At this year’s IFT First Annual Meeting and Expo in Chicago, PLT Health Solutions Inc., Morristown, N.J., will highlight its growing portfolio of beverage-friendly ingredients that provide a broad range of science-backed benefits for the burgeoning functional beverage market, it notes. 

Los Angeles-based G.O.A.T. Fuel, the health-forward energy drink from Pro Football Hall of Famer and renowned NFL G.O.A.T. Jerry Rice, announced closing on its initial Series Seed round of financing, which was oversubscribed and raised $5 million, putting total funds raised since launching in 2020 during the pandemic at $12 million. 

BENEO, a functional ingredient manufacturer, has increased global capacity for its prebiotic chicory root fibers by 30%, while also reducing specific energy consumption by 35%.

ADM unveils global consumer trends outlook report while NutriLeads announced a new clinical research paper regarding its BeniCaros ingredient.

The needs for active women and clean label helped prompt the creation of the latest ingredients. Additionally, ingredient suppliers announce facility plans.

Ingredient companies are broadening their operations by hiring new leaders, as well as through new partnerships to expand on value-added services.

Today, as more consumers continue on a functional beverage course, experts note that as such, many are turning to performance beverages to help manage their overall well-being.

RŌMR, a new lifestyle beverage brand of Alliance Consumer Group (ACG), entered the marketplace with a full line of functional, 3-ounce wellness shots. Two years in the making, the RŌMR line is a dietary supplement, packed with a synergistic blend of natural ingredients, it says. 

As immunity is a universal health need, experts note that within the beverage space, more and more consumers are seeking products that deliver immune-supportive benefits.

Ocean Spray Cranberries Inc., Boston, announced a collaboration with Atlantic Sea Farms, a women-run regenerative kelp aquaculture company, also local to New England, based in Maine, for ingredient use in Atlantic Sea Farms’ Cranberry Kelp Cubes. The sustainably grown kelp product further expands Ocean Spray's functional product and ingredients portfolio.