Danone Waters has announced a comprehensive 2008 marketing activity planned to support the start of its five year tenure as Official Bottled Water of The Championships, Wimbledon. Danone Waters will be spending a massive £3 million (€3.7 million) employing a range of marketing tactics to ensure Evian is synonymous with Wimbledon and Tennis this summer. Danone Waters will be supporting its partnership though outdoor, print, digital and cab advertising, on the London Underground, as well as activation activity with retailers. This will consist of Evian representatives supporting national and local Wimbledon retailers in terms of merchandising and point of sale. To drive consumer awareness at point of purchase, highly impactful Evian Wimbledon packaging will be introduced in store across all Evian pack formats and cases from mid May. Both branding and iconic Evian mountains will be temporarily placed on a vibrant pink tennis ball, maximising the use of the Evian pink as a category beacon for Plain Still water. In store, Point of Sale kits, dump bins and posters will be made available to retailers to drive purchase. To raise awareness across the distribution channels, pallet wraps, pallet shrouds and price list and order form inserts will be in place from June. At the Championships themselves, Evian will be present at all matches and throughout all hospitality. The 50cl bottle will be the hero pack and will be sold in all retail outlets at the All England Club throughout The Championships. The 75cl Sportscap will be in the glass fronted fridges on every court and will be consumed by the players. The premium glass bottles and the limited edition Christian LaCroix bottles are for hospitality and press conferences. A limited edition Wimbledon Evian Brumisateur will be on sale for a more glamorous way of cooling down, ideal for use on hot days. Danone Waters Marketing Director Patrick Kalotis commented: “Our massive marketing campaign will drive home to consumers the brand partnership with The Championships at the All England Club. Coupled with the massive presence in and around the event, we are expecting a significant uplift in summer sales as a result of this activity. We strongly recommend that retailers stock up with Wimbledon branded Evian during June and July to maximise summer sales around the event.”

Recently set-up Iceni Waters, based in the UK, has recruited Shaun the Sheep to promote the benefits of drinking mineral water to children. The company has joined forces with animation firm Aardman to create 33cl sports cap bottles using cartoon images of Shaun the Sheep. Complete with labels featuring Shaun wearing a diving mask and snorkel outfit and matching branded shrink wrap packs for six bottles, the water will be available in retail outlets from May 2008. Iceni Waters Managing Director Brett Fleming-Jones commented: “Research shows that 86% of children in the UK have a higher daily sugar intake than recommended. We decided to create a fun 33cl bottle that would encourage children to drink water in preference to other soft drinks and decided to work with a high profile television character. “We wanted a personality that was truly English and wholesome to resonate with Iceni: a natural mineral water of provenance – and Shaun fits the bill perfectly! Moreover, Shaun the Sheep has extremely wide appeal. “It's not just the kids who watch his TV show, Shaun appeals across all age spectrums and this is reflected in the scope of licensing agreements signed by Aardman.” Aardman Head of Marketing and Licensing Sean Clarke added: “We are delighted to partner with Iceni Waters. We have created a number of funny and quirky water based images of Shaun the Sheep. This combined with his broad appeal, will I'm sure be the formula for hugely successful bottled water.” Special edition Shaun the Sheep Iceni Water is distributed in the UK by Danfood.

*As part of UK biscuits and snacks company, Burton's Foods, long-term strategy to build Bertolli into a leading savoury snacking brand, Burton's Foods is launching Bertolli Baked Bites targeting the 'healthier on-the-go snacking' segment. * Bertolli Baked Bites are light and crispy bites baked Bertolli Olive Oil and available in three flavours (Sweet Chilli and Red Pepper, Italian Cheese and Red Onion, Sea Salt and Black Pepper). The portion controlled snacks capitalise on consumer demand for convenience, natural ingredients and great taste. Burtons Marketing Director Jaspal Chada said: "In a short space of time the Bertolli savoury nibbles range has become a major brand in the Category and achieved over 5% market share in the Savoury Nibbles segment. Indeed, it was one of the biggest NPD launches of 2007 in the biscuit category. The brand has significant potential for further growth since it meets consumer needs for great taste with provenance." The launch of Bertolli Baked Bites follows in the footsteps of the launch of Bertolli Savoury Nibbles in March 2007, and the Bertolli Liguarian Flatbreads and Foccacia Crackers in October 2007. Since the establishment of the strategic partnership between Burton's Foods and Unilever, Bertolli savoury biscuits has generated £5 million of retail sales and driven growth to a firm position of number five brand in the savoury nibbles segment1. The savoury sector is currently the fourth largest in the biscuit category with a total value of £286 million, according to an AC Nielsen report.

