The Food & Drink Innovation Network

Latest Food & Drink Industry News

• Friday, September 3rd, 2010, (7:16 am)

  FRUMOO MILK SMOOTHIES LAUNCH IN THE UK

  Frumoo smoothies are the first of their kind to blend Fresh Milk with Fresh Fruit and be packaged in a convenient, re-sealable spouted pouch.

  Its unique packaging makes it lightweight and easy to transport out of the home, hoping to appeal to mums and kids alike.

  The two flavours to launch into the British market will be  Blackcurrant, Plum & Apple and Pear, Raspberry & Apple.

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• Thursday, September 2nd, 2010, (3:22 pm)

  NESCAFÉ ORIGINAL LAUNCHES 3 IN 1

  Nescafé hopes to invigorate the soluble coffee category this autumn with the launch of Nescafé Original 3in1.

  The single serve sachet combines coffee, whitener and sugar offering a convenient, sweeter, creamy tasting coffee that hopes to attract younger consumers into the category.

  Nescafé Original 3in1 has been introduced to support the growing trend for more convenient coffee formats among the ‘no-hassle’ generation and to enhance the current Nescafé offering by giving shoppers a wider selection of products to try.

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• Thursday, September 2nd, 2010, (1:11 pm)

  BATCHELORS LAUNCHES CUP A PASTA

  Premier Foods hopes to drive sales in the hot snacks category with the launch of the new Batchelors Cup a Pasta range from this month.

  Batchelors is launching Cup a Pasta at a time when there is increasing consumer demand for convenient, flexible meal solutions, providing a strong incremental sales opportunity for retailers by leveraging the biggest name in hot snacks.

  The hot snacks sector, worth £285m, is currently in growth (+3%); Batchelors is the No. 1 brand in the hot snacks category with a forty four percent share.

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• Thursday, September 2nd, 2010, (11:04 am)

  THE FOOD AND DRINK INNOVATION NETWORK HOSTS OPEN INNOVATION SEMINAR

  Following the huge success of the Open Innovation seminar last year, the Food and Drink Innovation Network are discussing that hot topic again with their Open Innovation Summit, coming up on Thursday 21st October.

  Once again it will be chaired by Paul Isherwood who is Director Of Innovation, External Networks & Partnerships at GSK.

  If Open Innovation is new on your radar, then this summit is unmissable.

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• Thursday, September 2nd, 2010, (9:09 am)

  THE AMBRETTE RESTAURANT HOSTS 18 COURSE MEAL

  The Ambrette Restaurant, the Michelin-listing Indian fine dining establishment in Margate, is to serve an eighteen-course ‘Taste Sensation’ sampler menu every Sunday evening throughout September.

  Costing £49.99 for each customer, the eighteen course meal is not a cheap evening out however, when broken down, each course only costs £2.77.

  The evening hopes to provide visitors with a unique dining experience with complex and diverse flavours.

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• Thursday, September 2nd, 2010, (7:13 am)

  BAKEHOUSE LAUNCHES PRE-FILLED CHEESE CROISSANT

  Bakehouse, the one stop shop for continental pastries, savouries and bread has expanded its savoury pastry range with the launch of a ready filled Cheese Croissant with Gouda.

  With a traditional croissant shape the new product has been designed for eating on the move and as an alternative to sandwiches.

  Made with authentic long-rested, all-butter croissant dough to give a light open texture and rich full flavour, the new Cheese Croissant is pre-filled with twelve month matured Gouda, and topped with grated Maasdammer cheese.

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• Wednesday, September 1st, 2010, (5:15 pm)

  NORFOLK FOOD FESTIVAL SEPT 18 – OCT 3

  The Norfolk Food Festival 2010 will be taking place from September 18 to October 3 reflecting the best of Norfolk produce from the land and the sea.

  Highlights of the annual festival which is becoming larger every year include: A Moveable Feast on September 28 when more than 600 diners will enjoy a three course dinner at three different restaurants across the city of Norwich; a major food debate at the John Innes Centre to tackle the key issues for farming, food production and for the retail customer; the Norfolk Food Awards which single out the success stories of the county’s food producers; the Annual Battle of the Bangers when the county’s leading butchers compete for the public voting of the best local sausage and there will also be a large food fayre to feature chef’s kitchen demonstrations and tastings.

