The Coca-Cola Company has unveiled a range of new beverage innovations across its portfolio, including new flavours, functional drinks and protein products, ahead of the 2026 NACS Show in Las Vegas, US, taking place from 7-9 October. The launches span several of the company's brands, including Coca-Cola, Powerade, Bodyarmor, Vitaminwater, Topo Chico and Fairlife, as it responds to growing consumer demand for functional benefits, zero-sugar options and new flavour experiences. Among the upcoming launches is Coca-Cola Cherry Lime, set to debut in February 2027, combining cherry and lime flavours. This will be followed by Coca-Cola Strawberry Float in summer 2027, featuring a blend of strawberry and vanilla flavours. The company is also preparing to trial prebiotic versions of Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, Sprite Zero Sugar and Fresca in selected areas of New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania from late October 2026. Each product will contain 6g of prebiotic fibre and zero sugar, with the limited regional pilot designed to assess consumer response. Meanwhile, Mr Pibb Black-Current, a limited-edition beverage featuring blackberry and blackcurrant flavours and 54mg of caffeine, is scheduled for spring 2027. In the hydration category, Powerade will introduce watermelon and lemon lime zero sugar variants in January 2027, while Vitaminwater will launch its zero-sugar formula 100 in March, featuring a grape flavour and providing 100% of the daily value of vitamins C, E, B3, B5, B6 and B12. The company also highlighted Bodyarmor Fit, which launched nationally in June 2026. The sparkling, zero-sugar sports drink contains 290mg of electrolytes, 60mg of caffeine, choline and green tea extract. Available in five fruit flavours, it marks Bodyarmor's first sparkling sports drink in a can. Elsewhere, Topo Chico is expanding its range with the launch of Topo Chico Colección this month, a premium carbonated filtered water containing added minerals for flavour. A new pineapple coconut variant will also join the Topo Chico Sabores range in February 2027. In the protein category, Coca-Cola is expanding its Fairlife Core Power range with new Banana and Strawberry flavours. Core Power Banana will launch in January 2027 in both 26g and 42g protein formats, marking the brand's first new flavour in almost a decade. Core Power Strawberry will also be introduced in the 26g range. According to Coca-Cola, Fairlife is approaching $4 billion in retail sales, with both Fairlife and Core Power recording double-digit growth. Shakir Moin, president of marketing, North America, at The Coca-Cola Company, said: "What people want from their beverages continues to evolve, from new flavors and experiences to added functionality". "The breadth of our portfolio gives us an incredible opportunity to meet those changing needs and give people more choices for more moments throughout their day." The company confirmed that further product innovations are planned across its portfolio throughout 2027.

Compact water dispensing systems can offer myriad benefits for users, both professional and domestic, leading with greater installation flexibility for locations where space is at a premium. However, when it comes to performance, does a smaller footprint mean design compromises elsewhere? In the first of a two-part feature on dispensers for compact spaces, Refreshment asked a number of experts in the water filtration and dispensing sector to share their insights on the pros and cons of compact watercoolers. In recent years, compact water filtration systems have evolved in response to changing professional environments, which must balance space, performance and design. Compactness is equally important in domestic settings: users look for water filtration solutions that integrate naturally into the kitchen environment, combining functionality with minimal visual impact and ease-of-use. Greater flexibility for professional use In professional settings like cafés, bars, office kitchenettes and hotel common areas, the primary benefit of a filtration system is maintaining water quality for the user. “For drinking water use, a water filter may include effective reduction of contaminants like bacteria, cysts, dirt and microplastics, as well as improving taste and reducing odour,” said Hemang Patel, global application engineering lead at AquaPure Water Filtration. “Not all water filters reduce the specific contaminants of concern in a small compact size, so choosing the right filtration solution is important.” Hospitality operators also need filtration solutions to protect high-value beverage equipment from limescale, corrosion and gypsum deposits, Samantha Scoles, sales director at Brita Professional, told Refreshment. “This, in turn, reduces costly breakdowns and unplanned downtime, extends machine life and avoids premature part replacement. Operators also require consistent beverage quality at scale and minimised energy consumption – even 1mm of scale can increase energy usage by around 7%.” Anna Jones, brand manager of Hydrofast, further emphasised the complex needs of professional users, explaining that, “professional users expect industrial-grade scalability, continuous high-flow output and hardwired installation for commercial or office settings. They prioritise long-term durability for heavy, continuous usage; customisable filtration stages for specific industrial contaminants; and professional maintenance support. Aesthetics are secondary to raw performance and reliability.” “Professional users usually have higher expectations than domestic users, which makes sense,” agreed Nigel Elwick, business development manager at Booth Dispensers. “They depend on the system every day, often with higher volumes and less room for error. At home, the demand is lighter. In professional settings, the system must perform well day after day. For professional customers, the main concern of their water filtration system is not just saving space. What matters most is whether the system fits the job without sacrificing capacity, easy servicing or daily reliability.” However, as well as high performance needs, both watercoolers for drinking water and filtration systems for beverage machines must often fit into small spaces, such as under counters or behind the bar. Every location has its own specific requirements – from space constraints to usage patterns and desired features – so it is essential to choose a supplier who can advise on the most suitable solution. Optimising every inch Every inch of space counts in high-traffic, professional environments, and a compact system can maintain water quality while still prioritising a space-saving design. “As space becomes an increasing premium in professional settings, compact filtration systems provide a smart solution for maintaining water quality and protecting equipment while optimising layout,” said Brita’s Scoles. “For operators with limited back-of-house areas or tight countertop layouts, this can be the difference between adding another machine, improving workflow or making life easier for staff. Brita Professional’s compact cartridges and smart heads are designed to integrate neatly into coffee machines, vending equipment, warewashers and water dispensers.” Brita’s Purity C range, for