Health and Wellness

Consumers want hydration and more from beverages, in order to cope with busy lives. Pic:getty/romolotavani

Functional drinks get top spot in US health and wellness beverages

By Rachel Arthur

Functional and fortified beverages were the best performers in US health and wellness beverages in 2016, with strong continued growth testament to consumers’ interest in the category. Meanwhile, the sustained growth of energy and sports drinks – which...

56% of adult respondents in the survey add flavor to their water. ©GettyImages/tbralnina

Berry is top choice in flavored water: Comax

By Mary Ellen Shoup

Bottled water volume sales are seeing continued strong growth, driven by consumers' search for alternatives to sugary drinks. And these trends are benefiting the flavored water category, according to Comax Flavors.

Pic:gettyimages

From plain to premium: Adding value in bottled water

By Rachel Arthur

While bottled water may fundamentally be the simplest of beverages, the category is evolving with an explosion of flavors, fortification and functionality to offer something more to today’s consumers.

Harry Cowan, commercial director & Miguel Ferreira, operations manager. Photo: BV Dairy.

‘Increasing appetite for cultured drinking products that have associated health benefits’

BV Dairy signs contract to bottle 4 million cultured milk drinks a year

By Jenny Eagle

BV Dairy, a UK manufacturer of specialist dairy products has made an historic move into contract packaging after signing a long-term deal to produce bottled kefir cultured milk drinks.

WFSI aims to play into major health trends in the beverage category through its sweetener and flavor  ranges. ©iStock/Charlie_Edward

drinktec 2017

WILD Flavors & Specialty Ingredients expands sugar alternative options

By Mary Ellen Shoup

WILD Flavors & Specialty Ingredients (WFSI) has expanded its portfolio of sweetening solutions to offer sweeteners that when combined with certain flavors and texturants ingredients can deliver a similar mouthfeel to full-sugar beverages, the company...

©iStock

Love Taste Co. on ‘explosion’ in demand for veggie smoothies

By Katy Askew

Love Taste Co. started as a smoothie stall in London’s Borough Market. Today, it generates retail sales approaching £40m a year. Founder Richard Canterbury talks growth, flavour trends and the “explosion” in demand for vegetable-based smoothies.

© iStock/Nadore

Flavour pairing with plant proteins: What’s best for your product?

By Niamh Michail

Plant proteins such as hemp, brown rice and pea have complex taste profiles that work best with tailor-made flavours. But it's not always obvious that sulphur pairs well with strawberry...which is why it helps to have a flavourist on board to explain.

Natalie's Orchid Island Juice Company recently launched a carrot ginger turmeric juice in 16-ounce and 32-ounce bottle sizes.

Natalie’s Orchid Island Juice eyes West Coast expansion

By Mary Ellen Shoup

Natalie’s Orchid Island Juice Company has maintained its image as a family-owned, minimally-processed Florida juice company since 1990 while also innovating through revamped packaging and new flavor launches like its carrot ginger turmeric juice.

The Cook County soda tax is expected to generate more than $200m next year, according to the Illinois Department of Revenue. ©iStock/OcusFocus

Cook County soda tax due to take effect today

By Mary Ellen Shoup

A penny-per-ounce Sweetened Beverage Tax in Cook County, Illinois, goes into effect today after a temporary restraining order on the levy was dismissed in Cook County Circuit Court. However, retailers have announced they will continue their fight against...

Coca-Cola Zero Sugar launches in the US

Coca-Cola accelerates global expansion of low & no sugar sparkling soft drinks

Coca-Cola Zero Sugar launches in the US

By Rachel Arthur

Coca-Cola is launching Coca-Cola Zero Sugar in the US: giving Coca-Cola Zero a 'new name, new look and improved real Coca-Cola taste’. The launch comes as the company accelerates global expansion of low and no sugar sparkling soft drinks.