International:

The US functional drink sector is becoming segmented as manufacturers launch new products targeted at a specific group of consumers, such as those with lactose-intolerance. Clover Farms has launched NuVim, which has many of the nutritional benefits of milk but in a juice drink, including immunoglobin to protect the intestines and support the body's immune system, and LactoActin for joint and muscle health. Despite having the appearance of a yogurt drink, NuVim is lactose, cholesterol and fat free. It has 100% of the recommended daily intake for vitamins C, E and B12, iron and zinc, 13% for calcium and 11% for protein, and is available in four flavours including orange tangerine, strawberry vanilla, pink grapefruit, and berry & fruit symphony. The frontier between health and beauty is narrowing in France, as Perrier-Vittel has developed a new type of drink. Contrex Ligne et Tonus and Contrex Beauté are two new low fat fruit drinks, which combine Contrex mineral water with fruit juice. The packaging and graphics are particularly remarkable as they position the beverages as cosmetic products. Contrex Ligne et Tonus contains vitamin C, green and black tea, ginseng, fucus and fibres, while Contrex Beauté is a blend of orange, guava, raspberry and carrot juices. Canadian company Iceberg Industries has launched Borealis Iceberg Beer in the US, a beer made with iceberg water. And Maison Pommery is revolutionising the Champagne sector in France, with the launch of Pop aimed at making champagne more accessible. Pop comes in a metallic blue 20cl bottle and is targeted at the 25-35 age group. Pop is marketed as an alternative to alcoholic soft drinks and can be consumed at any time and even with a straw. Bluebird Foods of New Zealand has designed a range of crisps under the Health Plus brand. These crisps have 85% less saturated fat and 30% less total fat than ordinary crisps. They have been cooked in 100% cholesterol-free sunola oil, said to help lower blood cholesterol. In Spain, Nestlé has launched a new ice cream under its Camy brand. Duets are single serve ice creams with a separate compartment for the topping. They are available in four varieties and each is co-branded by a Nestlé brand. For example, Duets Nestlé is a chocolate ice cream with an almond topping; Duets Nestlé Noir is a dark chocolate ice cream with chocolate drops; Duets La Lechera is a plain yogurt ice cream with Dulce de Leche (toffee cream); and Duets Cappuccino is a cream and coffee ice cream with a chocolate sauce. Breaking news about the most exciting international product developments brought to you from the microchip packed Flairs Novel database of the Leatherhead Food Research Association {{P&P }}