News & Analysis for the Beverage Industry
The UK government is considering extending its Soft Drinks Industry Levy to milk-based drinks and plant-based alternatives: putting milkshakes and RTD coffee in the firing line. Will this move go ahead - and could other governments consider doing the same?
The kefir maker’s board of directors has adopted a shareholder rights plan in a bid to avoid a hostile takeover.
Singaporean brand Re.juve’s ability to navigate cold pressed juices’ transition from being a trendy detox drink to a daily staple for meeting nutrient gaps, as well as support from loyal customers, have been crucial for its survival.
Millie’s tea bag broths, made with herbs, spices and dehydrated vegetables landed in 2,000 Walmart stores last month, marking a major milestone for the brand as it disrupts the tea and broth categories.
Analyzing DNA remnants of Bronze-Age kefir cheese, Chinese researchers discovered how kefir strains have evolved and the likely route of kefir into Europe.
Suja Life rebranded its line of Suja Organic cold-pressed juices and wellness shots to simplify the product’s functionality and flavors as the company grows into more occasions and dayparts with its acquisition of soda brand Slice.
From probiotic and prebiotic sodas to kefir and kombucha, what are the latest innovations in gut health beverage NPD?
Zero-proof beverages are gaining market traction as health-conscious consumers moderate their alcohol consumption while many shoppers also seek out functional foods to combat stress and anxiety, market research company Circana shared in a recent webinar...
What are the top trends driving the global beverage alcohol market forward - and how can we expect the industry to evolve?
When Ben Goodwin founded OLIPOP in 2018, his mission was to reshape the US’ soda addiction with a healthier alternative. This year, the brand is featured in Time100’s Most Influential Companies 2024. How has Goodwin built both a beverage brand – and a...
Pernod Ricard has acquired a minority stake in Almave: the non-alcoholic blue agave-based spirit brand co-founded by Formula One star Lewis Hamilton.
The Vietnamese government has drafted new regulations proposing a phased increase on excise taxes for alcoholic beverages to 100% by 2030 as well as 10% for sugar-sweetened beverages, in attempts to curb overconsumption as well as boosting national income.
Fast&Up is adding new variations of its electrolytes products, including ready-to-drink and powder stick packs, as it seeks to capture greater market share in the hydration sector.
TRACES has become the only wine officially endorsed by the global weight management company, WW, in the UK and Ireland. But its potential could go far beyond the program: does lower-calorie wine hold the key to appealing to the next generation of drinkers?
The world’s top orange production regions are struggling: putting pressure on the global supply of oranges for the juice industry. Beverage brands are finding innovative ways to deal with high costs and shortages.
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...
On a trajectory to become one of PepsiCo’s next billion-dollar brands, bubly has been making a splash as a fun-loving sparkling water brand. New launch bubly burst is set to expand the brand’s appeal by tapping into a market of consumers looking for...
German firm Haus Rabenhorst is looking to capitalise on the functional beverages trend with its range of nutrient-enriched juices, amid growing interest among consumers in Asia and Middle East.
News
The UK is to lift the current import tariff on California prune juice as it continues to navigate trade deals with its partners in the Indo-Pacific bloc.
Natural Products Expo West
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...
Creating a great alcohol-free product is one thing: growing and scaling that into a successful business is another thing entirely. In the last five years, Spirits of Virtue has perfected a range of products; expanded to 16 countries including the US (a...
Canadian non-alcoholic beer Partake Brewing was launched in 2017: and now sells its brews across Canada and the US. Evan Cohen, President and Chief Commercial Officer, looks at the two markets in this series on innovators in the low/no alcohol industry.
It's January - meaning the spotlight is well and truly on the low and no alcohol category. The latest data from IWSR sets the scene and pinpoints where future growth is most likely to come from.
New Zealand-founded hard seltzer brand Everyday Weekend is aiming to seize growth opportunities in the ready-to-drink (RTD) alcoholic beverages category across Asia through affordable pricing and community marketing strategies.
Non-alcoholic beverages continue to gain a foothold, cutting into the overall alcohol market, as brands like Longbottom, HOP WTR, and hiyo tap into consumer demands for quality, functionality, and health.
Fortification has the potential to provide abundant health benefits, endowing products with a higher level of important nutrients than they otherwise would have possessed. However, taste and texture can be affected by it, which can in turn affect...
