AMI & 7 other bodies challenge USDA's country-of-origin labelling rule

The American Meat Institute (AMI) and seven other meat and livestock organisations – the American Association of Meat Processors, the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association, the Canadian Pork Council, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, the National Pork Producers' Council, the North American Meat Association, and the Southwest Meat Association – filed a suit in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia to block the implementation of a mandatory country-of-origin labelling (COOL) rule finalised by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) in May 2013.

The plaintiffs explained that the final rule violates the United States Constitution by compelling speech in the form of costly and detailed labels on meat products that do not directly advance a government interest. In addition, they explained that the 2013 regulation exceeds the scope of the statutory mandate, because the statute does not permit the kind of detailed and onerous labelling requirements the final rule puts in place, and that the rule is arbitrary and capricious, because it imposes vast burdens on the industry with little or no countervailing benefit.

The organisations added that the new and complex country-of-origin labels required for meat and poultry sold at retail constitute compelled speech. Under the US Constitution, commercial speech may be compelled only where it serves a substantial government interest (for example, if the compelled speech is aimed at preventing the spread of a contagious disease). Because these labels offer no food safety or public health benefit, but impose costs the government modestly estimates at $192 million, the government cannot require them.

“Congress mandated the country-of-origin labelling rule for meat and poultry and not lifetime itinerary labelling,” AMI executive Mark Dopp said. He added, “Segregating and tracking animals according to the countries where production steps occurred and detailing that information on a label may be a bureaucrat’s paperwork fantasy, but the labels that result will serve only to confuse consumers, raise the prices they pay, and put some producers and meat and poultry companies out of business in the process. Everyone loses under this rule.”

Wax supply rising; Synthetic waxes growing faster than petroleum waxes

While registering modest growth through 2012, the global wax market continues to be transformed, according to a new report titled, 'Global Wax Industry: Market Analysis and Opportunities' by consulting and research firm Kline and Company.
Synthetic waxes are growing rapidly, supplanting petroleum waxes, which enjoy a dominant, but declining market share. Hydrogenated and natural vegetable waxes are also making inroads.
The global wax supply is growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 0.7 per cent. Petroleum waxes represent 73 per cent of the global supply, having dropped below 90 per cent for the first time in decades.
By contrast, synthetic waxes have increased their global market share to 13 per cent, riding on eroding petroleum wax supplies and growing Fischer-Tropsch and polyethylene wax capacities.
On the demand side, candles still represent 46 per cent of the global wax consumption. The growth in electricity grid and use of solar lamps has led to a decline in candle demand for illumination purposes in developing economies. An estimated 80 per cent of candles used today are for decorative or religious purposes rather than for illumination.
Overall demand growth, although modest, is driven by the creation of new end-uses in rheology, surface and health industry applications, and by economic growth in developing nations.
Reduced petroleum wax supplies have created a greater demand for synthetic and vegetable waxes, making them the fastest-growing segments within the waxes market.

The variety of products and applications in the wax market has resulted in a complex pricing mechanism for the wax market.
The period between 2008 and 2012 was characterised by increased price volatility. Crude oil price gyrations during this period coupled with supply and demand mismatch due to recession-linked demand contraction and continuing reductions in petroleum wax production have contributed to this volatility.
As the global supply of petroleum wax shrinks and the supply of other waxes, including vegetable and synthetic waxes increases, the relative prices of these substitute waxes continue to reflect the relative performance benefits or cost-of-usage of these waxes in comparison to petroleum wax.

The regional supplies of waxes do not conform to regional demands, leading to significant movement of wax across the world.
A net wax surplus of more than 1,500 million lb from Asia, Africa, and the Middle-East corresponds with an equivalent deficit in the Americas and Europe, leading to a massive global wax trade.
Despite its decreasing market share, petroleum wax still accounts for approximately 97 per cent of both imports and exports.

