Jamaica’s Wisynco Group has added the Ocean Spray brand to its own line of purified water. Ocean Spray WATA has been soft launched and is already on some shelves in the country, but a formal roll-out will take place in December. It's expected that the range of cranberry flavoured water will be distributed across Caribbean markets early in 2009. Wisynco, a former industrial conglomerate, still makes a range of disposable utensils and plastic-based products. In recent years, the privately held, family owned company has become more widely recognised for its production and distribution of beverages, including its WATA brand of purified water which recently launched a sub-range of fruit-flavoured water. The firm’s aggressive marketing and distribution strategy helped make Jamaica, per capita, the market leader for Ocean Spray's cranberry juices. Wisynco Trading Managing Director William Mahfood estimated that production could be a million cases a year by 2010. WATA already controls more than 60% of the Jamaican market for bottled water.

UK drinks logistics provider Tradeteam has announced a seven-year contract with Coors Brewers Ltd valued at £140m. Under the terms of the primary distribution deal, Tradeteam will be responsible for delivering well-known products such as Carling, Worthington’s and Grolsch to supermarkets and other distribution depots throughout the UK. The contract will see Tradeteam use the largest capacity (44 tons) of vehicles available, working from Coors breweries in Burton-upon-Trent (Staffordshire), Alton (Hampshire) and Tadcaster (North Yorkshire). Tradeteam Commercial Director Alastair Isbister said: “We are ideally placed to support Coors in delivering great service to the ‘off trade’ by ensuring customers receive their products within increasingly demanding time windows and short lead times. "We lead the market in the provision of logistics to the drinks industry, and this contract win underlines our ability to meet the most demanding service requirements and provide exactly what customers need.” Coors’ Head of Distribution Chris Machin added: “Tradeteam’s commitment to developing their service has impressed us and we're looking forward to a very successful relationship over the coming seven years.”

I was pleased to be invited to the recent British Water Cooler Association General Meeting and to hear that all BWCA Distributor members now offer plumbed-in POU water coolers as well as bottled water coolers. BWCA chair, Michael Barnett, commented that the realignment of businesses to ‘dual-service‘ had meant that members had been very successful in winning major supply contracts for both types of water coolers, and that the phrase “one industry, two solutions” provided clarity for customers who appreciated being given a choice. All those years ago, when I was the editor of the world’s only bottled water cooler magazine, H2O Europe (and at the time we launched the first POU industry magazine, The Point), I recall that we seemed to constantly talk about the fact that the water cooler industry was a service industry and, for the sake of long-term viability – or sustainability, as we might call it now – the accent at all times had to be on maintaining the highest possible service standards to customers while providing solutions that best matched their particular needs. Merging the two successful magazines to launch Cooler Innovation was an easy decision, as we have always maintained that customers see only “one industry, two solutions” and that to a client, “a cooler is a cooler”. Nice then to note that at least part of the industry has caught up with our way of thinking. This article first appeared in Cooler Innovation magazine.

PepsiCo will launch its energy drink, SoBe Adrenaline Rush, in India a few months from now. The company is targeting the 24+ segment in major urbancentres. Sucheta Govil, Executive Director and Vice President of Innovation, PepsiCo India, told The Economic Times: “India is a young country and energy is one of the important consumer needs of its youth.” SoBe will initially be sold in Mumbai, Delhi and Bangalore and will debut in modern trade and on-premise outlets, and will be supported by point-of-sale promotions and sampling offers. The Indian energy drink market is estimated to be worth INR 5bn (US$101.07m), and PepsiCo intends to capture a substantial section of the segment within two to three years. The company's plans to roll out its SoBe Adrenaline Rush energy supplement comes hot on the heels of PepsiCo CEO Indra Nooyi's announcement of investing US$500m in the Indian market over the next three years with the aim of trebling the company's sales. The new drink is available at INR 75 per 245ml can.

