*Pilgrims Choice, the number two Cheddar brand now worth £58.8million, is launching four speciality cheese products for the retail market this summer.** The products are: Pilgrims Choice Wensleydale with Cranberries, Pilgrims Choice Smokey Cheddar, Pilgrims Choice Double Gloucester with Onion and Chives, and Pilgrims Choice White Stilton with Apricots. Mike Davies, Managing Director of North Downs Dairy, owners of the Pilgrims Choice brand, said: “Pilgrims Choice has developed these new lines in line with consumer demand for alternative variants in the cheese category. “2008 will see the Pilgrims Choice brand realise its biggest support programme to date, with TV and consumer and trade press advertising and PR, a new recipe booklet and massive sampling programme in stores across the UK. We believe the investment will see sales of Pilgrims Choice escalate. It will also ensure the popular Cheddar brand will continue to play a leading role in the Cheddar category.” Data source: * TNS 52 w/e 23.03.08 – value/volume

*BI Nutraceuticals, Californian based supplier of raw materials and custom blends for 30 years, announced that its President and CEO, George Pontiakos, has been invited to present, "An Overview of Asia's Organic and Herbal Ingredient Market: Sourcing Strategies in China," at Natural Products Expo Asia, running 26-28 June at the Hong Kong Convention and Exposition Centre. * Pontiakos will speak on Thursday, 26 June from 4:15 to 4:50pm about the changing climate of the Asian natural ingredient market, specifically the growing popularity of herbal and organic categories. He will also provide insight into organic farming and certification practices within the United States. "With production facilities in both the United States and China, BI has a unique dual-perspective on the most effective sourcing strategies, manufacturing processes and sterilization methods employed by suppliers on each end of the international supply chain," stated Pontiakos. As president and CEO of BI Nutraceuticals, Pontiakos oversees the company's worldwide operations. BI has manufacturing and processing facilities in Long Beach, Calif., Long Island, NY, Boonton, NJ and Suzhou and Shanghai, China. Pontiakos has held senior leadership positions at several leading consulting, medical services and technology companies including Monovasia, which he founded, Oluma, Lucent, Agere, Ortel, NetVantage and Timeplex. He has wide-ranging experience in scaling geographically dispersed global companies to maximize their ability to successfully compete in the marketplace. Pontiakos holds a bachelor's degree in Business Management from Farleigh Dickinson University, New Jersey.

*The US International Trade Commission (ITC) has extended the target date of its initial determination regarding sucralose patent infringement allegations. The allegations were made by Tate & Lyle against both Niutang Chemical (Niutang) and its subsidiary, US Niutang Chemical, Inc. * According to the order entered by ITC Administrative Law Judge Charles Bullock, the 90-day extension is necessary due to the heavy demands of his current case load. The initial determination is now set for 12 September 2008, with a final ruling by the ITC scheduled for no later than 12 January 2009. Niutang stated it will continue to supply sucralose to its US customers. "The ITC extension will not affect our ability to supply sucralose to our customers," said Niutang General Manager Licheng Wang Jr. "From the outset, we have said that Niutang does not infringe any of the patents asserted by Tate & Lyle in this proceeding. "We have always respected the intellectual property rights of other companies, and we have made significant investments in our own research, development and manufacturing processes," Wang stated. "In fact, we are expanding our sucralose capacity to meet the rising demands of our customers. "The allegations against Niutang regard four patents. One of them was voluntarily dismissed by Tate & Lyle before the ITC hearing because the evidence showed we did not infringe. One of Tate & Lyle's own experts agreed that the process Niutang currently uses does not infringe two of the other patents. The final Tate & Lyle patent in this case, which Niutang also strongly believes is not infringed, expires in July 2009. With the recent extension, the target date for the ITC's final decision is now January 2009. We are still confident of a positive outcome in Niutang's favour, and we do not anticipate any disruption in the delivery of sucralose to our customers."

