Plenish, the fastest growing shots brand in the UK1, has launched its biggest campaign to date across its shots portfolio. The social and PR led activation will see boosted posts across Instagram and TikTok channels, with Sunday Times best-selling author and qualified nutritionist Emily English advocating for the brand. This campaign will help keep Plenish front of mind with existing shoppers, and targeting new audiences, supporting retailers to drive sales within the health shots category while brand awareness is at an all-time high.
It comes well timed as the brand has conducted nationwide research in a poll of over 2,000 adults and 1,000 school children (aged 6-16) to reveal the significant nutritional knowledge gap between adults and their kids. The research revealed one in five (20 %) British school children were able to correctly identify that there are 13 essential vitamins, compared with only 5 % of adults. In fact, 38 % of children know the body can naturally produce Vitamin D, compared with only 31 % of adults. Only 12 % of adults believe they consume their essential vitamins daily, with 22 % not knowing a good source of vitamins, and 13 % believing too much meal preparation is required.
The Plenish range is designed to help people drink their way to wellness through potent superfoods, the products are easily accessible to health-conscious consumers making it the perfect product for adults and kids to get their daily vitamin intake. The range is packed with cold-pressed, plant-based ingredients to meet a range of functional benefits, containing no added sugar, preservatives or flavourings while also delivering on great taste. In fact, Plenish now makes up 19 % of the UK’s Juice Shots category MAT, currently valued at £5.71m2, so it’s in the ideal position to help retailers cater to shopper demand and to continue to grow the category.
Russell Goldman, Managing Director at Plenish, comments “The research revealed some shocking results on nutritional and vitamin knowledge in adults versus children. The purpose of our campaign is to highlight this gap and drive awareness of the importance and ease of getting the correct vitamin intake and consumption of fruit and vegetables each day, particularly via our Plenish range.
“This comes at no better time following confirmation of Ginger Immunity and Berry Gut Health going live across 1,500 Tesco Express stores within its meal deal offering. The retailer now offers the full range of Plenish shots’ flavours and benefits, supported by in-store activity to help drive sales, such as our new chilled functional bay display.”
The campaign, which began its rollout this June, has seen a London pop-up on Portobello Road – Little Shot Shop – staffed exclusively by kids, it featured a market stall owner, reporter and nutritionist. The stand sampled Plenish Turmeric Recovery, Ginger Immunity and our new Mango Sunshine shots while quizzing adults passing by on their vitamin knowledge. There is also a sponsorship of Forest Bike Rides, live now, with Tesco stores selling Plenish shots in London on their interactive map. Alongside this, there will be instore POS activity in Tesco which will be live for a whole year.
The Plenish range of juices and shots is also available at Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Asda, Co-op, Ocado as well as wholesale.
1NielsenIQ RMS, Total Coverage GB, Britvic Defined Juice Shots Category, incl Discounters, value Sales Data, MAT to 25.05.24 2NielsenIQ RMS, Total Coverage GB, Britvic Defined Juice Shots Category, incl Discounters, Value Sales Data, MAT to 25.05.24
ITO EN, a key player in Japan’s beverage industry, innovates the market with the launch of two premium beverages with bite-sized pieces in SIG SmileSmall carton packs, made possible by the SIG Drinksplus technology integrated in the SIG SmileSmall 24 Aseptic filling machine.
The two new products from ITO EN are Crunchy Smoothie, a carrot smoothie with carrot pieces, and Crispy Potage, a creamy tomato potage with onion bits. Unlike traditional juices and smoothies, both products stand out with the inclusion of real vegetable pieces which provide ITO EN’s consumers with a unique and premium drinking experience. Both new products in convenient on-the-go SIG SmileSmall carton packs are aimed to help ITO EN to capture a bigger share of the veggie juice market in Japan, currently one of the fastest growing categories in the beverage industry.
Tetsuo Yamaguchi, Brand Manager at ITO EN: “Our new products provide our consumers with a refreshingly different drinking experience – rich and satisfying with the incorporation of real vegetable pieces. The novel packaging solution and the filling technology from SIG, that allows these inclusions to be added, enables our consumers to easily supplement their vegetable intake anytime and anywhere. The SIG SmileSmall carton pack is a real eye-catcher with its curved, modern shape and easy-grip corners. It differentiates and the end result is a successful fusion of exceptional packaging and products.”
As well as being easy to carry, handle and store, and like all SIG carton packs, SIG SmileSmall carton packs are ‘sustainable by nature’, with a high share of forest-based renewable materials, 100% of the paperboard procured with FSC™-certification, a lightweight and space-saving design, produced using 100% renewable electricity, and designed to be fully recyclable. SIG aseptic carton packs are the proven lowest carbon footprint packaging choice compared with alternative packaging options*.
Angela Lu, President & General Manager Asia Pacific at SIG: “In Japan, it is vital for food and beverage companies like ITO EN to innovate the market with healthy and high-quality products, particularly for on-the-go consumption. Our SIG Drinksplus technology offers the opportunity to add value to healthy beverages with the inclusion of pieces of fruit, vegetables, nuts, or cereals, which can be easily filled into our convenient on-the-go carton packs. It opens up a plethora of new opportunities to transform and drive forward the Japanese beverage market.”
Americans are increasingly longing for the “good old days” amid rapid social and economic changes in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, including the pressures of modern life, inflation, and the current cost-of-living crisis. Brands are looking to cash in on consumer inclination for nostalgia by bringing pack products and packaging from the bygone era to evoke a sense of familiarity, says GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.
Meenakshi Haran, Lead Consumer Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “Nostalgia is often a sensory experience for consumers who are sentimental about a period or place that they have experienced before. They seek familiar flavours, fragrances, or products that take them back to that time or place. Americans, in particular, are feeling nostalgic about the “good times” and looking for familiarity in the food & drinks products they choose, as affirmed by 67 % of respondents in GlobalData consumer survey*.
“By bringing back old-style flavors and products, brands are hoping to tug at the heartstrings of consumers looking for comfort in fond memories. Olipop, for instance, claims to be a new kind of soda in retro cans, reminiscent of nostalgic packaging designs, while Spindrift a sparkling water brand introduced two new variants inspired by the 1990s when purple grape-flavoured products were popular. Similarly, Oreo debuted its new limited-edition “dirt cake” flavour that claims to be a spin on the classic childhood-favourite, mud-pie dessert.”
Haran continues: “Given the plethora of new product launches that are trying to differentiate themselves and gain a share of the consumer’s wallet, companies should try to differentiate their products and make them stand out on retail shelves. The launch of retro-themed products and packaging reflects an effort to attract consumers. This is corroborated by as many as 29 % of American respondents who claim that new experiences with product purchases are essential, while an additional 24 % state unique/novel features are essential*.”
Haran concludes: “While the desire for retro products is high among American consumers, brands must strike a balance between nostalgia and sensory expectations of visual and taste experiences to keep consumers coming back and drive sales. They need to ensure that there is a right mix of novelty and nostalgia to entice consumers.”
*GlobalData 2023 Q4 Consumer Survey – US, published in December 2023, 500 respondents
Lithios and BrandVault360 unveil a new era of mineral seltzers in New York City
Lithios, a brand at the forefront of health and wellness innovation, in collaboration with the esteemed BrandVault360, formerly Gotham Beverage, introduce its unique range of lithia-infused mineral seltzers to New York City, USA. This launch signifies a major step in Lithios’s journey, bringing a new health-focused beverage option to the market and marking the beginning of an expansive distribution plan.
“Our collaboration with BrandVault360 is a pivotal moment for Lithios. We are combining our vision of health and wellness with their 20+ years of market expertise to revolutionise the beverage industry,” said Alexander Genzer, co-founder of Lithios. “This partnership enables us to launch Lithios in 2500 locations across New York City, making our products accessible to a wide audience from the start.”
