Beat the Heat This Summer With VIO Spiced Buttermilk, a Refreshing New Product From Coca-Cola India

• Traditional taste of homemade chhaas in a convenient and affordable format
• Consumers can buy VIO Spiced Buttermilk at comfort of their home through leading e-commerce platforms

To beat the heat this summer, Coca-Cola India has introduced Spiced Buttermilk, a refreshing offering under its dairy beverage brand- VIO. Made from curd, VIO Spiced Buttermilk offers pure goodness of the traditional homemade chhaas with a spicy twist, crafted to suit the palate of Indian consumers. The product contains no preservatives or added color and comes in a convenient 180ml Aseptic packaging, at an attractive price point of INR 15.

VIO Spiced Buttermilk further expands Coca-Cola’s existing portfolio of beverages, providing more choices to the consumers. The introduction of  VIO Spiced Buttermilk is a part of the company’s hyper-local strategy that  focuses on developing localized products in India to suit consumer preferences specific to a region.

Talking about innovation behind the launch, Sunil Gulati, Vice President, Technical & Supply Chain, Coca-Cola India & South West Asia said, “We have ramped up our focus on product innovation with an aim to build a localized consumer-centric portfolio. Dairy as a category is deep-rooted in Indian tradition, having been consumed as a refreshment or digestive drink for centuries, with an ever-growing mass appeal spanning the length and breadth of the country. Our intent with the launch of VIO Spiced Buttermilk was to create something for the community we operate in, to adapt to the local flavors of the country and expand our beverage portfolio to provide our consumers a beverage of their choice”.

A key offering in The Coca-Cola Company’s beverage portfolio, VIO was introduced by Coca-Cola India in the year 2016 with the intent to make a ready-to-drink, value-added dairy beverage option available to the consumers.

VIO Spiced Buttermilk can be conveniently ordered from the comfort of one’s home through leading e-commerce platforms. It will also be available in stores across Delhi and Chennai, and major towns in Orissa, Andhra Pradesh, Goa, and Maharashtra. 

Coca-Cola in India is one of the country’s leading beverage companies, offering a range of healthy, safe, high quality, refreshing beverage options to consumers. Since its re-entry in 1993, the company has been refreshing consumers with its beverage products – Coca-Cola, Coca-Cola Zero, Diet Coke, Thums Up, Thums Up Charged, Thums Up Charged No Sugar, Fanta, Limca, Sprite, Sprite Zero, Maaza, VIO flavoured milk, Minute Maid range of juices, Minute Maid Smoothie and Minute Maid Vitingo, Georgia range of hot and cold tea and coffee options, Aquarius and Aquarius Glucocharge, Schweppes, smartwater, Kinley and Bonaqua packaged drinking water and Kinley Club Soda. The Company along with its owned bottling operation and other bottling partners, through a strong network of over 2.6 million retail outlets, touches the lives of millions of consumers, at a rate of more than 500 servings per second. Its brands are some of the most preferred and most sold beverages in the country – Thums Up and Sprite – being the top two selling sparkling beverage.

The Coca-Cola India system provides direct employment to 25,000 people and indirect employment to more than 150,000 people. The Coca-Cola system in India is contributing in its own small way to building sustainable communities through community initiatives like Support My School, VEER, Parivartan and Unnati and by reducing its own environmental footprint.

For further information on the company's India operations and its products, please visit: www.coca-colaindia.com. Follow us on twitter at twitter.com/CocaCola_Ind, or on Facebook.

F&B News Bureau

India’s forthcoming DIY-Marketing Platform ‘InstaaPR’ announces Knowledge Sessions to decode Opportunities in the New Era

Business Leaders collaborate to boost the Start-ups, MSMEs and Entrepreneurs community.

InstaaPR, India’s forthcoming, no-touch, DIY-cost-effective marketing platform is organising an informative webinar on “How to redefine your sales strategies for the new era”. The webinar is intended to support small and medium enterprises to cope with the pandemic struck economy and keep the business cycles going. 

COVID-19 has altered the way companies operate, employees work & interact with customers and the external world. Moreover, the sales and marketing functions have also come to a standstill. The webinar will focus on these two areas as enterprises were impelled to explore effective ways of continuing their operations.

Taking the lead on this webinar, Sanjay Kher, President & Chief Business Officer, Oceanic Consulting will augment the sales and marketing processes to boost sales in these trying times. 

Moderating the session will be Rachana Chowdhary, CEO, InstaaPR, who will help deep dive the discussions through and help demystify information for immediate business use. “InstaaPR Webinars aims to deliberate upon the very basics of business and life, ground realities. We aim to make our participants feel enlightened and empowered after every session. We have observed that information overload and complex business processes as a way of the busy corporate infrastructure, is often restricting people’s thinking skills and creativity. We aim to deliberate upon the very basics with our participants, to thrive in the new normal.”

Sanjay Kher, President & Chief Business Officer, Oceanic Consulting says, “Times are tough, and businesses are struggling with finding the new normal in sales and marketing departments. With companies losing business, it's the right time to adopt an aggressive sales and marketing strategy and rebuild confidence in business.”

