Latest news

Late June sees Northern Ireland's award-winning Tickety-Moo make its much anticipated debut in the UK's major multiples. Sainsburys has been quick to support this young, independently-minded ice cream producer who they believe possesses all the raw ingredients necessary to become a real hit within the UK's highly competitive freezer fixture.

Northern Ireland based Fivemiletown Creamery has gained the coveted ???New Supplier of the Year Award' from Sainsburys. The award is in recognition for Fivemiletown's Taste the Difference Ballyoak for Sainsburys and the new An Brie Beag, ???the small brie' that was supplied exclusively to the supermarket leader last Christmas.

An innovative smoothie drink that is free from dairy and cholesterol, has no added sugar and is low in fat was launched by Jackaboo, a recently established Killyleagh company, on the Invest Northern Ireland stand at the big Caffe Culture exhibition in London last week.

Five Northern Ireland companies, including major processors of red meat and dairy products, are being assisted by Invest Northern Ireland to explore new business opportunities at the big Private Label Manufacturers Association (PLMA) exhibition in Amsterdam on 26-27 May.

Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster has said food and drink processing has become a key dynamo in driving manufacturing in Northern Ireland.

Tea lovers in Japan will soon be able to savour a unique ???Belfast Brew' blended by the award winning Suki Tea company.

Frylite, Ireland's leading vegetable oil supplier and waste cooking oil collector, marks 21 years in business with the launch of a brand new range of authentic, Italian olive oils. These oils, which are new to the Irish market, have been especially sourced from Cremonini oils, a brand that is now sold in 150 countries across the world.

Healthier smoothies will be launched by Northern Ireland food industry newcomer Jackaboo at the Caffe Culture show in London's Earls Court.

Smaller food and beverage companies in Armagh, Fermanagh and Tyrone are being assisted by Invest Northern Ireland to exploit sales opportunities through a new market intelligence service and advice on how best to get their products to Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland. They will also be briefed on how best to tender for business from the health service.

Asda has added a taste of rural Fermanagh to its Ethnic Ireland promotion at around 20 UK stores. The retailer has listed five bacon and ham products from Flynns Fine Foods to its chilled cabinets.