The new innovation center will deliver cross-functional solutions with a broad ingredient portfolio to customers in Japan and Korea.

DuPont Nutrition & Health (DuPont) today announced the opening of its new innovation center in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan, later this summer.

The Innovation & Application Center, Japan, located in Kanagawa Science Park will provide solutions and innovations for Japan- and Korean-based customers primarily in the bakery, beverage and dairy industries. The facility will allow customers to work directly with DuPont scientists to develop solutions using our wide product range of customized system blends and dietary supplements so brand owners meet the changing needs of their local markets.

The innovation center spans almost 700 square meters, making it the largest in Japan among international ingredient companies.

Several unique features and capabilities were incorporated into the facility’s design that will provide new innovations across many industries. The bakery lab features state-of-the-art equipment for making various breads and rolls, steamed cakes and doughnuts. The dairy area presents the capability to make various types of yogurts, fermented drinks, beverages and ice creams. In the micro-testing lab, stability tests can be conducted on the enumeration of probiotics with prototypes of customers’ products formulated with strains from DuPont^™ Danisco^®. In the dry blend lab, customized system blends can be created with a granulator, compressed tablet machine and revolving pan.

It’s no secret Coca-Cola loves to experiment with exciting new flavors to create something delicious, so in true Coke style we are welcoming winter with a citrusy twist. Say hello to Coca-Cola Australia’s newest limited-edition flavour Coca-Cola Orange No Sugar.

“We’ve seen how much Australians have enjoyed our other limited edition flavours. Introducing a hint of orange flavour was perfect for Australia’s cooler months. We think Coke fans are going to love it,” said Lucie Austin, Coca-Cola Australia marketing director.

“This limited edition flavour has been crafted for Australians and the spirited way we do the winter season – fun and sociable. We’re not afraid to get the woolies on, grab our friends or family and get out and about when it’s chilly. So we’ve created a refreshing and unique drink to match,” Lucie said.

Aside from being refreshing and providing a great citrus alternative to a lemon or lime in your Coke, Coca-Cola Orange is completely sugar free, following the Company’s pledge to reduce sugar in their beverages.

“As we work to innovate with delicious combinations to match the diverse tastes of our customers, Australians will see more exclusive and limited edition flavours in the coming years,” she said.
Don’t waste any time in getting your hands on Coca-Cola Orange No Sugar, as it’s only making a guest appearance for our winter months.

“Coca-Cola Orange No Sugar is here for a good time, not a long time, so get in quick,” Lucie said.

Coke Orange No Sugar is available nationally as a limited-edition flavour from July 23, 2018.

62 % increase in plant-based product claims, says Innova Market Insights

Plant-based innovation is flourishing. Growing consumer interest in health, sustainability and ethics is driving plant-derived ingredients and products into high popularity. Innova Market Insights reports that plant-based product claims increased by 62 % globally (CAGR, 2013-2017) with growth occurring on platforms such as plant proteins, active botanicals, sweeteners, herbs & seasonings and coloring foodstuffs.

“The dairy alternatives market has been a particular beneficiary of this trend,” says Lu Ann Williams, Director of Innovation at Innova Market Insights. “With the growing availability and promotion of plant-based options to traditional dairy lines, specifically milk beverages, and cultured products such as yogurt, frozen desserts and ice cream,” she states.

The dairy alternatives category was largely pioneered by and continues to be led by beverages. Global sales of dairy alternative drinks are set to reach US$16.3bn in 2018 and they accounted for over 8 % of global dairy launches recorded by Innova Market Insights in 2017, up from 7 % over 2016. Actual global launches have more than doubled over a five-year period.

Spoonable non-dairy yogurt has also seen strongly rising levels of interest, but from a smaller base, with a 48 % CAGR for the 2013-2017 period taking its share of dairy launches from less than 0.5 % in 2012 to 1.5 % in 2017. According to Innova Market Insights’ consumer research, one in three US consumers have increased their consumption of plant-based milk/yogurt in the two years to the end of 2017.

“In the move to offer something new, we are starting to see an increasing variety of non-soy plant-based ingredients, including cereals such as rice, oats and barley,” notes Williams. “We also noticed an increase in nuts, such as almonds, hazelnuts, cashews, walnuts and macadamias, as well as coconut and more unusual options such as lupin, hemp and flaxseed.”

Interest in plant-based eating is clearly reflected in developments in the meat substitutes market, where global sales are set to grow to US$4.2bn by 2022. The range of ingredients used for meat substitutes includes vegetables and grains, as well as traditional sources such as soy and specialist manufactured brands such as Quorn and Valess.

Gravitation towards plant-based diets in general, along with interest in vegan, vegetarian and flexitarian lifestyles and concerns over animal welfare, have together served to increase interest and NPD has subsequently seen an 11 % CAGR for the 2013-2017 period. Research also indicates that four in ten US consumers increased their consumption of meat substitutes/alternatives during 2017.

Millennials have had their time in the spotlight; now, companies are looking to the next generation to see how they will impact the future of the food and drink industry. Generation Z*, who are also known as the iGeneration, has the potential to reset expectations for health and wellness, increase the reach of international cuisine and heighten creativity in the kitchen, according to the latest research from Mintel. Mintel reveals how the diverse and tech-savvy Generation Z is set to transform food and beverage formulation in the coming years.

Head start on a healthy lifestyle

Regardless of age, sugar is at the top of parents’ watchlists when it comes to what their kids eat and drink. In fact, 60 % of parents with kids aged 12-17 and 55 % of parents with kids aged 18+ in the household report saying “no” to their kids’ food and drink choices based on sugar content. But while sugar is a key concern for parents, just 11 % of US food and drink launches aimed at children (ages 5-12) from June 2017-May 2018 had low, no or reduced sugar claims, according to Mintel Global New Products Database (GNPD).

With parents on the lookout, America’s youngest consumers are increasingly growing health-conscious themselves. In fact, one quarter (25 %) of teens aged 15-17 say they worry about staying healthy, with another 49 % agreeing that they think drinking soda is unhealthy.

“Generation Z has come of age at a time when health and wellness is a major consideration. Many younger members of Generation Z follow their parents’ healthy ways and it seems health-consciousness only gets stronger as they approach adulthood. However, health is multi-faceted for this group, suggesting that better-for-you formulations, such as craveable fruits and vegetables, can be expanded to give this generation options that fit with their ever-changing diet priorities,” said Dana Macke, Associate Director, Lifestyles and Leisure Reports, at Mintel.

Gen Z goes international

Today’s younger generations are the most diverse in US history and in addition to their varied racial and ethnic backgrounds, parents are raising their children to have broader palates. Gen Z seems to be cultivating an appreciation for international cuisine from a young age as 36 % of US parents of children under age 18 agree that their kids enjoy eating international foods.

Interest in international cuisine goes well beyond the more commonplace varieties such as Italian, Mexican and Chinese as Gen Z consumers are driving consumption of more emerging international food and drink. In addition to interest in eating at international restaurants such as Indian (36 %), Middle Eastern (38 %) or African (27 %), adult Gen Z consumers are also much more likely than other generations to find culinary inspiration from social media: 62 % of young adults aged 18-22 say they cook international cuisines at home from social media, compared to 46 % of Millennials (aged 23-40) and 23 % of Generation X consumers (aged 41-52) who cook at home.

“Generation Z is America’s most diverse generation yet. With exposure to international foods starting at an early age, whether in restaurants or at home, Generation Z is more likely to be open to the latest international food trend or innovative fusion creation. These adventurous habits are creating opportunities across categories, presenting potential for products such as tikka masala meal kits or Chinese Peking duck-flavored potato chips. While restaurants remain the most common points of discovery for international cuisine, younger consumers’ exposure to a range of cuisine types creates opportunities for brands to offer more authentic and hybrid flavors,” said Jenny Zegler, Associate Director, Mintel Food & Drink.

Digitally native upbringing leads to DIY mentality

Raised in an era where consumers have access to information at their fingertips 24/7, younger generations have grown up with the ability to thoroughly research their hobbies and interests, resulting in 80 % of Gen Z consumers under age 18 saying their hobbies/interests are just as important as their school work. What’s more, 36 % of consumers aged 10-17 and 31 % of those aged 18-22 believe that being creative is an important factor to being successful as an adult. This highlights an opportunity for food and drink brands to offer do-it-yourself experiences that help tweens, teens and young adults be creative and, eventually, confident in the kitchen.

“The wide range of food media, whether MasterChef Junior or YouTube videos, has piqued an interest in food and drink among some members of Generation Z. This younger generation’s easy access to technology and interest in being creative presents an opening for interactive products that encourage Gen Z to safely experiment and extend their passion for food and drink, such as chips that allow consumers to make their own flavor or kits to make more complex recipes or international meals at home,” concluded Zegler.

*Aged 11-23 in 2018

ZSK 27 Mv PLUS twin screw extruder for flexible research and development work

Coperion GmbH in Stuttgart (GER) supplied a ZSK 27 Mv PLUS twin screw extruder to the Institute for Food and Beverage Innovation at Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW) in Wädenswil (CH) last year. With a screw diameter of 27 mm, the Coperion ZSK 27 Mv PLUS extruder satisfies the key food production regulations and has an impressively compact size. It is ideal for research projects and formulation development, as well as small batch production. With its specific torque of 10.6 Nm /cm3 and a maximum screw speed of 1,800 rpm, the extruder can achieve product throughput rates of 10 to 100 kg/h depending on the product. It is easy to scale the extruder up to other sizes. The food extruder supplied comes with a number of options that allow highly flexible use and convenient handling. The scope of supply also includes a KT 20 gravimetric twin screw feeder from Coperion K-Tron, which is ideal for accurately feeding free flowing to flooding powders and flakes as well as other difficult, poor flowing bulk materials.

The ZHAW uses its Coperion ZSK 27 Mv PLUS extruder for a wide range of research and development work, so it must be versatile and perform in a variety of applications. Coperion designed the extruder for exactly these requirements and equipped it with many quick-change features and devices for flexible processing set-up. For example, the solid feeder can be mounted to two different barrels of the process section. This allows processes to be extended or shortened easily and customized to the requirements of each individual product. Cereals and snacks are extruded with short process lengths, while pulping the by-products of the beverage industry such as grape pulp requires a longer residence time and therefore a longer process section. Process borings also make it possible to add liquids and measure the temperature in different barrels. A peristaltic pump with various hoses and nozzles enables liquids of different viscosities to be added.

Flexible extruder structure for wide range of processes
In order to test different processes and product developments, Coperion delivered additional screw elements with the extruder. Different screw configurations can cover a broad range of possible applications. Everything from research and development work on simple processes such as direct expanded cereals to complex processes such as the extraction of moist pressing residue or mixing it into a starch or protein matrix can be done using the same extruder. And Coperion also provides process technology support to ZHAW for developing new formulations and products.

A further benefit of the new extruder is that the machine and all units such as the vacuum pump, feeder frame and water tempering unit are movable. The extruder is not permanently wired. Instead, both the extruder and the units are supplied with connectors that allow ZHAW to use it in any room, adjusting it to fit the relevant space requirement. Coperion pre-assembled the extruder so it could be quickly commissioned on site. The start-up of the extruder took less than one day. For fast, convenient remote service – and significant savings of time and costs – the Coperion ServiceBox was integrated into the system. For future research purposes, Coperion added extra devices to the ZSK 27 Mv PLUS twin screw extruder that allow the system to be expanded easily. For example, it is no problem to retrofit a centric pelletizer or add liquid and solid feeders. And a range of die plates is available for various product shapes.

