Saccharin daily intake threshold almost doubles post EFSA review
Safe daily intake limits for saccharin have been almost doubled by the European Food Safety Authority following a new review on the sweetener.
Energy & sports drinks
Innovation watch: Natural clean energy drinks
Health conscious consumers don’t want sugar-laden, taurine energy drinks: but they still want a burst of energy to keep them powering through their day. How are brands providing that better-for-you buzz?
Molson Coors takes majority stake in ZOA Energy
Molson Coors Beverage Company is taking a majority ownership stake in ZOA, the better-for-you energy brand co-founded by Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson.
Celsius boosts production capabilities with acquisition of Big Beverages Contract Manufacturing
Celsius Holdings – the company behind premium lifestyle energy drink Celsius – has acquired Big Beverages Contract Manufacturing L.L.C.
EO3 sports drink eyes greater U.S. success as new production comes online
With 120 professional teams and clubs across the world already using the product and U.S.-based production facilities coming online, omega-3 sports nutrition brand EO3 is anticipating greater success in North America.
Keurig Dr Pepper to acquire energy drink business GHOST
Keurig Dr Pepper is making its largest investment to date with the acquisition of GHOST: a sports nutrition business led by GHOST Energy.
The future of sports drinks in Europe: What do companies need to know?
Following the European elections in June, the next five years will bring changes for many industries – including sports drinks. As the European Specialist Sports Nutrition Alliance (ESSNA) gears up to publish its manifesto, ESSNA chair Luca Bucchini...
Broader horizons: China’s EastRoc on shift from energy drink specialisation to multi-beverage portfolio
China energy drink heavyweight EastRoc is moving to a multi-beverage portfolio, hoping to establish itself as a leader in the wider beverage industry and not just the energy category.
Protein Rebel launches seawater magnesium for runners
Endurance-sport nutrition brand, Protein Rebel, has launched an on-trend seawater-sourced magnesium citrate powder for runners' recovery.
M&A activity reveals dominance of sports nutrition
Sports nutrition is proving profitable as it dominates the current mergers and acquisitions market. But what’s next for this major food and beverage trend?
Huel and Zoe in hot water with advertising watchdog over testimonials
The UK’s advertising watchdog took issue with exactly who provided the testimonials for the fast-growing brands' Facebook ads: Steven Bartlett, a TV personality who has a commercial interest in each company.
Coca-Cola boosts Powerade production in Australia
Powerade grew an impressive 12% in Australia over the last year. As a result, Coca-Cola Europacific Partners is ramping up production capabilities for the sports drink with its largest ever investment in Australian manufacturing.
Energy education: En-Theories highlights APAC consumer aversion towards ‘energy drinks’ as major challenge for sector
Thai-based natural energy drink brand En-Theories has highlighted the paradox between a rising demand for better-for-you beverage options and consumer aversion towards the term ‘energy drinks’ as a major challenge for healthier, more natural alternatives...
Ancient Drinks expands retail presence on West Coast, uses ‘hyperbole’ to differentiate in sports drink category
Ancient Drinks is taking its first major step beyond its direct-to-consumer roots and into retailers on the West Coast and the Southwest, including natural retailers Lassens and Good Earth Markets, as it tries to rewrite the sports drink branding...
Are sweeteners good or bad for the planet?
Research suggests some could be more harmful to the environment than others.
Could sugarcane super crop cut cost of sugar?
The cost of sugar has increased sharply in recent years. Now researchers believe gene editing could boost supplies. But how, and what does this mean for manufacturers?
UK could ban sales of energy drinks to under 16s
The Labour Party says it will ban the sale of energy drinks to under 16s if it wins the UK’s General Election next month.
Sugar overload: Thai students exceeding WHO limits, researchers warn of chronic health issues
A majority of Thai students are consuming more added sugar than is recommended by the WHO, but researchers did not find a link with increased BMI.
Sugarcane industry faces threat from South Africa's sugar tax
SA Canegrowers says South Africa's sugar tax is hurting the livelihoods of small-scale farmers.
How much sugar is really consumed globally? And how much do shoppers care?
New data reveals the countries with the highest appetite for the sweet stuff and how much those sweet-toothed consumers worry about their intake
Do soda taxes reduce childhood obesity?
The potential of sugar-sweetened beverage taxes to tackle childhood obesity has been a key rationale for their introduction. How effective are they?
‘Building consumption’: Unilever India banks on milk deflation, accessibility investments to boost nutrition brands reach
Hindustan Unilever India (HUL) hopes that recent deflation in milk prices as well as investments to make its nutrition brands such as Horlicks and Boost more accessible will aid its financial performance.
Clean power: Nightwatch energy drink highlights all-natural ingredients for ‘new generation’ of plant-based consumers
Dutch brand Nightwatch is aiming to ride the plant-based wave in Asia by launching an all-natural, and caffeine-free energy drink for ethically-minded consumers.
Indian regulator clamps down on e-commerce sites selling “health drinks”
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is clamping down on e-commerce websites selling “health drinks”, as there are currently no regulations set in place for such products.
Startup Spotlight
Update disrupts RTD energy drink category with star ingredient that promises energy minus the jitters
Update is redefining the energy drink category with its star ingredient, paraxanthine, a metabolite of caffeine that provides the uplifting benefits of caffeine without the negative side effects, company Co-founder and CEO Daniel Solomons told...
mio’s brand refresh highlights simplicity in the energy drink category
Mio liquid water enhancers’ brand refresh blends flavor and function to provide a simple solution for consumers with multiple beverage needs, as well as bright packaging that communicates wellness, Samantha Mills, director of brand communications for mio...
