*Canada’s Saputo has completed the acquisition of US Alto Dairy Cooperative for $160 million. * Alto produces Italian-style mozzarella and provolone cheeses along with American-style cheeses such as Cheddar, Monterey Jack, Muenster, Fontina and Gouda. It also produces whey products, marketed nationwide under a variety of brand names and private labels. Alto employs around 467 employees in its two plants located in Wisconsin. In 2007, the cooperative had sales of $378 million. This acquisition will enable Saputo Cheese Division (USA) to expand its business, and represents a major step in the Canadian company’s goal to achieve a stronger presence in the US.

Santa Monica based MD Drinks has added a still water to its Function Drinks range. Known simply as Water, the product is a combination of vapour distilled water and electrolytes packaged in a 23.5oz sports cap bottle. The company began business with the launch of a detoxifying drink called Function Urban Detox in November 2005. Since that time, the company has developed eight unique functional beverages designed to combat different problems, such as ageing or flu and colds, to drinks aimed at boosting mental acuity or easing sore muscles.

European scientists have rejected calls to introduce an EU-wide ban on a number of common food and beverage additives after a study conducted in the UK last year. The British study suggested a link between hyperactivity in children and a range of food and beverage colourants, consumed in combination with the preservative sodium benzoate (E211). Experts at the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) in Milan, Italy, decided the results of the study were too inconclusive to form the basis for immediate action. However, EFSA is continuing its own reassessment of all colouring agents authorised for use in the EU, and expects to reveal first findings before the end of this year. The £750,000 (€955,000) research programme at Southampton University in England was commissioned by the UK’s official Food Standards Agency (FSA). Scientists examined the effects of consuming a juice cocktail containing sodium benzoate and six colourants on two groups of children – 137 children aged three years and 130 aged from eight to nine years. Colourants used in the study were: Sunset yellow (E110), Quinoline yellow (E104), Carmoisine (E122), Allura red (E129), Tartrazine (E102) and Ponceau 4R (E124). Sodium benzoate and one or more of these colourants are used in some soft drinks as well as many food products. In September, the Southampton researchers reported that either the sodium benzoate or the colourants produced signs of hyperactivity in both groups of children. A furore erupted in the UK press after the FSA announced the findings, and advised parents of hyperactive children to avoid giving them food or drink containing any of the colourants used in the study. The FSA forwarded the study to EFSA to be considered for further action – but critics claimed the UK agency itself should have immediately banned all the “suspect” colourants from British food and drink. After examining the research with the help of experts in behaviour, child psychiatry, allergy and statistics, EFSA’s special review panel on food and beverage additives conceded that the study provided “limited evidence” that the mix of additives “had a small effect on the activity and attention of some children.” But the EU experts added that the results were inconsistent between the two age-groups of children, and did not indicate which of the various additives might be responsible for the effects observed. “Considering the overall weight of evidence, and in view of the considerable uncertainties,” EFSA said in an official statement, “the panel concluded that the findings could not be used as a basis for altering the ADI of the respective food colours or sodium benzoate.” In its own ongoing review, the EFSA panel is studying additives individually. Its first formal recommendations are expected to include some of the colourants used in the Southampton study, such as Allura red. EFSA’s decision not to act on the Southampton study was welcomed by the British Soft Drinks Association (BSDA), which said: “All ingredients used by the soft drinks industry are approved as safe in use by the Food Standards Agency. “Soft drinks manufacturers have for some time been responding to the public’s increasing desire for more ‘natural’ ingredients. A wide variety of beverages are now available to meet this need, and innovation in this area is ongoing.” But the Food Commission, an independent consumer organisation, was critical of the European regulators. Anna Glayzer, co-ordinator of the commission’s “Action on Additives” campaign, said: “We do not need them in our food, and we would urge the European Commission to pursue a ban. Further testing would cost millions and take years, and is simply not a viable option. “In the meantime, the Action on Additives campaign calls on responsible food manufacturers to take steps to remove these food additives as soon they can.”

