Commercial refrigeration manufacturer Foster has launched a new wine chiller cabinet that will enable caterers and publicans to store large quantities of wine front-of-house. The Foster Vino Cabinet has a slim footprint and generous capacity – up to 156 75cl bottles. The Vino enables the user to choose between two temperature settings: Multi-temp and Mono-temp. Multi-temp allows a variety of wines to be efficiently stored at different temperatures at the same time, while Mono-temp allows a single temperature setting for the whole cabinet. John Savage, Director for Foster Refrigerator, said: "This is an exciting new product from Foster and we're delighted to be adding this to our extensive refrigeration line. As always, Foster customers will receive the high-quality, robust, value for money piece of equipment they've come to expect." The Vino is priced at £1,420.

An international panel of experts has gathered in London to judge the water innovation awards 2008. This year’s competition attracted a record 201 entries from 40 countries. Following five successful years as the bottledwaterworld awards, the new-look water innovation awards recognises excellence and creativity on a unique global platform for the packaged water industry. “The response to this year’s awards contest has simply been phenomenal,” said water innovation Editor Nayl D’Souza. “Thanks must go to all the brand owners, suppliers and entrepreneurs that have yet again supported our magazine’s awards programme together with the dedication of the judging panel and the dedication of those working behind the scenes to manage the flood of entries we received.” This year’s judges included Felicity Shakespeare from Givaudan, the world’s largest producer of flavours and fragrances (headquartered in Switzerland). She was joined by Caroline Herbst at Krones, the largest supplier of capital equipment for bottling and packaging in the world (based in Germany). The distinguished line-up was further enhanced by the presence of Romeo Corvaglia, founder of the successful Corvaglia plastic cap business, and Eckhard Kallies from Scandinavian labelling specialist Stora Enso – sponsor of the labelling category in the competition. The jury also featured the expertise of Victoria Green from UK retailer Waitrose; product development knowledge from Peter Rickett, co-founder of award-winning Designworks Windsor; Australian-born Edward Kosier of Nextek, a specialist in polymer recycling and lightweighting; world class sommelier Sophie Rudge from Blend; and Steve Rowe, President of Spanish water distributor wawali (Water Way of Life). Completing the line-up was water innovation Editor Nayl D’Souza, who co-organised the event. The judging panel was chaired by Zenith International Publishing Group Editorial Director Bill Bruce, who ensured full account was taken for each of the nominations. Among the product categories were best new bottle in PET, glass, label and packaging innovation. There were also categories for flavoured and enhanced water, kid’s water concept and marketing campaigns, along with best newcomer. This year saw the introduction of two new categories which looked at sustainability in two distinct dimensions: best ethical initiative and best environmental initiative. The results of the water innovation awards 2008 will be announced at a special gala dinner on 23 September 2008 during the 5th Global Bottled Water Congress, being held in Wiesbaden, near Frankfurt.

Primula is set to launch its own cheese triangles in Primula flavours – cheese & chive and cheese & ham – according to a Talking Retail report. Plain cheese triangles such as Kraft's Dairylea currently dominate the market, yet Primula manufacturer Kavli hopes the new range will add an extra dimension to the choice available for shoppers. Craig Brooks, Marketing Director at Kavli, said: “We wanted to give Primula fans their favourite flavours in one of the most popular portable snacking formats, but also offer traditional triangle lovers some extra variety and choice when they do their weekly shop. “The triangle sector now represents just under half of the total cheese spread market and our research suggested that purchasers were becoming tired of the choice of only plain cheese available from a variety of different brands in a variety of pack sizes. They were interested in something different to add to their repertoire. “It was also clear that the market has moved on from the original ‘just for kids’ position to one where grown-ups are an important consumer segment, buying for the convenience of portable snacks and for the extended shelf life that individually wrapped portions can offer."

