Canada's EnWave Corporation has provided a corporate update to shareholders regarding the development and testing of its Radiant Energy Vacuum (REV) technology in the medical and food sectors. The company has achieved several milestones on the path towards commercialising its technology platforms. Since the start of the year, EnWave has installed a continuous nutraREV dehydration machine in a commercial blueberry plant to test large-scale production capabilities, and has completed initial bioREV testing with collaboration partner Aridis Pharmaceuticals, LLC of San Jose, California. It has also initiated the expansion of REV technology into the food cultures market. EnWave is currently developing a third REV technology platform under the brand name powderREV. This platform is being designed to dehydrate food cultures such as probiotics and enzymes into a bulk powder form to be added to food and dietary supplements to improve health and nutritional value. Commercial-scale dehydration of probiotics and enzymes using powderREV could serve to improve the retention and shelf-life of live material in the end product, and reduce manufacturing and distribution costs for food producers. Additionally, processing active probiotics in a dry format could lead to the development of probiotic-fortified food products currently not on the market, such as dry cereal and snack foods. Over the next six to eight months, EnWave will be designing, building and testing a powderREV proof-of-concept unit. The Company will also be focusing significant effort in establishing a collaboration with an industry partner to expand testing and support the development of a commercial-scale powderREV offering. “We believe this will be a key year for EnWave," said John McNicol, President and Co-CEO of EnWave Corporation, "with our focus on selling the first commercial-scale nutraREV technology, and proving the process feasibility of our bioREV and powderREV platforms. We've already reached several key milestones this year, and look forward to reaching others as we move towards fulfilling our mission of replacing freeze-drying as the industry standard.”

A meeting of the Experts' Working Group on 'Nutrition Labelling – Technical Issues' took place in Brussels in February, during which the Commission's initial draft paper was discussed. At the meeting, the Commission proposed maintaining current ECFs (energy conversion factors), as set out in the Nutrition Labelling Directive (90/496/EEC) with the addition of the following energy conversion factors: Fibre – 2kcal/g / 8kJ/g; and Erythritol – 0 kcal/g / 0 kJg. It also confirmed its intention to revise the list of vitamin and mineral RDAs (with the exception of folate and calcium) to bring it into line with those set out in the 2003 SCF (Scientific Committee on Food) opinion, until such time as EFSA is able to report on the issue.

The two first human intervention studies designed for specifically comparing different trans fatty acid (TFA) sources provide no scientific evidence that consumption of naturally occurring TFA has a negative impact on health, according to a report from the European Dairy Association (EDA). The results have been published in the most recent issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (AJCN) together with a commentary from leading scientists in the field, which concludes that the remaining public health issue is the reduction of industrially produced TFAs, which are said to increase the risk for CVD (according to some studies). The EDA maintains that, as a result, dairy TFA shouldn't be considered for labelling or nutrient profiling for claims.

Denmark-based Soco System will showcase its range of products and services at Interpack 2008, including the 'Robot-In-A-Box'. Soco System develops, manufactures and markets end-of-line packaging and handling equipment for cartons and trays, plastic crates and pallets. Its Robot-In-A-Box concept will be revealed at the show, but you can see how it works at the link below this article. The 'robot' is placed at the end of the production line, connected to the conveyor belt, and is ready for use. When the first case arrives at the robot, the case dimensions are automatically registered. A computer then calculates the optimum pallet pattern, and palletising begins. This product is universal and doesn't require running-in or specialist, previous knowledge. If you're going to Interpack 2008, you'll find Soco System at Hall 11 A22/ B31, 24-30 April, Düsseldorf, Germany.

**Consumption of low-fat dairy as part of the DASH Diet (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) may help to lower blood pressure in adolescents, according to a recent study published in The Journal of Pediatrics.** Dr Judith Bryans, The Director of the Dairy Council, said: “We're encouraged by the results of this study as it supports the inclusion of low-fat dairy in the diet, and the positive role it plays in promoting healthy blood pressure in adolescents.” The DASH diet, which is low in fat and sodium, yet high in fruits, vegetables and low-fat dairy, has previously been shown to be effective at lowering elevated blood pressure in adults. However, its efficacy in adolescents has not been ascertained until now. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the DASH diet compared to the routine care (RC) on adolescents with elevated BP. Currently, a single session of dietary counselling is routine care for adolescents with high blood pressure. Adolescents who were newly enrolled at a Hypertension Centre, and had been diagnosed with prehypertension or stage 1 hypertension, were recruited for the study. The researchers found that reductions in blood pressure were greater for those who had followed the DASH diet, and that 50% of them (compared to 36% of the RC group) had achieved blood pressure normalisation by post-treatment.

Llanllyr Water has scooped the Queen’s Award for Enterprise: International Trade 2008. The Queen’s Award for Enterprise is the UK’s most prestigious awards programme for business performance with winners being announced on 21 April each year, which is The Queen’s personal birthday. Besides international trade, the Queen’s Award for Enterprise contains three categories for business: International Trade, Innovation and Sustainable Development. Llanllyr Water has been making significant progress by adding new customers and new export markets every month. The company was recently named Drink Exporter of the Year and Welsh Exporter of the Year at the 2007 Food from Britain Export Awards. Moreover, the company was judged Best UK Water by ImbibeMagazine, which gathered a panel of sommeliers in July 2007. The company recently added aluminium cans to the Llanllyr Source still and sparkling water range which is also sold in 75cl and 33cl glass bottles.

