Danone, Suntory splash $800m water JV
Heineken to sack 450
Splenda-based isotonic drinks launched
Green Goddess seeks plate

Companies

Danone, Suntory splash $800m water JV

Suntory and Groupe Danone are to combine their US operations in an $800m/y 50:50 joint venture serving water to homes and offices.

The home and office water delivery business is among the fastest growing sectors in US consumer products. The partners hope to save costs and improve product quality and pricing. They claim the JV will have the nation's largest distribution network, giving it a competitive edge in the hotly-contested market.

Heineken to sack 450

Dutch brewer Heineken is to sack 450 over the next two years as part of a reorganisation “to enable the company to continue operating on a sound basis in the future”. The cost is expected to be 70m euros, which the company expects to get back in three years.

“With the gradual structural decline in the Dutch beer market expected to continue, Heineken is convinced that the proposed measures are necessary to maintain its leading position in the Netherlands,” the company said.

New products

Splenda-based isotonic drinks launched

US-based ChampionLyte Beverages claims it will introduce the first completely sugar-free isotonic sports drinks in four new flavours: kiwi strawberry, peach tea, citrus and concord grape.

ChampionLyte is currently available in orange, pink lemonade, lemon lime, blue raspberry and fruit punch. It is the only sports drink with no sugar, calories, sorbitol, saccharin, aspartame, caffeine or carbonation. The reformulated product is now sweetened with Splenda, the trade name for sucralose from McNeil Nutritionals, a Johnson & Johnson company.

"This is in keeping with our plan to be innovative and creative and to keep up with consumer trends," said ChampionLyte president Donna Bimbo. "We think it is essential to be several steps ahead of the market and believe it's just good business practice to develop and have new flavours ready to go when the market trends change or when we determine which flavours are selling best and which need to be discontinued.”

Green Goddess seeks plate

Annie's Naturals, a Vermont, US-based maker of natural and organic dressings, is updating the classic Green Goddess salad dressing.

The original salad dressing was invented in the 1920s at the San Francisco Palace Hotel. It was named after the play of the same name for Oscar winner George Arliss, who stayed at the Palace during its run.

The original dressing contained mayonnaise, anchovies, tarragon vinegar, parsley, scallions, garlic, and other spices. Annie's Naturals founder Annie Christopher has updated the recipe to make 85% organic, vegetarian-friendly and suitable for people on a gluten-free diet.