The company claims that by supplying either its ‘Activating’ or ‘Tasteful’ water designs to manufacturers, it can help drink makers to provide lower-calorie soft drinks with specific nutritional functionality.
A spokesperson for the company said that amidst large growth within the functional waters segment in particular, there was burgeoning demand for product that can claim added nutritional value or benefits.
Of the two new products being offered to manufacturers, the company says its ‘Activating’ product can provide energy to consumers in two different phases. The manufacturer claims this has been possible by using more immediate acting stimulants like caffeine, green coffee beans and dextrose, with fructose and fibre that function over a longer-term period.
In terms of the group’s ‘Tasteful’ water, Wild says it can produce a water consisting of three per cent fruit juice to offer a clear product, flavoured through its Fruit Up natural sweetener brand.
The company claims the range has been designed to provide a low glycemic index (GI) that can better keep blood sugar levels and energy constant, all whilst maintaining natural ingredients claims for brands.
All round innovation
A Wild spokesperson told BeverageDaily.com that the focus itself represents a wider company focus on providing water-based drinks that were increasingly innovative not just in taste, but functionality and nutrition.
However, in adding stimulants like caffeine to its portfolio of products, the manufacturer says it does not expect to open itself up to similar criticism seen for other types of stimulant soft drinks, particularly like some leading energy beverage brands.
The company spokesperson claims that the amounts of caffeine in the product remain below levels under EU law requiring labelling in regards to possible health concerns relating to safe consumption of the stimulant.
“In ‘Activating’ water, caffeine is present in small, but recognisable levels,” states the spokesperson.