*The International Council of Beverages Associations (ICBA), the worldwide trade association representing the non-alcoholic beverages industry, has adopted Guidelines on marketing to children. * The Coca-Cola Company and PepsiCo, the two largest global beverage companies, announced their intention to implement the Guidelines in all countries around the world by the end of 2008. UNESDA, the Union of European Beverages Associations, made commitments in relation to responsible marketing to children in January 2006 as a part of its commitments to the European Commission’s ‘Platform for Action on Diet, Physical Activity and Health’. “Adopting robust Guidelines such as these broadens our industry’s commitment to providing meaningful leadership around the world,” said UNESDA Secretary General Alain Beaumont. “Our industry has long recognized the positive role it can play in promoting healthy lifestyles for consumers of all ages, including children, and this policy will only serve to strengthen that role.” The ICBA Guidelines on Marketing to Children set a standard whereby beverage companies voluntarily agree to eliminate the advertising and marketing of a wide range of beverages, including carbonated soft drinks, to any audience that is comprised predominantly of children under 12. This policy includes paid media outlets such as TV, radio, print, Internet, phone messaging and cinema (including product placement). As part of the Guidelines, ICBA will also review other forms of marketing, including sponsorships, presence in schools, and point-of sale promotions by the end of 2009. The policy does not cover water, juices and dairy based beverages, as these segments are not represented by all ICBA members. The ICBA intends to issue its first report on the implementation of the Guidelines by the end of 2009. “The non-alcoholic beverage industry produces a wide variety of beverages, all of which can be part of a healthy lifestyle,” Beaumont said. “However, as parents and grandparents ourselves, we recognize that children may be more susceptible to marketing campaigns and may not always be able to make the right dietary choices for themselves. Parents are telling us they want to be the gatekeepers. We are listening and want to protect their role so that we can work together to help teach children around the world how to make more informed choices.” These Guidelines were developed within the framework of a wider food and drinks industry commitment to collaborate with the World Health Organization (WHO) and other stakeholders to help implement the 2004 WHO Global Strategy on Diet, Physical Activity and Health. They are the first, sector specific step in a broader movement that will include a variety of initiatives and a large number of food and beverage partners.

* Functional food products: rebuilding consumer trust and using cross-sector knowledge to drive innovation* In the battle for market share and brand identity, global consumer goods companies are increasingly turning to nutraceuticals and functional foods to appeal to the changing demands of consumers. ‘Friendly bacteria’-containing probiotic yogurts and drinks, cholesterol-lowering spreads, so-called ‘superfoods’, fibre-, vitamin- or mineral-fortified breakfast cereals, and energy drinks are now prevalent on supermarket shelves. Changing social demographics and the trend towards maintaining health and wellness and boosting personal performance has seen the area expand from niche manufacturers and products to major global FMCG brands. Key players range from Coca-Cola, PepsiCo or Cadbury Schweppes in sports beverages, juices and waters to Kellogg’s and General Mills in snack foods and cereals. Other major contributors include Unilever, Nestlé, Danone, and some specialist players such as Red Bull. By 2010, global nutraceutical ingredient demand is anticipated to rise to $15.5bn and global functional food and beverage demand will rise to $109bn. However, the growth of functional foods is slowing to a rate in line with their non-functional counterparts. The UK market for functional foods barely grew in 2007 in stark contrast to previous years, and the popularity of cholesterol-lowering spreads and yogurt drinks declined significantly. This slowing growth is likely to be a consequence of a series of challenges facing the industry. Functional food and beverage introductions are meeting the contempt of consumers and the media, and face the ever-watchful regulatory spotlight. Previously, this has resulted in the failure of multinational brands despite efficient distribution networks and marketing. Dwindling consumer trust in products, and scepticism over marketing health claims and efficacy, are key issues facing the industry. Exaggerated health benefits, overworked ingredient content claims and aggressive advertisements have dented confidence in products that often contain just one or other nutrient whose levels are far below the Recommended Daily Intake. Procter & Gamble’s Sunny Delight, containing less than 2% orange juice, met severe media criticism in the UK as consumers were mislead by marketing claims suggesting it was a healthy alternative to soft drinks. Lack of public awareness and understanding of functional foods and their benefits is also an inhibitor of growth. Previously, Nestlé’s LC1 yogurt, designed to promote digestive and gut health, lost considerable market share, and was later