27 Jun Wine-tasting: it’s junk science
Many experiments have shown that people can't tell plonk from grand cru. Now one US winemaker has proven that even experts can't judge wine accurately. What's the science behind the taste?
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21 Jun AMA declares obesity a disease
The move by the American Medical Association board means that one-third of adults and 17% of children in the US – 78 million American adults and 12 million children – have a medical condition that requires treatment.
...20 Jun US: Mars Drinks launches functional coffee
Mars Drinks, a business unit of Mars Incorporated, has released Steel Horse Coffee, which it calls "the first and only office-focused beverage powered by pure, robust coffee and circulation-supporting cocoa flavanols".
...20 Jun Frappuccino quantified: Starbucks to add calorie counts
There are 670 calories in a venti Double Chocolaty Chip Frappuccino Blended Crème. The multibillion-dollar coffeehouse chain just announced that it will add calorie counts to US menus, staying a step ahead of the FDA.
...19 Jun The cork fights back – new generation screw cork unveiled
The wine cork could be set for a return to the mass market with the launch of a twistable and re-sealable version that does away with the corkscrew. [Click pic to enlarge]
...13 Jun Mondelez serves Nestlé a single-serve coffee challenge in Europe
Mondelez International is upping its investment in Europe's premium, single-serve coffee sector and even stepping onto big Nestlé turf, announcing this week that it's launching a new range of Nespresso-compatible espresso capsules, while continuing to boost investment in its own Tassimo multi-beverage product.
...13 Jun Coke’s ‘sharing’ advertising campaign a worldwide success
Started in Australia and New Zealand in late 2011, Coca-Cola’s super-successful 'Share a Coke' program is being replicated in 20 markets around the world this year, including the UK, Brazil and China.
...13 Jun Coconut creates a tropical storm in the food and drink markets
According to new research from Mintel, coconut water has been the surprise toast of the beverage industry in recent years. Indeed the number of product introductions more than quintupled (+540%) in the past five years (2008/2012) and products containing it have been taking off on...
13 Jun The rise of protein drinks for ordinary people
Protein products are increasingly being marketed in supermarkets to ordinary people. Do they serve any real purpose for non-athletes? The "sport-related" protein product sector is booming. It's estimated that the world will be chewing and gulping down £8bn a year of drinks, bars and other...
12 Jun Little to cheer in government’s plan to ban alcohol advertising
Government’s plan to ban alcohol advertising, sponsorship and promotion is back in the news this week, with consultancy Econometrix reporting it will cost the economy almost 12 000 jobs and cut R7.4bn from South Africa’s gross domestic product (GDP).
...07 Jun Smoking alcohol: The dangerous way to get drunk
To get drunk, people are endlessly creative. But, in the US, the growing appearance of an unusual form of drinking, known as “smoking” alcohol, has doctors concerned.
...07 Jun Tetra Pak Dairy Index shows flavoured milk will spur dairy industry growth
New research from Tetra Pak forecasts that flavoured milk consumption will grow at more than double the rate of white milk globally between 2012 and 2015.
...06 Jun New evidence that rooibos can protect and support the liver
A recent study at the Oxidative Stress Research Centre, Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT), has proven the ability of rooibos to improve liver function and protect the liver against oxidative damage.
...06 Jun Red Bull tries another daredevil jump, from Everest
The last time Red Bull funded a record-breaking jump, it went over pretty well. "Stratos," the video account of Felix Baumgartner's jump from the edge of space, is the No 4 branded video of all time, according to Visible Measures. The campaign has received 194 million...
05 Jun The story of PET bottle collection in SA
In celebrating World Environment Day today [5 June], PETCO (PET Plastic Recycling SA) has launched its moving story of PET bottle collection in this country - showing how the collection of plastic soft drink bottles, for recycling, is changing the lives of many. This is...
05 Jun UK: Pioneering fresh whey protein drink
A whey drink aimed at mainstream consumers as well as sportspeople has been launched by UK dairy ingredients company Volac. The new high protein, low fat dairy drink – Upbeat – is made from fresh liquid whey protein concentrate and real fruit, and is a...
03 Jun “If it’s in a pack, it’s probably Nampak”
Nampak is breaking new marketing ground for the packaging giant, with the launch of a first brand television commercial aimed at the broader consumer market. Similarly, in the recent past, Consol Glass has also directed its marketing campaigns at the secondary consumer market, rather than...
30 May Move over tequila, here comes baijiu!
Chinese baijiu, a flammable, pungent white liquor averaging a 110-proof hit (55% alcohol), is the world's most consumed form of liquor thanks to its popularity in China, but for the first time distillers are looking to develop export markets.
...30 May Consumer tastes are changing – but wine has been slow to adapt
Is wine is adapting to the changing consumer? Mintel analyst, Jonny Forsyth, argues that this is currently not the case and that in his country, the UK, the industry is led too much by its own prejudices and mores rather than those of the consumer....
28 May Flavourome celebrates its 15th anniversary!
It has been said that most people miss or forego opportunity because it invariably arrives at the door dressed in heavy-duty blue overalls. David Wright is not one of them. Started from scratch 15 years ago, Wright’s Midrand-based company, Flavourome, is today one of the...