With all the promise and hype surrounding the emerging cannabis-infused beverage space, BD invited a pair of beverage executives to Future Smarts 2018 to discuss their work in the sector. 

Farm Bill Legalizes Hemp. The newly-passed $867 billion U.S. Farm Bill, awaiting President Trump’s signature, includes a provision to legalize hemp nationally. This could make it easier for beverage companies to market products infused with CBD, a non-psychoactive ingredient derived from hemp...

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