Fair Trade certified beverages grow in popularity, finds Beverage Industry's Editor-in-Chief Elizabeth Fuhrman.  Fair Trade USA, a third-party certifier of Fair Trade products in the United States previously known as TransFair USA, released a number of announcements to coincide with Natural Products Expo East in Boston last month.

Somewhat serendipitously, I opted to read the May 16 edition of The New Yorker featuring an in-depth profile on PepsiCo’s food and beverage innovation plans while traveling to last month’s IFT Annual Meeting & Food Expo in New Orleans. The “Snacks for a Fat Planet” article by John Seabrook details PepsiCo’s plans for innovation across its portfolio of products with insight from senior PepsiCo executives, including Jonathan McIntyre, senior vice president of R&D global beverages, who was featured in Beverage Industry’s April cover story.

BYB Brands Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated, added three new flavors to its line of functional ready-to-drink Bean & Body Coffees.

Sun Chlorella USA launched Infuse Your Mood tea, which is said to help balance consumers’ mind, body and spirit.

A child informing a parent whether or not something is cool might not be an occurrence so rare that it inspires a business plan, but when Rose Cameron’s two sons told her they did not want to drink water because it was boring, the former marketing executive set out on a mission. 

 Orange, lemon and lime were three of the top flavors used by beverage formulators last year, according to Beverage Industry’s 2012 New Product Development Survey.  

LifeAid Beverage Co. launched PartyAid, a functional beverage formulated to enhance, replenish and restore the body and mind before, during or after a night of partying.

Pinnacle Drinks launched SoReal beverages, which were formulated to provide energy, hydration, recovery and wellness to consumers.

SOL Elixirs LLC expanded its line of all-natural, functional drinks with the launch of Solixir Think.