*The European Commission is opening up negotiations on the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) between the EU and key economic partners. This is good news for the food and drinks industry, but bad news for counterfeiters who has so far managed to get away with operating their illegal business relatively carefree. * Counterfeiting and tampering is a major issue for the food industry, as it can undermine consumer trust, lead to market share loss and cost a company a fortune in marketing; more importantly, though, it can put consumers' lives and health at risk. One only has to mention the 2004 infant formula tragedy in China to understand the serious consequences of the global counterfeit food threat can have. This is why the International Trademark Association (INTA) and The International Chamber of Commerce's (ICC) Business Action to Stop Counterfeiting and Piracy (BASCAP) have welcomed news by the Council of Ministers of the mandate authorizing the European Commission to open negotiations on the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) between the EU and key economic partners, including the United States, Japan, South Korea, Mexico and New Zealand. In October 2007, the United States, European Union, Japan, South Korea, Mexico and New Zealand announced that they had reached a tentative agreement on a framework for a new multi-lateral agreement intended to establish a stronger set of common standards for intellectual property enforcement among their countries. Following several months of internal discussions among European Union Member States, it was announced on April 14 that an agreement has finally been reached which will allow negotiations to start in earnest. The agreement will help government and authorities to tackle this important economical problem, that has for so long been considered as a 'soft crime' and difficult to penalise. INTA and ICC's BASCAP had recently called for the negotiations on the new anti-counterfeiting agreement to begin as soon as possible and thus warmly welcome this announcement. "We are very pleased to see the speed with which ACTA is moving forward and is being embraced by those seated at the European Union's negotiating table. The actions outlined in this agreement have the potential to significantly raise the profile and the protection of trademarks and we are optimistic to see it become a reality," said INTA Executive Director Alan C Drewsen. ICC Secretary General Guy Sebban welcomed the progress announced by the negotiating parties but added some words of caution: "In order to be relevant, ACTA must deliver significant improvements over existing multilateral guidelines by establishing stronger international standards for government performance on intellectual property enforcement." A trans-national crime that has been described as "more profitable than heroin...easier than photo-copying...and with penalties like jay-walking", counterfeiting is widespread with a CIPR survey (2002) of Moscow's counterfeit market revealing 48% of the 3000 inspected retail premises to carry fake goods. According to a report by Gieschen Consultancy, $8.5 million (€5.3 million) worth of counterfeited food and alcohol products were seized worldwide during the first half of 2005. However, due to logistical issues, many products remain local rather than exported which means that the number of items seized by customs may not reflect the true size of the problem. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) survey lists Turkey as the main source of fake food and beverages (accounting for 18%), followed by China (16%), Singapore (12%), Hungary (7%) and Tunisia (6%). The report found kiwis, conserved vegetables, milk powder, butter, ghee, baby food, instant coffee, alcohol, drinks, confectionary and hi-breed corn seeds topped the list of counterfeited articles. Once fully ratified, ACTA would provide for stronger international coordination, agreement on the best enforcement practices and alignment on provisions of legal frameworks to ensure that adequate criminal, civil and border protection measures are in place.

Wonder why that can of Pepsi you are holding feels so familiar? Could be because it's been in your hand before. With at least 40% of the average aluminium can made from recycled material, PepsiCo is now using the cans themselves to spread the recycling message. The company’s 'Have we met before?' campaign is designed to communicate the benefits of aluminium can recycling, and encourage Pepsi consumers to make recycling part of their daily routine. Recycling facts and messages from the National Recycling Coalition (NRC) are being featured on about 500 million Pepsi cans and 250 million Diet Pepsi cans across the US every month. That's a total of seven billion cans by the end of the year. The ad value for the space on those cans is estimated to be worth between $35 million and $40 million. NRC Executive DirectorKate Krebs believes the initiative is well worth it. "Recycling is a small step everyone can take that will make a real difference for our planet," said Krebs. "Our research tells us that most people recycle, when they remember. That's why reminding people about the positive impact of simply recycling an aluminium can is so powerful.” "It's important for all of us – companies and individuals – to do our part, and recycling is one of the easiest ways to get involved," added Russell Weiner, Vice-President of Colas for Pepsi-Cola North America. "What better way to bring our Performance with Purpose mission to life, and remind people of the benefits of recycling, than by putting a message on the can itself, something that touches millions of people across the country every month?" "Have we met before?" recycling messages that will appear on Pepsi and Diet Pepsi cans over the coming months will include: * Recycling could save 95% of the energy used to make this can. * On average, aluminium cans produced in the US contain 40-50% recycled content. * The average person has the opportunity to recycle 25,000 cans in a lifetime. * Recycling a single aluminium can saves enough energy to power a TV for three hours. * Recycle this can and save enough energy to power a 100W light bulb for four hours.