Lithios’s product line, featuring flavours such as Orange Mango, Mixed Berry, and Electric Lime, offers a unique blend of over 71 minerals, with the added benefit of lithia. Known for its mood-enhancing, neuroprotective, and anti-inflammatory properties, lithia brings a healthful twist to the refreshing seltzer.
This launch is supported by extensive research highlighting the positive effects of lithia in drinking water, including improved mental well-being, enhanced brain function, and overall physical health benefits. Lithios is poised to offer these scientifically supported benefits in a delicious, accessible format.
The initial rollout of Lithios in New York City is just the beginning, with plans to expand into key areas, ensuring that a wider audience can enjoy the unique combination of taste and health benefits.
Lithios, available in flavours Orange Mango, Mixed Berry, and Electric Lime, is now offered in 12-pack configurations and can be found at select retail locations across New York City and online at www.drinklithios.com.
REBBL®, the original organic and plant-powered functional beverage brand, launched WELLNESS, its debut line of juice-based functional beverages and the first juices ever made with Aquamin™ calcified sea algae – a super ingredient clinically proven to support bone, joint and gut health¹. Offered in two refreshing varieties, Tropical Greens and Berry Roots, both WELLNESS juices are available at Whole Foods Market locations in the US.
REBBL WELLNESS packs a punch with 4,700 mg of Aquamin™ calcified sea algae to deliver over 73 essential minerals in every bottle. Derived from red algae, Aquamin™ offers a range of research-backed benefits, from improving digestive health and gut microbiome to helping combat inflammation to support joint and bone health.
Ideal any time of day for delicious hydration, WELLNESS juices are formulated without added sugar and are light and refreshing while supporting immunity-boosting nutrition with 100 % organic fruits and greens.
WELLNESS Benefits:
Supports gut, bone, and joint health*
Calcified sea algae from Aquamin™
Organic and non-GMO
Vegan and gluten-free
80 calories or less
No added sugar
No artificial flavours
Zinc for immune support
WELLNESS Tropical Greens
Made with only the highest quality ingredients straight from the source, a blend of tropical fruits, including pineapple, orange, passionfruit, nutrient-dense spinach, and cucumber with a twist of lime, delivers a bright and refreshing taste any time of day.
WELLNESS Berry Roots
Formulated with zinc gluconate to support immunity, Berry Roots offers a blend of antioxidant-packed blueberry, raspberry, and strawberry with beets and carrots that produces a sweet, revitalising flavour with nourishing benefits.
¹Published research: McClintock et al, 2020, Attili et al., 2019, Aslan et al., 2019, McClintock et al., 2018 *These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Taking a major step to support a circular economy, Coca-Cola® launched in rPET in pack sizes of 250 ml and 750 ml across several markets in India.
After being the first company in India to launch a one-litre bottle made from 100 % recycled PET (rPET) for its packaged drinking water brand Kinley, Coca-Cola India is taking another meaningful step towards creating a circular economy and has announced the launch of Coca-Cola® in rPET in pack sizes of 250 ml and 750 ml. These rPET bottles are being manufactured by Coca-Cola bottling partners – Moon Beverages Ltd., and SLMG Beverages Ltd.
The rPET bottles expansion showcases Coca-Cola India’s transformative journey towards building a sustainable and greener future for all. The bottles made from 100 % food-grade rPET (excluding caps and labels) have an on-pack call to action “Recycle Me Again” message and will also drive consumer awareness with “100 % recycled PET bottle” displayed on the pack.
These rPET bottles are crafted from food-grade recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The plastic is recycled as per the technologies approved by the US FDA and European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) for food-grade recycled material and repurposed into new PET bottles, reducing the need for virgin plastic for producing PET Bottles.
The Coca–Cola Company now offers 100 % rPET bottles in over 40 markets, bringing it closer to its World Without Waste goal of making bottles with 50 % recycled content by 2030. Announced in 2018, the sustainable packaging platform also includes a goal to collect and recycle the equivalent of a bottle or can for every one the company sells globally by 2030, and to make 100 % of its packaging recyclable by 2025.
The Food Safety Authority of India (FSSAI) has approved the use of recycled PET in food packaging. Similarly, the Government of India’s, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, and the Bureau of Indian Standards has enabled befitting regulations and standards to facilitate the use of recycled plastics in food and beverage packaging.
Coca-Cola is making it convenient for consumers to return their empty PET bottles by recycling them at conveniently placed drop-off points or Reverse Vending Machines (RVM’s). Earlier this year, Coca-Cola India launched a ‘Return and Recycle’ initiative with Zepto that focuses on gathering PET bottles directly from consumers. This also helps in establishing an organised process of collecting PET bottles with 100 % traceability. Specifically for India, Coca-Cola introduced ASSP (Affordable Small Sparkling Pack) for the 250 ml PET bottle. ASSP, a proprietary Coca-Cola innovative technology is used to reduce plastic usage in the production of PET bottles for sparkling products by up to 40 percent.
Pangea Natural Foods Inc., announced the launch of its latest product, 100 % locally sourced blueberry juice. This refreshing and nutritious beverage is made with exceptional quality and has a remarkable 8-month shelf life.
The blueberry juice is cold-pressed, resulting in a richer and more nutritious product. In addition, Pangea Natural Foods has partnered with a renowned leader in the field of high-pressure processing (HPP). This process allows for the elimination of harmful pathogens without the need for heat or artificial preservatives. As a result, consumers can enjoy Pangea Natural Foods blueberry juice knowing that it maintains its nutritional integrity while remaining safe for consumption.
Looking forward, Pangea Natural Foods continues to prioritise innovation and sustainability, striving to develop products that nourish both individuals and the planet.
About Pangea Natural Foods Inc. Pangea Natural Foods is a Vancouver (CAN) based natural foods company that manufactures and distributes high quality food products that are nutritious and free of GMO ingredients, fillers, antibiotics, hormones, and bioengineered ingredients. Pangea offers a broad range of great tasting, innovative food products that are sustainably sourced and “Powered by the Earth”. Pangea’s signature products include the Pangea Plant-Based Patties, Pangea Old Fashioned Ghee, Pangea Energy Gel and the Pangea Munchie Mix, which are available on the Company’s website and in over 500 leading national retail food stores including Loblaws, Save-on-Foods, Sobeys, IGA Marketplace, Fresh Street Market, Choices Markets, Whole Foods and on select Air Canada and WestJet flights. Pangea has partnered with world renowned food scientists to formulate its high-quality food products. All products are manufactured in-house at its state-of-the-art facility, and then packaged and distributed through Pangea’s retail and wholesale network and also on the website of the company.
Sensegen, the pioneering biotechnology-based solution provider in taste, smell, and beauty, has launched its highly anticipated Exotic Flavours collection.
Sensegen has created a range of captivating flavours for food and beverages. The collection features six unique exotic true-to-fruit flavours: lychee, guava, papaya, yuzu, dragon fruit, and violet.
“We are thrilled to introduce the Exotic Flavours collection to the market, representing a significant milestone in our mission to redefine taste and consumer experiences,” said Natasha D’Souza, VP of Flavours and Consumer Experience at Sensegen.
“Our research has revealed that exotic flavours transcend vacation settings and have become a top preference for various occasions and drink preferences. By leveraging our bio-based solutions, we invite food and beverage companies to explore the immense potential of these flavours across different categories and create truly personalised experiences for their consumers,” said D’Souza.
According to Sensegen’s Sensory and Consumer Insights Center, 48 % of consumers identified exotics as a top flavour. Consumers are open to more adventurous flavours in social settings or when they feel exploratory. In alcoholic beverages, consumers consider unique, exotic, and natural flavours as the top three desired characteristics.
