Beverages

FSANZ seeks opinions on fungal chitosan use

14-Aug-2013 By Joe Whitworth

Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) has called for submissions on a proposal to use fungal chitosan as a processing aid.

Emerging market healthy food 'faux pas': Too much pleasure, too soon

14-Aug-2013 By Shane STARLING

“The most common mistake by western fast moving consumer good (FMCG) companies who launch new food and beverage brands in emerging markets is that they jump straight in to a Pleasure position with their brands.”

China eyes US's top spot in packaged water following massive growth

14-Aug-2013 By RJ Whitehead

In data that has surprised many industry analysts by the speed of its growth, China’s packaged water consumption has been skyrocketing, to the point that the country poised to become the world’s biggest consumer. 

Coca-Cola Amatil ‘right on trend’ with Indonesia Minute Maid flavors

13-Aug-2013 By Ben BOUCKLEY

Still drinks continue to attract new consumers in Indonesia and Coca-Cola Amatil was smart to expand its Minute Maid range with new flavour variants there last year, Canadean insists.

COKE ALLAYS FEARS, INSISTS WITHDRAWN DRINKS SAFE

Coke recalls Minute Maid in China after Fonterra botulism scare

06-Aug-2013 By Ben BOUCKLEY

The Coca-Cola Company has recalled a Minute Maid line in China after New Zealand dairy giant Fonterra warned that whey protein used in the drinks could cause potentially fatal botulism.

Nestlé's Special.T tea maker to be given debut in gadget-loving Japan

31-Jul-2013 By RJ Whitehead

Nestlé will introduce its premium-portioned capsule tea maker, Special.T, to consumers outside Europe for the first time when the brand goes on sale in Japan later this year.

New growers centre aims to help Philippines keep up with coffee demand

30-Jul-2013 By RJ Whitehead

In a country where demand for beans far outstrips supply, a new Nescafé’s coffee centre of excellence in the Philippines has been designed as a starting point to improve the quality and quantity of the local crop.

'Angry Birds' branded fruit juices touch down in Thailand

29-Jul-2013 By Ben BOUCKLEY

Angry Birds branded fruit juices featuring characters from the iconic video game are being launched in Thailand, in a move that marks their first flight into Southeast Asia.

Beverage focus

Indian distillers hunting higher margins through newly favoured malts

25-Jul-2013 By Raynah Coutinho

With its Indian chapter launching as recently as April this year, the Scotch Malt Whisky Society (SMWS) is a case in point of how the country’s taste for the drink has been moving quickly in a premium direction.

Singapore scientist devises water purification system through peels

22-Jul-2013 By RJ Whitehead

A PhD candidate at the National University of Singapore has devised a way to purify water using the peels of apples and tomatoes. This is the first time that the peels of the two fruits have been used to remove different types of pollutants in water. 

SPIRITS GIANT ANNOUNCES 'NEW STRATEGIC DIRECTION'

Suntory cans Magners cider in Australia after brand sales slump

19-Jul-2013 By Ben BOUCKLEY

Suntory Australia is taking a ‘new strategic direction’ by focusing on its premium spirits and liqueurs brands and exiting a distribution deal with C&C Group for Magners cider, as the brand's sales suffer down under.

SAB Miller JV MD wants 30%+ market share in China

18-Jul-2013

The head of SAB Miller’s JV in China says the firm should be gunning for a 30%+ beer market share as it seeks to consolidate its position as market leader, but major takeover targets are scarce.

Oz watchdog tells companies that water cannot possibly be ‘organic’

17-Jul-2013 By RJ Whitehead

Seven Australian suppliers of bottled water will remove “organic” claims from their labelling and marketing material after they reached an agreement with the country’s consumer watchdog. An eighth supplier has withdrawn its product from sale.

Seaweed juice holds 'affordable' brain boost potential for Indian consumers

09-Jul-2013 By Ben BOUCKLEY

Researchers hope that a novel US patented beverage using seaweed juice could be sold as a ‘brain booster’ and an affordable health drink for Indian consumers and others worldwide.

Nestlé's massive new $238m Vietnam coffee factory meets local demand

09-Jul-2013 By Ben BOUCKLEY

Nestlé says its newly opened $238m soluble coffee factory in Vietnam will meet growing demand in the region, and will allow it to better adapt products to local preferences.

Nestlé looking to double liquid beverage capacity through new KL plant

09-Jul-2013 By RJ Whitehead

Nestlé Malaysia has broken ground on a new plant on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur that it expects will double its local ready-to-drink production capacity by the time it opens in May next year.

Mondelez seeks sustainability bang for coffee buck in Vietnam

08-Jul-2013 By Ben BOUCKLEY

Mondelez International says its first training center for coffee farmers to promote sustainability and entrepreneurship, in Vietnam, will help it meet a 100% sustainable sourcing goal in Western Europe.