Pooja Sharma, senior consultant within Kline’s energy practice, said, “The new dynamic in the wax industry will be the one of change, where the emerging wax supply will be driven by three variables: reducing petroleum wax supply due to Group I plant rationalisations, growth in supply of hydrogenated vegetable wax, and growth in Fischer-Tropsch and polyethylene wax capacity.”
“The overall global wax demand is projected to grow at a CAGR of 1.5 per cent due to an accelerated consumption in the growing economies of Asia, Africa, and the Middle-East; and recovery in wax demand from the matured economies of North America and Europe,” she added.

With anticipated strong demand growth and relatively weak supply growth, the global wax market is expected to experience an increasing shortage. The global wax deficit is projected to grow to almost 850 million lb by 2022.

Chinese govt overhauls standards for dairy products and food additives

China has completed an overhaul of standards for dairy products as part of efforts to address food safety concerns, a health official said recently.

Chen Rui, an official from the National Health and Family Planning Commission (NHFPC), added that the government is also strengthening standards concerning food contaminants, fungal toxins, food additives and food labels.

The overhaul is part of a five-year plan to upgrade food safety regulations.

According to the plan, which was released in June 2012, the government will improve national food safety standards by revamping outdated standards, reviewing and abolishing any contradicting or overlapping standards and working out new regulations.

Many regulations overlap or contradict each other because multiple government agencies were given the responsibility of compiling their own standards years ago.

According to Chen, deputy director of the department in charge of formulating, monitoring and assessing food safety standards under the NHFPC, China has now promulgated 303 sets of national standards on food safety, food additives and nutrient supplements.

Consumers have accused food safety authorities of being too lax, which has led to multiple food safety scandals.

When asked to comment if the government will refer to food safety standards used in other nations when formulating its own standards, an official said, “China will set standards based on its national conditions, but will refer to the standards of developed countries.”

“The NHFPC will have to consider both the health of consumers and the development of the food industry,” said Wang Zhutian, assistant to the director of the food safety standards department.

CTT on processed farm items may affect food & beverage sector: Experts

Commodities Transaction Tax (CTT), which has been implemented from July 1, 2013, is being regarded as the latest levy on processed farm items that may have a cascading effect on the food & beverage sector in the country.

CTT will be applicable on futures contracts on many agricultural commodities – processed farm items to be precise - apart from items like fertilisers, tractors and so on at the rate of 0.01 per cent or Rs 10 per Rs 1 lakh.

While 23 agricultural commodities including almond, barley, cardamom, castor seed, channa, copra, coriander, guar seed, isabgol seed, jeera, maize feed, pepper, potato, mustard seed, red chilli, soyabean, soyameal, turmeric and wheat have been exempted from the purview of CTT, it will be applicable for processed agricultural items like sugar, soya oil, guar gum and coffee.

Though at the outset, it looks like CTT will not affect many items, representatives belonging to major commodity exchanges like NCDEX and MCX and industry experts are fearing that the tax will affect the trade that is directly connected to the food & beverage sector in a big way – almost 300 per cent rise in what the traders will pay as tax+transaction fee (When the tax is Rs 10 per Rs 1 lakh, the latter is Rs 3.2 per lakh thus Rs 13.2 per lakh).

Further, since the trading rates will get so high, many, especially smaller players, will opt for dabba trading or going in for the illegal market. This would mean not only the trade is at loss but the government as well, according to an expert.

Trading comes down
In fact, such is the scenario, states a source, “Trading has come down by 30 to 40 per cent in these 10 days since implementation and a cascading effect is being anticipated for the food & beverage sector as due to the increase in cost of transaction, energy, input and all other costs there will be a steep rise.” The source adds, “The impact will be huge on SMEs (Small and Medium Enterprises), especially those that are connected with coffee and sugar.”

Interestingly, while there are those who feel that the tax will affect only the futures trade and not the concerned sectors, yet a large chunk of those that are dealing in processed farm items and belonging to food & beverage sector maintain that they will affected.

For instance, Tejinder Singh Renu, honorary secretary, Vidarbha Taxpayers Association (VTA), commented, “In my view government has introduced CTT not only to generate revenue but simultaneously discourage futures trading. However such a method would lead to another hurdle of taxation which may result in such trading practices shifting to unaccounted trade.”

