian blueberries.
British Baker

Products & Brands
Anheuser-Busch to launch Michelob Ultra in the UK
Anheuser-Busch (A-B) Europe is planning to launch Michelob Ultra in the UK.
The product is a low-calorie, low-carbohydrate American variant of the beer brand.
Marketing Week, on Headlines from Mintel

Products & Brands
First branded dairy-free custard
Dairy-free brand Alpro is introducing the first branded dairy-free custard.
Marketing Week, on Headlines from Mintel

Products & Brands
GSK launching Sensodyne Total Care Extra Fresh
GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare is introducing an addition to the Sensodyne portfolio of toothpastes.
Sensodyne Total Care Extra Fresh is a dual action toothpaste for people with sensitive teeth. The formulation incorporates the everyday protection of a toothpaste along with an additional layer of gel to provide extra freshness.
Chemist & Druggist, on Headlines from Mintel

Products & Brands
Horlicks drink re-launched
The Horlicks drink from GlaxoSmithKline is set for a re-launch, with scientific evidence being used to push the product
GSK is looking for a Lucozade-style revamp of the drink, so that it's sleep-enhancing qualities are backed up by scientific data.
Marketing, on Headlines from Mintel

Products & Brands
Ovaltine in direct revamp to target mothers
Ovaltine is ditching its traditional cosy bedtime image in a debut integrated response campaign. The hot drinks brand, which was sold by Novartis to Associated British Foods for £171m late last year, aims to create new relationships with young mothers and pregnant women by repositioning as a vital dietary supplement.
Industry News, from mad.co.uk
http://www.mad.co.uk/story.aspx?uid=1638c6b0-6a31-4d6f-9189-7456225a546f

Products & Brands
Good news for chocolate lovers (USA)
The Balance Bar brand has added three new sweet-tasting flavours to its nutrition bar range, including a chocolate cookie dough flavour, which it claims remains a healthy snack food.
The Cookie Dough flavour contains cookie pieces and is smothered in a rich chocolate coating, while Strawberry Cheesecake, part of the Balance Gold triple-layer energy bar range, also promises to be a sweet tasting snack. There will also be a new flavour in the Balance Gold Crunch line.
All of the bars are said to contain 14g of protein, with moderate carbohydrates for which provide lasting energy without peaks and crash. They are also fortified with 23 vitamins and minerals, and contain 200 calories.
Confectionerynews.com
http://www.confectionerynews.com/news/news.asp?id=290

Products & Brands
Wrigley's to launch Orbit Professional
The Wrigley Company is to introduce Orbit Professional, an extension of its Orbit chewing gum brand, to be promoted as having added dental benefits.
Orbit Professional is said to contain "microgranules" that help to clean teeth when chewed on a regular basis in between meals.
Wrigley's believes that there is consumer demand for such 'healthy' confectionery products.
Mad.co.uk

Products & Brands
Baileys Glide to launch in September 2003
Diageo said that it will launch its new 'lighter' Baileys Glide into supermarkets in September 2003, aiming to win over a wider number of drinkers, in particular women.
Baileys Glide will combine Irish cream liqueur with vanilla for a "longer, lighter experience" that fits in with everyday, social occasions with friends.
Mad.co.uk

Products & Brands
Minute Maid to become Coca-Cola's global juice brand
US soft drinks giant Coca-Cola is set to push Minute Maid as its international umbrella juice brand, a move that could see Five Alive and Oasis placed under it in the UK.
Publicis Worldwide has been selected to administer global marketing strategies for the Minute Maid brand.
Coca-Cola is hoping that the shake-up will help it to win sales from rival juice brands, such as PepsiCo's Tropicana.
Marketing, on Headline from Mintel

Products & Brands
Mr Kipling, Halloween cakes
Looking to cash in on Halloween 2003 is Manor Bakeries, with limited edition "fiendishly delicious" cakes via its Mr Kipling and Cadbury MiniRolls brands.
Grocer Today, on Headlines from Mintel

Products & Brands
Change of name for Freekee Soda
Britvic is to rename its Freekee Soda soft drink as Tango Strange Soda, following a legal challenge.
The new look product will appear on shelves from 31 September 2003, backed up by a £5 million campaign.
(Given the very modest start for this product, it may be Britvic are more than a little relieved to be in an honourable position to re-launch)
Mad.co.uk, on Headlines from Mintel