The 2017/18 Brazilian season of juice shipments finished in June with high volumes. As for FCOJ Equivalent (volume equivalent to concentrate juice), the total exported was the highest since the 2009/10 crop, while for NFC (not-from-concentrate-fresh juice), the amount hit a record.

Since the beginning of the season, exports surpassed the volumes registered in the same months of the year before, scenario boosted by the higher production in the citrus belt (São Paulo and Triângulo Mineiro) in 2017/18 and by the higher international demand, especially from the United States.

Secex says that, from July/17 to June/18, total juice (FCOJ Equivalent) shipments to all destinations amounted 1.2 million tons, for an increase of 28 % compared to the season before. The revenue, in turn, rose 29 %, totaling 2.2 billion USD. NFC exports totaled 1.5 million tons, for an increase of 14 % compared to the season before, generating 515.7 million USD, upping 16 % in the same comparison.

To the United States alone, the export increase was 81 % from July/17 to June/18, totaling 315.5 thousand tons of FCOJ. The revenue amounted 561.7 million USD, moving up 76 %. Both volume and revenue to the USA were a record in the 2017/18 season.

To the European Union, sales totaled 720.5 thousand tons of FCOJ, 17 % up compared to the previous season. The revenue, in turn, was 1.3 billion USD, for an increase of 18 % in the same comparison.

MARKET IN BRAZIL – The citrus market registered slow pace of trades in mid-July. Players surveyed by Cepea say that low temperatures and the lack of quality of fruits available in the in natura market hindered negotiations.

However, with the heated demand from processing companies, the supply of early varieties is reduced in São Paulo State, which increases demand for pear orange. From July 2 to 13, pear orange quotes averaged 26.30 BRL per 40.8-kilo, on tree, 3.1 % up compared to the first fortnight of June (1 – 15).

As for tahiti lime, demand decreased, mainly due to high prices and cold weather in São Paulo. Thus, in the first fortnight of July (2 to 13), quotes averaged 28.73 BRL per 27-kilo box, harvested, for a decrease of 21 % in the same comparison.

The KHS GmbH Supervisory Board has appointed Dipl.-Ing. Dipl.-Wirtsch.-Ing. Kai Acker as the new Executive Management Board Chairman, effective October 15, 2018. He will be responsible for the technology, development/production, and human resources areas.

Mr. Acker, born in 1968, is currently managing director at LEONI Special Cables GmbH, Friesoythe and director of the “Enterprise & Industrial Projects” segment. After training as a power electronics technician, he studied electrical engineering at RWTH Aachen University and completed MBA postgraduate courses at the Technical University of Munich (TUM).

With regard to this personnel decision, Prof. Dr.-Ing. Heinz Jörg Fuhrmann, Salzgitter AG Executive Board Chairman, stated, “We are pleased to have acquired in Mr. Acker a competent executive with a broad range of industrial experience for this demanding position. I am sure that Mr. Acker will have a decisive impact on the growth-oriented development of the KHS Group. I would like to take this opportunity to thank my executive board colleague Burkhard Becker for laying the foundation for promising structures and the associated improved profits as the interim KHS CEO.”

As an internationally-operating manufacturer of filling and packaging systems for the beverage, food and non-food industry, KHS GmbH, a 100% subsidiary of the Salzgitter Group, plays a leading role in this sector. It is an essential member of the Salzgitter AG technology division.

The 2017-2018 Florida all orange forecast released today by the USDA Agricultural Statistics Board is unchanged this month at 45.0 million boxes. The total is comprised of 19.0 million boxes of non-Valencia oranges (early, midseason, and Navel varieties) and 26.0 million boxes of Valencia oranges. The forecast of all Florida grapefruit production is unchanged at 3.88 million boxes. Of the total grapefruit forecast, 700,000 boxes are white and 3.18 million boxes are the red varieties. The Florida all tangerine and tangelo forecast remains at 750,000 boxes.

Please download the full citrus crop production forecast: www.nass.usda.gov

Chiquita leverages Shazam’s technology to take shoppers and retailers on a journey to learn What lies behind the blue sticker

Chiquita Brands International, the world’s foremost banana purveyor, announced a new partnership with Shazam, the popular audio and visual recognition app, which will help consumers discover how Chiquita is leading sustainability efforts in an emotional and engaging way. Utilizing the AR/VR expertise of creative agency Dffrnt Media, consumers will be able to scan a Shazam Code on the iconic Blue Sticker via the app, and virtually “peel back” to learn more about Chiquita’s commitment to transparency and sustainability in addition to what Chiquita does, day after day, to deliver the promise that stands “Behind the Blue Sticker.”

Starting in mid-July, the Shazam Code will appear on 200 million Chiquita Blue Stickers in the US and several European countries for a four-week period. Consumers will be able to access an AR experience via the Shazam app that will then transport consumers into the tropics through Virtual Reality. Essentially, they’ll be able to follow the journey of a banana from Chiquita farms in Latin America, to the port facility, right across the Atlantic and all the way to their kitchen table via their favorite grocery store.

Bananas are among the top sellers across grocery stores, making them present on almost every kitchen counter or table across the country. This gives Chiquita a unique opportunity to leverage its iconic Blue Stickers as a powerful touchpoint to allow consumers to interact with the brand in a fun, but also educational way. Chiquita’s “Behind the Blue Sticker” initiative assures consumers that the iconic Blue Sticker stands for high-quality, delicious bananas, and – above all – sustainable bananas. For this reason, the “Behind the Blue Sticker” initiative includes various innovations in farm management and logistics with an impact on waste, emission reduction CO2 and water footprint, and much more.

This campaign is launching Mid-July in the United States, the Netherlands, Belgium, Italy, Greece and Germany for a four-week period.

Tetra Pak now obtains half of its global electricity supply from renewable sources, putting the company firmly on course to meet its RE100 commitment of using only renewable electricity across all global operations by 2030.

In the past two years alone, the company’s use of renewable electricity has increased by a factor of 2.5, up from 20 % in 2016. This has been achieved through a combination of initiatives, including the purchase of International Renewable Energy Certificates (I-RECs) and solar power installations at its own facilities.

Mario Abreu, Vice President Sustainability at Tetra Pak said: ‘Using renewable energy is an important part of our journey to reduce the carbon impact of our own operations and so help tackle climate change.

“Through the purchase of renewable energy certificates, we are investing in the development of infrastructure to increase the availability of renewable electricity. Meanwhile, we are also exploring opportunities to scale up our own on-site solar power installations.”

Tetra Pak’s factories in Sweden, Denmark, Finland and South Africa use electricity from 100 % renewable sources and 17 of its major sites now run exclusively on renewable electricity.

The company was the first to source Gold-Standard I-RECs in Thailand, where its local factory will soon also generate an additional 1MW renewable electricity from solar panels. Elsewhere in the world, it is a major purchaser of I-REC certificates in China, and was the first to source Ekoenergy solar power in South Africa.

RE100 is a global, collaborative business initiative led by The Climate Group in partnership with CDP to drive demand for, and delivery of, renewable power.

This June, Fever-Tree, the UK’s leading premium mixer brand, launched a limited edition Cucumber Tonic, the taste of British summertime. Fever-Tree Refreshingly Light Cucumber Tonic, created using naturally-sourced ingredients, is a delicate and crisp tonic water, the perfect addition to outdoor drinking during the summer months.

The Cucumber Tonic Water is available in 500 ml glass bottles in the off-trade. The new tonic water uses a natural cucumber essence, extracted through low- temperature distillation process from fresh General Lee cucumbers to capture the very purest cucumber essence.

The flavour notes of the cucumber essence are perfectly balanced with the gentle bitterness of Fever-Tree’s signature quinine sourced from the Eastern Congo and soft spring water. The result being a tonic with a refreshing taste and aroma, which pairs perfectly with fresh and floral gins and when served with a cucumber ribbon and sprig of fresh mint, gives a fresh cucumber twist on the quintessentially British G&T as well as great accompaniment to premium vodka.

The new release is a limited edition extension to Fever-Tree’s award-winning portfolio of 14 mixers and tonics, all of which are also available in Refreshingly Light variants. This release follows the success of Fever-Tree’s first limited edition, Clementine and Cinnamon tonic water, launched over the Christmas period last year which became the third most popular Fever-Tree product by volume sales in December 2017¹.

¹ Company FY results year end 31^st December 2017

Research into buying habits enables innovation with new options aimed at increasing consumer loyalty 

For another year, the watermelon and melon teams of Nunhems^®’ have shown the benefits of working with a customer-centred approach. Since 27 June and until 4 July, the experimental station at La Palma, Cartagena, has been holding the fourth edition of the Melon & Watermelon Business Event for Experts, the best world showcase to display the enormous capacity for innovation Nunhems^® applies, showing producers and distributors in the field a selection of new developments in which the main argument is flavour.

“We are privileged to have a lot of market information, we know each country’s consumer habits perfectly and we constantly listen to the demands of all the links in the food chain, so we did not put a foot wrong some years ago when we began a process of varietal improvement based on flavour. The market has proven us right and we are achieving our goal: consumers who try one of our varieties want to repeat the experience,” explains Juan Sastre, Crop Sales Manager for watermelon in Nunhems^®.

SternVitamin presents a new reference work

In the food and beverage market, products that provide healthy enjoyment are the strongest growth drivers. Companies with differentiated products for specific target groups and life phases can profit many times over from the ongoing health boom. A new book from SternVitamin provides many ideas for impactful micronutrient concepts. “Micronutrients work. Little extras. Big benefits” is a practical manual intended for product developers, marketers and other creatives in the food industry who are involved in new ideas for functional foods, nutritional supplements and the like.

Divided into sections corresponding to consumer life phases, the book gives an in-depth, scientific look at how various vitamins, minerals and plant extracts work. In easily comprehensible language it explains the micronutrients and combinations, and their suitability for various life phases and health conditions. The application areas are divided into five sections based on the needs experienced by consumers today – Childbearing, Physical Health, Well-Being, Performance, Lifestyle. For example, the “Well-Being” section includes the chapter “Healthy Mind” which provides specifics on how certain B vitamins, iron, zinc, omega 3 fatty acids, lecithin and plant extracts boost brain performance. The “Lifestyle” section discusses targeted micronutrient supplements for vegans. Special colour codes and icons guide the reader throughout this well-structured reference work.

Another plus point is the integral foldout card. At a glance, it shows the appropriate micronutrient combinations per application area. SternVitamin also suggests possible heath claims in line with the latest EU directive, that can be used for marketing enriched foods and beverages. This 116-page practical manual “Micronutrients work. Little extras. Big benefits” is available from Robert Wenzel Verlag and costs 15 euros.

The IFU Technical Workshop this year was held by the Rhine in the famous cathedral city of Cologne (Germany), which is also well known for its trade fairs. The date and location were chosen so the workshop could be held just before the Anuga Tec fair to which complimentary access was granted for all workshop participants. Anuga Tec is a leading global food fair where industry provides innovations and technological visions attracting 50,000 visitors from 152 countries.

Dirk Lansbergen, IFU President and Citrosuco, welcomed an International audience from not only Germany, but also Australia, Austria, Belgium, France, Greece, Israel, Italy, Mexico, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Russia, South Africa, Switzerland, Taiwan, Turkey and the UK. GfL were thanked for their sponsorship of the networking evening, SIG for providing the water plus Valensina and Rabenhorst for a quality selection of juices and smoothies.

The workshop opened with two contrasting presentations on organic and conventional agriculture. Boris Voelkel is the 4th generation family member of an organic juice company – Voelkel. With such a strong organic tradition and expertise Boris gave a passionate case for supporting organic products explaining how increasing consumer driven demand will make a great contribution to a sustainable future. The integrated farm assurance scheme of Global Gap was then described by Tanja Schmidt of Global Gap. It is the international standard leading to certification. The risk based critical control points and compliance criteria were shown which if applied provides a good system for the use and management of crop treatments.

