Industrial printer manufacturer Linx Printing Technologies is proposing to invest more than £6m in a purpose-built headquarters in St Ives, Cambridgeshire (US).

The major new development at Compass Point Business Park will unify the seven separate buildings Linx currently occupies, in Burrel Road, St Ives, into a single facility employing 250 people.

Linx is a manufacturersof industrial printers for coding and marking of packaging and products, and celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2012.

The site would comprise research and development laboratories, manufacturing and assembly areas, customer training facilities, offices, and storage and distribution areas occupying approximately 41,000 sq ft.

Jennifer Honeycutt, Linx MD, said: “This is testament to our confidence in the continued growth and vitality of Linx, our commitment to the development of our associates, and support of the local economy.

“At a time when the perception is of a contraction in British manufacturing, Linx is here to stay. Our new facility will give us state-of-the art product development, manufacturing, training and service facilities that will allow us to compete at the highest level in our global markets.”

A planning application has been submitted to Huntingdonshire District Council and if approved, Linx hopes to transfer from its current HQ in Spring 2013.

Linx is a leading global supplier of continuous ink jet (CIJ) printers, case coders, laser coders, thermal transfer printers and thermal inkjet printers. Its printers and coders are used across many different industries where product identification codes, batch numbers, dates and barcodes are required.

Source: Linx

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Unilever management has agreed to engage in talks with conciliation service ACAS.

In response, the National Officers of the joint trade unions Unite, USDAW and GMB have made the following statement.

We welcome the fact that Unilever has at last recognised its responsibility to talk to us about a possible resolution to the dispute. We hope the agreement to talk through ACAS is a genuine indication of a willingness to engage meaningfully in an effort to find a solution. However, it is very early days and the dispute will continue until proposals have been put forward that are acceptable to our members.

Source: Unilever

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Did you add blueberries to your cereal this morning? Apparently consumer awareness of the benefits of fruit and high-antioxidant superfruits has never been greater.

You can find them everywhere in drinks, yogurts, cereals and little bagged snacks of dried fruits. Is this the next stage in dietary evolution?

It certainly looks as if our need to stay fit and work for longer, along with greater communication and knowledge of scientific studies across the globe, is promoting a greater interest in our health and encouraging self-imposed, personalised nutrition programmes.

Science has yet to provide a clear definition of what a superfruit is, but in general it's defined by:

• the density of the nutrients provided
• the antioxidant power offered
• the health benefit potential
• the ability of the particular fruit to affect cell and molecular structures.

Fruits with a particularly high ORAC value (oxygen radical absorbance capacity) include:

• acai
• pomegranate
• blackcurrant
• blueberry
• blackberry
• cranberry
• raspberry
• strawberry
• lingonberry
• yumberry
• gogi – and numerous others, too many to name here.

I will be speaking at the 10th International Vaccinium & other Superfruits Symposium and Exhibition in June. I've been surprised by the substantial coverage of drinks containing such superfruits in Beverage Innovation magazine over the past year. I'm also compiling a report on 'Superfruits in Beverages' for the March issue of Beverage Innovation, with contributions from experts around the globe.

If you're interested, either come along to the conference for a visual feast of commercialised superfruits, or subscribe to our magazines.

Have a healthy weekend!

Claire Phoenix is managing editor of Beverage Innovation magazine. Subscribe here.

Blue Pacific Flavors, a developer and manufacturer of natural and organic-compliant fruit flavours, has confirmed a strategic capital investment by an Asian agribusiness group, Wilmar International Limited.

Blue Pacific Flavors joins Wilmar International Limited’s group of associated companies.

Blue Pacific Flavors will maintain all domestic production of flavours and ingredients for its US clientele from its headquarters manufacturing facility and research and development centre.

The company will continue all global operations including its facilities in China, offices in Malaysia, South Korea and the Philippines. Donald Wilkes remains unchanged in his role as CEO and chairman of Blue Pacific Flavors’ board of directors.

