A Brisbane-based start-up food technology company says it has developed the world’s first non-fermented, multi-strain probiotic milk and juice and is ready to introduce it to the market. The company, Progel, used a AU$250,000 Commercialisation Australia grant to commercialise an encapsulation technology developed by Professor Bhesh Bhandari at University of Queensland‘s School of Agriculture and Food Sciences. Progel says the technology will also enable the creation of omega-3 milk and juice... ...Read more »

The European Parliament has voted in favour of putting in place tighter legislation on the composition of fruit juices, ensuring companies stick to stricter labelling guidelines. Companies will no longer be able to add sugar and sweeteners to drinks labelled as “fruit juices” under the EU’s new labelling rules. It is already industry practice not to add sugar to juices, and that practice is now being written into law. The new legislation will apply to all juice products regardless of whether... ...Read more »

The world’s largest coffee chain, Starbucks Coffee Company, announced today that it has bought American-based premium fruit juice company Evolution Fresh for US$30 million (A$29 million). Announcing the takeover deal today, Starbucks’ President Howard Schultz unveiled plans to establish a chain of juice bars. He said, “With Evolution Fresh, Starbucks will bring a unique, premium juice product to the marketplace, similar to what Starbucks did 40 years ago with coffee. “Not only are we able... ...Read more »

Japanese beverage giant Asahi has announced takeover bids for two major Australasian beverage companies, P&N Beverages and Charlie’s Juices. Asahi, which purchased Schweppes in 2009, has entered into a binding agreement to purchase 100% of shares in P&N, which it will then divide, selling the company’s carbonated soft drinks and cordials arm on to Tru Blu Beverages, while retaining P&N’s water and juice businesses. The split comes as an attempt to appease the ACCC, which... ...Read more »

Kirin-owned dairy and drinks giant, Lion Nathan National Foods, today announced its intention to rebrand its three divisions – Lion Nathan Australia, Lion Nathan New Zealand and National Foods – to a single new brand, Lion. All three will use the Lion brand, but the company said that to distinguish informally as required, National Foods will be known as Dairy and Drinks, while the Lion Nathan businesses will become Beer, Spirits and Wines, Australia, and Beer, Spirits and Wines, New Zealand. Lion... ...Read more »

Lion Nathan National Foods announced its results for the quarter ended 31 December 2010, with tough results across the board. Revenues for National Foods and Lion Nathan Australia were both down 11%, to $729.8 and $430.2 respectively. White milk volumes declined 11% for National Foods, and Lion Nathan’s 4% higher per-litre price was also knocked out by lower volumes. Only Lion Nathan New Zealand delivered increased revenue, up 9% at NZ$204.7 million. “Rising interest rates and power costs,... ...Read more »

Fruit juice and carbonated soft drink producer Charlie’s Group announced today that it has secured an agreement to range its Premium Phoenix Organics Brand on the chilled shelves of 750 Coles supermarkets across Australia. The deal follows the recent successful introduction of the Charlie’s brand ranged into Coles in 2010. The company said the move is a “significant win” for the Premium Phoenix Organics Brand, which pioneered the organic beverage movement 25 years ago in New Zealand.... ...Read more »

Fonterra has confirmed that its Chilean subsidiary Soprole has withdrawn a proposal to merge its business with Nestlé’s liquid and dairy business in the country. Fonterra CEO Andrew Ferrier said today (6 April) that Soprole and Nestlé have agreed to withdraw the application as the companies believed “the conditions to continue with the application were not appropriate”. The New Zealand co-operative and the Swiss dairy giant have no plans to present a new application to the Chilean... ...Read more »

National Foods’ juice line Berri will be required to change two of its flagship brands, Australian Fresh and The Daily Juice Company, after an ACCC investigation found the brand names might be misleading customers into believing the juice was 100% freshly-squeezed. Some Australian Fresh juices contain a blend of fresh and cold stored juice, depending on seasonal availability, with only the Australian Fresh apple juice being 100% freshly squeezed. Daily Juice Company juices contain a blend of... ...Read more »

Australian owned beverage company Bickford’s Australia has signed a long term manufacturing and distribution agreement with one of the UK’s largest soft drink companies, Britvic to launch the UK’s number one FMCG kids brand Robinsons Fruit Shoot juice drink into the Australian drinks market.The partnership between Bickford’s and Britvic International Ltd. brings together over 360 combined years of industry experience and expertise, by two beverage manufacturers best known... ...Read more »