Five more reasons to attend the Three Counties Food and Drink Festival

The Three Counties Food and Drink Festival has announced TV chef Phil Vickery, Bake Off Winner Matty Edgell, finalist, Dan Hunter, and founder and owner of the award-winning Beefy Boys, Murf, will complete the Saturday line-up of celebrity guests for this year's show. Hosting the guests will be top TV Chef and writer, Marcus Bean.

Famed chef, TV presenter and author Phil Vickery has been an integral part of the This Morning family for over two decades and is rightly regarded as one of Britain's favourite chefs. He is the programme's longest standing chef, presenting live and pre-recorded cookery items, plus his own cookery segments from locations far and near.

Phil has many culinary accolades, including winning a Michelin Star and 4 Rosettes in the AA guide, The Good Food Guide's Restaurant of the Year, The Times Restaurant of the Year, Egon Ronay's Guide Dessert Chef of the Year, and British Meat Chef of The Year.

Joining Phil for the Saturday line-up is Matty Edgell, winner of the Great British Bake Off 2023. Matty is a dedicated teacher and sports enthusiast, and his expertise extends from the classroom to the kitchen. Beyond the academic realm, Matty transforms into a charismatic, inspirational content creator, bringing a unique blend of inspiration and fun for food fanatics of all ages.

Also serving up a baking extravaganza will be another Bake-Off favourite, finalist Dan Hunter. Dan credits his love of pies and desserts to his mother-in-law, as she taught him how to make perfect shortcrust pastry. Subsequently, his passion for pies evolved into a passion for patisserie. A self-confessed perfectionist, Dan loves a baking challenge, so festival visitors could well expect to see him throwing down the baking gauntlet and creating a masterpiece in Malvern.

One of the founders and directors of The Beefy Boys, Murf's been cooking up a burger storm across the region and is heading to the festival at the end of July. Based in Hereford, Murf was recently crowned 'Burger Chef of The Year 2023' at the national burger awards where the Beefy Boys also took home top prize of 'Burger of the Year. As well as several restaurants, Murf frequently takes to the UK highways an byways in their iconic American style food truck sharing tips and tricks on how to boost your burger game.

The new celebrity guests join the previously announced Sunday Cookery Theatre line-up which includes best-selling cookery writer and TV Chef, Rachel Allen, chef, author, educationist, and entrepreneur Cyrus Todiwala, and TV chef and author Marcus Bean. Chris Bavin, presenter of BBC's Eat Well For Less? will host the Cookery Theatre demonstrations on Sunday 28th July.

Alongside the stunning chefs will be over 150 local food and drink producers, plus a stunning array of food vendors and bars. 

Plus there are plenty of activities for visitors to participate in from learning to make the perfect cocktail to special wine and coffee experiences.

See the full schedule and order your tickets book here:- https://www.threecountiesfoodfestival.com.

Tickets start at £12 and VIP packages are also available.

Enjoying Success: Cost-Effective Methods to Promote Your Food and Drink Business

In the highly competitive food and drink industry, effective promotion is essential for attracting customers and building a loyal clientele. 

While marketing budgets may not always be expansive, there are several cost-effective methods that can help you promote your business without breaking the bank.

In this blog post, we'll explore practical and budget-friendly strategies to boost your food and drink business.

Social Media Engagement:

Harness the power of social media platforms to create a strong online presence for your business. Utilise platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter/X to showcase mouth-watering visuals of your dishes/drinks, share behind-the-scenes content, and engage with your audience. Encourage user-generated content by running photo contests or encouraging customers to share their experiences, thus increasing your brand's visibility.

Collaborate with Influencers:

Identify influencers or bloggers with a significant following and reach out for collaboration. Many influencers are open to promoting local businesses in exchange for a complimentary meal or beverage. This can be a cost-effective way to tap into a larger audience and generate buzz around your establishment. (Which is where That's Food and Drink comes in. Email us at afj_uk@yahoo.com to learn how we can help you. At no cost.)

Loyalty Programmes:

Implementing a loyalty programme is an effective way to retain existing customers and attract new ones. Offer discounts, free items, or exclusive deals to customers who frequent your establishment regularly. Loyalty programmes not only increase customer retention but also serve as a word-of-mouth marketing tool when satisfied customers recommend your business to others.

Email Marketing:

Build and maintain an email list of your customers and potential clients. Send out regular newsletters with updates on menu changes, special promotions, or upcoming events. Email marketing is a direct and cost-effective way to stay connected with your audience and keep your business top-of-mind.

Cross-Promotions with Local Businesses:

Forge partnerships with other local businesses, such as nearby coffee shops, bakeries, or even non-competing establishments. Cross-promotions can include joint events, collaborative discounts, or bundle deals, allowing you to tap into each other's customer bases and create a sense of community support.

Optimised Website and Online Listings:

Ensure your business has an easily navigable and mobile-friendly website. Optimise your website for search engines (SEO) to improve visibility. Additionally, claim and update your business information on online directories like Google My Business, Yelp, and TripAdvisor. 

Positive online reviews and accurate information help attract potential customers searching for food and drink options in your area.

DIY Visual Content:

Create professional-looking visual content for your business by leveraging user-friendly design tools like Canva or Adobe Spark. Design eye-catching menus, promotional banners, and social media posts without the need for expensive graphic design services. Consistent and visually appealing content enhances your brand image and attracts customer attention.

Promoting your food and drink business doesn't always require a hefty budget. By strategically employing these cost-effective methods, you can increase your business's visibility, engage with your audience, and ultimately drive more traffic through your doors. Whether through social media, partnerships, or loyalty programmes, these tactics can help you savor success without breaking the bank.

The Best, Splash-out Wine to Impress your Loved One with this Valentine's Day

Nothing says 'I love you' more than gifting them a truly showstopper wine to your loved one for Valentine's Day.

For those looking for wines that impress, look no further than Robert Mondavi Winery's 2018 To Kalon Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon.

Awarded 95 points by James Suckling in 2022, who praised it as an expressive wine with 'incredible depth and complexity' and impressive palate which 'just keeps going', this wine promises to amaze your special someone on Valentine's Day.

This wine boasts aromas of abundant black fruit, mingled with delicate violets, while the palate reveals layers of tobacco, molasses and liquorice, offering a dense, concentrated body with fresh acidity and a smooth finish.

