An industry initiative to reduce beverage calories consumed in select low-income communities showed improvement in 2017, according to a new report on behalf of the American Beverage Association and the Alliance for a Healthier Generation. The organizations have collaborated since 2014 to cut calories consumed per person by -20% by 2025 in what are now five target communities. The reduction in all five communities last year was faster than the average pace needed to achieve the 2025 goal, according to the report prepared by independent evaluator Keybridge. Declines ranged from -2.2% to -5.4% and were driven by a shift to no- and low-calorie beverages from full-calorie beverages. Volume did not decline, the ABA pointed out. It is too early to determine whether the per-person

Next week, PureCircle will announce plans to extract proteins, soluble fibers and antioxidants from the same stevia leaf used to extract high-intensity sweeteners. PureCircle CEO Maga Malsagov told BD that the innovation will lower the cost of stevia sweeteners to manufacturers and boost PureCircle’s bottom line. Demand is rising for such ingredients in beverages as consumers look for increased functionality and health benefits. Sourcing protein, fiber and antioxidants from the same leaf as stevia sweeteners also will allow manufacturers to “enormously simplify” their labels, Malsagov said. PureCircle expects to become the first supplier to commercialize the new stevia leaf ingredients, starting in the

The U.S. soft drink industry got a split decision last week on two statewide ballot measures in Washington and Oregon seeking to block local governments from taxing sweetened beverages. In Washington, 55% of voters approved Measure 1634 to prohibit local excise taxes on groceries, including carbonated soft drinks. While the victory won’t reverse a 1.75-cent per ounce sugar-sweetened beverage tax already imposed this year in Seattle, it does block any increase.