Products & Brands
Crusha gets Web and iTV re-launch
Silver Spoon, the company behind Crusha milkshakes, is re-launching the brand with a major marketing push via interactive TV and online.
Industry News Alert from Mad.co.uk
http://www.mad.co.uk/story.aspx?uid=5e6052b8-f8fa-4e61-9190-6da5fecb838b

Products & Brand
Absolut Vanilia to launch in September
Just-drinks.com
http://just-drinks.com/nd.asp?art=20509&dm=yes

Products & Brands
Pepsi launches new energy cola in Saudi Arabia
PepsiCo Beverages International (PBI) and its partners in Saudi Arabia has extended its product line up with the introduction a new beverage called Pepsi X.
Mena Report, on Drinks and beverages industry news
http://c.moreover.com/click/here.pl?e84043941&e=6327

Products & Brands
ITV football defeat, a blow to Coca-Cola
News that the BBC has won back the rights to show 3-year highlights of Premier League football matches from the 2004/05 season onwards is a blow to ITV1 backer Coca-Cola.
The decision will leave Coke without a high-profile association with the English game, a key market in which to engage fans and boost soft drink sales.
Marketing, on Headlines from Mintel

Products & Brands
Flavour hit (USA)
The Coca-Cola Company has launched Flavor Rage, liquid shots of flavour that consumers add to soft drinks. Vanilla and cherry were the first flavours launched. Since then tropical flavoured 'remix' and a mixed berry have been added. Chocolate and raspberry flavours are scheduled to be unveiled this autumn.
Soft Drinks International, August 2003

Products & Brands
Fruitella launches new citrus sour flavour
Perfetti van Melle is introducing new Fruitrella Citrus Sour in the UK this summer to extend its best-selling core range of Strawberry, English Fruits, Blackcurrant and Summer Fruits Flavours. Sour flavours are one of the most dynamic trends in children's confectionery, so Citrus Sour is certain to prove an exciting and successful addition to the Fruitella range. A panel of young testers were universally in favour of the three new sour flavours calling them "fabulous and tangy, fizzy, amazing, cool and seriously nice."
New Citrus Sour contains grapefruit, lemon, and orange flavours made from real fruit juice with added Vitamin C, and only natural colourings.
Food & Drink International, August 2003

Products & Brands
Firefly gives Chinese herbalists a wake up call
Drinks company Firefly has enlisted the services of Chinese herbal experts for its new range of herbal juice-based offerings. The four drinks aim to provide a boost at different times of the day.
Wake Up variant combines grapefruit with ginger, cinnamon and ginseng for early morning;
No Siesta blends peach green tea, ginger and gentian to keep energy levels up after a meal;
Sharpen Up is formulated with apple, ginkgo biloba liquorice to provide a mind-invigorating drink;
And autumn berry, ginger and lavender flavour Chill Out is aimed at relaxation.
The Grocer

Products & Brands
Lilt drink unveils new flavour
Lilt, the carbonated soft drink brand, is launching a new banana and peach flavour, to go alongside its original and diet versions.
The brand's packaging has also been given a new look, as it seeks to win sales away from rival soft drinks Tango and Fanta.
Marketing, on Headlines form Mintel

Products & Brands
Bols launches three flavour extensions
Maxxium, the drinks distribution group, is to launch three new flavours of Bols Liqueur cocktail range. Lychee, coffee and amaretto Bols join the other 18 flavours in the UK range and will be launched initially to the on trade and then the off trade.
In a release Maxxium said it had consulted with bartenders across the country to develop these flavours.
Just-drinks.com
http://just-drinks.com/nd.asp?art=20534&dm=yes

Products & Brands
Cherry Coke hits Aussie market (Australia)
Coca-Cola is planning to further expand its range of flavours by launching Cherry Coke into the Australian market. The move follows the somewhat mixed success of Vanilla Coke.
Beveragedaily news headlines
http://www.beveragedaily.com/news/news.asp?id=708