He added, “As per practices adopted by government in the past, I fear very soon this rate of 0.01 per cent will be increased, likewise the list of commodities attracting CTT will also go up.”

In contrast, Jekil Patel, deputy manager, Kotak Securities, stated, “CTT will not impact the end-users. But it will impact the trading industry. The participation of the people involved in trading of processed farm items will go down due to this tax. For example, earlier if 10 people were involved in the trading of processed food items now it will be 7. Trading companies will have to bear the burden because we will have to pay additional taxes to the government now.”

Echoing the sentiment, Kirti Rana, director, APMC spices market, stated, “Government wants to earn revenue by one or the other way but CTT will not impact the end-users and traders from the market. The impact will be only on the trading companies and those who are involved in trading processed farm items.”

Effect on jobs, investments
However, Bharat Kumar Shah, chairman, Internal Trade Federation, Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industry, differed, “The processed farm items industry will impact in a big way by the imposition of CTT as the prices of certain things which come in the tax ambit will rise. Already the Indian processed farm items industry is burdened and this will have effect on new job opportunities and investments. On the whole, it is not a good move.”

Meanwhile, M K Ananda Kumar, who heads corporate services at NCDEX (National Commodity and Derivatives Exchange Ltd), explained, “The department of revenue, ministry of finance, has issued a notification that CTT is to be levied from July 1, 2013, on futures transactions of all commodities except 23 agricultural commodities. In the notification certain major agricultural commodities such as sugar, soya oil, gur, palmolein, guar gum and rubber have not been included. CTT therefore becomes chargeable on these commodities, raising the cost of futures trading on these agricultural commodities by four-and-a-half times. Other than these, there are several other major agricultural commodities, which have not been included in the list of exempted commodities. This has definitely taken the market by surprise, with the increased cost of hedging, it will discourage hedgers.”

Food inflation
Further, when asked if NCDEX will try for abolition of CTT on processed food items, he informed, “The farm commodities were excluded from the burden of CTT by the finance minister for two special reasons they are - any extra tax on food products will eventually add to food inflation and - futures trading which is still nascent in farm commodities. Both these objectives are defeated by the current notification, which is not consistent to the intent of the Finance Bill. The exchange has written to the finance ministry in the matter.”

Explaining the long-term effect of CTT, Kumar said, “Domestic commodity exchanges are performing the twin functions of price discovery and risk management and thus aiding the Indian farmer for better price realisation. Futures markets provide an efficient means to determine the future price of a commodity. The price discovery has the potential to minimise uncertainties on futures prices in commodity markets. This helps in checking price slumps in post-harvest periods and smoothen out the price changes over the production cycle and help in putting checks on the exploitation of farmers.

He added, “Futures contracts offer farmers, dealers, processors and consumers a means of mitigating the price risks inherent in their business. This results in more efficient marketing system and ultimately lowers costs to consumers. These markets also act as a focal point for the collection and dissemination of price statistics that provide vital signals to all market players and policy-makers.”

He concluded, “India is the largest producer and consumer of agricultural commodities in the world. Domestic futures exchanges have helped establish a consensus on national prices for the agricultural commodities traded on the future exchanges. Thus, for the major agricultural commodities, unlike major non-agricultural commodities, the price discovery takes place within the country and has helped establish a price benchmark used by the domestic industry and policy- makers. Processed agricultural products are derived from agriculture produce and as such any further levy on processed agricultural products will impact the price discovery process and shall have cascading price effect on subsequent agricultural production which will increase the cost of inputs and thereby burden the farming community. Likewise, the end-users i.e. consumers will end up paying higher prices.”

Neo Yoghurt launches two new variants and promotes itself aggressively

Among the latest entrants in the Rs 750-crore Indian yoghurt industry is Neo, a local entrant, which is trying to create a brand equity of its own with aggressive promotional campaigns.

