Parmalat to receive Euros 420m from Italian bank Intesa Sanpaolo in an out-of-court settlement.

InBev names Stefan Descheemaeker as its new Chief Strategy Officer and Alain Beyens as Zone President for Western Europe, effective from 1 January 2008.

In the UK, Danone Waters launches its £1.5m Evian Detox Campaign including activities targeted at London commuters.

PepsiCo is to launch a videogame ‘Live Healthily' to teach Mexican children healthy eating habits in an effort to combat the growing rate of obesity.

Coca-Cola Company and PepsiCo urged to limit soft drink marketing to children as consumer group campaigns across 20 countries say it ‘threatens traditional dietary patterns'.

Coca-Cola Great Britain launches a new interactive website based on consumers' questions and queries.

According to the Irish Food Agency Bord Bia, national food and drinks exports saw a 5% increase in 2007 to Euros 8.6bn, while the dairy sector achieved highest export growth with 13%.

AG Barr purchases functional water offerings Vitsmart and Vitaminsmart from Chartered Brands in a bid to make 'a credible early entry' into the UK market -Web 14.1.08

In Ireland, Britvic consolidates production at its Dublin facility as well as investing Euros 7.6m in upgrading the site.

Dairy Crest is in talks with the East of England Co-operative Society about the purchase of the Society's dairy operations due to increasing development and processing costs.