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

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

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

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

*Gaymer Cider Company is cementing its £4 million move into music and live event venues for its core growth brand, Gaymers, with the launch of a new 500ml plastic bottle (PET) format, available for both Gaymers pear and Gaymers original. * The bottle has been specially designed for use at concerts, sports stadiums, festivals and other venues where glass bottles are traditionally prohibited. Live events are increasingly popular and almost 13 million young adult consumers attended a live music or sporting event in the last year. Live event attendees are more likely to drink cider when out of the home and currently 34% enjoy drinking cider when at a gig or watching live sport. However, sales opportunities are restricted when glass bottles are forbidden in live event arenas, stadiums and outdoor events venues. Gaymer Cider Company Managing Director John Mills commented: “Consumers want choice and variety so relevant brand investment and NPD are critical in adding further value to the market and increasing sales. As sales of cider continue to grow there are huge opportunities for the on trade to attract new cider drinkers by offering new ways to enjoy cider. The new Gaymers PET bottle format will increase drinking occasions and sales opportunities by allowing consumers to enjoy Gaymers cider whilst watching live events where glass is not allowed such as at gigs or sports matches. “Cider is the key growth category in alcoholic drinks and our portfolio of quality cider brands, which includes Gaymers original and Gaymers pear, provides long-term profitable growth to the on-trade. Gaymers is an authentic and credible brand which continues to grow in popularity amongst young adult drinkers and upmarket consumers.” The news of this launch follows hot on the heels of the recent announcement that Gaymers original and Gaymers pear will be available to the on-trade for the first time in a new dual branded super-chilled condensing fount.

*Zeller Plastik UK is supplying a tamper evident flip top closure to Premier Foods for Oxo Concentrated Liquid Stock, launched with the support of a £2m TV and media advertising campaign to bring the Oxo brand bang up to date. * Premier Foods selected the standard 29/21 Sevilla snap hinge closures manufactured by Zeller Plastik Spain from the extensive range of closures available throughout the GCS Group to suit the 160ml square amber glass bottles. The matt finish PE closures feature a flush fitting tamper evident tear band as well as an internal ring pull membrane designed specifically for food use. In addition, the integrally moulded flow restrictor ensures smoother pouring of the liquid. Closures are being supplied in red, yellow, green and purple to suit the four variants in the Oxo Concentrated Liquid Stock range. The launch takes one of the UK’s most recognized and loved brands into new territory, capitalizing on consumer demand for liquid stock, while adding value to the category.

Nutraceuticals company, Works With Water, has launched the UK's first spring water containing ingredients clinically proven to help reduce acne. The water, Beauty, contains the ingredient Praventin, a bioactive protein rich in Lactoferrin. In several human studies, Praventin and Lactoferrin have been shown to reduce the development of the bacteria responsible for many skin impurities, helping prevent the formation of blemishes and spots due to its antimicrobial effects. Acne is usually thought of as a teenage problem but increasingly women in their late twenties, thirties and forties are suffering, with a third reporting that they still get spots. Works With Water Founder Jules Birch said: "Praventin has been shown to be highly effective in improving the complexion from the inside out and works in two ways. "Firstly it inhibits the development of the propionibacterium that is present on most people's skin, and responsible for many skin impurities and acnes, lessening the number of new spots forming. "Secondly, its anti-inflammatory properties mean that the size of spots is reduced and blemishes heal quicker resulting in a smoother complexion. "By adding it to a spring water formulation we have created a product that helps hydrate and heal skin from the inside." The effects of dietary supplementation with praventin have been proven in studies with teenage consumers with a median decrease of complexion blemishes by 71% after one month and 95% after two months. In the studies subjects took 200mg of Praventin each day. Beauty contains 100mg, half of the recommended daily amount. Beauty also contains 200:1 high extract Aloe Vera which has an antimicrobial and nourishing effect on the skin. DKSH Great Britain Food & Ingredients Business Manager Kavan Ranasinghe said: "Bioactive peptides are a new area of research within both the food and cosmetics industries and the functionality of Praventin combines these two areas perfectly. "We strongly believe that this will be the year that cosmaceutical products finally come of age. "Works With Water's Beauty water is a fantastic example, combining great design with real functionality, something not seen before within this sector in the UK."

Dairy Crest in the UK is launching a major integrated campaign in a bid to build customer loyalty for its Clover brand. The campaign, created by Grey London, will kick off with a burst of new TV advertising that highlights Clover’s family-friendly ‘half the saturated fat of butter’ message. Throughout April and May, Dairy Crest will be running an on-pack prize draw promotion and will give away a £35,000 VW California Campervan or a cash trade equivalent. A two-week radio campaign will support the on-pack promotion throughout London, Central, West and Wales. A new website has also been developed by Iris Nation giving the brand online presence, and will provide useful content for families such as activity guides and recipes with the intention of building consumer loyalty. Dairy Crest marketing director Paul Fraser comments: “We’re confident that this campaign will further enhance Clover’s number one market position and drive loyalty among consumers. We know from research that the ‘half the saturated fat of butter’ message is compelling to our target audience.” precisionmarketing>precisionmarketing>

