Flavours Newsletter

Nov 2003 - What’s new in Flavours


Key Statistics
250,000 turn vegetarian each year
According to the Vegetarian Society, 250,000 people per year are joining Britain's 4m veggies.
The Times, on Headlines from Mintel

Key Statistics
Top U.S. Diet Soft Drinks
According to Beverage Digest, the top 10 U.S. diet soft drinks are (in order): Diet Coke, Diet Pepsi, Caffeine Free Diet Coke, Diet Dr Pepper, Diet Mountain Dew, Caffeine Free Diet Pepsi, Diet Sprite, Diet 7Up, Diet Coke with Lemon, and Pepsi One.
Atlanta Journal Constitution, on Headlines from Mintel

Key Statistics
Kosher Food Production on the Rise (USA)
According to the co-producer of Kosherfest and president and CEO of Integrated Marketing & Communications, Menachem Lubinsky, the U.S. produces $500 billion worth of packaged foods of which $170 billion in certified kosher.
Food Institute, on Headlines from Mintel

Key Statistics
Organic sales top one billion
Sales of organic food have topped £1bn for the first time, according to organic certifier the Soil Association. Demand for organic products grew by 10% to £1.015bn to March 31, 2003, outperforming any other sector of the food and drink business and almost doubling the rate of the traditional grocery market.
The biggest rise in sales was organic baby food, up 20% over the past year, with the Soil Association claiming that three out of four babies are now eating organic food on a regular basis
Another notable achievement was in sales of organic yoghurt, which accounts for 7.9% of the total yoghurt market. The Soil Association's annual report on Organic Food and Farming also confirmed that UK retailers are beginning to rely less on foreign imports as more British producers turn to making organic food and because of renewed investment from the UK supermarket sector to procure those products. Around 56% of all organic food is now imported, down from 70% in 2000. The Soil Association said improved technical innovation, more stringent grading and greater experience, along with a willingness to share information along the organic supply chain, had helped supermarkets gain confidence in UK producers.
According to data collated for the Soil Association from market analyst TNS, around
78% of UK households buy more than just one item of organic food each year. These members of the public typically spend £53.34 a year, a rise of 10% on figures to April 2002.
The TNS research indicated that fruit and vegetables were the organic foods most likely to be tried first by new organic consumers, with better health and taste the primary motivating factors.
Taste, health and quality across all organic produce were important factors in convincing small-scale consumers to become more committed buyers. Cost was regarded as the most significant obstacle by those not buying organic food.
Market analyst Datamonitor is predicting that sales of organic food and drink in the UK will rise by almost 75% over the next few years. The research company's new report suggests the market will grow from £940m last year to £1.6bn in 2007, an average compound annual growth rate of 12%. The European market as a whole will grow by 10.6% to around €15.1bn. According to Datamonitor, the number of regular organic shoppers in Europe will increase from 2.4m in 2002 to around 11.4m in 2007.
Food Industry News, November 2003

Key Statistics
British buy organic!
The British chomped their way through GBP1 billion worth of organic products in one year, making the UK the number three outlet - behind the US and Germany - for organic foods in the world....
Foodnavigator.com
http://www.foodnavigator.com/news/news.asp?id=8713

Key Statistics
Older women boosting ethnic food sales
Women in Britain over the age of 65 are helping to boost sales of ethnic food, which are set to pass the £1bn mark during 2004.
Latest figures show the overall ethnic food category - Chinese, Indian, Thai and Mexican sauces, ingredients, snacks and ready meals - to be worth £983m, and rising by 6% year-on-year.
Grocer Today, on Headlines from Mintel

Key Statistics
Christmas accounts for 19% of soft drink sales
Christmas 2002 accounted for 19% of total soft-drink sales. According to data compiled by Britvic, over an eight-week period, 95 million litres of soft drinks were sold in the on-trade. In December 2002, the total value of soft drinks sales increased by 25% compared with the previous month.
Morning Advertiser, on Headlines from Mintel

Business & Economics
Economy looking up (Ireland)
According to data from the Central Statistics Office of the Irish Republic, the economy is growing.
This follows a virtual halt earlier this year. Republic of Ireland Gross Domestic Product (GDP) that includes profits repatriated by Irish-based multi-nationals, grew by 2.1% in the second quarter of 2003 compared with the period in 2002. Consumer spending registered mild growth while capital investment has declined.
The State's Gross National Product (GNP) also recovered slightly in the second quarter and was 3.1% ahead of the same period in 2002. GNP growth was at was just 0.1% last year. That result was the worst in 20 years.
Irish Times, on Headlines from Mintel

International Developments
IRELAND: Irish top the table
Ireland has the highest per capita expenditure on alcohol in western Europe.
Beveragedaily.com
http://www.beveragedaily.com/news/news.asp?id=844

International Developments
Arla close four dairies
In order to cut costs, the executive board at Sweden's Arla Foods has voted to close four dairies - two in Denmark and two in Sweden, by the end of next year.
The decision, which has been made as part of a cost saving programme, means that in Denmark the Glejbjerg Dairy will close at the start of April 2004 and that the Vellev Dairy will close at the beginning of September 2004. The company said that, wherever possible, the 77 employees involved with production at the two plants would be offered work at other Arla Foods dairies.
In Sweden, Åseda and Västervik cheese dairies are scheduled for closure by year-end 2004, following the recent conclusion of negotiations with the relevant labour unions. Åseda dairy's production will be transferred to Nr. Vium Dairy in Denmark while Västervik's production will relocate to the Falkenberg dairy in Sweden.
Foodanddrinkeurope.com
http://www.foodanddrinkeurope.com/news/news.asp?id=3119

International Developments
SWEDEN: Dip in Swedish sales disputed
Swedish sales of carbonated soft drinks showed a 5.1% year on year decline between Jun and August, while beer sales rose, according to figures from the national Drinks Statistic Agency.
However, a spokesman for the Swedish Brewery Association doubted that the missing carbonate drinkers had turned to beer. He suggested that soft drinks' loss and beer's gain were no more than coincidence and that total 2003 sales in both categories would remain largely unchanged.
Softdrinksworld, October-November 2003