As the wine hails from the 'To Kalon' vineyard in Napa Valley, California, translating as 'The Highest Beauty' in Greek, why not gift them a wine from a vineyard that is as beautiful as they are?

The 2018 To Kalon Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon is available from Vino.com for £135.00.

You can learn more here https://robertmondaviwinery.com.

Aldi first UK supermarket to stock rare Glowberry Flavour hydration drink

In a UK first, Aldi is bringing the brand-new flavour of Prime Hydration Drink, Glowberry, to its stores. Launching this Thursday, 5th October, for a modest £1.99, the drink will be available only as a Specialbuy and as with all Aldi Specialbuys – once they’re gone, they’re gone!

The NEW Glowberry flavour, which tastes of sour apple berries, hasn't been widely available in supermarkets for UK fans, but fortunately for Aldi customers, this highly sought-after variant will be available nationally after proving extremely popular with shoppers over in the USA.

What’s more, shoppers can try and get their hands on the ‘Rare’ and ‘Ultra Rare’ variants of the Glowberry flavour, as the incredibly scarce bottles land in Aldi stores.  

Prime Hydration, which is 10% coconut water, contains electrolytes, B vitamins and BCAAs, has zero sugar and only around 20 calories per bottle.

Following previous launches of Prime in stores, the supermarket saw high shopper demand. To ensure as many people as possible get the opportunity to buy the Glowberry flavour, a purchase limit of one per customer is expected to be set.

Prime Hydration Glowberry will be available to purchase in stores from Thursday 5th October. Shoppers best move swiftly – as with all Specialbuys, once they’re gone, they’re gone!

www.aldi.co.uk

The Food Works SW Announces Autumn Workshops

Food and drink innovation centre The Food WorksSW has announced its autumn line up of expert workshops at its Weston-super-Mare base for all UK-based food and drink businesses.

Kicking off October is Starting Up Your Food or Drinks Business, a free in person workshop (19th October) that will identify and explain the key processes involved in launching new businesses. 

The event is being run in partnership with business support centre The Hive and brand design company Tiny Studio.

Food and Drink Photography and Videography on 2nd November explores the latest trends, tools and technologies for creating visual content for brands. The interactive workshop led by Anna Lachlan Photography will focus on stop motion video, product photography, styling, lighting and brand story images and will culminate in product shots set up and taken by attendees.

Designed for SMEs, Meet The Experts: Food and Drink Marketing and Communications on 7th November will focus on how to cut through and get brands noticed in a crowded market with experienced speakers from RAW PR, Denhams Digital and Salt Media.

Continuing the November events, Introduction to Auditing: SALSA Scheme Focus on 14th November is a free workshop hosted by Jacqui Slatter, Development Manager with SALSA Scheme, and Rachel Goff from The Food and Drink Forum. Using a business case study, the session will highlight requirements for food certification and advise on preparing for an audit as well as looking at the SALSA Scheme, options for following a food safety system and moving into retail or wholesale. Also joining them will be Osama Rashed, founder of gelato brand Mochi Bros, which recently achieved SALSA certification.

Becky Hale from Food WorksSW said, “We have such a fantastic series of events and guest speakers coming up this autumn at The Food WorksSW. From business and branding advice to visual content and food certification, each session will offer expert guidance and insights from a wide range of experienced professionals.”

From now until the end of 2024, the centre will be offering a range of webinars and in-person events to growing food and drink brands. Businesses can sign up for their newsletter to be one of the first to know about events. 

The only centre of its kind in the south west, The Food WorksSW is based in the heart of the Weston-super-Mare Enterprise Area, less than 30 minutes from Bristol, and is close to Junction 21 of the M5 motorway. It has state-of-the-art facilities including five product development kitchens which are available for flexible short-term contract hire for food and drink businesses of all sizes to test, develop and manufacture their products - prices start from just £96.90 per day (inc VAT).

Technical support packages are also now available. A team of food industry experts, based at the centre, provide technical support to businesses navigating their way through a range of food disciplines – from new product development, and quality assurance hygiene, to food safety and efficiency. The team helps food and drink businesses produce a safe product in an efficient way. 

In addition, The Food WorksSW offers readily accessible meeting spaces, including fully equipped conference rooms, and a business lounge for hire. The meeting rooms, business lounge and coffee shop are open to all businesses and offers space to utilise for networking, meetings or as an alternative workspace, with free secure WiFi and parking.

For more information on how The Food WorksSW can help you and your business, visit foodworks-sw.co.uk, or to stay up-to-date follow @foodworks_sw on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. A range of case studies can be found on the website and on The Food WorksSW YouTube.

https://www.foodworks-sw.co.uk.

Boost your hot chocolate drinking now!

I'm a hot chocolate lover and I'm always on the lookout for new hot chocolate treats, ideas and experiences.

If you love hot chocolate as much as me, I'm sure you'll be nipping down to your nearest Asda to seek out the amazing Flavour Up sachets.

Each pack contains three deliciously tempting flavours. Mint, Orange and Caramel.

So, whether you're after a bit of a tangy twist, sweeten it up or add some minty goodness, this'll me ideal for you!

Just add the Flavour Up sachet to your favourite hot chocolate powder, mix it with either hot water or milk, drop in marshmallows if you'd like and hot chocolate perfection is yours!

You'll find 15 sachets in each pack, so plenty for a week's chocolaty goodness or to share with friends and family.

There's good calorific news, because each sachet contains a mere eight calories and they are suitable for  vegetarians and vegans.

As I mentioned they are available from Asda, now.

https://www.marschocolatedrinksandtreats.com

www.asda.com

Food Drink Devon Awards Unveils This Year's Outstanding Finalists

With the eagerly anticipated annual Food Drink Devon Awards taking place next month in October, Food Drink Devon is absolutely thrilled to announce this year's finalists in the prestigious awards.  

Following the closure of entries in the Spring (April), a distinguished panel of judges and industry experts embarked on a rigorous process of assessing and judging the unprecedented number of entries.  

Including many of Devon's the county's most respected and influential artisan food and drink producers, over 300 products were tasted and sampled, 95 hospitality establishments visited, 30 retail outlets scrutinised and eight Training School / Learning Experiences were participated in, to select Devon's finest.

Winners are to be announced during the organisation's glittering and prestigious black tie award ceremony on Monday 2nd October at Sandy Park, home of Premiership rugby team Exeter Chiefs.  

