Flavours Newsletter
March 2004 - What’s new in Flavours


International
& Business
FRANCE: French labelling disconcerts consumers
France's food and drink accreditation awards were originally intended as a guarantee of quality, but in recent years both small and large companies have been multiplying certification schemes as a marketing tool. There are now calls for a rationalisation of such schemes to avoid misleading consumers.
The use of certification schemes has become a central element of many companies' marketing strategy. They facilitate entry into supermarkets and large distribution networks for small and medium-sized producers, or add value and sales volume for the products of larger manufacturers. On average, products carrying a certification label have a retail price approximately 30% higher than equivalent non-certified products. In 2003, the sales value of products with certification labels was E30 billion, of which E28 billion came products carrying official certifications such as the AOC or the Label Rouge.
just-drinks.com
http://just-drinks.com/nd.asp?art=22398&dm=yes

International
& Business
Multinationals look to bear fruit in Eastern Europe
Eastern Europeans are much bigger juice drinkers than their Asian Pacific and Latin American counterparts. While Eastern European juice markets have traditionally been dominated by local companies, according to global market analysts, Euromonitor, domestic producers are coming under increasing pressure from multinationals keen to gain a piece of the action.
With per capita consumption at 13 litres, Eastern Europe stands as a relatively developed juice market among the emerging markets. With a modest 2.4 litres and 5.5 litres respectively, Asia Pacific and Latin America lag far behind.
just-drinks.com
http://just-drinks.com/fd.asp?art=898

Eastern Europe set for beverage boom
Global drinks consumption is rising by 2.6 per cent a year, according to a report from drinks consultancy Zenith International
foodadndrinkeurope.com
http://www.foodanddrinkeurope.com/news/news-NG.asp?id=18147

International
& Business
Central Europe prospect for suppliers
British food and drink producers could benefit from a €60bn sales opportunity if they decide to develop markets in the four new Central European countries joining the European Union in May.
According to grocery think tank IGD (Institute of Grocery Distribution), manufacturers will find exporting to Poland, the Czech Republic, Hungary and Slovakia more attractive when duty rates on exports to these countries are lifted on
May 1.
IGD expect these entries to the EU to significantly stimulate further growth as trade and other barriers to investment fall away, creating a more level playing field for suppliers. The favourable environment is seen to represent a great time for UK suppliers to enter the market, provided they have assessed all the options.
It is expected that suppliers would have to choose their entry strategy carefully to make the most of the opportunity to share a part of the new market.
The IGD says that manufacturers will need to consider whether they should have different pricing strategies for the central European countries, and whether they need to invest in proactive brand support at a local level or have specialist sales teams for the region.
Establishing local manufacturing capability is also mooted by IGD. Central Europe is an attractive location in which to establish production because of lower costs due to economic and social differences. IGD considers that those suppliers that can guarantee region-wide supply are likely to be viewed more favourably by international retailers operating in the central European region.
Food Industry News, March 2004

International
& Business
UK BUDGET: Mixed reaction from the drinks trade
Britain's drinks industry has warned that an increase in beer duty and the ongoing threat of tax stamps designed to cut down on duty evasion will simply increase the cost burden on UK trade.
beveragedaily.com
http://beveragedaily.com/news/ng.asp?n=wt13&c=uxurzistpxvdohd&id=50715

International
& Business
SWEDEN: Absolut breaks 1 billion barrier
Absolut has shipped its 1 billionth bottle of vodka. The Swedish vodka distiller announced that the bottled, which has a golden cap, left its plant in Ahus, southern Sweden, in March.
just-drinks.com
http://just-drinks.com/nd.asp?art=22685&dm=yes

Supply Chain
Nestlé to close desserts business
Nestlé is to close its UK chilled desserts operation with the loss of 155 jobs. The facility based at Staverton, Wiltshire, has been running substantially under capacity for a number of years. Nestlé said that its joint venture breakfast cereals operation with General Mills, Cereal Partners UK, which shares the site at Staverton, would remain unaffected by the closure of the chilled desserts business.
Food Industry News, March 2004

Supply Chain
Glanbia to build innovation centre
Ireland's Glanbia Foods is to build its first group innovation centre for its European food manufacturing interests. Due for completion in September, Glanbia intends to invest €15m over the next five years at the site in Kilkenny equipping the centre with state of the art facilities. The innovation centre will focus on the European market and it is envisaged that the operation will work closely with Irish and international universities.
Food Industry News, March 2004

Supply Chain
Britvic set for 700m flotation
OFT drinks group Britvic is set for a stock market flotation of up to £700m after its shareholders ended more than two years of wrangling with bottler and stake owner PepsiCo. But under the deal, the Tango-to-Robinsons group, which also bottles Pepsi products in the UK, cannot be sold to a trade buyer or venture capitalist.
Britvic, whose Robinsons cordials are the official Wimbledon still drink and a sponsor of Tim Henman, must be floated between the start of 2005 and the end of 2008, the agreement states.
This Is Money, on Drinks and beverages industry news
http://c.moreover.com/click/here.pl?e132709028&e=6327

