ICB-Indian Craft Brewery Opens in Bengaluru

The first launch of Malt Plant Phase II at John Distilleries in Goa marks a major expansion of operations for the company, which produces Paul John Single Malt Whisky. This significant growth opens a new chapter in the company's international journey and is a significant turning point in India's craft distilling history.

The Goa facility's production capacity will be tripled from 1.3 million to 3 million liters per year as a result of the development, satisfying the rising demand for Paul John's premium whiskies across the globe.

With an investment of INR 500 crores, this development has increased the distillery's production and storage capacities. The Honorable Chief Minister of Goa, Pramod Sawant, graced the inauguration and joined us in commemorating this historic event.

“The expansion of our distillery in Goa is more than just a milestone in increasing the capacity of production but is a forward-thinking investment in the future of global whisky. With the commission of Malt Plant Phase II, we hope to set the stage for long term growth and meet the rising global demand for our single malts,” said Paul P John, Chairman, John Distilleries.

 

Blisswater Industries (House of Blisswater), a homegrown alcobev and lifestyle company, headquartered in Bengaluru, has announced its foray into the Karnataka market. Their award-winning Yaksha Whisky will now be available in liquor stores across Karnataka. It will be available at liquor retail stores and outlets across Karnataka; the 750 ML bottle of Yaksha Whisky is priced at INR 2,380.

Yaksha Whisky, which combines the best Indian grain spirits with malts from Scotland's Highlands, takes you to a world of classic sophistication with each taste. Its incorporation of botanicals inspired by Soma, an ancient elixir and emblem of life, is what really makes it unique. A layer of richness is added by the Soma botanicals, which turn each glass into a symphony of tastes.

 “We are thrilled to introduce Yaksha Whisky to the discerning palates of Karnataka," said Varna Bhat, Master Blender and Founder of Blisswater Industries.

He added, "Karnataka is an important market for us, and we are confident that our unique blend, inspired by rich Indian heritage, will resonate with enthusiasts here. We have been encouraged by the positive market acceptance over the past 25-30 months in markets such as Goa, Maharashtra, Rajasthan in India as well as in international markets including USA, Japan, Singapore and in Duty-free stores at multiple airports. We are happy to share with you that Yaksha is now available in Karnataka. We look forward to sharing the Yaksha experience and creating lasting connections with our patrons here."

With the official debut of The Bier Library Volume 2, Bangalore's well-liked literary-themed brewery, The Bier Library, revealed its newest invention. Located in the bustling center of Sarjapur, this brand-new location offers an experience that is unmatched by combining architectural genius with craft brewing excellence.

Visitors are welcomed into a world at the Bier Library Volume 2, where an enormous sun window bathes the interiors in natural light, creating a pleasant glow that accentuates the allure of the rustic brick walls. Every visit is memorable and worthy of a gram because of the spacious, open layout, which fosters a sense of freedom and peace. The distinctive courtyard setting, embellished with abundant flora, amplifies the spatial and visual experience, enabling visitors to take in all angles of the area.

Prashant Kunal, the visionary Founder & CEO of The Bier Library, shared his enthusiasm for the new venue. He said, “The Bier Library Volume 2 represents the evolution of our vision—a place where the art of brewing meets architectural excellence. We have crafted this space to offer a unique experience that feels like a true extension of home. It's about more than just enjoying a drink; it's about creating lasting memories in an environment where everyone feels welcome.”

FSSAI instructs ecommerce firms to refrain from labeling dairy, cereal, or malt-based beverages as 'health' or 'energy' drinks, citing lack of legal definition for 'health drink' and specific categorization of 'energy drink' under food laws.

FSSAI has cautioned all e-commerce Food Business Operators (FBOs) that the incorrect labeling could potentially mislead consumers.

Consequently, the authority has urged prompt rectification of this misclassification by either removing or unlinking such beverages from the 'Health Drinks / Energy Drinks' category, as stated in their official statement.

FSSAI has clarified that the term 'Health Drink' lacks a defined or standardized definition within the FSS Act 2006 or its accompanying rules and regulations that oversee the food industry.

The term 'Energy' Drinks is authorized solely for use on products like flavored drinks, whether carbonated or non-carbonated, based on water.
 

Starbucks has revealed its latest range of ready-to-drink beverages, featuring a selection of café-inspired drinks tailored to meet the evolving tastes of consumers.

Three decades ago, Starbucks and PepsiCo played a pioneering role in shaping the ready-to-drink coffee market through the establishment of the North American Coffee Partnership (NACP).

Over the years, this collaboration has continually introduced new innovations, drawing inspiration found in Starbucks cafes and catering to the needs of on-the-go coffee enthusiasts.

The NACP is introducing a range of new offerings, including the non-dairy Starbucks Oatmilk Frappuccino Chilled Coffee Drink, alongside fresh variations of Starbucks Cold Brew and Starbucks Multi-serve Cold Brew.

Among these releases, the bottled Starbucks Frappuccino Chilled Coffee Drink now includes oatmilk and is presented in two exciting flavors.

The Starbucks Caramel Waffle Cookie Oatmilk Frappuccino Chilled Coffee Drink presents a delightful blend of oatmilk and caramel, while the Starbucks Dark Chocolate Brownie Oatmilk Frappuccino Chilled Coffee Drink combines creamy oatmilk with rich dark chocolate notes.

Starbucks Cold Brew is packaged in handy 11 oz. cans, introduces three fresh flavors inspired by popular café choices: Vanilla Sweet Cream, Chocolate Cream, and Salted Caramel Cream.

These new beverages has a unique blend of Starbucks beans chosen for their ability to brew without heat, resulting in a smooth flavor profile.

The Starbuck Cold Brew Vanilla Sweet Cream melds cream with vanilla notes, while the Starbucks Cold Brew Chocolate Cream offers a blend of cream and chocolate flavors.

Starbucks Cold Brew Salted Caramel Cream combines cream and salted caramel flavor.

Starbucks Multi-serve Cold Brew, crafted from a blend of arabica beans chosen for their ability to brew without heat, presents a balanced taste.

