PepsiCo reported a decline in soda sales attributed to tightening consumer spending, which has affected its North American beverage business. The company is responding to this shift in consumer preferences as it navigates the challenges posed by changing market dynamics. This trend reflects broader changes in the beverage industry as consumers increasingly seek alternatives to traditional soda products.

Natalie's Orchid Island Juice Company has expanded its retail presence by launching its clean-label juices at 54 select Bashas' Family Supermarkets across Arizona. This initiative aims to increase accessibility to Natalie’s products for consumers in the region. The partnership with Bashas’ is expected to enhance the brand's visibility and availability in the competitive juice market, catering to health-conscious customers.

Gem-Pack Berries and Plant Sciences Genetics are inviting attendees of the Global Show to sample their new Rejoice™ blackberry platform. Participants will have the opportunity to taste two beverages, including Blackberry Honey. This initiative aims to engage attendees and showcase the innovative offerings within the Rejoice™ brand, highlighting the potential of blackberry-based beverages in the market.

Draper, Utah-based Swire Pacific Holdings Inc., operating as Swire Coca-Cola USA, is experiencing steady growth nearly one year following the expansion of its Spokane Valley facility. The company's ongoing progress reflects its commitment to enhancing operations and meeting market demands. This development indicates a positive trajectory for Swire Coca-Cola USA as it continues to strengthen its presence in the beverage industry.

Nearly six in ten Australians working in food and beverage manufacturing (58.4%) believe their organization is becoming less productive, despite investments in technology. The findings indicate that many manufacturers are struggling to enhance efficiency and output. This trend raises concerns about the effectiveness of current technological advancements in addressing productivity challenges within the sector, highlighting a disconnect between investment and tangible productivity gains.

Absolut has launched a new canned cocktail in collaboration with Ocean Spray, featuring a bolder vodka cranberry experience. This drink, named Absolut Ocean Spray, offers double the vodka content compared to traditional options. It comes in two fruit-forward flavors, catering to consumers seeking a stronger beverage choice. This product aims to enhance the canned cocktail market with its intensified flavor profile and higher alcohol content.

At the Non-Alcoholic Beverages conference, industry executives discussed the challenges and opportunities facing functional beverage makers. Key topics included the necessity of clearly communicating the benefits of functional drinks to consumers. The conversation highlighted the importance of addressing consumer perceptions and the potential for growth in the functional beverage sector, emphasizing the need for transparency and education regarding product advantages.

AI :: For those in citrus playing with AI in a controlled environment: this research demo on Hugging Face of the “Citrus Doctor” will bring some fresh ideas for other projects.

Florida's citrus industry, a vital part of the state's economy, has a legacy spanning over a century, upheld by dedicated families. The Roe Family, owners of Noble Citrus in Winter Haven, are among the Centennial Citrus Growers who have significantly contributed to this sector. Their efforts reflect the commitment of Florida families in nurturing and sustaining the citrus industry for future generations.

Bluegrass Ingredients has introduced versatile citrus juice powders designed to enhance flavor in various applications, including snacks, baked goods, dressings, and desserts. These juice powders facilitate improved storage and handling, making them a practical choice for food developers. The innovation aims to elevate the citrus flavor profile in multiple products, providing a convenient solution for the food industry seeking to incorporate citrus elements effectively.

Symrise has enhanced its Symvision AI™ platform, transforming it from a foresight tool into a comprehensive end-to-end innovation platform. This upgraded platform now integrates market signals directly with product creation processes, allowing for a more streamlined approach to innovation in the beverage and flavor sectors. The expansion aims to improve efficiency and responsiveness to market demands, reinforcing Symrise's commitment to innovation.

Agro-industrial processing generates substantial vegetable residues that are an underutilized source of pectin. Traditional extraction methods have limitations, prompting the exploration of advanced extraction strategies and valorization approaches. Recent studies focus on optimizing pectin recovery from these residues, enhancing sustainability, and increasing the economic value of by-products. This research highlights the potential for improving resource efficiency within the vegetable processing industry through effective pectin recovery techniques.

Supplementary lighting with varying light qualities and intensities was studied to enhance the nutritional quality and economic benefits of satsuma mandarin (Citrus unshiu Marc.) in greenhouse conditions with limited natural light. The research focused on the impact of red, blue, and white light on fruit coloration, carotenoid accumulation, and overall fruit quality, highlighting the role of light in regulating plant growth and secondary metabolism.