Returning for the 12th year, the gold standard industry accolades celebrate the best the region has to offer, with categories being open to members and non-members of Food Drink Devon. Awards include  'Producer Awards', 'Retail Awards', 'Hospitality Awards' and 'Sustainability Pioneer Award'.

Food Drink Devon's 'Sustainability Pioneer Award' shines an important light on businesses going the extra mile in their endeavours to be environmentally friendly.  

This year's finalists for the 'Sustainability Pioneer Award' include a broad spectrum of producers, including hospitality establishments, retailers and training schools including Hylsten Bakery (Buckfastleigh), The Husbandry School (Bickington), THE PIG-at Combe (Honiton), Springwater Farm (Broadclyst), Eversfield Organic (Bratton Clovelly) and The Black River Inn (Black Torrington) plus others, besides.

Sustainability Board Director at Food Drink Devon and Met Office Climate Service Lead in Food, Farming & Natural Environment, Dr Pete Falloon, remarked on the entries; “The judging panel were thrilled with the number of very high quality entries for the 'Sustainability Pioneer Award', there were some truly inspirational entries. 

"It's been especially encouraging to see how Devon businesses are acting as a force for good and embracing all three dimensions of sustainability - planet, people and profit - to ensure a greener world, to support thriving communities and workforces and drive their businesses forward. We can't wait to unveil the winners and tell you a bit more about their stories at the awards' ceremony!”

Shortlisted businesses in the 'Product Awards' cover a massive variety of delights including sweet and savoury, meat, preserves, jams and chutneys, ales, ciders, wines and confectionery, plus a host of others. 

Finalists are also automatically in the running for 'Food Product', 'Drink Product' and 'New Product of the Year'.  Some of this year's finalists include; Atlantic Spirit (Bideford), Beckland Charcuterie (Hartland), Clive's Purely Plants (Dartmouth), Ebb Tides Seaweeds (Sidmouth), Hattiers Rum (Mothecombe), Jamu Wild Water (Exeter), Lovaton Farm (Okehampton), Taw Valley Microgreens (Umberleigh), Cakewhole (Plymouth) Sandridge Barton Wines (Stoke Gabriel) and Truly Treats (Kingsteignton).

Food Drink Devon Board Director, Jack Pickering, commented: “The number, quality and range of products we received for judging this year was truly amazing. It's a very real testament to the hard work producers from across the county of Devon have invested to deliver delicious food and drink products from our fertile lands. This year will see us award a record number of Gold awards and more excitingly a record number of Platinum awards, too! But everyone will need to wait until the awards' ceremony to find out who they are!”

In the 'Retail Awards' entries have been whittled down for the 'Best Retailer' and 'Best Online Retailer' ranging from top-end delicatessens to village stores.  

Finalists include Ashburton Delicatessen (Ashburton), Ben's Farm Shop (Staverton), Greendale Farm Shop (Exeter), Lyme Bay Winery Cellar Door (Axminster), Shaldon Village Store (Shaldon) and Veyseys Butchers (Cullompton).

The hospitality section of the awards sees establishments battling it out in five very fiercely contested categories such as 'Best Fine Dining Restaurant', 'Best Restaurant', 'Best Pub', 'Best Café' and 'Best Takeaway'.  

Shortlisted establishments in the fine dining restaurant, restaurant and pub categories include Bayards Cove Inn (Dartmouth), Harry's Restaurant (Exeter), Orestone Manor Hotel (Maidencombe), Salcombe Harbour Hotel (Salcombe), The Bucket & Spade (Shaldon), The Nightjar Inn (Aylesbeare), The Fig Tree @ 36 (Plymouth) and Winslade Manor Restaurant & Bar (Clyst St Mary) as well as others.  Finalists in the café and takeaway categories include Arc Kitchen and Coffee House (Exmouth), Sara's on the Beach (Paignton), Valley View Café (Loddiswell), The Original Pasty House (Plymouth and Tavistock) and Amelia's Pantry, Cofton Holidays (Starcross) and others.  

Covering food production, preparation, retailing, cooking and service, the Food Drink Devon Awards honour businesses that demonstrate a consistent commitment to quality, sustainability, provenance, excellent customer service and support for their local communities and other local businesses.  

Every year judging for the awards is undertaken by a special panel of independent, unbiased experts including a number of regional celebrity names.  All results and winners are verified by an independent adjudicator, with entrants receiving the opportunity to benefit from invaluable product feedback provided from the panel. 

Chair of Food Drink Devon, Greg Parsons, commented on the calibre of entries: “Being part of the judging panel for the Food Drink Devon awards is a real, genuine privilege. It presents us with an annual opportunity to assess the quality of food and drink in our glorious county. 

"I'm pleased, delighted and extremely proud to report the overall standard this year is amazing and will doubtless be reflected in the number and levels of awards. 

"In such challenging times, with rocketing costs and a squeeze on discretionary spend, it's really inspiring we're raising our game and making Devon the 'go to' county for fantastic food. We look forward to our awards' dinner, where we'll properly celebrate our region's produce and food and drink community.”

During the celebratory evening of Devon's finest food and drink, along with the presentation of the awards, attendees will enjoy a drinks reception, a three-course meal created (obviously!) with produce from Food Drink Devon members with all the fruit and vegetables provided by awards sponsor West Country Fruit Sales.  

Special thanks go to sponsors of the awards Partners, M&B Edible Oils, Bays Brewery, Caterfood, West Country Fruit Sales, Bishop Fleming, Vale Labels, Harvey & Brockless, Impact Design & Marketing, Stephens Scown, inkREADible Labels, Hedgerow Print and Food Magazine, with the staging being provided by PL1 Events. 

For a full list of shortlisted producers please visit www.fooddrinkdevon.co.uk/awards.  For more information on Food Drink Devon please visit www.fooddrinkdevon.co.uk and follow @FoodDrinkDevon on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. 

Feast for a Fiver as Waitrose ‘wraps’ up your lunchtimes with a new meal deal

Waitrose customers will be able to get a sandwich, a wrap, salad or sushi, plus a snack and a drink for a Fiver.

And what's more, the Waitrose Food to Go range is made without compromising quality and also adhering to high animal welfare standards.

The new Waitrose meal deal will launch on 30th August. For £5 customers can opt from over 300 products and can decide on one of their sandwiches, wraps or salads, or sushi (from a special selected range), alongside a choice of snacks from a curated selection of cereal bars, crisps and snack pots, plus a drink. 