After the launch of Neo Homemade Dahi, the brand has come up with two more variants, namely Probiotic Plus Dahi and Low-fat Dahi. These variants are expected to boost the health of its customers.

Neo is available in more than 1,000 retail outlets in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR), covering both modern trade outlets like Big Bazaar, Reliance, Sabka Bazar and Spencers as well as traditional kirana outlets.

The brand recently sponsored The Great India Kitchen Festival, and is offering yoghurt lovers a chance to win a trip to London this summer. This campaign is valid until July 20, 2013. It has also associated with residential apartments.

Online registration and licensing of food businesses starts in Madurai

The Madurai Food Safety Department has started the process of online registration and licensing of food businesses, and will help food business operators (FBOs) in the southern city to register or obtain their licenses, as the case may be, before the deadline set by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) – February 4, 2014 – lapses.

S Balasubramanian, administrative officer, food safety division, Department of Food Safety and Drugs Administration, Tamil Nadu said, “Earlier the process of registration and licensing was long – FBOs had to visit the offices of the food safety officers (FSOs), fill the application forms and submit it to them. But now the forms are available online.”

He added, “As per the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Regulations (FSSR) 2011, any food manufacturer whose annual turnover exceeds Rs 12 lakh has to obtain a license from the respective state or Central authority as specified in the regulations. Other FBOs have to register. It is estimated that 66,091 licenses and 2,66,080 registrations have to be issued under the Act. The process of licensing and registration is in progress. And through the online process, we will complete it on time.”

J Suguna, designated licensing and registration officer, Madurai district, said, “Earlier the process of registration and licensing was done manually. The online process started on July 1, 2013. Now all the FBOs have to do is visit FSSAI's website and enter their particulars. If the annual turnover is below Rs 12 lakh, the FBOs have to apply for registration, and if it is over Rs 12 lakh, they have to obtain a license.”

She added, “ The FSSAI officials training the FSOs about online registration and licensing. It began with FSOs from Madurai and Theni districts, and within a month, all the districts in Tamil Nadu will be covered. The online applications  received by the FBOs will be forwarded to the FSOs, who will carry out inspections before issuing the food safety certificates. FBOs would be given an a acknowledgment receipt with a reference number.”

“All FBOs, including food vendors, roadside eateries, hotels and restaurants and hostels, and all business establishments selling food products would have to apply for a food safety certificate. The application status will be available online, and the process would be complete within 30 days,” Suguna said.

“So far, 1,800 licenses and 6,400 registration certificates have been issued manually in Madurai district. Another 10,000 FBOs in the district are yet to apply. Registrations and licenses have to be renewed every year by the FBOs,” she added.

The Olive Bistro opens in Hyderabad; Granary breads and broths on menu

The Olive Bistro, the Olive Group's latest offering, opened in Hyderabad's Durgam Cheruvu recently. The menu comprises an array of creations by Mayank Tiwari, chef de cuisine, and his team. It includes homemade crusty granary breads, wholesome sandwiches and burgers, delicate broths, wood-fired pizzas and luscious desserts.

The bistro, which is nestled amidst the city's seven hills and overlooks the secret lake, has a terrace bar, which has a range of wines, martinis, frozen and regular margaritas, the Mediterranean aperitif Sangria and house-infused vodkas.

FAO-run Codex Alimentarius adopts new standards on fruit, veg and fish

The Codex Alimentarius Commission, the United Nations' (UN) food standards body, has agreed on new standards to protect the health of consumers worldwide. These include standards on fruit, vegetables, fish and fishery products and animal feed.

Codex also adopted codes on the prevention and reduction of ochratoxin A, a carcinogenic contaminant, in cocoa; guidance on how to avoid microbiological contamination of berries, and on the use of claims for food that is labelled non-addition of sodium salts, including no added salt on food packages, to assist consumers in choosing a healthy diet.

The Codex Alimentarius Commission, jointly run by the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the World Health Organisation (WHO), set international food safety and quality standards to promote safer and more nutritious food for consumers worldwide. In many cases, Codex standards served as a basis for national legislation and provide the food safety benchmarks for international food trade.

