Glass filled with liquid. Credit: Michael Mroczek on Unsplash.
The first flagship experiential store will feature a special collection of Johnnie Walker whiskies. Credit: © Diageo.
 mandatory warning labels
Pregnancy warning labels for alcoholic beverages to be made mandatory in Australia. Credit: Jadon Barnes on Unsplash.
DuPont N&H team in South America launched a combination of new strains to produce fermented milk. Credit: DuPont Nutrition & Health.

Wales to set £0.50 MUP for alcohol next year

The Government of Wales is planning to set a minimum unit price (MUP) for alcohol in the region at £0.50 per unit from next year.

Health Secretary Vaughan Gething is currently seeking views of businesses and individuals in Wales before implementing the plan.

The move will follow the Scottish Government, which has already implemented a £0.50 MUP.

Coca-Cola Amatil opened $116m bottling facility in Richlands

Coca-Cola Amatil officially re-opened its $A165m ($116m) bottling facility in Richlands, Queensland.

The newly expanded facility will produce a wide range of sparkling and still beverages, including juices, teas, alcohol and dairy drinks.

It will have a production capacity of more than 90 million unit cases each year for national and export markets.

Electrolux acquired Italy’s SPM Drink Systems

Swedish firm Electrolux acquired SPM Drink Systems, an Italian manufacturer of frozen and hot beverages.

The acquisition is said to be in line with Electrolux’s strategy to increase its presence in the hospitality industry.

Electrolux’s professional products head Alberto Zanata said: “We are excited and pleased to enlarge and complement our beverages product portfolio with such an attractive, modern and well-regarded company with a strong position in Europe.”

Johnnie Walker to open new experiential store in Madrid

Diageo’s Scotch Whisky brand Johnnie Walker is set to open its first flagship experiential store in central Madrid, Spain.

Opening in November, the new store will feature a special collection of Johnnie Walker whiskies, as well as host appreciation classes and tastings to help visitors explore the brand.

Diageo’s Scotch and reserve brands global category director Cristina Diezhandino said: “The direct-to-consumer Johnnie Walker experiential retail flagship is the latest step in our ambition to bring unique experiences to consumers through our brands.”

AB InBev selected Accenture DMS to improve operations in Africa

AB InBev selected Accenture’s NewsPage distributor management system (DMS) to manage its sales and distribution operations in Africa.

Accenture DMS is a fully integrated sales force automation system that will be implemented in Mozambique, Zambia, Ghana and Nigeria over the next several months.

ABInBev’s vice-president Lee Dawson said: “Accenture’s DMS solution has enabled us to enhance our sales and distribution operations in Tanzania and Uganda over the past three years, and we’re excited to upgrade to the latest version and expand its use to other countries in Africa.”

DS Services acquired Mountain Valley for $78.5m

DS Services acquired Mountain Valley Spring Company in a deal valued at $78.5m on a debt and cash-free basis.

Previously owned by Great Range Capital, Mountain Valley is a US-based spring and sparkling water brand that operates production facilities in the Ouachita Mountains and Hot Springs, Arkansas.

DS Services is a subsidiary of Canada-based beverage and foodservice company Cott Corporation.

Alcohol in Australia to feature new mandatory warning labels

The Commonwealth of Australia agreed to support the introduction of mandatory warning labels on all primary alcohol packaging to highlight the risks of drinking alcohol during pregnancy.

The announcement was made at the Australia and New Zealand Ministerial Forum on Food Regulation, which took place in Adelaide.

Aimed to increase public awareness, this initiative was led by Western Australia Minister for Health Roger Cook, who insisted on introducing new mandatory measures claiming that the existing voluntary measures were inconsistent, ineffective and putting lives at risk.

Matugga Distillers to begin rum production in Scotland

Matugga Distillers is set to begin rum production at its new facility in Livingston, Scotland.

The new £100,000 distillery is said to be the first rum distillery to begin production in central Scotland.

Founded by Paul and Jacine Rutasikwa, Matugga Distillers produces Matuga Golden Rum and Matuga Spiced Rum. The new facility is equipped with two 200l copper pot stills, which have the capacity to produce around 50,000l of artisanal rum in its first year.

Molson Coors to build brewing facility in Canada

Canadian brewing company Molson Coors started construction of its new brewing facility and distribution centre in Longueuil.

Covering more than 140 acres, the new facility is said to be strategically located and offers access to water, highways, ports, Hydro-Québec services, natural-gas conduits, and a nearby wastewater treatment plant.

The new facility will service the local domestic market and will produce the company’s portfolio of beer and non-beer brands, in bottles, cans and kegs.

DuPont N&H introduced new combination of strains for fermented milk

DuPont’s nutrition and health (N&H) business launched DuPont Danisco Lactobacillus Plus fermented milk to the South American market.

The milk features a combination of L paracasei, helveticus and acidophilus bacteria, which were developed to facilitate and optimise production while promoting a balance between flavour and acidity. It has a rapid fermentation process that maintains the high-quality standard of the fermented milk and reduces risks of contamination.

DuPont’s N&H dairy technical specialist Marcellus Carvalho said: “The taste of fermented milk with Lactobacillus Plus is excellent.”