*Pepsi has reduced the plastic in its 50cl non-carbonated beverages bottle by 20%. This will eliminate approximately 20 million pounds of waste from the environment. * The new bottle will be launched in one of the beverage industry’s fastest growing segments through the established trademarks of Lipton Iced Tea, Tropicana juice drinks, Aquafina FlavorSplash and Aquafina Alive. It will be available in 12 packs and 24 packs. In addition to a 20% reduction in the plastic resin, there will be a 10% reduction in the label size and a 5% reduction in the shrink wrap film used to wrap the multi-packs. “As a company, we’ve challenged ourselves to consistently identify ways to lessen our impact on the environment and in this case we’re doing a little ‘plastic surgery,’” said Robert Lewis, Vice President of Worldwide Beverage Packaging and Equipment Development, PepsiCo. “We’re constantly striving to make our packaging an even smaller part of the waste stream and this new bottle is just one of many examples." Led by Pepsi-Cola North America’s packaging development team, the effort to lightweight the bottles is an example of PepsiCo’s commitment to “Performance with Purpose,” a mission to improve all aspects of the world in which the business operates. For this project, it meant looking at the packaging with a critical eye, driving it towards minimalism without sacrificing design, functionality or taste. “The challenge was to deliver significantly lighter packaging that would provide the same shelf life as the heavier bottle, withstand the manufacturing and distribution process yet not compromise aesthetics,” said Lewis. “After a full year of hard work from multiple corners of the company, we hit the trifecta – a bottle that satisfied the needs of our system, our consumers and the environment.” A cross-functional team of experts from within and outside the company brought this project to life though consumer interaction. After fielding over 30 aesthetic designs in consumer testing, a multi-disciplinary team worked together to develop the lightweight package in-market today.

*The Ethiopian Government has recently launched a new coffee brand management programme to help protect its local coffee varietals and support the country's coffee industry. * Ethiopia is known by many as the original home of coffee, the country exports more than 177,000 tonnes of coffee a year, representing about 15% of the world's total coffee production. But until now there has been no initiative to promote or identify Ethiopia's coffee varietals such as Yirgacheffe, Sidamo and Harar. Brand specialist Brandhouse was commissioned to create a distinctive and easy-to-use brand identity system for Ethiopian Fine Coffees in addition to the three already mentioned. The system will be used wherever the coffees are distributed and sold. The new brand identity comprises a central logo for Ethiopian Fine Coffees which takes its inspiration from the coffee bean itself, together with individual designs for each of the coffee varietals. The Ethiopian Ambassador in London, Berhanu Kebede said: "This is a landmark project for Ethiopia and we are proud to acknowledge our Fine Coffees in this way. This is an unprecedented level of investment in a truly innovative programme and we are looking forward to seeing our coffee farmers reap the rewards in the short, medium and long term."

New York-based Guru, a range of 100% natural and USDA-certified organic energy drinks, is now available in a 12oz slim can, and includes two new flavours: Guru Full On Lemonade and Guru Juicy Superfruit. The redesigned Guru can contains more energy than the original 8oz size and is less filling than the 16oz. The new set of six Guru products is 100% natural and contains an active botanical complex made from standardised herbal extracts of Guarana, Ginseng, Ginkgo Biloba and Echinacea, following the same original proprietary formula that maximises their beneficial effects. Also available in 12oz are Guru Original, Guru Lite (only 10 calories), Guru Juicy Tangerine and Guru Iced Tea Green Tea Honey Lemon. The suggested retail price of the new Guru Energy Hybrids is $2.99.

The Forum of Private Business (FPB) in the UK is responding to the Competition Commission's assertion that independent shops are not in terminal decline as a result of large supermarkets' dominance of the groceries market, by pointing to evidence suggesting that the opposite is true. Following an 18 month inquiry, the Competition Commission announced a raft of measures to increase competition in the market, but insisted that, although it is often difficult for them to compete with large supermarkets such as Asda and Tesco, the future of small retailers is not under threat. However, following extensive consultations with the FPB and other organisations, the Conservative Party's Parliamentary Enterprise Group recently published the initial findings of its Commission into Small Shops in the High Street. It reiterated a warning, originally made in 2006 by the All-party Small Shops Group, that the majority of the UK's independent retailers could disappear by 2015, should the present rate of 2,000 closing every year be allowed to continue. "Evidence that the number of independent shops in our villages, towns and cities has declined in recent years is there for everyone to see. Any report that states otherwise is ignoring a widespread and worrying trend," said FPB Chief Executive Phil Orford. "Small businesses, especially those in the retail sector, continue to suffer as a result of the dominance of supermarkets and other large chains. While we welcome some of the Competition Commission's initiatives, we do not believe the recommendations go far enough in developing policies that will help reinvigorate our high streets and the communities they serve." The group pointed out that the Competition Commission's own evidence showed that, since 2000, sales in supermarkets have grown by 26%, and by 19% in large convenience stores, but that specialist stores have experienced only a 1% growth in sales. The FPB is concerned that, unable to compete with their larger rivals, more and more small shops will be forced to close. The FPB is calling for better payment practices and fairer contractual arrangements, as well as the removal of other unfair fees, such as charging suppliers 'loyalty payments' in exchange for shelf space. In addition, changes to legislation and the UK's tax regime are required to support smaller retailers. VAT-avoidance by supermarkets on items such as hot takeaway foods and goods imported via the Channel Islands, exploiting a VAT loophole, should also be prevented.

