Carbonfund.org and The Monarch Beverage Company have announced the release of four new CarbonFree energy drinks: Acute Fruit, CoMotion, NTrinsic and NTrinsic Sugar-free. This partnership highlights a growing trend of businesses bringing carbon-conscious food options directly to store shelves and the growing number of eco-conscious consumers who scrutinise food production methods and seek products that minimise climate impact. Carbonfund.org's CarbonFree label, which appears on all four energy drinks, indicates that the products' entire carbon footprint will be offset through the support of greenhouse gas reduction projects. CarbonFree food options enable consumers to make carbon-conscious buying decisions and take further steps to combat global warming while at the supermarket. The drinks are currently on sale at three convenience store chains: Mapco, Fas Mart, and Flash Foods. Carbonfund.org certified the four energy drinks CarbonFree after a rigorous life cycle analysis (LCA) performed by carbon management consultants, Edinburgh Centre for Carbon Management. Carbon emissions associated with the energy drinks were calculated at each step based on the ingredients used in manufacturing, the ink and materials used for packaging, and the fossil fuel burned during shipping. Four main steps to CarbonFree product certification: • Determine the product's carbon footprint through a life cycle analysis (LCA) • Certify and register the product as CarbonFree • Offset the product's footprint through the support of greenhouse gas reduction projects • Conduct annual review and recertification "The partnership with Carbonfund.org is a valuable addition to our sustainable development strategy that will include a continued push for recycling, conservation and investment in renewable energy across our business processes," said The Monarch Beverage Company Chief Operating Officer Didier Arnaud. "We are committed to reducing the impact of our business activities on the environment and believe that offering CarbonFree products will also raise the awareness of simple ways to protect the environment among energy drink consumers." "If only the whole transition to a clean energy economy were as easy as popping the tab on a CarbonFree Acute Fruit energy drink!" exclaimed Eric Carlson, Executive Director of Carbonfund.org, just before having his first taste of the new drink. "Fortunately, now that these drinks are CarbonFree, Monarch Beverages is providing consumers with an eco-friendly option that moves us in the right direction. We're proud to partner with them in increasing carbon-conscious consumerism." A new study shows that roughly half of all consumers now consider questions of sustainability in their purchasing decisions, with particular focus on the food and beverage industry.

*Pan-European bottler Coca-Cola Hellenic made a strong start to the year, despite increased commodity costs and widespread economic uncertainty. Total volume sales by the Greek-based company reached 429 million cases in the three months to 28 March, 7% up on the first quarter of 2007, while revenue rose 9% to €1.37 billion. * Coca-Cola Hellenic’s operating profit meanwhile grew 10% to €67 million, with net earnings up 11% to €28 million or €0.08 per share. Carbonated beverage volumes increased 3% during the quarter, helped by the introduction of Coca-Cola Zero in a further 11 countries. The so-called “Bloke Coke” is now distributed in 19 of the company’s 28 markets, which range from the Irish Republic to the eastern-most parts of Russia, and from Estonia to Nigeria. Still beverage and water volumes grew in double digits. “I am particularly encouraged by the continued business momentum in key markets, and our ability to manage our diverse country and brand portfolio to deliver balanced growth,” commented Doros Constantinou, Managing Director of Coca-Cola Hellenic. Single-serve growth Constantinou continued: “Realisation of planned price increases, and growth in our profitable single-serve packages, helped offset persisting raw material cost pressures and higher investments in sales and marketing costs to support our new product launches. “While the first quarter is typically a small one for our business, and the macroeconomic environment remains uncertain, the solid start to the year and confidence in our plans provides us comfort in achieving our full year guidance.” In April, Coca-Cola Hellenic began rolling out new ready to drink (RTD) coffees in ten markets, through a joint venture with The Coca-Cola Company and illycaffé of Italy. Coca-Cola Hellenic expects to report volume growth of about 7% for 2008, with operating profit up 11-13% and EPS up 12-15% to €1.46-€1.49.