International Developments
DENMARK: V & S moves on Denmark
Swedish drinks group Vin & Sprit is to increase its presence in Denmark after the Danish government slashed alcohol tax. New lines will be introduced and local store numbers increased to 50.
Wine & Spirit International, November 2003

International Developments
SCANDINAVIA: Study finds Nordic diet low on healthy foods
A study conducted by the Finnish National Public Health Institute, KTL, in Finland reveals that nine out of ten people in the Nordic and Baltic countries could benefit from increasing the amount of fruit and vegetables in their diet.
The Norbagreen 2002 Study examined the consumption frequency of vegetables, fruit and berries, bread and fish in eight Nordic and Baltic countries. These foods are recommended to be monitored internationally as dietary indicators for health by leading authorities such as the World Health Organisation.
The study revealed that the consumption frequency of these foods was about twice as much in the high consuming countries (Sweden, Finland and Norway) compared to the low consuming countries. It also revealed that about 90 per cent of the population should increase their fruit and vegetable consumption, more than 40 per cent their fish consumption and more than 50 per cent their bread consumption in these countries to reach the recommended consumption frequencies.
Foodanddrinkeurope.com
http://www.foodanddrinkeurope.com/news/news.asp?id=3186

Retail & Company News
Unilever sells Ambrosia
Consumer products giant Unilever announced that it is selling Ambrosia and Brown & Polson to Premier Foods, owned by venture capital firm Hicks, Muse, Tate & Furst.
The Ambrosia range includes ready-to-use custard and rice puddings, while Brown & Polson offers cornflour and dessert products.
Mintel, on Headlines from Mintel

Retail & Company News
US firm mulls Sainsbury's takeover
US buyout specialist Kohlberg Kravis Roberts (KKR) is considering a bid for supermarket Sainsbury's, which could set the scene for another supermarket battle similar to the ongoing struggle for rival Safeway.
Mad.co.uk
http://www.mad.co.uk/story.aspx?uid=9e9c4b7b-d826-4523-8999-332131489346

Retail & Company News
Associated British Foods, annual results
Associated British Foods, owner of the Twinings, Ovaltime, Mazola, Silver Spoon, Ryvita and Kingsmill brands, saw its group sales rise 8% to £4.9bn in the year to 13 September 2003.
Operating profits increased 14% to £450m. The company hailed the strong results, with growth seen in all business categories. ABF also owns the Primark value clothing chain.
theretailbulletin.com, on Headlines from Mintel

Retail & Company News
Still drinks to drive Coke Euro growth
The world's largest carbonated soft drinks company Coca-Cola is counting on growth from its still drinks business to drive sales in the European market over the coming years.
Energy drinks, ice tea and other non-carbonated products are likely to prove more popular than the fizzy drinks, for which the company is best known, by 2007 according to Sandy Allan, head of the Atlanta-based group's European operations.
Foodnavigator.com
http://www.foodnavigator.com/news/news.asp?id=8717

Retail & Company News
Mr Men in Sainsbury's tie-in
Cartoon characters the Mr Men are teaming up with Sainsbury's to boost the appeal of fruit amongst young children.
Mad.co.uk
http://www.mad.co.uk/story.aspx?uid=513abf70-383f-44cc-a2af-3c9f4068a359

Retail & Company News
Asda doubles premium food sales
Asda announced that sales of its Extra Special premium foods range have doubled in the past year. To continue this success, Asda will be adding 100 new lines before Christmas 2003, bringing the total portfolio to 460.
ananova.com, on Headlines from Mintel

Retail & Company News
Bhs to sell doughnuts
Bhs, the UK department stores chain is joining the UK doughnut market, with a new in-store concession similar to the Krispy Kreme format recently launched at Harrods.
The Bhs doughnuts will not be baked in-store, only sold there.
Marketing, on Headlines from Mintel

Retail & Company News
Strong results at Walkers as pre-tax profit leaps 30%
Pre-tax profits leapt by 30% to £7m last year at Walkers Shortbread, helping alleviate the disappointment of a "difficult" 2001. Margins were helped by increased volume and recent improvements in exchange rates.
British Baker, November 2003

Retail & Company News
Weetabix sold
Iconic cereal brand Weetabix has been bought by US venture capitalists Hicks, Muse, Tate & Furst for £642m.
Hicks, Muse, Tate & Furst own Premier Foods with brands such as Typhoo tea, Rowntree's jelly and Branston pickle.
Grocer.ToadyAlerts
http://www.grocertoday.co.uk/article.asp?s=2&a=262314

Retail & Company News
Thirsty work as profits brim over
Come rain or shine consumers can't seem to get enough of soft drinks but competition is fierce and the industry is pulling out all the stops to get the sales, according to the Grocer's annual review of the sector.
In the 42-page advertising supplement (available in the Marketing Department), the following companies/brands are featured:
Britvic, Calypso, Coca-Cola, Del Monte, Exel, GlaxoSmithKline, Hall & Woodhouse, Highland Spring, Masterfoods, Multiple Marketing, Dairy Crest, Mangajo, Natco, Ben Shaws, PJ, Red Bull, Taisho, Tetra Pak, Tropicana, T & T, Aqua Pura.
The Grocer

Retail & Company News
Sainsbury's plans price cuts
J Sainsbury has conceded that its prices are too high and that it plans to cut them once its new infrastructure is in place.
With new distribution and IT systems due to be implemented next summer, the UK's third largest grocer will be in a position to become more aggressive with its pricing strategy.
The Times, on headlines from Mintel