Vegetable juices and purees are becoming popular, both as a product on their own or blended with other fruit juices. Mia Schellekens of SVZ explained these trends with some newly launched product examples and then followed on with an explanation of the vegetable puree and juice manufacturing process highlighting the technological challenges faced and how they are addressed.

Rheology is the science of deformation and flow of matter. This is important to the juice industry as viscosity affects product flow through equipment, heat transfer and organoleptic experience. Dr. Antonio Trifiro from the Stazione Sperimentale Parma gave the workshop a thorough understanding of the science including factors affecting rheology and measurement.

The traditional technique used to assess the soundness of tomatoes used to make tomato juices and pastes is the Howard Mould Count. Dr. Achim Gessler of rhia-Wessergold showed that the measurement of ergosterol is a new alternative application that has been incorporated into the AIJN Code of Practice and an IFU Method of Analysis has also been published. Isotopic determination can be used to detect added sugar in juices and added water in NFC juices. These principles were explained by Dr. Ana Cabanero Ortiz from the Spanish Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries and data on the isotopic measurement of water in Spanish NFC juices were shared with the audience. Continuing with the analytical theme Dr. Detlef Jensen of Thermo Fisher Scientific provided information how ion chromatography can be used for the analysis of juices. It is particularly useful for the detection and measurement of anions, organic acids, cations, amines and carbohydrates. Systems and chromatograms were shown.

The IFU microbiological working group has been developing a revised method for the detection of alicyclobacillus sp. The changes were reviewed, the validation process outlined, and initial results presented by Barbara Gerten from Merck and Antonino Deban Valles formerly from Neogen Europe. The data validation data looks good, but the experts prefer to wait until July before publishing the final version of the method.

Markus Jungen of the SGF returned to the theme of risk-based quality management in the global juice industry and how the SGF is fighting food fraud. He showed how SGF can support company’s food fraud vulnerability assessment and control program. Extensive data was shared summarising the samples taken for analysis and the results obtained.

Oxygen has a significant affect on the shelf life of oxygen sensitive products in aseptic cartons. Sonja Bischoff from SIG explained oxygen tolerance testing and how it can be used in shelf life determination. Orange juice quality parameter data over the products shelf life data was shared for a range of different quality parameter highlighting how the test can be applied.

Biofortification has been a topic of discussion at codex recently. Dr. Gordon McDougall of the James Hutton Institute gave the concluding workshop presentation on the health benefits of berries: Enhancing bioactive content in fruit juices. The health benefits of a range of berries from their polyphenol content were shown. Genetic/genomic advances have produced markers for the accelerated breeding of new varieties with enhanced polyphenol content.
The workshop concluded with special thanks to the Aintzane Esturo of SGF for their contribution to organising the event.

A casual networking evening took place at the Hoelnerstall near the city centre. Many glasses of Kölsch were enjoyed and a special presentation was made to Prof. Helmut Dietrich who retired as Chair of the Science and Technology Commission. He was thanked for his dedicated work for the IFU, though we are pleased that he will continue to participate in future commission meetings.

A technical tour was again organised the following day. The first stop was at the well renowned Rabenhorst juice company, which is over 200 hundred years old. The group were able to see at first-hand how juices are processed, bottled and packaged as well as sampling and enjoying their range of healthy juice products.

Afterwards the SIG Combibloc kindly provided a buffet lunch before showing how juice cartons are printed and laminated along with a demonstration of filling equipment that utilises the packaging format. One satisfied participant commented “It was a very informative tour conducted by passionate employees of SIG Combibloc who were very knowledgeable about their products and applications”.

Post workshop survey.

Once again, we received very favourable feedback through the survey monkey and some great ideas for future workshop topics. All those who completed the survey were entered in a draw for a free 2019 workshop ticket. The winner was Yuval Ghendler, congratulations Yuval!

Many people love real sugar just as it is – with the calories it contains naturally. In light of the ongoing nutritional debate, others would prefer it without calories. That already exists: The start-up “Savanna Ingredients” from Elsdorf near Cologne (Germany) is producing initial quantities of real sugar without calories named allulose. Managing Director Dr. Timo Koch: “Natural sugar without calories occurs in nature – but only in very small quantities to date. We have gained access to this way of nature and developed a method for producing real sugar without calories from sugar beets on a large scale – in other words, the ability to produce it for many people.”

Savanna Ingredients will soon apply for its approval as a foodstuff in Europe. Production capacities for the functional carbohydrates are currently being expanded at the site in Elsdorf. Its taste and functional characteristics make allulose suitable for many different applications like beverage, bakery, etc.

Savanna Ingredients GmbH is a start-up that was founded from the Innovation Centre of the sugar producer Pfeifer & Langen. Savanna develops so-called functional carbohydrates, i.e.: new types of sugar with specific characteristics. Another Savanna product is cellobiose. It can be used to replace lactose by people who are lactose intolerant. At the same time, cellobiose – also a natural sugar – has half the calories of sugar.

The Federal Ministry for Food and Agriculture is funding the Savanna Ingredients research project in the framework of the national reduction strategy for fat, salt and sugar. As well as Savanna and the associated company Pfeifer & Langen GmbH & Co. KG, other companies and universities (RWTH Aachen, Hochschule Ostwestfalen-Lippe) are involved.

The healthy snacks made with real fruits and vegetables – strawberry, mango, kiwi, raspberry, spinach – contain a billion probiotics per 200 mL serving!

Like all iögo products, these marvellously creamy delights contain no gelatin, artificial colours, artificial flavours, preservatives or gluten.

The practical size and go-anywhere packaging make them the perfect day-starter for busy people.

Each 200 mL serving contains 15 % of the recommended daily intake of calcium and is also rich in vitamins B12 and B5, phosphorous and riboflavin.

Good news for the lactose intolerant: lactose-free versions are also available!

www.agropur.com

Cherry export amounts to over 20,000 tons in January – May period, rising 165 percent year-on-year

Turkey’s cherry exports may hit a record high this year by reaching some 85,000 tons with a value of $200 million, vice chairman of the Uludag Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Exporters’ Association (UYMSIB), said Wednesday.

Please read the full text under: www.aa.com.tr/en

Ponkan tangerine season is near the end in São Paulo State. According to agents consulted by Cepea, only a few crops still have some volume to be harvested in early July. In most of the regions, production has already ended. Now, the in natura market from SP has been supplied by other states, mainly Minas Gerais (MG).

According to Cepea collaborators, the crop period (mature fruits) should last for two or three more weeks in that state. However, the fruits from the second flowering event have not been harvested yet. Thus, farmers estimate production to continue until September.

As for quality, agents have reported that fruit growth in MG was hampered by the weather, since it has not rained significantly in that region since April. Thus, ponkan tangerine from that state are mid-sized.

SP – As expected by agents, the harvested volume of ponkan tangerine in São Paulo State is smaller this year. While in 2017 supply lasted for seven months, this year, availability is already low – June is the fourth production month and the crop peak occurred between April and May.

However, the available volume decreased in late May, since some farmers from SP reported fruit losses during truckers’ strike, due to the long period on trucks and higher sensibility of that variety (which was already more mature than oranges).

Prices for ponkan tangerine in 2018 are above the monthly averages last year (from March to June). Lower supply this year, in turn, is linked to unfavorable weather during the development of the fruits, in the second semester of 2017, and the lower vigor of plants, after a large crop last year.

In general, production was low in the last years, with well-distributed crops, no crop peak and not lasting longer than four months. The 2017 season was atypical, due to the different development stages of the fruits at groves, which allowed the harvesting to last longer than in previous years.

In June, supply decreased and prices rose in São Paulo. According to Cepea collaborators, the demand for ponkan was firm in that period – higher than for other citrus varieties. Thus, from June 1 to 20, quotes for ponkan tangerine averaged 36.80 BRL per 27-kilo box, on tree, 10% up compared to that in May (2 – 30).

ORANGE – In June, orange prices were underpinned by low supply of fruits at the ripening stage required by the in natura market. Moreover, the industrial demand is already stepping up, reducing supply in the spot market from São Paulo.

After intensively and thoroughly considering all its strategic options, Bosch has decided to look for a buyer for its packaging machinery business (PA), more specifically the pharmaceuticals and food units of the Packaging Technology division.

With the Bosch Group needing to focus on the transformation ahead, it has not identified any sufficiently relevant synergy effects in terms of business or technology that might offer the division prospects for the future within Bosch. Therefore, Packaging technology is not part of the group’s core business. PA is involved in project business relating to specialized areas of the packaging industry. The company also operates in a competitive environment in which the players are small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and who are therefore at a structural advantage. Bosch is certain that its packaging technology operations need to be put on a different footing that will allow them to react more flexibly to the specific requirements of the packaging machinery market. The company’s special-purpose machinery manufacturer Robert Bosch Manufacturing Solutions GmbH is a separate entity, and will remain part of the Bosch Group.

PA currently employs some 6,100 associates in its global packaging technology operations. Its aim is for all its associates and locations to be retained by the eventual buyer. Associates and employee representatives were informed of the decision today. They will be kept continuously up to date about the course of the divestment process.

A study released this week illustrates how the European soft drinks industry is rooted in the European economy and boosts progress throughout its value chain. The sector generates € 185 billion revenue – equivalent to 1.24 % of EU GDP, indirectly supports 1.7 million jobs and delivers almost € 30 billion in tax contributions to EU member states.

The industry supports a local value-chain of suppliers, distributors and retailers with a revenue that is 2.5 times greater than that which it receives itself. It contributes revenue, jobs and investment from the agricultural sector where it sources ingredients including fruit, berries and sugar beet; to the packaging and raw materials industries; through to the transport and distribution sectors and finally to the supermarkets, shops, bars and restaurants across the continent where its products are sold.

The study was undertaken by leading drinks industry analysts Global Data to mark UNESDA’s 60th anniversary and is based on 2016 data.

You can access the full report here: www.unesda.eu

The future of Asia-Pacific’s retail landscape will force a fundamental change in the way Asian companies are structured, managed and do business. The region is innovating in a new direction towards a future that suits its own aspirations and needs—and retail technology is leading that innovation. Asia-Pacific is also changing the framework and focus of globalisation, and that role will only increase.

In Mintel’s new whitepaper, ‘New Retail: The Futurenomics of Asia-Pacific’, Matthew Crabbe, Regional Trends Director, Asia-Pacific, combines Mintel’s latest research to paint a picture of what the future will look like for the economy, based on existing trends and trajectories in ‘new retail’, and its influences already being felt across the region.

‘New Retail: The Futurenomics of Asia-Pacific’ is broken down into four key discussion points, summarised below by Matthew Crabbe, Regional Trends Director, Asia-Pacific:

Digitisation: Futurenomics nears critical mass

“E-commerce growth is fast-moving and on a massive scale. According to Mintel estimates, e-commerce spending across Asia-Pacific* will increase from 3.6 % of total retail spending in 2010 to 31.4 % by 2020. What’s more, from 2015 to 2025, e-commerce will rise in value by over 290 %, and reach well over 37 % of total retail value across Asia-Pacific*. This growth has created a new critical mass with the convergence of online and offline retail and services into ‘new retail’.

“The online economy is a crucial part of Asia-Pacific’s current and future economic growth. It is also a major part of the continuing integration of the economies and consumer spending patterns across the region. Meanwhile, Asia is not just innovating within ‘new retail’, it is also a hothouse of innovation in artificial intelligence, application of augmented and virtual reality, revolutionary concepts in food production, among many others. And ‘new retail’ is the focus of how all these developments are agglomerating to shape the ‘futurenomics’ of Asia.”