withdrawn when Danone introduced its Actimel brand. This was a clear example of an overly scientific marketing approach failing against one which made health benefits accessible and understandable. Getting tough Tougher European legislation covering all wording and symbols used in labelling, presentation and any advertisements implying food nutritional or health benefits has recently been introduced. Any claims exaggerating a food’s health benefits or lacking supporting scientific evidence will be banned; a significant proportion of the 5,000 health claims presently made on products in the UK will not survive. The European Commission anticipates having an agreed final list of authorised scientifically substantiated health claims by 2010. Previously, the regulatory spotlight has sparked concerns over specific ingredients. Red Bull performed poorly in the conservative French market and remains banned in other European countries (Norway, Denmark and Iceland) due to regulations and health concerns surrounding its caffeine and taurine content. To meet these challenges, companies must alter perceptions about functional products, remaining totally committed to the effective communication of health benefits and marketing messages. Companies that learn to communicate the benefits of functional foods and the scientific evidence supporting their use simply and in a meaningful way will gain competitive advantage. Organic foods have been many years in the waiting before becoming successful in recent years; this required a change in perception rather than product as organic food reaped the rewards of the negative GM press. A balance must be achieved between promoting detailed and specific scientific benefits with a simple and understandable reassurance that a product promotes overall health and wellness. Health claims should be used as a foundation for consumer education. Customers are demanding more information about how products work and there's an increasing interest in specific functional benefits targeting niche population groups and lifestyles. Proactive compliance to new regulations will be a key factor for success in rebuilding consumer trust and awareness. Manufacturers and marketers also need to continue to apply a rigorous approach to innovation, adopting new approaches, products and services while keeping taste, convenience and cost as priorities. New product development often fails to learn from existing product successes and failures but this is starting to change. Effective innovation requires appropriate market and consumer insight, technology foresighting and an understanding of developments in nutritional science, nutrigenomics, biomarkers, bioactive ingredients and delivery systems. Companies must also draw upon knowledge from a variety of industries and sectors to expand their thinking, develop cross-functional innovation opportunities and strategic alliances. Coupled with this is the need for rapid prototyping facilities and the capacity to conduct effective proof-of-concept studies. Such breakout innovation is often difficult to accomplish within the constraints of existing company infrastructure, technology and expertise where the product, manufacturing process and packaging are often viewed independently. Looking ahead Bone/joint health, enhancing mood and mental performance, weight management and cardiovascular health will be major growth areas. Some recent product introductions include additions to the Tropicana Essentials (PepsiCo) product line (calcium, magnesium or plant sterol enriched juices), Danone’s Shape Lasting Satisfaction yogurt and Kellogg’s Special K Sustain, both claiming to enhance satiety, and omega-3 enriched spreads (eg Dairy Crest’s St Ivel Advance) and bread products (eg Kingsmill’s Head Start loaf) aimed at promoting mental performance. Milk, cereal, bread and snack products are important food innovation areas. Ingredient opportunities include soy nutrients, green tea extracts, omega-3, chondroitin, antioxidant vitamins and calcium. Food manufacturers able to hit the sweet spot between consumer needs, technical feasibility, regulatory compliance and commercial feasibility will be well placed to stay ahead of the competition and gain business advantage. *Dr Jonathan Gledhill works for PA Consulting Group, a management, systems and technology consulting firm based in Hertfordshire, UK. He's worked for government and private sector clients within healthcare (medical devices, diagnostics and pharmaceuticals) and for the consumer products industry. He has a PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from Cambridge University, and consulting expertise in market analysis and foresighting, technology strategy development, competitor reviews, due diligence studies and technical assessments. He has also been involved in product concept generation and product development programmes. In addition, Jonathan has experience working in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry, holding positions with Novartis and the Chiron Corporation in their drug discovery departments. *