Supply Chain
Waitrose plays the premium card
Waitrose is not the cheapest food retailer in the UK, nor does it offer the largest range of services. But it does claim to have the best quality and service levels in the industry - a focus on the premium end of the market which continues to pay dividends for the employee-owned group, writes Chris Jones.
Waitrose has reported sales growth of 12 per cent in 2003 to £2.7 billion, with like-for-like sales growth of around 5 per cent, one of the highest in the food retail sector (in comparison, Tesco's like-for-like growth is around 6-7 per cent, while Sainsbury's is nearer 1 per cent), figures which clearly show that the company premium proposition continues to work well in a UK market where price is becoming an ever-important factor.
nutraingredients.com
http://nutraingredients.com/news/ng.asp?n=dt75&c=uxurzistpxvdohd&id=50620

Supply Chain
Muller steals Cadbury deal from Uniq
Muller Dairy UK has snatched the licence for Cadbury's desserts from food giant Uniq. The deal will reinforce the position of Muller as the UK's leading dairy brand in the chilled dessert category.
Observers note that Uniq has failed to focus on the Cadbury brand. They believe that the move to Muller will kick-start a renewed interest in new product development or the brands.
Marketing Week

Supply Chain
UK coatings firm to add dissolving strip technology
UK company BioProgress, which makes cellulose-based films for coating tablets and capsules, is making an acquisition in the US that gives it access to dissolving 'in the mouth' films for retail consumer products.
nutraingredients.com
http://nutraingredients.com/news/ng.asp?n=dt69&c=uxurzistpxvdohd&id=50477

Supply Chain
Cott appoints new chief executive
Canadian-based own label soft drinks maker Cott said that chairman Frank Weise is to hand over his duties as chief executive to John Sheppard, but remain chairman of the group.
Sheppard, currently president and chief operating officer of the company, will take up his post on September 1. Weise, Cott's chief executive since 1998, will continue as chairman assisting management in long-term strategy.
Cott also announced that it had bought the assets and bottling plant of The Cardinal Companies of Elizabethtown based in Kentucky. The company has had a long-standing deal with Cott as a co-packer of soft drinks in the US.
Grocer.TodayAlerts
http://www.grocertoday.co.uk/article.asp?s=5&a=265945

Supply Chain
Branson to launch chain of juice bars
Sir Richard Branson is to launch a chain of juice bars in London. They will go under the name Pulp after he bought a stake in 12-strong chain Pulp Health.
thisislondon.co.uk, on Headlines from Mintel

Supply Chain
Kerry buys two US beverage companies
OnBusiness, on Drinks and beverages industry news
http://c.moreover.com/click/here.pl?e136805643&e=6327

Supply Chain
O'Driscoll joins Beverage Brands board in new role
Beverage Brands has named Finn O'Driscoll commercial director, overseeing export, production and procurement for the company which makes brands such as WKD and WKD40.
The Grocer

Supply Chain
Mint traceability
Glacier Mints manufacturer Fox's Confectionery is to deploy a Tropos ERP system at its Leicester head office and factory. The company hopes that the technology will improve the firm's traceability capacity.
foodproductiondaily.com
http://foodproductiondaily.com/news/ng.asp?n=wt13&c=uxurzistpxvdohd&id=50906

Supply Chain
Northern supplier cull
Dalepak to Fox's Biscuits maker Northern Foods has asked suppliers for retrospective discounts for 2003 as part of a cost reduction programme. The company plans a dramatic cut in the number of suppliers it uses across its business units as it moves towards central buying. The objective is to have fewer suppliers doing more business, across the board.
Existing suppliers had been invited in to 15 minute interviews and told that unless a 3% retrospective discount was forthcoming they were unlikely to be considered for future supplies in 2004.
The Grocer

Supply Chain
AG Barr full-year profits
Maker of Irn-Bru, Tizer and Orangina soft drinks AG Barr posted a 13% increase in full-year profit on the back of tighter cost controls and 2003's hot summer weather. For the 12 months to 31 January 31, AG Barr said pre-tax profit increased to £13.8m from £12.2m.
Grocer Today, on Headlines from Mintel

Products & Brands
Muller brand grows
Müller Dairies is expanding its Müller Corner range in a tie-up with United Biscuits McVitie's range. The new products in the Corner portfolio, which allows consumers to mix sweet treats into vanilla yoghurt, include McVities's Milk Chocolate Digestives, Penguin and Jaffa Cakes.
Food Industry News, March 2004

Products & Brands
Sutter launches de-alcoholised wine
US company Sutter Home has launched its de-alcoholised wine Fre onto the UK market. The Fre range currently includes Chardonnay, White Zinfandel and Merlot and will be available in the on and off-trade, retailing at around £2.99.
With less than 0.5% alcohol by volume, Sutter Home are one of the first major US wineries to produce de-alcoholised varietal wines, which have been created by using a spinning cone - a revolutionary machine that captures all the complexities of varietals whilst eliminating the alcohol.
just-drinks.com
http://just-drinks.com/nd.asp?art=22440&dm=yes