Sensegen will unveil the Exotic Flavours collection at IFT First in Chicago, July 17-19, 2023, at its creative partner Blue California’s booth S1670. In anticipation of the collection, IFT attendees will be the first to taste food and beverage prototypes made with the flavours and complimentary ingredients from Sensegen’s sugar reduction solutions partner Sweegen.
SBF GB&I, producer of Ribena, unveils a research project to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the growing of blackcurrants through regenerative farming practices.
The ambitious project launching today in collaboration with the University of East Anglia, SBF GB&I, Suntory Holdings Limited and Soil Ecology Laboratory will take place across much of the 60 hectares of blackcurrant production at Gorgate Farm in Norfolk, UK, which has been growing blackcurrants for Ribena since the 1950s.
As part of Suntory Group’s overall ambition to support crop resilience and reduce carbon emissions from its supply chain, this project aims to reduce scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions from blackcurrant production and improve soil health so that it can support plant resilience and increase the amount of carbon it can sequester.
The project will focus on minimising external inputs while improving soil health, plant nutrition and environmental protection through:
Sap sampling to better understand and optimise blackcurrant plant nutrition – the theory being macro and micro-nutrient imbalances affect plant resilience and attack by pests and diseases
Utilisation of novel and organic inputs (both fertiliser and crop protection) to replace conventional inputs
Creation of diverse alleyway swards to feed the soil and increase carbon
Improvements to soil health and carbon sequestration through the utilisation of compost extracts to restore soil microbiology
The pilot project will launch in April 2023, backed by investment from Suntory Holdings Limited for at least three years. However, it is hoped that the principles and learnings developed will lead to a step change in sustainable production not just in blackcurrant but for many other crops well into the future. Creating a blueprint that could support other growers as they start their regenerative agriculture journey.
The project will use the widely adopted Cool Farm Tool to quantify the on-farm greenhouse gas emissions and soil carbon sequestration. This will ensure accurate and consistent carbon reporting. The wider results it is hoped will be reported via peer-reviewed scientific papers charting the project’s findings.
One of the fastest-growing sparkling water brands in the US creates the perfect Spiked Lemonade – without the added sugar or synthetic sweeteners.
Spindrift launched Spiked Strawberry Lemonade – the 21+ adult version of their fan-favourite sparkling lemonade. Spindrift Spiked is made with real fruit – and no synthetic sweeteners or additives – Spiked Strawberry Lemonade guarantees all the nostalgia of your favourite lemonade without any of the added sugar.
“Sparkling water at its core is unsweetened, clean, refreshing, and easy to understand. Hard seltzer and hard lemonade have migrated away from the promise of sparkling water and become sugary and artificial-tasting,” said Bill Creelman, CEO and founder of Spindrift. “With the launch of Spiked Strawberry Lemonade, Spindrift is doubling down on our belief that Hard Sparkling Water should be delicious without the added sugar.”
Each can is filled with real, juicy, jammy strawberries, a hint of lemon and lime juice, sparkling water, and alcohol from fermented cane sugar. Whether straight from the can or poured into a cold glass, for deliciousness that you can taste, Spiked Strawberry Lemonade is the perfect beverage to kick off the warmer weather.
With a superior, clean alcoholic base, Spiked Strawberry Lemonade has only 85 calories per can and is the perfect option for those looking for a cocktail that’s packed with flavour and an intentionally low ABV – 4 %. Like the rest of Spindrift’s Spiked line, Spiked Strawberry Lemonade uses a 10-day fermentation process to maximise ABV without additives and an ultra-filtration process that purifies at the molecular level.
Spindrift Spiked Strawberry Lemonade will first be available in late April in both an 8-pack, and within Spindrift’s Staycation 12-pack along with Pineapple, Mango, and Lime in select markets in 21 states in the US. Spindrift donates 1 % of its Spiked sales as part of its commitment to 1 % For The Planet.
The pollution of water and soil by waste is one of the biggest problems for our environment. Indonesia is the second-biggest contributor of plastic waste in the world, producing over 5 million tons of plastic waste per year with around 3 million tons disposed to the waters around the country. One of the main reasons is that many small islands have no waste collection and no municipal disposal system for household and other waste. Due to a lack of knowledge about the dangers involved, people dump their waste in landfills, burn it or dispose of it in the sea.
With the Recycle for Good program, SIG and the SIG Way Beyond Good Foundation want to change people’s behavior and promote a mindful use of natural resources. The program is designed to encourage the public to drop off recyclable waste such as beverage cartons, glass, plastic or cooking oil at a collection point and thus return it to the cycle. In return, they receive food vouchers or coupons for other goods and services that they can exchange at Recycle for Good partners. The materials are sorted on site and recycled by a recycling partner.
SIG Way Beyond Good Foundation envisions a future where good nutrition and clean water are available to everyone and natural habitats are preserved for the future generation.
With the experience of SO+MA, a Brazilian social startup that has been working with SIG since 2018 to promote the circular economy through a reward system, the foundation developed its global Recycle for Good program. Indonesia launched the program as the first country in Southeast Asia on March 3, 2023, at Cibubur Junction in East Jakarta, where a Recycle for Good drop point is located. Later, the program will be replicated.
Firmenich introduces Orange NextGen replacers and extenders, its natural alternative to FTNF (From The Named Fruit) orange oils, achieving identical orange flavours at significant economic benefit to customers and enabling sustained supply.
The global orange oil market has been under severe pressure and volatility in recent years due to crop shortages, poor fruit quality, climate-related challenges, and transportation instability. To address these supply disruptions and meet the growing demand for orange citrus oils, Firmenich has developed a range of natural, high-performing Orange WONF (With Other Natural Flavours) solutions, achieving taste profiles identical to orange oils.
“A fundamental part of our commitment to being our client’s unrivaled Citrus Partner means providing great taste and consistent quality, together with supply stability,” said Sonia Botta, Firmenich’s Global Citrus VP. “This is especially relevant in light of the continuing supply challenges facing the orange oil market. By leveraging our strong in-house citrus capabilities, advanced analytical expertise and deep understanding of natural molecules, our experienced Citrus Flavorists have masterfully created Orange NextGen replacers and extenders, allowing us to provide equivalent taste at cost competitiveness.”
For use in a wide variety of applications including waters, juices, alcoholic beverages, sweet goods and savory products, Firmenich’s Orange NextGen is designed to replace or extend orange oils, helping customers avoid product disruptions and delivering the same great flavour their consumers have grown to love.
Happi Glow and Happi Nightcap boast minor cannabinoids paired with functional mushrooms
Cannabis-infused seltzer brand Happi is pioneering a new path in the cannabis beverage space with Happi Glow and Happi Nightcap. These groundbreaking functional beverages are perfect for day and night, respectively. Created with a unique blend of minor cannabinoids and non-psychedelic lion’s mane and reishi mushrooms, these formulas are the first of their kind, with Happi filing a patent application covering the formulation for the products.
Happi Glow is available in a citrusy, bright Blood Orange Ginger flavour. Each can has 5 mg of THC, 5 mg of CBD, 3 mg of CBG, and 2 mg of CBN. Perfect for daytime, Happi Glow boasts the benefit of lion’s mane mushroom, which can help promote calm and focus to keep you clear-headed.
Happi Nightcap is available in Turkish Apple Tea, featuring notes of crisp apple and warm spices. Each can has 5 mg of THC and 5 mg of CBN. Ideal for evening, Happi Nightcap brings together soothing reishi mushrooms with a blend of minor cannabinoids to help you settle into a peaceful slumber so you wake up refreshed.
Each formula is vegan, gluten-free, and made with simple, all-natural ingredients. In addition to Glow and Nightcap, the brand also features two original flavours: Lemon Elderflower and Raspberry Honeysuckle.
Happi Glow and Nightcap are now available at select retailers in Minnesota (US) and online.