"Several factors helped stimulate sales growth in 2007," said Tetra Pak president and CEO, Dennis Jönsson. "These include continued strong growth in emerging and fast growing markets, our focus on cost effective innovation and our strategy of working closely with our customers to enhance operational performance and develop total system solutions. Our goal is to grow in a socially responsible and sustainable way, in line with our corporate motto, 'Protects what’s good'." In 2007, Tetra Pak achieved double-digit sales growth in a number of fast-growing and emerging markets, such as India, Pakistan, Russia, Brazil, the Middle East and Latin America. China remains a significant, growing market for Tetra Pak. In 2007, Tetra Pak launched several new trademarked and registered products including: Tetra Gemina Aseptic package, Tetra Top Eifel 038 package, Recart, Tetra Rex TR/27 XH Extended Hygiene filling machine and Tetra Tebel OST 6 for cheese production.

*Innovia Films’ trademarked and biodegradable packaging material, NatureFlex, is helping a raw snack food company – Superfood Snacks – to fulfill its ideal for natural eco-friendly sustainable bags to package their first product, Chocolate Goji Treats. * The snack company sell nutritious superfoods and speciality ingredients, including Goji berries, Raw Cacao, Maca Root and sundried Vanilla Bean. Given that the company only uses pure, raw and organic fair trade ingredients in all their flavours of raw chocolate treats, Superfood Snacks Founder Adam Collins wanted the packaging to match what was on the inside. “Superfood Snacks felt that this special organic raw product needed packaging that was in alignment with the integrity of the company’s visions. One that was natural, sustainable and biodegradable was our goal. We invested extensive time and effort in developing this optimum pack and NatureFlex has fulfilled all our objectives. We are now considered the pioneers in sustainable printed packaging for food,” Collins explained. * NatureFlex NM* The bags have been created to ensure the product remains in perfect condition and are made from metallised NatureFlex laminated to high gloss transparent NatureFlex film. This creates the final structure to encase the snack. NatureFlex NM is a unique cellulose based film, manufactured from renewable wood pulp and metallised in-house. It is the only metallised biodegradable film suitable for home composting because the level of metal is so small – less than 0.02% – which slows the film’s degradation by a few days but does not interfere with its biodegradability otherwise. Modified coatings guarantees a high barrier that ensures the Chocolate Goji Treats remain in premium condition. In addition, NatureFlex also has good dimensional stability, inherent anti-static properties, is resistant to oils and greases while providing a good barrier to gases and aromas. The film has a high level of ink receptivity and can be printed using solvent based, water based or UV inks.

Global sales by The Coca-Cola Company rose 21% to $7.38 billion in the first quarter of 2008, driven by strong growth in international markets, Coke reported today (16 April). The company’s earnings were 19% up at $1.5 billion or $0.64 per share, including a $0.03 per share charge related to restructuring costs and asset write-downs. "We have begun 2008 successfully, with another solid quarter consistent with our overriding objective of creating long-term sustainable growth," said Chairman and Chief Executive Neville Isdell, who is due to hand over his CEO role to President and Chief Operating Officer Muhtar Kent in July. "Our system’s success in executing our strategies – from marketing and beverage innovation to effective execution at the point of sale – continues to drive our growth. Importantly, our growth was again balanced, proving our ability to manage our portfolio of brands and geographies over time to deliver results. “As Muhtar assumes executive leadership of our company, I am confident that the strategies and programmes that we together have put in place will continue to deliver long-term sustainable growth and value to our shareowners." Muhtar Kent added: “Our international business once again led the way, with both sparkling and still beverages contributing to our results. We do recognise there is still much more work to be done, especially in our flagship North America market with its challenging economic environment. "I remain optimistic about the progress we are making and committed to continued improvement in the execution of our strategies. Even in the face of a difficult macroeconomic climate, I believe that by continuing to collaborate with our bottling partners and maintaining an unrelenting focus on integrated consumer marketing and commercial and franchise leadership, we will achieve another successful year for The Coca-Cola Company." Coke’s total case volume increased 6% in the quarter, with acquisitions contributing 2 points of growth. International volume was up 7%, with double-digit growth in key emerging markets including China, India, Brazil, Turkey, Russia, Eastern Europe and the Philippines. European Union volume increased only 3%, after double-digit growth in the first quarter of 2007. North American volume was flat, “reflecting the challenges in the US economy.”