At its annual meeting last week, Codex celebrated its 50th anniversary. The session was attended by 620 delegates from 128 member countries and one member organisation, one observer country and 41 international governmental and non-governmental organisations, including UN agencies.

Safe limits on contamination

One of the important work areas for Codex was setting safe limits and giving guidance along the food chain on prevention or reduction of contamination. Food can become contaminated by heavy metals, fungal toxins or bacteria and viruses.

The Commission adopted two important codes – prevention and reduction of ochratoxin A (a carcinogenic contaminant) in cocoa and of hydrocyanic acid in cassava, both important products for developing countries.

Fresh berries can be a healthy part of the diet but are also prone to microbiological contamination and have been associated with several foodborne illness outbreaks caused by viruses (Hepatitis A, Norovirus), bacteria (E.coli) and protozoa. The new Codex text gives advice to producers and consumers on how to prevent this contamination.

Fair practice in food trade and protecting consumers' health

The Commission adopted a number of commodity standards that will protect consumers from fraud and ensure fair practices in the food trade – fresh and processed fruit and vegetables (for example, avocados, chanterelles, pomegranates, table olives, date paste, and tempe) and fish and fishery products (smoked fish and abalone).

The standards help buyers and sellers establish contracts based on Codex specifications and make sure that the consumers get from the products what they expect.
The Commission also adopted the nutrient reference values on sodium and saturated fatty acids, which are nutrients associated with non-communicable diseases (NCDs), to be included in the Guidelines on Nutrition Labelling. This is part of Codex's ongoing efforts to promote healthy dietary practices and address the increasing public health problem of diet-related NCDs.

The Commission also adopted the revised and updated guidelines on formulated supplementary foods for older infants and young children to ensure the health and nutrition of the vulnerable population group. Furthermore, the Commission adopted hundreds of safe maximum limits for pesticide residues and veterinary drugs and provisions for food additives.

Guidance on control for food and animal feed

As animal feed can cause contamination in eggs, meat and milk products, the Commission adopted guidance to countries on how to control animal feed and assess the risk of contamination. The Commission also adopted guidelines for National Food Control Systems to assist countries in implementing food control.

Into the future

Because of the volume of trade and need to harmonize national standards, the Commission agreed to create a new Codex Committee on Spices and Culinary Herbs, which will be hosted and chaired by India.

The Commission approved its Strategic Plan 2014-2019, which will guide the work on protecting consumers' health and ensure fair practices in the food trade over the next six years.

Food Security Ordinance gets mixed reactions from Congress, opposition

The Food Security Ordinance, which was promulgated by the president of India recently, got mixed reactions from the main ruling party (the Congress), the main opposition party [the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)] and industry bodies such as the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (Assocham), the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).

Congress' view

The Congress termed the ordinance a historic initiative. Himachal Pradesh chief minister Virbhadra Singh lauded the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) for approving the food security ordinance, which, upon becoming an Act, would entitle 67 per cent of India's population to subsidised foodgrains under the targeted public distribution system (TDPS). He added that it was reflective of the government's commitment towards the welfare of the poor and the downtrodden.

The intended beneficiaries comprise about 75 per cent of the people living in the rural areas and about 50 per cent of the people living in the urban areas. Singh said, “The objective of providing food and nutritional security to India's masses is laudable, because that would ensure food for all.”

Contempt of Parliament

The Bharatiya Janata Party called the Food Security Ordinance a contempt of Parliament. Smriti Irani, a Member of Parliament representing the party, said, “The Congress went ahead and passed the Ordinance without discussing it with the opposition parties. Moreover, they also held a press conference to inform the media about their achievements even before the president promulgated the Food Security Ordinance. This is a political gimmick by the government ahead of election.”

Industryspeak

Assocham president Rajkumar N Dhoot said, “The government's ordinance, that will legally entitle the poor to highly-subsidised food, will also insulate a large number of people from inflation, and would ultimately help the country's rank go up in the human development index. The government must be complimented for taking a courageous decision, even though the decision would put a strain on the government's finances. However, with better implementation of the schemes, the pilferages can be avoided.”

