Beyond Meat has launched its first functional beverage line, Beyond Immerse™, in New York, featuring bold new packaging. The rollout aims to make a significant impact in the influential market. Professional basketball player Josh Hart has been appointed as the brand ambassador, leading a series of summer fitness activations and events focused on performance. The announcement was made on June 2, 2026, from El Segundo, California.

SunOpta’s fastest-growing segment in recent years has been its fruit snacks manufacturing, which has seen double-digit growth for 21 consecutive quarters, and accounts for approximately 20% of SunOpta’s total revenue. The company recently invested $25 million in an additional fruit snack production line at its Omak, Wash., facility to increase capacity and handle ongoing demand for the product. That line just opened this week.

Quebec's initiative to ban energy drinks for youth is influencing discussions in other provinces, prompting policymakers to evaluate measures aimed at safeguarding young individuals from the adverse effects of excessive caffeine consumption, particularly when combined with prescribed medications. This movement highlights growing concerns regarding the health implications of energy drinks on the youth population and seeks to address these issues through potential legislative action.

Crooked Pop is a new product that offers a reduced sugar hard soda aimed at consumers who prefer cleaner labels. The beverage is part of a growing trend towards healthier options in the beverage market, responding to consumer demand for products with fewer artificial ingredients and lower sugar content. This aligns with the broader movement in the industry towards transparency and health-conscious choices among consumers.

Trip has launched Tropical Mango, a new addition to its functional drinks portfolio. This lightly sparkling beverage is designed to promote relaxation and well-being, featuring magnesium and adaptogens as key ingredients. The introduction of Tropical Mango reflects Trip's commitment to expanding its range of functional beverages aimed at health-conscious consumers seeking calming drink options. The product is now available for purchase.

The Ryl Company, which owns the iced tea brand Ryl Tea, has successfully closed a $20 million Series C growth equity round. This funding round was led by P. The investment aims to accelerate the growth of the emerging "modern tea" category. The company plans to utilize the capital to enhance its market presence and expand its product offerings in the tea sector.

Shandong-based Lv Jie has introduced a ready-to-drink (RTD) apple cider vinegar product that combines apple juice and prebiotics. This innovative offering aims to provide a more appealing taste profile, specifically targeting younger consumers. The company seeks to reinvent traditional apple cider vinegar to enhance its marketability and attract a demographic that may be less familiar with conventional vinegar products.

Dae Hong, Managing Director of SPC Global, discussed the company's manufacturing processes, supply chain management, and product strategy in an interview with Food & Beverage Industry News. The conversation highlighted SPC Global's commitment to nourishing consumers through its products and emphasized the importance of efficient operations and innovative strategies in the food and beverage sector. The insights reflect the company's dedication to quality and sustainability in its offerings.

Brazil's citrus industry is confronting significant challenges as orange production is projected to decline by nearly 13 percent in 2026/27 due to Huanglongbing (HLB), a major phytosanitary threat. Industry leaders emphasize that this disease is reshaping the economics and sustainability of global citrus production, marking a critical juncture for Brazil's citrus sector and increasing the demand for new control technologies to combat this issue.

The Citrus Growers Association of South Africa has revised its citrus export forecast downward for the current season across all categories. This adjustment reflects ongoing developments as the campaign progresses, indicating potential challenges in meeting earlier expectations for citrus exports. The association's updated forecast highlights the dynamic nature of the citrus market and the factors influencing production and export levels in South Africa.

The Chilean citrus industry anticipates an increase in export volumes, projecting shipments to reach 530,000 tons in 2026, which represents a 6% rise from the 499,204 tons expected in 2025. This growth reflects the industry's ongoing efforts to expand its market presence and meet global demand for citrus products. The forecast underscores the potential for continued development within the sector.

The Florida Legislature has allocated $196 million for industry research, which citrus leaders commend as a significant investment. This funding aims to combat citrus greening, enhance production, and support the sustainability of Florida's renowned citrus industry. The allocation underscores the state's dedication to addressing challenges within the sector and ensuring the long-term viability of its citrus production.

Want to dive deeper in citrus? Coming in 2026: citrodex.com

The study presents a method combining antimicrobial peptide-based magnetic separation with multiplex PCR for the rapid detection of multiple foodborne pathogens in food samples. This approach addresses the complexity of food matrices and enhances the efficiency of pathogen identification. The method aims to improve public health safety by providing a reliable means for monitoring foodborne pathogens, thereby ensuring food safety in various food products.

Fresh passion fruit juice is prone to phase separation during storage, highlighting the necessity for natural stabilizers as alternatives to synthetic additives. The study investigates the physicochemical properties and consumer acceptability of passion fruit juice supplemented with Kappaphycus alvarezii seaweed gel. Results indicate that the addition of seaweed gel can enhance the stability and overall quality of the juice, potentially improving consumer preferences.

Optimizing water and potassium management in citrus orchards significantly enhances yield and water-nutrient use efficiency. This approach improves soil nitrogen availability, which is crucial for fruit production. The study highlights the importance of these practices in enhancing the rhizosphere microenvironment, ultimately leading to better growth and productivity in citrus cultivation. Effective management strategies are essential for sustainable agricultural practices in this sector.

Optimizing water and potassium management significantly enhances yield and improves water-nutrient use efficiency in citrus orchards by increasing soil nitrogen availability. The study highlights the critical role of these management practices in boosting fruit production and suggests that effective water and potassium strategies can lead to better rhizosphere microenvironment conditions, ultimately benefiting citrus cultivation and sustainability in agricultural practices.