Options available within the offer include customer faves like their Essential Waitrose Cheese & Onion sandwich, PlantLiving No Duck Hoisin Wrap, Waitrose Prawn Mayo sandwich, Waitrose Chicken & Bacon Caesar wrap, Waitrose PlantLiving VLT, Waitrose Chicken, Tomato & Basil Pasta, Taiko Crispy Duck Rolls, Waitrose Flapjack, Waitrose LoveLife Nuts, Fruit & Seeds, Deliciously Ella Cashew Cranberry Fruit Nut & Seed Bar, Waitrose Pineapple Fingers (120g), Waitrose Freshly Squeezed Orange Juice and Waitrose Strawberry & Banana Smoothie. 

Jennifer Moscardini, who is Waitrose's Food to Go Buyer, said: “We’re a nation of sandwich lovers. Sales are up almost 40% over the past three years. More people are returning to work from their offices again, and travelling more, so obviously they're looking for a fantastic meal deal option. 

“This lunchtime deal means our customers will be able to get a great quality sandwich, wrap, salad or sushi, plus a snack and a drink for £5, and if they have a myWaitrose loyalty card, and a reusable cup they can get a free cup of coffee at the same time!"

She went on to say: "And we haven't compromised on our standards, either. We use British higher welfare chicken, pork & beef in all our sandwiches, MSC prawns and salmon, and all our eggs come from free range hens. 

“This year we’ve introduced more meal deals than ever before to help our customers with the cost of living crisis, plus investing £100m in new lower prices across our aisles, too.

"Our best-selling sandwich over the last ten years has been prawn mayonnaise, followed by Egg Mayonnaise and the Classic BLT - but now wraps have become increasingly popular with one in four people buying a wrap instead."

List of top ten best-selling sandwiches 10 years ago:

Waitrose Prawn mayonnaise

Waitrose Egg mayonnaise and cress

Waitrose Classic BLT

Essential Waitrose Tuna Mayo 

Waitrose Smoked Ham & Cheese

Essential Waitrose Egg Mayonnaise

Essential Waitrose cheese & onion

Waitrose Salmon & Cucumber

Waitrose Salmon & Cream Cheese

Waitrose Chicken & Bacon 

List of top ten best-selling sandwiches/wraps today:

Waitrose Prawn mayonnaise sandwich 

Waitrose Essential Cheese and Onion

Waitrose Essential Egg mayonnaise sandwich 

Waitrose Steak & caramelised onion chutney sandwich

Waitrose Hoisin duck wrap 

Waitrose Chicken & Bacon Caesar wrap 

Waitrose Essential Tuna mayonnaise sandwich 

Waitrose Salt Beef & Mustard Mayonnaise sandwich 

Waitrose Salmon & Cream Cheese sandwich 

Waitrose Classic BLT 

waitrose.co.uk

Amazon Grocery shopping 12 years later

Back in April 2011 That's News and Drink carried the following item about Amazon: "Amazon now sells food and drink."

This is the link to the story: https://thatsfoodanddrink.blogspot.com/2011/04/amazon-now-sells-food-and-drink.html.

This is the blog post we carried twelve years ago:

"In an exciting new development, the world's most favourite online bookshop, Amazon, have started selling groceries online, too!

But not just any groceries! Visiting the groceries section of the website is pretty much like making a trip across the Atlantic and finding yourself in an American grocery store!

Because Amazon has started selling hundreds of lines that are common (and one or two that are not that common!) in American food stores!

Just some of the lines available are Pop Tarts, Root Beer, American peanut butter, Reeses' Peanut Butter Cups, Fluff, American breakfast cereals, including Lucky Charms, Pop Tarts, Cliff Bars, etc., etc.

"This is great!" said one American. I am stationed in the UK for several months and although British food is OK, we were missing some of the staples of the American grocery store. Now we can buy them in the UK, too!"

But it's not just 'American' foods that are available. Amazon also sells foods for special diets such as gluten free or foods suitable for Coeliacs or vegetarians and some foods from other countries are featured, including South Africa. Plus more snacks and candy than you knew existed!

Amazon also sells a truly stunning range of beers, wines and spirits from around the world."

We have ordered grocery items from Amazon over the years including gin liqueurs, some Scotch, speciality foodstuffs, etc. Also special treats for our parrot!

Over the years the range of available grocery items has rapidly grown and expanded, including organic vegetables, etc.

Whilst some might argue that Amazon doing this is 'wrong' and that it harms local businesses, in many parts of the UK the items that Amazon's grocery department stocks just aren't available locally, if at all.

For example, if you want to try bottles of wine from India good luck trying your nearest "posh" wine merchant! Ours "hasn't heard of Indian wines" (said in a sniffy, condescending tone) and declined to even consider the concept of bothering to find out about their availability. Oh, well. Their loss!

Because a quick search on Amazon brought up the Sula Indian Vineyard's Dindori Reserve Shiraz, 75 cl, which, at £12.33 a bottle, is a reasonable price. 

So here's to the next twelve years of Amazon Grocery deliveries and also to the next twelve years of That's Food and Drink bringing you the latest news about food and drink!

www.amazon.co.uk.

Mavrik Secures Award-winning Status for Core Range of Alcohol-free Cocktails

Hampshire's top premium alcohol-free cocktail brand, Mavrik, is celebrating a run of success following entries to a number of prestigious food & drink awards this year. 

The brand's core range of four natural, low calorie virgin cocktails presented in a funky ready-to-drink (RTD) can format, now boasts no less than four awards, with each variant now benefiting from an acknowledged industry accolade:

Mavrik's Aromatic G&T won a Bronze in this year's Scottish Retail Food & Drink Awards

Mavrik's Cuban Mojito was awarded a Silver in the 2023 Free From Food Awards

Mavrik's Venetian Spritz and Storm & Spice were both winners in this year's Great Taste Awards, each achieving the much sought after 1* ranking

Commenting on the brand's achievements, Director Andrew Mallinson says, “With the no and low category now universally recognised as an important growth category – according to ISWR 2023, half of the UK adult population bought a no or low alcohol drink last year and 5.2m fewer UK adults are drinking alcohol weekly in 2023 vs 2021.

"The awards represent a highly credible, reliable recommendation to consumers who are now faced with such a plethora of no and low alcohol options. 

The accolades, alongside the brand's impressive taste experience, low calorie and all-natural credentials and shelf-shout, underpin the relevance of listing Mavrik to key trade stockists.”