Products & Brands
Probiotic cereal
Kellogg's is launching the UK's first probiotic cereal with the launch of Rice Krispies Muddles. The cereal contains inulin, a natural probiotic from plants that helps the body produce its own friendly bacteria. Rice Krispies Muddles sees the traditional toasted rice replaced with multi-grain cereal shapes including trees and flowers.
Food Industry News, March 2004

Products & Brands
Nestle repositioning Nesquik
Nestlé is using a £2.5m advertising campaign positioning Nesquik as the ideal after-school drink. The campaign aims to target families driving home from school.
Marketing, on Headlines from Mintel

Products & Brands
Interbrew launches woman-friendly beer
Belgian brewer Interbrew is this month launching a beer in France, named ExtraKriek, aimed specifically at female consumers who traditionally avoid the beverage en masse.
Extrkriek's recipe is said to take out the bitterness of the beer and accentuates fruitiness thus making it more attractive to feminine tastes.
just-drinks.com
http://just-drinks.com/nd.asp?art=22458&dm=yes

Products & Brands
GSK rolls out Lucozade extension
GlaxoSmithKline is to launch a flavour extension to its leading energy drink, Lucozade Energy. The flavour variant, Lucozade Energy Wild Berry, will be available from the beginning of March. Research shows that Wild Berry is not only very well received by current Lucozade Energy drinkers but will also bring new consumers in to the brand, researching as the number one flavour choice for new users.
Wild Berry will sit alongside the rest of the Lucozade Energy range (Original, Orange, Citrus Clear, Lemon and Tropical).
just-drinks.com
http://just-drinks.com/nd.asp?art=22472&dm=yes

Products & Brands
Absolut launches Danzka vodka (USA)
Absolut has launched a new vodka brand. The company has today announced the national launch of Danzka Vodka, a vodka with a distinct character of citrus fruit. In addition to its citrus and grapefruit flavours, Danzka's signature is its proprietary metal bottle that is made to chill vodka at optimal temperatures - and keep the vodka colder.
just-drinks.com
http://just-drinks.com/nd.asp?art=22480&dm=yes

Products & Brands
Bacardi Silver Lemon launched
Anheuser-Busch Cos, the world`s largest brewer rolls out Bacardi Silver Limon, a lemon-flavoured version of rum-flavoured Bacardi Silver.
This is the third flavour that Anheuser-Busch has added to the Bacardi Silver family during the last year, despite the fact that demand for flavoured malt beverages appears to have cooled off.
Food Ingredients First, on Drinks and beverages industry news
http://c.moreover.com/click/here.pl?e131793822&e=6327

Products & Brands
Cadbury Schweppes launching Aquaveta
Cadbury Schweppes is introducing Aquaveta, a water-based extension of the company's Spring Valley range of juices.
Marketing, on Headlines from Mintel

Products & Brands
Robert Wiseman the one
Robert Wiseman has designed a 1 per cent fat milk drink which the company claims doesn't compromising the taste of conventional milk. The development of the drink is another sign that innovation and health-foods are driving dairy industry growth.
The drink that has been named "The One" is a low fat alternative to conventional milk. The drink contains 1 per cent fat but the company claims it has the taste of semi-skimmed milk which has a higher fat content of 1.7 per cent.
Dairy Reporter News Headlines
http://dairyreporter.com/news/ng.asp?n=wh10&c=uxurzistpxvdohd&id=50279

Products & Brands
Outrage over Coke's plans to sell tap water
Mineral water bosses today called for an investigation into Coca-Cola's plans to sell filtered tap water for 95p a bottle.
The Natural Mineral Waters Association accused the soft drink giant of "pulling the wool over the public's eyes" by claiming its new bottled water is "pure water" when in fact it is purified mains water from Sidcup.
In a scheme which mirrored the famous episode of Only Fools and Horses in which Del Boy Trotter tried selling tap water as "Peckham Spring", Coca-Cola admitted yesterday that the source for its new designer water, Dasani, is in reality the mains supply to its Kent factory.
The water, which Coca-Cola sells at about 95p for 500ml, is purified and filtered before having trace minerals added to make it taste better.
Thames Water, which supplies the Sidcup area, sells its product for the equivalent of 0.031635p for 500ml.
Evening Standard, on Drinks and beverages industry news
http://c.moreover.com/click/here.pl?e129468674&e=6327

Products & Brands
Pepsi to offer soda for low-carb enthusiasts
Trying to protect its $20 billion-worldwide Pepsi franchise from non-carbonated soft drinks, Pepsi-Cola is to introduce a "mid-calorie" version of the cola. Pepsi Edge, with 50% less sugar, carbohydrates and calories than regular Pepsi-Cola, hits U.S. stores this summer. The product is aimed to satisfy shifting consumers' taste for better-for-you products lower in calories - and particularly in carbohydrates.
USA Today, on Drinks and beverages industry news
http://c.moreover.com/click/here.pl?e132060157&e=6327

Pepsi to launch mid-calorie cola
Pepsi is to launch a new mid-calorie cola to be called Pepsi Edge in the US later this summer.
The new drink contains 50% less sugar than regular colas, using a blend of Splenda - a sugar substitute - and high-fructose corn syrup.
Pepsi Edge will also be lower in carbohydrates than regular colas, to capitalise on the current trend towards low-carb diets.
Grocer.TodayAlerts
http://www.grocertoday.co.uk/article.asp?s=2&a=265743

