The Observer: Coors UK has set up a new division dubbed ‘Eve’ to persuade women drinkers to switch from wines and spirits to beer, The Observer reported. “We’re trying to get to the heart of why beer is not seen as an attractive proposition by women,” said Coors UK chief Mark Hunter. UK beer sales dropped 1.7% in the year to April.

The Sunday Telegraph: Frozen food rivals Birds Eye and Findus could be set to team up after Birds Eye owner Permira made an initial approach for Foodvest Group, which controls the Findus brand. According to The Sunday Telegraph, the private equity giant has approached CapVest, owner of Foodvest, about a possible takeover. Permira acquired Birds Eye from Unilever in 2006 for around £1.6bn.

News of the World: Boffins have engineered a new variety of broccoli that tastes like peas and dubbed Bellaverde, claims the News of the World. “We think this is a great way of introducing kids to the health benefits of broccoli,” said Sainsbury’s product technologist Joann Hipperson. “It is naturally sweeter and combines the health benefits of broccoli with a flavour that is similar to peas.” 

The Times: UK consumers are battling the economic downturn by staying at home with ready-meals and bottles of New World wine, The Times reported. Sales at John Lewis and Waitrose were up by 1.2% on last year as punters shunned restaurants. “The trend for home entertaining was strongly evident, with unit sales of the As Good As Going Out range up 38% on last year,” said the retailer.

The Daily Telegraph: Dairylea manufacturer Kraft has shrunk the size of its cheese slices in response to global food inflation, writes the Daily Telegraph. The US food giant has reduced its eight-slice Dairylea pack from 180g to 160g. “If prices of consumers’ favourite food go up they go ‘crikey’ but do they notice its size shrinking? It’s less likely,” said market analyst Jake Shepherd.

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