Retail & Company News
Morrisons grows UK grocery market share
Latest UK grocery market share data shows Wm Morrison as the only major multiple to grow in the three months to 10 November 2003.
Morrisons saw its market share rise by 0.1% to 6.4%, staying in fifth place, while market leader Tesco dipped 0.2% to 26.8%.
The only other positive move was made by discount supermarket operator Aldi, up 0.1% to 2.3% and 'other multiples' with an increase of 0.1% to 0.3%.
Asda and Sainsbury's both fell by 0.1%, but remain 2nd and 3rd respectively. Safeway and Somerfield were static at 9.2% and 5.6%.
Grocer Today, on Headlines from Mintel

Retail & Company News
Yeo Valley sees a natural rise in sales
Dairy group Yeo Valley claims that the re-release of its Natural yoghurt range has helped to revive the UK's natural market in the last year. The dairy producer reported a 26 per cent year-on-year increase in the demand.
Dairyreporter
http://www.dairyreporter.com/news/news.asp?id=743

Products & Brands
House of Brussels Chocolates introduces new low-carb, "sugar-free" chocolates
House of Brussels Chocolates has introduced its new Maltitol-based low-carbohydrate, "sugar-free" chocolates. Maltitol is a reduced calorie bulk sweetener with sugar-like structure, taste and sweetness, containing only 2.1 calories per gram.
Food Institute, on Headlines from Mintel

Products & Brands
Mars Delight to launch in the UK
Mars Delight, a version of Mars especially for women, is set to launch in the UK during 2004, following trials in Ireland.
The Masterfoods product has a softer centre, lighter texture and will be promoted as an indulgent treat.
Marketing, on Headlines from Mintel

Products & Brands
Coke unveils Fanta Apple variant
Coca-Cola Great Britain is adding a new flavour to its Fanta brand called Fanta Apple Splash. The apple, kiwi and lime combination will bring the range total to five.
Mad.co.uk
http://www.mad.co.uk/story.aspx?uid=03a4c0b4-5e7a-46c4-a508-73e3192c7976

Products & Brands
£31m overhaul of Robinsons brand
Britvic Soft Drinks is spending £31m overhauling its Robinsons brand and introducing new products, including Robinsons for Milk, a dilutable product containing 10% fruit juice, which can be added to milk to create a flavoured drink, targeted at kids between 3 and 12.
Part of the development includes a rationalisation of the current 35 flavour portfolio down to 27.
Top of the list of new products will be Fruit Spring aimed at the busy, on-the-go adults aged 25 and over - available as Raspberry & Lemon, Apple & Lime and Apple & Cranberry.
Marketing Week, on Headlines from Mintel & The Grocer

Products & Brands
Coca-Cola to launch health drink
In the United States of America there are a reported 41 million individuals who have high cholesterol. This figure is worrying as high cholesterol is a risk factor for heart disease. The American Heart Association has also reported that another 60 million Americans have moderately elevated levels of cholesterol.
With these figures in mind, Coca-Cola Co. has produced a new soft drink called Minute Maid Premium Heart Wise. This new soft drink contains plant sterols, an additive that has been used in cholesterol fighting margarine and other food products. Continuous use of these sterols has proven cholesterol-reducing effects.
Coca-cola has clinical trials to back up their health claims and they also have approval from the Food and Drug Administration. According to Coca-Cola, individuals with moderately high cholesterol will experience a significant reduction in cholesterol levels. In order to gain maximum benefits from this orange juice, consumers should drink two eight-ounce servings of Heart Wise per day. Consuming this amount will help achieve the recommended daily 2 grams of sterols needed to lower cholesterol.
Foodlineweb, from LFI
http://www.foodlineweb.co.uk/foodweb/displaynews.asp?newsid=1319

Products & Brands
Barista Strips: Quicker Than Drinking Coffee (USA)
Barista Strips have landed onto the market. These strips are the alternate to a cup of coffee, administering the caffeine rush quicker than sipping on the never-ending hot beverage.
Fresh Cup, on Headlines from Mintel

Products & Brands
Crusha recall
Silver Spoon has withdrawn some batches of Crusha Milkshake because of a "flavour issue" affecting quality, not safety.
A marketing company used by Silver Spoon had its workers pose as ordinary shoppers to try to buy up the entire stock of the product from Tescos stores.
Food Manufacture, November 2003

Products & Brands
Panda Pops travels with Tolkien
Hall & Woodhouse has struck another deal to continue Panda Pops' association with the blockbuster movie series Lord of the Rings.
The soft drinks firm has put pen to paper to secure the promotional rights for the third and final film in the Tolkien trilogy - The Return of the King.
The latest deal follows on from H&W's tie-up with the DVD and video release of the first film, The Fellowship of the Ring, earlier this year.
Grocertoday.com
http://www.grocertoday.co.uk/article.asp?s=2&a=261983

Products & Brands
Uncle Ben's Adds Flavor-Infused Rice (USA)
Uncle Ben's has made available its Flavorful Rice. It is made with 100% natural flavors, making the need for a seasoning packet extinct. This is the first rice of its kind to grace the market. It retails in supermarkets.
PR Newswire, on headlines from Mintel

Products & Brands
Benecol drinking yogurt
Health-focused brand Benecol is launching a cholesterol-reducing drinking yogurt, claimed to be the most important launch for the brand in 2004.
Marketing is due to start in mid-November 2003, positioning it at the premium-end of the yogurt drink market, against the likes of Yakult and Actimol.
Marketing, on Headlines from Mintel

Products & Brands
Cadbury plans health tips
Cadbury Trebor Bassett, the giant chocolate maker may introduce health messages onto its products, encouraging people to adopt a balanced diet, enjoying fruit and vegetables each day.
The plans follow growing concerns that a clampdown on convenience food producers may be on the way, as the UK government looks to cut down on cases of obesity amongst the population.
Marketing, on Headlines from Mintel

Products & Brands
Fisherman's Friend, new flavour lozenges
A Cherry menthol lozenge flavour has been added to the Fisherman's Friend seven-strong range.
It's hoped the new version will become the 2nd-best seller, behind Original Extra Strong.
To promote Cherry menthol, a £1m advertising and promotional campaign is being launched.
Marketing, on Headlines from Mintel