Coca-Cola has hired branding agency ATTIK to handle brand identity for its sponsorship of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. Coke is also the UEFA European Championship football sponsors, title sponsor of the Coca-Cola League, and uses Manchester United's Wayne Rooney as a brand ambassador. Coca-Cola has also hired the agency to handle its Christmas 2008 below-the-line marketing activity, including packaging, point-of-sale and identity. According to the agency, the new Christmas design will span the entire Coke range, including Coke Red, Diet Coke and Coke Zero. The new look will be used across all European markets. * *

**Amazonia Premium begins its journey in the Brazilian rainforest with a group of six visionary and social investors who got together to make a difference in the world. With this in mind, the US company based in Michigan partnered with an existing water plant in Brazil and began manufacturing and importing the only Internationally Certified Organic Source Premium Water. The firm’s mission is to build a business that is not only eco-friendly and green but is also committed in being socially responsible.** Amazonia Premium's corporate social responsibility begins with their employees in Serra Da Graciosa Mountain in Brazil. The company has created a great workplace environment in this distant community where their employees are treated well; they are paid a fair wage and promoted based on merit and contribution. Another truly global social responsibility for Amazonia Premium is their involvement in helping preserve and save the Brazilian rainforests. For each bottle sold, Amazonia Premium donates a significant portion of all proceeds to non-profit organisations that support this cause. In the past year, Amazonia Premium has been certified by the IBD in Brazil, an organisation based on humanistic principles, conservations and preservation of the environment. In addition, Amazonia Premium states it has been certified by the standards organisation NSF. This seal of purity ensures the water source cleanliness and integrity of the bottling plant quality.

**Ethos Water, the brand purchased by Starbucks in 2005, has introduced revamped packaging in a bid to enhance shelf appeal in a market which is becoming more crowded with charity waters. **The stylish new bottle, available in three sizes (50cl, 70cl and 1 litre), has a modern shape and a sleek label. Label specialist Spear helped with development of the clear screen/flexo labelling, which includes an Ethos Water brand icon on the front label and a frosted map of the world on the back. Both images can be viewed from either side of the bottle. Spear assisted in the retro-fitting of existing application equipment to field ready, and also wrote the programming of the label equipment software while the optimum label size and shape was trialled in conjunction with Krones. Ethos Water began in 2001 as a start-up social venture with the simple idea of creating bottled water to help children around the world get clean water. It's widely considered to be the world’s first charity bottled water business to reach significant sales volumes.

Jars of Bovril are being removed from British stores after a batch of the product was found to be contaminated with salmonella. Unilever has been forced to shut down the Staffordshire factory where Bovril is produced until new tests are conducted. According to reports, 15,000 jars will be recalled, along with 72 plastic tubs of the beef extract. Only a certain batch are said to be affected: 250g glass jars with a best-before-end date of January 2010, and also the 600g plastic tubs. A spokesman for the company has called it an "isolated incident" and urged anyone who wants more information to call the helpline on 0800 146252: "The health and safety of our consumers is paramount and we would like to reassure them that only a small volume of production has been affected."

London-based food and beverage company Food Brands Group is extending the Percol Fairtrade beverage portfolio with the launch of a new Fairtrade cola – Percola. The 500ml bottle will retail at £1.19 and is the first Fairtrade cola with no preservatives or artificial colours. It's made with Fairtrade sugar sourced from selected farms in Africa, where Percola pays smallholder farmers a fair price to improve their working conditions and build a better quality of life. Brian Chapman, Founder of Food Brands Group, said: "Consumer demand for Fairtrade products is growing year on year, and we've seen sales of Percol coffee up more than 20% since 2007. To build on this success, we have been working hard to expand our Fairtrade offering with new and pioneering products to excite the customer. Percola is a unique example of the brand’s versatility."