Mavrik produces a full range of canned cocktails in six delicious flavours: Cuban Mojito, Aromatic G&T, Storm & Spice, Venetian Spritz, Passion Star Martini and Espresso Martini. 

For more information visit https://www.mavrik-drinks.com

Rum, but Hattiers style

Hattiers is the UK's first B Corp certified rum and it has taken a fresh, exciting look at the traditional art of rum blending with an uncompromising, interesting approach to quality and sustainability.  

Only sourcing fine aged rums from over 25 distilleries worldwide, their versatile and accessible blends consist of carefully selected rums married together along with only pure Dartmoor water.     

Why not explore the Hattiers Rum collection and embark on a flavourful journey that will leave you longing for more?

Here are some cocktails for you to experiment with and enjoy!

The Hattiers Spritz

This cocktail is the epitome of long summer days and sure to impress guests. Aperol and Rum? Don't knock it until you try it!

What you'll need...

50ml Hattiers Egremont Premium Reserve Rum

20ml Aperol Spritz

Grapefruit juice

Lime Juice

Prosecco, Champagne or English sparkling wine

Torched grapefruit and mint to garnish

What to do...

Add Hattiers Egremont rum, Aperol Spritz and a squeeze of lime juice to a highball glass with ice and stir

Top up with equal parts grapefruit juice and prosecco

Garnish with a wedge of torched grapefruit and a sprig of fresh mint

The Casa Surgey

Tom Surgey puts his innovate spin on a Champagne Mojito using Hattiers Eminence Blended Aged White Rum

What you'll need…

14 mint leaves

60ml Hattiers Eminence Blended Aged White Rum

15ml fresh lime juice

10ml sugar syrup

30ml sparkling wine or Champagne

What to do…

Slap the mint leaves in the palm of your hand and add to the bottom of a highball glass. Fill with crushed ice. Add the sugar syrup and fresh lime juice, followed by the rum

Take a bar spoon with a flat bottom and use the disc to churn the mixture. You're looking for a frosting on the outside of the glass so that you know the mix is super cold

Cap with more ice so that the glass is full and the ice glistens on top

Top with sparkling wine or Champagne

Take the mint sprig and clap it between your hands to release the oils so that every sip will be accompanied with the aroma from the mint

Hattiers' Resolute Mule

Singing with spicy ginger and caramel notes, the Resolute Mule is a refreshing cocktail with a twist.

What you'll need…

50ml Hattiers Resolute Navy Strength Rum

Hot ginger beer

Angostura Bitters

Brown sugar

Lime

Iced, crushed ice is best for this recipe

What to do…

Half fill a highball glass with crushed ice

Add a generous squeeze of lime and half a teaspoon of brown sugar

Add 50ml Resolute Navy Strength Rum and stir well

Fill the glass to the top with fresh ice

Top up with hot ginger beer

Add a dash of Angostura Bitters and stir 

Garnish with a wheel of lime

The Hattiers Rum range is available at hattiers.com as well as Waitrose & Partners, Harvey Nichols, Master of Malt, Fortnum & Mason, The Whisky Exchange, Enotria & Coe and Drink Finder. 

Hattiers Rum is justifiably very proud to use no colourants to make their rums look artificially darker and they never add sugar or spice to their blends. They believe rum drinkers should know precisely what they're drinking and as a result all component rums, countries of origin, ages and distillation methods are detailed on the back of each and every bottle.  Premium rums in their range include Egremont Premium Reserve Rum, Eminence Blended Aged White Rum and Resolute Navy Strength Rum.

For further information about Hattiers Rum please visit www.hattiers.com or like and follow Hattiers Rum on Instagram: hattiers_rum and Facebook: HattiersRum.  

Introducing Sparklean: Innovative Pea Protein Sparkling Drink Now Available in 1,400 UK Boots branches

Sparklean offers a delightful taste and smoothness that rivals traditional soft drinks, providing an enjoyable experience without any compromise.

Vow Sports Ltd, which is a pioneering force in the health beverage industry, is pleased to announce the eagerly awaited launch of Sparklean, the world's first pea protein sparkling drink, in 1,400 UK Boots stores. 

This significant milestone represents a major stride in bringing this ground-breaking product to health-conscious consumers nationwide.

Sparklean distinguishes itself as a game-changer in the market by offering a refreshing, delightful beverage that combines the goodness of pea protein with an nifty effervescent twist. What truly sets Sparklean apart is its ability to utilise this innovative pea protein to create a completely clear drink, ensuring an aesthetically pleasing experience for consumers.

Unlike many plant-based protein drinks that often compromise on taste and texture, Sparklean presents an extraordinary. modern breakthrough. Consumers who have previously settled for subpar taste and grainy textures with plant-based proteins can now enjoy a gratifying and pleasurable experience. Sparklean delivers an delicious taste and smoothness that rival traditional soft drinks, providing an enjoyable experience without anyone having to compromise.

"We are really thrilled to introduce Sparklean to the UK market in partnership with Boots," said Simon Stevens, CEO at Vow Sports Ltd. 

He added: "This exclusive launch in 1,400 Boots stores showcases their commitment to offering innovative, sought-after products to their valued customers."

"This marks the culmination of two years of hard work to develop a sparkling protein drink that matches the taste of consumers' favourite canned soft drinks," pointed out Ray Brilus, who is Head of NPD at Vow Sports. "Sparklean represents a new era in plant-based protein drinks, offering a delightful taste, refreshing fizz, and a visually captivating, totally clear appearance."

The unique blend of this new type of pea protein in Sparklean will appeal to a wide range of consumers, including those following keto and low-carb diets, individuals focused on weight loss, fitness enthusiasts aiming to build muscle, and those embracing plant-based and vegan lifestyles. 

Sparklean meets the needs of active lifestyles, providing on-the-go hydration in a convenient can whilst being free from artificial additives and preservatives.

Each can of Sparklean contains an impressive 15g of protein and only 1g of carbs, making it an excellent source of protein with minimal impact on carb intake for individuals who are seeking to support their active lifestyles and nutritional goals.

Sparklean will be available in 1,400 Boots stores starting from July 3rd, 2023. Consumers can experience the distinct blend of taste, health benefits, and convenience first-hand, and discover why Sparklean is a true breakthrough in the health beverage market.