Gate Gourmet UK & Ireland, an airline services provider, has successfully undertaken the highly complex task of commencing operations for three new customers in just two days. This new business will see Gate Gourmet servicing 63 more flights and providing approximately 15,000 extra meals every week. On 29 and 30 March, services for Delta Air Lines, Northwest Airlines and Air France were launched as a new service for Gate Gourmet's operations at Heathrow Airport. Conducting the start-ups in such close succession is virtually unprecedented in airline service provision. Between 25,000 and 42,000 components are required for each flight, so meticulous planning was required by almost 1,000 Gate Gourmet team members that worked in partnership with each airline to cater each new flight. Gate Gourmet UK & Ireland's strong start to 2008 follows two years of record growth, transforming the company into an increasingly efficient and innovative operation. In addition to signing multi-year contracts with the three carriers, Gate Gourmet has recently added Qatar Airways to its roster. This contract brings 28 long-haul flights per week to Heathrow, as well as seven long-haul flights per week to Gatwick. Gate Gourmet has also extended its contract with Cathay Pacific, covering 31 flights per week from Heathrow. The new contracts will equate to an annual increase of nearly two million onboard meals, taking the total number to over 42 million at Heathrow. Eric Born, Group SVP & President Europe West/South, said: "Delivering on these start-ups highlights the dedication and hard work of the Gate Gourmet team. The contract wins are also a testament to our competitive advantage based on efficiency, superior quality and innovation. Gate Gourmet is committed to delivering the highest standards of service to our customers, and we look forward to working with these airlines in the years ahead." Raymond Mulder, Regional Manager Catering Operations-Europe, Northwest Airlines, said: "Gate Gourmet is a highly innovative company with a full range of services that match our requirements. Northwest Airlines is delighted to be partnering with Gate Gourmet as we strive to offer our passengers the very best travelling experience."

For the past eight years, Barry Callebaut has been buying all of Biolands' cocoa. The Biolands enterprise is one of the largest organic smallholder cocoa programmes in the world. Starting in Tanzania in 1999, Biolands has worked directly with smallholder farmers to ensure fair prices are paid to the farmers in order to improve the quality of cocoa and the farmers' quality of life. This approach guarantees full traceability for every bag of cocoa sold by the 20,000 participating farmers, enabling consumers to know this cocoa has been produced in a sustainable and responsible manner. Biolands cocoa is certified organic by Swiss-based Institute for Marketecology IMO.

Summer is great isn't it? The clocks have finally gone forward, the evenings are lighter, the days are warmer and most of us will be looking forward to long lazy afternoons relaxing in the sunshine with an ice-cold glass of wine. Which is why UK company Off-Piste Wines have come up with just that. Frozé, the first wine created by the Cheltenham based business, is described as a light, fruity, summer drink best served on ice. Made from a blend of Pinotage, Cinsault, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, Frozé is a versatile South African wine with a 12% ABV content. Off-Piste Wines Managing Director Ant Fairbank said: "We decided that we needed to come up with a new type of rosé as we found many on the market were either too sweet or didn't have enough flavour. "We also believe that a lot of wine takes itself too seriously and so set out to create a rosé that was fun yet at the same time, a serious contender." Frozé is designed to be good in its own company, especially as an aperitif, but has a refreshing fruity richness that allows it to stand up to intense flavours such as Thai or Indian dishes. According to the company, it also works well as a long drink that tastes great topped up with chopped orange, lemon and sprigs of mint. Ant and business partner, Paul Letheren, set up Off-Piste Wines in 2007 after working together at Western Wines. Both have worked in the wine industry for more than 20 years.