Products & Brands
No limits for this Shloer
Shloer is bringing back its sparkling White Grape, Rhubarb & Ginger variant following "overwhelming" demand from consumers.
The original introduction was considered a bit of a risk by Shloer because of the unusual flavours. But consumers are reported to appreciate the sophisticated taste, seeing the product as pure refreshment. Even expectant mothers have suggested the ginger was brilliant for curbing morning sickness.
The Grocer

Products & Brands
Range warms to winter
Unilever Bestfoods is aiming to take its Hellmann's brand beyond summer eating with a new range of Warm Salad paste and dressing combinations.
Available from the middle of March, each of the Caesar, Thai, Italian and Tandoori variants consists of two parts - a paste to coat chicken and a dressing to drizzle onto the accompanying salad.
The Grocer

Products & Brands
Milk to cut cholesterol launches in UK
Unilever will be first to the UK marketplace with a cholesterol-lowering milk drink, adding the new product to its Flora Pro-Activ range.
Dairy Reporter News Headlines
http://dairyreporter.com/news/ng.asp?n=wh10&c=uxurzistpxvdohd&id=50257

Products & Brand
Eden fails to flourish
Diageo has scrapped plans to roll out its sparkling wine and schnapps line launched under the Archers banner.
Archers Eden went on trial in Asda stores but consumer confusion about the offering has forced the drinks giant to axe the concept.
Eden came in Berry Rose and Citrus White variants, in 70cl bottles.
The Grocer

Products & Brands
Java's death is symptomatic
Coors Brewers is axing its Java RTD brand to concentrate its efforts behind Reef.
The cull comes a year after the five-strong range was launched into the off-trade, where it gained limited listings in Morrisons, Somerfield and Kwik Save.
The Grocer

Products & Brands
Cocktails screw up
Two producers have agreed to rename their products after industry watchdog The Portman Group said the brands were promoting alcohol and sexual success.
The watchdog said 10 of the 15 flavours in Strelley Enterprises' Krush Frozen Alcoholic Cocktails range, which included Slow Comfortable Screw and Screaming Orgasm, broke its code. Fun Drinks, which produces a vodka-based shot called a Quickie is also working on a new name.
The Grocer

Products & Brands
Soy2O (USA)
Leading Brands Inc. (LBIX) launched a new beverage brand called Soy20 to target the multibillion soy-based drinks market. Soy20 is a combination of fruit flavoured water and natural soy isoflavones, which are reputed to have health benefits.
The four flavour variant range includes Lemon Green Tea, Strawberry Guava, Blueberry Grape and Peach Mango.
BevNET.com

Products & Brands
Nestle Waters launches children's drinks
Nestle Waters is to extend its move into the children's drinks market by launching two new flavoured mineral water products. Branded under the Buxton Mineral Water banner, Lemon Wave and Strawberry Wave flavours will available in 250ml "lunchbox" sizes and are planned to be launched in the spring. Nestle Waters have also hinted that it might be willing to sell its famous Perrier brand, bought for £1.3bn in 1992.
Marketing Week, on Headlines from Mintel

Products & Brands
Heinz launches new Ketchup variants
Heinz is launching Curry Ketchup and Chilli Ketchup variants. Heinz is hoping to take advantage of increased consumer demand for 'ethnic flavours'.
Marketing, on Headlines from Mintel

Products & Brands
Botham is bowled over by Vitaminsmart range
Cricket legend Ian Botham is to use his big hitting credentials to support one of UK grocery's newest brands.
Botham's association with Vitaminsmart has been promoted by the shareholding he has in InVentaBrand, the brand strategy agency set up by former Golden Wonder boss Paul Monk.
It is hoped the brands' four variants - Defence, Regenerate, Relax and Calorie Controller - can achieve sales of around £500,000 in their first year.
The Grocer

Products & Brands
Pop in the panda
Hall & Woodhouse has added two new flavours to its range of Panda Pops soft drinks for kids - Fruit Pops Fruit Salad and Grape 'n' Apple.
The Grocer

Products & Brands
Doubting the dilutable
Buyers have expressed doubts that consumers will be able to differentiate Britvic's new Robinsons for Milk dilutable squash from milkshake lines.
Rolling out in March, the soft drinks specialist's new line, which contains 10% fruit juice, comes in two flavours - Peachy Banana and Strawberry & Raspberry.
The Grocer

Products & Brands
Metz builds for revival
Matthew Clark has pledged to revive the fortunes of Metz after taking on the rights to the TRD brand from Bacardi-Martini.
As well as producing the drink, Matthew Clark is now responsible for its marketing and is overhauling the brand with the hope of increasing Metz's distribution.
The Grocer

Products & Brands
Gumlink unveils vitamin-enriched chewing gum
Danish chewing gum maker Gumlink says it has developed a world-first: gum that can be enriched with vitamins. The double-layer product is produced at lower temperatures that do not destroy active ingredients.
confectionerynews.com
http://confectionerynews.com/news/ng.asp?n=wt12&c=uxurzistpxvdohd&id=50652

