The combination of a paraprobiotic derived from kefir and a prebiotic obtained from grape seed flour has been found to have anti-obesity effects in a mouse model.
PepsiCo is launching Driftwell: a functional beverage containing L-theanine to promote relaxation. Representing PepsiCo’s fastest beverage brand ever to market, it was created through an internal idea pitch competition for employees.
Kirin and FANCL is set to release two new beverages in Japan this October, including one with a Food with Function (FFC) claim - their first such products since forming a business alliance last year.
Demand for food and beverage products that boost mood, memory, focus and energy is said to be soaring. However, food consultant Julian Mellentin warns that food innovators should tread lightly: “It's a high-risk market and many entrepreneurs are...
New Zealand clean label energy drink brand Phoric is resuming its nationwide launch after plans were put on hold during the COVID-19 lockdown earlier in March.
APAC’s probiotics sector is continuing to soar, but consumers are increasingly seeking applications beyond supplements and dairy, with honey, tea and coffee emerging as potential formats for innovation.
Consuming cranberry juice twice daily reduces the risk of an infection which can lead to stomach ulcers, according to a new clinical trial supported by a grant from the Cranberry Marketing Committee (CMC),
A health and hospitality enthusiast with a passion for naturopathic nutrition is bringing the ancient wisdom of medicinal mushroom to the modern consumer with her new range of adoptogenic alcohol-free beers.
Atomo Coffee – a Seattle-based startup that claims to have reverse engineered your morning joe to make an awesome cup of coffee without using beans – has raised an extra $9m in seed funding, bringing its cumulative funding to $11.6m, with plans to bring...
Regular caffeine consumption induces very limited anti-inflammatory effects, while sedentary behaviour and body fat accumulation induce significant inflammatory effects, according to a new study involving nearly 250 men and women.
Although coffee is drunk by 150 million Americans everyday, the idea of drinking a cup of joe to supplement a workout is still a young idea. But a small group of entrepreneurs, scientists, and sports performance specialists are hoping the niche category...
Organic wellness shot brand Vive Organic has raised $13m in a Series B round led by Monogram Capital, with participation from Cambridge SPG and Powerplant Ventures.
The US Food and Drug Administration will not object to the use of certain qualified health claims regarding consuming certain cranberry juice and supplements and a reduced risk of recurrent urinary tract infection (UTI) in healthy women.
Energy drink giant Red Bull believes that product localisation and development of the premium segment are logical next steps for the market in Asia Pacific, even as its original formulation continues to dominate sales.
Australia-based functional energy drink Kanguru recently launched in South Korea and has big ambitions to beat traditional local tonic drinks as well as conquer the late-night gaming and entertainment scene.
Emerging Minneapolis-based brand Jajja Wellness is exposing consumers to under-the-radar, yet nutritionally-powerful ingredients, from baobab to spirulina, with its expanding line of ready-to-drink tonics available online and in local retailers.
Orange juice may be a potential non‐dairy based carrier for the probiotic Lactobacillus sanfranciscensis, according to a study conducted by researchers in Australia.
The functional beverage trend will gain momentum in 2020 and beyond, according to FMCG Gurus, as consumers become more conscious about their health due to COVID-19.
At a time when many Americans are feeling emotionally, mentally and physically tapped by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and rising social unrest, Teeccino is launching two new “wellness” lines of its roasted herbal coffee that the founder says will...
Coronavirus has turned business models and consumer trends on their heads. However, the importance of innovation is not going to change: “Innovation will continue to be a source of future growth,” says Coca-Cola. But the direction of innovation - and...
Legumes, cereals, pseudocereals, fruits, and vegetables show much promise as transport mediums for probiotics, prebiotics, and bioactive compounds to the gut at concentrations that prove beneficial, says researchers.
A new functional beverage has debuted in a category where few other supplements have ventured—crafting products to help consumers who are at risk of developing kidney stones.
Functional food and beverages that are seen to improve mental health could be set to be a ‘recession proof’ sector, claims market researcher MMR. It says its new data highlights innovation opportunities as consumers seek new strategies to manage their...
A new blackcurrant anti-pollution 'smart drink' from New Zealand is to be created and assessed for its potential to combat air pollution and improve performance in athletes as part of an industry/academia collaboration.
Japan’s Taisho Pharmaceutical Holdings has released Japan’s first caffeine-free energy drink containing the botanical ingredient, enXtra, which has been clinically proven to improve alertness and focus up to five hours with or without caffeine.
The CBD market is now one of the fastest growing wellbeing product categories in the UK. Holly Finnegan, Regulatory Affairs Advisor at Ashbury, looks at the CBD market, the complicated regulatory situation and lack of labelling enforcement surrounding...
Japan’s Suntory has launched a new beverage approved under the food with function claim (FFC) scheme, which is said to supress the post-meal absorption of carbohydrates, particularly sugar.
Monk fruit (Luo Han Guo) is best known as a source of high intensity natural sweeteners, but it could also emerge as an intriguing new source of fiber, claims Ingredients by Nature, which has developed a ‘sweet fiber’ from the pomace of monk fruit called...
The cannabis drug was federally legalized in Canada in 2018, and edibles in 2019, but the market has so far been slow to take off. Brands struggle with product preservation and are looking for more guidance from Health Canada.
For many, alcohol-free beer or spirits doesn’t ‘feel’ quite right, according to YesMore account director Lolly Watkins. Does CBD have the potential to remedy this issue for consumers?
The coronavirus crisis is a massive blow to many small businesses. But some start-ups have quickly adjusted to the new reality: ramping up online sales or swiftly making new marketing strategies. We talk to four entrepreneurs who may have had to throw...
As the coronavirus outbreak continues to spread, beverage brands are donating their money, time and products to keep their communities afloat in uncertain times. Here's just some of the initiatives that have emerged this week.
New ready-to-drink cold brew from Italian coffee company illy was set to debut at Expo West this month. But despite the cancellation, plans are moving forward with the hopes of attracting younger customers to the upscale brand.
Plant-based milk alternative brand Elmhurst 1925 had big plans for Natural Products Expo West before its postponement earlier this month. However, its oat-based single serves, lattes and creamers will still launch in the US on schedule.
Molson Coors is stacking its hard seltzer portfolio with the announcement of the Leinenkugel’s Spritzen. It claims to be the first to a new category, beer brewed with fruity seltzer.
The dominance of red wine in China can be attributed to the cultural symbolism of auspiciousness and prosperity associated with the colour, according to a local industry expert.
Five weeks ahead of the start date, the Brewers Association has canceled the 2020 Craft Brewers Conference and World Beer Cup events, that were set to take place in San Antonio, Texas.
In an announcement that will not likely surprise many stakeholders, New Hope has decided to cancel (rather than postpone) the Natural Products Expo West trade show in Anaheim and focus its attention on Expo East in Philadelphia (Sept. 23-26).
While the US oatmilk category is still in its infancy, it’s growing at an explosive rate,* says Oatly, the Swedish brand seeking to take the US market by storm. But can it keep up with demand?
The low-to-no alcoholic (LNA) beverage industry is growing rapidly in Europe, the United Kingdom and the United States, and as of late this trend appears to have also caught on in the APAC region, with various major beverage firms launching their own...
Eight weeks intake of fermented citrus juice containing lactic acid bacteria has been found to reduce nasal symptoms and increase regulatory T cells (Tregs) in Japanese adults during the peak pollen season.
Ficks Beverage Co. wants to transform the flavor quality in hard seltzer without malt liquor or flavors. It takes cues from health-forward, non-alcoholic seltzers by using only fruit juice and no chemical additives.