The Starbucks Multi-serve Salted Caramel Cream Cold Brew delivers a subtle caramel essence, hints of salt, and a touch of cream.

Meanwhile, the Starbucks Multi-serve Oatmilk Brown Sugar Cold Brew combines creamy oatmilk with the sweetness of brown sugar. These options are conveniently available in 40 oz bottles.

Starbucks has revamped its Tripleshot Energy drink with fresh appearance and offering a potent mix of Starbucks coffee infused with a Triple Blend packing 165mg of caffeine, B vitamins, and protein flavorful energy boost.

The 11 oz. cans showcase a sleek new design and come in three enticing flavors: Rich Vanilla, Bold Mocha, and Dark Caramel.

Additionally, the Starbucks Doubleshot Energy drink has undergone a makeover, maintaining its robust Starbucks coffee taste while incorporating a balanced mix of B vitamins, guarana, and ginseng.

Initially introduced in 2008, the Doubleshot Energy drink now features a new look in 15 oz cans and is available in five delicious flavors: Caramel, Coffee, Mocha, Vanilla, and White Chocolate.

New packaging designs for both ready-to-drink Starbucks Tripleshot Energy and Starbucks Doubleshot Energy beverages will be introduced to consumers.

TATA Starbucks has revealed that it is introducing two global favorites, the Starbucks Refreshers™ Strawberry Açaí Lemonade Refresher and Mango Dragon Fruit Lemonade Refresher, to the Indian market.

These iced beverages promise to redefine the summer experience for Indian consumers. These drinks are crafted to captivate taste buds with flavors from strawberry, açaí, mango, and passionfruit.

Starbucks Refreshers showcase innovation by incorporating green coffee extracts derived from unroasted arabica coffee beans.

“The introduction of Starbucks Refreshers in India, a global favorite, signifies our testament to connect with the younger generation of today, who are demanding more diverse choices and options. The innovation behind the beverages lies in the use of green coffee extract adding to the consumer’s need for seeking refreshing moments and offers a new lifestyle beverage for the Indian consumers at the onset of summe” said Sushant Dash, CEO, TATA Starbucks.

The Strawberry Acai Lemonade Refresher offers a blend of strawberries and acai berry extracts, creating a sweet and refreshing beverage complemented by subtle acai undertones.

Meanwhile, the Mango Dragonfruit Lemonade Refresher presents a unique twist on traditional mango drinks, combining mango and dragon fruit extracts with vibrant lemonade for a tropical burst of flavor.

The Starbucks Refreshers will be on offer year-round, commencing this summer and will be accessible at all stores across India with prices starting from INR 275.

Nothing Before Coffee (NBC) is a quick-service restaurant (QSR) brand and India's rapidly expanding coffee chain, has declared the inauguration of its 50th outlet in Malviya Nagar, New Delhi.

The brand is founded in 2017 by Akshay Kedia, Anand Jain, Ankesh Jain, and Shubham Bhandari.

"As we embark on this monumental milestone, we are filled with gratitude for the unwavering support from our cherished patrons. The launch of our 50th outlet is not just a numerical achievement; it's a testament to our commitment to crafting exceptional coffee experiences. Our vision is to become the household name for coffee and beverage cafes in Tier 1 & Tier 2 cities of India and beyond, offering a convenient and delicious coffee experience. We believe in the power of coffee to bring people together, and we're excited to share that with our customers," said Akshay Kedia, Founder & CMO of Nothing Before Coffee.

Nothing Before Coffee has presently  50 stores, with an addition of 25 new outlets in the fiscal year 2023-24 thus far.

As the leading coffee chain, NBC operates in 26 cities and has expanded into 8 new cities this year, marking the highest-ever store addition.

Looking ahead, NBC aims for rapid expansion in the forthcoming years. To facilitate this growth, NBC has entered a collaboration agreement with Building Brands for Tomorrow (BBFT), renowned for its expertise in restaurant franchising and startup growth consulting.

"The market is experiencing a significant demand for reasonably priced coffee, with very few brands catering to this segment on a nationwide scale. It fills me with great joy and pride to witness and support NBC's transformation from nonexistence to prominence!Moving forward, the aim is to expand and enhance NBC's presence across the entire Indian landscape,” said Rohit Singh, Founder of Building Brands for Tomorrow (BBFT).

The menu has over 100 crafted beverages, including the famed 'Shrappe' a delightful fusion of frappe and shake.

The brand's fundamental principles, such as providing exclusively vegetarian choices, adopting the ethos of 'global quality, local pricing,' and serving patrons across all age brackets, have firmly established its dominance in the quick-service restaurant (QSR) sector.

Third Wave Coffee and Ironhill India have teamed up to create a unique and inventive experience for coffee and beer lovers.

With this partnership, the companies will offer customers a blend of high-quality coffee and craft beer.

"Our collaboration with Ironhill represents a convergence of passion and craftsmanship. We set out to create a beverage that transcends boundaries, offering patrons an unparalleled sensory journey. The result is a stout that marries the boldness of quality coffee with the artistry of craft beer, delivering a truly exceptional drinking experience." said Anirudh Sharma, Co-founder, Third Wave Coffee.

Initially accessible in Ironhill Bangalore and subsequently in Hyderabad, this partnership arises from a mutual acknowledgment that the varied tastes of beer enthusiasts warrant a distinctive fusion, uniting the luxurious notes of premium coffee with the artistry of handcrafted beer.

"At Ironhill, we have always strived to push boundaries and create unique offerings for our customers. Teaming up with Third Wave allows us to delve into uncharted territories, introducing a blend of flavors that hasn't been explored before. We are confident that this collaboration will resonate with our patrons who appreciate quality and innovation." said Teja Chekuri, Co-Founder and Managing Partner, Ironhill India.  

The outcome is a menu featuring a carefully chosen array of beers infused with coffee, each meticulously crafted to provide a unique flavor.

This collaboration marks a new chapter in the brewing landscape, where coffee and beer aficionados can come together to savor the best of both worlds.

Greater Than Gin is reintroducing its second limited-edition coffee-infused gin, "No Sleep," exclusively in Goa and for export markets.

