Loseley has introduced its new Naturally Softer Butter. Packed in a 250g tub, this 100% natural product spreads like a dream, giving you all the flavour of dairy-fresh butter with nothing added and nothing taken away. The secret to Loseley Naturally Softer Butter's success is down to its specially selected cows and their extra-special diet. Loseley cows are fed a unique, natural diet, and when their cream is churned it never becomes as hard as traditional butter. This means that Loseley doesn't have to add vegetable oil to the butter (as is the case with many other spreadable brands) and so what you get is a pure, quality product with no added ingredients. The only thing Loseley does add is a touch of salt to enhance flavour. Loseley Naturally Softer Butter joins its award-winning yogurts and cottage cheeses in providing consumers with a product that's full of the natural goodness of the countryside without any unknown or unwanted additives.

US based DC Brands, an energy drink company that makes both Dickens Cider Energy and Turn Left, has launched Hard Nutrition Functional Water Systems – a range of enhanced vitamin enhanced waters containing added fitness and bodybuilding supplements. DC Brands, which acquired the Hard Nutrition brand at the end of last year, has introduced its low sugar drinks range in fitness stores and gyms in February 2008. The company also relies substantially on online orders. Hard Nutrition Functional Water Systems is currently available in seven variants. Consumers can choose from Breakfast (orange); Lunch (pineapple/raspberry); Dinner (blackberry lemonade); Bedtime (green tea with honey); Whacked Energy (grape); Wide Awake Energy (white tea with blueberry); and Fat Fighter (white tea with plum). At least another seven additional products in the range set for release in 2008 although the flavours have not been disclosed. The future variants include Get Over It – hangover relief, All Woman, Gut Check System Cleanser, Muscle Up-size and strength, Muscle Up – rebuild and recover, Endurance Athlete and Focus. Jim Randall, Vice President of Sales at DC Brands, commented: “All of the products have specifically designed supplements sealed within our proprietary caps and a light, clean, crisp, refreshing beverage as the catalyst."

A new English natural mineral water, drawn from a chalk aquifer that lies deep beneath the South Cambridgeshire countryside, is set to offer English consumers a real alternative to the major Scottish and overseas bottled water brands when it launches in March 2008. Iceni Water, named after the famous East Anglian tribe ruled by Boudicca in 60AD, will be supported by a £650,000 launch campaign which includes extensive in-store activity, consumer sampling, advertising, sports sponsorship and consumer and trade PR. Available in 33cl, 50cl, 75cl and 1.5 litre 100% recyclable plastic bottles, Iceni will be available nationally in UK supermarkets and retailers from mid March. Iceni Water, naturally high in calcium and low in sodium, is bottled at source in Duxford, Cambridgeshire at a purpose-built £11 million bottling plant – the most technically advanced plant of its kind in Europe. The brand offers a real alternative to imported water that incurs substantial food miles during distribution. Iceni Waters Ltd Brett Fleming-Jones, Managing Director said: “Given the UK consumer's growing awareness of and insistence on good food provenance and low food miles, there is a clear gap in the market for a truly English brand, particularly one that can serve London and the South East where bottled water consumption is highest.” In 2008 more than 25 million litres of Iceni Water will be bottled, placing it within the top 10 bottled water brands in the UK, and it is anticipated that production will double within two years.

The first year’s success of new ethical water brand Thirsty Planet has led to three quarters of a million people in some of the poorest parts of Africa being given access to clean water for life. Launched on World Water Day last year, Thirsty Planet’s aim is to bring clean water to 10 million people in sub-Saharan Africa by the year 2015. As World Water Day 2008 approaches (22 March), Thirsty Planet – produced by Harrogate based Waterbrands – has secured a 65% share of the ethical water sector in its first year, generating over £370,000 to help more than 750,000 people. For every multipack of 8x500ml or 6x1.5ltr bottles of Thirsty Planet sold, 50p is given to the charity Pump Aid which helps villagers to dig wells and install cheap and easy-to-operate ‘elephant’ pumps. Contributions from every individual bottle sold also funds the pumps, which do not need any specialist knowledge to maintain and can be repaired with easily available materials, such as plant fibres. Speaking in the run-up to World Water Day, Waterbrands Managing Director Paul Martin said: “The success of this first year is fantastic, and a great start towards reaching our goal. While our business has obviously had a terrific 12 months, the fact that we’ve gone on to help three quarters of a million people makes the achievement that much more enjoyable.” The success of Thirsty Planet is also helping to drive value growth in the otherwise stagnant bottled water market. “The recent outcry over PET bottles and food miles has led to a backlash in the media against all bottled water,” said Paul. “It seems to be singled out for criticism, but it is not the only product packaged in plastic or transported in bulk.” “What is rarely mentioned is the fact that 85% of bottled water drunk in the UK comes from sustainable, natural sources and that 75 per cent is sourced here in Britain. Thirsty Planet certainly falls into both categories. “What we offer with Thirsty Planet is a healthy and convenient way of getting refreshment in addition to making a real difference to the lives of people who are in desperate need. “It’s easy to forget that water remains an incredibly precious resource for millions of people across the globe, yet one we largely take for granted on these shores,” he said. “It's scandalous that in the 21st century there are a billion people on the earth who are still having to rely on dirty, contaminated water, when it costs only £250 to install a well and a pump that will serve a community of 500. This work will ensure a clean water source and prevent thousands of under-5s from dying.” Paul explained that having a source of clean water means so much more than people not falling ill as often. “What we take for granted is a constant worry for the villagers – especially women - whose daily routine is dominated by the never-ending trudge to and from the water hole with heavy buckets,” he said. “By choosing Thirsty Planet, consumers know they are giving someone renewed hope and the chance of a better life."

