Friday's news that the European Commission is set to approve the use of stevia sweeteners in the region was a good way to welcome the weekend for the soft drinks producers among us.

After what has been a drawn-out affair, the green light for Europe, should see stevia-based products from the likes of The Coca-Cola Co, Dr Pepper Snapple Group and PepsiCo hit our shores early next year. Indeed, we may even get them sooner; all three have released stevia-infused drinks in the US, where the Food and Drug Administration gave the sweetener the all-clear in 2008.

At a time when consumers are looking for more environmentally-sound, more healthy products than full-sugar CSDs to quench their thirsts, this all-natural, zero-calorie option is clearly big news. There are also consumers out there – of which I am one – who are not comfortable with the artificial sweeteners that are already present in the 'no-added sugar' category.

They – and I – await the arrival of stevia with interest.

Elsewhere, last week...

Two of the big brewers, Anheuser-Busch InBev and Carlsberg highlighted problems in the US and Russia, respectively, when they released their nine-month figures last week.

The wine companies of the world were told last week by the International Organisation of Vine & Wine that global wine production this year should come in higher than in 2010.

Finally, United Spirits continued its seemingly inexorable rise in India, as it posted half-year sales and profits increases.

I'm away to New York tomorrow for the week, to cover Diageo's North American Investors' Conference. If you're anywhere near the city, free on Friday, and would like to show me your company's cafeteria, email me at news@just-drinks.com, and I'll see you later.

Until next time...

Olly Wehring
Managing Editor
Web: http://www.just-drinks.com
Email: editor@just-drinks.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/just_drinks