Products & Brands
New Five Alive flavour
Coca-Cola is Cranberry Splash to its Five Alive juice drink brand's repertoire. It joins the brand's current trio of Citrus Burst, Berry Blast and Tropical Hit variants.
Grocer Today, on Headlines from Mintel

Products & Brands
All headlines sourced from drinks and beverages industry news

Coke Recalls Bottled Water
http://c.moreover.com/click/here.pl?e135579611&e=6327
Teletext

Coca-Cola Withdraws Controversial Bottled Water
http://c.moreover.com/click/here.pl?e135579458&e=6327
PA News via The Scotsman Online

Coca-Cola recalls UK bottled water
http://c.moreover.com/click/here.pl?e135578724&e=6327
CNN

Coca-Cola pulls water from shelves
http://c.moreover.com/click/here.pl?e135572351&e=6327
Evening Standard

Coke recalls controversial water
http://c.moreover.com/click/here.pl?e135571807&e=6327
BBC

Coca-Cola Recalls UK Dasani Bottled Water
http://c.moreover.com/click/here.pl?e135568031&e=6327
Reuters

Products & Brands
No plans to bring back Dasani
Following its recall after it was found to contain illegal levels of bromate, a potentially cancer-causing chemical, Coca-Cola says it has no plans to bring back its purified Dasani water to the UK and has also delayed plans for the brand's launch on the continent.
Grocer Today, on Headlines from Mintel

Products & Brands
Coke proceeds with Dasani launch (France)
Coca-Cola France has set a date for the launch of its Dasani water brand in the country. The company intends to press on with the release of the bottled water brand in France, despite further negative press coverage for Dasani in the UK.
just-drinks.com
http://just-drinks.com/nd.asp?art=22608&dm=yes

Products & Brands
Skittles to target UK teens, launch new chewing gum
US food company Masterfoods is to launch a £3m (US$5.5m) advertising campaign to promote its Skittles confectionery brand to UK teenagers.
Skittles are currently aimed at the pre-teen market but are competing against another Masterfoods brand, Starburst.
As well as repositioning the brand, the company will also launch a chewing gum under the Skittles brand name in the UK over the next few months, following the launch of the new chewing gum in the US.
just-food.com
http://just-food.com/nd.asp?art=57050&dm=yes

Products & Brands
British dairy organisation licenses US Got Milk? trademark
Britain's Milk Development Council (MDC), a generic promotional programme for dairy farmers in the UK, is to license the successful US milk marketing trademark Got Milk? for use in the UK.
just-food.com
http://just-food.com/nd.asp?art=57037&dm=yes

Products & Brands
Prince Charles to produce soft drink
Prince Charles is to produce Entente Cordial, a soft drink to mark the centenary of Britain's treaty of friendship with France. The prince has devised plans for an organic cordial based on lime, lemon or orange.
Sunday Times, on Headlines from Mintel

Products & Brands
Atkins Shakes launched at Boots
Atkins Advantage Shakes have been launched in selected Boots stores and in health food outlets. They are being marketed as convenient snack or on-the-go energy drinks and are available in Tetra Prisma Aseptic 330ml cartons, with straw attached.
Packaging, on Headlines from Mintel

Products & Brands
Richmond in Ribena Ice launch
Richmond Ice Cream is strengthening its Ribena Ice brand with the launch of an orange flavour as well as improvements to the existing Ribena Ice blackcurrant variant. Richmond's launch follows Glaxosmithkline's decision to launch a Ribena orange drink in April.
Food Industry News, March 2004

Products & Brands
Vodka Lager is a hit
Red Square's Vodka Lager brand has been dubbed a success, with men aged 18-24 finding the product 'alternative and refreshing' and women of the same age group describing it as 'different and lighter tasting', according to brand owner Halewood International. Consequently, the brand has been extended to encompass a 70cl bottle and four-pack formats.
OLN, on Headlines from Mintel

Products & Brands
Taste change for Smirnoff Black Ice
Consumer feedback has convinced Diageo to revamp its Smirnoff Black Ice brand with a new packaging design and new taste, to be backed by a high-profile campaign.
Scheduled to hit trade in May, the drink will be less sweet and fruity with a "cleaner, crisp taste" than the current brand with the launch driven by a £7 million marketing campaign.
Industry News alerts from mad.co.uk
http://www.mad.co.uk/story.aspx?uid=22c04507-0669-4950-a34d-9210f1123ea4

Products & Brands
Twinings iced teas reach a cool half dozen flavours
Twinings is set to expand its iced tea range in May with a new Wild Cherry flavour.
The blend of tea, fruit juice and purified water will join the existing five-strong collection.
Wild Raspberry & Rose will be on the shelf from the end of March and will be followed by other combinations such as Melon, Grape & Aloe.
The Grocer

Products & Brands
Potato milk product
One of the most unusual products on display at this year's Food and Drink Expo was a potato milk product from the US. Vance's DariFree is suitable for people who are gluten, soya and dairy intolerant.
Grocer, on Headlines from Mintel

