Philip Morris, which owns the Marlboro brand, has threatened legal action against the State should it proceed with plain packaging legislation. According to a report in the Irish Independent, the tobacco firm wrote to the government saying that should the packaging legislation impact its revenues, “PMI would pursue such a claim vigorously and without delay."
Danish brewery Coisbo has taken home the 2015 Dublin Craft Beer Cup for its Eleven Russian Imperial Stout – Sherry Matured, at the Alltech Craft Brews & Food Fair. The judges praised the stout, matured in sherry barrels, as having, “soft roasty chocolate and vanilla notes, with some fruit on the nose, and a full-bodied flavour.” Coisbo also won a silver medal for its cider entry, Apple Pie Cider.
Poundland, which operates the Dealz franchise in Ireland, has been ordered to drop its “Everything for £1” claim in the UK, because of complaints that it sells some items for more. Poundland argued that all of its ordinary items are £1, but that it runs offers at its tills that allow shoppers to buy more expensive items if they spend a certain amount in store. It also sells DVDs and CDs for £2. The Advertising Standards Agency acknowledged that most of its items are sold at £1, but the advertisement was still misleading.
Graduates in the agriculture and food industry showing outstanding leadership and skills will be recognised through Novus, a new award launched by the Agricultural Science Association (Asaireland) and sponsored by Kerry Group. The winner of the 2015 Novus award will be selected by an independent judging panel and will be given the chance to attend the Harvard Business School agribusiness seminar in Boston.
Northern Ireland Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster has announced 2016 as Northern Ireland’s ‘Year of Food’, an initiative to attract more tourists to Northern Ireland. Leading up to and during 2016, there will be a series of food-based events aimed at attracting potential visitors. “Many tourists already say that good quality food and dining is a key factor when choosing Northern Ireland for a short break, and I have no doubt that 2016 and the Year of Food will entice even more visitors to do so,” she commented.
Kevin Lowe, former head chef at a Heston Blumenthal’s Bray gastropub The Hinds Head, has joined Lidl UK as its first ever chef-in-residence. Lowe will work with Lidl to improve the quality of its food. The chef launched the partnership by creating the recipes for Lidl’s Easter range.
Australian buyout firm Pacific Equity Partners (PEP) is to buy a baked goods supplier owned by Kerry Group, in a deal said to be worth €178 million. Kerry Group's Australian business, Kerry Pinnacle, sells baked goods and ingredients to 3,500 supermarkets and bakeries. PEP has so far raised the A$1.5 billion of the A$2 billion for the fund, a source told Reuters.
© 2015 - Checkout Magazine
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