Headquartered in Singapore, Wilmar’s business activities include oil palm cultivation, oilseeds crushing, edible oils refining, sugar milling and refining, specialty fats, oleochemicals, biodiesel and fertilisers manufacturing and grains processing. The company has more than 300 manufacturing plants and a distribution network throughout China, India, Indonesia and some 50 other countries.

Source: Blue Pacific Flavors

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Skinny Nutritional Corp the maker of Skinny Water, has completed a transaction with Ironridge Global IV, for the settlement of approximately $1,255,000 of outstanding debt in consideration of an initial amount of 65,100,000 shares of common stock of the company.

In connection with this transaction, Ironridge Global IV, Ltd. had acquired approximately $1,225,000 of outstanding debt from certain creditors of the company, substantially reducing the company's outstanding accounts payable balance.

"Our transaction with Ironridge has allowed us to substantially reduce our accounts payable by over $1,250,000" said Michael Salaman, CEO of Skinny Nutritional Corp.

Ironridge Global Partners is a private equity firm that assists public companies in financing operations and expansion. By supplying innovative financing solutions and flexible capital, Ironridge Global seeks to unlock the full potential of cash-constrained businesses.

The firm's core objective is to propel high growth companies in building faster growing and more profitable enterprises.

Source: Skinny Nutritional

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Willowbrook Foods, the Northern Ireland specialist in salads, prepared vegetables and convenience meals, has opened a new £5.5m factory extension.

The 44,000sq ft extension is enabling the company, based on a family farm at Killinchy in County Down, to meet the growing demand in Great Britain and Ireland from major retailers and wholesalers for its developing range of products.

Willowbrook managing director, John McCann, commenting on the company’s investment, said: “This factory more than doubles our production capacity and is enabling us to meet the growing demand from key customers for our existing range of products.

“We made the investment to carry forward the success we have achieved in selling 85% of our products to customers outside Northern Ireland.

“In addition, the investment is providing scope for new products being developed by staff in our new Food Innovation Centre in liaison with both existing and potential customers in Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland.

“Since opening in 1967, innovation has always been at the centre of our business. We have focused resourced on understanding of the needs of our customers and also the overall market, developing both existing and new products to exceed the needs of all our customers."

Source: Willowbrook Foods

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In a commentary in the February issue of the journal Nature, a team of scientists from University of California, San Francisco has suggested that sugar should be regulated like alcohol and cigarettes.

In an article entitled ‘The toxic truth about sugar’, the UCSF group suggests that like alcohol and tobacco, sugar is a toxic, addictive substance that should be highly regulated with taxes, laws on where and to whom it can be advertised, and even age-restricted sales.

In response, the American Beverage Association issued the following statement:


"The authors of this commentary attempt to address the critical global health issue of non-communicable diseases such as heart disease and diabetes. However, in doing so, their comparison of sugar to alcohol and tobacco is simply without scientific merit. Moreover, an isolated focus on a single ingredient such as sugar or fructose to address health issues noted by the World Health Organization to be caused by multiple factors, including tobacco use, harmful alcohol use, an unhealthy diet and lack of physical activity, is an oversimplification.

“There is no evidence that focusing solely on reducing sugar intake would have any meaningful public health impact. Importantly, we know that the body of scientific evidence does not support that sugar, in any of its various forms - including fructose, is a unique cause of chronic health conditions such as obesity, diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease or metabolic syndrome."

Source: American Beverage Association

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The shareholders of UK-based packaging group, DS Smith, approved the company´s proposal to acquire SCA’s packaging operations, excluding the two kraftliner mills in Sweden.

The transaction remains subject, amongst other things, to antitrust clearance from the European Commission. Closing is expected during the second quarter of 2012.

Regarding the French part of the packaging operations, DS Smith has made a formal offer to acquire this business. This process is subject to an information and consultation procedure with the relevant works councils and will be treated separately.

Source: DS Smith

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The Serbian National Milk Processors Association (SEDA) signed a Memorandum of Cooperation with the European Dairy Association (EDA) to promote milk processing in Serbia and provide a framework for cooperation between the two associations.

