Lactalis McLelland has combined two of Scotland’s most iconic industries to produce an exclusive cheese only available in Scotland. Seriously Smokey is a combination of extra mature Cheddar produced at the Caledonian Cheese Company, Stranraer, which is then smoked for four hours using wood from old whisky barrels at the family owned Rannoch Smokery in Perthshire. Lactalis McLelland Group Managing Director Andy Smith said: “Consumers in Scotland love smoked products - from fish and meat to cheese, especially those truly authentic Scottish products, and nothing could reflect the traditions and epitomise the quality of Scottish skills and produce more than Seriously Smokey. “The Seriously range has had an exceptional year and the Caledonian site has been key to these successes. Adding Smokey to the range demonstrates our commitment to new product development and shows how important our Scottish heritage is to our business in the future.”

The danger and long term consequence of eating an unbalanced diet is fed to us on a daily basis, but it has just been revealed that the humble potato, the staple diet to millions, in food intolerance terms, is the safest food in Britain. And that’s official! The findings come from food intolerance experts, YorkTest.com, who have compiled a list of the safest foods in Britain that offer up the fewest reactions, and the good old spud is up there as the safest bite in town. According to figures from more than 8,000 patients who took a food intolerance test with YorkTest.com in 2007, less than 1% appeared in the highest intolerance bracket to potato.With all its goodness and nutritional qualities, this makes it a food least likely to be linked with symptomssuch as IBS, migraine, fatigue and eczema. Based on consumption, the figure is all the more remarkable when you consider that each and every person in the UK eats 200lbs of potato a year, and in total, the UK manages to get through 5.5 million tons a year in the form of chips, roast, mashed, boiled and baked. Whereas some food intolerances appear to be caused by too much of the same food on a too regular basis, the potato is the exception to the rule. Also on the list of safe foods to eat are: grapefruit (only 0.44% of patients show a positive intolerance), apricot (0.61%), apple (0.61%), barley (0.65%) and lemon (0.68%). Some foods do have fewer percentage reactions to potato, but would significantly increase if they were eaten in the same quantity. 20% of our entire intake of food is potato. A family of four would expect their shopping basket to contain just 13% of fruit. This makes the spud the outright winner, and the safest food in Britain. Patrick Holford, nutrition expert and bestselling author on health and food-related matters says: “What the list reveals is that, however rare, people do become ill from what they eat. Anybody with a suspicion that their lack of 100% health is to do with food would hardly consider taking potato out of their diet, and so discovering the real and probable cause of ill health by a process of self-elimination can be a bit like finding a needle in a haystack. “Food intolerance testing takes away the guesswork and usually saves time and money. Eight out of ten people who find their hidden allergies notice a difference in how they feel within weeks.”**

Crop tonnage of macadamia nuts is predicted to double over the next seven years as the ambitious tree planting programme instigated by Australian and South African growers begins to deliver its harvest. This has prompted producer organisations from both countries to collaborate in a UK-focused awareness initiative centred on a Macadamia Advice Centre, with a supporting helpline, website and PR campaign directed towards health professionals and consumers. The campaign will initially focus on raising the profile of the nuts with dieticians, GPs, nutritionists and health writers, and is fronted by respected nutritionist and medical writer Dr Sarah Brewer: "The macadamia nut's health properties are currently a well kept secret. Apart from the unique taste and crunch, macadamia nuts offer the highest levels of monounsaturated fats of any food, including othernuts. And monounsaturated fat reduces the risk of atherosclerosis, high blood pressure, coronary heart disease and strokes, and is particularly beneficial for people with type 2 diabetes. "Macadamias are also high in antioxidants, phytochemicals, vitamins, minerals and fibre. But our recent research among medical professionals has highlighted that a significant percentage have no knowledge of the benefit of macadamia nut consumption, and I am pleased to be associated with a campaign intended to rectify this." Australian Growers are represented by the Australian Macadamia Society (AMS), and the SA growers by the South African Macadamia Growers' Association (SAMAC), with the programme being the first time the two organisations have collaborated. Sales of macadamia nuts in the UK have increased by over 250% in the last five years, but with sales currently standing at 500 tons per annum, huge sales growth opportunities exist.