**As consumers lead busier lives and are ‘on the move’ more and more, the dairy industry has developed new products that tap into this change of lifestyle. A key part of that change has come from packaging companies. Sun Branding Solutions Packaging Development Consultant Gillian Wight sets the scene. **The 21st century consumer is more demanding than ever before. As society has evolved so too have preferences, and products must now tick a larger number of boxes to meet expectations. In the dairy industry the challenge for manufacturers is to create on the go products that satisfy the need for health, convenience and the environment in one fell swoop. Health and well-being have been at the top of the consumer agenda for a number of years. Phrases such as ‘you are what you eat’ are being taken seriously and the public is turning its back on foods that are considered to be unhealthy. This is great news for the dairy sector and has resulted in an upsurge of products promising to improve health and wellbeing. Convenience is another key factor in the consumer purchase decision. Nowadays, purchases must support lifestyles and these new active trends have given rise to on the go consumption and an emergence of packaging shapes and styles that are easier for consumers to handle. Dairy products that meet the need for on the go convenience, such as Actimel, have been around for some time. One-a-day shot formats took the dairy industry by storm a number of years ago and have been popular ever since. However, subsequent product and packaging innovations have been few and far between and this is an area that offers a wealth of opportunity for dairy manufacturers. In the children’s market, however, there has been interesting progress. Both Yoplait and Nestlé have jumped on this convenience bandwagon with their Frubes and Squashums respectively. Frubes - fromage frais in a tube - are ideal convenience products for children. The unique, fun packaging format grabs children’s attention and keeps them entertained. On the more practical side, they are easy to handle, are mess free and by the nature of their consumption, remove the need to use a spoon as they can be ‘sucked’. But it isn't just consumer convenience that counts. Ease and profitability for the retailer are also important. Shelf space is just one area where dairy manufacturers can increase their product’s appeal. Historically, products used to be circular but more recently, the trend is for square shaped containers that make the best use of space, enable increased product availability and ultimately facilitate an upturn in sales. In recent years, consumers are placing more importance on goods that help rather than harm the world. By using responsible packaging, companies can really enhance their products’ environmental claims and a wealth of untapped opportunity exists in this area for dairy manufacturers to explore. * Expert opinions* Experts from leading packaging companies share their views about this particular sector, beginning with recent trends and developments. Tetra Pak Category Management Director Susan Frame says we are seeing the emergence of a new ‘golden triangle’ in consumer demands, built around health, pleasure and convenience and these global trends in consumer preferences are shaping product development. “According to research in 30 countries, health and fitness is a top consumer value in almost all countries. Product development will increasingly leverage this opportunity. New health positioned concepts will accelerate demands on packaging attributes such as appearance, protection of fragile ingredients and the need for new features such as portion control.” The growth of on the go eating and drinking was highlighted in a 2006 report that found that 27% of respondents sip a drink while walking or driving, and the figure is far higher in individual countries; in the US, 58% of people do this. Mobile eating and drinking puts demands on availability, visibility and appeal, since buying on impulse is more and more frequent. “Extreme convenience will be the name of the game,” claims Frame. “Key consumer trends such as the demand for healthy added value products, the rise in concern over childhood obesity, the move towards smaller and single households and the erosion of traditional mealtimes due to busy lifestyles has lead to the demand for on the go dairy beverages in smaller portion pack sizes from 25cl to 50cl,” says Elopak Group Senior Manager Marketing Communications Werner Basler. “We see the emerging and development of new moments of consumption,” he remarks. “Consumers are consuming while travelling, at work and during social and sporting activities, giving rise to new distribution networks for portion sized products including vending machines, forecourts and leisure outlets.” Changing habits At SIG Combibloc, Product Manager for the combibloc and combifit ranges Luc Viardot also comments on the global change in eating habits: “The number of people eating the traditional three meals a day is constantly dwindling. Eating habits are more and more dictated by the individual’s daily routine. For many people ‘snacking’ has become a way of life. Meals are becoming more liquid - soups are making a comeback, and even a breakfast meal is now a breakfast drink rather than toast or a bun. “As consumers become more mobile, the food industry is keeping pace. New product concepts are bringing fresh impetus to the international food industry catering for consumers’ expectations that food and drinks should be available at any time and able to be conveniently consumed anywhere. Appropriate packaging plays a significant role in this,” says Viardot. A glance at the shelves in any supermarket shows