By joining EDA, SEDA members will participate in European Union-led dairy forums and interact with milk producers facing similar challenges. The memorandum was signed by SEDA President Zoran Matic and EDA Secretary General Joop Kleibeuker.

The dairy sector in Serbia is of vital economic importance, said Milos Milovanovic, the assistant minister of agriculture, Trade, Forestry and Water Management. He said his ministry would continue to support the dairy sector to the best of its ability.

Susan Fritz, the mission director at the US Agency for International Development (USAID) in Serbia, congratulated SEDA’s eight member dairies for their vision and determination to form their association. “Although it is difficult to collaborate with your competitors, you have recognised that there is strength in numbers – and joint representation,” Fritz said, adding that USAID has been providing support to Serbia’s dairy sector for a decade.

The signing of the Memorandum of Cooperation will further improve the prospects for export to the EU, said Zoran Micovic, the director of the veterinary department.

SEDA was established in November 2011. Its eight members – Sabac Dairy, Megle, Kuc Dairy, Ekomlek Dairy, Nis Dair, Lazar Dairy, Muza Dairy, and Leskovac Dairy – purchase milk from nearly 11,000 farmers and process 600,000 litres of milk daily. They employ nearly 1,300 people.

SEDA, which was established with assistance from the USAID Agribusiness Project, seeks to increase productivity and product quality and enhance the competitiveness of Serbian dairy products. The USAID Agribusiness Project has helped dairies meet international food safety and quality standards, introduce new technologies, and improve marketing and exports.

Source: Serbian Milk Processors

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On May of this year, Starbucks Coffee Company, together with joint-venture partner Corporación de Franquicias Americanas (CFA), will open the doors of the first Starbucks in Costa Rica.

This first store will be located in San Jose.

“We are excited to introduce our high-quality coffee and the unique Starbucks Experience to customers in Costa Rica” said Pablo Arizmendi-Kalb, vice president and general manager, Starbucks Latin America. “Starbucks has been buying coffee in Costa Rica, for many years. We are honored to expand our role in the rich coffee heritage that’s present in Costa Rica.”

Source: Starbucks

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Lindsay Willott, marketing manager for new home water cooler product Bibo, talks to Hannah Oakman about the route to market and rationale behind the new brand.

Does working as a water cooler manufacturer in the residential sector require a specific approach?

Lindsay Willott: Yes, absolutely. We don’t have shops or a physical retail presence, so our sales and marketing approach has been entirely direct, in the model of Bose or Dyson in their early days. Our customer service has to be exemplary.

In addition, turnaround times for delivering and installing our units, and attending to any queries or issues, are often a matter of minutes or hours rather than days. We're dealing with people’s homes rather than their offices – a very important distinction.

What are customers in the residential sector really looking for in terms of products?

Willott: A domestic appliance which is impressive to look at and use. Bibo’s touchscreen interface and sleek design is a real hit with our customers. In addition, our customers want convenience, excellent water quality and a supplier they can trust. Again, our commitment to customer service is very important here and we do already have a very loyal customer base.

How do you see the Bibo machine filling a gap in the market?

Willott: At one end are the boiling and chilled taps, often costing thousands of pounds and largely sold as an integrated appliance into a new, top-end kitchen. At the other end are the combination of water filter jugs and kettles, which need to be refilled and boiled each time. There's a clear gap for Bibo in between: it provides all the benefits of the taps but is a fraction of the price, comes in many colours and, critically, can be moved around the kitchen or taken with you when you move.

Is customer service even more important in this area?

Willott: Yes, enormously so. B2B timescales and processes do not cut the mustard with a domestic consumer. The levels of service we have to provide, and strive to exceed, are much more akin to a brand like John Lewis. From initial contact through to post-sale care, customer service is literally more important than anything else we do.

Who are your typical customers?