Larry Young, President and Chief Executive of the Dr Pepper Snapple Group (DPS), rang the Opening Bell at the New York Stock Exchange today (7 May) to mark the début of DPS as an independent company listed on the exchange. DPS was formerly the Americas Beverages division of the UK based Cadbury Schweppes group, but has now been spun off from Cadbury’s core confectionery business. The new company is North America’s third biggest producer of non-alcoholic refreshment beverages, with a market share of about 15%, behind major rivals Coca-Cola (43%) and PepsiCo (31%). In addition to its flagship lines, Dr Pepper and Snapple, the DPS portfolio includes a wide range of carbonated and still brands such as 7 UP, Mott’s, A&W, Sunkist Soda, Hawaiian Punch, Canada Dry, Schweppes, RC Cola, Diet Rite, Squirt, Penafiel, Yoo-hoo, Rose’s and Clamato. About 75% of the company’s volume comes from brands that rank either first or second in their category. Over the past four years, the unit was the only one of the big three US producers to increase its share of the carbonated soft drinks segment. Total revenue in 2007 was $5.7 billion. A new era ahead “Today marks the beginning of a new era for our business,” said Larry Young. “We have a strong and sustainable business model, and can leverage our integrated system for future growth. “We have confidence in the beverage industry, and we are looking forward to seizing the opportunities as a standalone company. Our CSD portfolio continues to grow, and our non-carbonated brands have regained momentum. “We have also made strategic bottling and distributing acquisitions that are improving our capabilities and protecting the equity of our brands. The success we are realising with today’s listing has been a lengthy process, and we are looking forward to solely focusing on the beverage business.” However, many analysts were sceptical about the company’s future prospects – noting that it was launching into independent existence at a time when the US economy is in trouble, and the soft drinks market is generally weak.

Gate Gourmet, the world’s largest independent airline catering and logistics provider and a member of gategroup, has agreed to purchase airline catering units in five cities from Air Berlin and SCK Sky Catering Kitchen GmbH. In addition, Air Berlin, Germany’s second largest airline and the third largest carrier in the European leisure market, has agreed to a new long term catering contract with Gate Gourmet in Germany and the rest of Europe. The flight kitchens included in the transaction are located at Düsseldorf, Cologne/Bonn, Münster/Osnabrück, Leipzig/Halle andPaderborn. The five facilities serve approximately 18,000 flights total a year, with Düsseldorf the largest single unit at approximately 10,000 flights annually. The five-city operation, which is formally named SCK DUS GmbH& Co KG Düsseldorf, is a joint venture between Air Berlin and SCK Sky Catering Kitchen GmbH Bordverpflegung & Co Service KG, Ulm. “We are very pleased to include these five facilities into the Gate Gourmet portfolio. They are an important strategic addition to our network, and we see them as a key acquisition in our long-term strategy to secure Gate Gourmet’s position in the German airline catering market,” said gategroup President and CEO Designate Guy Dubois, the umbrella brand representing Gate Gourmet and ten other brands. The transaction is subject to review by competition authorities in Germany. Terms of the agreement are confidential.

