The 39th annual Natural Products Expo West & Engredea tradeshow took place March 5-9 at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, Calif. The show, hosted by New Hope Network, brought together 86,000 attendees and more than 3,500 exhibitors in the food, beverage, ingredient and skincare industries.
The exhibiting companies included hundreds of established and emerging beverage brands. Below are highlights from some of the brands:
Bai Brands LLC, a division of Plano, Texas-based Dr Pepper Snapple Group, showcased its antioxidant water packaged in 1-liter bottles. It also highlighted its line of ready-to-drink antioxidant superteas available in four flavors: Tanzania Lemon, Rio Raspberry, Socorro Sweet and Narino Peach.
San Diego, Calif.-based BOS Brands introduced its new line of Unsweetened Sparkling Iced Teas. Available in three flavors —Blueberry & Jasmine, White Peach & Elderflower, and Pineapple & Coconut — BOS Unsweetened teas are USDA Certified Organic, Non-GMO Project Verified and vegan friendly.
Geneva, N.Y.-based Cheribundi Inc. introduced its newest product: Cheribundi HYDRATE. HYDRATE combines Cheribundi’s tart cherry juice with coconut water and B vitamins. Each 8-ounce serving contains 40 tart cherries and no added sugar, the company says. HYDRATE is available in 8-, 12-, and 24-ounce bottles.
Atlanta-based The Coca-Cola Co. had numerous brands on hand at the show. The following are highlights from those brands: Honest Tea unveiled its newest line: Honest Organic Juice Drinks. Available in three flavors —Apple, Strawberry Lemonade and Blueberry Raspberry — the juice drinks contain no added sugar, no artificial sweeteners and no high-fructose corn syrup, the company says. Honest Organic Juice Drinks are available in six-packs of 10-ounce bottles. Hubert’s Lemonade promoted its newest flavor: Blueberry. Along with the rest of the Hubert’s lineup, Blueberry is sweetened with cane sugar and stevia leaf extract and contains no artificial preservatives, the company says. Simply Beverages highlighted its new line of ready-to-drink (RTD) smoothies in three flavors: Mango Pineapple, Strawberry Banana and Orchard Berry. The new smoothie line is available in single-serve 11.5- and multi-serve 32-ounce plastic bottles. ZICO debuted its new plant-based protein beverage. ZICO Chocolate Flavored Coconut Water with Protein contains 12 grams of plant-protein in each bottle. It also is dairy and soy free, and Non-GMO Project Verified.
Elmhurst 1925, Elma, N.Y., debuted two new clean-label products at the show. Original Unsweetened Hemp Creamer is made with four ingredients and no added sugar, gums or oils, the company says. Also launched was its Unsweetened Milked Oats, which is made with three ingredients, oats, water and salt, and contains 20 grams of whole grains, it adds.
Toronto, Ontario-based Flow Alkaline Spring Water unveiled an augmented reality mirror as part of its new on-premise marketing strategy. The technology, powered by memomi, will bring to life Flow’s summer campaign titled the Superpower of Alkalinity, which allows consumers to tap into their own “superpowers,” the company says.
Los Angeles-based Health-Ade Kombucha highlighted its certified organic, non-GMO, gluten free, vegan and kosher Kombucha in six new flavors. Available beginning this summer, Health-Ade Kombucha will be available in Cherry Berry, Grapefruit, Tropical Punch, Passionfruit-Tangerine, Strawberry-Lemonade, and Peach-Mango.
hint Inc., San Francisco, promoted its line of shelf-stable, Non-GMO certified kids’ waters in four fruit flavors: Watermelon, Cherry, Blackberry and Apple. The zero-calorie waters contain no juice, or sugar, no diet sweeteners or preservative. Packaged in 6.75-ounce Tetra cartons, the waters are available online and soon will roll out to Costco and grocery and specialty stores.
Dallas-based Holy Kombucha promoted its newest packaging item: a six-pack of 10-ounce bottles. The new packaging box offers two units of Holy Kombucha’s Blood Orange, Prickly Pear and Amazing Blues flavors. Each flavor contains no additives or preservatives, and is gluten free and vegan, the company says.
Humm Kombucha, Bend, Ore., promoted its two latest handcrafted flavors: Raspberry Hops and Ginger Juniper. Each flavor contains 5 grams of sugar and 25 calories in each 415-ml serving.
