Embria Health Sciences, a raw material manufacturer of science-backed natural ingredients for the human nutrition market, has confirmed that its headquarters were not affected by the recent US Midwest flooding and is committed to supporting the health of those affected by offering free supplies of the immune balancing supplement EpiCor. Throughout the past week, Embria, along with distribution partner ProActive Health Products, handed out more than 2,000 full-sized bottles of EpiCor to flood victims in Cedar Rapids. Sadly, Embria also confirmed today that its parent company, Cedar Rapids-based Diamond V Mills, has been significantly impacted by the flooding, and multiple employees have lost their homes. "People touched by the floods are suffering high stress levels and living conditions that will likely tax their immune systems. We're pleased to offer EpiCor to flood victims, as it's imperative for them to be in good health as they begin to rebuild their families, homes and lives," said Paul Faganel, Embria Health Sciences president. "It has been a moving experience to hear the triumphant stories at the distribution sites and we'll continue to donate EpiCor until the bottle inventory is depleted."

Following the local success the company has now teamed up with the Republic National Distributing Company, the second largest liquor wholesaler in the US, to expand to the rest of Florida and possibly other states as well. Due to packaging, quality, and price proposition, Vodka Select has been well received by the trade and has increased its reach from 200 to over 1,000 on and off premise accounts, and is on pace to triple its sales volume this year. The vodka is made from 100% rye grain and is distilled six times before being poured onto a royal blue bottle with a glass cork top. Suggested retail price is $19.99 (750ml).

The UK's biggest food and drink companies are clubbing together to share transport in a move forecast to take 800 lorries off the country’s roads by the end of 2008. The initiative comes in response to rocketing UK fuel costs and growing consumer interest on the environmental impact of transporting food. It is backed by 37 of the UK's biggest high street names including Asda, Tesco, Waitrose, Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, Coors, Northern Foods, Nestlé and Unilever. An estimated 23 million litres of diesel fuel and 48 million road miles will be saved through the scheme, cutting £30 million of costs at today's prices. The companies will also save on haulage, warehousing and vehicle maintenance costs. In addition, the companies will save fuel miles by sharing lorries on specific routes. The scheme was piloted last year by Nestlé and United Biscuits (UB). Nestlé used to deliver 15 lorry loads of goods a day from its factories in the north of England to its distribution centre in the Midlands, of which up to three returned empty. UB, which was also running empty trucks, has teamed up with Nestlé, and the companies have now cut out many of those wasted journeys. "We are determined as an industry to reduce our impact on the environment," said Alastair Sykes, Nestlé UK Chief Executive and president of food and grocery think tank IGD, which pioneered the initiative. "At a time when we are dealing with the highest fuel costs in Europe, it's particularly apposite." * Significant step* IGD believes the move will result in the equivalent of 800 fewer lorries on the roads, less than 1% of the country's 90,000 UK-registered heavy vehicles, yet a significant step for the food industry. Trucks transporting goods for UK food and drinks companies travel about 3.6 billion miles a year, according to government estimates, with the companies involved in the project responsible for over a third of those miles. The scheme will cut 1.3% of total miles travelled by the food industry, and nearly 4% of the distance covered by the 37 participating companies. Mr Sykes said companies had uncovered transport-sharing opportunities at a series of meetings set up by the IGD. "It's a bit like speed dating," he said. "Companies come to these workshops to see how they can buddy up with others."

*Superstores in Northamptonshire have experienced a rush in sales of bottled water. The panic buying follows a health alert issued by Anglian Water on 25 June to over 100,000 households in the county not to drink tap water without boiling it first after traces of bacteria were found in water samples. * The bacteria called cryptosporidium was found in tap water supplies andthe parasitic organism is known to cause severe stomach upsets andpotentially pose a serious health risk to infants and the elderly. Theproblem, which affects about 250,000 people, could take weeks toresolve. Some supermarkets close to the city of Northampton have introducedrationing to less than 10 bottles per customer to cope with demandwhile Tesco is reported to have sold a six-week supply of water withinhours and having to seek further deliveries. Other retailers in the county including Sainsbury's and Waitrose havealso indicated a surge in bottled water sales and shelves beingstripped of bottled water. Advocates of the bottled water industry point out that such healthscares once again highlight the importance of having packaged wateravailable at times when municipal supplies are interrupted.