Products & Brands
Chewits new flavour
Sugar confectionery brand Chewits has launched a Sour Lemon flavour, joining its Xtremely Sour range which includes Apple and Tutti Frutti versions.
A £3m advertising campaign is being launched for the sweets.
Marketing, on Headlines from Mintel

Products & Brands
Tizer TV campaign
Tizer is launching a TV campaign. The BDH/TBWA ads focus on the colour red and carry the strap line: 'Itz a red thing'. The ads reflect Tizer's new positioning as a cool brand.
Marketing Week, on headlines from Mintel

Products & Brands
Vodka-based cream liqueur
Blackwood Distillers has launched the world's first vodka-based cream liqueur. The recipe for Jago's vanilla vodka cream liqueur comes from Tom Jago, co-creator of Baileys and Malibu.
OLN, on Headlines from Mintel

Products & Brands
Italian drink in UK launch
Nardini, the top-selling premium grappa in Italy is being launched into the UK, positioned as a cocktail base.
Two products, Bianca and Riserva are launching in London and Brighton, with marketing focused on the trade.
Marketing, on Headlines from Mintel

Products & Brand
Single-serve hot chocolate
Options, a low-calorie hot chocolate brand, has dropped its twin-sachet format in favour of chocolate bar-shaped single servings.
To boost consumer demand, Options will launch a limited-edition Banoffee version.
Owner Twinings is also planning a similar move for Ovaltine Light, re-launching in single-sachets.
Marketing, on Headlines from Mintel

Products & Brands
New sour carbonated soft drink
A new range of Virgin Sours soft drinks has been launched by Prince's Soft Drinks.
Target market is primarily young people aged 8-16.
There are three flavours: Cheek Chillin' Cherry, Raspin' Blue Raspberry and Eye Squeezin' Apple, packaged in neon-coloured 'curV' bottles.
FOODNEWS, on Headlines from Mintel

Products & Brands
Sex Kola
A new zero-calorie, zero-carb beverage. The range includes Discipline Lemon & Lime, Lust Lemon, Randy Root Beer, Scream Orange Cream
BevNET Newsletter
http://www.bevnet.com/reviews/sexkola/

Products & Brands
Spicy Müller milk drink
A spicy kick has been given to a number products of late, particularly chocolate based lines - Plamil organic cayenne chocolate tablet, and Chilli Red ice cream from Purbeck Dairy Ice Cream. The spicy trend continues, this time in the milk category with the German introduction of Müllermilch Lava from leading dairy company, Müller.
The limited edition milk drink is made with low fat milk and has a chocolate, strawberry and chilli flavour
Foodnavigator.com
http://www.foodnavigator.com/news/news.asp?id=8768

Products & Brands
Yagua unveils cosmeceutical beverage
Dutch company Yagua had added a new variant to its functional drinks range, which fits into the growing new category of 'cosmeceutical' products.
The product, called Beauty Juicer, contains a blend of grapefruit, ginger and white cocoa and is enriched with collagen and aloe vera. The formulation is claimed to make the body younger from within, contributing to the revitalisation of skin, hair and nails.
It also helps support the growth of new body cells and is a food for 'the mind and mood', according to the firm.
Cosmeceuticals now represent up to 50 per cent of supplement sales in some countries, according to research firm Market Intelligence. The category is estimated to be worth €3.5 billion globally and one of the biggest areas of innovation in the wider nutraceuticals sector.
Foodnavigator.com
http://www.foodnavigator.com/news/news.asp?id=8773

Products & Brands
End of the line
Hooch, one of the first brands to mix alcohol with fruit flavoured soft drinks, has ceased production. Coors Brewers, which makes Hooch, said it was dropping the brand from the group's portfolio to concentrate on its Reef brand. Launched eight years ago, Hooch quickly gained popularity as well as being responsible for a host of copy-cat products.
Food Industry News, November 2003

Products & Brands
Coke to launch Five Alive dilutable
Mad.co.uk
http://c.moreover.com/click/here.pl?e103578227&e=6327

Products & Brands
Chocolate lager
New from Meantime Brewery, exclusive to Sainsbury, Chocolate Lager has been given the Grocer's Acid Test and achieved a score of 40 out of 50, with both consumer (female) and buyer (male) panellist giving 20 out of 25 - relatively high scores.
The product has been brewed to give a balance between the rich taste of chocolate and the bitterness of hops.
The Grocer

Products & Brands
Pepper and menthol Ribena variants
To capitalise on the customer trend towards more extreme tastes GlaxoSmithKline is to launch two Ribena variants - menthol and pepper.
They will be called Ribena Oooh and Ribena Aargh respectively.
Marketing Week, on Headlines from Mintel

Products & Brands
Cadbury reviews UK mint brands
The Extra Strong Mints and Softmints brands from Cadbury Trebor Bassett are being reviewed, with the possibility of the brands being revitalised.
Euro RSCG Wnek Gosper Partners and Vallance Carruthers Coleman Priest will pitch head-to-head for the brands, with the strong and soft mints accounts worth up to £5m.
Campaign, on Headlines from Mintel

Products & Brands
Qibla Cola launches mango drink in UK
Qibla Cola Company has said it will launch its UK-based Qibla Mango carbonated soft drink. Qibla Mango will be sold in 500 ml and 2 litre bottle sizes.
FOODNEWS, on Headlines from Mintel

Products & Brands
Milk drink to lower blood pressure gains European presence
A new fermented milk, designed to help control blood pressure, has been launched in Iceland, only the second food in Europe to make such a claim.
Nutraingredients.com
http://www.nutraingredients.com/news/news.asp?id=8202

Products & Brands
Company launches turkey-flavoured soft drink (USA)
US specialty soft drinks maker Jones Soda Co has introduced Turkey & Gravy-flavoured soda. The tan-coloured fizzy drink may taste like Thanksgiving but contains no meat extracts.
The company has also been known for carbonating ham and fish flavours.
Just-drinks.com
http://just-drinks.com/nd.asp?art=21448&dm=yes

