2012 Beverage industry retrospective

10 Days that Shook the Beverage World in 2012: Mayan Doomsday Countdown

Relive ten seismic days that shook the earth to its core in 2012, from health campaigners petitioning the UK health ministry over Coke, Pepsi and 4-MEI to Dr Pepper's run...

Trend spotting gallery: What’s hot and what’s not as we head into 2013?

From coconut water, to Greek yogurt, gluten-free, veggie proteins, dairy-alternatives, non-GMO and whole grains; what were the biggest trends of 2012, and what’s on the menu for 2013?

Ultra-discounting in extended US cereal portfolio unlikely, says General Mills

General Mills plans to introduce a host of new ready-to-eat cereal products to the US in 2013, but seems unlikely to heavily discount its range to line up with competitors.

News in brief

Homegrown: Sweet Green Fields to expand stevia crop in North Carolina and Georgia

Sweet Green Fields (SGF) plans to significantly expand its stevia crop in Georgia and North Carolina in 2013 in a bid to bolster supplies of American-grown stevia extracts.

2012 in food science: Is phosphorus the new trans-fat? HFCS, GMOs, organics, gluten sensitivity and measuring calories...

From new research into the relationship between excess dietary phosphorus and the risk of cardiovascular disease to questions over the accuracy of how we currently measure calories, 2012 was an...

Runaway Omega-3 beverage demand ‘can be scary’ – Virun CEO

Virun CEO Philip Bromley tells Ben Bouckley about the firm’s evolution from drug delivery technology into the beverage sphere, and explains that DHA and EPA Omega-3 oils dominate functional demands...

Gluten free ‘most popular approach to weight loss’ for 2013 (but it doesn’t work, say dietitians)

Despite strong evidence to the contrary, the belief that a gluten-free diet will help you lose weight and improve your health - even if you don’t have celiac disease -...

General Mills: ‘We expect to earn our fair share of the Greek yogurt segment over time’

General Mills has been making up lost ground in the fast-growing US Greek yogurt market, increasing its market share to 9% compared with less than 6% in early summer.

Gluten-free festive bake-off: Quality vs nutrition

BakeryandSnacks.com has put together a ‘festive bake-off’ scouring all the science and research from 2012 on gluten-free products to see how efforts to improve quality and up nutrition compare.

Suspension of NPA MarketPlace symptom of changing trade show landscape

New Hope Natural Media’s decision to suspend the NPA MarketPlace show for 2013 is symptomatic of changes in the trade show industry across all markets since the financial collapse of...

News in brief

ConAgra Foods: ‘We expect volume trends to continue to improve’

Marie Callendar’s and Healthy Choice maker ConAgra Foods said it expects volumes trends to improve in the coming months, as it posted second quarter results ahead of analysts’ expectations.

Are all foods linked to cancer? Yes … but don’t worry, say researchers

There is evidence linking almost every food or ingredient to cancer, but don’t worry because the evidence for pretty much all of it is very weak, say researchers.

Value engineering: Better food structure and improved ingredient delivery can reduce costs

Techniques employed by industry to slash levels of salt, fat and sugar in food could be better utilised to cost effectively manage the levels of other expensive ingredients in foods.

The recalls that have hit the headlines in 2012

Recalls of 2012: A recap

This year has been quite eventful for recalls of food and beverage products, some due to foodborne contamination and others due to packaging faults.

2012 in business... Kraft's split, ConAgra's buying spree, Kellogg snaps up Pringles and BPI decimated by 'pink slime' slurs

2012 was a roller coaster ride for the food industry, with Kraft and Sara Lee engaging in some serious corporate re-engineering, ConAgra finally getting its hands on Ralcorp, and Kellogg...

2012 in the dock ... From all-natural class action chaos to Prop 37, FSMA and POM vs FTC

With a class action lawsuit filed almost weekly against firms making 'all-natural' claims, growing concerns over energy drinks, the specter of GMO labeling and new developments in the high profile...