Australia a spirit-based ‘RTD island’ in itself: Gruppo Campari

05-Jul-2013 By Ben BOUCKLEY

Gruppo Campari tells BeverageDaily.com that Australia is an historical heartland for spirit-based RTDs as it targets Asia Pacific growth by buying its first dedicated production facilities in the country.

Average-tasting Tui still scores with NZ beer drinkers

03-Jul-2013 By Ben BOUCKLEY

More New Zealand consumers drank Tui beer over an average four-week period than any other brand bar Heineken, despite the former’s relatively poor taste performance, says Roy Morgan Research.

Suntory could build UK ‘bridgehead’ with GSK brands Ribena and Lucozade

01-Jul-2013 By Ben BOUCKLEY

GlaxoSmithKline’s (GSK’s) brands Lucozade and Ribena are tempting targets for Far Eastern trade players such as Suntory Holdings that wish to establish a bridgehead in the UK, says an M&A expert.

India’s Tea Board chief urges plantations to turn over a new leaf

01-Jul-2013 By RJ Whitehead

The head of the Tea Board of India has launched a scathing attack on the nation’s growers ahead of the implementation of new regulations that go into force later this month.

Green tea shows benefits for blood sugar management: Meta-analysis

28-Jun-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

Consuming green tea may improve blood sugar management, according to a meta-analysis of 17 randomized clinical trials.

ALL INTERNATIONAL BREWERS FACE SAME THREAT: HEINEKEN

Heineken ‘absolutely on top’ of fake beer threat after Vietnam gang bust

26-Jun-2013 By Ben BOUCKLEY

Heineken insists it is ‘absolutely on top’ of the counterfeiting issues that can appear in emerging markets, after a Vietnamese gang producing fake Tiger and Heineken was busted last week.

Indian beer drinkers want ‘bang for buck’: Carlsberg on new Tuborg Booster Strong

26-Jun-2013 By Ben BOUCKLEY

Carlsberg tells BeverageDaily.com that Indian consumers expect ‘bang for buck’ with higher alcohol beers, as it launches the world’s first fruit-flavored strong beer tailored to the nation’s tastes, Tuborg Booster Strong.

CP Kelco starts Brazilian pectin expansion as global demand rebounds

24-Jun-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

Hydrocolloid giant CP Kelco has announced the first phase in a series of projects to expand its Brazilian pectin operation by 30% to cope with rebounding demand for the ingredient.

Tequila pact could make China the world’s second biggest importer

20-Jun-2013 By RJ Whitehead

As countries queue by the score to do business with China, the recent trade deal with Mexico might have missed the radar outside the respective countries. 

Red Bull labeling gaffe leads to Japanese recall

18-Jun-2013 By Ben BOUCKLEY

Red Bull in 330ml PET bottles has reportedly been pulled off the shelves in Japan, due to use of incorrect Western-style date labeling on packaging.

Coca-Cola plans to expand soon after its victorious return to Burma

17-Jun-2013 By RJ Whitehead

With the bunting barely cleared away following Coca-Cola’s triumphal march on Rangoon earlier this month, the company’s local partner has already indicated more celebrations are on the horizon.

Editorial

Brawling cricketer lands damaging blow to Oz alcohol self-regulation

13-Jun-2013 By RJ Whitehead

Cricket has for over a century been seen as a gentleman’s game, but that mantle fell a long time ago. The relentlessly evolving wealth and professionalism of the sport has served to “bring out the mongrel” in players in a way that would have been unheard...

Campaign marks shift from 'saying and showing' to more real actions

Coke ‘working hard’ on possibly extending 'Sharing Can’ Singapore pilot

11-Jun-2013

A senior Coca-Cola Company executive tells BeverageDaily.com that the company is ‘working hard’ to decide whether it can viably scale-up its phenomenally successful ‘Sharing Can’ pilot launched in Singapore.

‘Terminally stagnant’ France won’t want wine trade war: Analyst

11-Jun-2013 By Ben BOUCKLEY

The EU is likely to backtrack rapidly on sanctions to stop cheap Chinese solar panel ‘dumping’ in the bloc, given alarms that possible tariffs on wine exports would hurt a ‘terminally stagnant’ French economy.

Taiwan testers refute Singapore bubble tea chemical claims

10-Jun-2013 By RJ Whitehead

Taiwan’s government has claimed it is still trying to obtain details on the tests conducted by Singapore authorities that led to the city state banning several brands of bubble tea.

Alcopops tax hikes have had no effect on teen binge drinking injuries

10-Jun-2013 By RJ Whitehead

A study of hospital admissions at one of Australia's favourite holiday destinations has shown no reduction in the already high levels of alcohol-related harm since the government increased tax on alcopops. 

Africa, Asia to lead rise in global sugar demand through 2021, report says

06-Jun-2013 By Hank Schultz

Rising demand in Asia and Africa will drive significant growth in global sugar consumption, according to a new Rabobank report. The report, Global Sugar to 2021, projects global sugar consumption to grow from 166 million tons to 203 million tons in raw...

