*Arizona-based Boink International has developed Boink as a healthier energy drink using natural additives without caffeine. * The key ingredient is Cayenne pepper, which contains capsaicin – said to improve circulation and act as a catalyst for other herbs and nutrients. In 8oz PET, the drink is also said to boost alertness, metabolism and digestion.

The new drink is a citrus-flavoured, 44cl stimulation drink mirroring the adrenalin-filled drama on the US Counter Terrorism Unit.

Tomorrow, the Eighteenth Annual Berkeley Springs International Water Tasting will stage what organisers believe to be the largest and longest running water tasting competition in the world. water innovation magazine has been invited to participate at the event held in the historic spa town of Berkeley Springs, West Virginia. Over 100 entrants are expected to compete in five categories: Municipal, Bottled Non-carbonated, Purified Drinking Water, Bottled Sparkling and the People's Choice Package Design. All day Saturday, the public will have an opportunity to vote for the People's Choice award for best packaging. They will also be able to taste water along with the distinguished panel of media judges. Watermaster Arthur von Wiesenberger, noted expert and author directs the challenge of evaluating a product where tastelessness is deemed by many as the most sought after quality. The unique event has been dubbed the "granddaddy of water tastings," by von Wiesenberger. We will reveal the results of the taste contest early next week.

Dodekamin Black from Asahi Soft Drinks in Japan contains seven energising amino acids, three vitamins and stamina boosting maca and guarana. A shelf-stable drink, the ingredient maca is usually associated with sexual energy. According to Mintel’s 2007 Energy Drinks US report, age plays a significant role in the consumption of energy drinks with 34% of consumers tending to be in the 18-34 age group, at least in the US.

DLR Associates in the US is aiming at Hispanic consumers with its 16oz Potencia Energy Drink. President Daisy Ramirez explained how the appetite suppressing ingredient tamarind is known to be beneficial for gut and colon health. Other ingredients include taurine, guarana, ginseng, niacin and vitamin C. Two more variants are planned.

*US-based 1in3 Trinity promises to "energise your mind and body with the fruit of the spirit". This pomegranate and grape flavoured energy drink seems to be the only energy drink with a religious positioning. * Containing taurine, caffeine, ginseng and ginkgo biloba, it's available through Christian cafes and fitness juice shops.

*Aurora Organic Dairy, a leading US provider of private label organic milk and butter, has announced a major initiative with the University of Michigan to measure and reduce its carbon footprint across the entire product lifecycle, from cattle feed to cartons in retail dairy cases. * This research is believed to be the most comprehensive carbon emissions reduction initiative undertaken in the organic dairy industry, and will be funded by the newly established Aurora Organic Dairy Foundation. The new Aurora Organic Dairy Foundation is a Colorado-based not-for-profit organisation that will fund research, market development initiatives and community building activities benefiting organic agriculture, including farmers, processors, consumers, animals and the environment. * Research partnership* The Foundation’s first grant of more than $320,000 will fund a long-term research partnership with the Centre for Sustainable Systems at the University of Michigan’s School of Natural Resources and Environment. With the proceeds of the grant, the centre will conduct lifecycle and sustainability research at Aurora Organic Dairy’s facilities, including its state of the art High Plains organic dairy farm in Colorado and its Coldwater organic dairy farms in Texas. Led by associate professor Gregory Keoleian, PhD, and Martin Heller, PhD, the research will initially focus on developing an energy and carbon footprint model, creating a baseline against which Aurora Organic can make improvements in its sustainability performance. The centre will examine the entire product lifecycle from ‘seed to shelf’, including important measures such as growing pasture and cattle feed, manufacturing, and product distribution to retail customers. The study will identify those processes that contribute the greatest environmental impacts, focused primarily on total energy consumption and carbon emissions. In Phase II, the centre will make recommendations for improving Aurora Organic’s sustainability performance, including energy supply and demand options, non fuel-related carbon emissions, and energy and greenhouse gases from material resources such as packaging. “Aurora Organic Dairy is providing the Centre for Sustainable Systems with an excellent opportunity to apply our research expertise and address real challenges faced by organic agriculture producers,” said CSS Co-Director and Research Team Leader, Dr Keoleian. “This grant from the Aurora Organic Dairy Foundation to the University of Michigan is the first of many that will help fund continued research into development of organic best practices, with a strong emphasis on sustainability,” said Aurora Organic Dairy President and Chief Organic Officer, Mark Retzloff. “Our goal is to evaluate what we do on our farms and throughout our supply chain, and to develop tools for guiding our company and enhancing our sustainability performance. We intend to learn as much as we can about how to make organic agriculture even more sustainable. Our goal is to share what we learn with our network of more than 120 family farmers and the organic agriculture community as a whole.”

A case in point is Utah based Park City IceWater Company (formerly Wasatch IceWater Company) recently mentioned by Plenty magazine for its 'eco-friendly' packaging known as the GlacierPak. The proprietary packaging used by the company is a flexible pouch made by Ampac Packaging. Park City claims its packaging is the answer to the environmental issues surrounding PET water bottles. Ampac and Park City refer to the packaging as recyclable and environmentally friendly saying both its reduction of waste and of resources used in production are its primary benefits. The company says its packaging is better and because of its shape if landfilled it would occupy 96% less space compared to the traditional PET bottle. However, like other complex packaging solutions, it is unclear exactly how easily recyclable the GlacierPak packaging is in the US where most municipal recycling facilities accept only blow moulded PET and HDPE plastics. In a recent press release Park City said, "Park City IceWater packs consumes 96% less waste and requires 75% less energy to produce than standard 16oz PET bottles." .

