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When it comes to new products in the beverage market, finding drinks that are both healthy and functional is a priority for many consumers, myself included. At the recent Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) Annual Conference and Expo in Las Vegas, many exhibitors showcased new ingredients and flavors, clean-label applications, sugar-reduction solutions, and plant-based products that support enhanced performance, cognitive and digestive health, and much more.

Today, fitness beverages are resonating with consumers and Beverage Industry readers. In the magazine’s Readers’ Choice: New Product of the Month poll for June, Celsius Heat won the poll by obtaining 33 percent of the vote. 

The saying goes that perception doesn’t always meet reality. As brand owners look to meet the evolving needs of American consumers, understanding the habits, perceptions and intentions can be crucial when striving to build brand loyalty.

Having been to Alaska on three occasions, I couldn’t help noticing that the beautiful glaciers have receded more with each time I visited, which is impacting wildlife, oceans and the overall environment.

As a small company growing at 20 percent a year in a narrowly specialized segment of the beverage distribution business, Nampa, Idaho-based Idaho Springs Water succeeds by controlling costs in every corner of its fleet operations, including vehicle acquisition and maintenance, routing optimization, and fuel costs.

Today’s industrial environment is filled with ways to increase profit, meet challenges of competition, improve market share, reduce operating costs, and manage state-of-the-art production and distribution facilities throughout the supply chain.

It’s hard to believe that only a year ago (April 6, 2016, to be exact) Facebook Founder and Chief Executive Officer Mark Zuckerberg announced via a Facebook post that Facebook Live was available to all Facebook users.

Consumers love their functional beverages almost as much as they love coffee. One company sought to combine the two and that resonated with the readers of Beverage Industry.

When conversing with a friend recently, I realized how much I “consume” information. I follow various local, state and national news outlets. The stack of books that I plan to read this summer includes more non-fiction than fiction. My “to watch” list is filled more with documentaries than scripted TV. However, I won’t pretend that reality shows aren’t on in the background while I am doing chores or cooking meals.

In the beverage, supply chain and packaging markets, tradeshow season is in full swing. I recently attended ProMat and ProFood Tech at McCormick Place in Chicago, and will be heading to Las Vegas later this month to attend the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) Annual Meeting & Food Expo, which will take place June 26-28.