Aussie research finds that coffee is not good for weightloss

03-Jun-2013 By RJ Whitehead

Western Australian researchers hoping to demonstrate improved cardiovascular function among coffee lovers have found that drinking too much of the brew may actually be linked to worsening of the metabolic syndrome.

Supermarket wars

Woolies attacks with discounts, Coles hits back with big-box booze

30-May-2013 By RJ Whitehead

Woolworths has broken an apparent ceasefire in Australia’s so-called supermarket wars by launching a fresh salvo at bitter rival Coles in the form of discounts of up to 33%.

Manjushree Technopack results strong as exports soar

29-May-2013 By Rod Addy

Export expansion has boosted Manjushree Technopack's full year figures, as the Bangalore-based plastic packaging manufacturer adds to capacity with two newly built factories.

Food safety

Bubble tea brands banned by Singapore for unapproved chemical content

28-May-2013 By RJ Whitehead

Singapore food inspection authorities have withdrawn 11 starch-based products from Taiwan - mostly tapioca starch balls used in bubble tea - from sale after finding they contained amounts of an unapproved chemical.

New extension increases Singapore’s role in Nestlé empire

23-May-2013 By RJ Whitehead

Nestlé has opened a new extension to its research and development centre in Singapore that it says will allow greater focus on the Asia-Pacific region—its fastest-growing market.

INDUSTRY VOICES: GUEST ARTICLE, HEAD OF AKTIEFOKUS CHINA, JACOB DE LICHTENBERG

Carlsberg faces Chinese challenge in booming Yunnan beer market

17-May-2013 By Jacob de Lichtenberg

Danish multinational brewer Carlsberg, which once held a solid market share in the Southwestern Chinese province of Yunnan, is facing tough competition from new entrants and existing competitors desiring a share of the region's booming beer market.

Indian issues

Excise issues tax notices to two Mallya empire companies

14-May-2013 By RJ Whitehead

Two of flamboyant Indian drinks tycoon Vijay Mallya’s businesses have been issued show-cause-cum-demand notices by the Directorate General of Central Excise Intelligence for allegedly evading service tax of Rs91 crore (US$16.7m)

Homegrown Australasian energy drinks are happy going their own way

14-May-2013 By RJ Whitehead

Yesterday, we looked at how energy drinks, in spite of their small market size, have been enjoying an effervescent year of growth in Asia, to the point the continent now accounts for two out of every five litres sold.

Research

Energy drinks adding fizz to buoyant Asian beverage market

13-May-2013 By RJ Whitehead

Even though energy drinks forms the smallest category of soft drink consumption in Asia, one industry research company has hailed it as the most dynamic.

Heineken follows Carlsberg into Burma with $60m brewery build

13-May-2013 By Ben BOUCKLEY

Heineken has signed a JV to produce and sell Heineken beers in Burma (Myanmar), and plans to build a $60m brewery there, following Carlsberg, Coke and Pepsi into the country.

CCA boss defends Aussie Coke prices after blistering Coles attack

07-May-2013 By Ben BOUCKLEY

Coca-Cola Amatil (CCA) MD Terry Davis has responded to an attack from the CEO of retail giant Coles, who claims that Coca-Cola costs Australian consumers too much at a 60% price premium over Asia.

Beverages

China still world’s thirstiest country, Apac sees stagnant growth

07-May-2013 By RJ Whitehead

Last year, China was once again led the world in alcohol consumption, having swigged through more than 59bn litres of alcohol, according to market research firm Euromonitor.

Asian margins matter less than growth in key markets, Carlsberg CEO

07-May-2013 By Ben BOUCKLEY

Carlsberg CEO Jorgen Buhl Rasmussen says the firm is currently less concerned with building Asian margins than securing growth in a key region, particularly in markets such as China and India.

Case study

Old Monk’s vow of silence sees rum brand in freefall

30-Apr-2013 By RJ Whitehead

Is Old Monk old hat? Judging by figures released this month by Impact Databank, it seems the once omnipotent Indian rum brand is well on its way to oblivion—or ripe for a buy-out.

'ELEPHANT COFFEE' ENTREPRENEUR SURPRISED BY JAPAN MICROBREW SALES

World’s priciest coffee brand Black Ivory Coffee seeks beer licensee

29-Apr-2013 By Ben BOUCKLEY

The world’s priciest coffee brand, Black Ivory Coffee, made using Thai Arabica beans predigested by elephants, tells BeverageDaily.com it is searching for a reputable microbrewer in Japan to license a beer made using the brew.

India starting to get serious about wine standards

29-Apr-2013

While European consumers have for generations been used to standards protecting the wines they buy, that has not been the case in India. However, the Ministry of Food Processing Industries has now revealed plans to introduce national wine standards, with...