Lucozade Sport Hydro Active is being relaunched by Lucozade Sport to enhance brand awareness. The emphasis for the relaunch is on the new pack design, which focuses on the fact that it's a "low-calorie option", and that the best-selling beverage is "more effective than water in keeping consumers hydrated". "The move into the proven Lucozade Sport range will help widen the relevance of Lucozade Sport Hydro Active to sporting participants," said Adam Prentice, Lucozade Sport Group Brand Manager. "The eye-catching new look is set to further drive consumer awareness and demand."

The UK Government Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has published a new BSI Publicly Available Specification – a new standard method for assessing carbon footprint for the food industry across the UK. An ongoing project commissioned by Defra, and led by environmental and agricultural consultancy ADAS, has informed the development of the BSI Publicly Available Specification (PAS 2050) for assessing the lifecycle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of goods and services – enabling all food businesses to use a consistent approach to assessing product carbon footprints. Food businesses feeling the strain of particularly tough trading conditions will welcome the benefits of employing the PAS standard, as those involved in manufacture and supply will now be able to identify carbon 'hotspots', implement cost-saving efficiency gains and invest in innovative low-carbon solutions. The industry is also under increasing pressure from the government and retail customers to meet ambitious targets for carbon reduction. Prior to the publication of PAS 2050, there was no widely accepted standard method for testing GHG emissions of products and services, and there has been confusion surrounding what should and shouldn't be included. The availability of a reliable, fully tested method is likely to be of significant interest not only to the food industry but also to the consumer. The application of PAS 2050 will reveal a wealth of new information about the sustainability of food chains, and could lead to major changes across the food supply network in a drive towards carbon reduction and increased efficiency in terms of the way food is produced, manufactured, supplied, distributed, retailed and used. ADAS Senior Consultant Jeremy Wiltshire said: "The PAS is an extremely valuable tool which will enable us to analyse the global warming potential of all food production systems, whether organic or conventional, UK or international, present or future. It's a major milestone in the move towards a low-carbon economy, and immediately allows businesses to develop strategies that drive down emissions." Wiltshire continued: "Following the assessment of a carbon footprint using PAS 2050, strategies to decrease GHG emissions will usually lead to cost savings for a food producer. However, it's important that strategies to decrease emissions also account for wider environmental implications such as water use." James Clarke, ADAS Business Development Manager, said: "This provides an important tool for the food chain to assess its carbon impact and drive business improvement. Assessing a carbon footprint can identify opportunities and priorities for business to significantly improve productive efficiency, energy efficiency and waste minimisation, thereby saving costs." The Defra-funded research project, which commenced in November last year, also drew on support from <1>, <2>, the <3> environmental consultancy and <4>. ADAS is holding a conference next month to offer advice and strategic guidance to the food and farming industry, on the benefits of assessing carbon footprinting for business, the practical application of PAS 2050, and approaches to working together effectively. "It's important that the food chain now works together to ensure that footprints are assessed in a cost-effective and representative manner. The ADAS Carbon Conference will aim to start this process," added Clarke. <1>: http://www.campden.co.uk <2>: http://www.cranfield.ac.uk <3>: http://www.eugeos.co.uk <4>: http://www.northwyke.bbsrc.ac.uk