what international market research studies also confirm: more and more foods in single serve packages are hitting the market. “We reckon that by 2010 worldwide more than 30% of all aseptic carton packs will be small size packages up to 33cl. Compare this with the situation in 2002, when single serve carton packs made up a scant 20% of the total,” predicts Viardot. “We are seeing an increasing number of consumers willing to experiment and to discover new product benefits, which is also driving innovation in the industry,” says Frame from Tetra Pak. “This is translating into rising demand by consumers for a variety of package shapes and sizes and increasing functionality. But it must be balanced with the demand by our customers for increasingly cost effective, flexible solutions with higher performance. This means we will see further changes in aseptic packaging technology and the products we develop.” So what is the industry looking for in the on the go sector? Susan Frame: “The industry is looking for the highest performance levels from hygienic and aseptic technologies to ensure the most demanding standards of food safety and quality are achieved. “This is even more challenging in flexible or high speed applications and here low acid dairy applications are at the leading edge of technology performance compared to high acid categories such as juices, nectars and still drinks. “Pressure to improve performance levels come from all sides of the value chain - from consumers, from competition in the dairy industry, from retailers and from legislators,” she points out. Meanwhile Viardot warns: “In saturated markets standard products will just not make the grade. Competitive pressure in the dairy industry is growing and with it the need to develop fresh, innovative ideas that allow food manufacturers to differentiate their products from those of the competition, while at the same time using more cost effective methods of production. These ‘multi sport disciplines’ are the main drivers for decision making in the beverage industry, and they demand a real all rounder - with regard to products, processing technology and packaging.” Any food manufacturer who wants to do more than just get by on the international market needs solutions that meet the demands of consumers and retailers, while simultaneously increasing profit margins. “Food manufacturers find themselves in a difficult position, because in order to be successful they are expected to lower costs and at the same time offer products with added value. Product developments that do not add up to profits are no innovation at all,” claims SIG’s Viardot. Ticking all the boxes Meanwhile, Basler from Elopak observes: “Consumers demand specific functional, emotional and environmental benefits from portion packs - easier to hold, drink from, open and re-close with no leaks and easy to dispose of and recycle. Our customers are looking for a portion packaging solution that ticks all these convenience boxes but which brings product differentiation and on-shelf visibility.” “Many customers across all beverage sectors have seen great success with the Diamond Pure-Pak Curve and the Mini Diamond carton. The Curve has been seen by many consumers as providing an easy grip for grab and go. For older consumers and kids these benefits have proved very important, but also the unique shape of the cartons has provided the marketing tool for the right product or brand image.” As childhood obesity has doubled worldwide in the last 20 years, this ‘epidemic’ has fuelled campaigns and crusades over healthy eating for kids. School milk has been a central focus with many countries seeing many changes including the banning of sugar based drinks in favour of milk, juice and water. For Elopak customer Reids in Canada, the Mini Diamond Curve cartons in both 25cl and 50cl sizes was the perfect portion pack to capture the right image for their school beverages as ‘cool’ products designed to fit with kids’ busy on the go lifestyles. At the other end of the age range, the over 55s or seniors market continues to grow as a key beverage market. Here the portion pack is seen to have an important role to play. “As seniors have very specific health requirements and as more seniors find their appetite wanes with age, the industry can assist by providing products with recommended portions on one serving. As European pioneers in this market, Austria’s Alpenmilch Salzburg found the 33cl Mini Diamond Curve the ideal solution for its Tut Gut ‘Does Good’ product range designed to meet the needs of the ‘fifty plus’ generation.” The creamy drink made from buttermilk and yogurt, contains Lecithin which helps to improve memory and concentration - key health concerns of older people. “To make it easy for consumers to obtain a daily dose of this nutrient - together with the health benefits of milk - the customer looked for a portion pack that provided a simple, easy to use pack, that provided on shelf differentiation and is recyclable in Austria.” “Consumer surveys confirm the trend towards greater public awareness of health and diet issues,” says Viardot, “and this is opening the way for foods with added value to have a stronger market appeal. Food manufacturers see this as an opportunity and a response to the question of what products they can use to create an added value product to justify charging a higher price and increase their profit