The coffee infused gin will relaunch in Goa stores and is available in the UK, Germany, Italy, Singapore, and Taiwan.

Anand Virmani, Co-founder, and Master Distiller at Nao Spirits, emphasizes that in the craft spirits realm, distinctiveness comes from a blend of creativity and steadfast dedication to excellence.

Aligning with this ethos, NAO Spirits' distillers transformed a cocktail experiment from 2017 into this exquisite limited-edition gin.

This version of No Sleep Gin is intricately made by using a dark roast cold brew crafted from 100% Arabica Coffee originating from Chikmagalur and Coorg in Karnataka, India.

It's important to note that this gin contains no added sugar or flavorings. No Sleep gin is recommended to be savored with tonic water alongside an orange wedge, and it also serves as a base for cocktails such as the Negroni or the Espresso Martini, among other options.

“The No-Sleep gin was only our second limited edition ever. It is one that has remained close to our hearts not only because it’s really good, but because it was our very own Jay Dhawan who came up with the idea. Since we stopped production, we have received numerous messages from across the country asking us to bring it back, and I’m happy to report that we have relented. It’s going to be exciting to see No-Sleep back on shelves in shops and at our homes.” said Anand Virmani, Co-founder and Distiller of Nao Spirits.

Greater Than Gin is accessible in 11 states and 3 union territories in India and has reached 11 other countries globally, with plans for further expansion.

Since 2020, they've introduced an annual limited edition gin, with the most recent addition, Broken Bat Gin, revealed in 2022 and currently available in Maharashtra, Goa, and Karnataka.

In the wake of rising cases of Diabetes in one of the world’s wealthiest countries, Singapore bans the advertisements of beverages, which have high content sugar, in order to fight against the disease in the city-state. Now producers of such beverages will not only have to stop advertising their drinks but also need to warn consumers about the risks it involves.

The Singapore Ministry announced this on Thursday and further announcements on this are expected next year. "We will introduce an advertising prohibition of product advertisements for the least healthy SSBs on all local mass media platforms, including broadcast, print, out-of-home and online channels," the health ministry said in a statement.

The country is also planning to introduce a complete ban on the sale of sugar sweetened beverages and is also considering levying taxes on producers who are involved in importing these beverages.

Beverage Giant, Coca-Cola welcomed this move and said would introduce less sweetened drinks in future. It also added that this move will not have any impact on their operations.

According to the International Diabetes Federation, 13.7% of adults suffer from diabetes in Singapore, which is one of the highest rates among developed nations.

In the past several countries have taken a similar action. While Mexico and Britain put restrictions of advertisements of such unhealthy drinks, this move by Singapore seems to have gone far from restricting. Singapore is now the first country to put a blanket ban on fizzy beverages which it believes is risking the lives its citizens. The reason for this ban is also because of its fast ageing population and the trend of eating street food in the country.

Subway Restaurants has partnered with Halo Top Creamery for testing a new line of hand-spun Halo Top milkshakes. This development marks the first restaurant brand to serve Halo Top’s ice cream in a milkshake platform. 

Subway will be offering these milkshakes in three different flavors, including timeless Vanilla Bean, rich and creamy Chocolate, and sweet and refreshing Strawberry. Each Halo Top milkshake has 350 calories or less, at least 20 grams of protein and 30% of the recommended daily value of calcium.

The milkshakes will be made available for a limited time only, July 22 through September 4, at over 1,000 locations in six test markets across the United States, which includes Colorado Springs, Colo.; Hartford, Conn.; Longview and Tyler, Texas; Salt Lake City; Toledo; and West Palm Beach, Fla.

Van Popering, Chief Brand and Innovation Officer, Subway, said, “Bringing this first-to-the-world innovation was enabled by months of close collaboration between the Subway and Halo Top teams. This is the first time we are investing in a frozen beverage program with an eye toward national roll out, and the only time any brand will offer this exclusive partnership with Halo Top.”

Doug Bouton, President and Chief Operating Officer at Halo Top Creamery, stated, “We are thrilled to kick-off this partnership with Subway and bring these hand-spun milkshakes to life for everyone to enjoy. We enjoy finding creative and innovative ways for people to eat more ice cream and feel good about it. We think this partnership provides the perfect platform to do just that.”

Indianised burger chain Burger Singh has unveiled five new burgers that are twists on their popular offerings. The new burgers include both vegetarian and non-vegetarian options like Shahi Paneer, Mac and cheese, Andewalla, Udta Punjab 2.0 with a cheese-filled patty and 377 Pack.

Burger Singh has also added new beverages to its menu. These include Tony Pappeh Di Anar Shikanji, Tony Pappeh Da Raw Mango and Tony Pappeh Di Jamun Shikanji. The beverages are inspired by Burger Singh's famous Tony Pappeh da Jeera Soda, and have been launched on popular demand for Burger Singh customers.

Rahul Seth, Chief of Staff, Burger Singh, said, “It is our initiative to celebrate love for all. The range has been specially crafted for vegetarians and non-vegetarians alike, democratising love and Indian flavours.”

“The new range of beverages is inspired by Indian flavours, and further enhances our India-inspired menu,” he further added.

Fresca Juices, one of the fastest-growing packaged fruit juice brands in the Indian market, has entered into the CFD (carbonated fruit drink) category with the launch of Fresca Fruzo. The new line of products is available in four flavours, including Apple, Mojito, Jeera and Nimbu Masala.

With this launch, Fresca has become the first Indian company to provide multiple flavoured-fizz options to consumers. The move is in line with the company’s objective to achieve an annual revenue run rate of approximately Rs 150 crore by 2020.   

Currently, the CFD market is witnessing a growth rate of 30% per year, even when the Indian consumers have had only one fizzy flavour available to them (apple).

The latest line of Fresca’s carbonated juices is available in 160ml and 250ml bottles priced at Rs 10 and Rs 15, respectively.

Akhil Gupta, Managing Director of Fresca Juices, said, “Being a fruit juice enthusiast myself, I used to crave more flavourful choices. With the conviction that we could bridge this market gap, we incepted Fresca. Now, fruit juice aficionados like myself have not two, not three, but over six flavours to choose from.”

