Beverage R&D

The Institute of Food Technologists (IFT), a nonprofit scientific organization committed to advancing the science of food and its application across the global food system, shared the newest technology and innovations in food, health, and wellness at IFT FIRST: Annual Event and Expo, the annual food research, science, and technology event that took place July 13-16, at McCormick Place in Chicago.

A keynote titled “AI Now and Next: Getting Ready for the Future of AI” explored how companies can create an informed artificial intelligence strategy and how individuals can remain relevant in AI-powered workplaces. Led by Steve Brown, a former executive at Google DeepMind and Intel, the keynote explained artificial intelligence in accessible terms, demonstrate its latest capabilities, and explain how companies and individuals can prepare to surf the coming AI wave.

The annual event also featured range of exhibitors supporting beverage formulations. The following are highlights from those exhibitors:

ADM/Matsutani promoted it fiber and prebiotic portfolio.

AFS featured functional focused prototypes such as a dragon fruit lemonade flavored Alt-Energy containing MycoThrive lion’s mane, MycoThrive cordyceps and PurGinseng; a peach nectarine Clean Energy containing AmaTea Max and PurCaf; and a raspberry guava Beauty from Within containing PurC.

AIDP featured prototypes of a smart tummy tea and brain belly iced tea, containing Magetein.

Bell Flavors & Fragrances Inc. presented Bell FLAVORLAND, a nostalgic nod to memorable flavors of years’ past, which featured sweet, savory and beverage creations that lean into playful and joy-driven flavors, and showcase Bell’s global Spark – Ignites Creativity, Inspires Senses program, it said. Among the stations was a curated Slushies with Choice of Flavored Syrup (Beverage featuring Bell’s Sensorial Sparks trend)

BENEO presented nutrient-rich solutions to support weight management journeys including a hibiscus agua fresca prototype. The company highlighted its prebiotic chicory root fibers, which allow for structure/function claims for weight management and body weight reduction on pack. Additionally, BENEO’s carbohydrate Palatinose has proven its effectiveness to naturally trigger the body’s own GLP-1 release and allows for a respective structure/function claim as well, it shared.

Bioenergy Life Science Inc. promoted its Bioenergy Ribose, a 5-carbon monosaccharide, a part of a caffeine-free energy drink.

Brenntag offered a clean label Power Energy Drink.

Cargill detailed its Trend Tracker and Active Intelligence, which shows consumers are balancing seeking and avoiding ingredients and nutrition in today’s food and beverage purchases. The company also offered prototypes of a guava-cucumber flavored calm and focus beverage as well as a mango mint flavored nojito mocktail.

colorMaker Inc. promoted its natural color solutions for beverage applications.

Finlays offered a host of prototypes such as a cold brew latte, vanilla latte, chai latte, hibiscus herbal tea, sweetened black tea, lychee green tea, barley tea and yerba mate.

GNT USA LLC promoted EXBERRY by GNT, a leading brand of natural, plant-based colors for the food and beverage industry.

Gold Coast Ingredients offered flavored coffee syrups such as banana pudding, malted milk chocolate, pineapple upside down cake, pistachio honey, rose and salted vanilla.

Icon Foods showcased the latest in natural sweeteners, fibers, inclusions and sweetness modulators as well as the launch of a new stevia sweetener blend featuring both Reb M and Reb D, available in conventional and organic formats.

Ingredion highlighted its “Sweetness has been redefined: Boost growth with new insights and solutions” eBook, which notes a shift in how consumers perceive sweetness with findings showing that sugar is no longer the only baseline as complex sweeteners being preferred over simple sweeteners. The company also featured a prototype of a summer energy slushie containing PURECIRCLE Clean Taste Beverage Solution. It also offered a prototype of berry good soda featuring KERR by INGREDION Blueberry and Blackberry JC 65° Brix juice concentrates.

Kyowa Hakko Bio Co. Ltd. highlighted the decades of clinical and preclinical research for Cognizin to support brain health at its booth. The Kyowa Hakko booth also featured its branded glutathione ingredient, Setria, which has been shown to increase glutathione levels in the blood to support detoxification, immune health, respiratory health and skin health.

Martin Bauer offered a raspberry tea spritiz for attendees to sample.

Nexira put the spotlight on its comprehensive portfolio designed to empower the next generation of functional and plant-based beverages, aligning with fast-evolving consumer expectations for positive nutrition, gut health and sensory satisfaction, it says. The company showcased functional beverage concepts including prebiotic soda enriched with acacia fiber, focus-enhancing sparkling drink with ginseng extract and a relaxation ready-to-drink beverage featuring lemon balm and lavender extracts.

PLT Health Solutions Inc. highlighted its growing portfolio of beverage-friendly ingredients that provide a broad range of science-backed benefits for the burgeoning functional beverage market. At IFT, PLT focused on four major health and wellness segments: energy, cognitive, sports/active nutrition and weight management. New at the show was cellflo6, an experiential ingredient for use in energy and sports beverages that offers the benefits of energy, endurance, recovery and enhanced blood flow. Most of PLT’s beverage-friendly ingredients are designed to enhance the consumer experience of finished products, as they are fast-acting compared to similar ingredient solutions on the market, the company says.

Sethness Roquette presented its Caramel Colors and CARANESS Specialty Caramels. The company offers 70-plus liquid and powder caramel colors that are engineered to meet diverse formulations to achieve consistent and stable colors from dark browns to golden hues across most food and beverage applications, without the use of, or in replacement of, FD&C colors, especially yellow and brick red tones, it says.

Sweegen featured a lava flow clean energy drink containing Bestevia as well as a rest and restore mocktail, a crisp collagen cooler and a gingerberry protein-ade lemonade.

Tate & Lyle featured a prototype tropical mystic elixir featuring soluble corn fiber.

Van Drunen Farms/FutureCeuticals highlighted a host of ingredient solutions including its Coffeeberry Cascara lines.

Virginia Dare featured five prototypes that support health and wellness including a salted caramel whey protein shake mix, rainbow sherbet hydration beverage stick packs and a bourbon cola float spirit-free cocktail.

The Wright Group featured a lemon lime hydration beverage prototype, which contained non-GMO and organic compliant vitamins and mineral SuperBlend premix, designed to support GLP-1 hydration.

IFT First Annual Event and Expo 2026 will return to McCormick Place in Chicago, taking place July 12-15, 2026.