*Devon’s Taw Valley Creamery has won a top award at the recent Frome Cheese Show in the UK by achieving the highest number of overall points at the show. * The Creamery was awarded ‘Champion’ status after scooping six gold, five silver and four bronze awards. The Creamery won gold for its Mild Cheddar, Medium Cheddar, Double Gloucester, Red Leicester, Householders Choice and Best Children’s Cheese. It was also declared Champion in the Champion Territorials, which recognises the Creamery’s strong position in the regional cheese sector. The Taw Valley Creamery is owned by The Cheese Company, the UK’s largest cheese manufacturer and part of Milk Link, one of the UK’s leading integrated dairy businesses. Overall The Cheese Company continued its strong performance by winning 20 awards in total. Lockerbie Creamery, another of The Cheese Company’s Creameries, also enjoyed success at the show. Lockerbie was recognised for its cheddar and butter production, winning a gold award for its Medium Cheddar, a silver award for its Salted Butter and a bronze award for its unsalted butter. Neil Kennedy, Chief Executive of Milk Link, said: “Our Taw Valley Creamery has been producing outstanding cheeses for over 30 years and this latest set of awards really strengthens Taw Valley Creamery’s position as a centre of excellence for cheese production. This success is a real testament to the expertise of our dedicated workforce.”

Icelandic Glacial spring water has announced that it is donating its bottled water for distribution to victims and relief workers in the communities in and around Galveston, Texas, one of the areas hardest hit by Hurricane Ike. The company is donating 21 pallets (22,680 bottles) of its 75cl bottled water, which will be distributed throughout the Galveston community. Icelandic Glacial CEO Jon Olafsson said: “The devastation caused by Hurricane Ike is truly shocking. Our prayers go out to the people of Texas affected by this terrible tragedy. Hurricane Ike has left too many people without access to clean and safe drinking water, a necessity so many of us take for granted. By distributing fresh, portable water to those in need, we can do a small but important part in helping with the relief effort.” Icelandic Glacial is distributed in the US by Anheuser-Busch. Del Papa Distributing, the local Anheuser-Busch wholesaler with a distribution centre in Beaumont, Texas, will coordinate delivery of the Icelandic Glacial bottled water to relief stations where there is no access to clean water in Hardin, Orange and Jefferson counties. “This area was the hardest hit by the hurricane and there’s an urgent need for bottled water,” said Larry Del Papa, principal of Del Papa Distributing. “The generous donation from Icelandic Glacial will provide much-needed aid to our local communities.” The announcement follows moves by other bottled water players such as Nestlé Waters North America in the US market to assist by donating water to citizens and disaster relief workers in areas affected by Hurricane Gustav. Polymer Solutions International has also contributed resources to support this donation. These activities will be detailed in a forthcoming issue of water innovation magazine. To subscribe, <1>. <1>: http://water.foodbev.com/subscription/subscribe.aspx

Coca-Cola Hellenic has been included in the Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes (DJSI), following an independent analysis of the company's corporate economic, environmental and social performance, as well as corporate governance, risk management, branding, climate change mitigation, supply chain standards and labour practices. Coca-Cola Hellenic’s inclusion in both the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index and Dow Jones STOXX Sustainability Index follows the company’s annual listing in the FTSE4Good Index since 2002. Launched in 1999, the Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes are the first global indexes tracking the financial performance of the leading sustainability driven companies worldwide. The Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes follow a best-in-class approach and include sustainability leaders from each industry on a global and regional level respectively. This evaluation takes account of general as well as industry specific sustainability criteria. Coca-Cola Hellenic Managing Director Doros Constantinou said: “We're delighted to be accepted onto the DJSI World and STOXX Indexes, and we're pleased that the commitment and efforts of our employees have been recognised. Our goal now is to sustain the listing by continuing to apply the principles of sustainability and social responsibility that we consider as an essential part of our long-term strategy."