Priced at £2.50 per can, Sparklean offers exceptional value compared to other protein drinks in the market. With each purchase, consumers can enjoy the delicious flavours of Strawberry & Lime and Tropical, with more exciting flavours scheduled to be released later this year.

For more information about Sparklean and Vow Sports Ltd, please visit www.vownutrition.com. For media inquiries, please contact Ray Brilus at ray@vowsports.co.uk or 07823 555 691.

About Vow Sports Ltd: Vow Sports Ltd is a leading innovator in sports fitness supplements and foods, delivering groundbreaking products that blend taste, health benefits, and convenience. Trusted by professionals, Vow Sports offers elite-level quality at affordable prices, empowering individuals to lead healthier, more fulfilling lives.

Beverage Standards Association (BSA) Welcomes Its 100th Member At Midlands Meeting

The Beverage Standards Association (BSA) welcomed its 100th member - La Cimbali - at its Midlands regional meeting at The Bottle Kiln, West Hallam, Ilkeston on Monday 5 March.

Another new member was also announced - Taylors of Harrogate - which is sponsoring the tea category of the BSA Awards, launched last week in London.

Martyn Herriott, Executive Director, BSA told the well attended meeting "We're delighted to have La Cimbali on board as our 100th member. It shows signs of strength and growth and kudos that the BSA is attracting high calibre companies such as La Cimbali and Taylors of Harrogate, alongside long standing members who have been with the BSA since it started in 1995."

Daniel Clarke from La Cimbali was presented with a special certificate to mark the 100th member. He said "It's good to be part of such a strong and vibrant Association."

John Sutcliffe from Taylors of Harrogate received a certificate for sponsoring the tea category of the BSA Awards. He said "We've been so successful in the retail market, we want to develop the Out of Home business. The BSA is an excellent vehicle for developing in this area. Sponsoring the BSA tea Award increases our awareness in that market."

At the meeting, Martyn Herriott encouraged all 'out of home' cafes (fixed & mobile) and restaurants to enter this year's prestigious Beverage Standards Awards. Rebecca Stone, owner of The Bottle Kiln which in last year's Awards not only achieved 5 cup status, the highest BSA cup grade but also the Best Cappuccino, Latte and Flat White Award, said at the meeting " The BSA Awards have been a framework and opportunity to benchmark the Bottle Kiln business against the best in the industry. The Awards have given me confidence that we have the consistency of products and quality of service which enables us to maintain a 5 cup standard and win the Best Cappuccino, Latte and Flat White Award. "

She went on to say that one of her colleagues was training to be a judge in this year's Awards. "I am going to actively promote the Awards in my area to encourage other Out of Home establishments to enter."

For entry details about the Awards, visit www.beveragestandardsassociation.co.uk

That's Food and Drink to be "more proactive" in 2012

The food and drink website, That's Food and Drink will be "more proactive during 2012."

This means That's Food and Drink will be providing its readers with more news and features about special foodie events that will be occurring throughout the year.

That's Food and Drink will be helping readers celebrate and enjoy sausage weeks, barbecue months, wine and beer festivals, events, tea and coffee weeks, harvest festivals, etc., etc., etc.

If YOU have a special event that you would like to see featured, then please send us an email to afj_uk@yahoo.com using the subject line: "Special Event"  and we will do the rest.

Deadline Extended For The FoodBev.com Awards

"Did you launch a new product in the food and drinks industry in 2011? Have you brought an innovative, exciting product to market? Have you launched a new, dynamic and effective website or media campaign? If any of your answers are yes, then the FoodBev.com Awards 2011 is for you," said a spokesman for the Awards.

"We know you're going to be busy for Christmas and the holiday season in general, so we've extended the deadline for entering the FoodBev.com Awards. You now have more time to gather materials, answer questions and make your entries (and some time for wrapping presents, too).

"You can enter right here, www.foodbevawards.com/Enter_the_Awards.html and the closing date for entries is now 20 January 2012, with judging to take place a week later."

(EDITOR: Well go on then! Get to it. And we will keep out fingers crossed for you!)



-Ends-

Antioxidant juice responds to consumer demands for convenience, health & flavour

AOk Drinks targets the “I want it yesterday” generation with a Christmas/Winter survival guide!

As we approach the traditional cold and flu season, Stuart Roberts, a naturopathic nutritionist and creator of AOk Drinks (www.aokdrinks.com), questions why we all assume catching a bug is inevitable, and suggests a new approach to combating seasonal aches and pains to help us survive Christmas indulgences.

“We live in an ‘I want it yesterday’ society. We demand convenience when it comes to our lifestyles, which also transcends into our approach to food, drink, health and nutrition. If we get a bout of flu, many of us accept this as part and parcel of the winter season, and take some medication to make us feel better as soon as possible,” says Stuart Roberts.

“However, we rarely take the time to consider how we can boost our immune system to protect us from everday illnesses. We don’t need to accept that we will get ill just because of the time of year. Small, gradual changes to the way we eat, drink and live our lives can add up to make a real difference as we approach Christmas, so you can enjoy the party season without feeling sluggish, tired, overweight and full of cold.

“There are no quick-fixes to health and nutrition, however, there are small steps that we can take that add up to massive changes in how we look and feel.”

AOk is a red grape, cherry, aloe vera and ginger drink, with a hint of vanilla. One 250ml bottle of AOk provides your daily recommendation of antioxidants (nutritionists recommend 3000-5000 per day and AOk contains 3,600) and just 145k cal. Stuart created the drink in 2008 to provide a synergistic combination of antioxidant packed ingredients. Designed to meet consumer demands for healthy convenience, the drink is a tasty alternative to mainstream flavours and offers an original flavour.

Stuart Roberts says: “Antioxidants are vital in our diets. With most things, consistency makes the difference. Eating our five a day, drinking plenty of water, exercising regularly in the fresh air, and consuming your recommended amount of antioxidants (which can help prevent injury and muscle soreness after exercise too) will all add up to make you look and feel better over time.”

“Sleep is also important, as this is when your body carries out some of its most important repair and maintenance work. Ahead of the Christmas party season it is worth putting in plan in place to help you look and feel better. There is a tradition of putting off healthy eating and exercise until the New Year, but this is not the best time to jump into a major change in lifestyle and eating habits. Instead, gradual changes ahead of Christmas can help your body prepare and survive the inevitable indulgences.”