*This year, the Californian based E. & J. Gallo Winery celebrates its milestone 75th anniversary. Founded in 1933 at the repeal of America's Prohibition law by two brothers, Ernest and Julio Gallo. * In all, there are fifteen Gallo family members, spanning the second, third, and fourth generations working in various areas of the business including grape growing, winemaking, marketing, and sales. The family aims to continue the mission of founders Ernest and Julio while furthering traditions with every year ahead. "The 75th anniversary of the winery underscores our family's basic beliefs about taking the long view as farmers and winemakers. Ernest and Julio started something with future generations in mind, and with land and reputation as our most valued resources, the family continues to build for the future," says Gallo Family Vineyards third generation winemaker Gina Gallo. "We are still on the path laid out for us: make good wine at a good price, teach people how to enjoy wine as part of a life well-lived, and always, always strive to improve on both quality and value in our wines." "Our mission today still resembles my grandfather Ernest's and great-uncle Julio's company goals to challenge ourselves and be passionate about our work," says Gallo Family Vineyards Senior Marketing Director Stephanie Gallo and also third generation Gallo family member. To celebrate this landmark year, the winery recently conducted a nationwide survey to gauge American perspective on wine, particularly on family owned businesses. Survey questions focused on what influences purchase decisions around wine consumption and on what business attributes matter most to consumers as they form brand loyalty within the wine industry. Some of the top line findings include: * 92% of Americans surveyed felt they would be more inclined to choose a family owned business over a non family owned business given the choice * When asked which attributes mattered the most in family owned companies, consumers placed pride of workmanship (76%), honesty (76%) and loyalty (61%) at the top * Nearly three quarters of the wine drinkers surveyed indicated that E. & J. Gallo Winery's status as a family owned business positively affects their decision to purchase its products

*Playboy and Play Beverages LLC have announced the launch of the ultra-sexy, invigorating Playboy Energy Drink. With subtle notes of fruit and vanilla, it contains ginseng root, guarana extract and damiana leaf – ingredients that are believed to stimulate energy levels. * Available in two varieties, regular and sugar free, Playboy Energy is now available in the Boston area and will roll out to Miami, Las Vegas and Los Angeles in March. “Playboy Energy was created to give consumers a taste of the lifestyle that has always been associated with the Playboy brand,” said Sarah Haney, Vice President – Licensing, Playboy Enterprises Inc. Already creating buzz in Hollywood, prelaunch cans were on hand at exclusive events around town. Celebrities were spotted drinking the not yet available beverage at summer soirees, including the Polaroid Beach House in Malibu. “The functional beverage category continues to expand at light speed, and we’ve seen many players both large and small emerge with new brands,” said Play Beverages President, Robert Nistico. “The Playboy Rabbit Head Icon is among the most recognised brand icons globally, and affords us instant recognition and credibility in this dynamic category – all of which will ultimately translate to trial and repeat purchases.” Playboy Energy Drink is packaged in an 8.4oz black can, made distinctive by the famous Playboy Rabbit Head Design and colours denoting regular (glowing orange) or sugar-free (glowing blue).

DSM has announced the launch of TensGuard, a new and unique ingredient developed to target the growing global market for blood pressure management. The product of advanced enzyme technology, DSM’s TensGuard contains dairy peptides, proven to help control blood pressure to maintain a healthy heart. The active peptide responsible for the blood pressure lowering effect in TensGuard is the so-called ‘Lactotripeptide’ Isoleucine-Proline-Proline (IPP). While lactotripeptides are present in normal dairy products, they're inactive within the original milk protein. To become effective, these peptides first need to be released through enzymatic predigestion. TensGuard contains activated lactotripeptides, delivering their benefits in a highly concentrated and convenient form. Luc van der Heyden, Business Manager Heart Health, said: “The launch of TensGuard is the result of a long period of dedicated research. Our extensive studies have ensured that we have a clinically proven, highly effective ingredient. This is complemented by in-depth consumer perception studies looking at attitudes and behaviour in relation to high blood pressure. As a result, we're confident we have a high performance ingredient and a receptive global market of significant size.” TensGuard is a natural dietary ingredient, produced using a patented process which offers exciting opportunities for food and dietary supplement companies. TensGuard has a unique, clean taste, provides clear solutions in water, necessitates only low dosages, and is stable under almost all food processing conditions. A tablet grade has also been developed under the name TensGuard TG. TensGuard TG is formulated for good flow properties and has the handling characteristics required by the dietary supplement market. Positioned as a convenient way for consumers to manage blood pressure as part of a healthy diet, TensGuard offers manufacturers a clinically proven ingredient, supported by positive consumer research.* High blood pressure is a well known and independent risk factor for coronary heart disease, heart and kidney failure and stroke. Small reductions in blood pressure can have beneficial effects for cardiovascular disease risk. Research studies indicate that a reduction in systolic blood pressure of 3-5 mmHg is associated with a decrease in the risk for stroke of approximately 15% and coronary heart disease of approximately 10%.

Purdue University is hosting the 25th Annual Aseptic Processing and Packaging Workshop to be held May 12th-15th, 2008 in West Lafayette, IN, USA. The Workshop is targeted at food processing and attended by food development professionals seeking basic knowledge involved in the development of aseptic systems. In 2003, the Scholle family donated $1.5 million to fund an endowed chair at Purdue University’s Department of Food Science program. This contribution helped strengthen Purdue’s work in the science of food processing and as a global leader in the development of aseptic packaging. The current Chair and Department Head of Food Science program is Dr Philip E Nelson. Dr Nelson was recently named 2007 World Food Prize Laureate. After partnering with Scholle Packaging, Dr Nelson developed a low cost aseptic bag-in-box system for preserving and shipping processed fruits like tomatoes. By the 1980s, this technology had spread throughout the global food industry and into other markets such as dairy and juices. Dr Nelson, a faculty member at Purdue University, will be attending and speaking at the seminar.