NEWS | Industry Updates


BDSA responds to energy drink study


While a new study has claimed that energy drinks are association with insomnia and poor quality sleep, the British Soft Drinks Association (BSDA) has pointed out that the study is observational and does not prove cause. The Norwegian study published in BMJ Open, has claimed


that energy drinks are associated with insomnia and poor- quality sleep among college students and that the higher the frequency of consumption, the fewer hours of sleep students were getting.


However the BSDA responded by saying the authors themselves had acknowledged this was an observational study that did not prove cause. It added that BDSA members are committed to supporting


the responsible sale of energy drinks and its voluntary Code of Practice on energy drinks, which was introduced by and for BSDA members in 2010, contains a number of stringent points on responsible marketing.


Growing thirst for low and and no-alcohol beverages


Retailers can’t afford to ignore the growing thirst for low- and no-alcohol next year, the boss of one of the UK’s leading water brands has warned. Matthew Orme, director at Wenlock Spring, believes the market will continue to grow in 2024 as consumers seek more varied drinks options to fit in with their healthier lifestyles. It comes as half of the UK adult population bought a low- or no-alcohol


product during 2022, boosting volumes by nine per cent last year, according to the IWSR, a company that analyses the drinks market. Meanwhile, in pubs, sales of low- and no-alcohol beer have more


than doubled since 2019, just prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the British Beer and Pub Association. Shropshire-based Wenlock Spring has been championing the non-alcoholic market as it has joined forces with West Mercia Police to launch a highly-visible campaign last Christmas aimed at tackling drink-driving. Matthew said: “I think the market will continue to grow as the


general population are always looking at healthier lifestyles and the reduction of alcohol will form part of that feel-good factor. “I think COVID possibly played a part in this as it also put a pause


on what was the normal way of life before the lockdowns. During 2020/21 everything we normally did stopped. This gave a chance


Energy drinks that have a high caffeine content are legally


required to be labelled as having a high caffeine content although the BSDA says it is worth noting that according to the European Food Safety Authority, the average 250ml energy drink contains 80mg of caffeine, the same amount as a 60ml espresso but less than a 200ml cup of filter coffee.


for a major shift in our lifestyles in the way we do business and our own social lives. “The taste of low- and no-alcohol drinks has also greatly improved


over the last couple of years and it has become harder to taste the difference. “What it means is retailers can’t afford to ignore this trend and


while it probably still represents less than one per cent of total beer sales in the UK today, that per cent will change as the appetite for more low- and no-alcohol drinks gains more traction and becomes more mainstream. “This will create some exciting challenges for businesses due to the increased demand with some brands seeing over a 200 per cent increase year-on-year. New technology in this market will also help keep up with demand and improve the taste.” A growing number of beer brands have been entering the low- and no-alcohol space. Asahi launched an alcohol-free version of its Super Dry brand in the UK at the start of this year, just in time for Dry January. Meanwhile, a number of alcohol-free IPAs, stouts, ales and craft


lagers have been rolled out by independent brewers in the past year. “There are some great brands out there but there is always room


for more innovations and options,” Matthew continued. Wenlock Spring is a second generation family business based


at Wolverton, near Church Stretton, and its water is sourced from a protected historic spring, dating back to 1086 which is located near the famous Wenlock Edge. The water filters naturally through the rock strata - giving it its unique blend of minerals, including calcium and selenium.


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