William Harcourt-Cooze, a self-styled Willy Wonka, is launching what's thought to be the strongest chocolate on sale in any UK supermarket. With 100% cacao content, the chocolate has such a powerful kick that it's more suited for recipes than for nibbling. Willie recommends the use of his chocolate in sweet and savoury dishes, including truffles, chocolate-marinated steak and soup. His unique Venezuelan Black is now hitting the Waitrose shelves after he impressed buyers with his passion and commitment to crafting the ultimate chocolate. Willie's lifelong quest to find the perfect chocolate and get it onto supermarket shelves is a labour of love that's lasted more than a decade. But his passion for Venezuela goes back even further to a twist of fate nearly 20 years ago when his boat blew up off the coast of the South American country. He instantly fell in love with the country and its chocolate, which is regarded as the world's finest and is prized by chocolate lovers worldwide. He purchased his own land in Venezuela 11 years ago, and planted 10,000 cacao trees at the Hacienda El Tesoro below the cloud forests of the Henri Pittlier National Park. Soon afterwards, he set up a small chocolate factory in Devon and in his search for perfection, he even tracked down antique Spanish chocolate-making machinery. "Chocolate is Willie's life and his passion shows in the high quality of Venezuelan Black," said Waitrose Home Baking Buyer, Christopher Moore. "Against all the odds, he has come up with a chocolate that takes your breath away. Willie's cacao will inspire cooks to think about using chocolate in a different way. "100% pure cacao is as perfect grated into gravy as it is for making the ultimate chocolate pud. A chocolate with 100% cacao content is something we haven't offered our customers before. The strongest chocolate we currently offer is 85%. Venezuelan Black at 100% cacao certainly packs a punch and isn't for the faint-hearted." Willie said: "Many people who knew me thought this was a madcap scheme, but for me it's a passion and I've never been more serious about anything in my life. I've seen my Bank Manager more often than my wife in the last couple of years. But seeing the results of my labour on the supermarket shelves will be like a dream come true." Waitrose will be stocking all three cacao bars from Venezuelan Black.

*UK-based Inside Out Beauty, which recently created a botanical water range called Sip, has launched a line of iced lollies to target the busy summer season. LicketySip is sold in three flavours: mango, blackcurrant and lemon. * Sip is a functional water range offering a skin-friendly blend of botanicals sourced from an organic farm. Drinking sufficient water and staying hydrated helps to clarify and plump up the skin, but the drink adds additional skin-beneficial ingredients such as rose petal extracts, vitamin C and selenium. In keeping with Sip’s holistic beauty ethos, the company has also added these trademark ingredients to LicketySip, which will be sold at EAT and Harvey Nichols from May 2008. Sip co-owner Kate Shapland said: “As light and crumbly as fresh sorbet, our lollies taste exquisite because they're true to the real fruit. The first sensation is a sunny burst of fruit and is followed by a purity of taste which refreshes the palate and leaves you with an urge for more – not a clingy-sweet aftertaste.”

Two Hull University Business School graduates have won Ministerial support for their campaign to banish VAT on healthy smoothie drinks. Simon Long and Philip Benson have been actively involved in the healthy eating movement since graduating from the School and setting up Xing Health Ltd, which provides a range of low-fat and vitamin rich smoothies to students and school pupils across the region. Currently lobbying for the high VAT on healthy smoothie and fruit juices to be abolished, the Xing team have received individual letters of support from the Secretary of State for Health, Alan Johnson and Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, Ed Balls. Simon Long said: “The 17.5% VAT rate applied to smoothies and other healthy eating options is an obvious disincentive for people to eat well. Especially when some unhealthy foods, such as the infamous Turkey Twizzlers have 0% added!” Xing Health first discussed their campaign with Alan Johnson at the University’s Healthy School Meals conference last year. Mr Johnson was keen to hear of their initiative to ban VAT on healthy drinks and committed to doing everything he could to help them achieve this, writing first of all to Ed Balls. The team continue in their quest to improve healthy eating and are currently looking for schools to team up with them to create smoothie stations on site. Pupils could be encouraged to run the franchises thereby involving them with healthy eating whilst developing a range of skills including business and maths. Simon added: “School-based Xing stations would build on the success of the smoothie deliveries to schools that we have established in the local area. It is a much cheaper way for schools to give their pupils access to healthy and nutritious smoothies whilst encouraging entrepreneurial skills.”

*Consolidated sales by Groupe Danone of France jumped almost 19% to €3.76 billion in the first quarter of 2008, boosted by the acquisition of Dutch baby food manufacturer Royal Numico. On a like-for-like basis, excluding acquisitions and currency effects, Danone’s sales rose 11.4% – driven by a 3% increase in volume and an 8.4% increase in value. * “The first quarter witnessed a very solid financial performance across all our divisions,” noted Chairman and CEO Franck Riboud. “We are specifically pleased with the developments in our two new divisions, Baby Nutrition and Medical Nutrition, as their particular strong performances illustrate the quality and the speed of the integration process since the completion of the Numico acquisition. “Based on the group's overall performance in the first three months of the year, we are confident to achieve our targets for 2008 both in terms of growth as well as profitability.” Sales by Danone’s core dairy business were 10.5% up on a like-for-like basis to €2 billion, driven by 15% growth in Activia yogurt and other “blockbuster brands.” Growth slowed in France and Spain, following strong gains in the first quarter of 2007. Growth in the rest of Europe was “solid,” led by a leap of more than 30% in Russia. Water sales up 7% “Latin America continued its growth path in the mid-teens,” said the company. “North America accelerated its growth into the high-teens, on the back of very strong performance of Activia and the introduction of Danactive (Actimel) in 2007.” Sales by Danone Waters rose 7% to €1 billion, based on 6.8% volume growth and a modest 0.2% increase in pricing. Latin American revenue was 19% up overall, led by Mexico and Argentina. Asian growth of 10% was driven by Indonesia and China, where Danone’s spring water brands performed particularly well. European water sales grew just 1% – hit by softer market conditions in France, and the earlier timing of Easter, which meant there were fewer selling days during the quarter. Danone reaffirmed its 2008 targets of 8-10% growth in sales, an improvement in operating (EBIT) margin of at least 30 basis points, and underlying growth in earnings per share of at least 15%.