margins. This means that investments in added value products must also be economically profitable.” * Other considerations* Products with unusual textures, such as velvety smoothies, provide an opportunity to combine new drinking and taste experiences with healthy ingredients such as fruit. In China, for instance, UHT milk containing pieces of real fruit in aseptic carton packs are proving a hit with consumers. Here too, Mengniu is setting the trend working together with SIG Combibloc to develop the new product concept. SIG Combibloc Market Segment Manager Liquid Dairy Diana Bechtold says: “We are convinced that this new product concept will bring fresh impetus to the international UHT dairy market.” And in fact UHT milk containing rice and wheat grains has now also been launched in single serve carton packs in China. Frame says: “In many markets cost is a major consideration. In emerging markets in particular, we’ve seen a trend towards smaller volume packages such as the 12.5cl and 20cl sizes that the Tetra Wedge Aseptic can offer. This meets consumer demand for key price points and at the same time, accommodates shops with limited shelf space. “In addition, some segments of the market, particularly younger consumers, like to express their personality through what they drink. For this group of consumers, funky, modern, and trendy packaging is a must. The attractive, eye catching forms of the Tetra Wedge Aseptic and Tetra Prisma Aseptic are perfect for this group. Tetra Top packaging solutions are also interesting because producers can combine different bottom formats, volumes, tops, carton materials, print qualities and cap colours to create a unique package that appeals to a certain market segment.” “As well as design and functionality, environmental concerns are playing a more significant role than ever in the packaging strategy,” observes Frame. “With both dairy producers’ customers and the end consumer becoming more aware of green issues, producers need to more carefully consider the environmental profile of their products. The less plastic, the better!” SIG confirms that environmental issues also impact on the go, as they do in all other dairy sectors and points to a recent study by the Nielsen Company (Global Food Packaging Survey) that confirms that half of all consumers already choose environmentally friendly packaging over convenience and want food manufacturers and retailers to react to that demand. Deliberately offering and consciously choosing ecologically friendly packaging solutions is a start. Future outlook Looking to the future, Tetra Pak recently announced the Tetra Top packaging solution for high acid ambient distribution (HAAD). Available in a variety of shapes and sizes from 20cl, this packaging solution presents another strong option for on the go packaging. Tetra Pak plans to develop this range for dairy drinks too because the original Tetra Top range is doing particularly well for white milk, yogurt drinks and other liquid dairy products. “The key factor in deciding on the development of new technologies and innovation is their cost effectiveness, performance and market impact,” says Frame. “Developing products that will help our customers be competitive and provide consumers with safe, new, functional packages that meet their changing needs is what drives innovation at Tetra Pak.”** **

*It's estimated that, each day, people use and discard more than one billion plastic bottles worldwide. Plastic’s popularity with consumers raises questions about environmental impact. As the inventor of the plastic bottle in the 1960s, Sidel is keenly aware of its responsibility to good corporate citizenship, particularly since PET plastic bottles are made from nonrenewable resources. * “As the leader in equipment for packaging beverages in plastic bottles, we have the opportunity, power and responsibility to bring change to this industry,” said Sidel President Mart Tiismann. Consequently, Sidel is offering its customers concrete and innovative solutions for a greener plastic bottle. Online since 1 April 2008, <<1>">www.no-bottle.com]<1> features information about initiatives at Sidel that address these issues. In fact, Sidel has been contributing to source reduction for some time. One example is NoBottle, a new ultralight, high-end PET bottle that symbolizes the full range of Sidel’s expertise in bottle lightweighting and eco-design. This new benchmark in lightweight plastic bottles, 25-40% lighter than the previous generation, has succeeded in overcoming a number of technological challenges to pave the way for new possibilities in the plastic packaging world. The site also keeps a real-time count of how much PET is being saved by NoBottle technology. As of late April 2008, savings already total 28,000 tons. Other avenues being investigated to conserve natural resources include research into bioplastic applications and an acceleration of bottle production using recycled PET. These initiatives point to Sidel’s determination to continuously move forward. Environmental protection is the new frontier in innovation, and to achieve its goal, Sidel is increasing its 2008 Research and Development budget by 20%. Available in five languages, the <<1>">www.no-bottle.com]<1> site targets a broad audience from packaging professionals to the media and general public. One section explains the bottle’s life cycle, from manufacturing to end of life. In addition to the functional appeal that makes plastic so popular with consumers, PET bottles are 100% recyclable and can have a second life as another bottle, in textiles or any number of applications. Through the website, Sidel is helping raise awareness about the importance of sorting and recycling so that consumers view bottles as objects of value instead of waste. <1>: http://www.no-bottle.com