Products & Brands
Shloer boost for Merrydown
Merrydown, the cider maker, which produces and markets Shloer, said sales of its adult soft drink had increased by 29% during the first half.
Grocer.TodayAlerts

Products & Brands
Guarana-blended Sprite
Coca-Cola Great Britain is to launch Sprite X, the first extension of its lemon and lime soft drink Sprite. The variant, will include the natural herbal stimulant guarana.
Marketing Week, on Headlines from Mintel

Products & Brands
Herbal pick-me-up for Japanese market
Japanese pharma firm Taisho Pharmaceutical has developed a tonic, containing a cocktail of herbals and vitamins to boost energy after illness.
Called ZENA F0-I, the product is described as a 'quasi-drug'. It incorporates seven types of herbal medicines including cistanche, peony, ginseng, and glycyrrhiza, and five ingredients typically found in western-style supplements, including taurine and vitamin B2 and B6.
Nutraingredients.com
http://www.nutraingredients.com/news/news.asp?id=8243

Products & Brands
Tropicana launching low-calorie orange juice
Food Ingredients First
http://c.moreover.com/click/here.pl?e105464114&e=6327

Products & Brands
Greek-themed version of Sensation Nut Clusters
Walkers is launching a Greek-themed version of its Sensations Nut Clusters ahead of the Olympic Games in 2004.
Marketing Week, on Headlines from Mintel

Ingredients & Innovation
Fruit extracts to face challenges
Steady growth for the US and European fruit and vegetables extracts and powders market - currently standing at EUR819.9 million (USD960M) - is pitched to reach USD1,321 million by 2009.
Manufacturers of fruit and vegetable extracts, increasingly used to flavour natural and functional foods, need to better standardise their products to help customers compare brands, finds a new report. Industry-wide standardisation would also promote development of the functional food industry, the biggest user of fruit and vegetable extracts.
The $960 million (€819.9m) US and European fruit and vegetables extracts and powders market is on course to grow at a CAGR of 4.5 per cent, reaching $1,321 million by 2009, claims a new report from Frost & Sullivan. But non-standardised testing procedures and variations in chemical profiles between brands are reducing competition between suppliers as customers have difficulties comparing similar products from different suppliers.
Foodnavigator.com
http://www.foodnavigator.com/news/news.asp?id=8650

Ingredients & Innovation
GM testing to find new flavours for dairy
New Zealand's dairy company Fonterra has been given government permission to genetically engineer fruit enzymes in an attempt to produce "novel and desirable flavours," for dairy products.
Dairyreporter.com
http://www.dairyreporter.com/news/news.asp?id=717

Ingredients & Innovation
The future flavour of wine
The kaleidoscopic world of wine aromas and flavours is to come under the spotlight as Australian scientists seek to marry industry demand with ongoing research.
Foodnavigator.com
http://www.foodnavigator.com/news/news.asp?id=8680

Ingredients & Innovation
The coffee conundrum
Coffee imports to Europe were 30 per cent cheaper last year than in 1998, according to recently published figures from the International Coffee Organisation (ICO).
Beveragedaily.com
http://www.beveragedaily.com/news/news.asp?id=845

Ingredients & Innovation
UK lowers soy protein content for health claim
The UK's Joint Health Claims Initiative has reduced the minimum amount of soy protein required in a product for the soy health claim, allowing a greater number of foods to display the cholesterol-lowering message.
Nutraingredients.com
http://www.nutraingredients.com/news/news.asp?id=8062

Ingredients & Innovation
Botanicals for innovative supplements
German plant extracts manufacturer Finzelberg has launched a new range of extracts for dietary supplements, including an energy-boosting blend based on rhodiola rosea.
Nutraigredients.com
http://www.nutraingredients.com/news/news.asp?id=8074

Ingredients & Innovation
Soda Makers Search For Aspartame Replacement (USA)
As healthier options take over the food industry, those same changes are set for the drink sector. Makers of soft drinks are looking for an alternative to aspartame, a popular sweetener. Although it is an alternative to sugar, it packs on the calories and eventually, the pounds. The new sweetener of choice is Splenda, a calorie-free sweetener.
Atlanta Journal Constitution, on Headlines from Mintel

Ingredients & Innovation
Beet goes on
Despite abnormally dry harvesting conditions making lifting difficult, British Sugar factories had processed around a quarter of the sugar beet crop by the end of October. Average sugar content is reported to be exceptionally high at almost 20%, boosted by the dry, sunny autumn.
Food Manufacture, November 2003

Ingredients & Innovation
Simply make a tastier impact
A leading article in Food Manufacture identifies recent developments in the area of flavour mechanics. It highlights the discovery of a compound that blocks the perception of bitterness, rather than masking or drowning it in overwhelming amounts of sweeteners or flavours. These naturally-occurring compounds are referred to as 'bitter blockers.'
Also mentioned are developments in the understanding of the perception of sweetness. There is a claim that 'sweetness potentiators' will allow beverages and foods to be produced with only a small percentage of the current amount of sugar, without sacrificing the taste.
Food Manufacture, November 2003

Ingredients & Innovation
Ice-cream made with liquid nitrogen now on the menu
A chef and a physicist in Italy have created an ice-cream made from liquid nitrogen and are serving it to customers at a Lake Como restaurant. Liquid nitrogen boils at less than minus 195 degrees (minus 310 degrees Fahrenheit), which enables products to freeze instantly.
Chef Ettore Bocchia claims that the liquid nitrogen also enhances flavour and means fewer additives are needed. Bocchia said he had collaborated with physicist Davide Cassi to produce a Havana cigar-flavoured ice cream.
Just-food.com
http://just-food.com/nd.asp?art=55827

Ingredients & Innovation
Rosemarinic Acid
A comprehensive article about Rosemary has been put on the intranet Belmay Central Library, in the shared directory as a Word document. This explains the structure and potential benefits of rosemary as an antioxidant. Although originally sourced with specific reference for use in beverages, subject to trial, there may be opportunities for this material in other areas.
(Thanks to John D'Hooghe for providing the details on this ingredient).

