Articles by Barbara Harfmann

This fall, as children are heading back to school, the institutions that participate in the federal lunch program will continue to ensure that children and teens will be receiving healthier food, snack and beverage choices, experts note.

As a child, I spent many happy afternoons and evenings watching the Chicago White Sox play at “old” Comiskey Park at 35th and Shields. Typically, our family of six sat in the left-field bleachers, and I vividly remember cheering on Harold Baines, Ron Kittle and the other “good guys in black” while drinking a cold soda and munching on peanuts and hot dogs

Packaging experts note that advancements in optical technology, software algorithms that are effective at high line speeds and the ability to inspect materials across the bottling process are essential for today’s modern bottling facilities.

As the energy drink market reaches saturation, relaxation, stress-relief and mental focus beverages are the next logical place for innovation in the functional beverage market, experts note.

Originally written and performed as a Christmas song, “Fruitcake” extols the virtues of cinnamon by proclaiming, “Cinnamon, cinnamon, don’t forget the cinnamon. Cloves and spice will make it nice, but don’t forget the cinnamon.” In addition to being a popular baking ingredient, cinnamon also is resonating as a popular flavor within more beverages, experts note.

When Culture Club released its 1983 single “Karma Chameleon,” the song instantly became a global sensation. Although not yet on the global scale, Austin, Texas-based Chameleon Cold-Brew with its array of refrigerated ready-to-drink (RTD) cold brew and coffee concentrates has become a “hit” in the beverage market.

Founded from humble beginnings 25 years ago, New Belgium Brewing started in the basement of its founder Kim Jordan and her husband, Jeff Lebesch, who, along with friends, produced the labels and delivered beer in their station wagon.

In today’s fast-paced world, having the ability to communicate quickly and easily is important. This is especially true in beverage warehouse and distribution operations where time is money and using telematics to track the location, movement, status and behavior of beverage vehicles can help get the most bang for the buck.

Whenever consumers make Jell-O, thicken gravy or add corn starch to a pie filling, they knowingly or unknowingly are using hydrocolloids to thicken their products and give them a desired consistency. As health-and-wellness trends impact new product development, beverage formulators increasingly are using these ingredients to give consumers the clean label, nutrient-enriched beverages they seek, experts say.

In the competitive beverage marketplace, products need to create a memorable first impression and stand out from the rest on retail store shelves. Inks and coatings help to convey what is inside a can or bottle, but also play a key role in differentiating brands, according to packaging materials experts.