The Austrian specialist for water packaging from Kremsmünster has made life easier in the 5-gallon industry. The new lift label from Capsnap Europe can be removed easily without leaving any adhesive residue. Intensive development work has succeeded in producing an innovative label that optimally meets the needs of 5-gallon packaging. Bottles without labels and glue remnants are much easier to recycle. That is why higher prices are paid for pure polycarbonates by the recycling companies. This means that lift labels bring real support to the 5-gallon industry and its needs. Not only is it easy to change labels when introducing new designs, but introducing temporary labelling for advertising and promotion purposes is also supported. The new lift label is UV-resistant, scratch-proof and stands up to caustic solutions. These properties make lift labels ideally suited for use on returnable 5-gallon bottles. What's more, they're designed to provide the same life as the bottles themselves. Successful development work The technology used for the lift labels has already been applied with success in similar applications. Capsnap Europe has tested and researched it for this special area of returnable bottle use for the 5-gallon industry. Countless washing, quality and other stringent tests have been applied to the lift labels, ensuring that they meet all the wish-list needs of the 5-gallon industry to the full. Individual alignment Capsnap is offering individual labels for 5-gallon bottles to make sure all customer wants and needs are catered to as comprehensively as possible. All the customer needs to supply is the design. Capsnap takes on production and delivery to schedule in the bottle producing plant, plus attaching the labels to the bottles. This is a step that not only allows total cost controlling, but also brings absolute delivery reliability. Numerous customers have already welcomed this service innovation. Among the latest customers is Nestlé the global foods producer, for its location in Poland. * Corporate data* Capsnap was set up in 1999 as a joint venture between the American packaging group Portola Packaging and the Austrian plastics leader Greiner Packaging. Greiner Packaging has held all the stock in Capsnap Europe since 1 January 2008 and is now the sole proprietor. Capsnap currently employs a staff of around 30. Corporate headquarters is in Kremsmünster, Austria. The corporate group is the European market leader for 5-gallon packaging.

From farm to consumer, US dairy industry leaders have joined together to launch a comprehensive sustainability initiative that will encourage industry innovations, improve environmental performance and position the industry for future marketplace demands. Three national dairy organisations – Dairy Management Inc, National Milk Producers Federation and the International Dairy Foods Association – said the new initiative will bring together producers, processors, manufacturers, distributors, retailers and others in the dairy supply chain to address sustainability. “The dairy industry recognises the growing number of people who care about the health and environmental impact of the products they buy,” said DMI Chief Executive Officer Tom Gallagher. DMI manages the national dairy producer checkoff programme. “We must do all we can to ensure that consumers know that the dairy industry is committed to improving their lives, both nutritionally and environmentally.” The initiative will identify key supply chain innovations that, as part of a comprehensive sustainability effort, can help position dairy as a preferred product among the rapidly increasing number of socially conscious consumers. Among the focus areas of the effort will be identifying opportunities to reduce energy consumption and costs in milk production and processing, as well as boost on farm income opportunities in emerging green energy markets. “We want to be sure that our industry is well-positioned to take advantage of future opportunities – both in terms of credits for reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, as well as developing new products and markets for milk,” said NMPF Chief Executive Officer Jerry Kozak. “Importantly, this initiative will help identify opportunities for dairy farmers to generate additional revenue from emerging energy markets through methane capture and other innovations. We also recognise that sustainability needs to be defined in a comprehensive way that acknowledges the socioeconomic benefits that dairy farms can provide,” Kozak said. “This is a key dairy industry value chain partnership that will allow us to cut energy costs, meet consumer needs and further develop our relationships with dairy buyers,” said IDFA Chief Executive Officer Connie Tipton. “By working together, dairy producers and processors can further demonstrate our industry’s commitment to healthy people and a healthy planet.” The DMI coordinated sustainability initiative is initially focused on the twin goals