Made with 100% fruit juice1 to infuse fun into any part of the day – snack time, meal time, or dessert
(Photo: Dole)
Dole Packaged Foods, LLC, released its latest innovation: Dole® Wiggles™ Fruit Juice Gels. A wholesome take on the classic treat, Dole® Wiggles™ Fruit Juice Gels are crafted with 100 % fruit juice1 to bring a new level of fun to meal or snack time throughout the day – because only the fun fruit wiggles.
The new snacks come in three bright, fruit-forward flavours: strawberry, orange, and cherry. They’re not only good for you – they’re also convenient for busy families on the go. Unlike many processed and sugary gelatin snacks currently found on shelves, each Dole® Wiggles™ cup delivers an excellent source of Vitamin C with no added sugar2 and no artificial flavours. Dole® Wiggles™ cups contain no high fructose corn syrup, no artificial preservatives, and are non-GMO and gluten-free.
Dole® Wiggles™ Fruit Juice Gels are sold in packs of four individual 4.3oz cups for an MSRP of $2.99. Wiggles are available at select retailers in the US and online.
1With natural flavors and other ingredients. 2Not a low calorie food. See nutrition facts for sugar and calorie content.
Twenty-one years after Monster Energy first ripped onto the scene and changed the beverage industry forever – it’s finally here: Monster Energy Zero Sugar.
With a full launch in Q1 of 2023, consumers can finally enjoy the amazing taste of the flagship original Monster Energy Green… but without sugar.
With a re-tooled energy blend, an innovative new sweetener system and years of trial and error, Monster’s team of mad scientists finally perfected a concoction that is 100 % Monster and 0 % sugar. Primed with 160mg of caffeine – like its predecessor – Monster Energy Zero Sugar helps fight fatigue, improve mental performance and focus, and motivates you to work (and play) harder.
From now on, JuiSea Shipping will operate a regular shipping service from Ghent in North Sea Port for the export of orange juice to the United Kingdom. North Sea Port thus manages to strengthen its position as a foodport.
JuiSea Shipping is a collaboration of Refresco and Trilobes, both with headquarters in the Netherlands. The orange juice will be loaded on board the 89m vessel MV Marilie in Ghent at Louis Dreyfus Company and Citrosuco. Chartered by JuiSea Shipping, this vessel will sail between Ghent and the port of Portland, UK, 32 times a year, where it will be offloaded for Refresco’s Bridgwater plant. The vessel, sailing under the Finnish flag, will carry both concentrates of orange juice and fresh orange juice.
Global players
For the import and export of orange juice, North Sea Port is home to companies from all over the world. The Refresco Group is the world’s largest independent bottler of soft drinks and fruit juices. It operates with over 10,000 employees at more than 60 production sites in twelve countries. Trilobes specialises in tank construction, terminals and ship cargo systems for liquid bulk. It operates on all continents, for example in Brazil, Belgium and Japan.
Foodport
So from now on, orange juice will also be shipped to the United Kingdom from Ghent. This strengthens one of North Sea Port’s strategic pillars. Indeed, with this shipping service, the port is further developed as a foodport. Brazil and the United Kingdom are therefore of great importance here: in 2021 Brazil was the third most important trading partner for North Sea Port, the United Kingdom the fourth.
Sidel has created 1SKIN™, a unique label-less recycled PET bottle. Combining distinctive shelf-appeal with the highest eco credentials, it has been designed to help Sidel’s customers achieve their sustainability goals and drive sales of high-end products.
The one-litre bottle is destined for the booming market in sensitive juices, teas and flavoured drinks. The new 1SKIN concept represents a breakthrough both in sustainability and in its streamlined design.
Made with readily available 100 % recycled PET (r-PET), 1SKIN has been designed by Sidel for easy recycling. The label-free bottle with its tethered cap can immediately enter the recycling stream with no need to separate additional raw materials such as ink, glue, labels or sleeves. Customers choosing 1SKIN will stay ahead of the main worldwide regulations and market trends for sustainable packaging.
Launched at the international beverages trade fair, drinktec in Germany in September, the bottle has attracted interest from customers from all over the world seeking to make their packaging more sustainable. Many of the major brands are embracing higher sustainability standards, driven by consumer influence as well as growing legislation to encourage recycling.
Appealing looks and drinking experience
(Photo: Sidel)
1SKIN is made to stand out on shelves in one of the fastest growing and most competitive beverage segments. The bottle is designed to deliver an appealing drinking experience, with an ergonomic grip for comfortable pouring. It has a wide neck and a cap lock feature to keep the open bottle top away from the consumer’s face. On the bottle’s label-free surface there are multiple options to use differing fonts and textures, with the transparency enabling great opportunities for natural light and shadow play. The ultra-precise graphic elements are created using Sidel’s most advanced mould technologies combined with its blow moulding expertise. QR or bar codes can be printed on the bottle closure to provide information to consumers or enable individual unit sales.
The bottle design guarantees safety and protects the integrity of products with a long shelf life. Sidel’s patented Starlite™ Sensitive base technology combines a premium glass-like design with optimised weight and performance on high-speed lines.
New facility aligns with ESG principles, enables scale-up of start-up’s fruit juice sugar-reducing tech
Sugar-reduction foodTech start-up Better-Juice, Ltd. launches its first full-capacity manufacturing plant setting the wheels in motion for full commercial production of its proprietary sugar-reducing immobilised enzymes. The new facility will enable the company to fulfill current commissions from juice producers globally, as well as respond to anticipated new demands.
The groundbreaking technology developed by the Israeli start-up produces proprietary beads composed of non-GMO microorganisms that naturally convert the juice’s composition of fruit sugars including sucrose, glucose and fructose into better-for-you prebiotic and other non-digestible fibers.
The new site—located in the Nes Ziona science park south of Tel Aviv—is replete with commercial-scale equipment, including an industrial fermenter and industrial immobilisation processor. The specialised equipment is used for growing and harvesting the beaded microorganisms used in producing Better Juice’s immobilised sugar-reducing enzymes. The site also houses pilot labs and the company’s new headquarters.
The new plant has a production capacity to support sugar-reduction of 250 million liters of juice per year. Better Juice has entered into commitments with a number of juice companies to reduce the sugar loads in various fruit juices, including apple, orange, and pineapple juices.
Better Juice’s technology can reduce up to 80 % of the simple sugar content in fruit juices and fruit-based condiments without any degradation of naturally occurring nutrients, including vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. It does not dilute the product in a way, maintaining the body and full flavour of the juice and only gently reducing the sweetness. Better Juice’s groundbreaking technology decreases the naturally occurring simple sugar loads in a versatile range of products, including juices, jams, yoghurts, ice creams, sorbets, and more, to the food and beverages manufacturers desired levels.
“This move marks a major leap forward in our commercialisation efforts,” enthuses Gali Yarom, Co-Founder and Co-CEO. “We project that the new plant will accommodate our production needs for the next four years. As interest and demand in our technology continue to flourish in the global fruit juice sphere, we will expand our production capabilities outside of Israel as well.” Wired magazine recently rated Better Juice as one on of the 10 most promising start-ups in Israel.
Better Juice’s facility and operations also maintain high alignment to environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) principles. The biodegradable polymer beads are rechanneled to livestock feed after being used in the production phase, minimising waste. The bioreactors, which have a 20-year lifespan, can be controlled remotely, reducing the company’s need for travel and its subsequent carbon footprint. Only a small amount of energy is required to activate the bioreactors. On a social level, the company boasts a 50 % female workforce and assists manufacturers of fruit-based products to comply with the various “sugar tax” regulations in the regions where they operate.
“We had to design and construct specialised systems from scratch to support our unique production processes while taking environmental considerations into account and adhering to the strictest requirements for waste treatment, water recycling, and energy efficiency,” notes Henry Elkoby, Chief Engineer of Better Juice.