Ingredients & Innovation
Soybean prices peak in October
The impact of higher commodity prices on ingredients manufacturers continues to impact margins. In October figures show that soybean prices peaked at their highest levels in six years.
At the end of October, soybean prices hit 794 cents/bushel, a rise of 6.72 per cent in the month and the highest price level since July 1997. The strength in soybean prices was largely driven by a very poor harvest in the US - itself the result of droughts in the Midwest - that leaves the 2003/04 US soybean crop poised to be the lowest since 1996/97.
Foodnavigator.com
http://www.foodnavigator.com/news/news.asp?id=8732

Ingredients & Innovation
Cocoa richer in antioxidants than wine, tea
New research suggests that a cup of hot cocoa may be richer in antioxidants than better-known "healthy" drinks like tea and red wine. Dr Chang Yong Lee and colleagues at Cornell University in New York tested the drinks for their levels of antioxidants.
Cocoa came out on top. The researchers found a cup of it was twice as rich in antioxidants as a glass of red wine, up to three times richer than a cup of green tea and up to five times richer than black tea. Cocoa is found in many other products, such as chocolate, however, the researchers said, drinking it was the best way of harnessing its health benefits. That's because a bar of chocolate is high in saturated fats.
Food Ingredients First, on Drinks and beverages industry news
http://c.moreover.com/click/here.pl?e1049114&e=6327

Ingredients & Innovation
Spearmint
Biolandes has introduced spearmint leaves SD extract, a material that possesses the plants herbaceous freshness.
Product Focus, Perfumer & Flavorist, November-December 2003

Ingredients & Innovation
EU to impose safeguard duty on certain citrus imports
The European Commission has drawn up plans to impose a temporary safeguard duty of imports of certain prepared or preserved mandarins, (including tangerines and satsumas), clementines, wilkings and other similar citrus hybrids, not containing added spirit, but containing added sugar.
Duties of €155 (US$182.7m) per tonne would be levied from this month on these fruit products until next May, except for imports covered by special national quotas of 11,389 tonnes for consignments from China and 906 tonnes for imports "originating in all other countries."
A note to the World Trade Organisation said 130 developing countries would be excluded from the duties altogether.
Just-food.com
http://just-food.com/nd.asp?art=55958&dm=yes

Ingredients & Innovation
Turmeric
INEOS Fluor has introduced Xentia Turmeric, which is derived from Indian turmeric fingers. The natural distillate oil imparts a warm spicy flavour to applications.
Product Focus, Perfumer & Flavoriost, November-December 2003

Ingredients & Innovation
Organoleptic Characteristics of flavour materials
As usual, a number of flavour materials are profiled in the latest issue of Perfumer & Flavorist. These include:
Methyl Prropyl Ketone - raw apple, potato, fruity banana for apple flavour impact notes, banana, whiskey, butter and pineapple flavours;
L-Methone - peppermint-like, cooling and minty with a dirty nuance for impact lift for blackberry and other berry flavours, anise, tropical fruit and spice blends, as well as mint flavours;
Neryl Acetate - green floral, waxy, fatty and citrus-like for lemon, lime, raspberry, honey, spice blends, tea and apricot and peach flavours
Tuber Rose Absolute - sweet, floral, woody with fruity background notes, for tutti frutti depth notes, apple, blueberry, raspberry, jasmine and other floral notes.
(This is just an extract from the magazine, the full issue of which is available in the Central Library)
Perfumer & Flavorist, November-December 2003

Ingredients & Innovation
Late Florida crop picture upbeat
Florida citrus growers have been hit by bad weather and a later developing crop. However, initial estimates are that then yield this season is looking good.
Whilst overall volumes are up, the Star Ruby variety of grapefruit would be in short supply after a failure to bloom earlier inn the year.
UK promotion of Florida fruit could be affected by the growing EU-US steel row. The EU is threatening to retaliate to US steel import tariffs by imposing additional import duties on a range of products, one of which could include grapefruit.
The Grocer

Ingredients & Innovation
Potassium without the taste
Balchem Encapsulates, a business segment of Balchem Corporation, has launched three microencapsulated forms of potassium targeted at the food industry - dipotassium phosphate (available in white and brown forms) and potassium chloride. The company believes that the products represent a breakthrough in food processing.
As part of Balchem's Vitashure microencapsulated product line, these microencapsulated ingredients have been designed to overcome the common processing challenges that manufacturers often encounter when incorporating these minerals into products. For example, dipotassium phosphate and potassium chloride are known for an unpleasant taste that can impact the quality of the end product. Dipotassium phosphate is also highly hygroscopic and picks up moisture from the surrounding environment, as well as other ingredients, which can cause clumping and other processing challenges.
Foodnavigator.com
http://www.foodnavigator.com/news/news.asp?id=8783

Ingredients & Innovation
Holland Sweetener rolls out Twinsweet
Holland Sweetener company, DSM's 50-50 joint venture with Japan-based company Tosoh took some pleasure yesterday in launching its high intensity sweetener Twinsweet on to the European market after years of waiting for approval.
First patented in 1995 the low calorie product - a sweetener-sweetener salt of aspartame and acesulfame - received approval from the European Parliament at the end of October. The decision supercedes the temporary approval already granted in the UK and the Netherlands and paves the way for access to the growing European low calorie market.
Foodnavigator.com
http://www.foodnavigator.com/news/news.asp?id=8785