Scientists have discovered a plant pigment in red wine that may be responsible for headaches: with the hope this knowledge could ultimately help winemakers create gentler drinks.
The challenges for plastic water bottles are clear: their environmental impact is leading to a consumer backlash and even potential regulatory restrictions. But the future isn’t about a few brands moving into alternative packaging formats: it’s about...
Against a backdrop of big-name sports drinks brands, how is the next generation of sports drinks finding a sweet spot in the booming market?
The global sports drink market is predicted to reach $36.35bn in 2028, demonstrating a CAGR of 4.2% thanks to interest from a wide range of consumers.
Natural Products Expo East
Once relegated to the bottom shelf in the back corner of a store or hidden among the sparkling water or cocktail mixers, non-alcoholic beer, wine and spirits are breaking free from the stereotypes of who drinks them and when, and in doing so are setting...
CBD brands are coming out in force to refute new advice from the UK Food Standards Agency (FSA), recommending adults should limit CBD consumption to 10mg per day, rather than 70mg.
National Association for Convenience Stores
To standout in a saturated category, Perfect Hydration highlights its functionality and recycling initiative as part of a brand refresh unveiled during the National Association for Convenience Stores in Atlanta, Ga., Oct. 3-6.
Australia’s Kommunity Brew believes that hemp has the potential to feature more widely in its NPD and innovation strategies, amidst the addition of more local acquisitions to its healthier beverage portfolio.
Labatt Breweries of Canada (AB InBev) becomes the distributor across Quebec of Duvernois Creative Spirits’ non-alcoholic portfolio, which features the Romeo's Gin non-alcoholic and Bockale brands.
The Scottish government wants to increase the Minimum Unit Price (MUP) of alcohol by 15 pence per unit to 65 pence: launching a consultation into the proposals this week.
The breakfast brand’s commitment to clean label – or as clean label as functionality allows – will see it through the current plant-based ‘shakedown’, co-founder and brand director Camilla Barnard tells FoodNavigator.
Sugar Reduction
FDA opened registration this week for a virtual public meeting and listening session it will hold Nov. 6-8 on strategies to reduce added sugar consumption, following a commitment it made last fall during the White House’s Conference on Hunger, Nutrition...
With entrances into new categories including water and energy - alongside a string of recent low and no sugar products and even functional gummies - Gatorade says its portfolio is the ‘most complete offering on the market today across energy, hydration,...
For many Americans living a fast-paced, on-the-go lifestyle, the meditative benefits of slowly sipping a hot mug of tea may be out of reach, but the health benefits and feeling of refreshment that come from a beverage brewed with adaptogenic, nootropic...
Energy drink newcomer Machu Pichu’s dual marketing message of finding balance and connecting to nature and community sets it apart in a category that heavily promotes extremes and individual gains, as does its organic flavor technology and natural...
Premium organic tea brand English Tea Shop has designated the Asia Pacific region as its next major target market after a decade of growth in Europe, citing growing consumer demands for premiumisation and products designed for gifting as strong drivers.
As adaptogens and mushrooms continue piquing the interest of health conscious and sober-curious consumers, the sparkling, functional mushroom beverage brand expanded its convenience and grocery retail presence so “more people are able to experience the...
Drinking beer could be good for your gut and immunity, stimulating healthy microbiota diversity thanks to the beneficial brew of compounds found in the fermented beverage.
A fifth of Americans plan to cut back on alcohol. What’s motivating them to drink less?
UK supermarket Waitrose is working with Diageo to introduce ‘bold, dedicated areas’ for low and no alcohol drinks in 253 shops across the UK.
In what is considered a landmark study, a team of international researchers has identified cancer risk – and other human health findings – associated with the production, use, and disposal of plastic.
Low-calorie beer, low-alcohol beer and gluten-free beer are all in the spotlight as beer consumers look for healthier options.
All of AB InBev’s beer products now include alcohol guidance labels: including markets where there is no legal mandate to do so. That makes it the largest voluntary guidance initiative every undertaken by a beer, wine or spirits company, says the beer...
Functional beverage brands could be forgiven for focusing on functionality over flavor – but they do so at their peril. Flavor has an important role to play in attracting consumers to the category and keeping them interested in the long term.