**Dutch company, Maxim, recently announced the launch of Energy + Restitution, a powdered drink designed to optimise fluid balance during exercise. **The beverage contains a mix of carbohydrates and minerals as well as incorporating the award-winning peptide PeptoPro from DSM Food Specialties, to actively promote improved endurance, performance and restitution. PeptoPro is a peptide based on natural milk protein. Due to its small chains of di- and tri-peptides, it can be fully and rapidly absorbed by the body without adversely affecting the digestive system. Its amino acids are therefore made available to the muscles considerably faster than if conventional sources of protein are consumed. Maxim Sports Nutritionist Kelly Hendriks said: “We wanted to create a sports drink which worked on a number of levels to improve overall sports performance. The result is Energy + Restitution – a highly effective hypotonic drink which not only delivers fast hydration but also works to reduce muscle fatigue thanks to the inclusion of PeptoPro. As a highly soluble protein hydrolysate, PeptoPro ensure the body’s muscles receive the protein they need quickly and effectively and so helps to actively reduce muscle damage. With its proven properties, quick absorption and neutral taste, PeptoPro delivers the benefits we were looking for. We have received some very positive feedback from athletes already and believe that Energy + Restitution will continue to be well-received by consumers.” Energy + Restitution is orange flavour and is sold in 400g tins. It contains 40.8g carbohydrates, nine vitamins, three minerals and six grams of PeptoPro per serving. For optimum fluid and energy balance, consumers are advised to drink 200ml every 15-20 minutes. It's currently available in many countries throughout Europe, including the UK, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, France, Austria, Switzerland, Spain, Portugal, Poland, Slovenia, Malta and Baltic region. It is also sold in Canada.

As entries continue to flood in for the prestigious 2008 Water Innovation Awards, the magazine has announced a preliminary list of international judges who have been confirmed to officiate at the judging event. 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. This year’s judges will include Felicity Shakespeare from Givaudan, the world’s largest producer of flavours and fragrances (headquartered in Switzerland). She is 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 is further enhanced by the presence of Romeo Corvaglia, founder of the successful Corvaglia plastic cap business. Water Innovation is pleased to announce that the jury will also feature the expertise of Victoria Green from UK retailer Waitrose, product development knowledge from Peter Rickett, co-founder of award-winning Designworks Windsor, as well as environmental analysis from Australian born Edward Kosier of Nextek, specialists in polymer recycling and lightweighting. Water Innovation Editor Nayl D’Souza will join the team of experts to judge the entries and the judging panel will be chaired by Zenith International Publishing Group Managing Editor Bill Bruce, who will ensure full account is taken for each of the nominations. "Beyond design and marketing excellence or the level to which a company enjoys sales success or addresses issues on sustainability, we always look at the products within their individual market context and above all else examine their fitness for purpose," he explained. Water Innovation Editor Nayl D’Souza said: "Each of the judges so far announced for the 2008 Water Innovation Awards is an expert in a vastly different area relating to the bottled water industry. They will together bring a high degree of wisdom, enthusiasm and experience to the task of judging our entries." "Clearly, the judging event will bring together some of the most influential names in our industry. However, *Water Innovatio*n plans to add a few more important industry specialists to the jury and announce the final line-up of judges before 1 August – the deadline for awards entry submission." Last year, the awards attracted 169 entries from 32 countries. Even greater success is anticipated in 2008. With the entry deadline looming, those interested in participation in the competition are being urged not to miss out. <1> The awards ceremony will be part of the <5th global bottled water congress><2> September 22-24, 2008, in Wiesbaden (near Frankfurt) on September 23. <1>: /awards/ <2>: http://http://www.zenithinternational.com/events/event_detail.asp?id=52

Bionade, a popular German organic soft drink, has launched in the UK. Following on from its recent introduction to the Australian market, the family-run business will sell Bionade in "top bars across London" for £2.95 a bottle (33cl). Enotria, known for distributing high-quality wines, has decided to take on Bionade in the UK simply because it's so different: "It's not just another fizzy, syrup-based soft drink," said Alison Levett, Enotria's Chief Executive. "Bionade is a more sophisticated product with genuine provenance." Fundamentally different from other soft drinks that are usually produced synthetically, and contain either lots of added sugar or artificial sweeteners, Bionade is a completely organic product created by the fermentation of water and malt. In a special process utilising bacterium kombucha, the malt sugar isn't converted into alcohol, but into gluconic acid, an ingredient which occurs naturally in honey. In an interview with The Independent last year, Bionade MD Peter Kowalsky said: "We've had people assume that Bionade must be some low-alcohol beer, especially because it comes in what looks like a beer bottle. And in Germany, we do have a lot of beer drinkers that drink Bionade when they can't drink beer, because it has that similar malty, tangy taste they recognise. But it is a health drink."