Integration: The value of experience

“‘New retail’ is a process, rather than a market, where the ‘space’ of e-commerce increasingly integrates with physical shopping spaces. It is also a part of a wider integration process into the broader digital consumer services environment, and across all consumer product sectors. Places and processes for shopping are integrating with entertainment, travel and socialising—which is great as a third (32 %) of urban Thai consumers say they are spending more on leisure and entertainment in 2018.

“Brands are finding that they are being drawn into their own integration across sectors. Services brands are merging with retailers; retailers are becoming hoteliers; online platforms are becoming transportation provides—everything is mixing up. This means that brands must now engage with consumers across formats, platforms, technologies, locations, nations and sectors, and find relevance across more aspects of consumer lifestyles.”

Consolidation: More people in less space

“Asia-Pacific’s population is rapidly urbanising into some of the world’s largest cities, creating the potential for ‘new retail’ to develop faster in the region. In India, a quarter (25 %) of urban internet users who shop for groceries do so from online supermarkets at least once a month. Meanwhile, in Indonesia, over half (56 %) of urban smartphone owners have made a purchase through an online retail site or app.

“Urbanisation is likely to be significantly influenced in the future. To meet the needs of vast, crammed populations of tomorrow, cities will have to adapt to new technology. ‘New retail’, with the ability to reach anyone, anywhere, via their smartphones, offers a unique solution to connecting with consumers. Companies in the ‘new retail’ industry are encouraged to spread their influence across the region. In fact, ‘new retail’ is already expanding rapidly across the region through the influence of China’s leading operators.”

Migration: From brawn to ‘e-brain’

“As Asia-Pacific’s populations get older, there will be an increasing need for greater productivity as ‘working age’ populations shrink. This will drive the need for ongoing education and long-life learning to keep up with and adapt to new technologies. Mintel research reveals that as many as three in four (72 %) urban Thai consumers say they want to learn a new skill, while three in five (59 %) urban Chinese mums agree that early education should start as early as possible.

“Technology in production—manufacturing and agriculture, for instance—is leading to a shift from a ‘brawn economy’ to ‘brain economy’. Already new technology has democratised the means of production. In an environment where ideas become currency, we see the emergence of what is now known as the ‘Fifth Estate’. It is where outlier, disruptor and social groupings become instigators of change in mainstream society. ‘New retail’ will be the foundation upon which new economies will be built, and Asia-Pacific is leading the first wave.” Concluded Crabbe.

*Asia-Pacific estimates are based on the following markets: Australia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea and Vietnam

This latest expansion follows a recent announcement of a major investment in Milwaukee to create a new Natural Colors site in the US, including expanded laboratory and production capabilities.

Chr. Hansen Natural Colors purchased the site in Montpellier 18 years ago. Since then, the site has grown to become the company’s main R&D center for natural colors & coloring foodstuffs.

The expansion and upgrade of the facilities will start as soon as September 2018, with the full new building and site upgrade finalized by November 2019.

The building capacity will house additional employees on site and the laboratory space will be more than double what it is today. The new building will include a modern show room for welcoming customers – both for training or development work in the laboratories.

There is currently a shortage of carbon dioxide in Northern Europe due to the closure of several CO₂ production sites, for various reasons including maintenance and refurbishment.

Gavin Partington, Director General at British Soft Drinks Association, responded to the situation:
“The shortage of CO₂ across Northern Europe is impacting a wide range of businesses across the food and drink sector.

“Soft drinks producers in the UK are taking active steps to maintain their service to customers including working with their suppliers to mitigate the impact as well as looking at alternative sources.”

The smaller crop forecast for the Brazilian citrus belt in 2018/19 (São Paulo and Triângulo Mineiro), at 288.29 million 40.8-kilo boxes (almost 30 % lower than the 2017/18 season), should result in critical inventories at processors from São Paulo State on June 30 2019. In 2017//18, despite the larger crop, supply was not significant, only enough to slightly increase the low inventories from 2016/17.

Thus, by June 2019, inventories should be 50 % smaller, considering forecasts for the 2018/19 crop. Data released by CitrusBR (Brazilian Association of Citrus Exporters) on May 22 estimated ending stocks of Frozen Concentrate Orange Juice (FCOJ) Equivalent from 55.9 thousand tons to 154.7 thousand tons in June 2019. CitrusBR forecasts were based on the volumes crushed in the 2017/18 season, at around 243.4 million 40.8-kilo boxes, 34% down compared to the 370 million boxes crushed in the current season (2017/18).

Cepea calculations, however, indicate inventories are more likely to be from 55.9 to 102.6 thousand tons, not reaching the maximum level estimated by CitrusBR (at 154.7 thousand tons). To forecast that scenario, CitrusBR considered exportations will keep firm. Now, if processors do not aim to reduce inventories that much, the volume shipped may decrease in 2018/19.

The 2017/18 ending stocks of orange juice should be at 305.9 thousand tons by June 30 2018, 20.3 % up compared to that forecast in February/18. The positive 2017/18 harvesting ensured comfortable inventories to processors this year.

n general, the global demand for orange juice has been firm, mainly from the United States, Considering Florida crop may be 35 % lower, according to the USDA, juice availability should continue low in the next season (2019/20).

Regarding growers’ revenue, forecasts for the short-term indicate prices may not change much. Most farmers have already closed contracts with processors, and even if bidding prices rise from now onward, only a few growers would have fruits available for trading. Besides, productivity should be low, since the number of boxes produced per hectare results in a higher cost per unit and lower margins.

BRAZILIAN MARKET – Although the trading pace in the Brazilian citrus market slowed down in the second week of June, the supply of oranges in the stages demanded by the in natura market from São Paulo decreased, since delivery of these fruits to processors stepped up early in the month, when truckers’ strike ended. Thus, in the first fortnight of June, pear orange quotes averaged 25.52 BRL per 40.8-kilo, on tree, 1 % down compared to that in the same period of May.

As for tahiti lime, harvesting started again (after the end of truckers’ strike), pressing down quotes as well. Besides, demand was weakened in the domestic market. In the first fortnight of June, tahiti lime quotes averaged 36.36 BRL per 27-kilo box, harvested, 26.1 % down compared to that between May 1 and 15.

Smurfit Kappa Bag-in Box^® developed the Thermo Bag to meet the specifications of hot filling which is a commonly used processing method in the drinks industry. During hot filling, the product is pressed, filtered, pasteurised, heated and filled at a high temperature to facilitate sterilisation and then immediately cooled for preservation and taste. This method has the advantage of extending shelf life, removing any harmful microorganisms, reducing costs and simplifying the process.

Hot filling is widely used in the production of fresh (not from concentrate) apple juice which has grown increasingly popular due to its freshness and health benefits. Bag-in-Box^® packaging is an attractive option for both consumers and producers because in addition to maintaining the product’s quality it is eco-friendly and cost-efficient.

Smurfit Kappa’s innovative new Thermo Bag is a barrier bag made from special coextruded PE film (MDPE for thermo-resistance and LLDPE for flexibility) and EVOH for oxygen barrier.

“Thanks to their low carbon footprint and extended shelf life, our Bag-in-Box^® products offer a more sustainable choice of packaging for many industries and Smurfit Kappa relentlessly continues to develop higher performance materials for the drinks market,” said Thierry Minaud, CEO of Smurfit Kappa Bag-in-Box^®.

Nearly two thirds of shoppers in South America are willing to pay extra for a food or beverage product that is higher in protein, according to a survey commissioned by Arla Foods Ingredients.

Researchers from Lindberg International asked 4,000 consumers in Argentina, Brazil and Colombia if they would spend more on buying a product if it contained more protein than a similar product. Across all three countries, 61 % of respondents said they would be willing do so.

Thirty-nine percent stated that they would pay up to 5 % more, 17 % said they would pay up to 10 % more, and 5 % admitted they would pay over 10 % more. Respondents in Colombia were most likely to be willing to pay more, with 73 % saying they would be happy to do so. The equivalent figure was 60 % in Brazil and 54 % in Argentina.

The research findings demonstrate the importance of protein in South American markets.

Results of the consumer survey also show that 80 % of respondents believed they understood what protein is and what it does for the body, with awareness highest in Colombia, where 87 % expressed this view.

On-the-go combidome convenience for Pfanner’s range of ‘Supersäfte’ lifestyle drinks

SIG continues to fulfil its ongoing promise to turn the challenges of food and beverage manufacturers into viable commercial solutions. Pfanner, an internationally active premium manufacturer of juices and fruit juice drinks, is progressing its close cooperation with SIG as it chooses the innovative carton bottle combidome 500 ml for its new range of ‘Supersäfte’ healthy on-the-go drinks.

Pfanner’s recently launched Supersäfte not-from-concentrate range comprises of three unique drinks:

• Augenöffner (Eye Opener), a stimulating multi-juice energy drink, with added Guarana and caffeine for a natural boost.
• Pausenfüller (Pause Filler), ideal for hunger in between meals, is a mix of strengthening almonds, acerola cherries and bananas as well as other valuable fruits, with niacin to provide energy.
• Stresskiller (Stress Killer), a relaxing mix of direct-pressed apples, sour cherries, blackcurrants, elderberries, raspberries with added hemp, fragrant cinnamon and magnesium to support normal function of the nervous system.

Targeted at busy Millennials, who prefer to consume healthily on-the-go, Pfanner’s innovative Supersäfte range of lifestyle drinks is a stand out product that appeals to a younger, highly motivated and mobile demographic. Working jointly with SIG to create a complete product concept, from product ideas and recipes to overall marketing, the decision was made use combidome 500 ml as the perfect packaging solution. Pfanner first started to use combidome in its 1.0 litre fruit juice range back in 2016, moving from the gable-top carton for the first time in 18 years.

An increasingly mobile generation is making food and beverage manufacturers take important NPD decisions and packaging is playing an ever more integral role. SIG aims to drive Product Innovation and Differentiation, working in partnership with producers to offer product and packaging solutions which perfectly match food and drink innovations.

Millennials driving market change

Millennials are looking for healthy, nutritious and convenient snacking options which can be easily consumed on-the-go, expecting great taste and high quality to fit in with their busy lifestyles. combidome perfectly complements Pfanner’s new range, with its distinctive sturdy yet slim shape and modern design. It’s perfect for commuters who can enjoy the benefits of a carton pack in terms of product protection and environmental considerations. The packaging can be easily held and be resealed and stored neatly in a bag, just like a bottle. With a 28 mm single action screw cap positioned centrally on top of the carton, it creates the perfect angle for easy drinking straight from the pack.

Market research commissioned by Pfanner in spring 2017, with 20 to 35 age group, found that a staggering 98% of respondents thought the 500 ml packaging volume of combidome was the perfect on- the-go solution.

Standing out from the crowd

Pfanner also has the flexibility benefits of using the corresponding combidome filling machine, which can fill three different volumes on just one machine.

Peter Pfanner, Managing Partner of Hermann Pfanner Getränke GmbH, commented: “Different generations have changing needs and the mobile Millennial prefers to snack on the move, rather than taking regular meals. By working closely with SIG, we were able to develop a complete product solution for this health-conscious group, who like to maximise their time by consuming on-the-go. From developing initial product and packaging ideas through to the final concept, we now believe that together we’ve achieved the ideal range of drinks for this mobile generation.”

Pfanner continued: “combidome itself really stands out and helps us to differentiate our brand. We were able to create a dynamic, modern design, using the four display panels on the carton bottle, with fun colors and messaging which appeals to younger consumers and has excellent shelf appeal. At Pfanner, we value the reliability and high-quality production of SIG carton packs and we’re looking forward to developing our fruitful collaboration over many years to come.”