Red Bull made a spectacular entry into France on 1 April. The world's largest energy drink producer celebrated its long-awaited arrival in the country with 150 'Wings Teams' from around Europe, forming a magnificent get together as they circled around the Arc de Triomphe in their distinctive blue and silver Minis just hours after a BASE jumper got the 'Wings for Paris' day off to a flying start by leaping off the Eiffel Tower. The highlight of the celebrations marking the arrival of the energy drink, which is already available in more than 140 countries, with more than 3.5 billion cans sold in 2007, was a Red Bull-style car rally around the Arc de Triomphe by the 'Wings Teams'. The roundabout around the famous arch at the end of the Champs-Elysees may be one of most challenging for motorists anywhere in Europe, with swift-moving traffic entering and exiting from 12 different avenues. But the Wings Teams from 10 different countries across Europe skillfully navigated their Minis into and around the monument. After safely parking their cars, they surprised curious Parisians by giving them wings – free samples of the energy drink. Distracted tourists When asked for her experience, one of the charming British drivers replied: "It was a bit hairy getting in here at first, but the Parisians have been very kind and let us in. It's great fun. All the tourists stopped taking pictures of the Arc de Triomphe and now they're taking pictures of us. I think that says it all." Earlier, just after daybreak, Swiss BASE jumper Ueli Gegenschatz got the Red Bull 'Wings for Paris' day off to a dazzling start with his picture-perfect leap from the top of the Eiffel Tower, France's 324-metre-high national landmark. After a three-second freefall, Gegenschatz pulled his pilotchute to unfurl his canopy for a 35-second gentle descent. He landed safely about 600 metres northwest of the city's tallest structure and world's most recognisable monument. "It was an exciting climb up and the jump went well with a nice opening," said Gegenschatz, who had made his ascent up the side of the tower in the early morning hours under the cover of darkness. "It was pretty cold up there and there was quite a bit of wind. I was glad when the sun finally came up. It's a great way to introduce Red Bull to France." Gegenschatz was briefly detained by a French police officer who happened to be driving by the landing spot just as he saw the Red Bull canopy fly over his windshield. "That was just a bit of bad luck at the end," said Gegenschatz. "The police later told me it was purely by chance that they were there right when I was landing." About two hours later, French trial motorbike specialist Julien Dupont gave countless thousands of rush hour commuters in Paris's La Defense business district a rush of their own with a gravity defying motorcycle ride up, over and down the other side of the 50-metre-high arched concrete roof of the CNIT Center. "Everything went according to plan on the way up and it was my greatest accomplishment on the bike ever," said Dupont, who was helped by two tall women in short skirts who distracted security. "The roof was a bit slippery, so I had to slow down a bit on the way back down the other side. It was tricky getting the (80-kilo) bike over the fence, but that all worked out well."

* Pernod Ricard has announced the signing of a contract with Sweden for the acquisition of 100% of the shares of the Vin & Sprit Group (“V&S”), the owner of Absolut vodka. * The icon premium vodka Absolut is no 1 worldwide with around 11 million 9 litre cases sold in 2007 and a 9% volume growth. In the United States Absolut sells more than 5 million 9 litre cases and in the rest of the world close to 6 million cases were sold in 2007. Pernod Ricard Chairman and CEO Patrick Ricard, commented: “The acquisition of V&S by Pernod Ricard is a fantastic opportunity and represents our third transformational acquisition since the Seagram and Allied Domecq transactions. Absolut is an exceptional brand. Its integration within our portfolio of premium brands combined with the strength of our worldwide distribution network paves the way for outstanding growth prospects. We become thus the co-leader of the global wine and spirits industry.” * Joining a big family* Absolut will join Pernod Ricard’s brands portfolio which includes Chivas, Ballantine’s, The Glenlivet, Jameson, Martell, Beefeater, Ricard, Malibu, Kahlua, Havana Club, Mumm, Perrier-Joüet, Jacob’s Creek and Montana. In addition, V&S also brings other opportunities, notably Cruzan rum (around 600,000 cases sold in the US in 2007 and a growth profile of 27%) as well as Level, the no 4 brand in the super-premium vodka category in the US. The price paid for V&S by Pernod Ricard will be €1,450 million plus $6,050 million (€5,280 million). Pernod Ricard will also assume net debt of €346 million as of 31 December 2007 resulting in a total enterprise value of €5,626 million. V&S will pay the Swedish government a dividend of €85 million before closing of the transaction, and the purchase price of the shares will be increased by a pro-rated annual interest charge of 2.0% from 1st January 2008 until the effective closing date of the transaction. In exchange, Pernod Ricard will benefit from the full cash flow generated by V&S over this period.