US based Hiball Energy has received a major boost by picking up a listing for Hiball Sparkling Energy Water at all 250 American stores of Whole Foods Market. Wholesale organic food distributor United Natural Foods will deliver the drinks to the retailer. The purified sparkling energy water is already sold all over the country at Safeway and Wild Oats as well as at various regional natural food chains and independent grocery retailers. Whole Foods Market Senior Global Grocery Coordinator Perry Abbenante commented: “We are excited about Hiball Energy products because the company is pioneering the completely new category of sparkling energy water. Hiball is a great fit for Whole Foods Market because it’s a unique product in a cool-looking package that offers an alternative to the standard energy drink.” Hiball Sparkling Energy Water is available in five natural flavours: original, orange, wild berry, lemon lime and grapefruit. The range is completely free of sugar or sweeteners, artificial ingredients and carbohydrates. Each 10oz glass bottle contains just 10 calories per bottle yet delivers 75mg of natural caffeine, the same level of caffeine in the average cup of coffee served in North America. The purified sparkling water also contains a proprietary blend of taurine, natural herbal extracts, B vitamins and natural fruit flavours.

As one of the most important dates in the Christian calendar fast approaches, it may come as a surprise to many that the majority of the nation does not see Easter first and foremost as a religious festival. New research reveals that over two thirds of people in the UK associate Easter with chocolate, while nearly one in ten think of Easter as just an extended bank holiday. And over 10% of Brits see Easter as having no religious connotations at all! In fact, according to the survey by British luxury chocolate retailer, Hotel Chocolat, the UK sees receiving chocolate Easter eggs as nearly ten times more important than spending time with family over the Easter period. Surprisingly, the research also suggested that our profession has a significant influence over our attitude towards Easter. Those working in the legal and education sectors are least likely to think of Easter as a religious festival while those in the Human Resources department have a slightly different view - with over 80% citing chocolate eggs as the only thing that matters during Easter! And if you work in the health care industry you’re most likely to be looking forward to the extra time off. If the study is anything to go by it would seem that getting the right Easter Chocolate egg is crucial to a happy fun filled four days. However, Hotel Chocolat claims that more than half of the UK considers cheap chocolate as the worst thing about Easter eggs, and would rather pay extra for the chocolate quality, ahead of the sheer size of the egg. So if you think that spending time with a chocolate egg is more important than your family make sure you get it right.

Lots, actually. Information, insights, contacts, and deals of course. But also a focus on some unresolved priorities for further action. At least, this was my take on it: Consumer education – Dairy has massive benefits to communicate, but needs to coordinate its resources and messages more effectively – a task that's beginning to be addressed by the Global Dairy Platform. Nutrition labelling – There was no appetite for traffic lights and no enthusiasm for guideline daily amounts, but nor has a viable alternative been found. Added value – There was a spring in the industry's step as a result of improved sales, and greater confidence as a result of innovation success, but also an awareness that many traditions remain to be updated. Natural vs functional – This is a real dilemma for product developers, with so many natural attributes in the market mainstream and yet an expectation of gradual moves towards more sophistication and extra functionality on the fringes. Face the fats – 0% fat was seen by some as the middle way to achieve all of the taste with none of the drawbacks. Environment imperative – Numerous initiatives were in evidence from pack lightweighting to renewable energy, but dairy has a big footprint and will need support to improve recycling. School milk – The chance of a UN School Milk Centre was raised and greeted. This merits confirmation with alacrity. To have a UN-backed World School Milk Day is a material asset and a dedicated UN unit would be a genuine investment.

Czech company Tecfood has voluntarily agreed to take down billboards for its energy drink Kamikaze, featuring a picture of Foreign Minister Karel Schwarzenberg asleep during a parliamentary debate. The posters say "Kamikaze drinkers last longer". Unfortunately, the Kamikaze billboards also woke up the Czech Republic’s advertising watchdog, the Rada Pro Reklamu (RPR), which condemned the ads as unethical and exploitative. The RPR claimed they breached the industry’s self-regulatory Code of Conduct, which forbids the use of public figures in commercials. Jaroslav Dostalík of Tecfood said the company would comply with the watchdog’s request to change the Kamikaze billboards, but refused to accept they were unethical. Dostalík challenged the RPR to hold “an open discussion on the Czech idea of advertising ethics, which has long ceased to meet global demands and the consumers’ expectations.” No problem Ironically, the central figure in the Kamikaze ads had no objection to the campaign. Schwarzenberg, a 70-year-old political veteran, admits that he often dozes off during long debates, whether at European Union summits or in the Czech parliament. When reporters asked for the Foreign Minister’s reactions to two particularly tedious speeches during the run-up to the country’s Presidential election in February, he replied: “I honourably fell asleep during both.” Schwarzenberg was in Germany recovering from a heart operation when the Prague Daily Monitor called to ask whether he thought Tecfood should change the billboards. “No, it shouldn’t,” he reportedly said. “Seriously. They should all go to hell.”

