ORLANDO, FLA.—Sweden’s Bluewater water purification brand launched its SuperiorOsmosis water cleaners to the residential and professional market in North America. Bluewater’s SuperiorOsmosis water purification technology is designed to generate clean water 24 hours a day as and when required, using little energy and slashing the water wastage commonly associated with traditional reverse osmosis systems.“Bluewater’s SuperiorOsmosis addresses consumer fears about the quality of their tap water by efficiently cleaning it of toxins, chlorine, bacteria and viruses, salt, heavy metals, nitrates and fluoride, hard water, arsenic, and poor taste and smell,” said Niclas Wullt, Bluewater chief executive.Speaking at the Bluewater launch...

YAO NOI, THAILAND—In support of Six Senses core values of sustainability and respect for the environment, Six Senses Yao Noi has launched an organic chicken farm. In January the resort purchased 200 young laying hens and as of April 2014 the farm now provides guests with fresh eggs daily. By June, it is estimated that the chickens will supply the resort with all their eggs.Jim Driskell, senior chef de cuisine at The Dining Room, the resort’s organic European cuisine restaurant, in conjunction with Khun Pim, the resort’s full time sustainability and recycling expert, developed the organic chicken farm from...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—As part of its efforts to support sustainability practices in the foodservice industry, the National Restaurant Association announced it has joined Share the Gulf, a coalition of chefs, restaurateurs, restaurant associations, seafood suppliers, fishermen, consumers and environmentalists working to protect their access to fish in the Gulf States.“The fresh, local seafood of the Gulf States is essential to the growth of the region’s economy and its varied foodservice businesses,” said Scott DeFife, Executive Vice President of Policy and Government Affairs for the National Restaurant Assn. “We are committed to helping ensure this seafood is not only fished sustainably...

VERNON HILLS, ILL.—Ali Group North America announced that it has reorganized its refrigeration segment in North America by creating a new “Refrigeration Division.” The new Division will support and promote Ali Group North America’s two refrigeration brands, Beverage-Air and Victory Refrigeration, while also allowing both brands to maintain their respective identities.Announcing this new Division, Filippo Berti, Ali Group North America CEO said: “In order to better serve and support our customers, we have decided to create our new Refrigeration Division, dedicated to delivering a complete range of refrigeration solutions for the foodservice industry. The newly formed sector will promote...

RIPON, WIS.—IPSO now provides on-premises laundry (OPL) managers with the IT200, a 200-pound tumble dryer, to complement the 140-, 165- and 175-pound washer-extractors. On-premises laundry employees can now improve throughput with the extra capacity and have the added benefit of the intuitive OPTimum technology.“We are proud to introduce the new industrial-strength 200-pound tumble dryer to the IPSO OPL line,” says Kathryn Q. Rowen, North American Sales Manager for IPSO. “We strive to constantly innovate and update product lines so that our OPL managers have the equipment they need to achieve peak efficiency and minimize expenses.” The IT200 tumble dryer...

TRAVELERS REST, S.C.—T&S Brass and Bronze Works, manufacturer of commercial plumbing and foodservice products for a worldwide market, announced that six of its high-efficiency pre-rinse spray valves have been selected for WaterSense labeling by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The agency recently announced eight recommended spray valves, six of which are manufactured by T&S Brass. Those models include the EB-0107-J, EB-0107-C, B-0108-C, B-0107-J, B-0107-C, and equip 5SV-C.“After successfully completing third-party performance testing and certification earlier this year, the T&S design engineering team takes great pride in receiving the coveted WaterSense recognition for these high-efficiency pre-rinse spray valves,” said T&S...

CHICAGO—Cintas Corp., the largest uniform supplier in North America, has introduced its 2014 Uniform Collection. The Uniform Collection features more than 70 new colors and styles and is the first collection to include shoes and branded promotional products. Together with the company’s new website, the Uniform Collection offers retail-inspired apparel and products for professionals in multiple industries, including healthcare, gaming, hospitality and foodservice.In response to fashion trends featuring shades of grey, Cintas introduced the color within its Regeneration Suiting Collection and Velocity Housekeeping Collection, both made out of recycled polyester. These collections enable organizations to outfit staff in charcoal...

BOGOTA, COLOMBIA—Five years in the planning, the Biohotel Organic Suites is just one month from opening in Bogota, Colombia in the district of Usaquen, known as the culinary and cultural hub of the city. The seven-story, 72-room property is “my retirement plan,” says Samuel Huertas, majority owner. Huertas is aiming for LEED Gold certification for the hotel that includes the Green Piece restaurant and meeting space to accommodate up to 150 people.True to its name, the Biohotel Organic Suites is green throughout. The exterior of the building features windows made from recycled glass and vertical “gardens” that help to...

FALLS CHURCH, VA.—A recent benchmarking survey commissioned by the Foodservice Packaging Institute (FPI) finds widespread but varied acceptance of foodservice packaging by material recovery facilities.“We are encouraged by the number of material recovery facilities already accepting various foodservice packaging,” said FPI President Lynn M. Dyer. “We have found that both the industry and consumers often think these products are not recycled. This study not only refutes that assumption but shows promise for increased acceptance.”Responses from nearly 70 material recovery facilities, called MRFs, in the United States and Canada showed that the three most accepted products are cup sleeves, pizza...

STAMFORD, CONN.—As part of its ongoing commitment to sustainability, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. announced that, beginning July 2014, it will no longer procure shark fin in any of its nearly 1,200 hotels or 1,300 restaurants around the world. The company has committed to completely eliminating the consumption of shark fin, without exception, in all restaurants and food and beverage services across its global portfolio by year-end. Starwood is the first global hotel operator to take this strong stand and commit to banning the ingredient across its entire portfolio.“At Starwood, we believe economic growth and the well-being of...