Pfanner continued: “combidome itself really stands out and helps us to differentiate our brand. We were able to create a dynamic, modern design, using the four display panels on the carton bottle, with fun colors and messaging which appeals to younger consumers and has excellent shelf appeal. At Pfanner, we value the reliability and high-quality production of SIG carton packs and we’re looking forward to developing our fruitful collaboration over many years to come.”

Marketing and Testimonials

Pfanner plans to promote its new Supersäfte on-the-go juice range on Facebook and Instagram, in a fun and engaging campaign. Influencer marketing will also be underway with target bloggers and opinion leaders. Pfanner has also implemented product tastings and sampling in 20 stores in Germany and Austria so far, with merchandised displays in many outlets.

O.Vine water sparks the memory of wine

Wine Water Ltd., an Israeli startup, is launching O.Vine, the first spring water infusion with the spirit of wine. Alcohol-free O.Vine brings an intoxicating aroma and refreshing taste to any table. The new line will be launched at the Fancy Food Show in New York.

O.Vine is shaping a new near water category inspired by the world’s two oldest beverages: water and wine. Combining the benefits of healthful extracts wine grape skins and seeds with pure spring water, O.Vine is an all-natural, non-alcoholic beverage without preservatives or added colors. Its color and ingredients are derived from red or white wine grape waste.

O.Vine was conceived in collaboration with award-winning Practical Innovation, Israel, the creative brain behind brands worldwide. The team succeeded in developing clean, controlled process to prevent oxidation, all while maintaining the wine’s appealing natural color and aroma.

The O.Vine line features two still beverages and two carbonated drinks, which are available in red varieties (from cabernet, merlot, syrah and petit verdot) and white varieties (from Riesling and Gewürztraminer).

Schneider Industries and New Mill Capital set to conduct multi-day equipment auction for one of the largest fruit processing and packaging plants in the world.

The team of Schneider Industries, New Mill Capital and Smith Food Machinery has been engaged to sell the equipment assets of Seneca Foods fruit processing and packaging plant in Modesto, CA. (USA) Seneca announced the closure of the plant in February 2018. Primarily producing canned apricots, peaches, pears, fruit cocktail, and colored cherries; the plant is one of the largest single location fruit processing and packaging operations in the world.

The sale of assets will consist of thousands of pieces of equipment used for fruit receiving, processing, packaging and plant support. Inspections are currently available by appointment with offers being taken on equipment prior to the auction set for fall 2018.

The approximately 1,846,000 square foot facility features raw receiving, extraction, syrup production, evaporation, stainless processing, decanters, optical sorting lines, blanching, (23) can filling and seaming lines, (28) can cooker coolers, a hydrostatic can cooker, a complete cherry coloring plant, a complete fruit cocktail plant, slicing, dicing, secondary packaging, and all plant support.

“This one is as big as it gets.”, said Eric Weiler, Principal of New Mill Capital. “When you walk into the plant, it takes you an hour just to begin to understand the size and amount of equipment involved. It’s a tremendous opportunity to offer this plant to the fruit processing world.”

The plant is located at 2801 Finch Road in Modesto, CA 95354. The auction to be scheduled in the fall will likely consist of two days onsite/webcast for processing and packaging equipment followed by two days online only for plant support equipment. Additional information can be found at www.schneiderind.com and www.newmillcapital.com. Prospective buyers are urged to schedule early inspection appointments.

“The demand for quality used equipment has been heavy in 2018 and there is plenty of it in Modesto.”, said Dan Rosenthal, COO of Schneider Industries. “It’s a real credit to the Seneca team and maintenance program to maintain this plant the way they did. We’re close to releasing an inventory list of the major assets and expect a strong response from food processors and canning operations around the world.”

The smaller crop forecast for the Brazilian citrus belt in 2018/19 (São Paulo and Triângulo Mineiro), at 288.29 million 40.8-kilo boxes (almost 30 % lower than the 2017/18 season), should result in critical inventories at processors from São Paulo State on June 30 2019. In 2017//18, despite the larger crop, supply was not significant, only enough to slightly increase the low inventories from 2016/17.

Thus, by June 2019, inventories should be 50 % smaller, considering forecasts for the 2018/19 crop. Data released by CitrusBR (Brazilian Association of Citrus Exporters) on May 22 estimated ending stocks of Frozen Concentrate Orange Juice (FCOJ) Equivalent from 55.9 thousand tons to 154.7 thousand tons in June 2019. CitrusBR forecasts were based on the volumes crushed in the 2017/18 season, at around 243.4 million 40.8-kilo boxes, 34 % down compared to the 370 million boxes crushed in the current season (2017/18).

Cepea calculations, however, indicate inventories are more likely to be from 55.9 and 102.6 thousand tons, not reaching the maximum level estimated by CitrusBR (at 154.7 thousand tons). To forecast that scenario, CitrusBR considered exportations will keep firm. Now, if processors do not aim to reduce inventories that much, the volume shipped may decrease in 2018/19.

The 2017/18 ending stocks of orange juice should be at 305.9 thousand tons by June 30 2018, 20.3 % up compared to that forecast in February/18. The positive 2017/18 harvesting ensured comfortable inventories to processors this year.

In general, the global demand for orange juice has been firm, mainly from the United States, Considering Florida crop may be 35 % lower, according to the USDA, juice availability should continue low in the next season (2019/20).

Regarding growers’ revenue, forecasts for the short-term indicate prices may not change much. Most farmers have already closed contracts with processors, and even if bidding prices rise from now onward, only a few growers would have fruits available for trading. Besides, productivity should be low, since the number of boxes produced per hectare results in a higher cost per unit and lower margins.

BRAZILIAN MARKET – Orange sales were slow in the in natura market in May, due to both colder weather in São Paulo and truckers’ strike, which halted transportation. With the protests, which started on May 21, part of the fruits harvested stayed on trucks.
In that scenario, growers preferred to interrupt harvesting late in the month, aiming to avoid losses. In May (2 – 30), pear orange quotes averaged 26.33 BRL per 40.8-kilo box, on tree, 11.7 % down compared to that in April (2 – 30).

TAHITI LIME – The strike has affected the domestic and international markets of tahiti lime as well. According to Cepea collaborators, purchasers were concerned about acquiring fruits and not receiving them, while growers feared to be affected by flow difficulties. Farmers consulted by Cepea affirmed that the fruits that are still on tree should not be damaged by the harvesting interruption.

In May (2 – 30), tahiti lime quotes averaged 45.13 BRL per 27-kilo box, harvested, 142.5 % up compared to that in April (2 – 30).

From dating through apps and online shopping to working from home, it seems Millennials prefer to do nearly everything from the comfort of their couch—and now socializing is best done from home for this generation, as well. New research from Mintel reveals that almost three in ten (28 %) Younger Millennials (aged 24-31) drink at home because they believe ‘it takes too much effort to go out.’

But while going out is proving to be too much effort for young Americans, the country’s older consumers are willing to make the time as just 15 % of Baby Boomers (aged 54-72) agree it takes too much effort to drink away from home.

Overall, more than half (55 %) of American consumers prefer drinking at home. In fact, it seems the at-home drinking trend is catching on as on-premise alcohol drinkers are more likely to say they are drinking alcoholic beverages away from home less often (18 %) in 2018 than they did a year ago, than to say they are drinking away from home more often (15 %), with Younger Millennials most likely to agree (29 % drinking away from home less vs 17 % more). In addition to being perceived as more relaxing (74 %), cheaper (69 %) and personal (35 %), nearly two in five (38 %) in-home drinkers are choosing to drink at home in order to better control their alcohol intake.

“While Americans enjoy going out for a drink now and then, our research shows that the majority of consumers say they prefer drinking at home. Today, Millennials are currently leading the way when it comes to socializing in the home, but the preference for at-home drinking will likely be even greater among the up-and-coming iGeneration, who are generally regarded as more frugal and pragmatic than Millennials. Bars and restaurants must work harder than ever to provide customers with a unique drinking experience. For example, an ‘Instagramable’ pop culture pop-up bar offers an experience that can’t be replicated from consumers’ living rooms,” said Caleb Bryant, Senior Foodservice Analyst at Mintel.

Premiumization boosts sales; wine grows on menus

On-premise alcohol sales continue to rise, reaching an estimated $108 billion in 2017. But it seems less is more for consumers when it comes to ‘trading up’ for pricier drinks as on-premise alcohol volume consumption has fallen year-over-year. On-premise alcohol consumption is estimated to fall to 17.8 liters per capita in 2017, compared to an average of 20.9 liters in 2010, according to Mintel Market Sizes.

Where consumers are drinking is also changing as traditional bars have seen a drop in visitation. Overall, those who drink alcoholic beverages away from home are more likely to say they’re visiting drink-focused venues less often compared to a year ago. This includes bars in general (20 % less vs 10 % more), nightclubs (17 % less vs 7 % more) and sports bars (17 % less vs 10 % more).

Meanwhile, venues that offer more unique experiences are winning over consumers as many who drink away from home say they are visiting breweries (19 %), entertainment venues (14 %) and independent restaurants (13 %) more often in 2018. What’s more, trying out new drinks (49 %) is the number one reason why those who are drinking away from home more often say they are doing so and 22 % agree that more bars should offer activities such as trivia and darts.

Restaurants and bars are helping consumers get more adventurous with their drink choices through new, innovative offerings. According to Mintel Menu Insights, the amount of cocktails on menus across the US increased 15 % between Q4 2015-Q4 2017, with wine in particular presenting an opportunity as a versatile cocktail ingredient. Wine is by far and away the most common alcoholic beverage on menus, representing 39 % of all alcoholic beverages offered on menus today, and is now more often being used in cocktails. In fact, the inclusion of wine in cocktails showed the strongest growth of any alcohol type in the last two years, growing 20 % between Q4 2015-Q4 2017.

“Despite falling volume consumption, total on-premise alcohol sales are rising, indicating that while consumers are drinking less, they are trading up for more expensive drinks. Our research shows that consumers are ordering imported and craft beer over light beer, and premium spirits are growing more popular than value spirits. Looking ahead, drink variety will build consumer excitement at bars and restaurants, while currently trendy drinks such as sparkling wine and rosé will continue to be a popular option for both special and casual drinking occasions. Millennials enjoy experimenting with new drinks on-premise, with this adventurous behavior indicating an opportunity for foodservice retailers to innovate their drink menus and create better experiences to further encourage consumers to drink more away from home,” concluded Bryant.

Chr. Hansen and FMC Corporation have announced a five-year extension of their collaboration to develop and commercialize natural solutions for the agricultural industry

The collaboration, which has launched several successful natural solutions over the last five years, has enabled both Chr. Hansen and FMC to join resources and expertise to accelerate entry into the rapidly growing biological crop protection market. The newly extended agreement continues to leverage the resources and expertise of both companies, while allowing for more flexibility.

During the last five years, Chr. Hansen and FMC have had an exclusive relationship regarding crop protection. While the mutual development pipeline will continue to be exclusive, both companies will be able to pursue development and commercial relationships with other partners, if desired.

“Chr. Hansen and FMC have enjoyed a successful relationship, including the launch of new products that provide natural alternatives for farmers to significantly boost crop yield,” said Christian Barker, Chr. Hansen executive vice president, Health & Nutrition. “Now, with our continued collaboration confirmed, we look forward to launching our strong pipeline of new products together in the years ahead. Beyond that pipeline, the new agreement provides full flexibility for both parties which will enable Chr. Hansen to further leverage our distinctive microbial capabilities by also collaborating with additional partners.”