Leading global beverage label supplier Spear has bought the Anheuser-Busch Packaging Group’s Precision Printing and Packaging (PPPI) unit. PPPI prints 28 billion labels each year for Anheuser-Busch and other beverage, food and consumer products companies. In 2007, the Clarksville, Tennessee based company had annual sales of $70 million. Spear, which supplies labels to the beverage industry, has operations around the world with headquarters in Mason, Ohio. “Anheuser-Busch and Spear have had an excellent working relationship for many years and we believe this is the right choice for PPPI,” said Mike Harding, Chief Executive Officer and President of the Anheuser-Busch Packaging Group. “We’re pleased to continue our relationship as a customer of Spear.” “All of us at Spear welcome PPPI employees to our family,” said Spear President Randy Spear. “We’ve admired this team for many years, and believe they will be an excellent addition to our business. This sale will strengthen Spear and PPPI, and we look forward to continuing our long-term majority supply relationship with Anheuser-Busch.” * Leading companies* Spear has been the world’s leading innovator and supplier of pressure-sensitive labelling for the beverage industry since 1982. The company currently operates three facilities across North America as well as operations in the United Kingdom and South Africa. In addition to Anheuser-Busch key customers include Bacardi, Coca-Cola, Diageo, Grupo Modelo, Heineken, L’Oreal, Neutrogena, Pepsi, Proctor & Gamble and SABMiller. Based in St. Louis, Anheuser Busch is the leading American brewer, holding a 48.5% share of US beer sales. The company brews the world’s largest selling beers, Budweiser and Bud Light. Anheuser Busch also owns a 50% share in Grupo Modelo, Mexico’s leading brewer, and a 27% share in China brewer Tsingtao, whose namesake beer brand is the country’s best selling premium beer.

*Europe’s leading French cheese manufacturer Lactalis is to take over Switzerland’s Baer AG by 1 July 2008, subject to the agreement of the competition regulators. As a result, the Swiss based Emmi Group is selling the 35% stake in Baer that it has held since 2000 to the Lactalis Group. * With this acquisition, Lactalis intends to develop its presence in the Swiss market with its international brands Président, Société and Galbani. Baer was established in Küssnacht am Rigi by Edwin Baer in 1922 who took the risk of producing Swiss soft cheese in what was then a traditional hard cheese country. The company’s now famous Camembert Suisse was first produced in 1928. Lactalis was established in Laval in France some five years later by André Besnier and its first product was also a Camembert cheese. The company’s now world famous Président Camembert was launched in 1968. Emmi can trace its history back to 1907, with the Emmi brand itself created in 1947.

*Acquisitions company Heckmann, headed by Richard Heckmann, is set to purchase China Water & Drinks for approximately $625 million. On completion of the sale, the Chinese company will become a wholly owned subsidiary of Heckmann. * Mr Heckmann said that the acquisition marked the foundation of a global water company, citing the importance of the product and the potential for growth in a Chinese market which has not yet reached saturation point. China Water & Drinks ranks fifth among competitors in the country, where consumption of bottled water grew at a compound annual growth rate of 17.5% between 2002 and 2007, which is the fastest rate of growth worldwide, and double the rate of growth in the US. Through its production facilities in Guangzhou, Zhanjiang, Feixian, Changchun, Nanning and Shenyang, China Water & Drinks produces and distributes bottled water to fourteen provinces and regions in China. Besides its Darcunk and Darquan bottled water product, the company also supplies purified water to both local and international beverage brands such as Coca-Cola and Uni-President and provides private label bottled water for companies such as Sands Casino, Macau. Richard Heckmann is founder of water company US Filter, which was sold for $6.2 billion in 1999.More news on China Water & Drinks and the Chinese bottled water market can be found in the latest issue of Water Innovation magazine.