Feel Good Drinks' core range is a variety of ambient juice drink products bottled under contract at Thomas Hardy Breweries' Kendal plant in the UK. Culina is responsible for the collection of stock from the Feel Good production facility, warehousing at its Warrington distribution centre and shared-user outbound supply chain services throughout the UK and Ireland. With a strong business development programme, Feel Good has entered this year's Times newspaper 100 Fastest Growing Companies, and its objective is to grow a further 40% in the next 12 months. .

Tetra Pak, the world leader in food processing and packaging solutions, has signed a global agreement with Australian-based Unistraw International Ltd for a patented on-pack straw drinking system that can deliver probiotics in long-life milk, dairy products and juice. “This new on-pack straw system provides a unique marketing vehicle for our customers, which will help make milk, juice and other dairy products more exciting and engaging for the consumer,” said Michael Zacka, Vice President of Marketing and Product Management, Tetra Pak. “It’s another example of how Tetra Pak is constantly innovating to provide cost effective packaging solutions that will help customers compete in an increasingly crowded marketplace.” An entrant in the Dairy Innovation Awards 2008, the Unistraw on-pack straw delivery system is compatible with most Tetra Brik Aseptic individual portion pack drink cartons and allows producers to offer consumers long-life products with probiotics. No additional investment is required as long as customers have one of the popular Tetra Pak TSA/21 or TSA/22 straw applicators. Minor modifications may be needed for other Tetra Pak straw applicators. Global availability is scheduled for mid-2009. The company competed in the Best packaging innovation category and also in the children's product category at the di awards with the Unistraw solution. The probiotics in the straw are stored in the form of dry, stable UniBeads which are held in place by filters at both ends of the straw and dissolve as liquid is sipped through it. Besides probiotics, the recyclable straw can also be used to add flavour, energy, vitamins and nutrition to liquid sipped through it. With this method, probiotic beverages need no refrigeration and have a shelf life of up to 12 months. Tim York, Managing Director, Unistraw, said: “We developed the new system based on increasing consumer demand for convenience, health and well-being, choice and taste – in a format that’s compatible with busy and increasingly mobile lifestyles. "Partnering with Tetra Pak to introduce this new system is a natural fit for us. Not only do they have a long history of innovation and leadership in food packaging and processing, they also enjoy an extensive global customer base.” Under terms of the agreement, Tetra Pak customers will have access to the new straw system for carton packaging, which Tetra Pak and Unistraw will market jointly. Tetra Pak has also signed an agreement with Unistraw in October 2007 for the on-pack Sipahh Milk Flavouring Straw, a patented straw drinking system which delivers flavours. Companies with innovative solutions such as these will find the new dairy drinks category for the 2009 beverage awards at drinktec an ideal opportunity and setting to showcase their products. For more information go to the <2009 beverage awards website><1>. <1>: http://www.beverageawards.com/best-new-dairy-drink/

*Coca-Cola Enterprises (CCE) has been recognised for the second consecutive year as the recipient of the Golden Peacock Award for Corporate Social Responsibility Reporting by the World Council for Corporate Governance. * A distinguished jury chaired by former Prime Minister of Sweden Ola Ullsten selected Coca-Cola Enterprises from 46 global companies. The award recognises CCE’s integration of Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability (CRS) into its business strategy, responsiveness to the needs of its stakeholders, and the development of innovative partnerships to fulfill social responsibilities. “The 2007 Coca-Cola Enterprises Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability Report shows exemplary focus on corporate responsibility, stakeholder engagement, ethical management, controlling carbon emissions, and environmental management,” said Klaus Bohnke, the Director General of the Golden Peacock Award Secretariat. “We're proud to honour them with this award for the second time.” “Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability is an integral part of our business strategy and plays a critical role in achieving our vision to be the best beverage and customer service company,” said John F Brock, CCE Chairman and CEO. “Being recognised with a Golden Peacock Award for the second consecutive year validates the direction that our company is taking, and we're proud to be honoured by the World Council of Corporate Governance.” The award will be presented at the 9th International Conference on Corporate Governance in London, UK, 18-19 September.