Products & Brands
Fruit-flavoured Smarties
Nestlé Rowntree is introducing fruit-flavoured Smarties. The product, which will compete with Masterfoods-owned Skittles, will be the first chocolate-free extension to the 67-year-old brand.
Marketing Week, on Headlines from Mintel

Products & Brands
Feel Good Drinks launch Spritz
Feel Good Drinks is to take on the soft drinks giants with the launch of Spritz, a carbonate brand aimed at adults. Spritz launches in three flavours - lemon, orange and passion fruit, and cranberry and lime. The drinks are made with natural products and spring water.
Marketing Week, on Headlines from Mintel

Products & Brands
Atkins chocolate bars
Food manufacturing division of the Atkins diet business Atkins Nutritionals is introducing a range of low-carbohydrate chocolate bars for followers of the diet. Atkins Endulge will be available from the end of next month in Boots outlets.
Marketing Week, on Headlines from Mintel

Products & Brands
Coomira Coast is all washed up
Bacardi-Martini has axed its most recent innovation in the RTD sector after less than a year. The 5% abv drink, a combination of Chardonnay, sparkling water and berry flavours, was the first significant new product development to come out of the company since Breezer was introduced in 1994.
A senior buyer at a leading multiple thinks this sends a clear message to suppliers about innovation, that wine-based RTDs are unlikely to work. Coomira Coast's problem was that it didn't have much of a wine flavour.
The Grocer

Products & Brands
Power Rangers to launch ice cream brand
Power Rangers has extended its brand into the food market, with the launch of a new ice cream lolly that will be promoted in partnership with Fox Kids.
Industry News Alert, on mad.co.uk
http://www.mad.co.uk/story.aspx?uid=86d041e0-ade0-4c43-8d56-b2cc11eadd18

Ingredients & Innovation
Almond industry faces rising costs due to bee shortage (USA)
A surge in California almond production, the largest crop requiring pollination from honeybees, is causing the price of hives to skyrocket leaving a shortage of honeybees for farmers in the state.
According to the Almond Board of California, the state's profitable nut industry has a 2004 estimated value of US$1.42bn, an increase of 18% from 2003 but is now facing concern about a rise in costs because of the bee shortage. Roughly 80% of the world's almonds come from California.
just-food.com
http://just-food.com/nd.asp?art=56901&dm=yes

Ingredients & Innovation
World vanilla crops hit by cyclone
The key ingredient in the most popular ice cream in the world faces a rise in price, already coasting at 10 year highs, as the worst cyclone in two decades hits Madagascar, the leading producer of vanilla.
nutraingredients.com
http://nutraingredients.com/news/ng.asp?n=dt77&c=uxurzistpxvdohd&id=50673

Ingredients & Innovation
Patent granted for stress busting Suntheanine
Already present in over 50 food and beverage products sold in Japan and Korea, NutriScience Innovation has been granted a patent for its Suntheanine branded L-Theanine ingredient that is designed to alleviate stress, obesity, pre-menstrual syndrome, menopause, sleep disorders, autonomic balance, nervousness and fatigue.
It reportedly works by stimulating alpha brain waves.
L Theanine is an amino acid found in green tea. An alternative to herbs such as kava kava, valerium and St John's Wort.
softdrinksworld, February-March 2004

Ingredients & Innovation
GRAS status signals rise in market share for natural food ingredient
A natural Japanese food ingredient used to extend the shelf life of food products has acquired GRAS status from the US Food and Drug Administration signalling a growth in sales for its Japanese manufacturer, the Chisso Corporation.
The €57 million Japanese firm said that the certification for its ingredient polylysine builds on its wide use in Japan and Korea and 'acknowledges the product as a world standard food additive.'
A natural material, polylysine is produced through microbial fermentation, just as the Japanese food products miso (soybean paste) and soy sauce, and combined to a straight chain of lysine, an essential amino acid.
nutraingredients.com
http://nutraingredients.com/news/ng.asp?n=dt72&c=uxurzistpxvdohd&id=50564

Ingredients & Innovation
Green tea extract for sweet dreams
The health benefits of green tea dovetail into sleep as researchers in Japan find an amino acid located in green tea could improve slumber in young men.
(So if there is anyone wishing to get a young man to sleep, you now know what to do)
foodnavigator.com
http://foodnavigator.com/news/ng.asp?n=dt77&c=uxurzistpxvdohd&id=50665

Ingredients & Innovation
Enough soy?
Companies working with soy and soy derivatives face continuing price rises for the raw material as the US - a leading global producer and exporter of the crop - raises concerns about the 'unusually low soybean stocks level'.
foodnavigator.com
http://foodnavigator.com/news/ng.asp?n=dt83&c=uxurzistpxvdohd&id=50819

Ingredients & Innovation
Banana extract to soothe IBD
A UK firm is hoping to develop an extract of the plantain banana after initial research finds the soluble fibre contained in the fruit, or non-starch polysaccharides, stops the intestinal lining from attracting harmful bacteria.
foodnavigator.com
http://foodnavigator.com/news/ng.asp?n=dt85&c=uxurzistpxvdohd&id=50903

