Looks like the competition watchdogs are waking up to the perils of too much market consolidation. In an effort to maintain some sort of – even limited – competition, Mexico’s authorities have said “no” to FEMSA’s acquisition of juice maker Jugos del Valle.

Call it Argentine whispers or strong-arm tactics. Coca-FEMSA let it be known through the media that it was interested in buying the German-owned Isenbeck brewery. Was Isenbeck pleased? Well, …

Happy with the outcome of their three-year probation period, Heineken USA and FEMSA Cerveza, Mexico’s number two brewer, agreed on a ten-year contract.

The Latrobe brewery, which was closed down by InBev and then sold to City Brewing, has been given a new lease on life with a contract to brew the Samuel Adams beer.

Handling chemicals safely

Consumers expect a very high and constant quality level from food products, cosmetics and drugs. The industries achieve this objective through the use of high-quality raw materials, modern process engineering, careful preparation and strict compliance with hygiene standards.

What seems to work well in Italy and Russia is now being tried out in Panama. Under the eyes of rival SABMiller, Heineken has begun to brew and sell Budweiser under license from Anheuser-Busch.

Constellation Brands, a leading international producer and marketer of beverage alcohol brands, has seen its shares drop sharply after it issued disappointing revenue and earnings projections.

The Marlboro Men, also known as Altria, who still own about 29 percent in SABMiller, have spun off their 89 percent stake in Kraft Foods Inc. on 30 March 2007, divesting themselves completely of their interest in the largest North American Food company.

Molson Coors Brewing said in March that cutting costs will save it about a quarter of a billion dollars over the next two years. The money will be spent on improving its brands.

At the end of January 2007 Modelo and Switzerland’s Nestlé announced the completion of a joint-venture which allows them to manufacture, distribute and market bottled water brands in Mexico, which includes brands such as Santa Maria and Nestle Pureza Vital. Nestlé already has a bottled water business in Mexico. The new venture will also import and distribute Nestlé’s brands San Pellegrino, Perrier and Acqua Panna.