*Manufacturer of mains-fed water coolers, Tana Water (UK) Ltd, has recruited a dedicated Customer Services Manager to support existing and new customers. * Emma King's appointment will enable the NHS PASA-approved manufacturer to coordinate the field service support provided to hotels conference centres, schools, hospitals and small businesses throughout the UK. Emma King joins Tana Water from LG Electronics where she worked closely with the customer services team. Prior to this, Emma spent six years providing Quality Assurance for Subsea Components. Her role at Tana Water involves coordinating service visits for customers and responding to queries. Using Priority scheduling software, Emma will also help engineers to maximise fuel efficiency and reduce carbon emissions as part of Tana Water's Carbon Zero policy. Commenting on the new appointment, Nick Heane, Managing Director of Tana Water UK, said: "Emma's appointment is part of our commitment to new and existing customers to provide the best ongoing service in the industry. I'm delighted to welcome Emma to the team."

News of the contamination first began with reports that dozens of babies in Gansu province had developed kidney stones after drinking milk formula. So far, the contaminated products have killed at least three infants and has left more than 6,000 ill. Eight of the 30 dairy products that were tested by an independent food watchdog in Hong Kong contained traces of the chemical melamine, normally used in plastics. Subsequent tests have found melamine in batches at 22 of China's 109 milk powder manufacturers, including its two biggest dairies, Mengniu and Yili Industrial Group. Constance Chan, the controller of Hong Kong's Centre for Food Safety, told Reuters: "We're recalling the Yili products and the importer is also recalling all Yili products from the Yili brand. That would involve milk, milk beverages, yogurt, ice cream and ice bar." Banned chemical China had previously identified melamine only in milk powder. The chemical is banned from use in food, but adding it to watered-down milk makes it appear higher in protein when tested. According to Stockholm News, Arla Foods owns 49% of the stocks in Mengniu Dairy. The official Arla website states: "The authorities' conclusions so far are that the chemical was added to the milk at the many milk collection depots, which are independent of the dairies." "The situation is extremely distressing for all the families who need milk of the highest quality to feed their children," said CEO Peder Tuborgh, Arla Foods. "It's extremely important that we get to the bottom of the problem so that consumers' safety can be guaranteed ... Together with Mengniu and the authorities, we're doing everything we can to safeguard quality."

*With less than two weeks to go until the Aseptipak 2008 Global Forum on Aseptic Processing, Filling & Packaging, more than 200 have already registered to attend. * Based on prior meeting attendance profiles, final attendance is expected to far exceed 200. A list of participating companies with corresponding job titles for each (as of 16 Sept 2008) is posted on <<1>.">www.schotland.com]<1>. What sets Aseptipak 2008 apart from any previous meeting devoted to aseptic is the unusually large percentage of brand owners, associations representing brand owners and co-packers who will be attending. This end user segment comprises about 28% of total attendance to date. Also notable is that some brand owner companies are sending large teams to the forum. Based on job titles, an estimated 60% of the end users are decision-makers, with many top level. Why the sudden interest in aseptic by end users? The most logical explanation is that end users are finally buying into the idea that aseptic is an enabler of sustainability (which happens to be the theme of this forum). Underscoring the international character of this forum, 26% of the registered attendees are from outside the USA, with the majority of those from Europe. Considering that much of the aseptic technology comes from Europe, that isn't surprising. There are 34 companies who will have display tables at the Aseptipak 2008 Table Top Exhibition. The largest two contingents are the plastic bottle fillers and aseptic pouch fillers. The third largest group of exhibitors are chemical and alternative sterilant systems suppliers. Producers of closures for aseptic applications have a strong presence. Rounding out the list of exhibitors are suppliers of analytical testing equipment, consulting services and ancilliary product suppliers. You can join more than 200 aseptic industry leaders who have already registered to attend Aseptipak 2008, and learn how aseptic as an enabler of sustainability can be harnessed to deliver future profitability for your company. Go to <<1>">www.schotland.com]<1> for programme, hotel, registration and exhibitor information. Aseptipak takes place 30 September - 1 October in Atlanta, US. <1>: https://www.schotland.com/