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• Wednesday, September 1st, 2010, (3:14 pm)

  YOGHURT DRINK SCHMOO LAUNCHES INTO THE UK MARKET

  Biz-R have recently completed a naming, brand identity and packaging project for ‘Schmoo’, a new yoghurt lassi drink.

  A lassi is the original and traditional Indian yoghurt drink, made with un-pasteurised probiotic yoghurt which maintains the good bacteria and is a high source of vitamin C, protein and calcium.

  Up until now yoghurt lassi drinks have only been available in Indian restaurants, Schmoo hopes to introduce the drink into the UK mainstream..

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• Wednesday, September 1st, 2010, (1:17 pm)

  HEINZ LAUNCHES NEW SALAD CREAM WITH LEMON AND BLACK PEPPER

  Heinz announces new zesty twist on a British classic with the launch of Heinz Salad Cream with Lemon and Black Pepper.

  For the very first time in its ninety six year history, Heinz is launching a new variety of its most popular sauce, Lemon and Black Pepper, available from all major supermarkets from this month.

  Invented in 1914, Heinz Salad Cream was the first Heinz product to be developed specifically to cater for British tastes, and has been a much loved addition to tables throughout the years.

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• Wednesday, September 1st, 2010, (11:20 am)

  HIGGIDY RE-LAUNCHES ITS BROCCOLI & STILTON QUICHE

  The Higgidy cooks have answered the pleas of their fans and are bringing back their Broccoli & Stilton Quiche with Crunchy Cheddar Crumb.

  Their winter quiche is handmade in their West Sussex kitchen. They’ve used Camilla’s special recipe seeded short-crust pastry, filled it with broccoli florets, sautéed onions, and a mature cheddar and stilton cheese sauce, and topped with a cheddar crumb.

  Marketed as a warming lunch or a supper for two, the re-launch of the quiche at the close of summer hopes to introduce consumers to the product in time for the winter season.

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• Wednesday, September 1st, 2010, (9:08 am)

  HEINZ CREAM OF TOMATO SOUP CELEBRATES TURNING 100

  

  Heinz Cream of Tomato Soup is turing one hundred years year of age next week and Heinz is holding a series of celebrations at the soup’s first UK home: Fortnum & Mason.

  Often labeled as one of the UK’s most iconic comfort foods, Heinz Cream of Tomato Soup, will celebrate its one hundredth birthday tomorrow with a big party celebrating the soup’s history.

  The week-long centenary celebrations will see Heinz release a label based on the original Cream of Tomato Soup packaging that first appeared in 1910.

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• Wednesday, September 1st, 2010, (7:12 am)

  WEIGHT WATCHERS MEALS LAUNCHES LIMITED EDITION DISHES

  Weight Watchers Meals has extended its range to include Limited Edition dishes, the first of which, Spaghetti & Meatballs, hits shelves this September for a three month period.

  The new range has been inspired by traditional home cooked Mediterranean recipes and recreated by the team of Michelin trained Weight Watchers chefs.

  The new Limited Edition dish combines beef meatballs with a rich tomato and basil sauce and is served with free range egg spaghetti.

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• Tuesday, August 31st, 2010, (3:13 pm)

  TESCO ANNOUNCES NEW PRODUCT RANGE “MAKE A MEAL”

  Tesco has launched a new range of products with a different take on the ready meal.

  The Tesco Make a Meal With range is a brand new selection of premium, cooked meats which can be eaten hot or cold and eaten in a variety of ways such as salads for lunch, or skewers for BBQ’s.

  It has been designed for people leading a busy lifestyle who want quick and easy food without compromising on taste.

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• Tuesday, August 31st, 2010, (1:07 pm)

  GRESSINGHAM FOODS LAUNCHES TWO NEW READY MEALS

  Speciality poultry company Gressingham Foods has launched two duck-based ready meals to satisfy what it says is growing demand for Chinese-style dishes.

  Crispy Half Peking Duck serves four people as a starter or two as a main meal and has an authentic Chinese taste, using an aromatic blend of herbs and spices.

  Both products are available from Sainsbury’s under the supermarket’s own-label now.

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• Tuesday, August 31st, 2010, (11:02 am)

  THE CORNISH CRISP COMPANY RECEIVES SERIES OF AWARDS

  The Cornish Crisp Company  have been awarded a bronze Taste of the West Award for their ‘Spectater’ salt & pepper crisp ad back on June won best new product in the Royal Cornwall Food & Farming Awards.