Premium UK soft drinks brand, bottlegreen is looking to create an entirely new category within the £805 million dilutables market with its latest new product development. Targeting the previously untapped premium kids sector, bottlegreen is launching Junior – a range of three completely natural premium cordials that will target children aged from four to twelve. Part of the company’s drive to more than double sales to £25 million by 2012, this latest launch is a completely new departure for the brand and one which it believes will enable it to be at the forefront of a move to build a premium cordials market for kids that has the potential to be worth in the region of £17 million over the next five years. “We have seen a real shift in the adult dilutables market in recent years to premiumisation,” said bottlegreen’s Director of Marketing, Andrew Mallinson. “Nearly a fifth of all sales within this market are now for premium cordials, equating to some £43 million in sales. However, premium products that are crafted with care (as opposed to being mass produced) are virtually non-existent in the children’s market and we believe that there is the potential to trade-up around 3% of the current £565 million total children’s dilutable sales into this new premium category.” The Junior range from bottlegreen will feature three new flavours which have all been specifically designed to appeal to children: Apple & Elderflower; Blackcurrant & Apple; and Orange & Mango. All carry the bottlegreen assurance of being made from all natural ingredients, with no added preservatives, additives or artificial colours or flavourings. Junior will mirror the look of bottlegreen’s adult cordials, being packaged in their trademark conical glass bottles to give it instant brand recognition and reassurance on shelf. It will also feature a new, fun and friendly design, created by Ziggurat Brands, that will not only appeal to kids but to mums as well. “We have carried out extensive research on Junior and spent a significant amount of time talking to both mums and their children about what they specifically wanted from a soft drink, and have conducted extensive taste tests” continued Andrew Mallinson. “Mums want to give their children the best quality products at an affordable price that not only they will enjoy but also will be good for them. Therefore taste was top of the agenda, followed by an increasing desire for natural, quality ingredients at an affordable price.” The bottlegreen Junior range is being introduced from mid-April and will be priced at £2.69 for a 500ml bottle. Initial listings have been secured with Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Waitrose and bottlegreen will be supporting the launch with introductory offers, a significant consumer PR campaign and sampling activity at consumer events throughout 2008.

*Well Naturally AntiOx Shots from Vitality Brands in Australia are packed with antioxidants and designed to boost those feeling strung out, undernourished or under pressure. * On the Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC) scale, the 90 ml bottles of mangosteen and pomegranate juice have an antioxidant potential of 3600 units - approximately the same amount of antioxidants as the combined quantity found in 40g of red grapes, one banana, a small head of broccoli, a half rock melon, a carrot and a tomato. The juice, which tastes like dark grape juice, is a deep purple hue, medium sweet and low in both sugar and calories.

UK-based contract packer and food manufacturer Framptons Limited has taken the step towards a greener future by becoming a partner in the support of renewable energy. The Somerset company has signed a deal with energy supplier npower business to provide the three-hectare site with electricity from renewable sources. Framptons will spend around half a million pounds this year on electricity to power its busy production plant and premises in Shepton Mallet, all of which will be green. Managing Director Ian Harvey said: “We believe we're the only contract packer in the UK committed to buying its electricity 100% from renewable resources. We want to lead the industry and do our bit to protect the environment.” Framptons’ Marketing Co-Ordinator, Caroline Burgess, said: “It's our responsibility to act now to preserve the environment for future generations. Through our commitment, we hope to encourage other businesses to consider their impact on global warming, and we're proud to become the first contract packer in the UK that has made a dedicated commitment to reducing its carbon footprint.”