Products & Brands
Vanilla Coke gets rum deal
Bacardi Brown-Forman Brands and Coca-Cola Enterprises Ltd have launched a new spirit/mixer drink into the UK off-trade. The introduction of the 'Bacardi Vanilla Coke' of 'BVC' develops an association that goes back as far as 1898, when Bacardi and Coke was reputedly first mixed in a Havana bar.
The launch is described by Bacardi as the first of many initiatives from the two companies who are now engaged in a long-term strategic link.
Wine & Spirit, August 2003

Products & Brands
Big Softies is re-branded as Fox's Low Fat
Fox's Biscuits, part of the Northern Food Group, is re-branding its Big Softies biscuit range to Fox's Officially Low Fat, in an attempt to raise awareness of the product's low fat content.
Industry News Alerts, from Mad.co.uk
http://www.mad.co.uk/story.aspx?uid=accda2c0-337d-44d7-9752-acfddc122a0f

Products & Brands
The rise to the top of Bailey's Cream Liqueur
Baileys, the world's number one liqueur, is on track to double sales volumes from the 5 million cases achieved in 2001 to 10m cases by 2008. The anticipate4d growth in demand is being supported by investment of €64m in a new state-of-the-art production, bottling and packaging plant in Belfast by parent company Diageo.
Food & Drink Business, July 2003

Products & Brands
Tagatose on target
A new drink containing the natural sweetener tagatose has been launched - good news for patent-holder Spherix.
Putting the pressure on its licensee MD Foods to bring tagatose to the marketplace may well have worked for the low cal sweetener patent holder Spherix International with the news that 7-Eleven has introduced a new drink that contains the natural sugar onto the market.
The launch of the new Diet Pepsi flavoured Slurpee drink - that uses tagatose as a flavour enhancer - marks the first commercial introduction of Spherix's low-calorie sweetener and a long awaited day for the company.
Last year the US company begun legal proceedings against its 'overly cautious' licensee MD Foods (now part of the Swedish Arla group), claiming that the Danish company had taken an "unreasonably long time to bring tagatose to market".
Spherix is undoubtedly keen to get a slice of the burgeoning sweetener market - currently on an upward curve as populations become increasingly concerned about obesity and health.
Beveragedaily.com
http://www.beveragedaily.com/news/news.asp?id=726

Products & Brands
Reef's got a nice Pear...and Grape new flavour
The Reef brand from Coors Brewers has been extended with the introduction of a new Pear and Grape variant.
Just six months since the last new flavour, Blackcurrant and Raspberry, Coors has broadened the range in an attempt to retain its growth in an otherwise struggling ready-to-drink sector.
thepublican.com
http://www.thepublican.com/item/10521/11

Products & Brands
Maxxium UK acquires sambuca brand Vaccari
Maxxium UK has acquired leading sambuca brand Vaccan.
The spirit specialist, whose other shot brands include the market-leading After Shock, is looking to build some brand awareness in a growing sambuca category. The sambuca sector is up 27% on last year.
Publican, on headlines from Mintel

Products & Brands
GSK launching a foaming antibacterial toothpaste
GlaxoSmithKline is introducing Extreme Clean, a foaming antibacterial toothpaste.
The Extreme Clean toothpaste foams when brushed to create antibacterial bubbles that clean with an action similar to a mouthwash.
Marketing Week, on Headlines from Mintel

Products & Brands
Disney in children's biscuits launch
Disney is to launch its first range of children's biscuits, in association with Bon Bon Buddies.
The first biscuits to go on sale will be Disney Princess Dreamy Strawberry Hearts, targeted at three to 11 year olds and selling for £1.19.
These will accompanied on shelves by Winnie-the-Pooh Rumbly Tumblies, with a similar price, but aimed at two to eight year olds.
Marketing, on Headlines from Mintel

Products & Brands
Raspberry variant added to the Mullerlight Fruit Halo range
The Mullerlight Fruit Halo range of desserts is introducing a Raspberry variant. The range presently comprises Vanilla with Strawberry and Peach & Pineapple with Passion Fruit - containing only 0.5g of fat and less than 125 calories. The Raspberry variant is similarly virtually fat-free and low in calories.
Independent Retail News, on Headlines from Mintel

