Energy Drinks & Beyond

Innovation in low/no sugar gathers pace. Pic:iStock/nixoncreative

Sports and energy drinks: The rise in low sugar NPD

By Rachel Arthur

The upcoming sugar tax in the UK – along with consumers’ concerns over sugar – have encouraged sports and energy drinks brands to step up low- and no-sugar product development. In fact, these varieties accounted for 26% of launches in 2016, according...

'Rather than throwing the baby out with the bathwater we just need to look at it and find a way of making sure the vulnerable consumer is protected,' says GSK. ©iStock/EldadCarin

Dispatches from the #SNC16 congress in Frankfurt

Could energy drinks be cut out of the EU caffeine claim loop?

By Annie Harrison-Dunn

The European Specialist Sports Nutrition Alliance (ESSNA) is lobbying for two different solutions to the EU caffeine claim hold up, one of which could see use of the claims limited to sports supplements only.  

In 2015 global volumes of energy drinks reached 8.8 billion litres – up 10% from the previous year despite political turmoil around the sector. ©iStock/Elisanth_

Germany overtakes US as top energy drink innovator

By Annie Harrison-Dunn

For the first time Germany has overtaken the US as the top energy drink innovator with the highest rates of new product development (NPD) in 2015, according to Mintel. 

'...we suggest that arrhythmia could be a complication of ED consumption...' ©iStock

Energy drinks linked to cardiac events

By Eliot Beer

A new study of a patient with cardiac arrhythmia and bloody vomit after drinking Monster energy drinks provides new evidence the high-caffeine beverages may cause cardiac problems.

Parliament concerns over energy drinks come to a head as MEPs vote to veto caffeine health claims. © iStock.com / KatarzynaBialasiewicz

MEPs vote to veto 4 caffeine health claims

By Annie Harrison-Dunn

The European Parliament’s Environment and Public Health Committee (ENVI) has adopted a last-minute motion that could see four controversial caffeine claims vetoed in a move the energy drink sector warns could result in yet more years of "legal uncertainty”.

The global energy drink sector is set for robust growth but could regulations and health concerns chill expansion? ©iStock

Sector to grow 40% by 2020

The world’s unquenchable thirst for energy drinks

By Shane STARLING

Global sales of energy drinks hit €38.2 billion last year and will be worth €53.4bn in 2020 according to Euromonitor International, even as regulatory winds blow ill beneath the sector's wings. 

The California-based energy drink giant has been locked in an appeals process for its EU trademark since 2013.

'Green Beans M Java Monster' canned

You’ve got fax: Monster mashed in EU trademark battle

By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Monster Energy Company has lost a trademark battle with the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) for the wording ‘Green Beans’ following a three year argument over a lost fax.

Asia: Rapid urbanization, consumer interest in health & wellness, and a large population. Pic: iStock/fpdress

What will global beverage consumption look like in 2021? Region by region data

Unprecedented growth for Asia beverage market

By Rachel Arthur

Asia’s beverage market will experience unprecedented growth, taking two-thirds of global incremental consumption by 2021, according to figures from Canadean.

The profile of the sweetener has been boosted this month with the launch of STATE, a Danish sports drink fronted by Premier League football player Christian Eriksen.

Product strategy expert says palatinose's 'time has come'

By Lynda Searby

As consumer knowledge about blood sugar level management builds, low-glycaemic sweetener Palatinose could be about to enjoy its day in the sun, according to author and marketing guru Julian Mellentin. 

'In Saudi Arabia they have huge restrictions on energy drinks – in summary, you can do nothing – you can’t do tastings, advertising, sponsorship, nothing,' says one brand in the region. © iStock.com / lowkick

Saudi Arabia smacks energy drinks with new fines

By Eliot Beer

Saudi Arabia has announced further restrictions on energy drinks, with fines to be levied against outlets serving the beverages, but the impact will be minimal, according to Euromonitor.

Consumer groups have called for a pan-EU ban on energy sales to under 18s following bans in Lithuania and Latvia. © iStock.com / mearman

What if... the EU banned energy drink sales to under 18s

By David Burrows

An EU-wide ban on selling energy drinks to under 18s would see volume sales fall by over 70 million litres, if the impact of similar legislation in Lithuania is anything to go by. The low-priced end of the market would be hit hardest, with standard and...

Moto me-too? “If you do something away from Red Bull’s taste profile, you’ll never succeed.

Moto aims to tap into Dubai’s energy

By Eliot Beer

Moto, a new Dubai-made energy drink, made its entry at Gulfood and is aiming to leverage the emirate’s growing reputation to carve out its identity in a crowded market.

ECF: “I can’t speak for coffee companies but the claims might be used as general information on product websites rather than on coffee products.

Bean boon? EC prepares for long-awaited caffeine claims

By Shane STARLING

The EC has drafted four endurance and cognition health claims for caffeine indicating a belated entry into EU law books five years after EFSA first approved them – but industry isn’t holding its breath.

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