It's the second day of Vitafoods 2008, the global nutraceutical event held each year at the Palexpo beside Lake Geneva. We report on what's happening, who's there and what the future holds for the nutraceutical industry. Claire Phoenix (Managing Editor of beverage innovation), Medina Bailey (Features Editor of beverage innovation) and Claire Rowan (Managing Editor Food&Beverage International) guide us through day two. ** Wednesday 7 May 2008** life'sDHA Nutritional products company Martek Biosciences Corporation is showcasing its flagship DHA (docosahexaemic acid) omega-3, life'sDHA. The US company uses microalgae as a source of omega-3, which, unlike fish oil, is vegetarian, will not impact on a product's taste or smell, nor contain any ocean-borne contaminants. Featuring in many beverage products, including Coca-Cola's Minute Maid pomegranate and blueberry beverage, and Sunkist's Naturals Glorious Greens offering, DHA is said to offer eye, brain and cardiovascular health benefits. According to Martek's Executive Director of Industry and Commercial Relations, Philip C Fass, products to look out for in the future containing the ingredient include carbonated beverages and coffee. Extramel D Air Liquide group subsidiary Seppic is launching its Extramel D ingredient at the show. The melon pulp concentrate, which is naturally rich in superoxide dismutase (SOD) and other antioxidants, is in a hydro-dispersible form, making it suitable for beverages, dairy products and dietary supplements. The 100% natural substance is resistant to flash pastuerisation, offers high stability and has no effect on the organoleptic quality of final products. Lifenol French firm Naturex is highlighting its new natural formulation which aims to alleviate hot flushes during the menopause. Lifenol has been clinically proven to decrease menopause-associated symptoms in women, with no side effects reported when it was taken in scientific trials. The women's health ingredient is made using female hop cone extracts standardised in 8-prenylnavingenin, which offers natural estrogenic properties. Suntheanine Taiyo is showcasing its range of green-tea-derived ingredients. The Japanese company's range of clinically researched antioxidants, stress-reducing amino acids and soluble dietary fibres aim to provide high functionality from a natural source. The line includes Suntheanine, a pure form of the amino acid L-theanine, which claims to reduce stress by promoting relaxation without drowsiness, improve quality of sleep, aid concentration and alleviate the symptoms of PMS. Possible applications include juices, sports drinks and bottled waters. The Sunphenon portfolio, comprising catechin-rich green tea polyphenols, offers physiological benefits including strong antioxidant, antimicrobial and fat-burning activities. Its latest addition – Sunphenon TH-LC – contains 20% green tea and is available in powder form. Watson Inc. New fluorescent glitter flakes shone on the Watson Inc stand, which unveiled its brighter, more intense glitter in random or specific shapes for applications such as chewing gum, cakes, cookies and confectionery. Based on the company’s proprietary film technology, the flakes can be used to deliver colour to products in addition to flavour and active components, and are available in soluble or non-soluble options. “The latest thing we offer is the pearlescent effect that allows us to provide colours that look like gold or silver with a great intensity, and that maintain their bright colours even on dark surfaces,” said Marie Garnich, vice president of global business development & sales, film technology division. Kievit On its stand, Kievit is actively discussing its increased emphasis on custom solutions and collaborative development work in the area of spray drying and micro-encapsulation of active ingredients. “Manufacturers have fine-tuned their processes to ensure optimum production, and so need ingredients and dry mixes that perform well in that process,” said Rick Kirpestein, director innovation, who is heading Kievit’s new Ventures department that's focusing on long-term development into innovative micro-encapsulation solutions. “Our aim is to provide convenient solutions that perform in the finished product without altering our customer’s processing systems.” Mars Botanical The new scientific division of Mars Inc, Mars Botanical, highlighted its extensive research and development work into flavanols, the naturally occurring plant compounds or phytonutrients in cocoa. Already used in products produced by Mars Inc, including the newly launched CocoaVia range of chocolate beverage powders containing 200mg of flavanols, Mars Botanical's products are backed by 15 years of research into the impact of cocoa flavanols on vascular health. Mars Botanical will be looking to work with other commercial partners on the development of non-confectionery lines of products containing flavanols. Gelita On its stand, Gelita presented its joint health product, Fortigel, which has been shown to stimulate cartilage metabolism and enhance the synthesis of cartilage cells. Effective at levels of 10g per day, the functional ingredient can be used in sports drinks, cereal bars, powder drinks and dairy products. Taiyo A cost-effective, natural green tea extract naturally rich in L-theanine has been introduced by Taiyo. Taiyo has developed a system for extracting the theanin, which enables the company to offer natural extract at a lower price than alternatives, it says. Rousselot Rousselot is focusing on beauty, health and nutrition to demonstrate the qualities of its pure Hydrolysed Collagen, which are being demonstrated on-stand in four cocktails. The RHC Nutrition product range provides 97% of pure protein and can be used effectively in products for weight management, according to Caroline Brochard-Garnier, communication manager, Rousselot. The RHC Beauty range features the same collagen type as found in human skin and is designed to contribute to ensuring smooth and glossy skin; RHC Health; and the RHC Health range has been found to have a beneficial effect on joint health at intake levels of 10g per day. Lonza Lonza unveiled its new name for its DHA range of ingredients and highlighted the work it's doing to support manufacturers using Carnipure, the company's trademarked L-Carnitine range. DHAid is produced from microalgae without using fermentation and is very similar to a vegetarian source of DHA, according to Lonza, which is stressing the importance of sourcing ingredients from reputable suppliers in order to ensure quality and sustainability. "Lonza has produced articles that have been published in consumer magazines that highlight the benefits of L-Carnitine and the assurance that Lonza's Carnipure quality seal provides," said Ulla Freitas. "In this way, we support manufacturers who use the quality seal and ensure the quality of L-Carnitine for everyone." New products include ice cream with L-Carnitine and a caramel syrup with carnitine used as a coffee sweetener. Lonza produces products for sports and energy drinks as well as male fertility and heart health. Bernard Bekker MD of Intermed Discovery GmbH has the largest database of sources works closely with Cognis and other companies to develop exploratory projects.Cognis offers all round vitality including cholesterol reduction through its weight management body fat reduction product Tonalin. Beauty from within is now part of its core strategy using vitamin E and botanical extracts. Speaking at one of the Vitafoods Congress presentations - Dr Gertrude Bakker of TNO in the Netherlands spoke on how amino acids helps calcium to be more easily absorbed in the intestinal tract. However absorption from different calcium sources needs to be from a standard set of protocols to .compare bioavailability Apparently calcium is absorbed at a higher level when taken with a meal than without. Dr Brian Lockwood of the University of Manchester closed the second day of the Vitafoods congress spoke on soy isoflavones and bone health. He was able to communicate soy's health benefits particularly with reference to osteoporosis. Apparently soy stimulates bone formation. And clinical trials on those with the disease saw a 50% reduction in levels of deterioration. Chinese ingredients company Efong Pharmaceutical produce a number of teas with health benefits including beauty face tea and teas that help you sleep. Based in Guangdong the company also specialises in natural botanical extracts. *For fuller information on any of the products mentioned in this report, see the next issue of Beverage Innovation, Dairy Innovation and Food & Beverage International. Go to our subscriptions **page. *