“The idea behind launching Fresca Fruzo was to tackle the similar market gap in the carbonated fruit drink segment. We are confident that our new range of fizzy flavours will satisfy consumers of all palates and preferences,” Gupta added.

He further stated, “Currently, we are aiming to distribute our carbonated fruit juices across two lakh outlets in all major North Indian markets. Our consumers in these areas will get to drink Fresca Fruzo from a little more than a month after the product’s launch.”

After completing a year of piloting the product in the National Capital of Delhi, Medusa Beverages, the manufacturers and distributors of Medusa brand of Premium Lager Beer, has entered new markets. The company has forayed into neighbouring markets of Punjab, UP, Chattisgarh and Chandigarh (UT) from the new financial year, starting April 1.

Medusa was launched in January 2018. It had produced three lakh cases of beer till March 31, 2019, with a turnover of Rs 70 crore.

Avneet Singh, Director and Founder, Medusa Beverages, said, “We have a capacity to produce one million cases a year. Medusa is a Premium strong lager with an alcoholic strength of 5.9%.”

Currently, Medusa is available in two SKUs, 650 ml bottle and 500 ml can. The company is planning to soon add three more SKUs, 330ml can, 550ml bottle, and 330ml bottle.

“We have a clear road map for market expansion to become a pan-India player in the next four to five years. We will enter three more states next year, and will have a pan-India presence in the next 5 years,” Singh further stated.

Marico Limited, one of India’s leading FMCG companies, has unveiled a range of super beverages, including Superfood Moringa Green Tea and Green Coffee Instant Beverage Mix, as a part of its Saffola Fittify Gourmet range. The move is in line with the company’s endeavour to build an authentic healthy gourmet portfolio.

The newly launched range has been carefully crafted by nutritionists and curated by chef Kunal Kapur for combining the best of taste and health for a slimmer and fitter life.

While the Superfood Moringa Green Tea brings the antioxidant benefits of green tea with the superfood moringa together, the Green coffee is on par with green tea and considered as the next big health elixir.

The new range is available at modern trade outlets like Godrej Nature’s Basket, Foodhall and Star Bazaar, across the top metros, including Mumbai, Delhi NCR, Pune, Hyderabad and Bengaluru. It is also available on e-commerce portals like Amazon, Flipkart and Big Basket.

Superfood Moringa Green Tea is priced at Rs 220 for a 37.5g pack, while Green Coffee Instant Beverage Mix is available at Rs 260 for a 30g pack.

Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued a gazette draft notification to amend the existing standards of synthetic syrup and sharbat, stating that it would bring more clarity among the two products. 

Under the new standards, sharbat shall contain a minimum of 25% of juice or an extract of fruit, vegetable, nut, herb, flower, spice, alone or in combination. It is 10% under the present standards. These standards also offered an opportunity to formulate the synthetic syrup with low total soluble solids (TSS) up to 30% vis-a-vis the current level of 65%.

FSSAI’s statement stated, “The word sharbat and synthetic syrup mentioned under Regulation 2.3.21 of the Food Safety and Standards Regulations, 2011, relating to standards for squashes, crushes, fruit syrups/fruit sharbats and barley water would mislead the consumer, and hence, the same has been removed from the said regulation.”

“Several comments were received from the stakeholders on the proposed draft at the pre-draft stage, but at that time, the file had already been referred to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare for approval. These comments would be considered at the time of post-draft consultation for the finalisation of the said draft notification,” it added.

Coca-Cola will be introducing its global sports drink Powerade in India within the next two months. The move is aimed towards competing with PepsiCo's Gatorade in the small but emerging sports drink market.

Currently, Powerade is available in India only through imports. Coca-Cola is eyeing to launch a locally-made version in the country.

Powerade is among the US beverage maker’s billion-dollar retail sales plus brands globally.

James Quincey, CEO of Coca-Cola, said, “Our focus is how to grow the business, but reduce calories.”

This is Coca-Cola’s second attempt to bring Powerade to India. Powerade has sales worth billions of US dollars globally.

Devendra Chawla, Chief Executive, Spencer’s Retail, said, “The functional sports drinks market is beginning to resonate with millennials and we are seeing good offtake at retail stores. However, unlike a couple of years back, now there are dozens of specialised hydration products for consumers to choose from.”

Brewhouse Ice Tea, promoted by Positive Food Ventures, is launching carbonated ice tea under the same brand name. The Delhi-based bottled beverage startup is also eyeing to scale up its beverage business as the peak summer season kicks in.

In late 2018, the two-year-old company had secured a loan of $2 million from Food Empire Holdings Group, the Singapore-based listed foods and beverages firm.

Food Empire Holdings are a strategic investor. So far, the company hasn’t had a consumer-facing venture in India. 

Sidharth Jain, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Brewhouse Ice Tea, said, "Food Empire Holdings’ focus is to build a long term FMCG business in India, which may not just be restricted to tea. Positive Food Ventures will focus on bringing healthier food and beverage concepts to consumers."

'Gulabs', the makers of tasty and delectable hand-crafted Indian snacks, has launched three new flavours in their Sharbats category, namely Khus, Kesar Badam and Chilli Khus. These handcrafted and enticing concoctions are made using actual raw materials and are devoid of essence or artificial flavours.

Khus Flavour uses true Vetiver (Khus) roots for the flavour and aroma, while Kesar Badam uses actual premium almonds and Kashmiri saffron for the color, flavour and aroma. Chilli Khus is not just a spicier version of Khus, but also has a dash of tanginess due to the presence of lemon and green chilies.

Ruchika Gupta, VP - Sales and Marketing of Gulabs, said, "We are excited receiving the initial response from friends and family on the launch of these 3 new flavours. We decided to bring out Khus flavour after getting feedback and inquiries from many of our customers. Chilli Khus was introduced out of the realization that this new-age flavour can go well, especially with the millennial generation. Kesar Badam is a trending Indian flavour and is catching up in different food genre and snacks. As with our existing flavours, we hope these new additions will also be loved and enjoyed by everyone."