“Better Juice was founded with the vision of promoting the overall well-being of people globally,” asserts Eran Blachinsky, co-founder and co-CEO of Better Juice. “The realisation that also naturally squeezed fruit juice can harbor high quantities of simple sugar is what sparked the creation of the Better Juice technology,” adds Blachinsky. “It has been an incredible journey seeing our concept evolve into fruition, and onto the global market so that more people around the world can enjoy the full flavour and nutritional benefits of fruit juices.”
Better Juice was founded in 2018 as one of the first start-ups to be nurtured by The Kitchen FoodTech Hub. “Better Juice brings a new hope for juice manufacturers and consumers, by reversing the perception of natural fruit juices as overly sugary products and turning juices into better-for-you beverages,” says Amir Zaidman, Chief Business Officer of The Kitchen Hub and a Better Juice board member. “The company offers a truly better juice product by reducing the sugars while maintaining their natural profile of vitamins, minerals and fibers.”
Demonstrating the brand’s willingness to experiment and be at the forefront of the functional beverage sector, Moju said the latest launch speaks to emerging natural electrolyte trends by harnessing the power of pickles. A movement which, the company said, is set to “dominate” the global health and wellbeing sector over the coming year. This salty beverage is already making waves in the nutritional category in the US, gaining significant traction among athletes thanks to its functional benefits, according to the company.
The limited edition, cold-pressed shot is packed full of electrolytes, known for aiding muscle recovery, during and post-workout. Brewed using fresh pickles from UK’s ‘The Pickle House’ company, the shot has a unique, fruity yet salty favour. With 263 mg of natural electrolytes per shot, it feeds your body exactly what it’s craving during your workout.
Fitness fanatics have noticed the power of pickle juice really taking effect, especially when it comes to training longevity and recovery, making the juice the latest training drink of choice.
This is backed up by studies that have proven pickle juice works better than water for reducing muscle cramps. Moju has been a leader in the gut health sphere, making pickle juice an obvious choice for its latest limited edition. Moju has harnessed the pickle fever to create a product that is achieving cult status, supporting Moju’s position as one of the market leaders in the functional drinks sector.
For a limited time only, the Moju Monster Shot is available to purchase from 31st October online at https://mojudrinks.com/ – £19.75 for 12 x 60ml
One of four regional support centres, the new facilities in Barcelona (Spain) will provide access to the latest product inspection systems, as well as free testing services for contaminant detection on food and pharma production lines
Mettler-Toledo has officially opened its new Barcelona Support Centre in Spain. The new centre showcases a wide range of its product inspection systems for food and pharmaceutical brand owners, manufacturers, processors, and contract packers. Technology on-site includes the latest checkweighing, metal detection and x-ray inspection solutions. Visitors can view ProdX™ data management software which offers real-time logging of x-ray, metal detection and checkweighing product inspection activities to help food manufacturers get ready for digital food traceability. Other technologies, such as vision inspection and track and trace solutions are also available from Mettler-Toledo but are not currently displayed at the Barcelona Support Centre.
The new facility is dedicated to product inspection demonstrations and free testing services, in addition to a LAB showroom, an eStudio, customer facing seminar rooms and internal office spaces.
At the forefront of inspection technology
The demonstration facility is equipped with the latest Mettler-Toledo systems, across different product inspection technologies for a wide range of applications. European food and pharma manufacturers will benefit from a hands-on experience, such as tailored product inspection demonstrations, including a free product test report service.
This free service invites manufacturers from across Europe to send their product samples to the centre for testing, before making a purchasing decision, or request an in-person appointment either face-to-face or virtually via their eStudio. Mettler-Toledo engineers then assess the requirements and provide a full test report within five days of the arrival of the product samples. This includes an individual evaluation of their own products with details of attainable inspection accuracy, performance, and contaminant detection sensitivity.
Customers visiting the centre and participating in the live demonstrations also benefit from shorter lead times for their test report results, as they have direct access to test engineers who can answer specific questions about their products and inspection requirements, helping them to choose the most suitable solution.
The Lab Division from Mettler-Toledo is represented in the new centre with its LAB Showroom, which showcases the latest technology for quality control for laboratories and food manufacturing, such as balances, scales, and analytical instruments – often used in recipe formulation, control, and management.
The new Barcelona centre also benefits from a state-of-the-art eStudio consisting of a room with in-built green screens and recording equipment. The purpose of the room is to record e-demonstrations, deliver virtual training, and create customer-facing video content.
Collaborative environment
The centre, covering over 75,971 sq. ft across three floors, is supported by over 280 Mettler-Toledo employees, from 15 different countries and across all roles – from apprentices to senior managers, dedicated test and service engineers, sales representatives, operations specialists, marketing, and many other functions.
Bringing all teams under one roof, with open plan offices, a new canteen, and common break-out areas, will help the company improve internal communication, knowledge sharing, career development and ultimately, customer service.
“The new facilities reflect the growth of Mettler-Toledo, financially and physically,” said Oscar Dijort, General Manager at Mettler-Toledo Spain. “The new global centre is already paving the path for further expansion over the next several years, as well as creating a collaborative hub to propel inspection technology and best practice forward at a European level.”
In Egypt, SIG is launching ‘Recycle for Good’, an innovative recycling initiative to enable direct household and food service industry collection of used aseptic carton packs through tech-based solutions. This initiative involving SIG and Tagaddod is the first of its kind in the Egyptian market.
Consumers can use a mobile app to arrange for their used cartons to be collected from their homes or workplace in exchange for rewards. The project aims to incentivise recycling of used beverage cartons, ensuring high-value resources remain in circulation while benefitting local communities.
SIG is working with Tagaddod on this project. They are leading the collection of the cartons. Tagaddod is the first company in Egypt to enable direct household and food service industry waste collection through tech-based solutions. Its app allows consumers and businesses in the food service industry to arrange collection of their used beverage cartons in exchange for rewards. The initiative uses Tagaddod’s existing logistics network, and household brand Green Pan to collect the cartons.
Recycling SIG carton packs keeps high-quality renewable materials in circulation for longer. All the materials used to make aseptic carton packs – paperboard, aluminium and polyethylene – can be recycled as valuable resources that can be used to create new products.
Only around 60% of the waste Egypt generates annually is collected currently, and less than 20% of this is properly disposed of or recycled. With no segregation of waste at household level, there is a huge need for collection initiatives such as this one.
SIG is committed to partnering with others to increase the collection and recycling of used beverage cartons, supporting the shift towards a circular economy. Recycling of packaging is an industrywide issue, and SIG partners on this with many different stakeholders, including industry peers, customers, consumers, and national and local governments. As recycling rates, regulations and infrastructure vary widely in different countries and municipalities, SIG take a tailored approach through local roadmaps in priority countries.
Uncle Matt’s Organic®, #1 selling brand of organic orange juice in the US, announced the launch of two new offerings for kids: No Sugar Added Lemonade Juice Boxes and No Sugar Added Strawberry Lemonade Juice Boxes. The shelf-stable line contains zero added sugars, is sweetened with stevia and boosted with 150 % DV Vitamin C, plus 25 % DV Vitamin D and Zinc for immune support. This lunchbox essential is rolling out now, just in time for back-to-school season, at select retailers nationwide including Whole Foods Market, The Fresh Market and MOM’s Organic Market.
Lemonade Juice Box Fast Facts:
10 Calories per 6.7 oz serving/carton
150 % DV Vitamin C per serving
25 % DV Vitamin D per serving
25 % DV Zinc per serving
Not from concentrate lemon juice and strawberry puree (never concentrated!)
Sweetened with organic stevia
No toxic pesticides, GMOs or artificial junk
USDA certified organic
Certified glyphosate residue free by The Detox Project
According to the American Heart Association, the average American consumes more than three times the recommended amount of sugar. The number for kids is even worse, as they are consuming 81 grams per day, equaling over 65 pounds of added sugar per year. American children are ingesting over 30 gallons of added sugars from beverages alone.