Frito-Lay technology slashes potato chip oil content by a third

Frito-Lay North America has filed an international patent for a method it has developed to reduce the oil content of potato chips by around a third.

News in brief

American Sugar Alliance: ‘The country is swimming in sugar’

Sugar prices in the US have fallen more than 40% since last summer and are now at “dangerously low levels for producers who are facing ever-increasing input costs”, according to...

What changes should be made to the Nutrition Facts panel in 2013?

First it was scheduled for late 2011, then we were told it would be early 2012, and now it's going to be 2013. But at some point in the near...

Special edition: Reformulation

'Rollercoaster of pricing and availability' for key ingredients driving reformulation solutions: Ingredion

Increases in the price of key ingredients, or widely fluctuating prices, are driving reformulation efforts in the industry, with suppliers like Ingredion offering solutions to replace ingredients and cut costs.

5-minute festive flick

Happy holidays from William Reed Business Media!

The working year is almost done, time to pause from ‘the business’ and embrace the festive season…go on, give it a big hug. Happy holidays!

Diamond posts Q1 loss after walnut scandal

Kettle Chips maker Diamond Foods has recorded a $10.7m loss in the first quarter of 2013 after incurring expenses for an investigation into improper payments to walnut growers.

Guest article

General Mills: We’ll only solve global food security challenge if we embrace open innovation

Can we feed nine billion people by 2050? Only if we embrace the principles of open innovation, says Jeff Bellairs, senior director of the General Mills Worldwide Innovation Network (G-WIN) ,...

Patent Watch

Hershey develops pill-like film coating for confectionery

Hershey has filed a patent for an alternative to conventional coating and robing of confectionery products that uses film coating normally used to encase medical pills.

How vulnerable is your supply chain? Food defense, FSMA, Big Brother and virtual ‘hot zones’

Stopping a truly determined bioterrorist - or just a disgruntled employee - from maliciously tampering with a high-profile food brand will always be extremely difficult.

If you like it then you should have put a ring (pull) on it... CSPI to Beyonce: Stop promoting Pepsi Cola, you're 'literally sickening Americans'

Non-profit watchdog the Center for Science in the Public Interest has urged Beyoncé to reconsider her $50m endorsement deal with PepsiCo so her image is not used “to promote Pepsi-Cola,...

Hershey, Mars and Nestlé to face $727m chocolate ‘price fix’ case

Hershey, Mars and Nestlé may be liable for $727m in damages for alleged conspiracy to raise chocolate prices in the US between 2002 and 2007.

Special edition: Reformulation

How to save cash, boost nutrition and clean up product labels…Tate & Lyle on win-win reformulation

Retail buyers, as every food and beverage manufacturer knows, want it all. Cleaner labels, an improved nutritional profile (lower fat, sugar and salt), great taste and texture - and an...

Special edition: Reformulation

New flavors can broaden product line's appeal, but won't supplant old standbys

Introducing a new flavor can be one way to reinvigorate a brand or to extend a line, but consumers will always return to their core flavor preferences, says an expert.

editor's comment

‘Drinkifying snacks’: PepsiCo mush or master stroke?

Despite giving us object lessons in corporate word wash, can PepsiCo pull off what seems like a slightly puzzling mission, namely a long-term plan to ‘drinkify' snacks and vice versa...

Innovation key ingredient in cost-cutting recipe, says expert

Food companies are looking for new ways to appeal to frugal consumers while cutting their own costs – and ingredient companies are coming up some innovative answers.

PEPSICO BOOSTS DISTRIBUTION & MERCHANDISING EFFICIENCY

PepsiCo embraces Apple’s ‘game changing’ iPad and iPhone tech

PepsiCo says that its merchandising and distribution efficiency has improved radically since it began using the Apple iPhone and iPad alongside custom software apps specially developed in house.

News in brief

Tate & Lyle starts making powdered as well as liquid sucralose at its Alabama plant

Tate & Lyle has started producing micronized powdered sucralose in addition to liquid sucralose at its recently-re-opened Splenda sucralose facility in McIntosh, Alabama.