Willott: There isn’t a group I would single out. We have Bibos operating across the UK from Inverness to Cornwall, Essex to Pembrokeshire and everywhere in between. We have Bibos in student flats, mansions, cottages, second homes and even on three boats! The reason people buy is a combination of wanting to get rid of the filter jug they have clogging up their fridge, and a desire to have boiling and chilled water on demand. I believe the convenience and luxury of instant boiling and chilled water in the home is hard to overemphasise.

Hannah Oakman is editor of Cooler Innovation magazine. Subscribe here.

Jones Soda has entered into a definitive agreement with institutional and accredited investors to sell common stock and warrants in a registered direct offering with gross proceeds of approximately $3.2m.

Bill Meissner, CEO of Jones Soda, said: “The proceeds of this equity financing will support our cash flow as we continue our mission to increase sales and distribution and improve the bottom line. We believe that we are headed in the right direction, and these funds, combined with our current cash and our previously announced $2m credit facility, significantly enhance our financial position and will further enable us to work towards sustainable profitability.”

In connection with the offering, the company will issue an aggregate of 6,415,000 shares of common stock and warrants to purchase up to an additional 3,207,500 shares of common stock.

The securities will be sold in units at a price of $0.50 per unit, with each unit consisting of one share of common stock and a warrant to purchase 0.5 of a share of common stock. The warrants will have an exercise price of $0.70 per share and are exercisable for a five-year period commencing six months after issuance.

The closing of the offering is expected to occur on or about February 6, subject to customary closing conditions, at which time the company will receive the cash proceeds and deliver the securities.

Source: Jones Soda

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After the University of Vermont revealed that the school “will become one of the first institutions nationwide to end the sale of bottled water on campus,” the International Bottled Water Association (IBWA) has issued a statement in response.

The International Bottled Water Association (IBWA) has said that a decision by the University of Vermont to ban the sale of bottled water, while at the same time mandating that vending machines contain 1/3 healthy beverages, sends a contradictory and confusing message to its students. The decision also restricts freedom of choice for students to choose one of the healthiest beverages available in vending machines.

Chris Hogan, IBWA VP of communications, said: “The university has failed to understand that bottled water is most often an alternative to other packaged drinks, which are often less healthy, and is not necessarily an alternative to tap water.

“Research by owners of vending machines shows when bottled water is not available in a vending machine, people choose other packaged beverages, which may contain sugar, caffeine and other additives. They don’t necessarily go looking for a drinking water fountain,”

IBWA notes the irony that the university-wide ban coincides with a mandate that vending machines contain 1/3 healthy beverages, while obviously excluding bottled water as a healthy beverage.

Hogan continued: “It’s a misguided attempt to deal with a waste issue, that would be better addressed through improved recycling rates of all packaged drinks. Bottled water containers are the most highly recycled containers in curbside programmes, and the EPA has calculated that plastic bottled water containers make up just 0.03% of the US wastestream. So, getting rid of bottled water on campus will not make a significant improvement to waste issues.

“Instead, students will turn to other packaged drinks, which still require proper recycling collection facilities. I would encourage students, if they want to make a real difference for the environment, to focus their efforts of improving recycling rates of all beverages, not single out one the healthiest drinks on the shelf.

“Stocking the vending machines with teas and enhanced waters as an option to sugary drinks does nothing to help a student looking for pure clean safe water that does not have a the taste of chlorine. Removing the students’ freedom to choose packaged water is a serious issue. Telling students that they can or cannot buy bottled water is a step backwards, especially with the growing rates of obesity and diabetes in the US”

Hogan speculated whether UVM administrators would now face similar backlash from its students as the state of Vermont faced from its workers when it attempted a similar ban last year. Peter Shumlin postponed a state bottled water ban after workers voiced concerns over access to drinking water.

“Many, many state employees have brought forward logistical and other concerns that I think we carefully need to consider before we trigger on this policy,” said secretary of administration, Jeb Spaulding (D).