To fulfil European Commission requirements** and as a condition for the approval of the acquisition of Numico, **Groupe Danone has signed agreements to divest certain infant nutrition activities in France, Belgium and the Netherlands. This includes the baby milk and baby drink business of Numico in France, the export business of Bledina in Belgium and the Netherlands and the growing up milk brand “123” commercialised by Danone Belgium. All these activities represent less than 3% of Groupe Danone's infant nutrition worldwide activities. In France, after having informed and consulted Numico’s works council, Groupe Danone signed an agreement with the Lactalis Group to transfer the baby milk and baby drink business of Numico. Subject to both the approval of the European Commission and the authorization of the French Minister of Economy and Finance, the transaction could be closed in June 2008. In Belgium and the Netherlands meanwhile, an agreement has been signed with the Hero Group to transfer the Bledina export business. This transaction could be closed in the coming weeks subject to the approval of the European Commission. In addition, Groupe Danone has finalized the sale in Benelux of the brand “123” to the Lactalis Group on 30 April 2008.

Green Valley Farmhouse Vintage Cyder from Devon and Gregg’s Pit Perry from Herefordshire won the Gold Awards at CAMRA’s National Cider and Perry Championships held at the Reading Beer and Cider Festival during the UK May Bank Holiday weekend. The best ciders and perrys in Britain were sampled over two days by judges at the festival. The judging panel described the winning Green Valley Farmhouse Vintage Cyder as having “a lovely ‘proper cider’ aroma, like an Autumn morning. It was easy drinking with a pleasant lingering aftertaste.” Chris Coles, of Green Valley Cyder said, “We are over the moon about this award. We didn’t expect to be on the rostrum again. It’s a great accolade for the orchard in Woodbury Salterton, where the apples came from, because it was this same orchard which won us bronze last year. We must be doing something right!” Gregg’s Pit Perry, produced by Herefordshire based Gregg’s Pit Cider and Perry, won the national Gold Award for best perry. The judges described the winning perry as “A balance of citrus aroma with a winey aftertaste. Fabulous.” James Marsden, of Gregg’s Pit Cider Perry said, “We are delighted to have won this accolade from CAMRA whose members have been great supporter of our products over the last 14 years. It’s a tribute to the quality of the fruit we use, the care we devote to our perry making and to the wonderful lady who taught us much of what we know now – Jean Nowell, the former owner of Lyne Down.” Full Results: Gold Cider Winner – Green Valley Farmhouse Vintage Cyder (Devon) Silver Cider Winner – West Croft Janet’s Jungle Juice (Somerset) Bronze Cider Winner – Blaengawney Cider (Gwent) Gold Perry Winner – Gregg’s Pit Perry (Herefordshire) Silver Perry Winner – Ross-on-Wye Cider and Perry (Herefordshire) Bronze Perry Winner – Hartland’s Perry (Gloucestershire) Phil Kempton, CAMRA’s Director for Cider said, “I would like to congratulate all of the producers that won awards at CAMRA’s National Cider Perry Championships. Britain is currently producing a superb variety of real ciders and perrys and I would urge anyone who has perhaps tried a mass-produced fizzy cider or perry in the past to try a drop of the real stuff. You will not find anything better and will not be disappointed!”

“Bioplastics in Packaging” at Interpack attracted scores of visitors and gained top marks from exhibitors and visitors. 96% of participating companies were very satisfied and have already indicated their intention to exhibit at the next interpack in 2011. The exhibition was organised by industry association European Bioplastics in collaboration with the Messe Duesseldorf. 40 exhibitors filled the 1000 m2 exhibition space to showcase raw materials, semi-finished products, products, processes, equipment and services using bioplastics technology. The exhibition space increased more than threefold compared to the last interpack in 2005, and the number of visitors nearly doubled. Visitor interest in the special exhibition was enormous. Harald Kaeb, Chairman of the industry association European Bioplastics emphasised this, saying “We are delighted with the strong positive response to our exhibition. Visitors virtually beat a path to our door! We also noted a lively interest from the press and for the supporting programme with specialist talks on bioplastics. Our exhibitors were very happy and have yet confirmed their participation in the next interpack.” Gert Lindemann, State Secretary of the Federal Ministry for Nutrition, Agriculture and Consumer Protection (BMELV) praised the special exhibition as a “highlight of the trade fair”. “These products are real innovations and use raw materials such as industrial starch, cellulose, sugar and vegetable oils which can be produced by domestic agriculture, and thereby make a contribution to saving fossil resources and to climate protection,” he said Interpack 2008 had a total of 2,744 exhibitors and nearly 180,000 visitors.

