“Help fight hangovers and rid your lungs and sinuses of certain airborne pollutants using the ‘smog-scrubbing’ antioxidant NAC and natural anti-inflammatory prickly pear extract,” reads MD Drinks Inc.’s Function: Urban Detox. NAC, or N-acetyle-cysteine, might be a complicated ingredient to formulate into a drink and for consumers to understand its benefits, but Urban Detox delivers it with unique flavor combinations while educating consumers about it on its label.
A sweetener’s role always has been important in achieving a beverage’s desired taste profile, but now sweeteners’ responsibilities have expanded from just flavor enhancers to calorie control to being a part of a system to deliver functionality. Sweeteners also are a key contributor to beverages in the health and wellness category, including all-natural and organic formulations, and in addition providing a way for beverage companies to differentiate their brands.
Conveyors are no strangers to the challenges of beverage production. Increasing production speeds, handling the growing number of SKUs and packaging varieties, and decreasing energy costs are all impacting conveyors too.
Holding a unique position within the conveying marketplace, Solus Industrial, Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif., manufactures conveyor components that are incorporated into beverage industry processing and packaging equipment, and the conveyors that link them together. Solus works with OEM conveyor manufacturers that use its products on new equipment, and also works with beverage plants to help them modify and upgrade existing equipment.
More than 22,000 of the top food science and industry professionals from around the world will convene at the 2008 Institute of Food Technologists Annual Meeting & Food Expo, June 28 to July 1. Held at the New Orleans Morial Convention Center, attendees will learn about the very latest consumer trends, developments in scientific research, technologies and new products in the beverage and food industry.
From cans to bottles to aseptic containers, beverage packaging is attracting attention for more than how it looks these days. Consumers, the media, Wal-Mart, other retailers and grocery chains, state legislators and whole countries are examining what a product is packaged in. Regardless if the issue is health, safety, the environment or aesthetics, packaging material is becoming an even greater consideration.
While the iconic Golden Arches signal convenience to many consumers, McDonald’s USA proved two years ago that it could be more than quick and value-priced with the introduction of its Premium Roast Coffee and other premium food offerings. Now that the coffee has kicked in, the Oak Brook, Ill.-based restaurant chain is using its beverage portfolio to make it more contemporary and relevant — and plans on giving other beverage-focused retailers a run for their money.