“In this webinar, we will not only discuss expert strategies to boost sales but also decode, some of them immediately available opportunities for the MSMEs, Start-ups, SMEs to benefit.”

Finding alternative sales strategies is of paramount importance in these trying times. Enterprises should think lateral and reinvest their resources in curating new sales and marketing tactics. This also is a great time to engage with existing clients and be truly invested in their success.

The webinar session is scheduled for May 21st, 2020 Thursday from 12 PM to 1 PM. 

Click here to Register now

To learn more about the partnerships, alliances with InstaaPR – DIY Marketing Platform, please write to support@instaapr.live

About Oceanic Consulting Group

Oceanic Consulting Group is a boutique consulting firm offering offer sales, marketing & growth advisory to SMEs & startup’s.  It offers advisory from a Single-Attribute Improvement to a 360-Degree Analysis of firm’s Sales & Business Performance". www.oceanic-group.net

About InstaaPR

InstaaPR is a premium automated digital & social news publishing platform, where we revolutionize the way PR functions. We provide you with an effective and efficient online reach to increase your online presence. www.instaapr.live

IICMA (Ice cream Manufacturer's Association) Reassures That Ice Creams or Frozen Desserts Do Not Cause COVID-19

What to eat, what not to eat are the most asked questions by everyone around the world during this COVID-19 pandemic. A lot of rumours and misinformation is being circulated that is creating havoc among people.

One such erroneous information that is going around is to avoid frozen desserts or ice creams. But WHO (World Health Organisation) has clarified that no types of ice cream or frozen foods can spread the virus and that there is no scientific evidence to support that claim.
https://www.who.int/southeastasia/outbreaks-and-emergencies/novel-coronavirus-2019/fact-or-fiction

The official press announcement by FDA (Food and Drug Administration) clearly mentions that there are no reports of the virus being spread through foods and food packaging.

https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/coronavirus-covid-19-supply-chain-update

To avoid all such falsified information, The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), the food safety regulatory body of India, has clarified that any ice cream, frozen food, and food served cold/chilled does not spread the coronavirus.

https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/coronavirus-doesnt-spread-thru-food-fssai/article31512044.ece

One has to verify the authenticity of any information regarding the virus spread, cure or prevention. It is pretty important to maintain hygiene practices for food preparation, storage, and handling it. Many newspapers have posted articles debunking the myths on the consumption of frozen foods and the spread of coronavirus.

Indian Ice cream Manufacturer's Association (IICMA) requests people not to fall prey to wrong information and happily consume one's favourite flavours of ice creams in this scorching summer-like always. These frozen desserts will surely light up one's mood and make one happy during these tough times.

IICMA urges everyone to maintain hygiene, wash hands often, wear a mask while travelling in crowded places, eat balanced diet food, exercise, and most importantly to absorb information only from reliable sources.

About Indian Ice cream Manufacturer's Association (IICMA)

The Indian Ice cream Manufacturer's Association was founded in 2011 as the National Association of Ice cream manufacturers. It is a professional non-profit organization representing the ice cream and frozen desserts industry in India.
http://iicma.in/


F&B News Bureau

Hilton Defining a New Standard of Hotel Cleanliness, Working with RB/Lysol and Mayo Clinic to Elevate Hygiene Practices From Check-In to Check-Out

‘Hilton CleanStay with Lysol Protection’ Expected to Launch in June 2020.

Hilton announced today a new program to deliver an industry-defining standard of cleanliness and disinfection in Hilton properties around the world. In a first for the hospitality business, Hilton will collaborate with RB, maker of Lysol and Dettol, and consult with Mayo Clinic to develop elevated processes and Team Member training to help Hilton guests enjoy an even cleaner and safer stay from check-in to check-out.

Hilton CleanStay with Lysol protection, as the program will be called in North America, will be a rigorous system that incorporates RB’s trusted know-how and scientific approach to cleaning practices and product offerings. Experts from Mayo Clinic’s Infection Prevention and Control team will advise and assist in enhancing Hilton’s cleaning and disinfection protocols.

Hilton CleanStay will build upon the already high standards of housekeeping and hygiene at Hilton properties worldwide, where cleaning products and upgraded protocols are currently in use.  The goal of Hilton CleanStay is to provide guests with assurance and peace of mind when they stay at any of Hilton’s more than 6,100 properties representing 18 brands. The initiative will create a focus on cleanliness that will be visible to guests throughout their entire stay – in their guest rooms, restaurants, fitness rooms and in other public spaces.

Hilton CleanStay was developed to meet evolving consumer expectations during the COVID-19 pandemic. Research indicates that consumers have heightened concerns regarding hygiene on their journey, and trust in cleanliness standards will be critical to restarting travel.

“Our first priority has always been the safety of our guests and Team Members,” said Christopher J. Nassetta, Hilton President and CEO. “Hilton CleanStay builds on the best practices and protocols we’ve developed over the last several months, allowing our guests to rest easy with us and focus on enjoying the unforgettable experiences we have to offer – while protecting our Team Members who are on the front lines of hospitality.”