“The poor people of the country are already suffering, because of the high food inflation, which on an average has stubbornly stuck to about 10 per cent. Unfortunately, the issue was sought to be addressed by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) through tight money policy, which does not influence much the food inflation. The only answer to tackle the food supply and better nutrition for the people is through better supply. Moreover, there is no problem of foodgrains as the grain is rotting in the godowns,” he informed.

Reacting on the Food Security Ordinance, A Didar Singh, secretary general, FICCI, said, “After being deferred incessantly, the ordinance to implement the Food Security Bill comes at a time when we are trying hard to get back on the path of fiscal consolidation. While there is no denying the fact that right to food and attaining proper nutrition should be the basic provisions for every citizen of the country, the recent announcement seems a little premature, and the country is not yet fully prepared to roll out such a programme.”

He added, “The actual execution of the scheme would be marred by challenges, besides of course questioning the fiscal sustainability of the Bill. The Bill is expected to cost the exchequer about Rs 1,25,000 crore annually. The budgeted amount for the food subsidy this fiscal year is Rs 90,000 crore and an additional Rs 10,000 crore have been budgeted for the Bill this year. However, going ahead, the fiscal cost is expected to rise substantially.”

“One of the biggest issues that comes to fore is the access, and it is quite surprising that the government is willing to fall on the old public distribution system to allocate foodgrains under the Bill. The PDS has not been streamlined over the years and remains plagued with inefficiencies,” Singh said.

“In fact a survey conducted by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) in 2007, on the effectiveness of the Centre's public distribution system revealed that 40 per cent of the beneficiaries were kept away from the scheme by denying them ration cards, and 99 per cent of those who availed the benefits reported they had not received foodgrains regularly,” he informed.

Singh explained, “As 75 per cent of the rural population would be eligible for foodgrains under the National Food Security Bill (NFSB), most farmers would conveniently sell all grains at the minimum selling price (MSP), which is most competitive, and again come to the government for their consumption. This might result in the government procurement increasing substantially and start of chain reaction, for instance, more procurement, more storage, more losses, etc., and lead to a situation where the government ends of buying all the food grains that are produced in the country.”

“It is important that we resolve the supply demand mismatch, and keeping in mind a long-term perspective, we should focus on improving agricultural production and productivity. Also, if the government is serious about implementing the scheme, then execution through direct cash transfers and food stamps for below poverty line (BPL) would certainly make more sense, as is being advocated by government itself,” he said.

Indrani Kar, deputy director general, CII, said, “The scheme will be targeted at the neediest populations and would be rolled out with maximum efficiency. Concerns are there since the delivery model of such an ambitious scheme is based on models like the PDS.”

“We are certain that in process of rolling out this very comprehensive scheme, the government would balance outgo on foodgrains with overall macroeconomic conditions, such as fiscal deficit and inflation. Under the present economic situation, the government can hardly afford to allow the fiscal deficit roadmap to be compromised in any way,” she said.

Kar added, “In addition, it is imperative to ensure that agricultural productivity is boosted in order to ensure adequate production of foodgrains. With extra disposable income in the hands of the poor, there would be a welcome shift in dietary preferance to high value items such as vegetables, fruit, dairy products and meat.”

“By ensuring implementation of the Model APMC Act at the state level, encouraging contract farming, and setting up missions for agri technology, sustainability and irrigation, yields can be boosted to global benchmarks,” he added.

EAS to organise 2nd nutrition & health claims workshop in Buenos Aires

International regulatory and policy experts at EAS Strategic Advice will hold a second workshop on nutrition and health claims in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on August 21, 2013, following the demand to help functional food companies successfully navigate these regulations when launching products in Latin America.

The workshop, titled “Nutrition and Health Claims – How to build a successful regulatory strategy for marketing food supplements and functional foods across Latin America”, will highlight key regulatory trends in the region and important elements companies must take on account for the development of marketing strategies for access to top emerging markets in the region.