*At the Starbucks 2008 Leadership Conference, the company declared itwould focus on achieving 13 measurable goals by 2015. As part of the Starbuck Shared Planet initiative, the company has announced a renewed commitment on goals for ethical sourcing, environmental stewardship and community involvement. * One of the largest coffeehouse chains in the world, the business has in the last year or so experienced difficulties after falling sales forced it to close a large number of stores worldwide. The re-evaluation of company priorities can be seen in the new commitment to, among other things, grow and ethically trade 100% of its coffee; make all Starbucks cups reusable or recyclable; reduce environmental footprint through energy and water conservation, recycling and green construction; and contribute one million community service hours per year. “Starbucks Shared Planet isn't just about how important it is to us that we’re a socially responsible company," said Howard Schultz, Chairman, President and CEO of Starbucks Coffee Company. "It’s to reaffirm Starbucks' leadership in the retail and coffee industries and the communities in which we're operating. “While these goals are aspirational, we have set substantive measurements that will challenge us to be a better company. During this time of economic uncertainty, we realise that we have the opportunity and the responsibility to keep our focus on our commitment to keep our communities strong, and I’m proud of what we’re doing to live up to the guiding principles of this company.” Goals Starbucks plans to achieve by 2015 include: Ethical sourcing * Purchase 100% of all coffee through ethical sourcing practices, up from the current 65% * Invest in a better future for farmers and their communities by nearly doubling funding to organisations that provide farmer loans * Proactively impact climate change by offering farmers incentives to prevent deforestation. Pilot programmes with Conservation International in Sumatra, Indonesia and Chiapas, Mexico are under way. Community involvement: Contribute more than one million community service hours per year in communities Engage 50,000 young social entrepreneurs to innovate and take action and, in turn, inspire 100,000 individuals to take action in their communities through the Starbucks Social Entrepreneurs Fund Environmental stewardship 100% of Starbucks cups will be either reusable or recyclable 25% of cups will be reusable Increase recycling available in stores 50% energy used in company-owned stores will come from renewable sources by 2010 Reduce greenhouse gas emissions by making company owned stores 25% more energy efficient by 2010 Significantly reduce water usage All new company owned stores will be certified green by 2010 Champion tropical rainforest protection as a solution for climate change.

Ontario's second E.coli outbreak has resulted in the voluntary closure of the M.T. Bellies restaurant, following reports that three affected people ate at the establishment. E.coli has been in the news recently after it was detected in a North Bay restaurant, and that particular outbreak has affected 229 people so far. The good news is that an Alberta-based university researcher may have found a possible treatment for the deadly strain. David Bundle, chemistry professor and director of the Alberta Ingenuity Centre for Carbohydrate Science, has developed a polymeric drug that binds a naturally occurring protein in the body with the E.coli toxin, preventing it from affecting the kidneys. "If you give antibiotics, the bacteria die and burst open, spilling their toxins," said Bundle, cautioning that if the E. coli toxin invades the kidney, the result can be fatal. But Bundle and his colleagues – Pavel Kitov and Glen Armstrong – have created a drug that lashes the E.coli bacteria to a naturally occurring protein molecule, preventing the E.coli from making contact with kidney cells. The drug that acts like a lasso is called Polybait. Symptoms of E.coli illnesses typically include violent diarrhoea and stomach pain, with or without a fever. * *

Dairy company Fonterra recently launched a new line of dairy proteins for the production of nutrition bars. PowerProtein contains whey protein concentrate and a milk protein concentrate. These have fewer chewy textures, and do not harden nor brown in the same way as traditional protein bars. Shelf-life, according to Fonterra, is also improved by the new ingredients. The line includes PowerWPC, PowerMPCs and Powercrisps. "Fonterra's new generation protein ingredients will significantly increase its market share in the bar and snack categories, as a key part of our expanding portfolio of specialty ingredients," said Nigel Little, Fonterra's global category manager for physical nutrition.

Adult soft drink Shloer is celebrating its 70th anniversary this year, and will introduce Shloer Apple to the UK to mark the occasion. Shloer Apple, a sparkling blend of crisp apple and white grape juice, was previously only available in Northern Ireland. "Shloer Apple is our third most popular variant in Northern Ireland after White and Red Grape," said Amanda Grabham, Shloer communications controller. "Now, in our 70th year, we felt it would be fitting to introduce the variant to rest of the UK. "As Shloer is currently the second best-selling adult soft drink in the take-home market and number one table-top drink by SKU, the new flavour represents a great sales opportunity for retailers looking to capitalise on the growth of at-home entertaining, particularly if positioned on aisle-end displays and in chiller cabinets." Shloer Apple is available in an elegant 75cl glass bottle.