** Norwegian company **SmartSeal has launched a trademarked Spill-control Active Closure for non-carbonated beverages and flexible packaging. According to SmartSeal, the no-spill pouch fitment solves the spill problem related to beverages in flexible packaging while at the same time providing the consumer with premium functionality and user convenience in a lightweight and environmentally friendly package solution. The active closure opens automatically when you drink, and closes immediately afterwards, making it a no-spill solution. The active closures are ideal for on-the-go beverage consumption and childrens applications, adding differentiation to any brand. The SmartSeal SIP is manufactured and sold by sustainable flexible packaging company IPN Group.

Buchanan Capital Partners has acquired a majority stake in water dispenser company Aqua Vital Quell- und Mineralwasser GmbH from the Owner and Founder, Peter Lázár, for an undisclosed amount. Neuss-based Aqua Vital provides and maintains mineral water dispensers in Germany and Hungary, with around 30,000 dispensers currently set up in commercial buildings such as offices, department stores, pharmacies and other outlets. The company was founded in 1999 and employs a staff of 150. The new deal with Buchanan will see the Founder retain some control over the firm, taking on the position of Managing Director. Commenting on the deal, Peter Lázár stated in "Buchanan we found a strong partner that supports further expansion of our business in the best way." Jörgen Linde, who will also be promoted to the position of Managing Director as a result of the deal, said that the new shareholder arrangement will allow Aqua Vital to "fully exploit the growth opportunities given in the market". Buchanan Capital Partners stated that it focuses its private equity activity on owner-managed growth companies" within German speaking countries.

Dutch built in appliance specialist has introduced the ATAG CaféMax coffee machine to its existing range ATAG has worked with their commercial vending team to bring the best in automatic coffee making to the home. Speed and ease of use are key to appliances such as these, as well as maintenance free operation. With this in mind ATAG has introduced original features such as the unique cappuccino milk container that is fully removable (with spout) for easy cleaning; it can also be stored in the fridge between coffee brewing sessions. ATAG's new coffee machine is fully automatic, with bean hopper for grinding the beans, or pre-ground coffee or instant coffee. It also has a pump pressure 15 bars, ideal for making the 'crema' on the top of an espresso (the steam meets the coffee at the perfect speed). Cappuccino lovers will be pleased to know that there is a fully automatic cappuccino function; the strength of coffee may be adjusted. ATAG UK Business Development Director Ellis Bardsley commented on the new product: "There is a definite increase in demand for coffee machines by top end consumers. A sense of individuality is paramount with the search for specialist appliances that personalise the kitchen and make a lifestyle statement. We also believe that these products will be installed in a variety of locations outside the kitchen too. ATAG's coffee machine doesn't require plumbing so it is very flexible and can be sited anywhere. It is ideal for the kitchen, study, home office, dining room, family room and even the bedroom. A perfectly brewed cup of coffee, espresso, latte or cappuccino, upon demand is hard to resist. It creates a sense of luxury and ATAG's versatile CaféMax coffee machine with its ability to be located beyond the kitchen is an attractive one for the consumer today."

By Magdalena Kogutowska Inventor and Chairman of the Red Bull energy drink company has something to smile about. After 12 years of not being able to sell in France and recently having had to change its recipe in order to gain access to the French market – it looks like Red Bull has finally been given the go-ahead to sell the original drink as it was meant to be. According to recent reports, and also confirmed by Red Bull, an agreement between the French Minister of Finance, Christine Lagarde, and Dietrich Mateschitz was formed on 15 May. "Effective immediately" it allows the energy giant to sell its popular drink on French soil using the previously banned ingredient taurine, rather than the replacement, arginine, it had to use up until now. The Austrian company intended to sue the French government for €300 million in compensation, but as the French gave in, the court case never happened. In 2004 the European commission challenged the ban after Red Bull complained France was inhibiting imports. However, although the European Court of Justice ordered France to lift the ban unless it could prove the health risk, it also said that the French government had the right to ban Red Bull. Lagarde explained the change of heart was due to the fact that the beverage was already sold in 25 out of 27 EU countries (it is banned in Denmark and Norway). The French Food Safety Agency (AFSSA) has published several warnings against Red Bull, claiming that excessive consumption of taurine can lead to behavioural problems.