Getting to grips with antioxidants…
Antioxidants are established as a marketing buzzword in the food and drink industry but they remain a confusing concept for the majority of us. We know they’re good for us, but we’re not entirely sure why. Stuart Roberts, creator of AOk Drinks and naturopathic nutritionist, is on a mission to clear the confusion and dispel the myths surrounding antioxidants.
What are antioxidants?

Our bodies are equipped with special antioxidant substances that, in conjunction with antioxidants from fresh fruit and vegetables, help to neutralise the harmful effects of free radicals.

What are free radicals?
Free radicals are highly active and dangerous chemical groups that are unavoidable. Every day our bodies are exposed to vast numbers of free radicals. Their destructive actions on the body are known as oxidation (hence the name antioxidant).

What are ORAC units?
The Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC) test is one of the main industry standard tests for antioxidant strength. AOk scored 3,600 ORAC units per 250ml in an independent laboratory test. Nutritionists recommend we consume 3,000 to 5,000 ORAC units per day.
How are free radicals produced?

In many ways: every breath you take creates free radicals from chemical residues of oxygen used by your body. Excessive exposure to the sun’s UV rays, pollution, viruses, consuming certain foods, and even aerobic exercise can result in free radical production.

Why?
Free radicals play a role in the development of many diseases as a result of the degeneration of body tissues. This tissue degeneration contributes towards ageing and can lead to diseases including cardiovascular disease and cancer. Antioxidants are required to counteract the negative effects of free radicals.

Where?
Antioxidants can be found in natural foods including red grapes, cherries, blackberries, beans (such as kidney, pinto, red and black), blueberries, broccoli, garlic and green tea. AOk provides the recommended amount of antioxidants in one 250ml bottle, which complements a diet rich in fresh and natural fruit and vegetables. The drink was created by Stuart Roberts to provide an optimal combination of antioxidants in a convenient form.

When?
You can start today! “I’ve lost count of the number of times people have told me at sampling events that it’s ‘too late’ for them to make changes to their diet and lifestyle. This is not true. Small changes such as doing more exercise and adding antioxidant-rich food and drink to the diet can make a big impact on health and wellbeing over the long term. The cells in our bodies are constantly renewing and repairing themselves, so over time, we can make a huge difference to the way we look and feel,” says Stuart.

AOk retails for £1.69 per 250ml bottle and is available at selected Waitrose stores nationwide (http://www.aokdrinks.com/antioxidants/file/stores.php), www.Waitrose.com and www.Ocado.com.
One 250ml bottle of AOk provides:
Your daily recommended requirement of antioxidants
One of your ‘five a day’
Only 145 calories

(EDITOR: And it tastes good, too!)

Stratford to be treasure trove of good food during Food Festival

Shakespeare's birthplace will be transformed into a delicious treasure trove of good things to eat and drink as the town hosts the fifth Stratford Food Festival on Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th September 2011.

As well as lining the banks of the River Avon, this year the festival also hits the streets by joining with three great food markets across the town, offering a fun-filled and tasty day out for all the family.

The event brings together a fantastic selection of great local producers and some from further afield, who are passionate about putting the very best on the table. So whether you want to stock your pantry, equip your kitchen, feed your mind or simply slate your thirst, you're bound to find something that more than fits the bill from the exciting festival programme this year.

Make a day of it, or make a weekend of it, find the town's beautiful riverside gardens bustling with stands as deliciously diverse as organic meat and veg, locally brewed real ales, beers and ciders, artisan cheeses and award-winning ice creams. There will be a British Farmers' market in the heart of the town as well as a French Market on Bridge Street and an Italian Market on Henley Street, plus live music and entertainment all weekend.

Work up an appetite and try some organic beef from Brown Cow, succulent hog roast from Castlemoor or a juicy burger from Happy Herefords. Turn the heat up with David's Chilli Oil or Anila's Authentic Sauces and enjoy some tasty nibbles from The Big Yum. Why not follow with a sweet treat from the Crumbly Cupcake Company, some beautifully handmade cakes and biscuits from Truly Scrumptious, or chocolate goodies from the Cacao Bean Konditorei & Café.

Or if you prefer savoury, why not savour a plate of fine cheese from Lymn Bank Farm or sample Alan Coxon`s unique multi award winning historic "Ale-Gar" Roman and Ancient Greek vinaigres?

Wine lovers will find plenty to savour too, with superb wines from Kiwi Cuisine and Pure Spain, as well as something stronger like English Gin from Foxdenton Estate and exciting liqueur and party drinks from the Perfect Tipple.

You can even pull up a stool at the bar and enjoy a perfectly pulled pint of UBU from Warwickshire's own Purity Brewing Company, at Stratford's favourite local, The One Elm, who will be out in force at the festival, as will the Royal Shakespeare Company's Rooftop Restaurant and Bar and The Lazy Cow, Warwick.

Learn how honey is made with the Stratford Beekeeping Association, growing your own and sustainable living, buy gadgets for your kitchen from Lakeland and sit back and watch a cookery demonstration, glass in hand. The proceedings will be overseen by chef, author and TV presenter Alan Coxon, who is the festival's ambassador this year.

Tickets, costing £5 for adults, will be available online from www.stratfordfoodfestival.co.uk or by calling the ticket hotline which will also be available, soon. Children under the age of 16 have free entry.

Optional extras include the Taste Trail, an exciting trail of stalls at the festival and participating eateries in the town, and VIP tickets giving you the best seats in the house and guaranteed entrance to demonstrations.

Join them on Saturday 24th or Sunday 25th September and tuck into a tasty day out in a fabulous riverside setting. The festival is open from 10am to 11pm on day one, and from 10am to 6pm on day two on the banks of the river Avon, opposite the newly-refurbished Royal Shakespeare Theatre, and throughout the town.
www.alancoxon.com
www.stratfordfoodfestival.co.uk

Make sure your guests feel good at your barbecue

Spreading 4 times more feelgoodness this summer, The Feel Good Drinks Co is launching a  NEW 275ml party pack in supermarkets across the UK.  As BBQ’s, picnics and outdoor lunches fill the warm summer air, there is no better way to relax and unwind than with a delicious Feel Good Drink, and now there is an exciting NEW flavour to try too!

Offering a super alternative to alcohol as a simply a delicious and refreshing soft drink to share with friends and family, the new 4 pack is available in two ‘Feel Good’ flavours; new and refreshing Cranberry & Pomegranate & the classic Orange & Mango that will really get your taste buds going.