Marc Hullebroeck, president, FMC Europe, Middle East and Africa, added:

“We are pleased to extend our relationship for at least another five years as we continue to collaborate on commercializing technologies that have been jointly developed. In addition, FMC will continue its own efforts on discovery, development and commercialization of new innovative technologies at our state-of-the-art laboratory facilities at FMC’s European Innovation Center near Copenhagen, Denmark. Our priority is to focus on differentiated solutions for growers throughout the world.”

The all-natural brain health supplement BioPQQ^® will soon be added to the European Union’s Approved List of Novel Foods, enabling the product to be used in food applications. The development follows an assessment by an expert panel attesting to the supplement’s safety. Dozens of in vitro and in vivo clinical studies and trials suggest that BioPQQ may have significant anti-oxidative and neurogenerative benefits for brain health.

The inclusion of BioPQQ on the EU’s Approved List of Novel Foods represents a significant opportunity for European food manufacturers to fortify products with a safe and effective brain health supplement. Consumer interest in brain health has risen dramatically in recent years. While older consumers are considered the dominant buyers of brain health supplements, surveys indicate that younger consumers are increasingly interested in supporting brain health to promote greater mental focus and acuity.

The inclusion of BioPQQ on the EU list is expected to be formalized this summer and follows a review of the product in accordance with Article 29(1)(a) of Regulation (EC) #178/2002. As part of the review process, the European Commission asked the European Food Safety Authority to assess BioPQQ’s safety as a novel food ingredient. The EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA) concluded that BioPQQ is safe under the intended conditions of use.

Manufactured by Mitsubishi Gas Chemical, BioPQQ is sold globally through distributors and vitamin retailers. Studies demonstrate that BioPQQ may stimulate Nerve Growth Factor and help protect neurons from harmful oxidative stress. BioPQQ has been shown to inhibit neurotoxicity and promote “mitochondrial biogenesis” to energize cells, particularly in the brain. Its anti-oxidative effect has been demonstrated to be significantly higher than both Vitamin C and Vitamin E.

“Consumers regardless of age want to enhance brain health,” said Shoji Matsukawa, general manager, organic chemicals sales & marketing for Mitsubishi Gas Chemical America. “BioPQQ’s forthcoming appearance on the EU’s Approved List of Novel Foods opens up new possibilities for developing European food products that might improve cognitive functioning. Examples could include nutrition bars, snack foods, beverage mixes, and other products.”

In the United States, BioPQQ has received GRAS (“generally regarded as safe”) designation, enabling it to be used as a food ingredient. BioPQQ is also the only supplement of its kind to have successfully negotiated the New Dietary Ingredient (NDI) notification process with the U.S. Food & Drug Administration, attesting to the stringent quality control and safety standards in its production. Mitsubishi’s proprietary fermentation process for harvesting BioPQQ naturally is well-controlled and well-documented. No other compound of its kind on the market has been as rigorously tested and studied.

New Zealand horticulture had another record breaking year in 2017. The industry was valued at $8.8 billion, up $100 million from 2016, and the total value of exports was close to $5.12 billion, up $14 million from the year before.

According to the latest Fresh Facts, an industry annual published by Plant & Food Research, horticultural produce accounted for 10.3% of New Zealand’s merchandise export income in the year to June 2017. The growth was driven by increases in the export values of fresh and processed fruit (excluding wine), from $2.78 billion to $2.82 billion, and fresh and processed vegetables, from $0.61 billion to 0.62 billion. Kiwifruit continued to be the nation’s top horticultural export at $1.66 billion, accounting for 33% of the total export value. It was followed by wine at $1.54 billion, 30% of the total export value.

New Zealand horticultural produce was exported to 128 countries, with five markets—Australia, Continental Europe, the USA, Japan and China—taking up more than two-thirds of the total exports. Exports to Asia reached $1.95 billion, twice as much as any other continent/region.

“The success of New Zealand horticulture is built on its well-earned reputation of delivering high quality and premium products to the overseas markets,” says David Hughes, CEO, Plant & Food Research. “The horticultural industry must keep up the quality and innovate to offer new products that meet international market needs in order to secure our position. Adopting new technologies and best practices to minimise environmental and social impact of the production process will further strengthen our clean, green image in the global marketplace.”

“The continual growth of the New Zealand horticultural industry attests to the quality of our produce and the hard work of our growers,” says Mike Chapman, Chief Executive of Horticulture New Zealand. “We are confident that the industry will meet the $10 billion by 2020 target as long as we are committed to listening to local and overseas consumers and offering products they want and desire.”

All Oranges 45.0 Million Boxes

The 2017-2018 Florida all orange forecast released today by the USDA Agricultural Statistics Board is 45.0 million boxes, down slightly from the April forecast. The total includes of 19.0 million boxes of non-Valencia oranges (early, midseason, and Navel varieties) and 26.0 million boxes of Valencia oranges.

Non-Valencia Oranges 19.0 Million Boxes

The forecast of non-Valencia production is finalized at 19.0 million boxes. Harvest is complete for the included varieties. The Navel forecast, included in the non-Valencia portion of the forecast, is 500,000 boxes, 3 percent of the non-Valencia total.

Valencia Oranges 26.0 Million Boxes

The forecast of Valencia production is unchanged from the April forecast. Weekly certifications in April were between 2.4 million and 2.9 million boxes. The Row Count survey conducted April 30 to May 1, 2018 showed 89 percent of the Valencia rows are harvested. Estimated utilization to May 1, including an allocation for other use, is 21.2 million boxes. Processors were surveyed regarding fruit processed through April 30th and the estimated quantity remaining to be processed to the end of the season. Analysis of the Row Count Survey, estimated utilization to the first of the month, and the processors report support holding the Valencia orange forecast.

All Grapefruit 3.95 Million Boxes

The forecast of all grapefruit production is lowered 50,000 boxes to 3.95 million boxes. The white grapefruit forecast is lowered 50,000 boxes to 700,000 boxes. The red grapefruit forecast is unchanged. Estimated utilization to May 1, with an allocation for non- certified use, of white grapefruit is 700,000 boxes and of red grapefruit is 3.25 million boxes. The Row Count survey conducted April 29 to May 1, 2018, indicated harvest is complete for these varieties.

Tangerines and Tangelos 750,000 Boxes

The forecast for the tangerine and tangelo production is lowered 20,000 boxes to 750,000 boxes. If realized, this production level will be 54 percent less than last season’s production. Utilization is over for all tangerines and tangelos this season.

Please download the full citrus crop production forecast: www.nass.usda.gov

On Wednesday, May 9, Fundecitrus (Citrus Defense Fund) released new estimates for the 2018/19 season, reducing production in the citrus belt (São Paulo State and Triângulo Mineiro) by 27.6 % compared to that in the previous crop. According to the report, harvesting in that region should total only 288.29 million orange boxes (40.8-kilo) in 18/19, 11 % down compared to the historical average of the sector.

Lower estimates from Fundecitrus have confirmed Cepea forecasts for a smaller output in 2018/19, due to the damages and losses observed in the main flowering event (from August to October last year), mainly for pear oranges. That scenario was linked to the dry weather and high temperatures during the settlement of the flowers that would become the oranges from the new season. Still, the first estimates indicated losses around 20 %, which could result in a higher production than that forecast.

Ending stocks for orange juice should be 22 % larger on June 30, 2018 (at 254.2 thousand tons), according to CitrusBR (Brazilian Association of Citrus Exporters), but that is still the fourth lowest volume in the last 20 years. Thus, the citrus belt would have to harvest, once again, high amounts, in order to ensure comfortable inventories at processors. The demand for orange juice has been firm, mainly from the United States, making the global supply and demand scenario even more difficult.

However, in the short-term, growers’ revenue may not increase significantly, since most of them have already closed anticipated trades with processors – trades have been closed since November last year. Thus, only a few growers still have fruits available for trading.

Currently, only one of the large-sized processors has been purchasing fruits in the spot market. Before the new estimates were released, quotes for all varieties were at 15 BRL per 40.8-kilo, harvested and delivered at the processor. However, prices may increase as the crop nears and more processors enter the market.

In the mid-term, on the other hand, forecasts for the next season (2019/20) are more positive, considering juice inventories may be empty by June 2019. Besides, with the smaller output in Florida, international demand for the commodity should continue firm during the season. There are concerns with the weather in the coming months as well, which may lower the volume forecast even more.

BRAZILIAN MARKET – Orange sales increased in the in natura market in early May. According to growers, the beginning of the month, when workers’ wages are paid, may have favored demand. However, the average price for that variety in the first fortnight of the month was 19 % lower than in the first fortnight of April. That scenario is linked to higher supply in São Paulo, as well as the slow crushing pace at processors, which led orange sales exclusively to the in natura market (these fruits would be allocated to processors for crushing). Between May 2 and 15, pear orange quotes averaged 25.81 BRL per 40.8-kilo box, on tree, 19 % down compared to that in the first fortnight of April (2 – 13).

Tahiti lime quotes, however, continued at high levels in that period, both in the domestic market and for exportation. According to growers, the fruits still on tree have a good quality, but have not reached the ideal size to be harvested yet – due to the lack of rains in São Paulo. Thus, tahiti lime quotes averaged 49.17 BRL per 27-kilo box, harvested, between May 2 and 15, a staggering 174.2 % up compared to the price average in the first fortnight of April.

Global roll-out underway of largest production-volume addition to Unifiller range, a system that features an accuracy rate typically double those of competitors.

JBT Corporation, one of the world’s leading solutions providers for the food and beverage processing industries, is pleased to announce the launch of the new, High Capacity Unifiller, a unit capable of filling 1,500 containers per minute at an unparalleled accuracy rate.

The High Capacity Unifiller, which can be synchronized with JBT’s 12-head seamer to provide an effective, high-speed canning solution, includes all the best features required for Total Performance Management (TPM), such as clear-guarding, enabling easy revision of the machine as it functions, and LED lighting. The system’s built-in Clean-In-Place (CIP) technology also means the system can be completely cleaned in around one hour, maximizing uptime and minimizing downtime in the process.

Jan Sundberg, JBT’s Produce Line Manager for the Americas, said: “When you have lines that are dedicated to one can- or container-size in high volume, this is a good fit. Eliminating older lines and combining them into a single line can improve efficiency and achieve cost reductions. If you look at the cost per container compared with a single high speed line, there are some big savings. If customers have to achieve the volume, this is the best way of doing it.”

Sundberg added that the High Capacity Unifiller also features an accuracy rate typically double those of competitors. “This adds up very quickly on high-speed lines like this,” he said. “If you are running 1,000+ cans per minute, we are talking about several hundred thousand dollars a year in savings.” To date, JBT has sold and installed four High Capacity Unifillers – two in Asia-Pacific, one in North America and one in South America. The new installations perform: high speed filling of Coffee Drinks in glass bottles, high speed canning of Evaporated Milk, and the fastest filling line of Sweetened Condensed Milk in the world.

The 2018/2019 orange crop forecast published on May 09, 2018 by Fundecitrus, in cooperation with Markestrat, FEA-RP/USP and FCAV/Unesp1 is of 288.29 million boxes of 40.8 kg each. This total includes:

• 55.81 million boxes of the Hamlin, Westin and Rubi varieties;
• 16.55 million boxes of the Valencia Americana, Seleta and Pineapple varieties;
• 81.16 million boxes of the Pera Rio variety;
• 99.80 million boxes of the Valencia and Valencia Folha Murcha varieties;
• 34.97 million boxes of the Natal variety.

