beverage industry

The 29th FHC Shanghai Global Food Trade Show will take place from November 10 to 12, 2026, at the Shanghai New International Expo Center. The event is described as a major international food and beverage exhibition offering a mature cross-border trading platform, and announcements of the dates are circulating among business audiences tracking China's food import market.

Sudan once loomed large over America's soft-drink industry because it is a leading producer of gum arabic, a key stabilizing ingredient in sodas like Coca-Cola and Pepsi. During periods of tension and sanctions linked to Sudan's politics, US companies worried the supply could be cut off, exposing how dependent global food and beverage production is on one conflict-affected country.

Salada has introduced a chai latte product positioned as a milder alternative for consumers looking to reduce their caffeine intake. The Jamaica Observer reports the tea company is targeting drinkers who want the comfort of a latte-style beverage with less of a caffeine kick. The launch reflects broader demand for lower-caffeine and functional drink options in the beverage market.

Ingredients supplier IFF has identified ten consumer moments it says are reshaping food and beverage innovation as GLP-1 weight-loss medications change eating habits. The company's analysis is aimed at helping manufacturers adapt products to smaller appetites, altered meal occasions and new nutritional needs among users of these drugs, according to reports carried by trade and wire outlets.

A guest column argues Congress is on the verge of outlawing the fast-growing industry of THC-infused beverages, which have proliferated since the 2018 farm bill legalized hemp-derived cannabinoids. The author calls on lawmakers and the public to block a ban that would shut down producers, retailers and bars selling hemp-based drinks nationwide.

Bon Appetit reports that a new wave of sparkling drink brands is moving away from strictly zero-sugar formulas, instead adding a small touch of real sweetness. The trend marks a shift in the beverage industry, where slightly sweet sparkling drinks are being positioned as a more balanced, better-tasting alternative to diet-style sodas.

Ingredients firm IFF has published a new report identifying 10 distinct eating moments tied to GLP-1 weight-loss medication users, aimed at helping food and beverage brands adapt their products and marketing. The analysis outlines how appetite changes on these drugs create new occasions and needs, from smaller portions to nutrient-dense snacking, as the industry responds to shifting consumer behaviour.

At SupplySide Global 2026, ingredient giant ADM sat down with Food Ingredients First to discuss how microbiome science can be translated into mainstream food and beverage products. The conversation covers bridging cutting-edge gut health research with consumer-friendly everyday applications, a topic gaining traction as the microbiome category moves from supplements into broader food and drink innovation.

Leprino Nutrition has completed a $35 million expansion that quadruples its capacity to produce microparticulated whey protein. The investment aims to meet growing demand for high-protein food and drink products, as manufacturers increasingly use whey ingredients in items like bars, beverages and dairy desserts. Industry media reported the completed expansion, highlighting the company's push to scale up ingredient supply for the protein market.

Beverage distributor Clare Rose has placed its large Long Island facility up for sale following the recent sale of its business operations. The move marks the end of an era for the family-run beer distributor, and observers are watching what becomes of the sizable industrial property in the local real estate market.

Food and beverage industry analysts are flagging nutrient density as a defining trend heading into 2027, arguing that brands can convert consumer interest in nutrition per calorie into new product lines and reformulations. Commentary focuses on how manufacturers can position nutrient-rich ingredients as premium selling points rather than niche health claims.

Biospringer has acquired the ModuMax taste modulation technology from dsm-firmenich, a move reported by Food Ingredients First. ModuMax is a taste modulation solution used to improve flavor in food and beverage applications, including salt and sugar reduction. The acquisition strengthens Biospringer's position in the fermentation-derived ingredients market and expands its flavor portfolio.

A Tampa startup is working to bring a 3-ounce protein shot to market, offering consumers a quick, portable way to consume protein. The venture adds to a growing wave of food and beverage startups targeting convenience-focused nutrition products, and it is drawing attention as part of Florida's emerging startup scene.

A beverage workers' strike in Omaha is continuing, and local bars are split in how they are responding, with some affected by disrupted deliveries or showing support for striking workers while others carry on business as usual. Local news outlets in Nebraska are covering the standoff as it drags on, highlighting the divide among bar owners and the ongoing impact on the city's nightlife industry.

Coca-Cola is being examined for whether its sports beverage lineup can win over the growing fitness market. Financial outlets including The Globe and Mail and Yahoo Finance are running analysis asking if the company's portfolio can capture demand from health-conscious consumers, a segment where rivals like BodyArmor and Powerade compete for market share.

Ingredients supplier IFF has identified ten consumer moments it says are reshaping food and beverage innovation as more people use GLP-1 weight-loss medications. The company argues smaller appetites and changed eating habits are altering how consumers shop, snack and portion meals, and that brands need to reformulate products and marketing around these new occasions.

Nutritional Outlook and TruShield Certified have announced a new educational track for their upcoming conference, titled "The Outlook on Active Nutrition." The track will focus on trends in active nutrition for the supplement, food and beverage manufacturing industry. Details on speakers and sessions have not yet been shared, but the announcement signals growing industry attention to products aimed at active consumers.