“There were enough situations raised (by employees) that we, in good conscience, couldn’t ignore them,” said Spaulding. “We’re at a point where our state workforce, over the last few years, has been under a great deal of stress, with fewer employees doing the same amount of work, and taking pay cuts. It’s important, as an employer, to do what you can to support the morale of your team.”

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Source: IBWA

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Berkeley Coffee & Tea has confirmed that pursuant to a Purchase and Sale Agreement.

Berkeley Coffee & Tea will acquire 100% of the issued and outstanding capital stock of DTS8 Holdings, a Hong Kong company which owns 100% of DTS8 Coffee, a wholly owned foreign subsidiary entity corporation in China, by issuing $4,000,000 worth of bonds payable in favour of the owner of DTS8 Holdings.

The bonds are payable at the end of 60 calendar months from closing date or earlier on a mutually agreed date, and bear interest at the rate of 3% per annum. Interest on the bonds will be calculated, accrued and paid annually.

The closing of the acquisition will occur no later than April 30, 2012, or earlier pending receipt of the audited financial statements of DTS8 Holdings. There are material relationships by and among the parties to the agreement. Sean Tan owns 100% of the issued and outstanding capital stock of DTS8 Holdings, and is the chief executive officer of both Berkeley and DTS8 Coffee (Shanghai). Berkeley commissioned a third party independent appraisal of DTS8 Holdings.

Source: Berkeley Coffee

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Safeway and Kraft Foods have announced the culmination of the Help Us End Hunger (Every Bag Counts) food drive, a national programme helping fight hunger in communities across the country.

With the help of generous Safeway customers, nearly 362,000 bags of groceries were secured for food banks and other hunger relief centres throughout the US. In addition to helping provide products for the food drive, Kraft Foods donated the monetary equivalent of three million meals –$420,000– to local food banks in Safeway's US operating divisions.

Part of Kraft Foods' donation helps support the efforts of 100 Safeway stores that sold the most food drive bags for local food banks. These 'Top 100 Food Banks' will receive a monetary grant as part of Kraft Foods' three million meal donation.

Source: Safeway

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FoodBev.com is happy to announce the finalists, runners-up and winners in the inaugural 2011 FoodBev.com Awards.

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If you'd prefer to watch this video on YouTube, click here. You can also embed this video into your own site by using YouTube's 'Share' function, where you will find simple embedding code.

You can also view this video on our Vimeo channel.

To enter any of our awards schemes, please contact Jo Shilton, or visit our dedicated awards website.

• Finalists announced in the 2011 FoodBev.com Awards
• Judging panel for FoodBev.com Awards
• Judging panel announced for FoodBev.com Awards

A Coca-Cola ad saluting Tunisia's national football team's journey to the Africa Cup of Nations (ACN) garnered more than 700,000 views on YouTube and 116,000 shares on Facebook in one week, making it the world's most shared ad for the week.

As of Feb 2, those figures had risen to nearly 1.1million views on YouTube and 150,000 shares on Facebook. The three-and-a half-minute ad urges Tunisians to rally behind their national football team and features music by Si Lemhef, a popular artist from the Tunisian Revolution. Several national team players also are included in the spot, which can be seen below.

Sami Chahed, franchise manager, Tunisia, said: "Tunisians are naturally football fanatics, and we all have a strong connection to the national team, particularly during the Africa Cup of Nations, when rivalry on the continent is at a high point. In addition, given the uncertainty that has permeated daily Tunisian life as a result of political changes over the past year, we have tapped into the down-to-earth moments of happiness everyone can experience by cheering for our national team."

In line with the Euro charter, a local campaign launched to support the Tunisian national team at the ACN. The campaign calls for Tunisians to bring out their inner "Grintaa" (craziness) when enjoying Coca-Cola and a football match.

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Source: The Coca-Cola Company

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The European Parliament has blocked changes to labelling that would have allowed new 'percentage less' claims on nutrition content, such as sugar, salt and fat.

The new labels could have confused or misled consumers, said a resolution voted by MEPs on Thursday.