Products & Brands
Quaker targeting children with Oatso Simple Smoothies
Cereal maker Quaker, is targeting children with the launch of Oatso Simple Smoothies.
The flavoured hot oat cereal will be available in 3 varieties.
Marketing Week, on Headlines from Mintel

Products & Brands
Anheuser/Bacardi launch third Silver variant (USA)
Anheuser-Busch is to launch another Bacardi-branded malternative called Bacardi Silver Raz on the US market. The raspberry flavoured variant joins the current portfolio that includes Bacardi Silver and Bacardi Silver O3. The new drink comes out just six months after the rollout of Bacardi Silver O3, an orange-flavoured variant of Bacardi Silver.
The decision to expand the range comes despite falling demand for malternatives in the US. Sales account for about 2.6% of the beer market however they are expected to dip more than 14% this year, according to Anheuser-Busch. That said the market still remains attractive to A-B. Bacardi Silver already has an estimated 24% of the spirit-branded segment of the malternative market.
Just-drinks.com
http://just-drinks.com/nd.asp?art=20622

Products & Brands
Coke Cans Fruitopia (USA)
After almost ten years, Coke starts to phase out Fruitopia.
Originally intended as a rival to Snapple, the Fruitopia brand has gone through a decade of failed attempts to build the brand as a solid player in the ready-to-drink juice category.
According to Beverage Digest, Fruitopia peaked in 1999 with sales of 44 million cases. By 2002, Fruitopia had trailed off to 19 million cases, less than such small-time soft drinks as Fresca, which sells 23 million cases annually.
In place of Fruitopia, Coke will focus on its similar product line under the Minute Maid label. This brand will keep two of the more popular flavours of Fruitopia, but will otherwise discontinue the other flavours in the line. This move will not impact Fruitopia in Canada.
Coke, from BevNET.com on Drinks and beverages industry news
http://c.moreover.com/click/here.pl?e85358994&e=6327

Ingredients & Innovation
SA Navels delayed
Climatic problems in South Africa have led to the Navel season being delayed by as much as three weeks. The season is only just getting under way and Capespan ((providing 40% of sales) are anticipating around 300,000 cartons of fruit, which could represent a shortfall of up to a quarter on last year. The last start also means the Navel season will overlap with the start of the Valencia harvest.
Grapefruit has also been in short supply due to a light crop and many growers turning to more profitable alternative crops. Japanese demand has also been very buoyant, and diverted volume.
The Grocer

Ingredients & Innovation
Sweetcorn runs early
English Sweetcorn sales have been given a boost this year by ideal growing conditions.
While crop quality is excellent, consumption has also been boosted by the development of virtually ready-to-eat presentations and a new generation of hybrids which taste sweeter and have a longer shelf life.
The Grocer

Ingredients & Innovation
US sugar industry examined
US department of agriculture sugar-market economist John Love has predicted that producer prices for sugar for 2002/03 will be five per cent higher than last year's.
Confectionerynews.com
http://www.confectionerynews.com/news/news.asp?id=296

Ingredients & Innovation
Exciting new flavour from Belmay
As part of the new NPR process we have developed a new flavour YUZU FRUIT. The Yuzu, originating in China and now cultivated in Japan, is small round citrus fruit that tastes of Sour orange blended with Grapefruit, Tangerine and lemon with pleasant, fresh, sulphurous, green odours. Traditionally, the juice from this strange citrus fruit is used in Japanese cooking especially with fish.
The rarity of the juice itself adds to the uniqueness of this exciting 'new' flavouring.

As part of the development, flavours have been created suitable for all major applications:
beverages, especially spring waters and flavoured alcoholic beverages (natural 90% from the named fruit. (FTNF); yoghurt, ice cream, bakery, and confectionary (natural with other natural flavourings. (WONF); and yoghurt, ice cream, bakery, and confectionary.
For details on the flavour please contract Flavour House Ireland, David O'Riordan or Michael O'Donovan

Ingredients & Innovation
Low-calorie watermelon
An agricultural scientist at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem claims to have developed a less fattening variety of watermelon which still tastes just as sweet.
(Some value in genetic modification, it would appear)
foodnavigation.com
http://www.foodnavigator.com/news/news.asp?id=8143