Swiss food and beverage giant Nestlé delivered an early Easter gift to investors by issuing an unexpectedly upbeat forecast of its growth prospects in 2008. Nestlé said it expected to report “very strong organic growth” in the first quarter after a good start in January and February. Despite the increasingly gloomy economic climate, the company projects its growth over the full year to be close to the level of 2007, “and clearly above the long-term trend target of 5-6%". Nestlé said it had pushed through price rises for its products, partially offsetting the impact of higher raw material costs, and contributing to increased revenue. The company also boosted its real internal growth (RIG) in the first two months of 2008, to achieve an “outstanding” result that will be reflected when Nestlé reports its quarterly sales on 21 April. “The group’s organic growth is off to a very strong start in 2008,” said Peter Brabeck-Letmathe, Chairman and CEO of Nestlé. “This demonstrates the benefits of Nestlé’s strategic reorientation to nutrition, health and wellness reflected in the strong underlying momentum in our business, but also our strategy to respond immediately to exceptional cost evolutions in the commodity markets. “We expect our raw material cost pressures to abate somewhat in the course of the year, and foresee price increases to trend lower in the second half of 2008, resulting in a full-year organic growth rate close to the level reached in 2007, clearly above our long-term target.”

Arla Foods says it aims to cut 25% of its current greenhouse gas emissions from its entire production and distribution cycle by 2020. Concerns over the environmental impacts of food and beverage manufacture from both governments and environmental groups, has led to processors having to reduce output of waste and green house gas emissions. Group CEO Peter Tuborgh said the company's plan, which will target a variety of areas of its operations from the farmyard through to distribution, was an ambitious long-term strategy."We don't have all the answers yet, but we're sending out a strong signal now to employees and business partners that, as a major company, we take our greenhouse gas emissions very seriously," he said. "We want to offer customers and consumers more climate friendly products and contribute to national and international climate targets." According to its own estimates, the company's present greenhouse gas emissions are about 1.5 million tons a year from its combined production, transportation and packaging operations. Arla Foods said that its position as a dairy cooperative therefore put it in a strong position to adapt emissions at all levels of the dairy value chain. As part of the sustainability drive, Tuborgh said the company will focus particularly on encouraging research in its three core markets within Europe. "As a Danish-Swedish cooperative, Arla is able to focus on the whole value chain from cow to consumer," he added. "To this end, Arla Foods intends to actively support and cooperate with organisations within the company's three home markets: Sweden, Denmark, and the UK."

Designed in conjunction with computer giant Microsoft, the latest supermarket trolley will not only guide you to the exact shelf for the item you want, it will also help you keep a check on your diet. It adds up your groceries as you shop, highlights special offers, and even suggests recipes using the items you've bought. And Texas-based manufacturer MediaCart says the trolley could be in UK stores by 2009. The MediaCart's personalised features, such as diet checks, recipe suggestions and remembering and downloading shopping lists, are activated when a shopper inserts a store loyalty card. The MediaCart uses Wi-Fi radio signals rather than GPS, and each trolley has an in-built locator device and plots its position on a 12in screen. It even uses voice-recognition technology to take instructions from shoppers.

To encourage everyone in the UK to celebrate their own natural beauty with confidence, Brecon Carreg has created a national make-up free day. Welsh pop singer Cerys Matthews is supporting Brecon Carreg National Dare to Go Bare Day on Friday 18 April 2008 in aid of the British Skin Foundation, the UK's only charity dedicated to raising funds for skin disease research. Cerys Matthews commented: "Getting a group of friends or colleagues together and encouraging each other to go make-up free for a night on the town or a day in the office on Friday 18 April is an easy way to get involved and will provide that vital support for everyone wanting to take part but not wanting to 'go bare' alone." Brecon Carreg Marketing Manager Gill Bullock explained: "Dare to Go Bare Day is inspired by the natural beauty of the Brecon Beacons National Park where Brecon Carreg is created as it filters through the Black Mountain Hills. The national day is also a great way to encourage people to look after their skin properly and taking a break from wearing make-up is a great way to let your skin breath – even if it's just for one day." Over half of women say they drink lots of water as part of a routine to look after their skin yet less than one in ten drink the recommended eight glasses a day. Skin, the body's biggest organ, is a huge reservoir of water and if the body's water supplies are low, skin suffers. Drinking natural mineral water can help – it is required by law to be naturally wholesome, with nothing added to alter the natural characteristics of the water. For more useful tips on how to include drinking water into the daily routine and to get involved in Brecon Carreg National Dare to Go Bare Day on 18 April, register at <<1>">www.daretogobare.co.uk]<1> and download a sponsorship form. <1>: http://www.daretogobare.co.uk