Parliament's veto (393 votes in favour, 161 against and 21 abstentions) sends the European Commission proposal back to the drawing board.

"I am pleased that the European Parliament has defended the interests of health-conscious consumers, who need to be able to make clear comparisons when shopping for food", said Matthias Groote, chair of the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety Committee.

The proposal would have allowed, for example, a '15% less sugar"' claim, which would be based on a previous formulation of the same product. MEPs say this would be hard to compare - or could misleadingly appear healthier - than a 'reduced sugar' label, which must contain 30% less than other similar products, under existing EU legislation on health and nutrition claims.

MEPs' rejection resolution says the Commission's proposal could have provided a disincentive for companies to reformulate their products with substantially lower sugar, salt and fat content.

Source: European Parliament

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The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is placing more Brazilian orange juice companies on Import Alert for the presence of Carbendazim/MBC, according to Benjamin England and FDA consulting firm, FDAImports.com.

At least five Brazilian companies have been placed on Import Alert 99-08, “Detention Without Physical Examination Of Processed Foods for Pesticides,” in the last few weeks, as seen on the FDA’s Import Alerts database, although the database is not exhaustive in nature.

The FDA publishes a list of all its Import Alerts but does not proactively notify companies if they are put on a specific Import Alert. In this case, FDA has issued Import Alert #99-08, notifying any port of entry that shipments of companies listed on the alert can be detained without being inspected or laboratory-tested.

Deemed the 'Red List,' numerous companies are listed in the FDA’s database, broken down by country. Although the Import Alert is not exhaustive or binding, over 50 references to Carbendazim (MBC) are present with numerous sources.

Benjamin England, Founder and CEO of FDAImports.com, a private FDA consulting firm, said: “We routinely assist companies who have shipments detained or refused at US ports. It may come as a surprise for these companies, it may not, but the point is that FDA is issuing these Import Alerts for a non-compliance issue that is not related to food safety.”

England referenced his company’s previous work on Carbendazim and fungicide residues, which makes clear that the levels of MBC in question are far below the allowable tolerances for other popular juices and have been shown safe at the levels discovered in orange juices in recent weeks. Even Michael Taylor, deputy commissioner for foods at the FDA, said: “Continue to enjoy your orange juice” in his January 19th blog post on the FDA Voice blog.

Source: FDAImports.com

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FrieslandCampina and Salford Capital Partners have signed a Memorandum of Understanding regarding the acquisition of Imlek and Mlekara Subotica.

This acquisition will add the activities of both companies in the Western Balkans to the FrieslandCampina network.

Salford Capital Partners currently holds majority stakes in the two dairy companies of approximately 79% and 82% respectively. The companies’ shares are traded on the Belgrade Stock Exchange. FrieslandCampina intends to acquire the remaining shares. This is the first substantial acquisition since the merger between Friesland Foods and Campina in 2008.

FrieslandCampina’s route2020 strategy is designed to increase worldwide its position in dairy-based beverages, infant nutrition and branded cheese and to generate maximum value for the milk produced by the cooperative’s member farmers.

According to Cees ‘t Hart, CEO of Royal FrieslandCampina NV: “FrieslandCampina wants to grow in various markets and product categories. This is the first major acquisition since the merger between Friesland Foods and Campina. This acquisition strengthens our brand portfolio and our position in South Eastern Europe, one of the spearheads of our route2020 strategy.”

Source: FrieslandCampina

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An independent panel of scientific experts unanimously concluded that AssuriTEA Green, meeting food grade specifications, is Generally Recognised as Safe (GRAS) based on scientific procedures under the conditions of use proposed by Kemin.

This allows AssuriTEA Green, already available as a dietary ingredient for use in dietary supplements, to be used in a wide variety of foods and beverages, including: cereal, nutrition and energy bars, soft drinks, sports and isotonic drinks, energy beverages, fruit and vegetable juices, meal replacements and soft candies.