Jindilli Beverages LLC, Oakbrook, Ill., highlighted its Milkadamia Creamers line in three flavors: Macadamia Fudge, Vanilla and Unsweetened Vanilla. Packaged in 16-ounce bottles, Milkadamia Creamers are dairy and gluten free, vegan and Non-GMO Project Verified.
Ventura, Calif.-based KeVita Inc., a division of PepsiCo Inc., promoted its line of Sparkling Probiotic Drinks. Available in nine flavor varieties, KeVita Sparkling Probiotic Drinks are Non-GMO Project Verified, USDA certified organic and dairy and gluten free. The company also promoted its line of Apple Cider Vinegar Tonics, available in four flavors, as well as its Master Brew Kombucha, available in 10 varieties.
Los Angeles-based Koia showcased the latest flavors in its plant-based Fruit Infusion Line. The Chocolate Banana, Strawberry Crème and Mango Crème varietals each contain 18 grams of plant protein and 6 grams of sugar per serving, the company says.
Lifeway Foods, Morton Grove, Ill., debuted its new Plantiful line of plant-based probiotic drinks. Containing 10 live and active probiotic cultures, Plantiful is available in Natural, Coconut Vanilla, Mixed Berry and Tropical Fruit. Each flavor is vegan, gluten free and non-GMO.
Natural Bliss, a brand of Glendale, Calif.-based Nestlé USA, highlighted four new coffee creamers in the bliss lineup: Oak Milk, plant-based Half & Half, Honey Cream and Honey Pecan, and Toasted Coconut. The new creamers are available nationwide in 16- and 32-ounce bottles. In a separate booth, Austin, Texas-based Chameleon Cold-Brew, a wholly owned subsidiary of Nestlé USA, launched a line of cold-brew lattes and coffees in 8-ounce slim cans. Available in Original Latte, Cinnamon Dolce Latte, Black Coffee and Churro Black Coffee, each iteration is shelf stable for six months, the company says. Also highlighted at the show was the company’s new line of Organic Oat Milk, available in Original and Dark Chocolate varieties.
Denver-based New Age Beverages Corp. promoted its line of Bob Marley-branded CBD-infused beverages available in three varieties: Cold-Brew, Yerba Mate and Mellow Mood.
Nuun and Co. Inc., Seattle, launched Nuun Rest, a non-GMO hydration solution that helps promote calmness of the mind and body, the company says. Rest is recommended to be served with 4 to 6 ounces of water and is available in two flavors: Lemon Chamomile and Blackberry Vanilla.
Fairfield, N.J.-based Only What You Need Inc. (OWYN) debuted the newest flavor of its 20-gram protein drinks: Cookies n’ Cream. The company also highlighted its new dairy-free milks in two flavors: Chocolate and Vanilla.
Path Water, San Francisco, showcased its purified waters, which are made using a seven-step reverse-osmosis filtration process before being packaged in reusable, recyclable aluminum containers, the company says.
Pure Steeps Beverage LLC, Portland, Ore., debuted a new lineup of functional drinks in its Wonder Drink Prebiotic Kombucha line: Prebiotic Plus Kombucha. Available in three varietals — Prickly Pear Cascara for Focus, Turmeric Ginger for Radiance and Salted Watermelon for Hydration — Prebiotic Plus contains 8-9 grams of sugar and is packaged in 12-ounce slim cans.
Santa Monica, Calif.-based Red Bull North America Inc. launched a new line of organic-premium craft sodas in 250-ml slim cans. The craft sodas contain no artificial flavors, colors or preservatives and are available in four flavors: Simply Cola, Bitter Lemon, Ginger Ale and Tonic Water. Beginning this month, Organics by Red Bull are available at select retailers on the West Coast as well as through Amazon.com and Walmart.com.
Reed’s Inc., Los Angeles, added four new products to its ginger beer product lineup: Reed’s Zero Sugar Ginger Beer, Reed’s Ready to Drink Mule, Reed’s Wellness Ginger Beer with Hemp Extract and Reed’s Ginger Wellness Shots. All of Reed’s products are made with fresh ginger root, sparkling water, pineapple juice, lemon juice, honey, cane sugar and spices, the company says.
Philadelphia-based Sipp Eco Beverage Co. Inc. launched its line of Sipp Infusions Sparkling Water with Caffeine. Available in three flavors — Black Tea, Lemon & Mint; Cranberry, Tangerine & Lime; and Mango, Black Tea & Basil — the sparkling waters contain 50 mg of caffeine from organic green coffee beans, the company says.
