RESEARCH POINTS TO FUNCTIONAL BEVERAGES PROPRIETARY DATA FROM STORE BRAND BEVERAGE PRODUCERS, NIELSENIQ SHOW SUGARFILLED DRINKS ON THE DECLINE, HEALTHY ONES ON THE RISE By Dan Ochwat
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e it coffee, tea, dairy products, sparkling water or even alcohol, consumers want added nutritional or functional benefits in their beverages, and private brand suppliers are putting an emphasis on this in the drinks they innovate for retailer private label lines. A slew of research supports this trend: SunOpta, a global producer in the fruit and plant-based category that works with private brand partners, found that plant-based foods are growing at a faster rate than total U.S. food retail sales, up 27% in 2020 vs. 2019, compared with a 15% year-over-year increase in total U.S. food. Within that plant-base segment, oat milk was the star, SunOpta said, growing more than 100% in the last year, per Nielsen data, and is the second
most popular plant-based milk in the country. Michael Buick, senior vice president and general manager, at SunOpta told Store Brands that the company expects to see a continued focus on key functional areas that have been on the rise for several years now, including clean label, organic, responsible sourcing, digestive and gut health, healthy fats, keto and less sugar across the board. “Consumers are looking for immune support, performance-boosting benefits, energy and hydration, and new ways to enhance emotional health and boost brain health, focus and relaxation,” he said. “Certainly, a collective awareness around sustainability, animal welfare and health are influencing consumers as they shop and eat.” The Canadian company with U.S. headquarters in Ediwww.storebrands.com
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