Chr. Hansen, Milwaukee, has been granted patent rights to a unique form of natural colors. This opens the door to new markets, especially in beverages and confectionery where bright, stable colors are required. Chr. Hansen manufactures this new form of nature-derived colorants using the company's "cap" technology, which is based on capping fine particle size pigments in a matrix of food ingredients. In this case, the use of specific types of pectin improves the dispersibility of the pigments in water-based systems, as well as the coloring power, and allows for Kosher certification.

Glanbia plc, is in advanced negotiations with Dairy Farmers of America, Inc. and Select Milk Producers Inc. to build a $170 million cheese and whey products production facility in the Western Texas / New Mexico area. This new plant will be 50% owned by Glanbia with the balance jointly owned by DFA and Select. The proposed project will be funded by way of $35 million of equity investment each by Glanbia and DFA/Select, with the remainder directly financed by the Joint Venture entity. If the project proceeds as planned, commissioning of the new facility is expected in the second half of 2005. Once fully commissioned, the new facility will be able to annually process over 2.3 billion pounds of milk to produce 250 million pounds of cheese and 16.5 million pounds of high value added whey proteins.

Seal-it Inc., Farmingdale, N.Y., is printing newly designed shrink labels for Mayfield Dairy, Athens, Tenn. The heat shrink PVC labels provide 360-degree image area for the re-introduction of quart and pint-sized orange juice Chugs. The graphics feature images of oranges growing on the tree.

The NutraSweet Co. and Daesang Corp. have agreed to enter into a long-term contract for Daesang to supply aspartame products to NutraSweet from Daesang's manufacturing facility in Kunsan, South Korea. The supply agreement will supplement aspartame production at NutraSweet's facility in Augusta, Ga. As part of the agreement, NutraSweet will also acquire rights to certain equipment and intellectual property used in aspartame manufacturing at Daesang's South Korean facility. Daesang will continue to manufacture and sell aspartame to fulfill its existing contracts with customers.

NutraFlora scFOST is one of five finalist ingredients for the "Food Ingredients South America (FISA) Awards 2003," under the category of "The Most Innovative Ingredient." NutraFlora, a natural prebiotic fiber, was nominated by Marcelos Borges de Campos, food applications specialist, GTC Nutrition, Golden, Colo.

Oden Corp. has recently moved to a new headquarters in Tonawanda, N.Y. The 25,000 square foot facility integrates R&D, manufacturing, sales and customer service functions for the company which manufactures and markets advanced liquid filling systems.