Packaged in a 475 ml bottle, Khus, Kesar Badam and Chilli Khus are priced at Rs 250, Rs 485 and Rs 275, respectively.  

Vaitheeswaran K and Sundeep Thakran are foraying into the beverages market by launching their new venture, AGAIN, a milk or yoghurt-based ready-to-drink offering. This launch by the duo comes 20 years after introducing India's first e-commerce company Fabmart.com.

AGAIN is a low-fat drink that has a high content of fruits and vegetables. It retains 90 days unrefrigerated shelf life without any preservatives, colouring or artificial sweeteners.

Vaitheeswaran said, "We've worked on this product for more than 18 months, engaged with top labs and institutes in India, and people with significant experience in creating food and beverage products for MNCs to create this."

AGAIN will be competing in the non-aerated beverage market, which is expected to grow to Rs 15,000 crore by 2023. The company aims a 2.5-3% market share by 2023, which means a turnover of about Rs 450 crore.

Currently, the company has piloted its products in 50 stores across Bengaluru. It is planning to scale it up to 150 stores in a couple of months.

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is looking at making amendments in the Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restrictions on Sales) Regulations, 2011. The amendments will be made by the food regulator to introduce labelling of artificial sweetener on beverages sold through vending machines.

Presently, companies must declare the presence of artificial sweetener in every package of food on its labelling as well as in their advertisements.

The FSSAI is proposing that if a beverage product containing artificial sweetener is sold via vending machines, "a display or label" declaring the presence of artificial sweetener "shall be placed on the cups or in the container in which the product is served".

The food regulator has further proposed to make it mandatory for a prominent display or labelling on the vending machine. It is now seeking views from the industry and other stakeholders for the proposed changes.

Morgan Beverages brings UK's favourite cider brand, Sheppy's, to India. Having established in UK since 1816, the cider brand has expanded its base further to India.

Morgan Beverages was founded with the pioneering idea to make Apple Cider the next big thing in India.

The cider at Sheppy's is 'Hero ciders' with 5.5% alcohol content & vegan in their make. They are also gluten-free and contain sulphites for freshness. Available in a 330ml bottle, Sheppy’s Classic Draught Cider is the first apple cider to be ever launched in India by Morgan Beverages.

Rohan Nihalani, the owner of Morgan Beverages, said, "As per the latest consumer trends, more people are shifting towards lighter and better-crafted beverages. With the introduction of Sheppy's Cider, we are sure to see the health-conscious consumers of alcohol beverages definitely give Cider the thumbs up."

David Sheppy, the 6th generation Master of Cider & Managing Director of Sheppy's Cider, stated, "In the United Kingdom we are well established with our premium traditional craft cider and we're excited to now bring our award-winning Classic Draught to India. Cider isn't very well known in India yet, but we know that our premium, traditional values and deep-rooted Somerset heritage will translate across cultures. We are delighted to be joining Morgan Beverages and Tudor Rose International at the Deputy High Commissioner's residence in December for a major launch night to introduce the brand to restaurateurs, bar managers, and journalists from across the region."

Made from a variety of apples ranging from eating apples to cider apples which are classified as Sharp (like Crimson King), Bittersharp (like Kingston Black), Sweet (Sweet Coppin) and Bittersweet (like Yarlington Mill), traditional English Ciders can have an alcohol content varying from 1.2% to 8.5% ABV.

Dunkin' Donuts is planning to rebrand itself by dropping 'donuts' from its name. The new branding would be effective from January.

The move comes as part of CEO Dave Hoffman's plans to bring beverages and breakfast meals to the forefront of the restaurant chain's menu.

The company said, "The new branding conveys the company's focus on serving great coffee fast while retaining its familiar pink and orange colors and iconic font."

David Hoffman, CEO of Dunkin' Brands, said, "Our new branding is a clear signal that there's something new at Dunkin'. It speaks to the breadth of our offerings."

In the recent quarters, the sales of the company have been powered by breakfast and beverage items.

डुप्लिकेट बारकोड के उपयोग के कारण दो साल तक वैट 69 व्हिस्की और सिमरनॉफ वोडका की बिक्री को राष्ट्रीय राजधानी में प्रतिबंधित कर दिया गया है। दो लोकप्रिय ब्रांडों के निर्माता यूनाइटेड स्पिरिट्स लिमिटेड (यूएसएल) को दिल्ली सरकार के वित्तीय आयुक्त द्वारा ब्लैकलिस्ट किया गया है।

वित्तीय आयुक्त अनन्दो मजूमदार ने कहा कि यूएसएल ने अनधिकृत और लूज़ बारकोड का इस्तेमाल किया था, जिसने दिल्ली उत्पाद शुल्क अधिनियम, 2009 और दिल्ली उत्पाद शुल्क नियम, 2010 के प्रावधानों का उल्लंघन किया था। प्रतिबंध से यूएसएल दो साल तक दिल्ली में अपनी शराब नहीं बेच पाएगा।

वित्तीय आयुक्त के आदेश में कहा गया, "मेरा मानना है कि अपीलकर्ता ने दिल्ली उत्पाद शुल्क अधिनियम, 2009, दिल्ली उत्पाद शुल्क नियम, 2010 के प्रावधानों का उल्लंघन किया। इसके लिए जारी किए गए लाइसेंस के नियम और शर्तें और मानक ऑपरेटिंग प्रक्रिया दिल्ली उत्पाद शुल्क विभाग और इसके परिणामस्वरूप विभाग ने यूनाइटेड स्पिरिट्स लिमिटेड (यूएसएल), औरंगाबाद पर दिल्ली उत्पाद शुल्क नियम, 2010 के नियम 70 के तहत ब्लैकलिस्टिंग का जुर्माना लगाया है।"

The sale of Vat 69 whiskey and Smirnoff vodka has been banned in the national capital for two years due to use of duplicate barcodes.

United Spirits Limited (USL), the manufacturer of the two popular brands, is blacklisted by the Delhi government financial commissioner.

Financial commissioner Anindo Majumdar said that USL had used unauthorised and loose barcodes which violated provisions of the Delhi Excise Act, 2009 and Delhi Excise Rules, 2010.