Industry Initiatives
Bottled water sales pass 2bn litres
UK bottled water sales surged by 18% to 2,070 million litres in 2003, translating into almost £1,200 million in retail value.
The 13th annual UK Bottled Water report from Zenith International said that although bottled water has consistently outperformed other major soft drinks categories in recent years, the hot summer experienced in 2003 significantly contributed to the market's strong uplift.
Still water for everyday use has provided the main impetus, gaining 20% in 2003 to reach a share of 85%.
just-drinks.com
http://just-drinks.com/nd.asp?art=22442&dm=yes

Industry Initiatives
Danone and Yakult to close ranks in probiotics
Japanese probiotics pioneer Yakult and French yoghurts and biscuits maker Danone said they will set up a new alliance to push growth of their functional foods businesses.
nutraingredients.com
http://nutraingredients.com/news/ng.asp?n=dt64&c=uxurzistpxvdohd&id=50368

Industry Initiatives
Doctors want price of alcohol doubled
UK consumers are drinking 50% more than in 1970, according to the Academy of Medical Sciences' Calling Time report. As a result doctors want the price of alcohol to be doubled.
Grocer Today, on Headlines from Mintel

Industry Initiatives
Vending machines could push healthy eating
Research carried out by the IGD has found that the majority of consumers would welcome a selection of healthy options in vending machines, such as cereal bars, dried fruit and yoghurt, bringing out a possible opportunity for market growth in the sector.
Natural Products, on Headlines from Mintel

Industry Initiatives
Chocolate gets the low-carb make-over
Feeding the growing consumer demand for food products low in carbohydrate ingredients a company in Hawaii has turned to the gourmet chocolate zone. With the launch of the 'first no carbohydrate, no sugar' chocolate, the Hawaiian Vintage Chocolate company is looking to target the high-end of the chocolate market.
confectionerynews.com
http://confectionerynews.com/news/ng.asp?n=wt11&c=uxurzistpxvdohd&id=50384

Industry Initiatives
Consumers spend one-sixth of food budget on packaging
just-food.com
http://just-food.com/nd.asp?art=56937&dm=yes

Industry Initiatives
High street sales steady progress during February
According to the British Retail Consortium, high street sales showed steady if unspectacular progress during February. Total sales increased 5.3% during one of the quieter periods in the retail calendar, with the figure on a like-for-like basis up 2.2% on last year. That compared with a total sales rise of 6.8% in January.
Sky News, on Headlines from Mintel

BRC/KPMG survey for February
The British Retail Consortium/KPMG Retail Sales Monitor for February 2004 shows that retail sales were up by 5.3% in total and 2.2% on a like-for-like basis against February 2003. The three-month trend, which smoothes out monthly fluctuations, showed like-for-like sales growth of 2.0%, up from 1.7% in January.
Mintel

Industry Initiatives
New law for soft drinks prices launched
Pubs and bars throughout the UK will have to show the price of soft drinks more clearly, in line with new laws that come into force today. The new laws were brought in after consumers complained to the Government that they were being charged for expensive soft drinks without being able to see the price before they ordered.
just-drinks.com
http://just-drinks.com/nd.asp?art=22402&dm=yes

Industry Initiatives
Intensified competition may weaken yoghurt growth
Dairy giant Müller claims that aggressive price competition in the UK's short-life dairy sector could cause a depression in the market.
dairyreporter.com
http://dairyreporter.com/news/ng.asp?n=wt11&c=uxurzistpxvdohd&id=50400

Industry Initiatives
Added value driving global dairy growth
Milk and cheese remain staples of diet in most parts of the world, but yoghurt continues to be the main engine for growth in the global market, not least because of its versatility as a functional product, according a recent report by market analysts Euromonitor.
dairyreporter.com
http://dairyreporter.com/news/ng.asp?n=wt11&c=uxurzistpxvdohd&id=50309

Industry Initiatives
When is a tea not a tea?
The European Court of Justice (ECJ) has ruled that a drink preparation may be officially traded as tea in the European Union (EU), even when tea makes up a tiny proportion of its ingredients.
In a case involving Germany's Krings GmbH, judges said EU tariff rules do not insist that 'tea' must taste distinctively of tea, only a 'mild' tea taste.
just-drinks.com
http://just-drinks.com/nd.asp?art=22484&dm=yes

Industry Initiatives
Take-home soft drink sales soar
Britvic claims that soft drinks take-home sales in the UK have increased to over £5bn for the first time, representing an 11% growth value and marking the importance of soft drinks to the take-home market.
Soft Drinks International, on Headlines from Mintel

Industry Initiatives
Purity rules for food additives continue
Brussels lays down amendments to three European Directives linked to colours, sweeteners and food additives. This represents the latest move in a series of changes to purity criteria for food additives.
foodnavigator.com
http://foodnavigator.com/news/ng.asp?n=dt71&c=uxurzistpxvdohd&id=50541

Industry Initiatives
A breakthrough in liquid engineering
The study into viscosity measurement techniques for characterising the flow and mixability of highly non-Newtonian fluids is allowing food manufacturers to better understand the changes in food as ingredients are mixed.
foodproductionsaily.com
http://foodproductiondaily.com/news/ng.asp?n=wt12&c=uxurzistpxvdohd&id=50545

