In Brief…

Irish dairy company Glanbia declares improved trading conditions at the end of 2009 and expects to achieve earnings growth of 6-8% in 2010.

At the Winter Olympics, Coca-Cola Company is to introduce vending machines equipped with new Visa payWave technology, allowing consumers to purchase soft drinks at contactless terminals.

In China, Coca-Cola Company partners with China Education Resources to launch campaign for its Qoo brand, distributing short English courses on CD with promotional packs.

Former Green & Black directors announce investment in premium apple juice manufacturer Cawston Vale and are to rename it Cawston Press to compete against other premium juice producers.

Highland Spring appoints former Whyte & Mackay MD Simon Oldham as its new UK Group Sales Director, replacing Alan Simpson who is to retire.

Icelandic Water Holdings donates three tonnes of its Icelandic Glacial bottled water to help the victims of the recent earthquake in Haiti.

The European Commission gives approval for 13 programmes for the promotion of milk and milk products in the EU, with the EU contributing €17.9m to the total €35.8m budget.

Anheuser-Busch InBev announces approximately 300 jobs may be lost in Belgium, due to declining consumption volumes.

EU approves US sweetener company NutraSweet’s artificial sweetener Neotame for food and drink use, as of 12 January 2010.

Reportedly, Romania’s government considers the introduction of a tax on soft drinks to contribute to the country’s health programme.

Groupe Danone’s CEO Franck Riboud states the company plans to retain its water business amid analyst’s remarks that the food group should concentrate on yogurts and baby food.

Britvic unveils a training programme for its on-trade customers named ExSellence, as part of an £11m investment to grow profits for both parties.

Pepsi Lipton International announces the launch of a global marketing campaign in March 2010 to promote Lipton Ice Tea, featuring new global brand ambassador Hugh Jackman.

Danone UK announces probiotic drinking yogurt Actimel is to sponsor break­fast TV show ‘GMTV with Lorraine’, allowing the brand to connect with its target audience.

Irish food and ingredients firm Kerry Group plans to streamline its food division`s operations but informs employees this will not mean job losses.

Skinny Nutritional Corp., announces the launch of Skinny Water in the UK and Ireland with the appointment of Dublin-based distributor Simply Direct.

Britvic posts an 11% increase in Q1 2010 revenue to £242.7m, with revenue in the core UK and International division growing 15.2%.

AG Barr announces that Q4 2009 sales have exceeded internal expectations due to continued strong performance from carbonate brands.

Scandinavian dairy cooperative Arla Foods announces it is to make cuts across the business and unveils a 2010 budget to focus on marketing, increasing capacity and efficiency measures.

In the UK, Boost Drinks sees a 26% increase in FY 2009 sales to £12m, driven by demand for Boost Energy.

Coca-Cola Company and Kraft Foods’ charitable funds donate US$1m and US$0.25m respectively to the American Red Cross, to help the victims of the recent earthquake in Haiti.

In the UK, drinks firm Nichols acquires the soft drinks dispense business of Ben Shaws from Sunnyland Distribution in Belgium, for an undisclosed sum.

Coca-Cola Company launches two new TV adverts in the US as part of a series that is to air for the Coca-Cola Open Happiness campaign.

PepsiCo’s charitable arm matches Coca-Cola Company’s donation of US$1m as well as providing bottled water and food to help the victims of the recent earthquake in Haiti.

Nestlé announces plans to launch a new food supplement drink that targets malnutrition amongst the elderly.

Coffee chain Starbucks partners with Scandinavian dairy cooperative Arla Foods to launch Starbucks premium RTD coffee drinks in Europe.

Dairy Crest is in talks with Wexford Milk Producers to sell a 50% share in Wexford Creamery, reducing their shareholding to 30%.