Shoppers are being given five reasons to go nutty this Saturday on World Fair Trade Day (May 10) and celebrate the day by buying the delicious range of cashew and peanut snacks from Liberation, the world's first 100% Fairtrade nut company. The company has given the following five reasons: 1. Liberation nuts are baked using just a drizzle of oil which makes them a healthier choice than nuts which have been roasted in oil. 2. Because they are high in protein, just a handful of nuts will fill you up and stop you reaching for the biscuit tin. 3. Peanuts are full of vitamin B6 which is well known as a stress-buster and the magnesium in cashews can help deal with mood swings, anxiety and irritability. Cashews also contain oleic acid which is known as a heart healthy fat. 4. More than 22,000 farmers from co-operatives in Africa, Asia and Latin America who supply Liberation co-own the company and benefit from its success. 5. Thanks to sales, the loved ones of hospital patients in Mchinji, Malawi, who have travelled miles to get family members and friends medical care, have somewhere to sleep and cook next to the hospital. A special shelter has been built using Fairtrade premium money to provide them with much-needed protection from the elements. People who buy from the delicious Liberation range of mixed cashews and peanuts can choose from four flavours - lemon and a hint of chilli, a hint of smoked flavour, lightly salted and natural (no added salt).

Ajinomoto is the leading supplier of aspartame, a low calorie sweetener that tastes like sugar and which enables people to reduce their calorie intake. Brand leaders in a range of product categories, including carbonated soft drinks, squashes, yogurts, hot chocolate and chewing gum are sweetened with aspartame. Ajinomoto has tried to negotiate an agreement with Asda by which the retailer would stop its denigration of aspartame, but has not succeeded. Ajinomoto has taken this legal step to defend the reputation not only of the ingredient, but also of the many products that are sweetened with aspartame. Aspartame is a simple food ingredient made from amino acids, the building blocks of protein that occur widely in our diet, including in eggs, meat, fish, cheese and milk. When people consume aspartame, it is broken down in the digestive system to tiny amounts of common dietary components. It is therefore absurd that Asda should refer to aspartame as a "nasty", says Ajinomoto. Products sweetened with aspartame help people to control their weight. At a time when the health profession and the government are seeking ways to combat overweight and obesity, it is unconscionable that Asda should try to vilify a safe and beneficial food ingredient, according to Ajinomoto.

Full moon, or Vollmond Beer – made using biodynamic methods – has been launched in the UK. Biodynamic farming is being hailed as the next stage of ethical and healthy farming, following in the footsteps of organic farming. The beer itself is brewed to strict biodynamic principles, being brewed only on the night of a full moon. The company behind the beer, Suisse Connection, isn't necessarily trying to say that drinking beer is good for you, but rather that if you're going to drink beer, then it should be beer that's made in the most ethical, chemical-free and planet-friendly way possible.

*Pepsi has reduced the plastic in its 50cl non-carbonated beverages bottle by 20%. This will eliminate approximately 20 million pounds of waste from the environment. * The new bottle will be launched in one of the beverage industry’s fastest growing segments through the established trademarks of Lipton Iced Tea, Tropicana juice drinks, Aquafina FlavorSplash and Aquafina Alive. It will be available in 12 packs and 24 packs. In addition to a 20% reduction in the plastic resin, there will be a 10% reduction in the label size and a 5% reduction in the shrink wrap film used to wrap the multi-packs. “As a company, we’ve challenged ourselves to consistently identify ways to lessen our impact on the environment and in this case we’re doing a little ‘plastic surgery,’” said Robert Lewis, Vice President of Worldwide Beverage Packaging and Equipment Development, PepsiCo. “We’re constantly striving to make our packaging an even smaller part of the waste stream and this new bottle is just one of many examples." Led by Pepsi-Cola North America’s packaging development team, the effort to lightweight the bottles is an example of PepsiCo’s commitment to “Performance with Purpose,” a mission to improve all aspects of the world in which the business operates. For this project, it meant looking at the packaging with a critical eye, driving it towards minimalism without sacrificing design, functionality or taste. “The challenge was to deliver significantly lighter packaging that would provide the same shelf life as the heavier bottle, withstand the manufacturing and distribution process yet not compromise aesthetics,” said Lewis. “After a full year of hard work from multiple corners of the company, we hit the trifecta – a bottle that satisfied the needs of our system, our consumers and the environment.” A cross-functional team of experts from within and outside the company brought this project to life though consumer interaction. After fielding over 30 aesthetic designs in consumer testing, a multi-disciplinary team worked together to develop the lightweight package in-market today.