The ban will force USL not to sell its liquor in Delhi for two years.

The order of the financial commissioner stated, "I am of the view that the appellant violated provisions of the Delhi Excise Act, 2009, Delhi Excise Rules, 2010, the terms and conditions of the licence issued to it and the standard operating procedure framed by the Delhi Excise Department and that consequently the department has rightly imposed the penalty of blacklisting under Rule 70 of the Delhi Excise Rules, 2010 upon United Spirits LTD (USL), Aurangabad."

मिल्कशेक के हैदराबाद स्थित स्टार्टअप निर्माताओं ने अंतर्राष्ट्रीय बाजार में प्रवेश करके 2020 तक फ्रैंचाइजी श्रृंखला का विस्तार करने की योजना की घोषणा की है। स्टार्टअप वर्तमान में 75 आउटलेट संचालित करता है।

यह अगले महीने कैलिफोर्निया में अपना पहला आउटलेट खोलकर अंतर्राष्ट्रीय बाजार में प्रवेश करेगा। फ्रैंचाइजी आउटलेट के लिए इटली, दुबई, सिंगापुर और ऑस्ट्रेलिया में कुछ संभावित भागीदारों के साथ फर्म आगे वार्ता में है।

कंपनी के चीफ एक्जीक्यूटिव राहुल तिरुमलप्रगदा ने कहा, "हम इस साल 25 नए स्टोर खोलेंगे, दुकानों की संख्या 100 तक पहुंच जाएगी। हमारा इरादा 201 9 के अंत तक 200 स्टोर होना है। इस साल, हम छह नए सेट अप करेंगे चेन्नई में स्टोर और बेंगलुरु में 10, पुणे में 2 आउटलेट के साथ प्रवेश करने के अलावा। हमारा पहला विदेशी आउटलेट 15 अक्टूबर को अमेरिका में कैलिफ़ोर्निया में आएगा। हालांकि, अन्य देशों में स्टोर्स खोलने के बारे में चर्चा चल रही है। "

कंपनी ने आगे कहा "हमने राजस्व में 25 करोड़ रुपये के साथ पिछले वित्तीय वर्ष को बंद कर दिया है। हम इस वित्त वर्ष में 40 करोड़ रुपये का लक्ष्य रख रहे हैं। इसके चलते, हम उम्मीद करते हैं कि हमारी कंपनी के लिए 150 करोड़ रुपये का मूल्यांकन होगा। हम बहुमत हिस्सेदारी मे बेचने के लिए भी खोले गए हैं, अगर हम एक अच्छा सौदा करते हैं!

Hyderabad-based startup Makers of Milkshake has announced plans to expand the franchise chain to 200 by 2020 by entering into the international market. The startup currently operates 75 outlets.

It will foray into the international market by opening its first outlet in California next month. The firm is in further talks with a few prospective partners in Italy, Dubai, Singapore and Australia for franchise outlets.

Rahul Tirumalapragada, the company’s Chief Executive, said, "We will open 25 new stores this year, taking the number of stores to 100. Our intention is to have 200 stores by the end of 2019. This year, we will set up six new stores in Chennai and 10 in Bengaluru, in addition to entering Pune with 2 outlets. Our first overseas outlet will come up in California in the US on October 15. However, discussions about opening stores in other countries are on."

"We closed last financial year with Rs 25 crore in revenues. We are targeting at Rs 40 crore this fiscal. Going by this, we expect a valuation of Rs 150 crore for our company. We are opened for even selling a majority stake in the company if we get a good deal," he further added. 

अगले दो साल में पेप्सिको इंडिया महाराष्ट्र के सभी 36 जिलों में बिक्री हुई बोतलों को क्रश करने हेतु मशीनें लगाएगी। इन मशीनों का उपयोग पीईटी प्लास्टिक को क्रश करने के लिए किया जाएगा।

कम्पनी ने यह कदम प्लास्टिक वेस्ट मैनेजमेंट के तहत उठाया। इस कदम के तहत फ़ूड व बैवरेज फर्म राज्य में 6500 टन बोतलें इकट्ठी कर उन्हें पृथक कर रिसाइकल करने का उदेश्य रखे है। 

नीलिमा दिवेदी पेप्सिको की वाइस प्रेजिडेंट ने कहा हम राज्य के सभी 36 जिलों में अगले दो वर्षों में प्लास्टिक वेस्ट मैनेजमेंट के तहत रोल आउट करने की योजना बना रहे हैं। 

अहमद ई शेख, प्रेज़ीडेंट पेप्सिको इंडिया ने कहा, " कम्पनी सरकार की सोच से इत्तेफ़ाक रखती है। इसलिए इसका ध्यान पूरी तरह निरंतर रूप से प्लास्टिक वेस्ट को नष्ट करने पर केंद्रित है।‘’ 

PepsiCo India will be installing reverse vending machines in all the 36 districts of Maharashtra over the next two years. These machines will be used to crush PET plastic bottles.

The company’s move came as part of its plastic waste management initiative. Through this initiative, the food and beverages firm is aiming to collect, segregate and recycle 6,500 tonnes of PET bottles in one year in the state.

Neelima Dwivedi, PepsiCo India’s Vice-President, said, “We plan to roll out this (plastic waste management) initiative to all the 36 districts of the state over the next two years.” 

Ahmed ElSheikh, President of PepsiCo India, said, “The company is committed to the government’s vision and focus on addressing the issue of plastic waste in a sustainable manner.”