Alex Fink, marketing director for the human nutrition and health division at Kemin, said: “We look forward to working with food and beverage companies to offer consumers an all-natural green tea extract that provides the full antioxidant benefits of brewed green tea.

"Brewed green tea has been consumed safely for centuries and is widely recognized for its antioxidant and diverse health benefits. Including AssuriTEA Green in food and beverage products will make it even easier for consumers to receive the healthful benefits of brewed green tea.”

AssuriTEA Green provides naturally high levels of polyphenols and catechins for a superior source of dietary antioxidants. Unlike solvent extracted tea ingredients, which concentrate specifically on isolated tea components, AssuriTEA Green is a water-extracted tea ingredient that retains the natural composition and antioxidant profile of brewed green tea—offering a more diverse polyphenol profile.

A world-friendly ingredient available for use in international markets, AssuriTEA Green is the second product under the AssuriTEA brand product line to receive GRAS status. AssuriTEA Wellbeing achieved GRAS status through self-affirmation in September 2011. Kemin offers both products in granulated and water dispersible dry forms for use in a variety of applications.

Source: Kemin

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Applications for the seventh annual Dannon Next Generation Nutrition grants are now available on the Dannon website under the ‘Dannon Cares’ section.

Applications are due by March 30.

Dannon will award grants of $30,000 to four nonprofits for programs that promote healthy eating and support nutrition education for children within each of the four communities where a Dannon facility is located.

To qualify for funding, organisations must be designated as a 501 nonprofit organisation and must already be engaged in a nutrition education program for children up to age 18, or be able to launch such an initiative in 2012.

Dannon established the Dannon Next Generation Nutrition grant program in 2006 to promote childhood nutrition education in communities. Each organisation that receives a grant creates a programme that helps children develop life-long habits for good nutrition and exercise.

In 2011 alone, $120,000 in grants benefited nearly 4,000 children and families nationwide; and since the inception of the Dannon Next Generation Nutrition grant programme, more than $700,000 has benefited nearly 18,000 children and their families.

Source: The Dannon Company

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New research has revealed that cranberry juice can help reduce recurrences of urinary tract infections (UTIs) in children.

The results, published in Clinical Infectious Diseases, show that the cranberry’s well-documented role in preventing recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs) in adult women also has the potential to benefit younger patients.

The study carried out by a group of Finnish researchers found that, compared to placebo, regular drinking of cranberry juice limited the number of UTI recurrences in children by 43% and reduced the need for antibiotics to be taken by 34% - the equivalent of six days per patient a year.

The results indicate that cranberry juice may help provide protection against UTIs in children. In adults, studies have shown that the unique A-type PACs contained in cranberries may “help reduce the adhesion of certain E. coli bacteria to the urinary tract walls”.

The double-blind, randomised placebo-controlled trial saw 129 children who were being treated for UTIs selected to drink Ocean Spray Cranberry Classic cranberry juice for six months, whilst 134 others received a placebo in its place. The two groups were monitored for twelve months and the consumption of juice and daily symptoms were recorded by the children’s parents.

Dr Tero Kontiokari of the University of Oulu was one of the scientists who carried out the study. He says: “UTIs are one of the most common bacterial infections in paediatric medicine and children with recurrent problems often face long-term antibiotic use. The cranberry is well known for preventing urinary tract infections in adult women, but this study shows that cranberry juice can be effective also among children in reducing the number of recurrences in children with multiple UTIs.”

Christina Khoo, senior manager of research sciences at Ocean Spray, said: “This study shows that cranberry juice could potentially help reduce use of antibiotics in children who are susceptible to UTI recurrences. Antibiotic use for UTI treatment is a major contributor to the growth of antibiotic resistance. Research continues to emerge to highlight the whole body health benefits of the cranberry and we will support further work to improve our understanding.”

Source: Ocean Spray

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Cocoa – the antioxidant-rich raw ingredient used to make chocolate – is poised to become a major force in the market for functional and healthier food products, according to Julian Mellentin, director of consultancy New Nutrition Business.