Visitor numbers at Vitafoods – the global nutraceutical event held each year at the Palexpo beside Lake Geneva – are looking very healthy, with figures after just the first half day already up on last year. On this, the first day of Vitafoods 2008, we report on what's happening, who's there and what the future holds for the nutraceutical industry. We'll also have some up to date photos from the event, which will be posted to our special Vitafoods gallery. Claire Phoenix (Managing Editor of beverage innovation), Medina Bailey (Features Editor of beverage innovation) and Claire Rowan (Managing Editor Food&Beverage International) guide us through day one. Tuesday 6 May 2008 10am Udi Alroy of LycoRed: "People are looking for more functionality in their food and beverages – they want nutritional benefits as well as hydration and sustenance," he said. "Everyone is looking for the extra penny. The 'beauty from within' category originated in France, with people there happy to take pills, but today with cosmeceutical benefits now available in food and drink, a new segment is opening up for many manufacturers and the target market is much larger. LycoRed has just developed a skin-enhancing drink with lycopene, and this time it has a passion fruit flavour and not a tomato-based carrier. One US company is already producing this as a 25cl shot drink. Clinical studies have already been carried out to demonstrate its efficacy." 11am Gary Brenner of Solbar Industries also spoke about Inside Out Beauty talking about more functional benefits appearing in dairy beverages and cosmeceuticals in particular. Solbar is also working on sports drinks supplements and a non dairy coffee creamer. * 12 noon* A number of companies talk about a dramatic interest in brain health infant formula with high levels of DHA, with parents keen to ensure maximum cognitive potential for their children. People are worried about getting older and losing their capacity for quick thinking and memory. A number of companies are developing foods and beverages with omega-3 concentrates – some as high as 75% – and we're working on one with 90% DHA concentrate." *1pm * Jacqueline de Witte – Marketing Manager with DSM/Food Specialities for Insuvital and Tensguard – showed a number of products containing DSM's Fabuless, which provides a feeling of fullness and so helps consumers feel less hungry. Other areas with a number of solutions offered via ingredients at Vitafoods are joint health products, including seaweed extracts and pine tree extracts for use in cholesterol-lowering (heart health) products. Sergio Maldonado outlined the benefits of Arboris Pine tree extracts for its cholesterol-lowering benefits. Lipid Nutrition indicated substantial interest across the globe in its weight management product Pinnothin - and Clarinol taken by those actively keen to maintain good physical shape. * *

Glasgow-based drinks firm AG Barr, best known for its Irn Bru is to put the fizz back into nostalgic carbonated soft drinks. The four flavours being introduced are dandelion and burdock; traditional lemonade; ginger beer and cream soda with a hint of raspberry. Competing against Coca-Cola's new Schweppes Classic brand, head of marketing for Barr Soft Drinks, Adrian Troy said the new range would be in shops within weeks. He added: "They have an authentic taste unlike any other soft drink." The firm's commercial director Jonathan Kemp insisted the authentic flavour would differentiate their products from the company's rivals. Growing adult drinks market The value of the UK adult drinks market has grown to more than £100 million but sales are said to have slowed in the past year.

*Canadian EnWave Corporation believes to be a step closer to developing a new industry standard technology for dehydrating vaccines and antibodies, as it has received positive results from the company’s first room temperature shelf-life study of dehydrated rotavirus vaccine conducted by its collaboration partner Aridis Pharmaceuticals of San Jose, California. * Aridis is testing the new bioREV technology under a Collaboration Agreement to determine the feasibility of dehydrating vaccines and antibodies to produce room temperature stable products as a cost-effective alternative to the industry standard of lyophilization (freeze drying). If dried vaccines and antibodies could be stored at room temperature this could lead to an industry breakthrough as it would make it possible to ship and store these pharmaceuticals worldwide, without the need for expensive refrigeration. It would also mean that the drugs could be stockpiled to protect against pandemic diseases and bio terrorism threats. Early stage data are indicative of positive results for EnWave’s technology because the stability results are comparable to that of freeze dried vaccines with moisture contents of 1-2% which require three days to dehydrate, compared to bioREV’s 10 minute processing time. * Test data better than expected* “The results from this preliminary stability study are better than we expected, given that vaccines such as rotavirus are not generally room temperature stable at such high moisture content,” said Aridis R&D Vice President Dr Vu Truong. “Developing a stable vaccine for this childhood disease is particularly important for developing countries where constant product refrigeration is a major challenge.” “This promising post-dehydration shelf-life data brings EnWave one major step forward in providing the vaccine manufacturing industry with the technology to reduce processing time, along with the elimination of the need for constant refrigeration during shipment and storage,” said EnWave Corporation Chairman and Co-CEO Dr Tim Durance. EnWave and Aridis will now work together to optimize a modified form of the bioREV technology with new rotavirus vaccine formulations to allow for further reductions in vaccine moisture content. The project team will also undertake a longer term shelf-life study. EnWave expects to receive results from this testing in September 2008. In addition, the two companies are collaborating on the development of a dried salmonella typhoid vaccine (“Ty21a”) as well as a vaccine for shigellosis.