Tana Water (UK) has commented on a recent water quality problem reported by the <1>. According to the newspaper, elderly residents of Langlands Court, sheltered accommodation in Hawick in the Scottish borders, are suffering due to heavily chlorinated tap water. Many of the residents in their 70s to 90s have resorted to buying bottled drinking water from their local supermarket. Those who are too frail to carry the water home rely on their relatives to bring drinking water with them when they visit. In spite of the water being described as "undrinkable", Scottish Water’s tests have shown that the tap water meets the legal criteria for safe drinking water. Residents have been advised by Scottish Water to run the water for 15 minutes before drinking it. Commenting on the case, Nick Heane, MD of Tana Water (UK), said: “This is clearly a case where installing a mains-fed water filter would be highly beneficial and cost-effective to the residents of Langlands Court and the housing association responsible for its day to day running. "Plumbing a mains-fed water machine into each apartment, or at the very least plumbing in a machine within a communal area such as a lounge or dining room, would allow residents to filter out chlorine, limescale and other unpalatable organic compounds to provide water that tastes excellent. This can be achieved immediately without Scottish Water making any changes to its treatment processes. "I’m surprised that Scottish Water is advising residents to run off water for 15 minutes when The Environment Agency aims to reduce our daily water use by 30 litres per person by 2030.” <1>: http://www.hawick-news.co.uk/news/Complaints-pour-in-over-OAPs39.4624673.jp

In a recent statement, the European Food Safety Authority’s (EFSA) AFC Panel concluded that a recent study on the effects of bisphenoal A in the <1>** did not necessitate establishing new safety levels of the chemical. The Authority stated the following: **European Food Safety Authority’s AFC Panel has issued a further scientific opinion on a specific aspect of the chemical bisphenol A (BPA), concerning its elimination from the body and how that relates to the risk assessment of BPA for humans. The aim was to take into account recent data and consider any implications for the existing EFSA advice on BPA set out in its 2006 opinion, which concluded that exposure to BPA is well below the Tolerable Daily Intake (TDI). People are exposed to BPA which may be present in food through its use in certain food contact materials such as baby bottles and cans. The conclusions of the panel are that after exposure to BPA, the human body rapidly metabolises and eliminates the substance. This represents an important metabolic difference compared with rats. EFSA will continue to closely monitor scientific findings regarding BPA and any related health effects. The AFC Panel, in its final session, took into account the previous and the most recent information and data available on the way that BPA and related substances are handled in the human body. The panel concluded that the exposure of the human foetus to BPA would be negligible because the mother rapidly metabolises and eliminates BPA from her body. The scientists also concluded that newborns are similarly able to metabolise and eliminate BPA at doses below one milligram per kilogram of bodyweight per day. This implies that newborns could effectively clear BPA at levels far in excess of the TDI of 0.05 mg/kg bw set by the panel, and therefore its 2006 risk assessment remains valid. The panel considered the significant differences between humans and rodents, such as the fact that people metabolise and excrete BPA far more quickly than rodents. This body of evidence further limits the relevance of low-dose effects of BPA reported in some rodent studies used for human risk assessment. In its previous risk assessment, the panel derived a TDI of 0.05 mg/kg bodyweight based on the no-observed-adverse-effect level (NOAEL) of five milligram/kg bodyweight/day for effects in rats and included an uncertainty factor of 100. In this latest assessment, the panel concluded that this TDI provides a sufficient margin of safety for the protection of the consumer, including foetuses and newborns. EFSA took note of the US National Toxicology Program’s draft brief on BPA and of the Canadian government’s recent Draft Screening Assessment on BPA, which took into account findings from the low-dose studies, notably with respect to neurodevelopmental toxicity, though both pointed out that these studies were limited in rigour, consistency and biological plausibility. EFSA also took into account the recent report published by one of the institutes of the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (EC, 2008), which concluded that due to the low confidence in the reliability of the developmental neurotoxicity studies and the lack of consistency in the results of behavioural testing, no conclusions can be drawn from these studies. This opinion is similar to that of EFSA in 2006. EFSA is equally aware of the report of the <2>, (VKM, 2008), which concluded that the findings did not provide sufficient evidence for setting a robust lower NOAEL than the current NOAEL set by EFSA at 5 mg/kg body weight/day. <1>: http://http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/short/300/11/1303 <2>: http://www.vkm.no/eway/default.aspx?pid=266&trg=MainLeft_5419&4698=5420:2&MainLeft_5419=5468:17924::0:5420:4:::0:0