The new pack provides a healthy alternative to other soft drinks because unlike some of its competitors, Feel Good Drinks are made with 100% natural ingredients, have no added sugar and better still, provide 1 of your 5 a day in every bottle. 

Steve Cooper, the co-founder and Marketing Director with Feel Good Drinks said:  “This is a major new launch for our business as customers and consumers are looking for a more refreshing, healthier alternative.  More people than ever before are aware of the amount of sugar added to some juice drinks; we don’t add any sugar to our drinks and furthermore each bottle provides 1 of your 5 a day.”  So if you are looking for a healthy juice drink that is sure to quench your thirst, you can find the new party pack in Sainsbury’s and Morrison’s.”

Whilst you are grabbing a 4 pack or two, don’t forget the gorgeous 750ml gently sparkling range from Feel Good Drinks; a tasty treat for summer parties that will be sure to impress your friends!  Available in 5 flavours; Raspberry & Passion Fruit, Cranberry & Lime, Orange & Passion Fruit, Cloudy Lemon and White Grape & Peach, the 750ml range is available nationwide in Tesco, ASDA, Sainsbury’s, Co-op and other supermarkets. 

As the smells and sounds of BBQs, festivals, and picnics begin to fill the air again, it’s time to start feeling good as summer is just around the corner!  Toast the great British Summer with the deliciously fruity Feel Good Drinks range; made with 100% natural ingredients, no added sugar, and providing 1 of your 5 a day!

Why not quench your thirst with a delicious bottle of 400ml fruit juice drink, available in a lightweight 100% recyclable plastic bottle; convenient and easy to enjoy on-the-go!  These are available in 3 gorgeous flavours: Cloudy Lemon, Apple & Blueberry, and Orange & Mango. 

If you’re getting together with friends then Feel Good offer their range of sparkling juice drinks in chic 750ml glass bottles. Perfect if you opt for an alcohol free evening or prefer a more refreshing tipple to enjoy in the summer sun. What’s more, all Feel Good Drinks are packed full of natural fruity goodness and have absolutely no added sugar.  These are available in five gently sparkling flavours including Raspberry & Passion Fruit, White Grape & Peach, and Cranberry & Lime. 

Feel Good also have a range of juice drinks in cartons which are perfect for thirsty kids, providing a tasty way to 1 of their 5 a day.  Available in Orange, Pineapple & Banana, or Blackcurrant, Apple & Grape, Feel Good Kids drinks are made with juice and a little water and don’t have any added sugar or artificial nasties. Easily stored - pop them into your bag for a picnic or special day out for 100% natural fruity goodness!

(EDITOR: Don't get dehydrated during your barbecue. Sometimes, people feel ill after a barbecue. They blame the food or the fact that they consumed too much alcohol, and whilst both those factors can take their toll, it's possible that they allowed themselves to become too dehydrated by the hot summer sun!

So, wear a hat, spend time in the shade, wear suncreams, etc., and ensure you have plenty to eat and to drink, but do watch your alcohol intake. Feeel Good Fruit Drinks are ideal to help to keep yourself safely and properly hydrated and feeling well.)

Visit www.feelgooddrinks.co.uk or the doodling website www.feelgooddoodle.co.uk to get your creative juices flowing!

bottlegreen creates ideal drinks for a summer's barbecue

The salad is ready, the meat is sizzling on the barbecue and the drinks... now, there's another subject, right there! Lager and some nice real ales, of course, there will be some wines and perhaps some colas too, but why not add something a little different to your drinks selection at your next barbecue? How about making it a bottlegreen barbecue?

And there's even more reasons for getting some bottlegreen in, now! Because bottlegreen's newest floavour, their green tea and elderflower presse, is the perfect accompaniment to a summer BBQ, with its unusual yet eminently refreshing flavour and their strawberry and elderflower cordial with its quintessentially British flavours are great for creating cool, long drinks in the garden.

And please do not forget, bottlegreen drinks cordials and presses are also great ingredients' for cocktails and BBQ recipes, too!

Water a little dull or tastes of lime? Try new Bio-Synergy Skinny Water Dilutable Orange drink!

Bio-Synergy has announced the launch of Skinny Water Dilutable Orange. Apparently they are proud that it is the only functional concentrate on the market.

This fabulous new variant of the original celebrity endorsed Skinny Water is set to hit shelves this month, April.

It is a low calorie drink and is enhanced with a unique combination of ingredients to help you maximise weight loss. The naturally occurring amino acids and nutrients will help suppress your appetite and increase metabolism to burn more fat.

So what’s the secret behind Bio-Synergy Skinny Water? It’s the added benefits of Chromium and L-Carnitine. These nutrients have been scientifically proven to banish sugar cravings and help turn fat into energy.

Studies show Chromium can stave off cravings for high carbohydrate or sugary foods by regulating blood sugar levels. As such, it’s a valuable addition to a well-designed, long-term weight loss program and supports a healthier metabolism.

L-Carnitine is an amino acid which the body uses to turn fat into energy. It can help weight management by encouraging the body to lose fat - not muscle.

Skinny Water Orange Dilutable has the extra added benefit of vitamin C, which is a brilliant anti-oxidant that helps to boost the immune system.

Each delicious drink is an excellent complement to any meal as well as before, during and after a workout. This 1 Litre concentrate is perfect to store in your cupboard and is excellent for parties, as a brilliant healthy alternative to other concentrates.

Each bottle is lovingly produced at our UK factory from spring water. A 1 litre bottle provides 20 servings, and is less than 4k/cal per calories per serving.

"Bio-Synergy Skinny Water has also come out top in countless surveys carried out by national media – it was voted number one in a ‘no diet, diet’ test for News of the World’s Fabulous magazine, and scored nine out of ten in a weight loss poll for the Daily Mirror. In addition, it has been voted top product by Women’s Fitness and Slim at Home magazine," said a spokesman.

Bio-Synergy Skinny Water Orange 500ml is in store at Asda and sold online at Ocado, Amazon, Littlewoods & www.bio-synergy.co.uk RSP £3.99

Also Available in Grapefruit version dilutable 1litre 20 servings. Also available in Pomegranate, Pink Grapefruit, Cola version 500ml. RSP £3.99 1 litre and £1.19 500ml.


(EDITOR: People taking certain medications for heart conditions, etc., MUST check with their doctor before consuming anything containing grapefruit or grapefruit extract.)