Barrs D’N’B has announced a further two year sponsorship as the Official Soft Drink of the Rugby League, the Super League and the National League. But new for 2008 the brand will also sponsor Team England in the year of the Rugby World Cup in Australia. Adrian Troy, Head of Marketing at Barrs commented: ‘Rugby league has a massive profile particularly in the north of England and has been a great platform for D’N’B to drive sales.’ Barr’s D’N’B, the no 1 branded dandelion and burdock product in the UK significantly outperformed total soft drinks with an excellent * +10% value and +15.6% volume growth in 2007. The brand also benefited from the continuing consumer trend towards ‘nostalgic’ and ‘traditional’ soft drink flavours (growing volume by +6% ahead of OFC’s) together with their continued desire to buy great tasting soft drinks. D’N’B has also continued to grow in all its heartland regions by +15% in the Northwest, +21% in Yorkshire and North East and a massive +95% in the South of England. These gains were driven by many new distribution gains on 50cl and 2 litre packs across the impulse and multiple grocery trade. ‘2008 is going to be a big year for Rugby football and stocking D’N’B will give retailers a great opportunity to benefit from this high profile particularly in the lead up the World Cup’ concluded Adrian. The 2008 sponsorship deal will continue to build D’N’B’s profile in its heartland regions with perimeter board and programme advertising at all RFL central matches, including the Challenge Cup together with presence at Super League finals and play offs and international matches. The coverage of Rugby League on Sky TV will also deliver exposure for D’N’B to over 2 million fans each week. “D’N’B has been a very active and supportive sponsor of the RFL over the last two years and we look forward to working with the brand in 2008.” commented Paul Kimberly, Commercial Director of the RFL. “The RFL has worked very hard on creating a whole-family entertainment experience on match days and D’N’B has been a part of this helping us to raise the profile and appeal of the sport.” To support the partnership there will also be two on-pack offers in 2008 – during the Spring consumers can win the chance to be a mascot at the Millenium Magic Weekend (this is a full weekend of Super League Rugby at the Millenium Stadium in Cardiff) + 1000’s of giveaways and in October there will be an on pack-offer to support Team England at the World Cup in Australia + 1000’s of giveaways. Another leading Barr brand, Strathmore water, will provide Super League match officials with refreshment on match days.

Zeller’s first customer is Premier International Foods, which has adopted this closure for the relaunch of the Branston sweet pickles and relishes range. This 55mm polypropylene dispensing closure has a 38mm neck finish and can be lined with tri-tab peelable induction heat-seal materials suitable for PET and multilayer containers. Read more stories about Closures.

*The British and Bath based food and drink publisher, Zenith International Publishing (ZIP), has posted excellent 2007 results following the company’s restructuring over the previous 18 months. * Turnover was up year on year by 56% to £1.3 million, with operating profits of £72k. ZIP is forecast to exceed £2 million in revenues during 2008. Commenting on the results Group Commercial Director Chris Butt said: "2007 proved a year of significant progress after a series of personnel and product changes. By increasing sales capacity and refocusing our product portfolio, we have been able to offer our UK and international customers a more integrated approach encompassing online, print, directory and creative solutions. "The recent acquisition of Food & Beverage International enabled us to develop the food side of our business and the continued expansion of our global awards programme augurs well as innovation continues to be a priority for products and brands in this competitive sector." Highlights over the past year include: * The official launch of www.foodbev.com, the industry’s food and drink portal and e-newsletter service, in March 2008. * The acquisition of Europe’s leading food and beverage magazine title, <1>, in September 2007. * The rebranding of our water coverage as <2>, offering a unique market proposition, in January 2008. * A contemporary redesign of our complete Innovation magazine range - <3>, <4>, <2> and <5> - in January 2008. * Planning for the launch of the Beverage Directory 2008 in print and online - to be released in October 2008 with a readership of 100,000 global decision makers. <1>: http://food.foodbev.com/issues/issues.aspx <2>: http://water.foodbev.com/issues/issues.aspx <3>: http://beverage.foodbev.com/issues/issues.aspx <4>: http://dairy.foodbev.com/issues/issues.aspx <5>: http://cooler.foodbev.com/issues/issues.aspx

The attack happened as Ostapets walked his dog in the grounds of his home in the elite village of Krekshino, 25km southwest of Moscow. Ostapets was beaten with baseball bats by two men wearing ski masks, according to an unidentified police source quoted by the Russian news agency RIA-Novosti. "The men stood beating the businessman with baseball bats and fled when they heard his wife screaming," the source added. Ostapets’ wife was unharmed in the attack. It was not known whether the attack was connected with Ostapets’ role as President of the Juice Producers Union, which he had led since 1999. Union members include the Big Four of Russian juice: Lebedyansky, which has just been bought by PepsiCo and the Pepsi Bottling Group (PBG) for a record $1.4 billion; Multon, owned by bottler Coca-Cola Hellenic in partnership with The Coca-Cola Company; Wimm-Bill-Dann (WBD), which has often been named as a potential takeover target; and Nidan Soki, recently acquired by the British private equity firm Lion Capital. The Russian juice market is growing rapidly, and is expected to become the biggest in Europe in the near future. In February, Ostapets told the Interfax news agency that 2007 juice sales increased almost 13% to 3.1 billion litres. Sales of regular juice and nectar were 9.8% up, while sales of juice for babies and children up to 3 years leaped 28%. Russian criminal groups have allegedly targeted the juice industry in the past.