EAS experts David Pineda Ereño and Clara Giudice will explain how global regulatory trends for claims impact the business in the region; identify harmonisation in the region and highlight regulatory opportunities for greater product success, and explain the rules on claims at national levels for the top five Latin American food supplement and functional food markets.

The workshop is limited to a small group to ensure maximum benefit for participants. Ereno, regional director, EAS, said, “The aim of this workshop is to help companies identify regulatory opportunities and avoid common pitfalls when launching products that bear health claims in key markets in the region.”

“Currently the harmonisation is limited to certain fields, and many of the key markets are currently revising or developing regulations in this area. Our workshop aims to help companies plan for the business impact of these regulations and clearly understand the rules to ensure a successful product launch in their desired markets,” he added.

Superfruit-flavoured soft drinks to be showcased at IFT Food Expo 2013

Innova Market Insights will report on the latest soft drink trends and emerging flavours at the Taste the Trend Pavilion at the IFT Food Expo, slated to take place in Chicago between July 14 and 16, 2013. The daily live presentations at the pavilion will include one on the topic, 'Health Drives Flavour Hits'. Healthy flavours, such as superfruit, herbs and spices and honey, will be the next hits in the global beverage market.

While there are marked variations in flavour trends from region to region, Innova Market Insights' report indicates an increase in the interest in superfruit the world over, with pomegranate – which accounts for over 40 per cent of the tracked superfruit-flavoured beverage launches between June 2008 and May 2013 – at the top, followed by acai (12.5 per cent) and lychee (12 per cent). Emerging superfruit include guanabana or soursop, cactus or prickly pear and marula.

“Cactus or prickly pear is one of the emerging superfruit flavours in the North American beverage market,” Lu Ann Williams, head, research, Innova Market Insights, said. She added, “Over the past year, US launches included Cactus Juice and Cactus Tea from Nopal; Prickly Pear Cactus Tea from Hunter and Hilsberg, and Martinelli's Prickly Passion Lemonade juice drink, featuring prickly pear puree.”

Williams added that vegetable flavours are have begun to feature strongly – often in combination with fruit flavours – in juices, in smoothies and in teas, adding health-giving phytochemicals, as well as a new flavour element. The number of beverage launches featuring celery increased sixfold in 2012, while those featuring cucumber and beet doubled. Kale also began to feature in the beverage market in 2012.

The increasing interest in hot and spicy flavours in the American food market as a whole has also spread to beverages. This has led to the emergence of hot and spicy beverages that contain such ingredients as black pepper and different variants of chili, including Habanero, Jalapeno and Chipotle.

Pabrai's Fresh & Naturelle launches liquid jaggery ice-cream Nalen Gur

Pabrai’s Fresh and Naturelle of Kolkata has introduced a new flavour of ice-cream called Nalen Gur ice-cream. Its starting price is Rs 89 plus taxes. It has been created to woo the customers by introducing flavours, which are unheard of in the ice-cream industry. Nalen Gur is jaggery in liquid form and is made from the sap of the date palm or khajur tree; which is native to West Bengal. The sap is allowed to drip into earthen pots hung from the trunk and is collected before sunrise. It is boiled in large flat pans over low heat to a thick liquid, which is similar to honey in colour and consistency. Pabrai's Nalen Gur ice cream is made with this jaggery, and the finished ice-cream has a special crumble, which gives it a taste and texture that is unlike any other ice-cream.

HP CM launches books on apple cultivation and history of RHRS Mashobra

Himachal Pradesh chief minister Virbhadra Singh released two books, titled 'Seb Bagwaani Aur Vividhikaran' and 'Historical Profile of Regional Horticultural Research Station (RHRS), Mashobra and temperate fruit production' [written by Vijay Singh Thakur, associate director (research and extension), and his team of scientists from RHRS, Mashobra, Shimla of Y S Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan].