Ingredients & Innovation
Sensus launches inulin for clear beverages
Dutch firm Sensus has unveiled an inulin powder specially designed for use in clear beverages, designed to meet the growing demand for innovative beverages.
The company said it has received significant interest from manufacturers at the Food Ingredients Europe show. The prebiotic fibre is ideal for applications requiring high solubility, such as beverages and also fruit purees.
Frutafit CLR prevents crystallisation in high dry matter applications, according to Sensus, and it also minimises gelling and viscosity at high dosages so has advantages in processing for bakery products, cereals and cereal bars and confectionery.
Foodnavigator.com
http://www.foodnavigator.com/news/news.asp?id=8802

Ingredients & Innovation
Taste of the world
Trying out unfamiliar foods in foreign countries can be one of the greatest joys of travel. Whether thick and sweet fruit-based drinks popular in Asia, or 'healthy' dairy drinks in Europe, each region has its own favourites. One thing they may all have in common, however, is speciality starch.
Starch is one of nature's most versatile ingredients. Harnessing its power has enabled beverage manufacturers throughout the world to tailor drinks that meet local expectations, while maintaining global quality standards.
Whatever the specific regional end-product attributes sought, speciality starches offer manufacturers the flexibility to fine-tune requirements.
Thanks to Helen Starmer for highlighting this article, which is available in the Marketing Department
What's New Issue 14, from National Starch

Ingredients & Innovation
Golden sheen for gelatine replacer
A new gelatine replacer from Dutch company DMV International carried off the gold award for the most innovative new ingredient on the marketplace at the Food ingredients Europe exhibition.
Foodnavigator.com
http://www.foodnavigator.com/news/news.asp?id=8795

Ingredients & Innovation
Orange crop reduction
The 2003/2004 Sao Paulo orange crop will reach 333.1 million boxes, according to recently published estimates of the Institute of Agricultural Economics (IEA) at the Department of Agriculture and Food Supply of the State of Sao Paulo. This volume represents a 7.9% drop in relation to the previous crop (361.7m boxes).
The main reason for the drop, according to the IEA, was the drought in the major producing regions during the second semester of last year.
Soft Drinks International, November 2003

Industry Initiatives
Protecting knowledge
The protection of intellectual property rights (IPR) is essential not only for researchers to work willingly together on innovative research, but also in order to bring the fruits of this collaboration to the market. IPR is, however, a confusing issue for many, and in order to understand the plethora of legal technicalities involved, support is essential, reports CORDIS.
The IPR Helpdesk was launched in 1998 as a pilot project under the Innovation-SME sub-section of the Fifth Framework Programme.
The Helpdesk is run by a consortium of universities and other partners from Belgium, Germany, Spain and the UK. It is a free service and provides assistance to current and potential EU research project contractors on IP issues. A website provides general information in five languages - English, French, German, Italian and Spanish - and includes answers to frequently asked questions.
The Commission is taking much more of a back seat with regard to project management, and recommends that project partners commit to a consortium agreement before work commences.
Foodnavigator.com
http://www.foodnavigator.com/news/news.asp?id=8652

Industry Initiatives
Mouthwash Can Make Breath Worse
Doctors have noted that mouthwash can make breath worse, even though it has a minty taste. Mouthwash contains certain alcohols, which could make the mouth dry, thereby making breath smell. Most dentists have recommended using alcohol-free versions.
YM, on Headlines from Mintel

Industry Initiatives
Organic sector set for boom by 2007
The organic food and drinks market in the UK is set to grow by almost 75% between 2002 and 2007, when it will be worth £1.6bn, according to research out today.
The UK is the second biggest organic market in Europe but it is still a long way behind Germany (£2.1bn in 2002). And, evidence that higher prices remain the most prominent barrier to consumer acceptance of natural and organic food and drinks is apparent, according to a report by the industry analyst Datamonitor.
(This report can be obtained through the Marketing Department, as part of our subscription package with Datamonitor)
Just-drinks.com
http://just-drinks.com/nd.asp?art=21207&dm=yes

Industry Initiatives
Parliament calls for sweetener safety review
The European Parliament has cleared amendments to the sweetener directive, but only after setting up a trail of conditions - including a closer monitoring of new sweeteners.
Foodnavigator.com
http://www.foodnavigator.com/news/news.asp?id=8703

Industry Initiatives
Supermarket suppliers call for ombudsman
A group of over 45,000 UK supermarket suppliers have called on the government to form a new ombudsman to make sure they are being treated fairly by the big retail chains.
The letter to Trade and Industry secretary Patricia Hewitt asks for an independent ombudsman to whom suppliers could complain anonymously.
The Times, on Headlines from Mintel

Industry Initiatives
Fresh fruit drinks
Experts are now, however, suggesting that we have taken our obsession with fruit juices and smoothies too far. By knocking back more than two million litres of these products in a year, they caution, we could be consuming them in unhealthy excess.
A lengthy article concludes with the summary, despite the rapid growth in consumption that you need to walk past the chiller-cabinet stuffed with smoothies or throw away your juicing machine. It is recognised they can be a useful and pleasurable source of nutrients. They taste good and are better than many things on the market, But, ultimately, they are a complement to, not a substitute for, a healthy diet. If you want to get the full benefits, eat an apple or chew a carrot instead.
The Times, on Drinks and beverages industry news
http://c.moreover.com/click/here.pl?e624227&e=6327

Industry Initiatives
BRC criticises EU yoghurt proposals
The British Retail Consortium has criticised two European proposals dealing with yoghurt and said the proposals have the potential to impose significant new costs on the UK dairy industry.
The first proposal would ban the use of the English prefix 'bio' on the vast majority of yoghurts produced in Britain, because the word 'bio' means organic in many other European countries. The ban would see packaging having to be redesigned and yoghurts made with bifidus cultures relabelled.
The second proposal ignores UK manufacturing practices for yoghurt and would see the yoghurts British consumers are used to having to be relabelled as 'Mild alternate culture heat-treated fermented milk', according to the BRC.
Just-food.com
http://just-food.com/nd.asp?art=55947&dm=yes