AIJN, the European Fruit Juice Association, celebrated its 50th anniversary in Brussels on 24 June with a symposium featuring a wide range of renowned industry experts. The opening address was given by AIJN President Andre Biles, CEO of Gerber Emig Group, who discussed the Association’s history before outlining the “roller coaster” of challenges facing the industry and what the symposium had to offer. Talking through the day’s programme and looking to the last session of the day on the subject of sustainability, he said: “There is no downside to addressing any issue relating to sustainability”. Robert Kay-Shuttleworth of Canadean then presented 'The world and European fruit juice industry in data'. Looking at the important subject of 'The role of fruit juices in a healthy diet', Professor Teresa Nicklas of the Children’s Nutrition Research Center, Baylor College of Medicine Houston, USA, presented some fascinating studies on the nutritional importance of juice. Following a juice break, delegates returned to a round table session entitled 'The EU policy and strategy to improve healthy nutrition'. The session was opened by Patrick Coppens, the Manager of Food Law at European Advisory Services, who looked at 'Key legislation affecting fruit juices'. The lively round table debate was moderated by European Advisory Services Director Guy Valkenbourg. Representing the view of the European Commission was DG SANCO Eric Poudelet. The view from the European Parliament was given by MEP Member of the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety Dagmar Roth-Behrendt. The industry’s view as represented by PepsiCo-Tropicana UK & Ireland Nutrition Director Sue Gatenby; and representing the view of a Member State: France (incoming EU Presidency) was Francis Amand from the National Directorate for Competition Policy, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control Investigation. The afternoon began with a session entitled 'Where does our juice come from?', and included three presentations: 'The Brazilian FCOJ supply chain: its complexity and challenges' by Ivan Marie Schuermans, Customer Service General Manager of Brazil based Citrovita; followed by David Fox, Chairman of the British Fruit Juice Association and Global Strategic Account Director for Cargill, who spoke about 'The supply chain for non-orange fruit juices'; and Juan Podesta, Division Manager Food Processing Systems for FMC discussed 'Long-term challenges of raw material sourcing'. * Sustainability* The final session of the afternoon looked at 'Sustainability in the fruit juice industry' and was introduced and moderated by The Terrace Director Leontine Gast from the Netherlands. This was followed by a presentation by SAI-Platform Working Group Fruit Chairman Idwin Bouman who considered 'industry objectives and initiatives'. 'Challenges to the manufacturer' were examined by Ernesto Brovelli, Coca-Cola North America Juice Centre of Excellence Manager – Horticulture, Processing & Ingredients Innovation. Tetra Pak Environment Director Erika Mink discussed 'the role of packaging in sustainability', and to close the session, Joke Aerts, European Co-ordinator for the Rainforest Alliance, talked about 'Partnering with an NGO, creating real impact on the ground'. The 50th birthday celebrations continued later that evening in Rubens’ Castle, Elewijt, where delegates practiced and then sang Happy Birthday to AIJN.

The AdvanCheK Plus is a fast, reliable and economical way to introduce x-ray inspection into food production lines. It delivers superior sensitivity over traditional detection methods and combines contaminant detection with gross mass measurement, for guaranteed product safety and quality. This new system ensures the detection of foreign bodies such as metal, stone, glass, bone and high density plastic, when they're wrapped in foil or metalised film packaging, at a standard inspection speed of up to 500 packs per minute. Depending on pack size, faster line speeds are possible without compromising sensitivity or reliability. Niall McRory, European sales and marketing manager, Mettler-Toledo Safeline X-ray, said: “The AdvanCheK Plus is an advanced inspection system. It offers contaminant detection and mass measurement simultaneously on every pack from one simple and easy to use colour-sealed industrial touch screen and intuitive interface. Building on the success of AdvanCheK, the new system delivers increased functionality, as well as improved sensitivity thanks to the five optimised filters checking for contaminants. Because the AdvanCheK Plus can store and retrieve reject images, manufacturers can prevent future contamination by investigating, identifying and dealing with the source.” The new AdvanCheK Plus offers a flexible approach to product inspection, with communication via USB or ethernet, directly or via the OMAC-compliant OPC server available. Housed in a state of the art X-Pod, the electronics are easily accessible in a user-friendly modular design for quick servicing.