Ingredients & Innovation
Caffeine boosts athletes' stamina
Caffeine has been shown to boost cyclists' stamina by a third, and could also help increase the amount of weight lost during physical activity, report researchers at the Australian Institute of Sport.
Beveragedaily.com
http://www.beveragedaily.com/news/news.asp?id=700

Ingredients & Innovation
Caffeine specialist focuses on nutraceuticals
Natraceutical, the biotech subsidiary of Spanish cocoa products group Natra, looks set to shift its focus away from caffeine towards nutraceutical products, as it announces its third patent application this year.
The latest patent, applied for last month, is for a natural compound called AD-11, which can be used to increase the fibre and polyphenol content of foods. The firm is also hoping to receive a patent for CV-16, a fatty acid ingredient that is said to prevent cardiovascular disease, and IN-29, rich in antioxidants and soluble fibres.
Natraceutical claims to be world's leading purified caffeine producer, with US soft drinks giant Coca-Cola among its numerous clients.
Foodanddrinkeurope.com
http://www.foodanddrinkeurope.com/news/news.asp?id=2648

Ingredients & Innovation
Finland lifts noni juice ban
The Finnish National Food Agency has lifted its temporary ban on the import, export, sale and serving of Tahitian noni juice. The Agency said the decision was made after confirming that the measures required when the ban was imposed in 1998 have been taken.
Traders in noni juice - the juice of the Indian mulberry or morinda citrifolia that grows in Polynesia and other parts of South East Asia - will now be allowed to market the product to the public.
When it first imposed the ban, the National Food Agency asked suppliers to find out whether the product required approval under the EU regulation concerning novel foods.
US-based Noni Juice producer Morinda undertook this task and in June obtained permission from the European Commission for use of noni juice as a novel food ingredient in pasteurised fruit drinks.
Beveragedaily.com
http://www.beveragedaily.com/news/news.asp?id=706

Ingredients & Innovation
Nicotine fruit juice
Nicotine-containing fruit drinks could soon be available as an alternative for people trying to stop smoking, says a Los Angeles-based firm, which has received exclusive rights to market nicotine drinks.
Beveragedaily.com
http://www.beveragedaily.com/news/news.asp?id=696

Ingredients & Innovation
Calcium deficiency raising infant rickets incidence
Fizzy drinks and juices could be causing rickets associated with calcium deficiency in North American children, suggests new research.
Researchers linked cases of rickets - a disease usually attributed to a lack of vitamin D or insufficient exposure to sunlight, and more prevalent than previously thought - to a lack of dietary calcium.
The new findings, to be published in today's issue of The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, highlight the need to maintain a healthy diet for infants and children once breast feeding stops.
Foodnavigator.com
http://www.foodnavigator.com/news/news.asp?id=8147

Ingredients & Innovation
Clove is key ingredient in energy drink for women
According to various recent product launches in America, clove is an appropriate flavour, especially for a more mature female audience.
Clove is stated to be a powerful natural aphrodisiac also effective against mental and physical fatigue and memory loss.
Soft Drinks International, August 2003

Ingredients & Innovation
Creatine supplements boost memory and intelligence
A new Australian study has shown that taking creatine, a dietary supplement used by athletes to increase muscle power, can also increase brain power. Creatine is found in muscle tissue, and most of the creatine in our diet comes from eating meat and fish. Previous research has indicated that creatine improves recognition memory and reduces mental fatigue. It has also been shown to have potential in the treatment of neurological, neuromuscular and atherosclerotic disease. Creatine is known to play a part in maintaining energy levels in the brain.
Foodlineweb, from LFI
http://www.foodlineweb.co.uk/foodweb/displaynews.asp?newsid=1239

Ingredients & Innovation
EC steps up aflatoxin controls
Food producers are on heightened alert after the EC stepped up measures taken to ensure aflatoxin-contaminated Chinese peanuts, Iranian pistachios and Turkish figs, pistachios and hazelnuts do not enter the European Union.
Foodproductiondaily.com
http://www.foodproductiondaily.com/news/news.asp?id=3271