NBTY Europe, which owns Holland & Barrett, has added 345 Julian Graves stores to its flourishing health food retail portfolio. Financial details were not disclosed, but an anonymous source has said the deal is worth "between £10m and £20m". Julian Graves was previously owned by Icelandic retail investor, Baugur. Peter Aldis, MD of the Holland & Barrett group, was quoted in The Telegraph: "We've always identified Julian Graves as a key competitor. The acquisition delivers synergies to the Holland & Barrett group and ensures that through all of its brands, the group continues to be at the forefront of healthy retailing in Europe. "This will now give us more opportunities to achieve our expansion plans within the UK and Europe," he added. A spokesperson for Holland & Barrett said: "The name isn't going to change. It will remain Julian Graves, and there will be no job losses."

My Secret Kitchen, the UK's first nationwide food and drink tasting company, has launched its Chocolate Infusions range. Chocolate Infusions are a unique combination of white or dark chocolate curls blended with a selection of whole herbs and spices. When mixed with hot milk, the chocolate melts and the herbs infuse. The three infusions in the range are Morning Magic, Midday Melt and Midnight Mystery. Morning Magic mixes white chocolate, lemongrass, ginger and wasabi; Midday Melt sees white chocolate complemented by star anise, cinnamon and cloves; Midnight Mystery blends dark chocolate with orange slices and juniper berries. Phil Moran, co-founder of My Secret Kitchen, said: "Some of the ingredients may seem like odd ones to put together, but the results are amazing. For example, the white chocolate and wasabi in our Morning Magic infusion gives you a hot drink that will kick-start your day and your tastebuds. What's more, as My Secret Kitchen is a tasting company, people can try before deciding if it's for them." About My Secret Kitchen My Secret Kitchen is the UK's first nationwide food and drink tasting company, and was started in 2006 by husband-and wife-team, Clare and Phil Moran. All My Secret Kitchen products are free of artificial colours and flavours, and the company strongly believes in an authentic, sustainable spirit of business.

Lucas Bols, one of the world’s oldest distilled spirits brands, is reintroducing Bols Genever, a traditional genever created almost two centuries ago. Genever, considered to be one of the ‘original white spirits’, is the number one distilled spirit in Holland, and until recently was only available in selected local markets. The relaunch of the juniper-flavoured traditional liquour will make Bols Genever available to today's consumers in the US, UK and the Netherlands. Bols Genever is a complex distilled white spirit, blending a distillate called maltwine with a carefully selected secret blend of botanicals to produce a quality spirit with a smooth character. Genever was awarded the prestigious Appellation d’Origine Controllée status in 2007 and can only be named as such if produced in Holland and a few neighbouring areas. Maltwine is the basis of a genever, giving the spirit a deep, rounded malt flavour and smooth taste. Maltwine is made by triple-distilling a mash of rye, corn and wheat in copper pot stills at 47% ABV, which is considered to be the optimum alcohol content, in order to retain maximum flavour. Lucas Bols, CEO Huub van Doorne, said: “The relaunch of Bols Genever in key international markets continues the global rejuvenation of the Lucas Bols Company brands. Following the successful global relaunch of Galliano L’Autentico and the continued focus on the Bols Liqueurs portfolio, we're now turning our attention to Bols Genever as part of our ongoing commitment to innovation and excellence. Our goal is to introduce bartenders across the world to the genever category, thus consolidating Bols as an innovator and leading authority in cocktail making.”