Lauding Thakur and his team for their hard work and efforts to publish the books, Singh said they would be useful to the state's farming community, research scholars and horticulturists. The chief minister added that the authors had penned vital information about fruit culture and management of orchards of temperate fruit (including apples, cherries and pears) in simple language, and answered over 500 questions frequently asked by farmers.

Singh stated that horticulture has always been a vital sector and a key economic activity, and it has been the priority for successive Congress governments in the northern state. He added that there is an urgent need to rejuventate orchards that are old and on the decline with the latest varieties having higher production capabilities. The chief minister also stressed upon the scientific community to come up with research and development (R&D) efforts.

49 hotels across Kerala shut down after checks and improvement notices

Acting on the orders of Kerala's food safety commissioner Biju Prabhakar, district food safety officers conducted checks on various eateries in the southern state and closed down 49 establishments after issuing them improvement notices.

The checks and raids were conducted under the supervision of K Ajith Kumar, designated food safety officer, Ernakulam. Hotel Lavanya in Kaloor district was closed down by the officials. Forty-eight other hotels were also closed, and 21 hotels and bakeries were fined on various grounds.

K Anil Kumar, joint commissioner, Kerala, informed FnB News, “The hotels will remain shut till we get the reports after inspection. All the 49 hotels were closed. The raids will continue for a few more days.”

“The grounds on which the hotels were fined include the reuse of oil; the unhygienic storage of prepared food; the lack of proper moisture control in the store area; the use of old and unclean utensils; cobwebs in the kitchen, and broken or dilapidated condition of the kitchens,” he added.

Anil Kumar said, “The food safety commissioner is concerned about the health of the people of Kerala. He initiated this raid and asked us to take strict action against the hoteliers found violating the food safety rules.”

The following is the list of the hotels closed in the southern state after issuing improvement notices:

Thiruvananthapuram District: Devi Hotel, General Hospital Junction; Lakshmi Hotel, General Hospital Junction; Meera Hotel, General Hospital Junction; Hotel Ananthapuri, Kesavadasapuram; Hotel Radhakrishna, Medical College; Hotel Maloo, Kazhakoottam; Chicken Corner, Kazhakoottam; Coffee Bar, Medical College; Medical College Hospital Canteen 1, 2, and 3; Hotel Ansari, Neyyattinkara; KSRTC Canteen, Neyyattinkara; Hotel Subhash, Neyyattinkara; Hotel Aryas, Nedumangad; Hotel Bismi, Vizhinjam; Thurpthi Hotel, Vizhinjam; Surya Fast Food, Mukkola; Hotel Bismi, Balaramapuram, and Immanuel Hotel, Mukkola

Pathanamthitta: Hotel Arya Bhavan, Near KSRTC; Evergreen continental, College Road; Hotel Ambika, Cherukol Road; City Bakery; Kavungal Hotel, Adoor, Kadavumgal, and Aditya Hotel, Panapilly

Emakulam: Hotel Nalanda, Near South Railway Station; Hotel Saphire, Opposite Airport; Hotel Rolex, Opposite KSRTC; Hotel Paradise, Edappally; Taza Taste, Palarivattom (Shawarma), and Hotel Malabar, Anakamaly

Thrissur: Hotel Priya, Ayyanthole; Hotel Royal Palace, Aswini Hospital Junction; Hotel Welcome, Choondal; Hotel Kanishka, Guruvayoor; PV's Plaza, Thrissur; Panicker's Hospital Canteen, Kodungallur, Thrissur; Anupama Hotel, Mala, and Flower Hotel, Mala

Kozhikode: Brothers, Puthiyangadi; Hotel Highway, Chemanchery; Hotel 'D' Chandra, Kozhikode, and Super Hotel, Kunnamangalam

Palakkad: KSRTC Canteen, Palakkad, and Malabar Spicy, Palakkad

Kollam: Hotel Plaza, Near KSRTC Bus Stand, Kollam; Hotel New Arya Bhavan, Near KSRTC Bus Stand, Kollam, and Hotel Chix, Kollam.