Industry Initiatives
Soft drink sales soar
The soft drinks sector is one of the fastest growing in the UK, boosted by last year's £116 million above-the-line advertising drive, according to a new report released by Britvic Soft Drinks.
Industry News Alert, mad.co.uk
http://www.mad.co.uk/story.aspx?uid=f6f64696-31b9-4d9f-bd71-b0b63ca828ef

Industry Initiatives
Food industry still facing gap between evidence and permitted claims
A British brewer has been criticised by the UK's advertising watchdog for making a series of claims about the health benefits of beer. The case underlines the need for Europe-wide regulation of health claims.
nutraingredients.com
http://nutraingredients.com/news/ng.asp?n=dt75&c=uxurzistpxvdohd&id=50612

Industry Initiatives
Sweeteners in food formulation face new rules
Food manufacturers using the sweetener cyclamate face change as they come to grips with new European rules that radically reduce the use of this man-made, non-caloric sweetener 30 times as sweet as sucrose.
foodnavigator.com
http://foodnavigator.com/news/ng.asp?n=dt83&c=uxurzistpxvdohd&id=50817

Industry Initiatives
Pregnancy is nothing to wine about
Pregnant women are to be recruited as wine-tasters for Tesco after managers discovered they have "heightened" senses of taste and smell.
(A number of developments now start fitting into place!)
The Scotsman, on Headlines from Mintel
http://c.moreover.com/click/here.pl?e136688641&e=6327

Industry Initiatives
Mental energy claims cleared in UK
An energy drink marketed to boost mental performance has been allowed to continue with its claims, after investigation of the scientific evidence to back up its advertising statements.
Lucozade Energy contains high levels of glucose and caffeine, designed to enhance mental performance, according to its manufacturer, the healthcare firm GlaxoSmithkline. It advertises the product using the slogan, 'brain energy in a bottle'.
nutraingredients.com
http://nutraingredients.com/news/ng.asp?n=dt83&c=uxurzistpxvdohd&id=50830

Industry Initiatives
'Health' label helps drive dark chocolate sales
A new US study reports that the higher cocoa, lower sugar content and antioxidant properties of premium dark chocolate are making it more attractive for health-conscious consumers.
confectionerynews.com
http://confectionerynews.com/news/ng.asp?n=wt13&c=uxurzistpxvdohd&id=50737

Industry Initiatives
Home drinking on the rise
Beer sales through the off-trade could overtake those in the on-trade by 2007, predicts Giles Thorley, chief executive of Punch Taverns. But instead of licensees being disillusioned by the prospect, many believe this trend will simply encourage publicans to provide customers with the best product and most appealing environment they can.
Publican, on Headlines from Mintel

Industry Initiatives
Women binge-drinkers on the increase
The number of women binge-drinkers are on the increase. The Office for National Statistics' research questioned 20,000 households and found the proportion of women aged 16 to 24 who drink above recommended daily limits at least once a week increased from 24% to 28% between 1998 and 2002.
Publican, on Headlines from Mintel

Industry Initiatives
Fast-tracking health claims
A UK initiative has produced more than 80 nutrient function statements for vitamins and minerals that are well-established by science, providing the food industry with a useful reference in the preparation of health claims.
nutraingredients.com
http://nutraingredients.com/news/ng.asp?n=dt85&c=uxurzistpxvdohd&id=50908

Industry Initiatives
Evidence on sugars enough to call for reduced intake
There is 'considerable evidence' to suggest that sucrose and other free sugars contribute to the global epidemic of obesity and governments should endorse recent WHO guidelines on reducing sugar intake.
nutraingredients.com
http://nutraingredients.com/news/ng.asp?n=dt86&c=uxurzistpxvdohd&id=50946

Industry Initiatives
Scientist shortage threatens drinks industry
A shortage of food technologists is threatening to blight the food and drinks industries in the near future, according to the UK's Sector Skills Council for the food and drink industry, Improve.
Increasing awareness of food safety and the stringent requirements of government regulations and retailers has made the role of the food scientist an increasingly important one within the sector's manufacturing organisations, the Council said. However, little consideration has been given to ensuring that there is a constant supply of young food scientists coming through schools and universities, filling this vital role in the future.
just-drinks.com
http://just-drinks.com/nd.asp?art=22668&dm=yes

Industry Initiatives
Moving to the comfort zone
Neither revolutionary packaging nor daring new formats most excited consumers in 2003. Instead, it was the more subtle extensions to their favourite brands that grabbed the attention, according to a survey of new products by The Grocer. Those rating the most in post-trial intention to buy scores were:
Viennetta Selection - Brownie (family ice cream); McVitie's Penguin Chukka - White Chocolate (sweet biscuits); Thornton's Chocolate Toffee Cake (family cake); Luxury Lemon Slices (frozen sweet pastries).
The Grocer

Industry Initiatives
40.9% of consumers use vitamins
According to a target group index survey of 25,000 UK adults, 40.9% of consumers are users of vitamins and minerals, with the greatest use being in the 55 years and over age group. Some 32% of the UK population takes vitamins and/or other dietary supplements every day. Nearly half of consumers are over 45 years old.
Retail Week, on Headlines from Mintel

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.