Ingredients & Innovation
Apples set to scorch in the heat
Soaring temperatures are likely to have a significant impact on European apples and pears. The EU apple crop is currently forecast to be 3% down on last year. Pears may also suffer with the crop already down 9%.
Despite this, a shortage of product is unlikely. Europe has long had apple over-production, although pears remain more in balance with demand.
The Grocer

Ingredients & Innovation
Tagatose gains further approval (South Korea)
Gaio-tagatose, the functional sweetener developed by dairy giant Arla Foods, has been granted approval by the South Korean government.
Dairyreporter.com
http://www.dairyreporter.com/news/news.asp?id=596

Ingredients & Innovation
Healthy alcoholic beverages and preparation thereof
A process for producing a health drink containing alcohol is described. Fresh cucumber is washed and drained prior to soaking in white spirits in a sealed vessel. The cucumber is then removed from the liquid, which is claimed to be beneficial to health, and pose no risk to the digestive system, or risk of nausea if taken to excess.
Wang Y. PCT Patent Application in Food Industry Updates: Ingredients, from LFI July 2003

Ingredients & Innovation
Coffee to the rescue
So can coffee be good for you? Recently published research indicates that the beverage can protect against liver cirrhosis, a life threatening illness associated with excessive alcohol consumption.
The research, which is published in the Annals of Epidemiology, Volume 13, 2003, suggests that drinking three cups of coffee a day may reduce the risk of fatal liver disease by an incredible 40 per cent. The findings follow on from previous studies that have also shown coffee to have liver-protecting properties.
Beveragedaily.com Headlines
http://www.beveragedaily.com/news/news.asp?id=711

Ingredients & Innovation
Government launches "eat British" campaign
The UK government is urging public institutions to buy British food but European competition law is preventing ministers from forcing schools, hospitals and prisons to do so.
The public sector spends at least £1.8bn per year on food and the National Farmers Union has welcomed the government's appeal.
Independent, on Headlines from Mintel

Ingredients & Innovation
New warning for illegal colour
The UK Food Standards Agency has issued a further Food Hazard Warning about chilli powder contaminated by the known carcinogen and illegal dye Sudan 1. Sudan I is not a permitted colour under the Colours in Food Regulations 1995. It may cause cancer and damage to DNA. As a result it is banned in food at any level.
Foodnavigator.com
http://www.foodnavigator.com/news/news.asp?id=8202

Industry Initiatives
Today's over-50s, living life to the full
The days when reaching 50 years of age signalled a time to put your feet up and take it easy are gone, with these consumers now fitter, having a higher disposable income than previous generations and living life to the full.
Say it quietly, but it may even have become cool to be old.
(One as close to the hearts of a number of colleagues, as interesting from a development perspective)
Design Week, on Headlines from Mintel

Industry Initiatives
Virtual reality conquers sense of taste
Food companies cooking up a novel product will soon be able to check how elderly people will fare when they try to chew on it, thanks to a device that mimics the taste and "mouthfeel" of food.
Already, virtual reality devices have been built that try to simulate experiences for four of our five senses - vision, hearing, touch and smell. But the complexity of the sense of taste has made it difficult for computers to conquer.
Taste combines the feel of food in the mouth with chemical and even auditory cues. Hiroo Iwata of the University of Tsukuba in Japan and colleagues call it the "last frontier of virtual reality".
But it is a frontier they have now crossed. The food simulator is the first media technology that is put into the mouth.
(Thanks to Darren for the supply of this article)
NewScientist.com

Industry Initiatives
Soft drinks sector achieves major energy savings
Following the announcement in April that the food & drink industry had successfully passed the first milestone target of its climate change levy agreement, further analysis of the data has shown that the soft drinks industry is leading the way in reducing energy usage. The 34 soft drinks sites registered under the scheme achieved a 12.7% reduction in specific energy consumption since its introduction, despite year on year industry growth. All sites retained their 80% discount against the levy for another two-year period - more evidence that it pays to be part of the process.
Drinks Focus August 2003, from the BSDA

Industry Initiatives
Children's meals in many pubs are unimaginative
According to a report by the Food Commission, the healthy eating campaign group, children's meals in many pubs are unimaginative and full of "sugar, fat and highly processed ingredients".
A lack of fresh fruit and vegetables and too much reliance on chicken nuggets, chips, burgers and fizzy drinks means menus are failing to appeal to parents concerned about their children's diets.
Publican, on Headlines from Mintel

