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.

Orgain Inc.expanded its line of Orgain ready-to-drink nutritional shakes for adults with the introduction of an organic, nutritional shake formulated specifically for children. Orgain Healthy Kids is sold in 250-ml. aseptic cartons and available in Chocolate, Strawberry and Vanilla flavors. The packaging carries the same minimalist design cues from the first Orgain brand, but adds a cartoon monkey and fresh ingredient images to entice children, the package design firm says. Orgain Healthy Kids launched nationally at Whole Foods Market stores and is available for $2.39-$2.49. 

Tea continued to capitalize on a positive year in both the bagged and loose leaf tea segment as well as the ready-to-drink (RTD) segment. RTD showed the most growth at 8.5 percent for more than $2.3 billion in sales, according to SymphonyIRI Group, Chicago, for the 52 weeks ending May 15 in U.S. supermarkets, drug stores, gas and convenience stores and mass merchandise outlets, excluding Wal-Mart. Bagged and loose leaf tea sales experienced a 1.8 percent increase for more than $782.5 million, the market research firm’s data states.

The Ayala’s Herbal Water brand has expanded its line of sparkling waters to retail outlets.

Tea Forté Inc. launched its new line of Tea Forté Skin-Smart Teas, developed to promote healthy skin from within, the company says. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) organic and Fair Trade certified teas are blended to further the detoxifying effect of polyphenols to fight the visible signs of skin aging, the company adds. 

Uncle Matt’s Organic launched a new 100 percent organic, not-from-concentrate, orchard-style Apple Juice.

This month, redesigned Honest Tea and Honest Ade PET bottles began hitting store shelves.

Acai Roots added Acai Juice + Coconut Water to its juice portfolio.