  The crisp company is also exhibiting at Lunch! for the first time this year.

  Earlier this year The Cornish Crisp Company launched a hot chilli crisp in aid of ShelterBox, who received a penny from every bag that was sold.

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• Tuesday, August 31st, 2010, (9:01 am)

  THE FOOD AND DRINK INNOVATION NETWORK HOSTS SUSTAINABILITY SEMINAR

  Organised and run by Sustainability Guru DR ALAN KNIGHT OBE, these meetings happen every six months and form part of a SUSTAINABILITY CLUB where The Food and Drink Innovation Network sorts out “what’s hot and what’s not” for the Food & Drink Industry.

  The seminar draws-from [and feeds-back to] the major food & drink players and Alan networks with the club members through Sustainability Bulletins and a special-access website.

  The event will take place at the Staverton Park Conference Centre,Daventry, Northants on Thursday 25th November.

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• Tuesday, August 31st, 2010, (7:11 am)

  COUNTRY CHOICE LAUNCHES NEW RANGE OF ‘TOPPED AND FILLED’ MUFFINS

  Country Choice has launched a new range of ‘topped and filled’ premium muffins.

  The new range of bakery products hopes to raise the bar in terms of quality and appetite appeal and introduces three new varieties – Victoria Sponge, Chocolate Orange and the Breakfast Muffin.

  All of the muffins are fully-baked and have a one day shelf-life from defrost if displayed unwrapped, two days if wrapped.

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• Monday, August 30th, 2010, (3:08 pm)

  FOR THE LOVE OF FISH LAUNCHES INTO MORRISONS

  Morrisons and Cumbrian Seafoods have collaborated to create new brand For The Love Of Fish.

  All of the products in the range are sold exclusively through the Morrisons supermarket chain.

  The products have been produced by Cumbrian Seafoods at their plant at Seaham, County Durham and include a range of three fishcakes all with different variations in flavour.

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• Monday, August 30th, 2010, (1:03 pm)

  OAT SO SIMPLE LAUNCHES LIMITED EDITION WINTER PUDDING

  Oats So Simple is launching a limited edition Winter Pudding flavour launching in time for the winter season.

  The fruity plum based porridge hopes to replicate the success of Oats So Simple Sweet Cinnamon flavour, which delivered forty percent of incremental sales since launch and reached £931,000 within the first twenty six weeks.

  Quaker is adding a new flavour to its Paw Ridge range – Paw Ridge Blueberry, which emerged as a favourite in consumer taste tests.

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• Monday, August 30th, 2010, (11:01 am)

  FAIRHILLS LAUNCHES 3 LITRE BAG FORMAT FOR WINE

  Fairtrade wine brand Fairhills has announced that two of its wines – a Chenin Chardonnay and a Merlot Shiraz – will now be available in a 3 litre bag-in-box format.

  The new bag-format will be available for the first time from this month in all Asda stores, priced at £17.98.

  The wines themselves were chosen by MW Angela Mount. The Chenin Chardonnay is light and crisp, with citrussy notes. The Merlot is deep, rich and carries plummy tones.

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• Monday, August 30th, 2010, (9:12 am)

  VIP NUTS LAUNCH NEW RANGE OF FLAVOURS

  High end nut brand VIP’s (very important peanuts), have announced a new range of flavours.

  The new flavours to join the current range include; Manuka honey and mustard, Bollywood Barbecue, and What’s up Wasabi.

  As part of the New York Delhi brand the nuts launched onto the market a year ago and were immediatdly available in high end New York delicatessens.

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• Monday, August 30th, 2010, (7:03 am)

  WALKERS NEW TV ADVERT FEATURES LIONEL RICHIE

  Gary Lineker shares the small screen with legend Lionel Richie for the new Walkers Extra Crunchy advert.

  Walkers Extra Crunchy, the brand’s biggest launch in eight years, is being supported with a humorous TV ad campaign starring soul singing legend Lionel Richie.

  The ad, which bursted onto screens on Friday 27th August, is part of a multi-million pound marketing campaign designed to drive huge consumer engagement and demand for this new snacking line.

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• Friday, August 27th, 2010, (3:09 pm)

  DORITOS LAUNCHES NEW RANGE OF CHIPS AND DIPS

  Walkers, the UK’s crisps and snacks manufacturer, is launching a new flavour Doritos chip, Sizzling Fajita, and two dips; Red Pepper & Pepperoni and Nacho Cheese.

