The ABV threshold at which kombucha switches from a non-alcoholic beverage to what is effectively 'beer' for tax purposes is currently set at 0.5%. The KOMBUCHA Act, reintroduced to Congress by Representative Earl Blumenauer (D-OR-3) and Senator...
Two years after acquiring it as part of its $465m deal to buy CytoSport, PepsiCo has embarked on a refresh of plant-based protein brand EVOLVE with new packaging and formulations to help it stand out in a category “experiencing broader acceptance.”
Sports nutritionists are hailing the benefits of timing caffeine consumption after a new study found its intake 30 mins before exercise increased the rate of oxidation or "burning" of fat during aerobic exercise.
South Korea has published a list of almost 3,000 food and beverage products which are banned from being sold on school grounds for being too high in calories and low in nutritional value, or high in caffeine in the government’s latest attempt to ensure...
India-based Rage Coffee, maker of vitamin-infused instant coffee, is targeting a tripling of revenue from US$2m to US$5.5m/6m by the end of 2021 – just three years after launching.
Hard seltzers continue to spring onto shelves; but there's also innovation with 'mind-cooling drinks' and plant-powered energy drinks. We take a look at some of the new products hitting the shelves around the globe.
Juice firms in Australia have been advised to turn to blending their products with lower fructose fruits or vegetables in order to raise health star ratings (HSR), after a damaging ministerial decision to reduce the health rating of juices.
Yakult Honsha is expanding sales of its Yakult 1000 product – a probiotic drink containing its proprietary Lactobacillus casei strain Shirota and formulated to relive stress and improve sleep across the whole of Japan.
Heineken UK’s Manchester brewery is using millions of pints of beer – which was unable to be sold with the COVID-19 closure of the on-trade – to power its operations.
Coca-Cola Amatil (Amatil) is putting its sale to Coca-Cola European Partners (CCEP) to the vote next month, and the company has told shareholders the deal is as good as it gets, warning that share prices could fall if it doesn’t go ahead.
Flow Water founder Nicholas Reichenbach launched with some pretty lofty ambitions (cue comparisons to Fiji, Evian, building the ‘Tesla of water’ and becoming an ‘iconic’ brand). But if you’re going to get into a business as capital intensive as bottled...
Corona is launching sustainable, renewable packaging made from surplus barley straw in South America this month, an innovation that it hopes to roll out globally in the future.
By Émilie Steckenborn, founder and host of the Bottled in China podcast
A significant proportion of wine's carbon footprint comes from packaging. Could paper bottles reduce its impact? In this guest article, Émilie Steckenborn asks whether a transition to paper could happen in the near future.
ACE, The Alliance for Beverage Cartons and the Environment, and its members SIG Combibloc, BillerudKorsnäs, Elopak, Stora Enso and Tetra Pak, have set the industry’s vision for the future, aiming to deliver the most sustainable packaging for resilient...
Processed fruit products and wines topped the list of food and beverage imports into South Korea last year, whereas past star performers beer and imported kimchi numbers suffered severe drops as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Are virtual experiences a second best or a new premium? What's next for D2C after a pandemic boom? Jon Reay, founder and CEO of Rewrite Digital, shares four key insights in this guest article.
Often called “industry killers” by the mainstream media, Millennials and Gen Zers of legal age are drinking less alcohol than any generation before them. Jin Kim, CEO of Creative Digital Agency, explores how to reach these cohorts in this guest article....
Swedish investment company Novax has acquired a majority stake in Ulrick & Short, a UK producer of sustainable and healthier 'clean label' food and food ingredients.
By Adrian Lugg, founder and Managing Director of Hop Hut Marketing
It might sound counterintuitive, but working together with your competitors is the best way to grow your brand, says Adrian Lugg, founder and MD of Hop Hut Marketing, in this guest article.
It’s milk, but not as we know it, Jim… To be precise, GoodSport is dairy milk, but with the protein and fat removed via ultra-filtration, leaving a clear sugary fluid loaded with electrolytes and vitamins. But does this upcycled elixir (better known as...
A keen sense of taste and smell is a fundamental part of being an oenologist - or working just about anywhere in the wine industry. So what happens when a professional - who depends on these senses - loses them from COVID-19?
New research concludes women diagnosed with breast cancer are 85% more likely to die from the disease if they drink non-diet soda five or more times a week.
A new study has outlined one possible mechanism of action of tea compounds that involve the activation of ion channel proteins in the blood vessel wall, relaxing the structure and thus reducing blood pressure.
The sparkling water category may seem crowded with products made by CPG giants and offerings from smaller, independently-owned brands, but the reality is that sparkling water is still just a small piece of the overall carbonated beverage category, says...
For those who know Cachaça, it is usually associated with a Caipirinha cocktail. But the drink has far more to offer: and promoting the diversity and versality of the Brazilian spirit to bartenders, distributors and consumers can help it achieve its potential...
Coca-Cola Amatil does not expect any major changes to its recently-published 20-year sustainability plan even if its takeover transaction with Coca-Cola European Partners (CCEP) plays out as planned and ownership of the firm changes.
Nestlé USA has acquired premium alkaline water brand, Essentia Water, for an undisclosed sum to expand its presence in the premium, high-growth functional water category.
Vintage Wine Estates is going to merge with Bespoke Capital Acquisition Corp, a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC). So what is a SPAC - and why is it important?
Drinks manufacturer Britvic has posted a dip in sales and earnings in its full-year 2020 results, as it looks to premiumisation, e-commerce and low calorie drinks to boost business.
Free from added sugar, artificial flavors and with around half the amount of caffeine as a cup of coffee, Ocean Spray Wave – a caffeinated sparkling water with real fruit juice – is the latest drink meeting a trio of consumer demands of refreshment, energy,...
Canopy Growth Corporation is entering the ‘high-potential US CBD beverage category’ with its premium ready-to-drink CBD-infused sparkling water Quatreau.
By Dan Hooper, co-founder, YesMore alcohol marketing agency
As the UK prepares to ease restrictions, brands and venues face the challenge of finding a celebratory yet responsible and realistic tone in their marketing and communications. Dan Hooper, co-founder of YesMore marketing agency, gives his five top tips...
A home grown ingredient supplier is seeking to support indigenous farmers while expanding overseas markets for guayusa, a traditional botanical of the Amazonian rainforest.
Taste and nutrition company Kerry has completed a life cycle assessment comparing the environmental impact of its Tastesense Sweet ingredient against the footprint of sugar. The result? “Reducing the consumption of sugar has impressive health and environmental...
AB InBev’s Brazilian beer business delivered strong performance in 2020, despite the challenges of the year. A combination of speedy innovation, premium brand strength and digital developments have been the key to success in the country, says the company....
No and low alcohol drinks are ready to revolutionise the RTD market. But while brands may focus on reduced ABV and calorie content, at the end of the day it's the taste which will determine whether they win or lose in the marketplace, writes Highball...
The global no/low alcohol market is projected to continue growing as consumers seek to reduce their alcohol consumption. “What we’re seeing is a moderation trend that’s sweeping across key global markets, and that’s bringing with it increased demand for...