*Italian family run business Fonte Sole has added Arte to the company’s luxury flagship Solé bottled water collection. * Arte is a super premium brand sourced in Nuvolento, Lombardy. Packaged in a contemporary 75cl bottle sold in either still or sparkling options, Arte enables hospitality venues to serve a more exclusive product to VIPs and dignitaries while reserving Solé for core luxury restaurant and bar menus. The sleek, multi faceted clear glass bottle is certainly an impressive design while the water’s refreshing and crisp taste has also received praise from food critics, hoteliers and restaurateurs. According to the company, the Arte range pays homage to great artists of Italy. The first featured artwork to adorn the bottle is by Leonardo da Vinci. Stephen Goodchild told water innovation: “We featured Leonardo da Vinci not only because of his stature as an Italian artist, but also because of his fascination with water and its movement. We expect to use other of his works for future Arte editions but have not ruled out using other Italian artists too.” * Italian water on foreign soil* Solé’s principal export market is the United States where the leading wine and spirit company in each of the major states typically distributes it. Outside of the US, the bottled water has achieved distribution in many countries. “In the US, Solé enjoys particular success in California followed by Florida and Arizona. In Europe, Germany is a strong market for our returnable products and, in the Far East, Japan and Malaysia are especially important.” At the end of 2007, the company donated bottles of Arte to help raise funds for the <1> at a glittering Ball held at the Dorchester Hotel in Park Lane, London. In 2008, the company will be aiming to consolidate gains made in established markets as well as developing sales in new markets, particularly China and India. What’s more, the brand has been shortlisted in this year’s Italian packaging contest <2> and will enter the 2008 water innovation awards. “Certainly the Arte product has caught the attention of Food and Beverage Directors from leading hotels around the world and this has in turn led to new distribution opportunities,” explained Goodchild. In terms of environmental and ethical initiatives, Solé Classic is bottled from recycled glass and recycled paper is used for the labels. Moreover, the company’s marketing materials are designed by a social enterprise and the firm claims to be an active supporter of the local community, supplying its water without cost to children and staff at a school close to its bottling plant. Fonte Sole is run by Giuseppe Bodei whose grandfather founded the business in 1896. <1>: http://www.braintumourtrust.co.uk <2>: http://www.italiaimballaggio.it

*Farmland Dairies in the US has added a new product to its Special Request range. * Special Request 1% Plus with Omega-3 is described as delivering a great creamy taste, with more protein and calcium than whole milk but also the addition of essential Omega-3 fatty acids. Farmland has also launched Really, Really Good low fat Chocolate Milk with Omega-3, aimed at children.

*The company in the spotlight of water innovation issue 47 is Another Bloody Water, an Australian firm that has produced an eponymous bottled water that isn’t afraid to divide opinion with a brand name trading on antipathy towards the number of different products available to consumers. Love it or hate it, one can’t help but admire the cheeky creativity behind the product and its stylish packaging. * Co-founder Michael Derepas told water innovation: “The brand has experienced strong growth and has received an amazing customer reaction to date. I can’t release volume figures, but the brand is developing way above all our expectations.” Along with business partners Didi Lo and Jay Dillon, Michael Derepas is responsible for manufacturing the bottled water brand and has poured all his lifesavings into the project. The product has been around for 18 months, soft launched in a few selected retail outlets but officially launched in March 2007. The premium spring water is available in a 60cl bottle at select East Coast cafés, bars, health stores and convenience stores in Victoria, New South Wales, Australian Capital Territory and Queensland. “Our strategy has very much been to be seen in the right places such as small organic food stores, cool cafés and the smaller independent supermarkets in the right suburbs. We don’t want to stocked everywhere. We want the people who do find us to be able to enjoy us privately or tell a friend of their discovery,” added Derepas. According to the company, the product targets savvy and cynical consumers. They obtain the basic hydration and convenience that bottled water provides without additional promises and hype. And beyond the bravado, the brand owners believe that its product is extremely palatable. Approval from BFA Sourced in the Kiewa Valley of Victoria’s Alpine High Country, the bottled water contains one of the lowest sodium content of any major brand in Australia and has approval from the <1> (BFA), Australia’s largest representative organic body. Didi Lo of Another Bloody Water observed: “The word ‘organic’ isn’t splattered all over the label. To be able to be certified as organic, it has to be grown or fed from the earth to start with. So there’s a different program for products that don’t fit into this, like water and salt, but still use nonchemical processes that are in harmony with the environment.” Australia remains the focus for the brand in 2008, but the company is starting to investigate international markets due to consumers response overseas. “Once we can get our business model right and ensure we don’t emit too much carbon along the way, we would love to play in the UK,” Derepas explained. * Playing with the big boys* “Our company isn’t backed by a large player. We are a small and passionate enterprise. We’ve scrimped and saved to develop the brand which is now competing alongside brands with much bigger marketing budgets,” he added. “Besides PR, events sponsorship and attendance at trade shows, most of our promotional efforts are simply related to what’s in the packaging and what’s on the label. You know you are doing something right when you have people emailing you just to thank you for entertaining them and promising they will buy it wherever they can find it.” A growing fan base, a pristine water source, a good looking bottle, a group of passionate business owners and a brand name which lampoons the growing range of waters jostling for space on supermarket shelves and trades on consumer scepticism. This tongue-in-cheek brand from Down Under could be set for greater things in the future. To read more articles from past issues, go to our <2> where individual copies of our magazines are available for purchase. <1>: http://www.bfa.com.au <2>: http://dairy.foodbev.com/issues/issueDetail.aspx?contentId=17