Finding ways to reduce intake without sacrificing on taste is key. When exploring alternatives to table sugar, the American Heart Association has stated that leaning on natural alternatives to sugar, like stevia, may be your best option. Uncle Matt’s Organic® No Sugar Added Lemonade Juice Boxes and No Sugar Added Strawberry Lemonade Juice Boxes contain organic Reb M Stevia, which delivers the desired, sugar-like sweetness that consumers want, with zero calories, and without the health concerns associated with artificial sweeteners.
Uncle Matt’s Organic® No Sugar Added Lemonade Juice Boxes and No Sugar Added Strawberry Lemonade Juice Boxes are now available for an SRP of USD 4.99 (8-pack of 6.7oz boxes). 1 Year Shelf-Life.
Fiber-based consumer packaging leader, Graphic Packaging International, has launched ClipCombo™, a highly innovative beverage multipack machinery system.
This modular system offers beverage makers and packers the ability to apply two different clip-style packs with a single machine, optimising production efficiency and enabling the differentiation of brands using premium and standard clip styles.
ClipCombo offers unparalleled flexibility. Along with the ability to switch between two pack styles in just minutes rather than hours, it can achieve top-line speeds of up to 400 packs per minute, depending on application and configuration.
ClipCombo has machine options that apply to either can or PET bottle multipacks. ClipCombo for cans combines award-winning KeelClip™ or GripClip™ with the minimal material EnviroClip™, while for PET bottles, it combines Cap-It™ and EnviroClip™.
The versatility of ClipCombo will help lower capital investment for beverage packers, as the ability to deliver multiple pack styles with rapid changeover removes the need for several installs. This frees up space on the factory floor and reduces the number of operators required.
Tango is continuing to give the tastebuds in the UK a spanking with the launch of its popular apple flavour in a sugar free format. Tango Apple Sugar Free is the latest addition to the popular range, tapping into the growing demand for sugar free products. It captures that same great Apple Original taste, sugar free.
The Tango brand has doubled in size in the last five years, becoming the fourth largest brand in the fruit flavoured carbonates category1. Now worth over £61million2, Tango is well placed to continue its growth through sugar free flavours, which currently deliver £25million (+ 54 % vs last year) in value sales3. Tango Apple has a lot of heritage and has seen multiple organic social campaigns asking to bring it back in more pack formats. To satisfy consumer demand for sugar free flavours4 and, as the number one factor when choosing soft drinks is low sugar content5, it is the perfect time to introduce Tango Apple in a sugar free formulation.
Ben Parker, Retail Commercial Director at Britvic commented: “Tango has a proven track record when it comes to new product development with Tango Berry Peachy Sugar- Free the number one new fruit flavoured carbonate in 20226. Tango’s long heritage with the apple flavour and strong taste credentials, mean Tango Apple Sugar Free is well placed to continue this success and drive growth.”
Britvic is a leader in healthier soft drinks and well over 90 % of its brands in the UK are either no or low sugar drinks. Globally, its portfolio contains an average of 25 calories per 250 ml serve, with drinks in its Great Britain market being even lower.
Tango Apple Sugar Free is available in Tesco now and launches from mid-September across the wider market in a range of pack sizes.
1Nielsen IQ RMS, Fruit Carbonates Britvic Defined, Total Coverage, Value Sales, MAT 23.4.22 2Nielsen IQ RMS, Fruit Carbonates, Britvic Defined, Total Coverage Value sales MAT to 23.7.22 3Nielsen IQ RMS, Fruit Carbonates, Britvic Defined, Total Coverage Value sales MAT to 23.7.22 4Lumina Intelligence Channel Pulse, October 2021 5Mintel Soft Drinks Review – UK – June 2021 6Nielsen IQ RMS, Fruit Carbonates, Britvic Defined, Total Coverage Value sales MAT to 23.7.22
GNT has expanded its range of EU organic-certified EXBERRY® colouring foods with new yellow and green shades made from organic safflower.
The organic market is seeing exceptional growth1 as modern consumers pay closer attention to food and drink products’ health and sustainability credentials. In response to the rising demand, GNT has launched two new EXBERRY® organics products.
EXBERRY® organics ‘Fruit & Veg Yellow’ is made from organic safflower and organic apple, while EXBERRY® organics ‘Veg Green’ is made from organic safflower and organic spirulina. Both are compliant with Organic Regulation (EU) 2018/848.
Suitable for a wide variety of food and beverage applications, the new products extend an EXBERRY® organics range that already features red, purple, blue, and orange options.
GNT Europa’s Managing Director, Petra Thiele, said: “EXBERRY® organics can be used to create spectacularly vibrant food and drink while maintaining perfectly clean ingredient lists. We’re delighted to now be able to introduce colouring foods made from organic safflower concentrate to the market, opening up exciting new possibilities for organic brands.”
Based on the principle of colouring food with food, EXBERRY® organics are created from edible fruit, vegetables, and plants using traditional physical processing methods. They are certified organic in accordance with EU regulations and qualify for completely clean and clear label declarations throughout much of the world.
EXBERRY® organics concentrates are also 100 % vegan-friendly, halal, and kosher. In addition, the fully traceable raw materials are grown using sustainable methods by farmers working as part of GNT’s vertically integrated supply chain.
1FiBL & IFOAM ‘The World of Organic Agriculture’ (2022)
Participants in the US can Tweet their best blender breakup line for a chance to win USD 621 for National Smoothie Day (6/21) and a year’s supply of Naked Juice
To celebrate National Smoothie Day on June 21st, Naked Juice introduces ‘Blender Breakup.’ The program launched biginning of June to help people end their messy relationship with their countertop blender because, like all relationships, blenders can be complicated and take a lot of work.
Many people buy blenders in the hopes of becoming at-home smoothie pros, but blending smoothies is a real pain. According to a recent survey by Naked Juice, nearly 228 million Americans say they don’t use their countertop blender for one reason or another, many saying it’s too messy, too difficult to clean, or takes up too much space.
The survey also revealed that approximately 112 million Americans regret buying a countertop blender altogether, and more than 109 million Americans who own one said they use it less often than expected*.
Naked Juice is inviting participants to Tweet their best blender breakup line @NakedJuice with #BlenderBreakup and #Sweepstakes to enter to win USD 621 in honour of National Smoothie Day (6/21) and a year’s supply of Naked Juice. With their messy blender relationship behind them, now consumers can enjoy everything they love about a smoothie, with the convenience and delicious taste of Naked Juice.
“We uncovered an interesting tension on social media where people were sharing how they rarely used their blender and experienced epic blender fails when they did,” said Anup Shah, Chief Marketing Officer, Tropicana Brands Group. “Since Naked Juice offers 100 % real fruit and veggie juice smoothies in a delicious convenient format, we knew we could help out.”
Whether smoothie lovers are looking to enjoy the classic flavour of Strawberry Banana, the tropical deliciousness of Mighty Mango, or incorporate more daily greens with Green Machine, Naked Juice’s suite of products offers the delicious benefits of smoothies without the mess.
The Naked Juice Blender Breakup Sweepstakes will run from June 7 through National Smoothie Day on Tuesday, June 21. No Purchase Necessary.
*Source: The Naked Juice Survey was conducted by Wakefield Research among 1,000 nationally representative US adults ages 18+ between April 25th and May 1st, 2022, using an email invitation and an online survey. The data has been weighted to ensure an accurate representation of US adults 18+.
Kayco Beyond announces the debut of Wonder Lemon™, a first-of-its-kind, 100 % organic cold-pressed juice with zero added sugar. Wonder Lemon will have its first debut at Natural Products Expo West 2022 in Anaheim, California, US. With the demand for organic juices on the rise, Wonder Lemon offers the bonus of fresh and delicious citrus flavour, along with the health and wellness benefits of lemon.