Coca-Cola fights ‘flat to modest growth’ in North America with innovation, in-store displays & RGM
The Coca-Cola Company anticipates “flat to modest growth in volume” in North America despite characterizing the US consumer as “in good shape” with only modest “compression” among lower-income shoppers, and reporting positive response to stepped-up...
Sugar tax support in Australia: Messaging needs to go beyond ‘concerns over practices in the food industry’ – Study
Targeted messaging based on personal characteristics and demographics might have more success in garnering support for controversial sugar taxes than focusing on the impact to the food industry, claim researchers in Australia. Several countries in...
US recycling laws ‘a growing pain point’ for food producers, says FoodChain ID
With regulators pushing for improved recyclability and reduced packaging waste, how should manufacturers navigate the latest regulations and packaging trends?
PepsiCo struggles with slower US volumes in Q1 2024, challenges persist in beverage business
PepsiCo is sticking with its fiscal 2024 guidance, after releasing its first-quarter results yesterday, which showed fresh challenges for the food and beverage giant as volumes decreased across its core US businesses amid fierce competition and ongoing...
How to accelerate your startup journey in a crowded marketplace
BeyondSKU Accelerator is calling for innovative New Yorkers to join its upcoming cohort. Do you have what it takes?
The global picture: How widespread are sugar taxes?
Sugar-sweetened beverage taxes are no longer a novel policy tool. A deep delve into the data throws up some surprises...
‘The right moment’: Unilever’s Liquid I.V. capitalising on China’s thriving electrolyte drinks sector
Unilever says the launch of its hydration brand Liquid I.V. into China earlier this year came at “the right moment”, citing recent rapid growth in the country’s electrolyte beverage sector as a key factor.
News
New research suggests sweeteners do not increase appetite
Artificial sweeteners do not increase your appetite, according to a new study by researchers at the University of Leeds.
Carving out the white spaces in functional beverages
Brands that want to lead the next generation of functional beverages need to stop thinking about following the big trends: and instead set their sights on niche – but highly loyal – consumers. How do you identify these areas - and successfully build a...
CEO interview: The rise and rise of energy drink Celsius
Energy drink Celsius has seen sales rocket over the last few years - and it's on a trajectory for further growth. From gaining loyal consumers to international expansion plans, CEO John Fieldly reveals the brand’s secrets to success.
Vitamins & minerals in sports drinks: What companies need to know while navigating the latest EU legislative developments
In the last five years, European policymakers have been focused on creating healthier food systems and addressing some of the issues related to the fragmentation of food policies across the EU Single Market. One important policy initiative was the...
Bisphenol A exposure: Worse for kids with obesity?
Exposure to BPA, used to make epoxy resins to form protective coatings for food and beverage cans, has been linked to increased childhood obesity risks.
Natural Products Expo West
Expo West trendspotting: Functional benefits, purity testing help justify premium pricing as consumers navigate economic challenges
Emphasizing the value of exisiting products appeared to trump breakthrough innovation this year at Natural Products Expo West where many companies either introduced smaller sizes of existing SKUs to lower the entry point or more prominently called out...
Destressing through food: Can functional food help stress relief?
In our highly stressed-out age, functional food can be a way to ease the load. But where do we look for stress relief, and what foods do we consume?
Report reveals top trends in functional beverages
Consumers are demanding additional functional ingredients in beverages as they look for products to support their mental and physical energy while attaining hydration goals.
Zynamite goes water soluble with non-stim energy for functional beverages
PLT Health Solutions is introducing a water-soluble version of its Zynamite ingredient to serve the surging demand for sports, energy and hydration beverages in the North American market.
Everyday concepts tap the four pillars of active nutrition
Givaudan is tapping into the active nutrition market with flavour-focused food and drink concepts to appeal to the broader demand for immunity, relaxation, focus and physical health.
Connecticut seeks to ban energy drink sales to children once again, amid caffeine content concerns
Connecticut lawmakers once again seek to ban the sale of energy drinks to consumers younger than 16 years, as regulators and researchers raise concerns about the negative health impact of caffeine.
Electrolytes in the spotlight: China’s food industry association to set industry standards for drinks
China National Food Industry Association (CNFIA) is to set industry standards for electrolyte beverages, including its definition, technical and manufacturing, testing, labelling, and packaging requirements.
CAGNY 2024
PepsiCo builds out an ‘ecosystem of solutions,’ doubles down on positive choices
PepsiCo is expanding beyond snacks and beverages by going after more meal occasions and dayparts while continuing towards its nutrient goals outlined in its pep+ agenda, CEO Ramon Laguarta said at the Consumer Analyst Group of New York conference this week.
How much does exercise offset the cardiovascular risks of sugar-sweetened drinks?
When we exercise, we often hope to offset some of the negative effects of the unhealthy foods that we’ve eaten while we do so. However, when it comes to sugar-sweetened drinks, exercise might not be enough to offset the significant increase in...
‘Store brands as a brand': FedUp Foods co-founder sees sustainability, functional opportunity in private-label beverages
Private-label is shaking off its fast-follower status as partnerships between manufacturers and brands become stronger, allowing for quicker innovation that responds to consumers' demand for endurable and functional products, Andreas Schneider,...
Ghost launches hydration beverage with full disclosure and zero caffeine
Lifestyle sports nutrition brand Ghost is expanding its footprint in the hydration category with the addition of a ready-to-drink beverage in a range of fruity flavors.
Ireland introduces Deposit Return Scheme
Ireland’s Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) – a nationwide money-back initiative for plastic bottles and aluminum cans – launches this month in a bid to improve recycling rates.