What's on the regulatory radar in 2013? From yogurt standards to energy drinks… PART TWO

In the second part of this FoodNavigator-USA special on what’s on the regulatory radar for the food sector’s key trade associations in 2013, we look at sugar, corn, dairy, and...

Organizers confident Washington state non-GMO initiative will hit signature goal

A Washington state ballot initiative that seeks to require GMO labeling is nearing its goal of 320,000 signatures, a goal organizers are confident that it will reach.

Chobani opens ‘world’s largest yogurt plant’ in Twin Falls, Idaho

Greek yogurt giant Chobani has opened what it claims is the world’s largest yogurt factory - a one million square foot plant in Twin Falls Idaho and its second domestic...

What's on the regulatory radar in 2013? From sugar reform to advertising to kids… PART ONE

What will 2013 hold in store for the food industry on the regulatory front? More changes to the school meals program? Action on energy drinks? Sugar reform?

Aspartame must share US Diet Pepsi sweetness spoils with Ace-K in new system

PepsiCo has tweaked its US sweetening formula for Diet Pepsi to include acesulfame potassium as well as aspartame, a combination that Ajinomoto admitted today would boost the cola's sweetness potency.

FDA facing court over failure to respond to raw milk petition

Raw milk dairy Organic Pastures has filed a lawsuit against the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) alleging that the agency repeatedly failed to respond to its petition to amend...

Ghirardelli faces ‘fake’ white chocolate claims

Lindt & Sprüngli's US subsidiary Ghirardelli Chocolate is facing a class action lawsuit over allegations that five of its products purported to contain white chocolate mislead consumers by containing none....

Special edition: Reformulation

The lowdown on commodity prices, what they mean for food prices in 2013, and why 2012/13 is not going to be a repeat of 2007/8

“While you can look at one specific cost and you can say it's gone down, I could give you a story for another raw material where it's gone up”, observed...

Comment

‘This is why I’m drunk’…and straight talkin' US beer trends in 2012

Journalists are loathe to credit rivals with originality, in terms of admitting you were beaten to that big lead or story, but I’m in a charitable mood, feeling a little...

Corn bran ingredient maker goes outside US to find non GMO stocks

Z-Trim Holdings, maker of the functional food ingredient Z-Trim sourced from corn bran, has added a non GMO version to its product line.

Monster hit with another suit over advertising, caffeine content

Monster Energy has been hit with yet another class action lawsuit, but not one that plows much new ground, according to attorney Justin Prochnow.

Nostalgia with a hint of spice: Bell Flavors unveils top 2013 flavor trends

Bell Flavors & Fragrances has unveiled its annual list of the top 10 flavor and fragrance trends to watch in the next 12 months, from comforting butterscotch and whipped cream...

Food makers turn to natural antioxidant blends to manage price spikes

Food manufacturers looking to extend shelf life with natural antioxidants have started using blended ingredients in an effort to deal with spiralling raw material costs, according to Frost & Sullivan.

News in brief

FDA seeks public comment on setting thresholds for the big eight food allergens

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has set up a  Federal Register Docket requesting data and other information to determine whether it can establish threshold levels for the 'big eight'...

Ex BPI employee sues Jamie Oliver and ABC News for ‘reckless’ reporting on lean finely textured beef

Former Beef Products Inc. employee Bruce Smith has filed a lawsuit against Jamie Oliver; ABC News; two ABC news anchors Diane Sawyer and Jim Avila; and blogger Bettina Siegel; alleging...

News in brief

FDA grants grace period on FSMA re-registrations

FDA announced on Thursday, Dec. 13 that it has in effect granted a month-long grace period for food facility re-registrations required under the Food Saftey Modernization Act (FSMA).

Consultancy reaches out to Latin American companies on FSMA requirements

Evidence is growing that many overseas facilities may fail to meet the Dec. 31 Food Safety Modernization Act food facility re-registration deadline.  A new consultancy based in Miami aims to...

