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.

Comax Flavors introduced a new range of “Craveable Chocolate” flavors for satisfying consumers’ chocolate cravings.

New York-based Kyowa Hakko USA Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Kyowa Hakko Bio Co. Ltd., completed generally recognized as safe (GRAS) self-affirmation for its L-Citrulline amino acid.

Whether for new product launches or reformulations, natural zero-calorie sweeteners like stevia and erythritol are gaining ground in the beverage market, says Melanie Goulson, sweetness applications leader for Cargill, Minneapolis.

When it comes to food and beverages, nothing tops taste, according to a study released by the Corn Refiners Association (CRA), Washington, D.C. Completed in part by market research firms Nielsen, New York, and Mintel, Chicago, Sweetener360 examines the thoughts and actions of six distinct consumer lifestyle segments, the association says.