*The Ethiopian Government has recently launched a new coffee brand management programme to help protect its local coffee varietals and support the country's coffee industry. * Ethiopia is known by many as the original home of coffee, the country exports more than 177,000 tonnes of coffee a year, representing about 15% of the world's total coffee production. But until now there has been no initiative to promote or identify Ethiopia's coffee varietals such as Yirgacheffe, Sidamo and Harar. Brand specialist Brandhouse was commissioned to create a distinctive and easy-to-use brand identity system for Ethiopian Fine Coffees in addition to the three already mentioned. The system will be used wherever the coffees are distributed and sold. The new brand identity comprises a central logo for Ethiopian Fine Coffees which takes its inspiration from the coffee bean itself, together with individual designs for each of the coffee varietals. The Ethiopian Ambassador in London, Berhanu Kebede said: "This is a landmark project for Ethiopia and we are proud to acknowledge our Fine Coffees in this way. This is an unprecedented level of investment in a truly innovative programme and we are looking forward to seeing our coffee farmers reap the rewards in the short, medium and long term."

New York-based Guru, a range of 100% natural and USDA-certified organic energy drinks, is now available in a 12oz slim can, and includes two new flavours: Guru Full On Lemonade and Guru Juicy Superfruit. The redesigned Guru can contains more energy than the original 8oz size and is less filling than the 16oz. The new set of six Guru products is 100% natural and contains an active botanical complex made from standardised herbal extracts of Guarana, Ginseng, Ginkgo Biloba and Echinacea, following the same original proprietary formula that maximises their beneficial effects. Also available in 12oz are Guru Original, Guru Lite (only 10 calories), Guru Juicy Tangerine and Guru Iced Tea Green Tea Honey Lemon. The suggested retail price of the new Guru Energy Hybrids is $2.99.

The Forum of Private Business (FPB) in the UK is responding to the Competition Commission's assertion that independent shops are not in terminal decline as a result of large supermarkets' dominance of the groceries market, by pointing to evidence suggesting that the opposite is true. Following an 18 month inquiry, the Competition Commission announced a raft of measures to increase competition in the market, but insisted that, although it is often difficult for them to compete with large supermarkets such as Asda and Tesco, the future of small retailers is not under threat. However, following extensive consultations with the FPB and other organisations, the Conservative Party's Parliamentary Enterprise Group recently published the initial findings of its Commission into Small Shops in the High Street. It reiterated a warning, originally made in 2006 by the All-party Small Shops Group, that the majority of the UK's independent retailers could disappear by 2015, should the present rate of 2,000 closing every year be allowed to continue. "Evidence that the number of independent shops in our villages, towns and cities has declined in recent years is there for everyone to see. Any report that states otherwise is ignoring a widespread and worrying trend," said FPB Chief Executive Phil Orford. "Small businesses, especially those in the retail sector, continue to suffer as a result of the dominance of supermarkets and other large chains. While we welcome some of the Competition Commission's initiatives, we do not believe the recommendations go far enough in developing policies that will help reinvigorate our high streets and the communities they serve." The group pointed out that the Competition Commission's own evidence showed that, since 2000, sales in supermarkets have grown by 26%, and by 19% in large convenience stores, but that specialist stores have experienced only a 1% growth in sales. The FPB is concerned that, unable to compete with their larger rivals, more and more small shops will be forced to close. The FPB is calling for better payment practices and fairer contractual arrangements, as well as the removal of other unfair fees, such as charging suppliers 'loyalty payments' in exchange for shelf space. In addition, changes to legislation and the UK's tax regime are required to support smaller retailers. VAT-avoidance by supermarkets on items such as hot takeaway foods and goods imported via the Channel Islands, exploiting a VAT loophole, should also be prevented.