Britvic, the second biggest UK soft drink maker, is attempting to fuel growth after the country's wettest summer on record hurt revenue last year, and bans on indoor smoking cut into pub sales of sodas. The company spent about £170 million to buy the unit of Dublin-based C&C, adding Ballygowan mineral water and becoming PepsiCo Inc.'s Irish bottler. “It's been a challenging environment for them,” said Altium Capital Analyst, Wayne Brown, but added that the worst was over. Britvic held its annual meeting on 30 January and disclosed that the sales include a £49 million contribution from its Irish unit for 2007's last quarter. Growth in total sales increased from 5.7% in the fiscal year through September, which included only five weeks of revenue from the acquired division. The company has recently introduced non-carbonated beverages such as Robinsons Smooth Juice, as concerns about obesity spurred some Britons to avoid sugar-laden sodas. Market share gains for Robinsons helped UK sales of still products to rise 1.2% in the quarter as the market shrank by 1.7%, Britvic said. Revenue from carbonated beverages gained 0.4%, compared to total market growth of 2.5%, Britvic said. “We remain confident about the delivery of market expectations for the year,” Chairman Gerald Corbett said in the statement. Operating margins were steady compared with a year earlier, he added. The company has forecast annual pretax savings of about €14 million from buying the C&C unit. Costs to the rest of its business will total as much as €25 million over three years, CEO Paul Moody has said.

Horizon Milling has developed three new prototypes that demonstrate how food manufacturers can easily incorporate a concentrated source of essential vitamins, minerals and antioxidants into great-tasting snacks, cereals and bars using all-natural GrainWise Wheat Aleurone. GrainWise Wheat Aleurone is a concentrated source of essential vitamins, including thiamin, niacin and folic acid; and important minerals, including phosphorus, magnesium, iron and zinc. It includes antioxidants from whole wheat and contains 45% dietary fibre. “It can be challenging for food manufacturers to develop all-natural products that are also rich with nutrients,” said Kyle Marinkovich, marketing manager, Horizon Milling. “Because GrainWise Wheat Aleurone is all-natural and packed with nutrition, it’s a great way to enrich consumer products while still remaining all-natural.” According to Marinkovich, today’s consumers are looking to get maximum benefits from their food, and simply because a product is labelled “all-natural” doesn’t necessarily mean it has a broad nutritional profile. “GrainWise Wheat Aleurone helps our customers deliver maximum value to consumers who seek concentrated nutrition in their all-natural foods,” he said. The following three prototypes are new examples of how food manufacturers can use GrainWise Wheat Aleurone to enhance the nutrition profile of their products.

Glassmaker O-I has further boosted the environmental credentials of glass packaging with the launch of a new lightweight standard half-litre beer bottle. The bottle is made by O-I for Adnams beers, and won a Starpack award in 2007. The new 300g container, which is available to all UK brewers in clear and amber glass, uses the same blank moulds as the Adnams bottle. This has enabled O-I to reduce the weight of its standard half-litre beer bottle by around 33%. Figures released by WRAP (the Waste Resources Action Programme) indicate that, if all 500ml ale bottles reduced weight at this rate, the reduction would save 10,055 tons of glass, with all the associated environmental savings in terms of carbon, energy consumption, quarrying and transportation*. O-I is pioneering these dramatic improvements through its highly developed expertise in narrow neck press and blow (NNPB) manufacturing technology. Paul McLavin, UK sales manager for O-I, says: “This investment by O-I demonstrates our commitment to the continued environmental improvement of our industry and our customers’ businesses. The benefits proved by the Adnams development and the subsequent use of this technology by Marston’s are now available to all.” *Based on figures devised by James Ross Consulting for WRAP, 2006