1. Bearing trees

Bearing trees of the varieties which make up this estimate total 175.27 million. Information about bearing trees was obtained from the Tree Inventory for São Paulo and west-southwest of Minas Gerais citrus belt: March 2018 status, defined by the new mapping of groves performed from September 08, 2017 to January 29, 2018 and by counting of trees present in 5% of plots mapped, from January 29 to March 07, 2018

The georeferenced mapping, carried out for the first time at the 2015 Inventory, has been through a complete update for this 2018 Inventory. New high definition orthorectified images were obtained by the satellites SPOT 6&7 from European Airbus Defence and Space between May and August, 2017. In September, 2017 images were made available to survey agents, together with drawings of plots identified in the previous mapping, which were superimposed to the images for easier visualization of areas that should be visited to collect in loco data. Scanning or visual inspection of images were also employed by survey agents before they went to the field to pre-identify citrus groves planted after the previous mapping from 2015 to 2017, which should also be visited.

No information relative to the plot other than their outlines was supplied to survey agents, which required all new data to be collected on: variety, year set, spacing, visual aspect of plants and irrigation system, when present2. Recently collected data relative to the variety and year set that differed from the previous register were audited for validation. Outlines of plots were redrawn to correspond to their present area, whenever their area was changed after plots having been registered in the previous mapping. Field visits identified plots that were abandoned or eradicated after the 2015 Inventory, and those identified in that mapping as being in a similar situation, so that they were also revisited for updating data. A new feature in the current mapping is the delimitation of farms, which more precisely quantifies farms present in the citrus belt…

Please download the complete forecast under: www.fundecitrus.com.br/pdf

With healthy foods and beverages more in demand than ever before, Health ingredients (Hi) Europe & Natural ingredients (Ni) is adding new features that cover the expanding market’s reach into current consumer lifestyles.

Europe’s leading health, natural and nutrition show, Hi Europe & Ni, is celebrating its 10th edition with a move to a larger hall at Messe Frankfurt this year. From 27-29 November 2018, visitors will be able to access all of the show’s many features and live events under one roof. In addition, the Healthy Finished Products Expo will launch this year and Health & Nutrition Week will run once again, following a successful debut in 2016.

Located in the heart of Germany, the leading European market for health and nutrition, Hi Europe & Ni is the premier nutritional ingredients event, offering the best in business opportunities, networking connections, trend insights and product development solutions. The industry has evolved significantly in recent years and, as vegan, vegetarian and flexitarian lifestyles move from niche to mainstream, the market is entering a new era of clean label food and beverage products with rising numbers of natural, organic, functional or “free from” claims.

According to Euromonitor, products positioned towards food intolerance, fortified, functional, naturally healthy or organic are expected to enjoy global growth of 5 percent in retail value terms every year until 2020. In contrast, products with reduced sugar, caffeine or fat content will grow at just 1 percent. The “naturally healthy” sector is ripe for innovation: valued at €251 bn in 2015, further growth of more than €63 bn is expected by 2020.

Hi Europe & Ni 2018 will reflect this booming marketplace with numerous not-to-be-missed highlights. Spanning three days, the event provides a complete overview of the health and nutrition industries. International leaders in healthy food and beverage innovation will showcase the latest solutions for food and drink formulation and reformulation, dietary supplements, nutraceuticals, organics, packaging, processing – and more.

This year’s conference will follow four main themes:

• Focus on Functional: what’s new in gut health, protein and naturally functional foods
• Clean, Natural and Transparent: developments in clean label, natural ingredients and the growing consumer demand for trust and transparency
• Reduce, Remove and Reformulate: solutions for sugar, salt and fat reduction as well as the latest in “free from”
• Personalising Nutrition: innovations in personalised nutrition for consumers at all life stages

In excess of 465 exhibitors are confirmed, including global players such as ADM, BENEO, Glanbia Nutritionals, Lonza and Naturex. More than 10,000 attendees from 94 countries are expected to attend and explore several themed pavilions: Organic, Natural, Free From, the Healthy Finished Product Expo, Expo FoodTec and country pavilions.

Health & Nutrition Week will run alongside Hi Europe & Ni 2018, offering a top-level thought leadership programme, starting on November 24. Working together with external experts from the food industry, academia, market research and more, organiser UBM has created an inspiring line-up of topical presentations and workshops. The Week includes, for example, the one-day Hi Future of Nutrition Summit on November 26, which will explore cutting-edge innovations that are likely to change the food and beverage industry. On November 27-28, the immersive, interactive Hi 5-Senses Conference will target all five senses via an insightful mix of keynote presentations, panel discussions and debates. Additionally, on November 29, it is the third year that women in the industry are invited to attend the Women’s Networking Breakfast to make connections and share advice – and for the first time this year, also men are invited to join.

Arla Foods Germany is the first company to opt for the innovative SIGNATURE PACK from SIG – the world’s first aseptic carton pack that is 100 % linked to plant-based renewable material. Arla now offers its 1 litre 1.5 % and 3.8 % organic milk (Arla^® BIO Weidemilch) in the SIGNATURE PACK.

Responding to consumer demand

By choosing SIG’s innovative SIGNATURE PACK, Arla is demonstrating its commitment to sustainability as it strives to increase the market share of its organic dairy products. Arla’s organic milk cartons now carry a clear message to consumers: buying this pack promotes the use of renewable raw materials to protect fossil resources while making a positive impact in reducing the CO₂ level compared with a standard carton pack.

Promoting environmental sustainability

SIGNATURE PACK cartons are made from 77 % paper board from wood and 23 % plant-based polymers through mass balancing. This means that for the polymers used in the SIGNATURE PACK, an equivalent amount of bio-based feedstock went into the manufacturing of the polymers. To ensure the integrity of this process, the mass balancing is certified through internationally recognised third-parties.

The packs are aluminium-free, while maintaining product quality. Their carbon footprint is 72 % lower than a standard SIG carton pack of the same format, based on a life cycle assessment (CB-100732 of 02.03.2018) carried out by independent experts using the ISO 14040 international standard.

These credentials are displayed on Arla’s organic milk packs, together with the FSCTM label which shows consumers that the wood-based content comes from well-managed forests and other controlled sources in accordance to FSC requirements.

The polymers that make up the rest of the SIGNATURE PACK cartons, including the barrier and the spout, are linked to 100 % plant-based material using recognised and audited certification schemes (ISCC PLUS and TÜV SÜD CMS71) to ensure strict traceability and accountability.

Chr. Hansen Holding A/S has entered into an agreement with Klaus Bjerrum to take up the position as Executive Vice President of Natural Colors Division

Klaus Bjerrum is currently employed as Senior Vice President, Operations, at CP Kelco and will join Chr. Hansen in his new role as of 1 August 2018.

Klaus Bjerrum (49) has been with CP Kelco for the past 19 years where he has been in global and regional roles within several functions (Operations, R&D, Business Management and Sales). Since 2015 he has been part of the Executive Leadership Team, reporting to the CEO.

Klaus Bjerrum holds an MSc in Foods Science & Technology from The Royal Danish Veterinary & Agricultural University, and a Graduate Diploma in Business Administration, International Trade, Copenhagen Business School. In addition, Klaus is educated Diploma Master Brewer from the Scandinavian School of Brewing.

International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. and Frutarom announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement under which IFF will acquire Frutarom in a cash and stock transaction valued at approximately $7.1 billion, including the assumption of Frutarom’s net debt. Under the terms of the agreement, which has been unanimously approved by the Boards of Directors of both companies, Frutarom’s shareholders will receive for each Frutarom share $71.19 in cash and 0.249 of a share of IFF common stock, which, based on the 10-day volume weighted average price (VWAP) for IFF’s common stock for the period ending May 4, 2018, represents a total value of $106.25 per share.

By combining with Frutarom, IFF is accelerating its Vision 2020 strategy to create a global leader in taste, scent and nutrition. The combination unites two industry-leading, innovative companies with complementary customers, capabilities and geographic reach, resulting in more exposure to fast growing end markets and an enhanced platform to deliver sustainable, profitable growth. The combined company’s customers will have access to comprehensive and differentiated integrated solutions with increased focus on naturals and health and wellness.

Frutarom is a flavors, savory solutions and natural ingredients company, with production and development centers on six continents. It markets and sells over 70,000 products to more than 30,000 customers in over 150 countries. Frutarom is primarily focused on natural products, which drive more than 75 % of its sales. Frutarom’s product portfolio consists of innovative and integrated solutions combining taste and health, natural and clean label products. In addition, Frutarom mainly serves local and mid-size customers, and has a compelling presence in fast-growing adjacent and complementary categories such as natural colors, health and beauty ingredients, natural food protection and enzymes. Frutarom has a strong track record of growth, with expected sales of above $1.6 billion in 2018, and their previously announced target of $2.25 billion in sales by 2020.

Opposite to the expected by agents, tahiti lime supply has been controlled in São Paulo State, and quotes, underpinned at higher levels. The price average in April/18, at 18.61 BRL per 27-kilo box (harvested) was the second highest for the month, in nominal terms, in all Cepea series, which started in 1996 for this product – compared to March/18, that price average is 34.2 % higher.

Previously, agents expected the harvesting of the fruits from the second flowering event to increase tahiti lime availability in the in natura market in April. However, low rain volumes in the citrus belt in the first two months of the year delayed fruits development, extending their period on tree.

Purchasers have claimed difficulty to find good quality tahiti lime in the in natura market. While the amount of mature fruits is low, the new ones are still green, postponing the harvesting. In that scenario, agents fear the volume of tahiti lime may increase too much in May, which could press down quotes – purposeful harvesting delays may press down quotes as well.

As for the industrial segment, bidding prices in the spot market were around 15 BRL per 40.8-kilo box, harvested and delivered at the processor, in April, with only one plant (smaller-sized) receiving that variety.

In the international market, tahiti lime exportations have reached new records in the crop, totaling 32.25 thousand tons from January to March/18, according to Secex. Compared to the same period of the previous season, current shipments are 2.5 % higher.

For the coming weeks, however, competition with Mexico shipments is expected to increase, since supply is reduced in Brazil, but growing in Mexico. According to Fresh Plaza, the weather in Mexico has been favorable to tahiti lime production, and Mexican fruits have reached the ideal color and maturation for trading in that segment.

ORANGE – The first pear oranges from the 2018/19 crop are already available in the in natura market of São Paulo State. According to Cepea collaborators, with low supply and firm prices for this variety, harvesting has been anticipated. The higher availability of green fruits, however, has widened the price gap between the large-sized pear oranges and the small-sized ones.

As for the larger-sized fruits, prices have reached 35 BRL per 40.8-kilo box, on tree, while the small-sized fruits from the new season have been traded between 25 BRL and 28 BRL per box. Thus, in April, pear orange quotes averaged 29.83 BRL per 40.8-kilo box, 2.8 % up compared to that in March.

According to agents, the fruits available in the in natura segment have not reached the ideal maturation yet, due to the weather in the first two months of 2018, which delayed the development of some oranges from the 2018/19 season, mainly those from the second flowering event, which, in turn, opened between October and December/17. The slow maturation of these fruits is linked to the high temperatures in early 2018 and the smaller rain amount in the main citrus producing regions from SP, according to Inmet (National Institute of Meteorology in Brazil).

The larger rain volume in March, on the other hand, offset the development delay of the oranges on tree. Still, growers expect the fruits to be ready only from the second fortnight of May onward.

KHS in Dortmund, Germany, international manufacturer of lines and machines for applications in the beverage filling and packaging industry with over 5,000 employees, belongs to the Salzgitter Group’s high-growth technology business unit. As part of its Strategy 2021 program Salzgitter AG plans to further expand its technology business unit.

In order to follow KHS’ own growth strategy while simultaneously strengthening its inner performance KHS is implementing its company-wide KHS Future action plan. As part of the KHS realignment process Prof. E.h. Dr.-Ing. Johann Grabenweger, responsible for Sales and Service, is leaving the company by mutual consent. The Supervisory Board would like to thank Prof. Grabenweger for his 13 years of successful work in Production, Research and Development and, most recently, Sales and Service which has grown by about a third in the last few years.