Industry Initiatives
Savouring the flavour
In an effort to preserve the valuable aromas of fruit teas, Walki Wisa's Steinfurt, Germany, operations have developed a new barrier material for tea packaging using a combination of special polymers.
A fruit tea with a well-preserved aroma is difficult to compare with other flavours and because of its delicate nature it is essential to ensure optimum preservation of both the flavour and the aroma. The team at Walki Wisa realised that the tea's packaging was a decisive step towards the required end product, an enjoyable tea. So bearing this in mind the team set about to create a packaging that would optimise both of these qualities.
Beveragedaily.com Headlines
http://www.beveragedaily.com/news/news.asp?id=714

Industry Initiatives
Advertising on the way to discourage binge drinking
The UK government is planning to clampdown hard on the binge drinking culture that exists, in particular the rise of alcoholic consumption by young women.
Such is the concern, that the government is preparing tough plans to reduce binge drinking, including the use of hard-hitting advertisements.
Warnings could even start to appear on beer, wine and alcopop bottles, informing people about the dangers of drinking too much.
thisislondon.co.uk, on Headlines from Mintel

Industry Initiatives
Concerns raised over vodka jelly shots (Australia)
New South Wales Minister for Gaming and Racing, Grant McBride has raised concerns about a new vodka drink.
Mr McBride says the drink is aimed at young people and he says it encourages excessive drinking. The shot-sized drink resembles the sort of flavours used by soft drink makers. It's sweet, it's easy to drink and it lends itself to rapid consumption by young people. The containers are brightly coloured, the product looks like a standard jelly, they come in fruit juice flavours and they're very attractive to young people, which lends itself to rapid consumption.
In some places they're stacking them up, they call them traffic lights, that is you've got green amber and red so it becomes a party trick.
ABC Online, on Drinks and beverage industry news
http://c.moreover.com/click/here.pl?e85149806&e=6327

Industry Initiatives
EFSIS develop certification standard for GM products
Food inspection and certification company EFSIS is planning to develop a certification standard for genetically modified products. The company is working with food makers and expects to introduce its initiative in 2003.
Marketing Week, on Headlines from Mintel

Industry Initiatives
Govt to issue ISI mark for soft drinks (India)
The Consumer Affairs Ministry has expressed willingness to issue ISI mark licence for soft drinks provided the companies approach them on the matter, something they had failed to do so far. The Ministry also said the Health Ministry under which the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act (PFA) is administered, has until now not recommended making ISI licence mandatory for soft drinks. The BIS standard on soft drinks were only voluntary unlike the ones for bottled and packaged drinking water, which had been made mandatory after a recommendation to this effect came from the Health Ministry.
The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) norms for soft drinks are optional in nature, but if a company approaches the Ministry for the ISI mark, they are prepared to issue them a licence - but none has applied so far. If a cola company wanted to score a mark over its competitors it could always apply for a BIS licence and in accordance with the rules and based on the standards governing the product it will be permitted to use the ISI mark.
msn.co.in, on Drinks and beverages industry news
http://c.moreover.com/click/here.pl?e85438120&e=6327

Industry Initiatives
EU set for fight over GIs
The EU has drawn up a list of 41 products which it claims should be protected by international law in a bid to stop third countries taking advantage of names such as Champagne or Parma ham. But many of these are considered generic.
The 41 products on the list - mainly alcoholic beverages but also including meat products, cheese and confectionery products - will have to be negotiated with the EU's trading partners at the World Trade Organisation talks in September but the EU is also seeking greater protection for its products in the future.
Brussels wants to establish a multilateral register of GIs (Geographical Indications) as well as the extension of the protection already granted to various wine and spirit products to include other items. It has also said it will continue to fight for those names which are currently being 'abused' by third countries to be granted GI status.
foodanddrinkeurope.com
http://www.foodanddrinkeurope.com/news/news.asp?id=2723

Flavour House Ireland Disclaimer: no liability for accuracy of statistics; without prejudice; views and opinions do not necessarily represent those of Flavour house Ireland Limited.