Indonesia might be taking a novel approach to implementing a sugar tax: if a proposal in front of parliament goes ahead, it will lump an additional levy on soft drinks in with environmental protection measures to fill a gaping hole in public finances.
Beer giants such as AB InBev, Constellation Brands, Molson Coors and Carlsberg are all vying to grab a slice of the seltzer action. How will the entry of Big Beer transform the category in 2020?
In a sea of US craft distilleries perfecting bourbon, scotch and tequila, Holla Spirits is turning its attention to vodka. Rare savory ingredients like jalapenos and pickle brine are taking a stab at reinventing the category.
Starbucks and Nestlé believe they can bring a premium sparkle to the instant coffee category with the global launch of Starbucks branded premium instant coffee this month.
Dover Corporation has acquired Systech International (Systech), which will now join Markem-Imaje, product identification and traceability business, as part of Dover’s Imaging and Identification segment.
Germany, the UK and the US import the most wine in the world; while Italy, France and Spain produce the most. Sparkling wine is also topping trends as a favorite among younger drinkers.
The mass market is already convinced that fermented food and drink is healthy but the more mass produced these products become the less likely they are to offer health benefits, meaning consumers could lose faith, so better science and education are needed...
Chinese tea brand, Nayuki is betting on consumers’ increasing health awareness to drive the sales of its ‘healthier’ sugar-free and fruit tea series in China.
The Australian Competition & Consumer Commission says it will not oppose the proposed acquisition of Lion Dairy & Drinks Pty Ltd by China Mengniu Dairy Company Ltd.
UK retailer Tesco says that until recently, kefir was a niche dairy product in the UK - bought mainly by Eastern European shoppers, a region where it is very popular.
Carbonated beverages sweetened with sugar, natural or artificial sweeteners will be taxed in British Columbia under the Provincial Sales Tax Act as of July this year.
In Asia, where tea is taken very seriously indeed, a flurry of research has been suggesting new and exciting ways that tea is incredibly good for the body.
Heineken Spain has signed a long-term power purchase agreement (PPA) with energy supplier Iberdrola: ensuring 100% renewable electricity for its four breweries as of October this year.
Lucozade Ribena Suntory has launched a new high-speed bottling line at its Coleford, UK, factory: which is capable of filling 55,000 bottles an hour for its Lucozade and Ribena brands.
Australian craft distilling company Natural Distilling Co has chosen to use hemp as the main ingredient for its first two product launches, as it intensifies efforts in using local, natural and sustainable superfood ingredients to innovate in the craft...
The sale of alcohol in the US passes through a three-tiered system: producers, distributors and retailers. For years this has impacted alcohol’s digital presence, forcing consumers to shop brick-and-mortar or turn to third parties.
Sugary drink consumption in Chile fell nearly a quarter after the country introduced a raft of regulatory measures on foods high in sugar, fat, salt and calorie content. The affect was slightly greater among middle and high socioeconomic groups.
Jindilli Beverages produces a palm and dairy-free alternative to milk, creamers and butter under its Milkadamia brand. The company’s CEO shares his views on the need to challenge the prevalence of products containing dairy and palm oil for the health...
Wolf’s Ridge Brewing in Ohio has been setting a sustainability precedent for independent craft beer brands. Managing waste through composting has been their biggest success and advice to their fellow brewers.
Carlsberg's alcohol-free brews increased 7% in volume in 2019. Craft brands also delivered well with a 16% jump, against a backdrop of core beer falling 1%.
In the face of health and wellness concerns and low-to-no alcohol trends, craft brewers of heavy, boozy beer are rethinking their methods. Line extensions and new packaging formats are the advice of Massachusetts-based Night Shift Brewing.
UAE’s dairy giant, Al Ain Farms has launched its first bottled water product that is lower in sodium, in a bid to improve the country’s food security and health situation.
The National Coffee Association is pushing back against the 2020 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee’s plan to evaluate the health impact of drinking coffee with “enhancers,” such as cream and sugar, for fear that it will “confound” the assessment of...
Makers of the Brizzy hard seltzer drink have filed a trademark infringement lawsuit against Molson Coors, who plans to release a hard seltzer called Vizzy this year.
Bacardi is enlisting the help of 7,000 global employees to track new trends in cocktails and wider alcohol by sending them to local bars and restaurants. This year mindful drinking is expected to go mainstream, and natural, fresh ingredients will be at...
Local cider sales in the US are up 15% since last year. And despite recent challenges from hard seltzer and FMBs, regional ciders are tracking double-digit growth. The industry now focuses on conveying the diversity of the cider category.
Japan’s Asahi Breweries is focusing on its beer business this year, as it seeks to replicate its sales of JPY 666 billion (US$6 billion) in 2019, despite a forecast of 2% decrease in Japan’s overall beer market.
Coca-Cola New Zealand have announced a goal to reduce the amount of sugar in its beverages by 20% by 2025, including Sprite, Fanta, Powerade, Kiwi Blue water, Pump, Keri Juice as well as its Coca-Cola range.
Million-dollar commercials, glitzy halftime performances and a championship football game all come together in one of alcohol’s biggest holidays of the year. Every year, Americans prepare for Super Bowl Sunday with more than $2bn in booze sales.
Perrier has partnered with SoScience, which connects people from the worlds of Science, Innovation and Technology, to support three start-ups who have the potential to change the future of packaging.
American consumers are increasingly looking for products with a focus on simple, high-quality ingredients and sustainability. And a group of Italian companies believe their products are ready to meet these demands: with their drinks on show at the Winter...
Energy drink consumers show the same biased decision-making processes often seen in people addicted to alcohol, tobacco, drugs and chocolate, say researchers, but the amount they drink does not reduce through cognitive modification techniques.
Tapping into the wide market of functional nootropic ingredients, startup beverage brand Sun Chaser leverages L-theanine and cordyceps for an alcohol alternative.
A new 3% ABV craft IPA from Goose Island Beer Company will be the brewery’s first low-calorie and low-alcohol option. It’s going nationwide across the US and into Canada this year.
By Steve Spice, Regulatory Manager at Ashbury Labelling
'Alcohol-free' in the EU means drinks with 0.5% ABV or below - and yet in the UK 'alcohol-free' drinks must be below 0.05% ABV. Steve Spice, Regulatory Manager at Ashbury Labelling looks at the different low and no alcohol descriptors...
New Zealand wants to be number 1 in the world for lower alcohol wine: with a first-of-its-kind $17m ($11m USD) programme to revolutionise the category currently under way.
Dry January has provided the perfect launchpad for new products in the no and low alcohol sector. We take a look at some of the new beverages hoping to win over consumers around the globe.
Hoplark’s HopTea brand replaces malt in its beverage brewing process with a tea base for a line of non-alcoholic beer alternatives. Its latest grapefruit variety mimics the radler style.