Sparkling Ice, a part of Preston, Wash.-based Talking Rain Beverage Co., highlighted its Sparkling Ice +Caffeine line. The 16-ounce cans are available in five flavors: Black Raspberry, Blue Raspberry, Triple Citrus, Strawberry Citrus and Orange Passionfruit. Sparkling Ice +Caffeine contains 70 mg of caffeine, zero sugar, zero calories, antioxidants and vitamins.
New York-based Recess promoted its line of CBD sparkling waters in three flavors: Blackberry Chai, Peach Ginger and Pom Hibiscus. Each flavor contains hemp extract, adaptogens, American ginseng and schisandra.
Franklin Park, Ill.-based Vital Proteins showcased its ready-to-mix (RTM) collagen peptides designed to support healthy joints and bones, skin hydration and elasticity, the company says. Each RTM packet contains 10 grams of collagen.
Engredea
Hosted in conjunction with Natural Products Expo West was the Engredea show. Below are some highlights from beverage ingredient suppliers:
City of Industry, Calif.-based AIDP Inc., highlighted Magtein, a cognitive health ingredient designed to help reverse the effects of aging on the brain, the company says.
Artemis International, Fort Wayne, Ind., promoted its superberry-based extracts including elderberry, aroniaberry and cranberry. The company also provided samples of a black elderberry immunity shot containing its elderberry ingredient BerryCeutical.
Minneapolis-based Cargill presented its new plant-based protein research and consumer insights solutions. The company highlighted that most plant-based consumers are “flexitarians,” who say they are trying to eat more plant-based foods. The presentation also highlighted the benefits of plant proteins, which are lower in calories and fat, promote satiety and weight management, help reduce sugar intake, and environmental impact, the company says. Cargill’s portfolio of plant proteins include PURIS Pea Protein, Soy Protein and Corn Protein.
FutureCeuticals, Momence, Ill., showcased its TruServe program, which provides a variety of fruit and vegetable powders designed to deliver whole food nutrition to an array of food and beverage products, the company says. It also highlighted S7, a combination of seven plant-based ingredients designed for performance enhancement.
Carlsbad, Calif.-based Glanbia Nutritionals focused on functional beverage trends. The company emphasized its OptiSol 1005 for shelf-stable, high acid protein beverages, BevWise Protein System for high-acid functional beverages and FlavorSpecks, a protein powder drink mix that contains fruit flavors, protein and color in one ingredient, it says.
Gold Coast Ingredients Inc., Commerce, Calif., highlighted its range of reduced sodium solutions for food and beverage applications.
Hilmar, Calif.-based Hilmar Ingredients showcased its Hilmar 9021 Whey Protein Isolate, which disperses quickly, is super-clear and free-of-taste and Lecithin-free, the company says. The isolate was promoted through a cherry drink mix prototype.
Ingredion Inc., Westchester, Ill., announced the launch of its new organic pea protein isolate. VITESSENCE Pulse 1803 organic pea protein isolate can be used to formulate a broad range of protein-rich products in a variety of categories including dairy alternatives and powered and ready-to-drink beverages, the company says. The sensory profile of the new isolate is characterized by a smooth, creamy texture and a consumer-pleasing flavor that is lower in raw and green notes than other plant-based solutions, it adds. In a separate booth, TIC Gums, White Marsh, Md., highlighted its Simplistica BV 0358 ingredient system that is designed to give formulators the foundation needed to develop dairy-free ready-to-drink beverages, the company says. The company showcased the ingredient in a matcha chai instant shake that also featured parent-company Ingredion’s VITESSENCE Pulse 1803 pea protein isolate.
Ixoreal Biomed Inc., India, highlighted its KSM-66 ashwagandha ingredient designed for sports nutrition and active health, the company says. KSM-66 provides benefits in cardiorespiratory endurance, muscle strength and mass, body composition and stress resistance, it adds.
Beloit, Wis.-based Kerry showcased its TasteSense Sweet Optimization, designed to reduce sugar without comprising taste, the company says. TasteSense provides as much as 30 percent sugar reduction and is available in dry and liquid formats, it adds. The company also highlighted its new cold-brew coffee extracts.
Kyowa Hakko USA Inc., New York, spotlighted its range of performance solutions for beverage applications including Sustamine for performance enhancement. Sustamine is water-soluble, neutral in taste, allergen free and contains no preservatives or additives, the company says.
Morristown, N.J.-based PLT Health Solutions Inc. showcased Artesa, a chickpea protein for ready-to-drink beverage applications. The company offered samples of a chai latte containing Artesa. BI