Imagine a coating that prevents dirt and stains adhering to it, making surfaces easy to clean and also actively reducing the growth of bacteria and biofilm development – surely something of major value to the food and drink sectors. It would make cleaning much easier, and would contribute to improved hygiene and infection control strategies. But does something as good as this really exist? Nano Hygiene Coatings believes it has something that achieves all of the above – and more – with its recently launched 4MED coating. 4MED is an innovative hygiene coating developed by Nano Hygiene Coatings Ltd, with hydrophobic and oleophobic properties. These properties make the surface non-stick and stain-resistant. The coating combines the benefits of the easy-to-clean properties derived from nano chemical technology with an antimicrobial additive, actively preventing the growth of bacteria such as Escherichia Coli and MRSA. The combination of a hydrophobic/oleophobic surface and active antimicrobial functionality has synergistic benefits, which contribute to improved hygiene and infection control strategies. Acting as reservoirs for many types of organisms, soil can accumulate on surfaces creating the ideal conditions for many types of micro-organisms. While not all micro-organisms are of significance to human health, nor indeed to food production facilities, reducing their growth will significantly reduce the risks associated with any harmful effects. Having a surface that inhibits organisms adhering, such that they can be removed in a benign and environmentally friendly fashion, is beneficial. Does the evidence support this? At Nano Hygiene Coatings, we wanted to find out. We wanted to establish if soil built up on surfaces over time, despite the repeated cleaning effort, and whether having a hydrophobic/oleophobic surface affected the soil build-up. We also wanted to know if we could effectively reduce the bacteria in the soil. The reduction has to be quick and the antimicrobial effect long-lasting. We set up a repeat-soiling and cleaning test. Stainless steel samples were soiled repeatedly by applying a solution containing bovine serum albumin (BSA) twice and then a mixed artificial organic soilant once. This soiling cycle was repeated three times and then followed by a final application of BSA. Between each soilant event, the samples were cleaned for 10 seconds using light manual abrasion under running mains tap water (ca 10-15ºC at 0.5 litres minute-1). Of the two stainless steel samples tested, one was uncoated, while the other was coated with an NHC hydrophobic coating. The results revealed that the appearance of the uncoated surfaces deteriorated significantly when subjected to soiling. Repeated soiling and washing cycles caused further deterioration of the surface appearance. The appearance of the stainless steel became increasingly unattractive. The uncoated stainless steel sample retained significant organic deposits after the soiling/cleaning regime. In contrast, the coated samples maintained their appearance and retained very little soiling. They were both visually and microscopically cleaner than the uncoated surfaces. To determine whether bacteria had been reduced, the above test was repeated but with some changes. The stainless steel was coated with 4MED – the hydrophobic, antimicrobial coating developed by Nano Hygiene Coatings. Antimicrobial activity was determined after the final soiling/cleaning event. A cell suspension of E Coli was held in intimate contact with each test piece for 24 hours at 35°C and tested according to the method described in ISO 22196. The results revealed that biological-significant activity had occurred on the 4MED coated sample, with the bacterial population declining by four orders of magnitude in 24 hours: an effective kill rate of 99.99%. Over the same time period, bacterial populations had declined by 0.5 of a magnitude on the uncoated stainless steel. Tests supporting the claims of any antimicrobial coating should be based on realistic exposure scenarios. That is to say, undertaken in the conditions that they will be used, or simulating those conditions. 4MED has been tested by an independent laboratory, simulating the effect of a surface being splashed by several contaminants: firstly by a splash of contaminated water, and secondly by a splash of contaminated animal/body fluid. Both tests were undertaken with a sample coated with 4MED, and a sample coated with a hydrophobic coating but without antimicrobial functionality. For the contaminated water test, a suspension of E Coli was prepared using the method described in ISO 22196, standard but in sterile distilled water containing no nutrient broth. For the contaminated animal fluid test, an E Coli inoculum was prepared in a vegetable oil/bovine serum albumin (BSA) solution (oil/protein solution). Results showed that 4MED achieves a fast rate of kill of the bacterial population, resulting in a reduction of ca 2.5 orders of magnitude in three hours and a reduction to below the limit of detection in six hours. The Oil/Protein test results showed that the bacterial population declined by ca 0.5 orders of magnitude within 12 hours and a statistically significant 2.5 orders of magnitude in 24 hours – a kill rate of over 99%. The presence of protein-rich soiling agents has slowed down the antimicrobial coating, yet not inhibited it. These results are best seen graphically, so <1>. The contaminated water tests have also been conducted on other metal substrates, including chrome plate and aluminium with similar results: kill rates of over 99% in 3-6 hours. Longevity and durability An antimicrobial coating that acts quickly and is effective against contaminated water and heavy soiling splashes has positive benefits, but what of its longevity and durability? To determine how 4MED performs under these circumstances, a 4MED-coated substrate was artificially aged and the antimicrobial efficacy subsequently tested. Test samples were produced using sterile distilled water contaminated with E Coli. The samples were processed in a dishwasher at 40ºC with no detergent (13 litres per cycle). Sampling points were at 60 dishwash cycles and 120 dishwash cycles. The results showed that the 60 and 120 dishwash cycles did not have any statistically significant impact on the performance of 4MED antimicrobial efficacy. The bacterial populations were reduced by four orders of magnitude following six hours' contact to below the limit of detection in 24 hours. 4MED coated surfaces showed a statistically significant difference from the populations exposed to the hydrophobic, non-antimicrobial coating. The fastest kill rate is in the first three hours. Conclusions Dirt and organic deposits can build up on surfaces, severely impacting the appearance and making them visually unattractive and unappealing. Repeated washing and cleaning causes further deterioration of the surface appearance. Coated hydrophobic/oleophobic surfaces, however, have little or no build-up of soil, which makes them an easy-clean solution. Combining the hydrophobic/oleophobic properties with the antimicrobial functionality of 4MED produces synergistic benefits. By testing under simulated real-life conditions, the claims should satisfy the increasing demand of the authorities for testing under realistic exposure scenarios. 4MED has shown that it's robust and durable. It acts quickly and is effective even after artificial ageing. The implications for improved cleaning and hygiene strategies are clear. 4MED makes the cleaning job easier. It can have a direct impact on the costs associated with the cleaning job, reducing the growth of bacteria and contributing to the lowering of the risks associated with their harmful effects. Allen Chasteauneuf is Director of Nano Hygiene Coatings Ltd, a UK-based developer of high-performance coatings derived from nano chemical technology. <1>: /galleries/galleryDetail.aspx?ContentId=30