Fonterra Co-operative Group has reached agreement to buy an additional 42.6% shareholding in Chilean dairy company Soprole from Fundacion Isabel Aninat. Fonterra will buy the shareholding, adding to its existing 56.85% stake, from minority shareholder Fundacion Isabel Aninat, a charitable foundation run under Canonical Law. The US$201.9 million purchase has received final approval from the Vatican. Fonterra’s Chief Executive Officer Andrew Ferrier said: “Soprole has been a strong performer for Fonterra over the years. By increasing our ownership, we will be able to build on this and look at ways we can grow the business even further. “We’re very pleased with the way Soprole is performing. More than 40% of the company’s sales have been from products introduced in the last three years. We want to continue that innovation drive and create new opportunities in the rapidly expanding South American dairy markets.” In February Soprole announced its profit for 2007 rose 160% to a record 23.8 billion Chilean pesos, or NZ$66.3 million. Soprole has, on average, returned around NZ$25 million a year to Fonterra shareholders over the past few years. The purchase gives Fonterra 99.4% of Soprole, the second most recognised corporate brand in Chile after Coca Cola. Chile is a high growth market for the production and consumption of dairy products. Soprole is the country’s leading consumer dairy product business with a share of more than one-third of the domestic consumer dairy market. “Soprole is an example of Fonterra’s strategies of leveraging its cow-to-consumer expertise to build profitable businesses, and also securing new sources of fresh milk around the world,” Ferrier said.

*The recent decision by Canada to ban the importation, sale and advertising of polycarbonate baby bottles has caused consumers to grow increasingly concerned with using plastic in general. * The prime suspect is a chemical called Bisphenol A (BPA), which is a key building block of polycarbonate plastic. The reason why it is causing all the controversy is because it mimics the hormone estrogen. As a consequence BPA has been linked to breast cancer, genital abnormality, changes to sexual orientation and hyperactivity among others. BPA is not easy to get rid of as it is used to make a multitude of everyday products including baby and water bottles, sports equipment, medical devices, CDs, and household electronics. It is also present in epoxy resins used inside some beverage and food cans. There have been many studies trying to determine whether or not BPA is safe and most of those have concluded that the chemical is not a health risks to adults. However, scientists prefer to err on the side of caution when it comes to newborns and infants. Research have shown that although adults are exposed to safe levels of BPA, it is possible that the effect of the chemical on babies can have complex and far-reaching consequences for their development. * Testing the waters* Some 5 gallon bottles used in water coolers that carry the #7 recycling classification are made from polycarbonate contain Bisphenol A. This plastic has been tested extensively by numerous government and scientific organizations around the world including the US CDC, US FDA, European Union and the Japanese Ministry of the Environment. All are unanimous in support of the safety of polycarbonate. In a US Food and Drug Administration study (1997), water from several 5 gallon (19 litre) polycarbonate bottles which carried the #7 classification from a bottled water supplier were analysed with a detection limit of 0.05 parts per billion. In water that had been stored in the bottles for up to 39 weeks, BPA was found only at very low levels ranging from 0.1 to 4.7 parts per billion. To understand what this means in terms of acceptable levels for human consumption, the estimated dietary intake of BPA from polycarbonate is less than 0.0000125 milligrams per kilogram body weight per day. This level is more than 4000 times lower than the maximum acceptable or 'reference' dose for BPA of 0.05 milligrams per kilogram body weight per day established by the US Environmental Protection Agency. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) also increased 'Tolerable Daily Intake' of BPA to the same dose in 2007. Stated another way, an average adult consumer would have to ingest more than 600 kilograms (about 1,300 pounds) of food and beverages in contact with polycarbonate every day for an entire lifetime to exceed the safety level. Nevertheless, Wal-Mart Canada has acted in advance of the <1> taking affect in mid July and pulled products containing the plastic. Other retailers such as Toys-R-Us and water bottle producer Nalgene are also listening to public concerns and acting accordingly. <1>: http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ahc-asc/minist/speeches-discours/2008_04_18_e.html