Yeo Valley protests against yoghurt legislation
UK-based organic food company Yeo Valley has appealed to MP's and Tony Blair to help it maintain the consistency of its range of bio live yoghurts. The company claims that it is under EU pressure to change the name of its products.
Foodanddrinkeurope.com
http://www.foodanddrinkeurope.com/news/news.asp?id=3142

Industry Initiatives
Salt warning
The UK government announced this week that food manufacturers could be forced to label food as 'high in salt' if they fail to make significant progress in reducing the amount in their products.
Foodproductiondaily.com
http://www.foodproductiondaily.com/news/news.asp?id=3784

Industry Initiatives
Bio-terrorism law to unleash panic (USA)
With only one month to go until tough laws on bio-terrorism enter into force in the US, at least 90 per cent of foreign and domestic facilities have yet to register with the FDA.
Since September 11, the Bush administration has poured billions of dollars into measures to crank up food security. The action plan devised by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) seeks to address the potential threat to the domestic and imported food supply.
Last year Congress enacted the Public Health Security and Bio-terrorism Prevention and Response Act, clearing the way for new rules that require domestic and foreign food plants to register with the agency and requiring food importers to give the FDA advance notice before shipments arrive at ports or border crossings.
The rules were slightly amended last month, instead of requiring importers to notify the FDA by noon on the day before a food shipment arrives, the agency will ask for eight hours notice before shipments arrive by sea, four hours notice if by air or rail, and two hours if shipments arrive by land. A move criticised at the time by the Center for Science in the Public Interest.
Foodanddrinkeurope.com
http://www.foodanddrinkeurope.com/news/news.asp?id=3153

Industry Initiatives
Croissants & Danish - new flavours grow the market
A combination of innovative fillings coupled with increasing consumer demand for all-day indulgent treats has fuelled growth in the Danish pastry sector throughout 2003, with sales up 13% year-on-year, according to Taylor Nelson Sofres.
According to ingredients manufacturer Macphie, innovations in recipes and new flavour combinations, such as toffee & pecan, chocolate & orange, cherry & almond, have contributed to the increasing popularity of Danish pastries. Consumers are looking for indulgent treats that they can enjoy on the go throughout the day, with more than just the traditional toppings.
British Baker, November 2003

Industry Initiatives
The winning formula
New research reveals what makes the difference in a new business pitch. The top ten issues differentiating the winners from the losers are as follows:
1. Understanding the value/benefit customers expect to gain from your product/service (64%
2. Understanding the cost of ownership issues that impact customer's decisions about your product/service 62%
3. Establishing the superiority of your products or services over those of competitors 56%
4. Understanding the factors the customer considers when purchasing your product/service 45%
5. Developing person-to-person relationships with potential customers 45%
6. Understanding the business environment in which your customer operates 44%
7. Ability to offer support or ancillary services 43%
8. Understanding the roles played by different individuals making the purchase 40%
9. Understanding the decision-making process each customer uses when purchasing your product/service 37%
10. Persuading potential customers to invite you to bid 35%
The top ten list shows percentage by which top-quadrant winners outstrip bottom-quadrant losers.
Marketingbusiness, magazine for the Chartered Institute of Marketing, November/December 2003

Industry Initiatives
UK halal standard launched
The first national UK standard for Halal production has been launched.
The UK Halal Corporation worked with experts in certification and auditing - including EFSIS - to draw up the consistent set of standards. EFSIS, along with Law Laboratories, will act as the independent auditors of the scheme.
The Grocer

Industry Initiatives
Food innovation: the next step
UK-based research firm Leatherhead Food is launching a series of projects that will provide companies with new opportunities for food product innovation in six different areas.
Leatherhead's Food Ingredients & Product Development Group will investigate six areas, including calcium stability in fortified beverages, developing starch-based foods with low glycaemic index and researching potential alternatives to gelatin for microencapsulation of flavours, oils and nutraceuticals.
The projects are designed to lead to multi-client and/or single-client confidential projects resulting in long-term benefits, depending on the requirements needs and interest of participating companies.
Foodnavigator.com
http://www.foodnavigator.com/news/news.asp?id=8789

Industry Initiatives
British Society of Flavourists, Christmas Lecture - The Story of Stone's Ginger Wine
Roy Hurford of Matthew Clarke Ltd. will present a seasonal evening on the history of their famous brand of Ginger Wine, with tastings! The wine is known for its distinctive flavour, and it is now a household name in places as diverse as Australia and the Caribbean, as well as many other countries worldwide. The brand name dates from the mid-19th Century when it was sold by a London grocer, one of the earliest examples of own-label advertising.
Thursday 4 December 2003 7.00 p.m. Novotel Hotel, Stevenage. Refreshments and mince pies will be served.
For any further information please contact Roger Browning, Hon. Vice President, British Society of Flavourists, c/o Sensient Flavors Ltd. Tel 01908-360573 roger.browning@eu.sensient-tech.com

Industry Initiatives
Trend setting (USA)
Food container demand in the US is projected to increase nearly 3 per cent yearly to $18.7 billion in 2007 according to market research firm Freedonia Group. The organisation says that advances will be stimulated by an expanding population base, consumer demands for more convenient prepared foods, and trends toward value-added packaging.
Innovations such as high impact graphics and greater barrier properties have certainly put packaging at the cutting edge of the food and drinks industry. Freedonia predicts that new developments in pouches and rigid plastic containers will soon be on the market thanks to performance and line speed improvements.
Foodanddrinkeurope.com
http://www.foodanddrinkeurope.com/news/news.asp?id=3206

Industry Initiatives
New chocolate rules, new growth opportunities
Controversial changes over two years ago to Europe's chocolate rules - that had cocoa puritans and producers up in arms - came into force in the summer, providing ingredients companies with a raft of new opportunities. The European Union's new chocolate law sets in stone that up to 5 per cent of the cocoa butter in chocolate may be replaced by vegetable fats and still qualify as chocolate.
Foodnavigator.com
http://www.foodnavigator.com/news/news.asp?id=8845

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