Bio-Synergy has launched a new functional beauty drink called Beauty From Within. The product contains white grape juice, Aloe vera, green tea extract and vitamins A, D and E – all of which are believed to be useful ingredients that can help maintain healthy skin. Vitamin A is known to maintain skin health and increases the rate of skin turnover as well as aiding collagen production. In addition, research has shown that the vitamin is best absorbed through the gut and not via the skin. Vitamin C is known for its effectiveness as an anti-oxidant and the ability to enhance the synthesis of collagen, resulting in a more youthful appearance. While vitamin E helps to repair the skin and protects against pollution. The main ingredients, white grape and green tea, also have anti-oxidant properties and can improve skin tone and elasticity. Finally, Aloe vera is renowned for a multitude of therapeutic benefits. According to the company, both Jennifer Lopez and Victoria Beckham are said to be fans of the anti-oxidising and fat metabolising beverage.

Supermodel Heidi Klum has teamed up with Diet Coke to play a glamorous and meaningful role at the Oscars on 24 February. Klum will wear a dramatic red dress by John Galliano to the Academy Award presentations, as part of Diet Coke’s new partnership with The Heart Truth – a national awareness campaign about women and heart disease. A red dress has been adopted as the eyecatching symbol of this US campaign. Since mid January, American consumers have had the chance to win Klum’s dress through a Diet Coke sweepstake on mycokerewards.com, while helping women at the same time. For each sweepstake entry, Diet Coke is giving $1 (to a total of $250,000) to the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health, in support of awareness and research into women’s heart health. “Heidi Klum’s participation helps make this programme even bigger, and gives consumers a great way to become involved and learn more about a crucial women’s health issue,” said Caren Pasquale Seckler, Group Director of Low Calorie Colas for Coca-Cola North America. The Diet Coke Red Dress Programme include national and local retail promotions that aim to generate more funds for the campaign. Diet Coke is also sponsoring The Heart Truth’s “Red Dress Collection Fashion Show,” as well as a Heart Truth roadshow. The campaign is reinforced by ads and special Diet Coke packaging. Klum will be modelling her Galliano number for the first time in a Heart Truth fashion show on National Wear Red Day, 1 February.

We applaud Acting Secretary of Agriculture Chuck Connor for his common sense decision to continue the moratorium on milk from cloned animals, while USDA and other government agencies review the implications that the approval of this niche technology would have on trade and public health. Numerous surveys reveal that consumers are not comfortable with the idea of buying milk from cloned cows, and more time is needed for the American public to gain a better understanding of this new technology. US dairy exports have grown significantly during the past few years, reducing the cost of government support programmes. However, milk and food from cloned animals have not been approved for consumption in most countries that are importing our products. Therefore, it would be prudent to wait until all major foreign trading partners have reviewed and approved the same cloning technology in their respective countries. Moving too fast on this technology without a thorough and deliberative dialogue at all levels could also unintentionally lead to reduced domestic consumption of milk, a nutrient-dense food that is an excellent source of nine essential nutrients, including protein and calcium. USDA’s Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend at least three daily servings of dairy as part of a healthy diet. We're reassured that the Food and Drug Administration has confirmed that there are no health or safety issues with food from cloned animals. During the moratorium, we encourage the biotechnology industry to work with consumers to help them gain a full understanding of the technology.