आईटीसी रेडी-टू-ड्रिंक, मिल्क-बेस्ड पेय की नई प्रोडक्ट रेंज 'सनफीस्ट वन्डर्ज़' नाम से लांच करने जा रही है। नई प्रोडक्ट रेंज पहले भारत की दक्षिणी राज्य तमिल नाडु, कर्नाटक, तेलंगाना और आंध्र प्रदेश में लॉन्च की जाएगी। बाद में उसे राष्ट्रीय स्तर पर प्रस्तुत किया जाएगा।

ये मिल्क-बेस्ड पेय आईटीसी के कपूरथला, पंजाब के नए प्लांट में बनाए जाएंगे। कंपनी मिल्क शेक्स के लिए असली फ्रूट पल्प का इस्तेमाल करेगी।

आईटीसी के डिविजनल चीफ एग्जीक्यूटिव (फूड) बताते हैं, "मिल्क-बेस्ड बेवरेजेज की नवीनतापूर्ण श्रेणी को हमारे एग्रीसोर्सिंग, डिस्ट्रीब्यूशन, इंफ्रास्ट्रक्चर और अन्य विभागों समेत इंस्टिट्यूशनल कैपिबिलिटीज का फायदा मिलेगा। पिछले कुछ दिनों में रेडी-टू-ड्रिंक मिल्क बेवरेज के मार्केट ने ऊंची छलांग लगाई है। उपभोक्ता अधिक हेल्दी बेवरेजेज पसंद कर रहे हैं। हमें यकीन है कि इनोवेटिव प्रोडक्ट्स के द्वारा इस श्रेणी में भविष्य में अच्छी संभावनाएं हैं।"

ITC is bringing a new product range of ready-to-drink, milk-based beverages, namely 'Sunfeast Wonderz'. The new product range will be launched first in the southern states of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. Later, it will be rolled out nationally.

The milk-based beverages will be manufactured in ITC’s new facility in Kapurthala, Punjab. The company will use real fruit pulp for the milkshakes.

Hemant Malik, Divisional Chief Executive (Foods) at ITC, said, "This innovative range of milk-based beverages will be powered by the company’s institutional capabilities including agri-sourcing, distribution, infrastructure, among others. The ready-to-drink milk beverages market has seen high growth in the recent past with a paradigm shift to healthier beverages and we believe innovative offerings in this segment could have great potential for the future."

In a world where we’re gradually moving closer to one common tongue, tapping back the regional languages might look like an obsolete idea. India’s leading mineral water brand, Bisleri, however is all set to get local in different states of the country. With the unique move, the water bottles will be labled in the regional languages. The first phase will see the regional labels being rolled out in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, parts of Maharashtra and UP.

The move aims at making a better connect between the brand and the people.

Director of Marketing at Bisleri International Pvt. Ltd., Anjana Ghosh said, “India being a multilingual country, people prefer communication in their local language too. We intend to leverage this and connect with them in their mother tongue by launching labels in several local languages like Hindi, Marathi, Gujarati, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, Bengali, Oriya and Assamese across the country, across our different SKUs. Labels in local languages will be emotionally appealing to consumers.” “Also, consumers will be able to recognize the genuine Bisleri bottle and avoid buying counterfeit products or products which spell differently but look the same. A large number of consumers in our country are not comfortable with English. Bisleri bottles will carry brand name in both English and local language to ensure that the end consumer gets Bisleri when he asks for and does not mistake any other brand for Bisleri,” added Ghosh. 

Tata Global Beverages (TGBL) is set to enter the RTD (Ready to Drink) market by introducing a green tea-based drink, led by Tata tea in india and Tetley in Canada, reports said. The company is piloting the new product segment it recently entered to diversify its Indian portfolio, to target youth. The drink will be available in the orange and mango flavours. The company has claimed that this is a first of its kind combination in the Indian iced tea market, with an offering that is innovative with herbal extract, low in sugar and relevant.

Globally, particularly in Europe and North America, traditional black tea consumption has been on a decline. The fruit and herbal infusion segment is on a growth trajectory. In the company's annual report for 2016-17, the RTD tea market in India is pegged at Rs 140 crore, with a nine to 10 per cent annual growth rate. "We haven't been really playing in the iced tea segment in the recent past but have been studying the scope," said Ajoy K Mishra, managing director and chief executive. He says black tea was about 85 per cent of Britain's beverage market only seven or eight years earlier but has shrunk to 68-69 per cent. In Canada, black tea consumption accounts for half the market. "In USA, by tea, people understand iced tea and RTDs. The fruit and herbal beverage segment, however, is growing faster," he said.

In India, on the other hand, black tea accounts for 90 per cent of the market and is a growing category. "However, even in India, the growth of green tea outpaces the growth rate of black tea," said Mishra.

The company has come up with six new launches in India in the past 15 months, which is more than that in past 5-6 years. 

The 50:50 joint venture of Tata Global Beverages (TGBL, formerly Tata Tea) and US-based café chain which is going to open its maiden outlet in Kolkata has opened 96 stores so far in India and would like to take the number over 100 soon. It will open one large-format outlet along with two or more small-format stores in Kolkata by the end of next year.

On the sidelines of 54th AGM of TGBL in the city on Friday, the CEO of Tata Starbucks, Sumitro Ghosh, told TOI: “There is no question of fixing any place in the city for setting up our outlet as the study we are conducting is yet to be over. Once that is done, we will announce the project details.”

However, replying to a TOI query on possible store formats, Ghosh added: “It is a big city. These will be no Starbucks kiosks for sure. One will definitely be a large-format outlet along with two or more small-format stores,” he elaborated.

India’s leading fruit drink player, Manpasand Beverages Ltd. has reported a 25.04 per cent rise in net profit at Rs. 35.82 crore for the first quarter ended June 30, 2017 as against net profit of Rs. 28.65 crore in the corresponding quarter of previous fiscal.Total Income for Q1 of FY 17-18 at Rs. 311.30 crore was higher by 30.45 per cent over previous fiscal’s same quarter total income of Rs. 238.63 crore. Earnings Per Share (EPS) for Q1FY18 was up by 9.79 per cent at Rs. 6.28. Chairman & MD, Manpasand Beverages, Dhirendra Singh said, “In a short span, Manpasand has caught the imagination of costumers and investors. The company has co-created value for its various stakeholders. Despite of initial GST rollout concerns, the company’s performance remained sound. Continuing with its philosophy and endeavour of enhancing the shareholders’ value and to appreciate their confidence in the Company, the management at Manpasand Beverages has recommended the issuance of Bonus Shares in the ratio of 1:1, to make all their patrons a part of its growth story.” Staying close to its two pronged strategy of expansion and innovation, the beverage major had an impressive growth trajectory in the last fiscal year ending March 31, 2017. The company’s move of launching newer products entering newer segments helped increase its market presence tremendously. This growth validates the trust of the stakeholders towards the company. Manpasand Beverages is striving to maintain this trajectory and in the coming days will take on more strategic steps to enhance its business. The company will double its production capacity in the coming 12-18 months. In addition, the company has lined up a few product launches that are not only innovative but also cater to health conscious customers.