Attorney on ‘all-natural’ lawsuit vs Monster Bev Corp: 'I think most people would look at this and think it’s getting crazy'

A lawsuit alleging that Hansen’s Diet Sodas with ‘all natural flavors’ are misbranded because they contain artificial sweeteners, highlights the lengths to which opportunistic plaintiffs’ attorneys are now going to...

Monster CEO savages Wiley-style ‘frenzy’ of attacks on energy drinks

Monster Beverage Corporation CEO Rodney Sacks has faced down critics of energy drinks and his firm, and said attacks mirrored those on mounted on Coca-Cola and addressed to a ‘gullible...

Mobile device enables easier food allergen testing

A simpler way to detect allergens in food samples has been devised with the launch of a new device for mobile phones developed by the University of California, Los Angeles...

Hershey backs industry-wide sustainability standards

The Hershey Company has joined the advisory council of a new non-profit organization – the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) - that aims to develop industry-wide standards on sustainability.

Pilgrim’s Pride Corp. facing nearly $100,000 fines

Pilgrim’s Pride Corp. has been cited by the US Labor Department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) for exposing workers to hazardous chemicals.

FDA files motion to dismiss suit, defends FSMA implementation record

FDA has filed a motion to dismiss a lawsuit that sought to prod the agency into faster implementation of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA).  But regardless of whether full...

News in brief

Cargill strikes deal to take Truvia stevia brand to Mexico

Cargill’s stevia brand Truvia has struck an exclusive deal with Grupo Herdez - a leading food producer and distributor - for the distribution and marketing of Truvia in Mexico....

Sugar industry must be held to account for its false statements about HFCS, argue corn refiners

In the latest twist in their bitter legal dispute, corn refiners have accused sugar refiners of “seeking to evade liability for the false and misleading statements of their trade association...

Safety data for stevia extracts is ‘robust’: Cargill/Coke-funded study

All stevia glycosides are safe with respect to their genotoxic/carcinogenic potential, says a new review that seeks to silence doubts once and for all about the ingredient’s potential in food...

News in brief

Continental Mills acquires Kretschmer brand, processing facility

Continental Mills, the privately owned manufacturer of Krusteaz and Ghiardelli-brand products, has acquired Sun Country Foods, Inc., the company announced Tuesday. The transaction includes the Kretschmer Wheat Germ brand and...

FDA, Chinese agency renew cooperation agreement

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has extended an agreement with a Chinese counterpart agency to work together on food and feed safety.

General Mills on a quest for all-natural label-friendly yeast and mold inhibitors

General Mills is seeking label friendly ingredients that prevent the growth of yeasts and molds in dry packaged fruit-based foods.

Judge tosses yogurt identity lawsuit vs Yoplait Greek, but admits FDA position is not ‘a model of clarity’

A Minnesota federal judge has thrown out a class action lawsuit alleging that General Mills’ Yoplait Greek yogurts do not meet the regulatory definition of yogurt on the grounds that...

Partnership aims to assess nanomaterial safety

Two US agencies are working together in a research effort to assess the potential impact of nanomaterials on people’s health and the environment.

The Twinkie tale: Hostess set to survive overseas?

Up-for-sale Hostess Brands has had strong interest from international firms looking to snap up its iconic brands, the company has said.

News in brief

Nestlé Canada recalls pizzas due to metal contamination

Nestlé Canada is recalling five of six varieties of Buitoni brand pizzas following two consumer complaints that the products contain pieces of metal.

News in brief

Whole grains, fiber and less sugar: Kellogg unveils new breakfast products

Kellogg has unveiled a series of new breakfast products with an emphasis on whole grains, fiber and reduced sugar.

WhiteWave CEO: The cost advantage of plant-based food and beverages over dairy will continue to grow

The economics of supplying plant-based foods and beverages over dairy will become increasingly compelling “because the cow is a relatively inefficient converter of grain into protein”, says the chief executive...

General Mills seeks novel approach to block sourness of lactic acid, citric acid and malic acid

General Mills is seeking potential partners to help it develop novel ingredients or technologies which modulate or suppress the perception of sour taste caused by organic acids.