**UK water cooler supplier business 4 Aces took to the road recently to experience the true needs of its customers. **4 Aces Managing Director Chris Penn arranged to spend the day with an Angel Spring's delivery driver to find out which products are really useful for the distributor's customers. Chris Penn explained: "The day was suggested as suppliers can sometimes lose track of which products our customers really want. "The most important part of any business which services an end user is the person delivering the final goods, so in the water cooler industry this means the delivery drivers themselves. So I thought it would be useful to follow one these guys to see what their typical day is like and how we can work together to increase business." Chris and long-serving Angel Spring's driver Andy Gomm set out early from the Chiltern Hills depot, headed for the heart of London's financial sector, Canary Wharf. The lorry was loaded up with 45 water drops. "The speed of delivery was exceptional given the parking and access difficulties in London," Chris added. "The number of customers who actually looked forward to their delivery was unreal. Many of them knew Andy and were glad to see him as their bottle counts were low following the recent mini heat wave." Chris also noted the abundant opportunities for up-selling bottles and ancillary items. Customers responded well to suggestions as to how they could improve their water deliveries, especially by carrying bigger floats through installing racks where possible. "It was a mild day with little sunshine poking through the city clouds so we were spared the sunshine rush but I can feel it coming," Chris added. "Good luck to Andy when it does as he has his hands full from what I saw!" 4 Aces has also boosted its product line and customer service as well as performing top of its class in the supplier audits. The company recently added an 8oz PP and PS cup to compliment choice for customers. The 8oz cup now sits alongside the super sized 9 oz and the smaller 7 oz size. "We realised the need for a size in between for customers less concerned about the water consumption a 9oz gives but more worried about its higher price versus the 7oz," Chris explained. The cup is available in ice blue and packed 10 x 100 and 20 x 100. The company also now offers a cup collector and a new sugar cane cone, which is aimed at the more environmentally conscious consumer. In an effort to boost penetration on cup and cone sales, 4 Aces has now appointed a telesales executive to concentrate solely on this area. 4 Aces also boosted its Supplier Audit score to a faultless 100% pass in 2008. "This was a direct result of the 4 Aces team's hard work to ensure we stay on top of our game. "We are serious in the business of beverage packaging and recognise that a good supplier will attract a good customer. Most of our customers are expected to reach a level of quality so we should too," Chris added.

Rivella, a "healthy and natural soft drink" containing lactoserum, has undergone an image makeover in order to redefine brand. Along with a redesigned logo, Rivella has also worked with PET Engineering on its packaging of the entire PET line (four containers, from 33cl to 1.5-litre). "The main difficulty from a technical point of view," said Marco Hroncich, PET Engineering’s planner in charge of the project, "was the elevated carbonation of the product. In order to support the five bars of pressure, we've developed a petaloide base with marked ribbings to guarantee the easy handling of the container, as well as facilitated the filling and logistics." "Our Italian partner has developed approximately 20 successive proposals, improving more and more the technical and visual characteristics of the bottles," said a Rivella spokesperson. "As soon as we confirmed the design, they supplied the complete family of mock-ups in Plexiglas. This has allowed us to test in-hand the look and appeal of the bottle, in timings much shorter than those of normal prototyping. This was useful for the marketing department, who were able to touch and feel the bottle in order to valuate the impact that could have had on the public." More about Rivella Rivella contains lactoserum (called milk serum in Switzerland). This is the best of what milk has to offer: valuable minerals after lipids and protids have been removed. In addition, Rivella contains no preservatives or artificial colours. Rivella comes in three varieties: the original version, a low-calorie beverage and a variety 'aromatized' with green tea extracts.