Bollywood actress Jacqueline Fernandez has invested in Rakyan Beverages that makes juices under the Raw Pressery brand, becoming India’s first celebrity to part-finance a consumer products firm, and help drive sales.

Anuj Rakyan, Founder, Rakyan Beverages, said, “While professional investors take calculated risks, celebrities are believers and users of the brand. Jacqueline has about 13 million followers just on instagram and can influence buyers. Hence, she is not an ambassador but an evangelist who can have an impact on the topline."

Rakyan Bevergaes claims to have kept consumer health awareness in mind, thus it wants to shed its premium price tag, and launch products starting at Rs 50, compared with Rs 80 now.

Jacqueline’s investment of Rs 3.5 crore pegs the company’s worth at about Rs 120 crore, similar to the valuation Rakyan got during last year’s investments, when the startup raised close to $4.5 million in series B funding from Sequoia Capital, Saama Capital Management and DSG Consumer Partners.

Rakyan said the company plans to raise $10 million by December this year as it looks to spruce up manufacturing and marketing. The company runs in-house logistics and manufacturing units that help control costs and quality: Unlike packed juices that have shelf lives of up to six months, Rakyan products have limited shelf life and need chillers in their supply chain.

Coca-Cola India is getting ready for a shift in strategy keeping in line with its global initiatives. 

The company that sells a bevy of sugary carbonated beverages here, including Thums Up, Coke, Limca and Sprite, has embarked on an exercise to align itself to changing consumer preferences.

At present, around 65% of Coca-Cola India's sales come from fizzy drinks, while the rest comes from still beverages such as Maaza, Minute Maid and others. 

But the company that was once obsessed with pushing colas, has decided to widen its portfolio of low-sugar drinks, since consumers are opting for healthier beverages.

Venkatesh Kini, President, Coca-Cola India and West Asia, said, "We are going to be a consumer centric beverage company. We will satisfy a consumer's beverage needs, based on his or her preference and not based on what we want to sell. Ten years from now if product 'A' is my largest selling product, I am fine as long as that is what consumers want. We will go with the consumer."

Kini said, "Last two or three years have seen a number of things that are unusual and unique. Rural demand declined on bad monsoons; excise taxes have gone up by 80%; in some states VAT has gone up by 50-100%. So, that caused us to increase prices. Demonetisation is the latest factor."

Shares of Varun Beverages advanced as much as 4.66 per cent in early trade after CLSA initiated coverage on the stock with 'Buy' rating and set a target price of Rs 540, citing low beverage penetration in key markets will provide headroom for growth. The scrip was trading 0.65 per cent up at Rs 377.

Shares of the company opened at Rs 385 and touched a high and low of Rs 392 and Rs 372, respectively, in trade. Benchmark BSE Sensex was trading 63.72 points, or 0.22 per cent, down at 29,455.02.

On BSE, 24,000 shares were traded on the counter so far as against the average daily volumes of 6,682 shares in the past two weeks.

Shares of the company hit their fresh 52-week high of Rs 471 on November 8, 2016 and 52-week low of Rs 341.25 on March 14, 2017.

For the quarter ended December 31, 2016, the company reported net sales of Rs 420.06 crore, up 9.30 per cent, against Rs 384.30 crore in the corresponding quarter last year.

Coca-Cola and PepsiCo, world’s two biggest cola brands are facing challenges over water security in Southern India.

After Tamil Nadu boycotted Coca-Cola Co. and PepsiCo Inc. beverages, shopkeepers in drought-hit Kerala state, decided to promote local brands over the multinational drinks.

Retail groups have claimed that the soft drinks firms take too much water from rivers and selling products adulterated with pesticides. However, academics and analysts say these firms have become scapegoats for a water crisis that’s become mired in politics and patriotism.

Drinks from Coca-Cola and PepsiCo, having a 96 percent hold on India’s $4.9 billion soda market will be kept off the shelves of more than 1 million shops after the ban.

India is one of the most water-challenged nations, and fights over water have erupted between users periodically for decades. Failed monsoon rains over as many as the past three years in some states have parched rivers and dams, forcing farmers, manufacturers and municipal water suppliers to rely more on wells to meet their needs. Problem is, those too are drying up, and that’s hurting farmers, India’s economic mainstay.

P.L. Beena, an associate professor with the Centre for Development Studies in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala said, "The root cause for the boycott isn't the multinational companies, but the enduring fight between industrial users and farmers, especially in several drought-hit states."

Beena further added, "On top of that, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call to companies to 'make in India' has given rise to a pro-India push and, in some cases, an anti-foreigner backlash -- that's supporting local brands. With Modi at the center, many activist groups and political parties are taking their agenda to the street more strongly than they have in the past instances."

A case of misbranding was registered against Varun Beverages, Noida, the bottler of soft drinks company PepsiCo, in the court of the ADM (Finance) at Haridwar.

The case was registered by the designated officer of food safety, Haridwar district who found that the samples of the company’s aerated orange drink Mirinda contained sugar content different from the levels mentioned on the label.

Mahima Nand Joshi, Food safety officer, Haridwar, said, "The label on the bottle mentions 13.1% sugar in the beverage but the actual percentage was found to be 11%. That is why, a case has been registered under section 52 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 for misbranding."

Joshi also added, "The sample reports came around two months ago. We gave the vendor a month’s time to appeal to the food safety office in case they wished to get the samples retested in a central laboratory but we didn't receive any reply, and hence a case was registered today."

Sources said that the beverage samples of a few other brands had also failed safety tests and notices may be sent to them shortly.

PepsiCo India spokesperson, said, "We have not received a copy of the said notice. Having said that, we would like to emphatically reiterate that PepsiCo complies with labelling and other regulations issued by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India. All products, including Mirinda comply with the food regulations."