Johns Creek, Ga.-based Amelia Bay published a new white paper written to assist beverage manufacturers in making the proper decisions when it comes to formulating ready-to-drink (RTD) iced tea. Titled “To a Tea: Building a Better RTD Iced Tea,” the paper examines the current RTD iced tea landscape and consumer trends, provides a primer on types of bases for brewing tea and offers pertinent questions brewing manufacturers should ask themselves about their end goals before entering this growing market, the company says. In other news, Rockford, Ill.-based ColinKurtis Advertising released a case study highlighting Amelia Bay’s original marketing challenges, and the path the agency took to overcome those challenges.

Archer Daniels Midland Co. (ADM), Chicago, announced the opening of two plants in China, which will increase its capacity to serve growing regional demand for value-added food ingredients and animal-nutrition products. With the global market for soluble dietary fiber growing at an annual rate of 13 percent, the Tianjin plant’s production capacity of 15,000 metric tons a year will help address food industry customers’ increasing demand, the company says. Meanwhile, the Nanjing facility will manufacture nutritional premixes that can be added to animal rations. In other news, ADM is evaluating options for offering pea protein isolates and concentrates in response to growing demand for versatile, functional proteins that easily can be incorporated into a wide range of products, from energy bars to beverages, it says.

The National Honey Board, Firestone, Colo., hosted its inaugural Honey Beer Competition, which recognized the best honey ales and lagers in the United States. More than 25 beers were submitted and tasted by three certified judges from the Beer Judge Certification Program. Submitted ales and lagers were judged on their aroma, appearance, flavor, mouthfeel and contribution of honey to the overall flavor of the beer. Rogue Ale’s Honey Kolsch took home the Best in Show honors as well as the gold medal for Best Honey Ale. Luminosity Lager of St. Patrick’s Brewing Co. won the gold medal for Best Honey Lager.

Philadelphia-based David Michael & Co. (DM) announced that two employees, Julie Snarksi and Jack Fastag, contributed to the successful launch of “Flavor: Making It and Faking It,” the first exhibit by the Museum of Food and Drink (MOFAD). Located in Brooklyn, N.Y., the MOFAD show launched Oct. 28, 2015, and will run through Feb. 28.

Sethness Products Co., Skokie, Ill., announced that some of its caramel color products have been verified by the Non-GMO Project. The verification has been applied to Class I CS1 Caramelized Sugar Syrup and Class I CS5 Caramelized Sugar Syrup. These two products are the first Sethness Caramel Color products to receive Non-GMO Project Verification; however, the company plans to earn verification on several  more of its caramel colors, it says.