Plandaí Biotech promises bioavailability step change for raft of phytonutrients from green tea catechins to citrus extracts

Plandaí Biotechnology - which hopes to take the botanical extracts market by storm with never-before-seen levels of bioavailability - reckons it will be able to supply commercial quantities of its...

Special Edition: Fiber

Prebiotics boost gut health while adding functionality

Prebiotics are the thin end of the wedge in the new era of beneficial functional fibers.  Gone are the days where mere ‘regularity’ was the goal;  now fiber is understood...

5-Hour Energy ‘misled public’ as to our product safety stance: CSPI

The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) has hit out at 5-hour Energy, claiming that the brand misled the public as to the body’s stance on the safety...

FDA faces lawsuit over food animal antibiotics data

The Government Accountability Project (GAP) is suing the US Food & Drug Administration (FDA) for withholding data on the sale of antibiotics for use in food animals.

All in the mind? Meal memories may influence later feelings of satiety

People who believe they have eaten a large meal feel less hungry for hours after the meal, irrespective of the actual amount they consume, say researchers.

Tate & Lyle takes on new protein ingredient technology for food texturants

Tate & Lyle has signed an agreement with Nandi Proteins Ltd to develop an early-stage protein ingredient technology for use in food texturants.

Cavendish Farms expands Canadian potato processing

Cavendish Farms is expanding its potato processing facilities in Canada with the purchase of Maple Leaf Foods’ plant in Lethbridge, Alberta.

ANALYST INSIGHT

Beam Inc. deal more likely after Diageo terminates Cuervo talks: City analyst

A City analyst tells BeverageDaily.com that he believes recent talk of Diageo mounting a $10bn+ takeover of Beam Inc. is more likely now the UK plc. has ended talks with...

FDA broadens irradiation use

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has expanded the use of irradiation to a maximum 4.5 kilogray (kGy) dose for a variety of meat products.

Bear Naked Granola founder on building a brand

Many successful food brands have a founding myth.  In the case of Bear Naked Granola, it is the story of the co-founders offering “breakfast in bed” to the wrong person....

Trendspotting 2013: Coconut water is key to 100% juice declaration, without the calories, says ITI Tropicals

While coconut water is best known for its hydrating properties, manufacturers are increasingly using it to cut calories and liven up 100% juice beverages, says one formulation expert.

News in brief

Sensient Colors develops new range of palm oil-free natural colors

Sensient Colors has developed a new range of natural colors that do not contain any palm oil-based products or emulsifiers.

ANALYST INSIGHT

Diageo unlikely to swoop for $10bn+ Beam Inc. in short term: City analyst

Diageo remains tight-lipped on reports it may make a $10bn+ swoop for Beam Inc. but one analyst tells BeverageDaily.com he believes no imminent deal is likely, given the firm’s preoccupation...

News in brief

CFIA lifts suspension on Capital Packers after listeria scare

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has lifted the suspension on a meat processing company that was linked to an outbreak of listeria.

TETRA PAK VIDEO EXCLUSIVE

Tetra Pak researches processing methods to tap ‘explosive’ coconut water trend

Kit Lai, director of Tetra Pak’s Soya- and Coconut Knowledge Centers, discusses the global growth of coconut water and soya milks as categories, and the firm's latest formulation and processing...

Diamond Foods: Our 2012 losses do not reflect our recent change in strategic direction

Premium nuts and snacks maker Diamond Foods has reported an $86.3m net loss on a 2% rise in sales to $981.4m for the year to July 31, but stressed that...

Will POM Wonderful case finally clear up confusion over what evidence is needed to support ad claims?

Do firms need at least two randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to convince regulators that they have ‘competent and reliable scientific evidence’ to support advertising claims about the health benefits of...

Asian savory, Mexican sweet highlight McCormick's global flavor forecast

Flavor trends blending familiar ingredients with formerly exotic  tastes such as Asian savory sauces and Mexican caramel will drive food product and restaurant menu innovation in the coming year according...