*UK based Firefly Tonics is gearing up to launch a line of natural antioxidant waters in April 2008 to complement its existing functional drinks range. * The mission of Firefly Water is to make a drink that’s “like water, just better,” according to Director Harry Briggs. The Firefly Water range includes organic green tea and mint; redbush and acerola; and yerba maté, lime and lemongrass. The organic variant is thought to be Britain’s first functional water to be certified by the Soil Association. Each of the three 50cl drinks contains around 75 calories per serving.

The UK division of Cadbury Schweppes plc, Cadbury Trebor Bassett, has numerous leading brands in its product portfolio, including Cadbury Dairy Milk and Cadbury Crème Egg, along with Bassett's, Trebor and Trident. The solution provided by Culina's ambient operation involves shared user distribution of orders received by EDI (electronic data interchange), for individual pallets for radial distribution. Collections are made from Cadbury distribution sites at Minworth near Sutton Coldfield, and Milton Keynes, then delivered via the Culina network across the UK. Primary deliveries are made to the FMCG, grocery and convenience sector together with small cash and carry operations throughout the UK. Cadbury can track orders via an integrated IT system, with proof of deliveries (PODs) scanned and available online. The secure website provides details of service levels, order progress and any enquiries. The company also has access to on target in full (OTIF) data, which provides real-time management information. .

UK smoothie company innocent has moved into dairy for the first time with a range of three big yogurt drinks in 75cl bottles. innocent UK Commercial Director Giles Brook said: “This is the first time we have taken our brand into a new category and aisle and we can’t wait to bring the innocent values of 100% natural, 100% good for you to this area of the store. “The new innocent thickie range will broaden the appeal of current dairy drinks by offering consumers health and well-being, indulgence and convenience, without compromising on taste.” The three drinks include: yogurt, oats, raspberries and blueberries; yogurt, mangoes, peaches and passion fruit; yogurt, vanilla bean and honey. (* A thickie is described as an indulgent blend of low fat West Country yogurt, whole crushed fruit and honey. No added sugar, concentrates, stabilisers, preservatives or any other naughty things.)

Vieluce’s new 75cl black tinted bottle is encrusted with a variety of luxurious gemstones and claims to help consumers to create the ultimate dining experience for occasions such as Valentine’s Day. The core Fillico range uses frosted glass bottles with gold paint and Swarovski crystal accents. A classic 1 litre bottle is priced at around $100. For about double the price, consumers can buy the King and Queen options within the range that have added gold wings along with a gold or silver crown to the bottle. Vieluce is marketing the water as originating from Beverly Hills in California but links to the glitzy, showbiz US city appear tenuous since the product is rooted in Japan. Then again, Beverley Hills is home to a competing super premium brand covered in Swarovski crystals called Bling H2O, a brand familiar to most readers as also staking a claim to being one of the world’s most luxurious bottled waters.