Mike Ramey Crown Beverage Packaging North America, a business unit of Crown Holdings, reports that independent soft drinks producer Polar Beverages of the US has adopted Crown’s advanced high quality print technology for its Black Jack brand. The Black Jack family of flavoured teas and other drinks represents the first commercial application of Crown's high quality print technique in the Americas. This new pre-press to print process utilises proprietary separation techniques and special high resolution printing plates for improved dot spacing and superior reproduction of fine detail images and text. The Black Jack line comprises four teas – Cannonball Black Iced Tea, Arrr Raspberry Iced Tea, Calypso Green Tea and Gunpowder Green Energy Tea, the newest addition to the line – plus two fruit drinks, Portside Fruit Punch and Mango Mutiny. Each 16oz (473ml) beverage can has a distinctive design and colour scheme that conveys the unique flavours of that particular variety. The cans also provide some entertainment for consumers, with back panels following the adventures of Captain Black Jack Crowley and his faithful dog Grog, as they capture treasure and rare teas. The cans are topped with gold ends and black tabs for further differentiation at the point of purchase. "Two trends drove the introduction of the Black Jack brand: the popularity of flavoured teas and 'big can' beverages," explained Polar Beverages Vice President Marketing Gerry Martin. "To distinguish ourselves from the competition, we needed standout graphics that would add a unique personality to our products. Crown worked closely with us and our creative partner, Hughes Design, to produce images with a spectacular level of detail." * Sales up 8.8% in Q1* On Wednesday (16 April), Crown Holdings announced that its net sales in the first quarter of 2008 rose 8.8% year on year to $1.86 billion. The rise was primarily due to a gain of $119 million from foreign currency translation, coupled with higher selling prices to offset increased raw material costs. About 74% of sales were generated outside the US. Gross profit in the first quarter was 19.1% up at $256 million, while net income jumped 50% to $27 million or $0.17 per share, including a charge of $0.01 per share for losses on the early extinguishment of debt. Crown Holdings Chairman and CEO John Conway, commented: "The first quarter results reflect global growth in beverage can volumes, with particular benefit from a full quarter of operations by our new beverage can line in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, our new beverage can plant in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, and increased capacity utilisation in the Middle East. “We also benefited from Americas beverage can volume recovery and its improved mix, as well as continued improvement in European beverage can margins. While the first quarter is traditionally a seasonally smaller sales period, plant productivity and efficiency was high, and we believe we are on track for a strong year." Based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Crown is an international leader in metal packaging technology. The group has operations in 42 countries and a workforce of more than 24,000.

*Mike Ramey **The Tasmanian Government has intervened in the troubles surrounding local water and juice producer the Hartz Group, in hopes of securing the future of one of the island state’s most iconic brands. * Hartz markets the Mountain Maid line of juices – a long established brand in mainland Australia – but its core brand is Hartz Tasmanian Mineral Water, billed as “the best Australian sparkling mineral water.” Founded by Ron Powell in 1969, and taken over by his son Stephen in 1980, Hartz was placed in “controllership” earlier this month by Business Expansion Capital (BE), which claims it is owed A$1.4 million (US$1.3 million) by the company. BE appointed Melbourne lawyer Michael Gawler to administer Hartz, while another creditor, Bibby Financial Services, appointed receivers to recover debts of about A$1 million (US$929 million). Advertisements were placed in Tasmanian and mainland media, inviting offers for the group’s assets. But Gawler also restarted production at the group’s plant in the island capital, Hobart – holding a “garage sale” of drinks at discount prices to help raise working capital. “We are well aware Hartz is a famous name in Tasmania and all over the mainland,” he told the island’s daily newspaper, the Mercury. “Our hope is that we can put the company into a position where new investors are interested in acquiring it.” Hartz owner Stephen Powell, who said he had already sold his A$3.1 million (US$2.88 million) house to help pay off the group’s debts, accused BE of acting prematurely. According to Powell, the group’s financial problems stemmed from its acquisition of Mountain Maid juices in 2002, and the difficulties of fruit supply and logistics after production was shifted from the mainland to Hobart. But Powell said he was also seeking new investors who would be able to keep the business running. “I have built this company up over 30 years, and I will not let it be destroyed without a fight,” he told the Mercury. Today (18 April), it was revealed that Tasmania’s Department of Economic Development and Tourism has also stepped into the dispute. Although the department is not yet offering financial help, it hopes to mediate between Powell and the company’s creditors. “I understand there’s a lot of interest in the sale of the business, but also the owner of the business is quite interested in keeping the business going forward himself,” the department’s Secretary, Norm McIlfatrick, told the Mercury.

The Silver Spring Mineral Water Company in England, is supporting the Subaru World Rally Team (SWRT) at the forefront of the 2008 World Rally Championship as an official partner of SWRT. SWRT drivers Chris Atkinson and Petter Solberg together with mechanics and team officials have Silver Spring leading brands – Perfectly Clear, Virgin Cola, Torque and Pulsar – on hand providing the very best in hydration technology. "Rallying is a physical sport and very tough, especially on events like Mexico and Argentina where the temperature inside the car gets towards 30 degrees Celsius" said Chris Atkinson. "It's essential to keep yourself hydrated to be able to perform at your peak for the whole rally, so it's very important to have drinks on hand throughout." The World Rally Championship began in Monte Carlo in January and will finish November with Wales Rally GB. Silver Spring has signed a two year agreement as an official partner to the team. Silver Spring Sales Director Andrew McAdam said: "We are thrilled to be working with one of the best rally teams in the world helping to refresh the drivers and technical team during the gruelling rally season. "The team will be travelling all over the world and racing in real extremes of temperature, terrain and weather conditions. I'm sure the final rally of the season in the UK will provide an exciting finish to a hotly contested manufacturers and drivers championship. Silver Spring will be with the SWRT every step of the way." The Subaru World Rally Team is currently second in the Manufacturers Championship with 25 points. In the Drivers Championship Chris Atkinson is currently in third place and Petter Solberg in sixth. The fourth round – Rally Argentina – finished on 30 March, with Atkinson achieving a personal best taking second place. McAdam adds: "The SWRT will soon depart for the Rally Jordan, which takes place between 24 and 27 April. We wish them the very best of luck."