(L to R) Tim Cook, VP sales and marketing, AMF, Ken Newsome, president and CEO, AMF, Nand Kumar, CEO, Stewart and Len Kilby, president, Stewart

BAVARIA, GERMANY: Krones AG has set new sales and earnings records in 2007 and is right on track to meet its target this year.

AMSTERDAM, DENMARK: Heineken has announced plans to establish and operate a brewery in south of Johannesburg with Diageo. Heineken is the major shareholder owning 75 percent and Diageo 25 percent.

SHANGHAI, CHINA: Tate & Lyle has opened an office in Shanghai, which paves the way for the company to explore Asian consumer trends and solutions at its application and analysis laboratories with focus on beverage, dairy and bakery.

ACCORDING to a rat study by UK researchers, blueberries and other phytochemcial-rich foods may increase memory capacity by reversing age-related memory deficit.

Meat producers are turning to natural refrigerants to lower costs and to ensure freshness, quality and hygiene. By Monika Witt, CEO, eurammon

As the free-from market establishes its foothold in the mainstream market, manufacturers are doing what it takes to add value to their products. By David O’Leary, commercial manager, Marigot Ltd

Food ingredient manufacturers are stepping in to reap benefits out of the humble tomato. By Jane Wan

Eating resistant starch improves colonic health, ensures a healthy digestive system and may also play a role in the obesity battle. By Shane Landon, Nutritionist and Dietitian

The use of resistant starch in foods is gaining popularity among food manufacturers who are keeping up with changes in consumers’ preference for low-carbohydrate, high fibre diet. By Jane Wan

Traditional snack manufacturers are stepping up their game to keep up with the changing demands of health-conscious consumers. By Vidaya Sethuraman, senior research analyst, Frost & Sullivan (South Asia and Middle East)

Black is beautiful and black foods are now attracting attention. By Heike Thevis, press officer, SIG Combibloc

BASF joined forces with ALPLA, a manufacturer of plastic beverage bottles, to come up with a bottle for milk and yoghurt beverages using impact resistant polystyrene (PS-I).

NLB has unveiled its latest water jet accessory catalogue that includes field-repairable lances and rotating nozzles (40,000 psi), rotary hose devices and 3-D tank cleaning heads.

Super Coffeemix Manufacturing has introduced Super Power 6 in 1 Tongkat Ali Ginseng.

Synergy has launched a line of sweetness boosters for dairy applications that enhances natural sugar perception and delivers an appealing fruit flavour profile.