Kayco is a family-owned business with humble beginnings in Upstate New York. Starting only with bottles of the now-iconic Kedem Grape Juice in 1948, Kayco worked diligently to create high-quality, affordable products that meet the most rigorous kosher standards. Now producing thousands of products, distributed in over 30 countries around the world, Kayco remains committed to the standards that defined the company nearly 75 years ago and originally made it one of the most recognized and adored brands in the specialty food business.
Wonder Lemon is the latest product to be released under Kayco’s traditionally high standards. Wonder Lemon is crafted with a blend of 100 % cold-pressed fruits and vegetables with zero added sugar and a delightful reduction of the acidity of the citrus. Cold-pressed juice, as opposed to other forms of fruit juices, is made with a hydraulic press, which allows for maximum extraction of the fruit or vegetable’s juices and nutrients. Especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, consumers have been growingly conscious of health and wellness, often seeking out food and drinks to help boost the immune system. As such, cold-pressed juices have gained a lot of popularity as a healthy and guilt-free treat. Lemon juice is an especially great choice for health-conscious consumers, as lemons are rich in vitamins A and C, as well as calcium, potassium, and beta-carotene, making them helpful for immunity, fatigue, and mood. Wonder Lemon is a delicious and refreshing way for consumers to get all of these health benefits.
Wonder Lemon is available in three refreshing and delightful flavours: Lemon Ginger, Lemon Mint, and Lemon Basil Jalapeño. Each of the lemon blend flavours are made with only five to six ingredients, with less than 110 calories per bottle and made up of 100 % natural fruits and vegetables. With the pairing of tart lemons with other dynamic flavours, Wonder Lemon juices are sweet and thirst-quenching, and customers can feel confident in knowing that they contain no added sugar, artificial flavours, preservatives, additives, or artificial colouring. Wonder Lemon is great for children and adults alike and can even be great for mixing with other beverages for some extra flavour and nutrients.
The team behind Schilling Cider, a leading cider producer in the Pacific Northwest in the US, announced the launch of Vida Maté, a new line of low-calorie, non-alcoholic yerba maté beverages that seek to transform the caffeine experience. Crafted to elevate the traditional South American “super beverage” with the craft quality of the Pacific Northwest, Vida Maté is made with real fruit juice and a proprietary blend of adaptogens. The result is a refreshing, delicious alternative to sugary coffee drinks and artificially flavoured caffeine-in-a-can. With operations based in Seattle and Portland, the Schilling team is excited to debut this new plant-powered pick-me-up, made exclusively with naturally occurring caffeine.
Vida Maté fits the gluten-free and vegan-friendly lifestyle, offering a boost in vitality and focus through a functional blend of adaptogens: Vitamin B12 for a power boost, L-Theanine for focus, and GABA for stress relief combine to ensure a clean, jitter-free delivery of caffeine with no unpleasant crashes.
Launching with three flavours – Lemon Mint, Mango Lime, and Blackberry Lemonade – Vida Maté is available in 16 oz. cans at thousands of grocery, convenience, and natural food stores across the Pacific Northwest, since March 1, 2022.
“Innovating in healthful, refreshing beverages is our calling,” says Colin Schilling, CEO and co-Founder of Schilling Cider. “This starts with the same quality and techniques we bring to crafting our fresh-pressed apple cider. It’s exciting to push those boundaries into the yerba maté segment. Consumers are demanding delicious, healthier options made right here in their backyard, and we can’t wait to share Vida Maté with our community.”
While other canned yerba maté drinks depend on a formula that involves non-yerba maté derived and synthetically produced caffeine, Vida Maté’s caffeine occurs naturally and comes 100 % from yerba maté. And because Vida Maté is made from real fruit juice, it’s not overly sweet and it’s lower in calories and sugar.
The team at Schilling has long enjoyed traditional yerba maté drinks, before launching their own. Yerba maté is a plant indigenous to South America. The leaves and twigs are dried, dried over a fire, and then steeped in hot water for an invigorating tea.
Royal DSM, a global purpose-led science-based company, reveals its new integrated Food & Beverage operating structure which unifies three areas of DSM’s nutrition business – Food Specialties, Hydrocolloids and part of its Nutritional Products group – to closely align with emerging customer and market needs. The new business group combines the company’s full range of food and beverage ingredients, expertise and science-based solutions that improve the taste and texture of foods, as well as support healthier lives and a healthier planet. The new Food & Beverage organization will focus on helping consumers ‘enjoy it all’ without having to choose between taste, texture and health. This differentiating message will be the cornerstone of a new campaign.
The global food and beverage market is set to continue its upward trajectory as the world’s population grows, placing new pressures on producers in an already competitive space to innovate and get to market quickly. At the same time, the industry is converging with the health and wellness space, and increasingly aligning with consumer expectations for delicious products that support their health alongside environmental and social aspirations. DSM’s strategy aims to support this market advancement through the creation of one Food & Beverage business group that encompasses the ingredients, global and local expertise and solutions provided by its previously distinct Food Specialties, Hydrocolloids and Nutritional Products business areas.
This simplified structure represents the activation of DSM’s announcement in September 2021 that the company will become a fully-focused Health, Nutrition & Bioscience company. By establishing a ‘one-stop-shop’ of ingredients, solutions and end-to-end capabilities, DSM will help food and beverage manufacturers worldwide fast-track product development and achieve efficient production. As a leading provider of vitamins, minerals and other micronutrients, an innovator in enzyme solutions, and a frontrunner in dairy cultures, DSM has unrivalled nutritional science expertise and deep application knowledge which is paired with prominent advocacy for healthier and more sustainable food systems. This is supported by a number of recent acquisitions – including DSM’s acquisition of First Choice Ingredients, a leading supplier of dairy-based savory flavorings – which have enabled DSM to further elevate its taste, texture and health offering for customers. DSM is therefore uniquely placed to help manufacturers overcome the friction that must be navigated to deliver delicious, nutritious and sustainable food and beverage products, so customers and consumers can ‘enjoy it all’.
As an advocate and leader in enabling a healthier and more sustainable food system, DSM’s solutions help boost process efficiencies, reduce food loss and waste and lower the environmental impact of production and consumption – while also enhancing food’s nutritional profile. As part of this, DSM is taking strategic steps in developing specialty proteins that are produced within planetary boundaries, including CanolaPRO®, and supporting producers to be at the forefront of this protein diversification towards a healthier future. DSM’s recent acquisition of Vestkorn Milling, a supplier of pea- and bean-derived proteins, starches and dietary fibers, will also complement and further accelerate this growth. These efforts are part of DSM’s commitment to reach 150 million people with plant-based protein foods by 2030, in alignment with our recently announced series of quantifiable food system commitments.
Koia announces Thomas DeLauer, world-renowned ketogenic lifestyle expert, will collaborate with Koia on product development for the keto lifestyle and today, introduces the new limited-edition Koia Keto Raspberry Lava Cake. DeLauer, who has been an avid fan and supporter of Koia’s Keto line, will collaborate with the brand on new plant-based keto innovations and nutrition education.
New limited-edition Koia Keto Raspberry Lava Cake (Photo: Koia)
This plant-forward keto innovation challenges critical believe around the keto lifestyle, showcasing that one can, in fact, reach ketosis healthfully while leading a partial or fully plant-based diet. Koia, being one of the only nutrition shakes on the market to deliver all the 9 essential amino acids needed to replace animal-based protein, provides an ideal solution for those looking to include more plant-based options into their keto regimen. This launch, and investment in the keto space, is a testament to the brand’s continued commitment and mission of making the plant-based lifestyle more accessible for everyone.