  The company is hoping to continue spearheading Sharing growth and build on Doritos’ +16% value increase with the launch these products, which will be on shelf in time for the festive season.

  The Dips category is currently worth twenty six million pounds and is growing at twenty nine percent.

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• Friday, August 27th, 2010, (1:09 pm)

  STORM TEA LAUNCHES NEW RANGE OF TEA

  There’s a new “brew on the block” and it hopes to take the herbal tea trend to  another dimension.

  Just launched is organic Storm tea made from real chunks of whole leaf tea, fruits and flavourings and so will never leave a trail of dust in the teacup.

  It is available as loose tea or packed in ‘silk’ pyramids that have an extra fine mesh but are roomy enough to give the tea a chance to infuse with the boiling water.

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• Friday, August 27th, 2010, (11:01 am)

  GURKHA FINE FOODS LAUNCHES RANGE OF ASIAN COOKING SOLUTIONS

  Gurkha Fine Foods has launched a selection of Asian cooking solutions aimed at retailers who want to offer something different to consumers.

  The company produces a range of authentic Gurkha products which includes a number of easy-to-cook Gourmet Curry Sauces, Achars, Spice Mixes and the chilli condiment, HillBoy.

  This range of products hope to offer consumers with an alternative to the traditional Indian and Thai products that dominate the market.

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• Friday, August 27th, 2010, (9:25 am)

  RISO GALLO LAUNCHES ASPARAGUS VARIETY AND NEW PACKAGING

  Riso Gallo, Italy’s risotto rice producer, has given a stylish makeover to its range of Riso Gallo ‘Risotto Rice’ and Riso Gallo ‘Risotto Pronto’.

  The new packaging coincides with the expansion of the ‘Risotto Pronto’ range, with the launch of the Asparagus variety.

  The re-design hopes to capture the brand’s unique one hundred and fifty year Italian heritage.

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• Friday, August 27th, 2010, (7:02 am)

  SQUIRES KITCHEN LAUNCHES NEW RANGE OF CAKE DECORATIONS

  New SK Crystallised Natural Rose and Violet flower fragments invite consumers to add a touch of “vintage glamour” to their homebaked puddings, jellies, cakes and trifles.

  These little flowers have been coated in sparkling sugar and are completely edible, making them ideal decorations for violet and rose fondant centred chocolates and celebration cakes.

  SK are encouraging consumers to try their new crystallised fragments by purchasing the SK Rose & Violet Cupcake Kit.

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• Thursday, August 26th, 2010, (3:28 pm)

  HUNTAPAC LAUNCH WINTER ROOTS VEG RANGE

  With the UK experiencing one of the warmest summers in recent years, Lancashire produce company, Huntapac have been busy focusing on one of its winter launches.

  The companies ‘Roots’ brand which is due to hit retailers shelves nationwide soon, will see the culmination of two years product development and consumer research accomplished.

  The crops used within the packs are grown across carefully selected sandy land throughout Shropshire, Yorkshire and Scotland.

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• Thursday, August 26th, 2010, (1:08 pm)

  CHOI TIME INTRODUCES YELLOW TREASURE AND SNOWY FLAKE TEA

  Choi Time – the Chinese tea specialist – has announced the introduction of two new teas to the award-winning range.

  Yellow Treasure, a high-grade green Oolong tea, and Snowy Flake, a premium grade Jasmine tea, join the  Choi Time range as summer draws to a close.

  Yellow Treasure has a smoky rich flavour and is blended with the yellow osmanthus flower to add sweet undertones.

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• Thursday, August 26th, 2010, (11:05 am)

  UK FOOD & DRINK INDUSTRY SUSTAINABILITY TUNE-IN DAY

  Organised and run by Sustainability Guru DR ALAN KNIGHT OBE, these meetings happen every six months and form part of a SUSTAINABILITY CLUB where The Food and Drink Innovation Network sorts out “what’s hot and what’s not” for the Food & Drink Industry.

  The seminar draws-from [and feeds-back to] the major food & drink players and Alan networks with the club members through Sustainability Bulletins and a special-access website.

  The event will take place at the Staverton Park Conference Centre,Daventry, Northants on Thursday 25th November.

  (more…)

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