RB will bring key talent and Lysol experts in hygiene and disinfection to the multi-year partnership, leveraging over 130 years of science-based research and thought leadership to support awareness, training and education, and product delivery and systems. RB and Hilton are also exploring opportunities to expand the program into a global partnership.

“At RB we are committed to the relentless pursuit of a cleaner, healthier world. It is imperative that we protect all consumers, today and in the days ahead as we all look forward to new ways of returning to work and leisure activities,” said Rahul Kadyan, EVP, North America, Hygiene/Home, RB. “We are excited to be working with Hilton and Mayo Clinic to bring this expertise and our unique product solutions to the Hilton CleanStay with Lysol protection program.”

Mayo Clinic and Hilton share intertwined histories. Late in life, Conrad Hilton became a Mayo Clinic patient and supporter. In 1972, Hilton’s donation of $10 million helped launch the Conrad N. Hilton Building for Laboratory Medicine, which was the first building in the Mayo complex designed specifically for laboratory medicine. The building opened on Oct. 18, 1974, and is still part of the Mayo Clinic campus in Rochester, Minn.
Mayo Clinic, the top-ranked hospital system in the United States, will apply its experience and expertise to advise Hilton hotels on cleaning protocols, training programs, and quality assurance.

With the aid of Mayo Clinic medical and technical experts, Hilton is rewriting its cleaning protocols to translate the best practices in hospital hygiene standards to hotel guest rooms. Medical experts from the Mayo Clinic COVID-19 Response Team will also advise on new technologies and approaches, assist in training development, and create a rigorous quality assurance program.

While full details for the program are still in development and expected to be announced soon, hotel brand standards under consideration include:

· Hilton CleanStay Room Seal: Add an extra measure of assurance by placing a room seal on doors to indicate to guests that their room has not been accessed since being thoroughly cleaned.

· 10 High-Touch, Deep Clean Areas: Extra disinfection of the most frequently touched guest’s room areas – light switches, door handles, TV remotes, thermostats and more.

· De-clutter Paper Amenities: Remove pen, paper and guest directory; supplement with digital or available upon request.

· Focus on Fitness Centers: Improved guidelines for disinfecting the hotel Fitness Center, possibly closing for cleaning multiple times daily and limiting the number of guests allowed in at one time.

· Clean and Clean Again: Increase the frequency of cleaning public areas.

· Guest-Accessible Disinfecting Wipes: Provide stations at primary entrances and key high traffic areas, for instance, a station to allow guests to wipe the elevator button before pressing.

· Contactless Check-In: Hilton will double-down on its award-winning Digital Key technology for guests who desire to have a contactless arrival experience. Guests can check-in, choose their room, access their room with a digital room key and check-out using their mobile devices through the Hilton Honors mobile app at participating hotels. Hilton will continue to expand its Digital Key capabilities to common doors and access points throughout the hotels.

· Innovative Disinfection Technologies: Hilton is exploring the addition of new technologies, like electrostatic sprayers – which use an electrostatically charged disinfecting mist – and ultraviolet light to sanitize surfaces and objects.

And throughout the new cleaning process, hotel Team Members will be provided with personal protective equipment and enhanced training designed to protect their well-being while continuing to deliver unmatched Hilton hospitality.


About Hilton:
Hilton (NYSE: HLT) is a leading global hospitality company with a portfolio of 18 world-class brands comprising more than 6,100 properties with more than 971,000 rooms, in 119 countries and territories. Dedicated to fulfilling its mission to be the world’s most hospitable company, Hilton welcomed more than 3 billion guests in its 100-year history, earned a top spot on the 2019 World’s Best Workplaces list, and was named the 2019 Global Industry Leader on the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices. Through the award-winning guest loyalty program Hilton Honors, more than 103 million members who book directly with Hilton can earn Points for hotel stays and experiences money can’t buy, plus enjoy instant benefits, including digital check-in with room selection, Digital Key, and Connected Room. Visit newsroom.hilton.com for more information, and connect with Hilton on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube.


About RB:
RB* is driven by its purpose to protect, heal and nurture in a relentless pursuit of a cleaner, healthier world. We fight to make access to the highest-quality hygiene, wellness and nourishment a right, not a privilege, for everyone. RB is proud to have a stable of trusted household brands found in households in more than 190 countries. These include Enfamil, Nutramigen, Nurofen, Strepsils, Gaviscon, Mucinex, Durex, Scholl, Clearasil, Lysol, Dettol, Veet, Harpic, Cillit Bang, Mortein, Finish, Vanish, Calgon, Woolite, Air Wick and more. 20 million RB products a day are bought by consumers globally.

RB’s passion to put consumers and people first, to seek out new opportunities, to strive for excellence in all that we do, and to build shared success with all our partners, while doing the right thing, always is what guides the work of our 40,000+ diverse and talented colleagues worldwide. For more information visit www.rb.com/us

*RB is the trading name of the Reckitt Benckiser group of companies


About Mayo Clinic:
Mayo Clinic is a nonprofit organization committed to innovation in clinical practice, education and research, and providing compassion, expertise and answers to everyone who needs healing. Visit the Mayo Clinic News Network for additional Mayo Clinic news and An Inside Look at Mayo Clinic for more information about Mayo.


F&B News Bureau