A dispute between Fiji Water owned by Roll International and Dayals (Fiji) Artesian Waters has ended after the parties agreed to settle a trademark infringement lawsuit. Dayals' Island Chill brand of water evokes an association with Fiji Water’s label. Like Fiji Water, Island Chill capitalises on the image of the island getaway with its 3D label featuring an exotic red flower, square bottle and blue cap. Months after entering the US market, Island Chill filed a lawsuit against Fiji Water in anticipation that Fiji Water would file a suit claiming Island Chill infringed on its trademark. In the suit, which was scheduled to go to trial on June 24, Island Chill owner Jay Prakash Dayal asked a federal judge to determine that the company was not infringing on Fiji Water's trademark by advertising its water as being from Fiji and that the company is not engaging in unfair business practices. However, the companies settled and Island Chill agreed to remove the flower from the bottle’s label and only reference the water’s source, Fiji, on the back of the label. “The idea behind settlement was to stop war between the companies and let everybody continue to compete fairly and sell water,” according to Marc Hankin, Island Chill’s lawyer.

North Downs Dairy is celebrating after the company and its suppliers scooped 19 awards at this year’s Royal Bath & West Show at Shepton Mallet, UK. A panel of cheese experts from around Britain awarded North Downs Dairy and its suppliers 19 awards in all, including five special prizes and several first prizes for Dairy Produce. Mike Davies, Managing Director, North Downs Dairy, said: “Given the number of cheese entries, and the calibre of the competition, we were delighted with the results and would like to extend our thanks and congratulations to all our valued suppliers for their outstanding achievements. “We were particularly delighted with Parkham Farms, one of our key suppliers. The farm won awards for its farmhouse and organic Cheddars. Parkham Farms scooped 10 awards in total, including Special Prizes for their PDO Best Farmhouse Country Cheddar and Best Organic Cheese. “We're always delighted to be involved with the awards at the Bath and West Show. The calibre of the judging remains high, which for a major supplier to the retail industry, broadens the overall appeal of the awards. We believe they also reflect the role Cheddar continues to play as a major player in the cheese sector.”