== Genesis gets Crafty on tourism drive ==

Northern Ireland bakery Genesis has teamed up with the Armagh and Down Tourism Partnership to promote the region on special packs of its Genesis Crafty range. Genesis customers in Scotland and England will have the chance to win a luxury break for two, giving them the opportunity to indulge in the province’s food, activities and accommodation.

New Veron to take down gluten costs

== ==

AB Enzymes has developed a new application for Veron HF to reduce the use of gluten costs. According to the company, Veron HF, which has been on the market for six years, "provides dry, fluffy and stable dough and gives an improved bread shape" and can be used in any bakery products that are yeast-raised. It said that 1kg of gluten can be replaced by 500g of gluten and 3g of Veron HF, achieving cost savings of between 40% and 50%.

== Cardiff man mourned ==

Oliver Long, former secretary of the Cardiff Master Bakers Association and organiser of the Annual Cardiff Bread, Cake & Confectionery Exhibition, passed away on Friday, 28 March. His funeral will be held at 10.30am on Friday, 11 April at Tabernacle Church, Plassey Street, Penarth. British Baker will publish a report on Long’s life and work in a future issue.

UK high on soft drinks

Non-alcoholic drinks saw the most low-, no-, or reduced-sugar product launches in major European markets last year, according to data from Mintel. In all categories, the UK had the highest number of product launches in these categories, with confectionery coming second in all markets. The data also showed the UK had the most non-alcoholic beverages with 72.