Hispanic food and beverage market set for ‘more aggressive growth’, predicts Packaged Facts

The Hispanic food and beverage market is “expected to embark on a more aggressive growth pattern from now through 2017” as firms pump more dollars into innovation and marketing, predicts...

Sunland Inc to meet FDA to request restarting of peanut shelling operations only

The company at the center of the recent peanut butter-Salmonella issue, Sunland Inc., is to meet with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to request the re-opening of it peanut...

News in brief

National Restaurant Association predicts hot culinary trends for 2013: Whole grains, healthy kids’ meals, gluten-free and sustainable seafood…

Healthy kids’ meals, whole grains and gluten-free feature strongly in the National Restaurant Association’s What’s Hot culinary forecast of menu trends for 2013.

BPA risk assessment needs reassessing

US scientists have challenged ways of assessing the safety of food contact chemical bisphenol A (BPA) in a fresh research article.

‘We need a revolution in the way we think about food’: Futurologist

The future of food is an area that is often overlooked in the context of short political cycles, but we all need to have a view on how we can...

Majority of social media conversations about HFCS are negative: Loudpixel data

Over 65% of social media posts about high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) are negative, according to a new report from social media research firm Loudpixel.

E.coli in waterways not always from livestock, say USDA scientists

E.coli found in local waterways is often runoff from urban areas and not from animal production facilities, according to US Department of Agriculture (USDA) scientists.

Clarkson teams with Italian firm to boost organic soy lecithin supplies

Clarkson Soy Products has moved to alleviate the pressure on organic soy lecithin supplies by entering into a relationship with an Italian supplier, the company announced yesterday.

CA judge partially certifies AriZona all-natural class action, but suggests plaintiffs are just after a fast buck

A California judge has partially certified a class action lawsuit over ‘natural' claims made on AriZona Iced Teas - which contain high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) and citric acid -...

Ultra-fast- acting novel prebiotic will turn market on its head, predicts Deerland Enzymes

Deerland Enzymes has launched a novel prebiotic that unlike fiber or carbohydrate-based rivals, is highly effective in small doses, starts working within hours rather than days, and does not cause...

Kraft develops new formulation for tooth-whitening gum

Kraft Foods has filed a patent for tooth-whitening chewing gum that uses encapsulated solid peroxide within the base.

NASA food science: We’re 20 years away from foods with extended shelf-lives

The quest to have food to survive a five-year mission to Mars is at least two decades away, but ‘we’ll get there’, says Dr Michele Perchonok, advanced food technology project...

Food jobs: Who’s on the move in winter 2012? PepsiCo, Coke, Campbell Soup, Mondelez, Diamond Foods, Bell Flavors, Takasago Flavors

With changes at the top at PepsiCo, Coke, Mondelez International and Campbell Soup, and new appointments at snacks specialist Diamond Foods, flavors experts Takasago Flavors and Bell Flavors & Fragrances,...

Coke makes first direct investment in US dairy brands

The Coca-Cola Company is partnering with US-based Select Milk Producers to invest in the Core Power high protein milk shake brand and create a complementary value-added nutritional dairy portfolio.

Can the almond-based dairy alternatives market maintain its 50% growth level?

The market for almond-based dairy alternatives, just one section of the ever growing free-from market, is growing at an impressive 50%, with strong brands maintaining a stranglehold on the business.

News in brief

HACCP measures must be reassessed due to salmonella outbreaks, says USDA

Producers of not-ready-to-eat (NRTE) ground chicken and turkey must reassess their Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) due to recent salmonella outbreaks, said the USDA.

Special edition: Free-from foods (gluten-free, dairy-free, nut-free)

Gluten-free baking the next generation: Whole grains, ancient grains and clean labels

The quality of gluten-free baked goods has improved by “leaps and bounds” in recent years, but firms are finding new challenges as they try to clean up labels and improve...