When working together on this product, Koia and DeLauer wanted something that tasted indulgent and comforting, so they selected Koia Keto Raspberry Lava Cake as the signature flavour, inspired by DeLauer’s favourite keto-friendly dessert that his wife makes – Chocolate Lava Cake with a raspberry sauce. Raspberries are one of DeLauer’s go-to keto friendly fruits and a key ingredient in his wife’s recipe. The raspberry tartness balances the richness of the chocolate for a delicious flavour that Koia and DeLauer worked closely to capture in this product, with DeLauer tasting many formulations until they landed on the perfect taste.
“Everything we do at Koia is about health, function and taste, so collaborating with Thomas DeLauer is a natural alignment with our brand,” says Chris Hunter, Co-founder and CEO of Koia. “He keeps up with all the latest research in the keto space and really understands ingredients and their functionality. Plus, the fact that the Raspberry Lava Cake is based on his favourite dessert that his wife makes at home, gives the product extra heart.”
Raspberry Lava Cake delivers ideal macro ratios with two high-performing, functional ingredients: macadamia nut milk and pumpkin seed protein. Macadamia nut milk is known to provide a significant amount of palmitoleic acid and is an ideal fat-to-protein ratio (2:1) for enhanced keto support. Pumpkin seed protein is a healthy clean protein source high in zinc, which can support the keto process and recovery. Raspberry Lava Cake contains 3 g net carbs, 8 g C8 MCT oil, 10 g protein, and 0 g added sugar per bottle, the ideal nutrition profile to accelerate ketosis.
Koia’s 100 % plant-based Keto shake line also includes other dessert-inspired flavours like Chocolate Brownie, Caramel Crème, Cookies ‘N Cream and Cake Batter. Consumers can purchase Koia Keto Raspberry Lava Cake, priced at USD 3.99 per bottle, for a limited time at drinkkoia.com.
‘No added sugar’ claims are growing in Europe, with the UK leading the charge as it has the highest proportion (15 %) of European food and drink launches carrying this claim in the past five years, followed by Germany (13 %) and France (10 %). In Poland, ‘no added sugar’ claims have doubled since 2016, reaching 9 % of food and drink launches in 2021.
According to Mintel’s latest consumer research, almost three out of five (59 %) French and German consumers are trying to limit their sugar intake, rising to 65 % of respondents in Poland and 67 % in Spain. However, over half of German (54 %) and (53 %) French* consumers simply prefer eating less indulgent products instead of consuming more ‘light/diet’ alternatives. This is especially true for carbonated soft drinks, with Polish (38 %)** and German (37 %)** consumers being the most likely to agree that ‘better-for-you’ carbonated soft drinks do not feel like a treat.
Neha Srivastava, Food and Drink Patent Analyst at Mintel, said:
“The pandemic has amplified the need for indulgence, influencing consumers’ choice of food and drink. At the same time, the pandemic has seen people place a higher priority on their health by, for example, reducing their sugar intake – but they don’t want to compromise on taste.
“Food and drink companies are starting to pay more attention to cutting sugar from their products. Based on the percentage of granted patents currently active in Europe, France and Germany are among the top five leading countries with the majority of patent grants related to sugar reduction, each accounting for 5 % of all global patent grants. Recent patent activity related to sugar reduction varies from improving the taste of sweeteners to innovating new techniques to reduce the production cost of rare sugars.”
Functional fibre and next-gen stevia could appeal as natural alternatives
Functional fibres in low/reduced sugar food and drink launches are on the rise, increasing globally from 11 % in 2015 to 19 % in 2020. Inulin is the most common functional fibre in low/reduced sugar products, with product launches containing inulin having tripled in the past five years, rising to 9 % in 2020 from 3 % in 2015.
With 63 %*** of Germans concerned about how sugar reduction in food and drink is achieved, combining fibres with sugar to reduce overall sugar content could be an option worth exploring as an alternative. This could also appeal to the 29 %**** of Brits that are interested in more fruit juices, juice drinks and smoothies with high fibre content.
Alternatively, stevia as a plant-based sweetener has the potential to appeal to European consumers as a sugar substitute. In fact, 63 %*** of Germans have no concerns about the amount of plant-based sweeteners (such as stevia) used in food and drink.
Neha Srivastava, Food and Drink Patent Analyst at Mintel, said:
“Consumers are aware of the importance of fibres in maintaining gut health. Brands can leverage this awareness by repositioning them as a multifunctional health ingredient that helps reduce sugar content in food and drink whilst improving gut health.
“Stevia continues to gain traction in food and drink launches because of its naturalness and zero calorific value, but its bitter and lingering aftertaste remains a significant barrier. Recent patent innovations to improve taste issues and physicochemical properties, like purity and solubility, to produce next-generation stevia may help overcome the challenge.
“Innovators are looking for alternative approaches, such as the use of sweet flavouring agents and aromas as a promising option to reduce sugar content in new food and drink products – especially in dairy desserts. This can be a promising option to reduce sugar content by providing sweet perception in brain cells.”
*987 internet users aged 16+ who try to eat/drink healthily, France; 1,955 internet users aged 16+ who try to eat/drink healthily, Germany; 997 internet users aged 16+ who try to eat/drink healthily, Spain; 988 internet users aged 16+ who try to eat/drink healthily, Poland; March 2021 **1,000 internet users aged 16+ in Poland and 2,000 internet users aged 16+ in Germany, December 2020 ***2,000 internet users aged 16+, Germany, June 2020 ****2,000 internet users aged 16+, UK, October 2020 *****1,000 internet users aged 16+, Italy and Spain, September 2020
What will be the next hype after the turmeric latte?
Turmeric latte, or “golden milk”, was 2017’s dairy-based sensation. The golden-hued drink featured on menus of trendy cafés, and also emerged in chilled packaged formats. According to Mintel Global New Products Database (GNPD), hot beverage launches in Europe containing turmeric have more than quadrupled since 2013, growing by 359 % between 2013 and 2017.
Julia Büch, Food & Drink Analyst at Mintel, explains the trend:
“The turmeric latte is inspired by a traditional Indian remedy based on hot milk and turmeric infused with spices such as pepper, cinnamon and ginger. The drink has purported health benefits, but equally, its appeal comes from the photogenic and intense, social media-friendly colour. Milk has not traditionally been a trendy or social media-worthy drink, but colourful, flavourful offerings such as the turmeric latte could change that.”
And there is clear consumer interest in such beverages: 35 % of Germans aged 16-34 would like to see more flavoured milk launches, such as chocolate or spices. Even 77 % of German consumers aged between 35 and 54 say that they like to explore new flavours. The near future will see dairy brands looking to other new colours and textures to create the next trendy, attention- getting and ‘social media-worthy’ dairy drink.
Julia elaborates:
“Future formulations could include fizzy milk, new colors and new textures. Fizzy milk, for example, is already a popular concept in China and other parts of Asia. Colourful matcha or spirulina could be the next buzz-worthy ingredient in the West, where they are currently less known. As Mintel’s 2018 Global Food and Drink Trend ‘New Sensations’ explains, the next evolution will bring texture into the limelight. Already, we can see new foaming ingredients that infuse drinks with an unexpected texture such as the tea macchiato from China – a drink that blends tea with whipped cream cheese.”
Indeed, although matcha has been around for centuries, it is only now booming in Europe. Hot beverage launches containing matcha have increased more than tenfold in Europe between 2014 and 2017 and its vibrant green colour is already finding use in eye-catching matcha lattes. Spirulina is one of Mintel’s Trend ingredients for 2018, and is quickly becoming a trendy ingredient in the food service industry and with blue ‘mermaid lattes’ appearing across Instagram feeds.
Global launches of carbonated soft drinks with dairy ingredients, or ‘fizzy milk’, have also grown over the past five years, albeit from a small base. Asia Pacific currently accounts for 86 % of fizzy milk launched in 2017. The combination of carbonation and dairy can create a creamy texture that is rare in carbonated drinks. This novel texture innovation is primed to be ‘the next big thing’ according to Mintel research’.