of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and growing the dairy business by meeting unmet consumer demand. Through this effort, DMI, NMPF and IDFA will identify best practices and opportunities for innovation in production, processing and marketing of milk and milk products. Currently, about 30% of US consumers buy products based on health and sustainability attributes, according to the Natural Marketing Institute. This rapidly growing consumer segment today accounts for some $227 billion in purchasing power. Recent surveys indicate that 85% of consumer product companies have sustainability policies in place (GMA/Deloitte). “We are at the dawn of a new era in the food retailing industry,” Gallagher said. “This groundbreaking, checkoff supported effort will help us tap the ingenuity of our industry and guarantee that we can continue to produce a highly nutritious and sustainable product for American consumers.” According to Gallagher, the sustainability initiative is designed to “increase dairy sales through innovation opportunities that will promote health and wellness, and preserve natural resources. Our focus will be on identifying sustainable practices that can help the dairy industry meet unmet consumer demand by driving innovation and efficiency in a way that sustains the industry economically, environmentally, and socially.” As part of the initiative, the three dairy organisations have begun efforts to analyse the carbon footprint of milk, from production on the farm, through processing and retail distribution, to consumption. This analysis will help identify potential innovation opportunities and possible best practices that can reduce energy use and increase sales in the dairy supply chain. After calculating milk’s carbon footprint, this life cycle analysis will be subject to a peer review process to develop a manuscript for publication in a scientific journal. This process will help ensure that the life cycle analysis accurately and adequately addresses milk’s true carbon footprint in a manner that is credible and transparent. According to Gallagher, this will help produce realistic, real world opportunities for dairy to increase its sustainable practices. “The dairy industry’s commitment to sustainability is a win win win,” according to Gallagher. “By working together, we can identify opportunities to cut energy costs, produce ‘green’ energy and develop a deeper connection with consumers and retailers.”

**The American protein company Designer Whey will be working with General Nutritional Centers (GNC) to increase domestic distribution of whey-based protein products. **According to the company, Designer Whey products are currently sold in more than 2500 GNC corporate, military and franchise operated stores around the globe. The company is also launching two new products: Designer Protein Blitz and a hunger curbing Designer Whey Lite & Lean. The 20o: Designer Protein Blitz drink line includes 30g of ‘the fastest protein on the planet’ and 7.8g of muscle-changing BCAAs per bottle and comes in three flavors: ‘WTF…Orange Mango’, ‘Can you take this…Punch’ and ‘Grip it good…Grape’. The Lite & Lean whey protein products feature trademarked Protein2GO Pak and 2oz canister formats as well as the Ready-to-Drink bottles with just 35 calories, 5g fiber, 0g fat and 5g of Designer Whey protein, they target those looking for tools to achieve weight loss.

The 2009 Product of the Year awards are now open for entry. If you think you’ve got an innovative product, why not put it forward for the UK’s biggest independent vote to see if the nation agrees? The deadline to enter is 30 June 2008. Any product or product line launched within the past 18 months can be entered into the 2009 awards. For more information on how to position yourself alongside the likes of Procter & Gamble, Unilever, Premier Foods, Beiersdorf and PepsiCo, visit www.productoftheyear.co.uk

Oogie's Snacks, a Denver-based producer of all-natural gourmet popcorn, has announced that its products will now be sold at 225 Hy-Vee stores throughout the Midwest. First established in 1930, Hy-Vee currently ranks among the top 30 supermarket chains in the nation, with sales of more than $5.6 billion. Hy-Vee stores are located across the Midwest in Iowa, Missouri, Minnesota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas and Illinois. Oogie's Gourmet Popcorn will be available at the entire network of stores in a full range of flavours including Spicy Chipotlé & Lime, White Cheddar, Sun-Dried Tomato & Parmesan, Smoked Gouda, Romano & Pesto, Caprese, and Asiago & Cracked Pepper. "We determined that Oogie's was a quality product that would fill a niche in the snack category," said Todd Tetmeyer Specialty Foods Buyer at Lomar Distributing, the exclusive distributor for Hy-Vee stores. "It's unique, different and certainly fulfils Hy-Vee's commitment to providing great quality food products." "I think our authentic ingredients and gourmet flavours will really help complement Hy-Vee's natural snack offerings," said Eric Thier, Oogie's President and CEO. "Although we're already in all 50 states, the added distribution with Hy-Vee will help with market penetration and introduce Oogie's to a whole new audience." Darrin Foster, Oogie's Chief Operating Officer and Iowa native added, "I grew up shopping at Hy-Vee, so seeing Oogie's on the shelves there will really mean a lot to me."