Although artificial intelligence could be a wave of the future for retailers and plant operators, artificial ingredients might be a trend of the past for consumers. Today’s consumers are seeking “clean” labels with natural alternatives to chemical-sounding additives, which is positively impacting the use of botanicals in beverage applications, notes Sam Wright IV, chief executive officer of The Wright Group, Crowley, La.
This includes “free from” claims, such as free from artificial flavors, colors and sugars, adds Rikka Cornelia, product manager at BI Nutraceuticals, Long Beach, Calif.