Until a final decision has been reached regarding the appointment of a successor, Management Board responsibility for the Sales and Service Division shall be assumed by chairman of the KHS Executive Management Board Burkhard Becker.

OptiBiotix Health Plc, a life sciences company that develops compounds to tackle obesity, high cholesterol and diabetes, offers a healthy alternative to refined sugar with a zero-calorie prebiotic sweetener, SweetBiotix.

While the food and beverage industry faces difficult decisions following the UK government’s recent introduction of levies on sugary drinks, also termed ‘the sugar tax’, SweetBiotix presents manufacturers with an advantageous solution to the backlash against sucrose.

Stephen O’Hara, OptiBiotix CEO, said “At the forefront of nutraceutical product development, OptiBiotix anticipated the growth in concerns about refined sugar several years ago and began developing a clean, calorie-free sweet fibre.

“By replacing refined sugar with SweetBiotix, manufacturers can respond positively to the tax and avoid the dilemma of passing the price changes on to customers or losing profits by shouldering the burden themselves. It really is a win-win solution for both the industry and the public, turning a potential manufacturing threat into an opportunity for companies to improve the nation’s health.”

Posing no weight gain effects, SweetBiotix is composed of naturally sweet fibres that are not digested in the gut, making it free from calories. Despite its guilt-free credentials, SweetBiotix nonetheless offers delicious taste similar to sucrose and was found in a University of Reading study to have with low off-flavours and taste ‘significantly sweeter’ than other existing sweeteners and sugars. It is therefore ideally suited to work as a bulk sugar replacement in functional food and beverage formulations.

SweetBiotix’s prebiotic composition furthermore enables the product to promote wider wellbeing by encouraging microbiome diversity, supporting the body’s microbial activity and delivering better health from the gut outwards.

Two merge into one: by purchasing the remaining shares, Krones has taken over Till GmbH in its entirety. Under the name of Dekron, the group’s subsidiary is now synergising the entire technology portfolio for digital decoration technology.

The Krones product portfolio themed around digital decoration of containers had previously been split between two companies: firstly, Krones AG itself, and secondly Till GmbH, in which Krones had owned a majority shareholding of 51 per cent since 2014. After the jointly developed DecoType machine portfolio had been successfully premiered for the market at the drinktec 2017, it was now time for the next logical step: to compress the knowledge and the technologies of both firms in a single responsively accomplished innovation-driven unit.

For this purpose, in early March 2018 Krones purchased the remaining shares in Till GmbH, and here synergised all the business operations relating to digital decoration technology. In order to publicly affirm its significantly enhanced role, the subsidiary has since April been operating under the name of Dekron. This coinage combining “Decoration” and “Krones” underlines both the company’s technological specialisation and its one-hundred-per-cent affiliation with the Krones Group.

Internal continuity

The firm will continue to be headquartered at Till’s facility in Kelkheim near Frankfurt – not least in order to retain in the company the smoothly functioning team of employees with all their valuable knowledge and experience. To put the group’s new member in optimum shape for the tasks ahead, Krones will be purposefully upgrading its infrastructure and its human resources. This applies to both the facility in Kelkheim and to the planned second facility, which is scheduled for inauguration before the end of 2018 – close to Krones’ headquarters in Neutraubling. It will constitute the new domain of some Krones staff who as specialists for digital decoration technology will be joining Dekron GmbH. For the existing clients of Till and Krones, this means: they will be able to count on their familiar contact persons at the same facility in the future as well.

Krones has also prioritised continuity in Dekron’s top management: it is composed of Sven Kerpe and Friederike Kalusche. The latter had already occupied this post in Till GmbH, and had been involved in building up the company right from the start. Her colleague Sven Kerpe was previously part of the Bottling Technology team at Krones, responsible for digital decoration technology. Dr. Christian Compera, Head of Bottling Technology, is gratified by this step, and says: “We have in recent years invested massively in developing a product portfolio for digital decoration. Now we are optimally equipped to join with our clients in successfully progressing the marketing of digitally decorated containers.“

A mouth-watering blend of sparkling spring water, apple cider vinegar with mother, honey, fruit juices and carefully selected botanical extracts that will delight your taste buds, satisfy your thirst and fuel your body with natural goodness.

Sugar Tax exempt, with only naturally occurring sugars from the fruit juices and honey, and certified organic by the Soil Association, Switchle is curiously crafted in small batches from only the finest natural ingredients. Each 250 ml serving has just 55 calories – is vegetarian, gluten-free and in 100 % recyclable cans.

The inspiration behind Switchle is centuries old. In fact, in its most basic form it dates back to the 400 B.C. when Hippocrates, the father of medicine, prescribed apple cider vinegar mixed with honey for a number of ailments.  Fast forward to 17th Century United States and ‘Switchel’, as it became known, was popularised by colonial farmers who added water and ginger and drank it to quench their thirst in the hot fields whilst harvesting the summer hay.

In 2017, we set out to evolve the formula by adding the finest organic ingredients to create a modern British version with a twist and subtly altered the name to Switchle.  Using real spring water, Switchle is then blended with organic honey and organic apple cider vinegar ‘with mother’; which today is known to help alkalise the body, lower blood sugar levels and cholesterol and is also said to increase satiety, helping you lose weight. We then added a unique combination of popular health-giving organic fruit juices, spices and botanical extracts to produce 3 unique flavour combinations (Matcha, Lime and Mint, Rooibos, Raspeberry and Pomegranate & Tumeric, Ginger and Peach).

Ball Corporation’s newest beverage can innovation is helping customers put a colorful lid on their infinitely recyclable aluminum cans from Ball. Available for the first time, Ball’s proprietary Cameo End Printing extends customer branding to the top of the can, making the top pop and adding appeal for consumers looking for their favorite beverages.

Ball will debut Cameo End Printing next week at the Brewers Association Craft Brewers Conference and BrewExpo America®. The CBC is April 30-May 3 in Nashville, with Ball hosting customers in booth #1512, the Sustainability Track in Davidson Ballroom B, and at the Music City CANarchy outdoor festival in Walk of Fame Park.

“Ball’s Cameo End Printing delivers both branding advantages for our customers, and functional benefits for consumers,” says Jay Billings, vice president, commercial, for Ball’s beverage packaging North & Central America business. “For our customers, Cameo extends the can’s 360-degree billboard to the top of the package, further increasing brand visibility and offering exciting new possibilities for contests, special promotions and limited release packaging. For consumers, Cameo makes searching for your favorite brand easier in coolers and convenience stores, where the top of the can may be the most visible part of the package.”

Cameo will be commercially available in early 2019.

Fermentation, a practice stretching back more than 10,000 years of human history, employs beneficial microorganisms for enriching and preserving food ingredients. It remains firmly rooted in Asian and African cultures as a tradition passed down from generations. Consequently, fermented foods like Kimchi remain a staple in Korean cuisine, and cultured drinks like Kombucha and Lassi have an unabated following among Chinese and Indian consumers, respectively, says leading data and analytics company GlobalData.

On the other hand, fermented foods have largely been sidelined in Western diets partly due to the hyper-hygienic lifestyles, and the high affinity for processed, canned and pasteurized convenience-foods. This scenario is changing as fermentation once again comes under the spotlight in the West through the rising popularity of exotic Eastern foods and beverages like Kimchi, Kombucha and Kefir.

Health benefits: Bobby Verghese, Consumer Markets Analyst at GlobalData says, “Growing consumer awareness about the link between ‘gut health’ and overall health and wellness is a major factor driving the renewed focus on fermented foods.” Natural preservation techniques like fermentation are gaining ground in the backdrop of the ongoing shift of consumers from processed foods to ‘cleaner-label’ foods with less chemical preservatives. This is underscored by GlobalData Global Consumer Survey 2017 findings which reveal that 75 % of global consumers somewhat or completely agree with the statement that ‘artificial additives and preservatives are harmful to their health’.

Novel sensory experience: Fermented food and drinks offer novel taste and texture sensations which particularly appeal to youthful consumers who are on the lookout for emerging exotic and international cuisines. This reflects in the GlobalData Global Consumer Survey findings which states that 49 % of Millennial and Gen Z consumers like to experiment with new and unusual flavors while choosing food products.

Economic and sustainability aspects: Fermentation processes offer a cost-effective, energy-efficient, and zero-maintenance technology for food preservation. This technique enables efficient utilization of available resources by prolonging the shelf-life of perishable seasonal produce, upcycling food waste, and detoxifying raw materials. Consequently, fermentation holds the potential to make a substantial positive impact on global food wastage and food security.

Manufacturers can leverage fermentation to tap into the growing demand for healthier foods and drinks. For instance, in late 2016, Pepsi acquired branded Kombucha manufacturer, KeVita, to provide an additional option to consumers seeking a healthier alternative to sugary sodas. Fermentation also offers fish and meat producers a potent method for attaining clean label certification for their products without using harmful synthetic preservatives. The growing popularity of fermented foods implies the need for innovative and creative packaging formats that preserve the integrity of the live probiotic culture in the foodstuff, without sacrificing the convenience and aesthetics aspects. In addition, fermentation is making a mark on the cosmetics industry, where manufacturers are vying to develop natural and ‘clean’ beauty and personal care products that are as effective as synthetic formulations.

Why does a supplement made exclusively from tomato paste have an EFSA health claim, but not the tomato paste it’s made from?

Raised: 73,500€. Target: 270,400€.

The expansion of the Tomato Foundation Health Claim Project Consortium continues – rallying support from companies within the tomato industry global supply chain. The project focuses on obtaining an EFSA health claim for tomato paste/tomato products and improved blood flow – based on an existing EFSA health claim for a tomato supplement, awarded in 2009.

Consortium partners: Morning Star Packing Company / Kagome Co., Ltd. / Kagome USA, Inc. / Mutti S.p.A. / HIT Group / Assan Foods / Ingomar Packing Company / Integrated Supply Solutions SL. / Concentrated Solutions Inc. / Bösch Boden Spies GmbH & Co. KG / Agrofusion / Neil Jones Food Company / SADAFCO / CCFIA (China Canned Food Industry Association) / WPTC (World Processing Tomato Council) / AMITOM (Mediterranean International Association of the Processing Tomato)

Research group: SSICA (Stazione Sperimentale per l’Industria delle Conserve Alimentari) / Universidad Complutense de Madrid / NIZO food research BV / Caledonian Science Press Ltd.

Next steps – The product study: The Tomato Foundation invites collaboration, participation and support for the next step in the project, which is the tomato paste and product sample study. Samples from multiple locations will be tested.

For EFSA validation, a product study is needed to demonstrate consistent and sufficient levels of bioactives in tomato paste and consumer products. The health claim for Fruitflow dictates bioactive levels fixed by production standards. Processed tomato products are already standardised by the Codex Alimentarius for Natural Soluble Solid Content (NTSS). Therefore, the foundation’s new study will target bioactive content per standard serving.

An independent feasibility study produced by Nizo Food Research strongly suggests that the same bioactive content as in a single dose of Fruitflow is found in 12g tomato paste (30 % NTSS) and 70ml tomato juice (5 % NTSS).

The product study aims to show that, regardless of regional variation, the lower range of bioactive compound levels in standard servings of tomato products remain consistently above the level set by a single dose of Fruitflow. The study will be carried out by the SSICA food research institute – in Parma, Italy.

All consumer products that are tested in the study – and pass for sufficient bioactive content – will be awarded a licence of use for the health claim.

Only project consortium companies will be able to use this health claim for their products.

Full information on the project can be found here: www.tomatofoundation.org