Pointing to an Article 13.5 health claims application recently lodged by chocolate producer Barry Callebaut, Mellentin said that cocoa had the potential to be “a health ingredient as successful as cranberries”.

Cocoa, he said, was now at a “tipping point” as a result of the “convergence of scientific and technological progress, corporate strategy, consumer awareness and consumer desire for foods that can claim to be naturally healthy”.

Switzerland-based Barry Callebaut is seeking approval from EFSA for a claim linking cocoa flavanols with a healthy blood flow. The company has admitted to being confident that the dossier, which contains five clinical studies, will succeed.

Julian said: “I’m not surprised that Barry Callebaut is bullish about the prospects for its health claims application. Thanks to a huge investment in research by the leading cocoa processors – Barry Callebaut, Mars, Hershey and Meiji – there is a significant and ever-growing body of evidence for the health benefits of cocoa flavanols, particularly in relation to cardiovascular health. In fact, there have been over 100 published clinical studies so far.”

Consumer awareness of the benefits of cocoa is also good, he said, creating the perfect environment for companies to market successful health products based on cocoa. “Consumers make an association between dark chocolate – the form in which they usually encounter cocoa – and its naturally high content of antioxidants, and they’re prepared to pay more for it,” he explained.

“In many countries sales of dark chocolate grew at an annual rate of 20%-25% in the first decade of the 21st century. Even global recession didn’t halt the growth – all the more impressive since dark chocolate retails at up to a 100% premium over milk chocolate.”

New Nutrition Business has just published a new report on the potential for cocoa in the market for nutritious food and beverage products. Entitled Cocoa – a ‘naturally functional’ health ingredient at the tipping point? – the report contains detailed analysis of the opportunities and challenges for companies marketing cocoa-based products. It also presents several case studies exploring brands that have already taken the plunge in this rapidly emerging category

Julian said that companies wishing to capitalise on cocoa’s growing ‘health halo’ would need to consider carefully which product format they used, particularly as it might be hard to convince many consumers that a simple chocolate bar is good for them. “It isn’t surprising that, with its GoodnessKnows brand, Mars is using fruit such as cranberry and blueberry, nuts and whole grains as the carriers for the health message,” he says. “These are credible in the mind of the consumer in a way that chocolate is not.”

But he adds: “Significant advances in processing technology allow cocoa to be formulated into many more new product formats with a better health image than chocolate confectionery, while retaining its health benefits and delivering good taste. Its in beverages and bars that cocoa will make its mark.”

Source: New Nutrition Business

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The latest financial news for 2 February 2012 includes Unilever, Dairy Crest, Embotelladora Andina, Compania Cervecerias Unidas and Coca-Cola Embonor.

Unilever

Unilever posts a 5% increase in FY 2011 turnover to €46.47bn, with net profit up 1% to €4.62bn.

• Ben & Jerry’s franchisees help communities in the Bahamas
• Barry Callebaut and Unilever sign partnership agreement
• Unilever staff start to strike over pensions

Embotelladora Andina

Chilean Coca-Cola bottler Embotelladora Andina announces a 4.4% rise in FY 2011 consolidated sales volume to 501.2m unit cases.

• Coca-Cola partners with Né-Yo’s Compound Foundation
• The Coca-Cola Company releases first-ever GRI report

Dairy Crest

Dairy Crest announces a 2% rise in group sales for the nine months to the end of December 2011, with Q3 2011 sales of its five key brands up 8% compared to last year.

• Clover Block from Dairy Crest
• Chedds launches game with Cartoon Network online

Compania Cervecerias Unidas

Chilean brewer Compania Cervecerias Unidas reports a 15.7% increase in FY 2011 turnover to Pesos 969.55bn and a 10.9% increase in net profit to Pesos 122.75bn.

Coca-Cola Embonor

Chilean bottler Coca-Cola Embonor posts a 15.9% drop in FY 2011 net profit to Pesos 36.5m, despite an 8.2% increase in sales volume to 213m unit cases.

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