Veggie proteins, mini-meals and Millennials: ConAgra unveils Phil Lempert's top trends for 2013

Snackable mini-meals, veggie protein, healthier breakfasts and portion-controlled frozen foods will all gain momentum in 2013, according to ‘Supermarket Guru’ and TV personality Phil Lempert.

Leading global food manufacturer seeks novel anti-obesity agent

A leading global food manufacturer is looking for potential partners to pitch novel food ingredients with an anti-obesity effect, in order to create supplements or food additives that enable weight...

Saputo heralds Morningstar deal as 'big' US growth opportunity

Saputo hopes to increase its share of the US dairy market while reducing its reliance on the stagnated Canadian market through its proposed acquisition of Dean Foods’ Morningstar division.

GrainCorp will review ADM’s second, higher $2.9bn takeover bid

Australian bulk grains specialist GrainCorp will review Archer Daniel Midland’s revised takeover bid after initially rejecting its first offer.

Hostess Brands: Bosses deserve $1.75m in bonuses… if they meet tough targets for asset sale

The $1.75m in bonuses to be shared by bosses at Hostess Brands should they meet targets relating to the sell-off of its assets are “below market rates” and “completely routine”, says...

Foreign facilities falling behind on FSMA, consultant says

A large number of foreign food facilities likely will not be in compliance with the Food Safety Modernization Act re-registration guidelines when the deadline passes at the end of the...

Special edition: Free-from foods (gluten-free, dairy-free)

Mary’s Gone Crackers founder: ‘There’s enough gluten-free junk on the market already. I want to make something I would want to buy…’

With many manufacturers in gluten-free notching up growth rates rivals in the center of the store can barely dream of, you’d assume the burgeoning category is a hotbed of recipe...

'A tangible sense of self-belief and optimism’: Fewer, faster, better mantra is paying off for Unilever, says analyst

Unilever’s ‘fewer, faster, better’ mantra is paying off, with a smaller number of more innovative new products getting to more markets, more quickly, says one industry analyst.

News in brief

Cargill builds science for sucromalt benefits for ‘hot’ energy category

Incorporating a low-glycemic index (GI) carbohydrate sucromalt may help maintain mental and physical energy better than glucose, says a new study by Cargill.

Diageo files 'pourable slush' patents for RTD cocktails

Diageo has filed patents in a range of nations detailing a formulation process for alcoholic cocktails, sold in bottles at ambient temperatures then frozen by consumers to form a ready-to-serve...

US cider market set to ‘explode’ – C&C Group

C&C Group says it expects the US cider market to explode, but aims to build a strong multi-beverage business group rather than just a ‘pure play’ cider business.

Special edition: Free-from foods (gluten-free, dairy-free)

The rise and rise of gluten-free: But can the meteoric growth continue?

Gluten-free marketers have a habit of drawing a series of concentric circles when they are trying to describe their target market - and the potential size of the prize.

Suppliers gear up as Health Canada gives the green light for stevia in Canada

Stevia suppliers are gearing up for action in Canada after Health Canada gave industry the green light to use steviol glycosides as table top sweeteners and food additives in food...

Trend spotting 2013: Protein rocks! Why muscle is a hot new issue, and the rise of the ‘aware’ shopper

Muscle and protein will be hot trends across every age group in 2013 as more US shoppers look to maintain lean muscle mass and stay healthy and active as they...

Hain Celestial dives into relaxation beverage pool with Sleepytime shot

Hain Celestial has taken a new tack with its line of natural shots, launching a relaxation shot featuring valerian among other herbal ingredients.

WHAT'S AMERICA DRINKING? FEWER CARBONATED SOFT DRINKS...

Mid-calorie carbonates won’t check US soda fall – BMC predicts

Beverage Marketing Corporation (BMC), data and research group head, Gary Hemphill, does not think mid-calorie CSDs like Dr. Pepper TEN and Pepsi NEXT can restore the overall category’s ailing fortunes....

News in brief

FAO stresses importance of industry for global food security

The private sector has an important role to play in promoting sustainable agriculture and fighting poverty and hunger, according to Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) director-general José Graziano da Silva.