*Guylian, renowned for its marbled Chocolate Sea Shells, has created extra dark chocolate Sea Shells with 74% cocoa. * The new recipe includes Acticoa cocoa, which preserves the antioxidants that naturally occur in the cocoa bean but are normally lost through chocolate production. Guylian Extra Sea Shells, however, are rich in antioxidants and retain the flavour of luxury premium chocolate. Extra dark Dark chocolate is gaining popularity throughout the world due to it’s health benefits. Acticoa antioxidants have proven positive effects on the body and mind, helping to protect against the ageing process, enhance concentration, maintain a strong memory, strengthen the immune system, and to maintain a healthy cholesterol level and blood pressure. According to studies, two Guylian Extra Sea Shells a day provide your body with more than 60% of the daily amount of antioxidants needed to maintain a healthy balance in body and mind, especially when under stress or ageing.

*Red Bull has purchased a fleet of energy-saving trucks in the US that will achieve 30-40% better fuel efficiency and emit up to 33% less hydrocarbon emissions and 35% less nitrogen oxide emissions vs standard diesel trucks. * The four International DuraStar Hybrid trucks were delivered this week to Red Bull's Southern Nevada Distribution Center in Las Vegas and will be used in the Las Vegas metropolitan area. "We're proud that Red Bull recognises the importance of green transportation for the environment," said Jim Williams, Director, sales and distribution, new products, Navistar. "We need more companies like this to take a stance and add hybrid vehicles to their fleets." Each truck is estimated to save nearly $4,000 in fuel costs per year. Over the course of a truck's seven- to ten-year life cycle, the four International DuraStar Hybrid units could save up to $160,000 in fuel costs. A key to the International DuraStar Hybrid's efficiency is the Hybrid Drive Unit, which helps power the diesel engine and leads to less diesel fuel use and fewer emissions. Through the regenerative braking system, the battery in the Hybrid Drive Unit is recharged when the truck's brakes are applied. This energy-saving system makes delivery applications and in-city driving the ideal conditions for these hybrid vehicles.

DPS president and CEO Larry Young said: "It's no secret that the beverage industry continues to face significant headwinds. Higher prices at the gas pump and at retailers across the country have impacted our consumers and their shopping habits. At DPS, we will continue to look for ways to leverage our strong flavor portfolio, customer partnerships and vertically integrated business model to expand our distribution footprint and provide preferred and affordable brands to more consumers in more outlets. "During the quarter, we marked the official separation of our business from Cadbury on 7 May, 2008. So in addition to winning on the streets, our corporate teams worked tirelessly to separate the business and establish our stand-alone financial statements. There's still a lot left to do, but I am immensely proud of the progress we have made." The company's results reflect the impact of certain related party transactions with Cadbury that continued until separation on 7 May 2008. CSD and NCB In CSDs, Dr Pepper volume declined 1%, however the company's four core brands (7UP, Sunkist, A&W and Canada Dry) declined 5% In NCBs, Hawaiian Punch volume increased low double-digits and Mott's was up 4%. Snapple declined mid single-digits as it cycled significant promotional activity in the prior year period, which for profitability reasons, was not repeated in 2008. In Mexico, Aguafiel declined 21% reflecting high single-digit price increases and a more competitive environment. The loss of the distribution agreement for glaceau products (November 2007) reduced NCB growth by 8% in the quarter and impacted sales net sales growth negatively by 4%. In North America, volume declined 3% and in Mexico and the Caribbean, volume declined 9%. Sales volume was also down 3%, but net sales increased 1%. Income from operations decreased 4% reflecting segment operating profit declines, separation costs totaling $20m and restructuring costs amounted to $14m for the quarter. The DPS continues to expect 3% to 5% net sales growth throughout 2008. While the company said it is realising benefits from its 2007 restructuring actions, it claims these are being offset by higher fuel costs, the consolidation impact of the SeaBev acquisition and new stand-alone costs arising from the spin-off.

PepsiCo Foodservice and Panda Restaurant Group announced that they will continue with a multi-year contract that makes Pepsi the exclusive beverage supplier in all 1,100 Panda Express locations across the US. As part of the agreement, Panda Express will continue to carry carbonated and non-carbonated products in both fountain and 20oz bottles, including Pepsi, Diet Pepsi, Sierra Mist, Mountain Dew, Aquafina, Lipton, Dole, Tropicana and SoBe. The companies have worked together for more than 20 years.