Health and Wellness

Corn syrup is used as a common fermentation aid, and MillerCoors explains it is never in the glass, bottle, or can of Miller Lite or Coors Light that consumers drink.

MillerCoors sues AB InBev over Super Bowl ad

By Beth Newhart

Anheuser-Busch debuted a Bud Light commercial during this year’s Super Bowl that slammed Miller Lite and Coors Light for using corn syrup in their beer. MillerCoors has now filed suit against AB InBev for “false and misleading advertising.”

An interest in foreign market wines is expected to flourish in 2019, assisted by ecommerce capabilities. Pic: ©GettyImages/Kent Woo / EyeEm

Millennials buy more wine online and want it to be organic

By Beth Newhart

The wine industry is shaping up to be more transparent and international than ever in 2019. Consumers want more local, sustainably sourced wines, but at the same time they are expanding their palates to newcomers on the market from places like Bulgaria,...

94% of US adults support alcohol-content labeling on alcoholic beverages. Pic: ©GettyImages/Bill Oxford

Consumer groups criticize TTB modern alcohol labels

By Beth Newhart

The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI), Consumer Federation of America (CFA), and National Consumers League (NCL) say that alcohol labeling changes proposed by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TBB) 'fall dramatically short...

A88 is positioned to take a leadership position in the emerging hemp-infused beverage category.

Alkaline Water Co. furthers hemp drink plans

By Beth Newhart

The Alkaline Water Company – makers of pink Himalayan rock salt brand Alkaline88 – is gearing up to launch a new hemp infused drink this year, using new technology

California's marijuana marketplace generated an estimated $2.5bn in sales in 2018.

Two Roots Brewing Co. expands cannabis drinks to California

By Beth Newhart

Cannabis-infused beer alternatives from Two Roots Brewing Co. are coming to California dispensaries. The Two Roots brand debuted THC and CBD options last summer in Nevada, brewed as alcohol-stripped craft beer.

Flying Embers expands hard kombucha line

By Beth Newhart

Kombucha continues to grow in popularity, capitalizing on trends like fermentation and functional ingredients. It’s also branching out beyond the tea market and into alcohol with hard, beer-alternative options like Flying Embers.

 An uptick in ‘health and wellness’ launches usually coincides with the new year and resolution season. Pic: ©GettyImages/Rimma_Bondarenko

Wellness world: Six new functional drinks for 2019

By Beth Newhart

Capitalizing on the popularity of the ‘new year, new me’ mentality that comes around each January, these six beverage launches feature functional ingredients, adhere to specific diets and set out to be a fresh, healthy addition to 2019.

Young people are proving that they want to buy local and small, which is turning out to be one of the greatest opportunities in the specialty market.

Shopping small: 79% of Gen Z buys specialty foods

By Beth Newhart

Both younger generations - millennials and gen Z - are more interested in supporting local, small businesses than their gex X and baby boomer predecessors. The independent, specialty food and beverage market in the US is now worth $140bn and growing three...

Today’s consumers are expecting function, taste, affordability and convenience all rolled into one beverage. Pic: ©GettyImages/baibaz

Superfoods take center stage in specialty beverages

By Beth Newhart

Functional beverage launches were common in 2018, and their popularity is only expected to grow in 2019. At the Winter Fancy Food Show (WWFS) in San Francisco, small-scale brands showcased new drinks packed with functional ingredients like rose extract,...

“In every aspect of their lives, people are demanding more and more transparency.

Bud Light premieres on-pack nutrition facts

By Beth Newhart

AB InBev announces that Bud Light will be the first US beer to feature large-format serving facts and an ingredients label on case packaging, in an effort to meet the level of transparency that consumers demand.

Bottled water should be available everywhere, says 93% of Americans

By Beth Newhart

A new study from the International Bottled Water Association (IBWA) says that 93% of Americans want bottled water available everywhere drinks are sold, and prefer it over all other beverages, furthering its rise to the no. 1 soft drink in the world.

Health and wellness trends mean consumers are moving away from high calorie, sugary drinks, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic.

Alcohol-free Heineken 0.0 lands in the US

By Beth Newhart

After initially launching in early 2017, Heineken’s first non-alcoholic beer has expanded to more than 30 global markets and is now officially coming to the US. Though not as popular a trend as it is in Europe, the low-ABV and no-alcohol US beer and wine...

UK beverage trends for 2019: Fermentation, water plus, exotic ingredients and more

Five beverage trends for 2019

By Rachel Arthur

Sustainability, veganism and health are three macro trends that will continue to shape the beverage market in 2019, says UK flavour and fragrance company Treatt. From fermentation to exotic flavours, it outlines five areas to watch in the coming year....

Sproutly positions itself for North America’s cannabis explosion

By Beth Newhart

With the US poised to sign a farm bill that will legalize hemp production, and Canada’s recent legalization of recreational marijuana, North America is on the brink of a CBD revolution. Food, beverage and ingredients companies are all looking to get in...

With the rise of diets such as keto, paleo & gluten-free, there'll be a move to develop corresponding labelling & certification on products, says Koia

Koia launches keto-friendly drinks

By Beth Newhart

Koia, known for its plant-based RTD smoothies, is introducing Koia Keto in the new year. The high-fat and low-carb beverages claim to help achieve ketosis, a main component of the trendy ketogenic diet. It represents a growing opportunity for brands to...

Refreshment beverages have outperformed both traditional beverages and alcohol in recent years. Pic: ©GettyImages/diego_cervo

Bottled water dominates 2018: Sparkling and value-added options surge

By Beth Newhart

Bottled water has quickly become the most successful mass market beverage category in the US, approaching 14 billion gallons sold in 2018. It’s widening the gap between it and other refreshment beverages that have struggled with innovating healthy, low-calorie...

On biodynamic farms 10% of the land has to be set aside for giving back and helping the environment.

Biodynamic farming spreads to coffee

By Beth Newhart

With consumers increasingly concerned about how their food is produced, interest in biodynamic farming is growing. While growing in popularity for wine production in Europe, Holistic Roasters also sees the potential for biodynamic farming in the coffee...

Products containing CBD do not provide a ‘high’ as often associated with marijuana and can be sold anywhere in the US.

Sprig CBD sodas expand to nine states

By Beth Newhart

After being one of the earliest developers of THC-infused beverages, California-based Sprig entered the CBD market this year with a line of CBD sparkling sodas. These sodas are now sold at retailers in nine states.

Raising prices is one of the most effective methods of deterring people from drinking excess alcohol.

World Health Organization launches ‘Safer’ alcohol initiative

By Beth Newhart

The World Health Organization (WHO) is tackling alcohol-related deaths and illnesses through its new program Safer. It outlines five ‘high-impact strategies’ for governments around the world to follow that can reduce the harmful effects of alcohol use.