Oak Brook, Ill.-based PureCircle unveiled a new family of stevia ingredients for specific category applications, which perform similarly to sugar to enable deeper calorie reductions.

Obesity rates have more than doubled in adults and children since the 1970s, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Approximately 78.6 million adults are overweight or obese, with 12.7 million children and adolescents in the same category.

Tate & Lyle announced the launch of Dolcia Prima low-calorie sugar to transform the way the food and beverage industry develops low- or reduced-calorie products.

Health concerns are a major issue for many people. The United States’ first lady Michelle Obama has headed up the Let’s Move program to educate consumers about “America’s Move to Raise a Healthier Generation of Kids.” Her efforts also have led to trying to get more adults and children involved in healthier food and beverage choices.

Comax Flavors has developed a list of the anticipated flavor trends for 2015 and divided them into four groups: Melting Pot, In a Nutshell, Coffee House and Breakfast Anytime. Flavors in each of these collections are versatile and can be used in a variety of food and beverage applications including ready-to-drink beverages, alcohol beverages and dairy products, among others, the company says.

In contrast with last year’s indulgent flavor trends, beverages this year are shifting to reflect consumer interest in health and wellness.

The Institute of Food Technologists drew more than 16,000 of the world’s top food science and technology professionals to New Orleans June 21-24 for the 2014 IFT Annual Meeting & Food Expo.

USA unveiled a new website, asepticusa.com, and mobile application, titled Aseptic Solutions Beverage Creator.

In recent years, consumer concerns about sugar intake have created a macrotrend of healthier beverages. As a result, the beverage industry has seen natural sweeteners like stevia evolve and become more widely used.

The International Society of Beverage Technologists (ISBT) convened in San Antonio, April 28-30 for BevTech 2014. Each day of the 61st annual meeting of the ISBT featured a keynote speaker, educational presentations from industry experts, and targeted presentations from three of the ISBT’s nine technical committees.