Leading Brands, Inc. has launched a sports energy drink called Die Hard. The company has pledged that for every can sold $0.10 will be donated to help American war veterans. According to Leading Brands, it has taken nine years of research to develop the non carbonated sports drink that hydrates, replenishes electrolytes and energy. Initially, four flavours – Lemon, Orange, Punch and Berry – will be available in 16oz cans in the US and Canada. Only natural flavours and sugars as sweeteners are used in making Die Hard. The beverage is marketed towards those consumers who “Live Hard, Play Hard, Die Hard” and it will be replacing Trek and Nitro in the company’s portfolio. Leading Brands Chairman Ralph McRae adds: "A dozen years of military service taught me that we can never do enough to help support, rehabilitate and re-train those injured while selflessly protecting what we believe in. Die Hard's Pledge to Veterans is, for me, particularly heart-felt. Our mantra at Leading Brands is 'Better Ingredients - Better Brands'. In the case of Die Hard we should add 'Better Principles - Better Brands.'"

The <1> that Scottish and Newcastle (S&N) is to be acquired and divided between Carlsberg and Heineken has been condemned by the Campaign for Real Ale (Camra). S&N’s UK activities are set to be acquired by Heineken, and Camra will be seeking urgent reassurances over the future of S&N’s real ale interests. Mike Benner, Camra’s Chief Executive, said: “The relentless obsession with pushing global lager brands is a failing strategy in the UK beer market, and this is fuelling consolidation and hitting profits hard. The inevitable result of consolidation is brewery closures, brand losses and less choice for Britain’s consumers.” Mr Benner added: “The deal raises many questions for real ale drinkers in the UK. What impact will this have on traditional real ales such as John Smith's, and smaller regional brands such as Magnet? We will be seeking reassurances from the new owners that they will invest in their real ale brands and breweries to meet the demands of today’s beer drinkers, who are increasingly demanding real ale.” Camra is concerned about the impact the takeover could have on WaverleyTBS, a major distributor of real ales, the contract brewing of Theakston’s Best Bitter and the partnership with the Caledonian Brewing Company. It's expected that the takeover will be considered by the European Commission, and Camra is calling for an in-depth review of competition and consumer choice in the EU beer market. Mike Benner continued: “The lager-led approach of the global brewers has been flawed for years, and consumers demand choice, quality and provenance. Fortunately, the increasing number of small and independent real ale breweries in the UK are rising up to fill the void in the market, where demand for local and regional beer continues to grow.” Bob Stukins, Camra's Director of Breweries Campaigning, said: “This is a sad day for British brewing. S&N was the last remaining major brewer in British hands and the deal is unlikely to show any benefits for consumers.” S&N’s main real ale brand is John Smith’s cask. However, it also brews Theakston’s Best Bitter on behalf of T&R Theakston, and owns 30% of Scottish brewery Caledonian’s brands. Camra will be seeking assurances from the new owners that these enterprises will be preserved. <1>: /ArticleDetail.aspx?contentId=95

Tara Dairy and LycoRed of Israel have developed an innovative new line of fortified dairy products targeting women 30-40 years old. The You line of functional foods includes milk with 2% fat, soft cheese (3% fat) and a yogurt drink. The products are fortified with a vitamin and mineral formulation providing 25% of the recommended daily amount. “LycoRed specialises in fortification solutions for functional foods and beverages,” said LycoRed Vice President Global Marketing and Sales, Udi Alroy. “Manufacturers can’t afford to risk negatively impacting taste or odour when they fortify their products. Our fortification capabilities enable us to combine ingredients without cross-interaction, to create the more neutral flavour profile demanded by functional foods. Consumers are looking for easy, tasty and healthy products. LycoRed helped Tara to meet this challenge.” The new dairy line contains a unique vitamin and mineral formulation that helps protect a woman's health by addressing concerns, including bone, brain, skin, heart health and digestive health. Active ingredients, including calcium, iron, vitamin D, E and B, are combined to deliver the ultimate health benefits that women desire. “Our goal is to develop new concepts in dairy fortification that provide the added value of health and innovation,” explained Deputy Marketing Manager at Tara Dairy, Nir Kanias. “This new line is the result of our innovative move to develop, for the first time in Israel, the concept of 'dairy just for women'. We found out that there's a real need for a dairy line that is tailored specifically to suit the hectic lifestyle and specific needs of the Israeli woman.”