example, provides the same full-scale filtration that usually be found in larger systems, but is specifically designed for smaller equipment, such as espresso machines and vending units. “Using Brita’s four-stage systemic filter technology, it prevents limescale, chlorine, heavy metals and taste-impairing impurities while enhancing flavour and machine reliability,” Scoles shared. “This ensures that even in tight spaces, equipment is protected and coffee quality is optimised for every serve.” Aqua-Pure Water Filtration’s Patel also noted that compact filtration systems with small cartridges offer significant space savings, making them suitable for both freestanding and countertop water dispensers. “This allows integration into various dispenser sizes without sacrificing valuable real estate space,” he said. Aqua-Pure’s 3M High Flow Series Filter Cartridge HF10-I, for example, can provide the benefits of a compact size filter while still maintaining high flow rates and effective reduction of contaminants, helping to ensure customers receive high-quality drinking water. For Antonio Zerilli, managing director at Italian watercooler manufacturer Zerica, compact watercoolers are “a strategic response to evolving professional environments, where space, performance and design must coexist”. Zerica’s systems are engineered to deliver high dispensing capacity, advanced cooling and consistent water quality within a reduced footprint, he explained. This allows operators – from offices to hospitality – to optimise space without compromising service levels. “What differentiates Zerica is the integration of proprietary technologies and connected solutions across our range,” said Zerilli. “With IoT-enabled systems, customers can monitor performance, usage and maintenance in real time, improving operational efficiency and reducing downtime. In this context, compactness becomes not just a design feature, but a driver of smarter, more efficient operations.” Environmental efficiency As well as greater installation flexibility, compact watercoolers can benefit operators by reducing the logistics costs related to purchasing, handling, storage and disposal of bottled water, while also lowering overall water costs, according to Debora Screpanti, marketing manager at Blupura. “Features such as portion control further improve efficiency by reducing bottle filling time and minimising waste,” she added. “They also support sustainability goals through reduced plastic consumption, while providing measurable data that is useful for ESG reporting.” Does a compact size affect filtration performance? The general consensus among the water filtration and dispensing experts that Refreshment spoke to was that a compact-sized solution is generally able to deliver the same high-quality water treatment as a larger unit. A number of emerging filtration technologies have proved effective for shrinking filtration systems without reducing performance. However, a smaller unit will necessarily be limited in terms of capacity, lifespan and flow rate. Blupura’s Screpanti said: “Filtration performance depends on the technology used rather than the size of the system. Compact solutions can deliver the same high-quality water treatment as larger units, ensuring consistent and reliable results. However, system size can influence filtration capacity, reducing the total volume of water that can be treated over time before filter replacement is required.” To address the capacity needs of different professional settings, Blupura’s Blutron Hero range – an ultrafiltration system designed to effectively reduce PFAS, heavy metals and microplastics – offers different filter capacities to allow the system to be tailored to specific consumption needs, regardless of the compact size of the unit. Similarly, Brita’s Scoles maintained that because a smaller cartridge naturally has a finite capacity and flow rate, getting the specification right for the volume of drinks is vital, especially in highthroughput environments. “That’s why Brita uses digital tools like its Professional Service App and iQ technology to calculate site-specific capacities, bypass settings and precise filter change points based on local water quality and usage, so that a compact solution still performs reliably over its service life,” she explained. Hydrofast’s compact filtration systems, meanwhile, use RO (reverse osmosis) technology to remove microplastics, heavy metals and other harmful impurities with the same high efficiency as larger, bulkier filtration systems. “We have integrated professional-grade filtration components into a streamlined compact chassis, without reducing their filtration capacity or precision,” said Hydrofast’s Jones. “Complementing RO, our systems feature UV sterilisation and multi-layer filtration mechanisms that target microplastics and heavy metals specifically, while our real-time TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) monitoring provides instant verification of filtration effectiveness.” Booth Dispensers’ Elwick also highlighted RO as a way to shrink filtration systems without reducing effectiveness. “In the past, RO systems needed more space, but new designs are much more compact,” he explained. “This is important when you need a higher level of treatment but have limited space. In general, better filtration media are also helping manufacturers make systems smaller without losing performance.” A smaller system does not necessarily mean lower performance, Elwick asserted. “The key factors are how the system is designed, the type of filtration media it uses and whether it matches the water conditions and needed output. Size is just one part of the equation, not the most important one.” Aqua-Pure’s Patel clarified that a smaller filter has less surface area to capture particles and thus less capacity for contaminant reduction. Furthermore, smaller filters can affect filtration efficiency and flow rates, and this in turn affects filtration performance. Patel highlighted a number of technological advances which have made it possible to avoid these performance trade-offs to offer customers a small compact filter with superior performance. “While some compact filters lose important reduction capabilities because of size, our 3M HF10-1 and AP2 systems are designed to retain these benefits despite their small size,” Patel said. “The use of I.M.P.A.C.T. technology, specifically the 0.2 micron pharmaceutical grade membrane combined with an activated carbon block, is a promising approach for shrinking filtration systems without reducing effectiveness. “I.M.P.A.C.T. technology utilises a 0.2 micron pharmaceutical grade membrane for bacteria, cyst and dirt reduction, paired with an activated carbon block for chlorine and taste reduction, allowing for high performance in a compact form.” According to Patel, dividing filtration tasks between these different components (membrane and carbon block) enables the reduction of the filter size while maintaining or improving contaminant removal and flow rates. The second part of this feature will be published next month, covering compact dispensers for domestic use; the importance of aesthetics and lifestyle branding; and discussion of the potential design compromises of compact watercoolers.

Commercial technology continues to get smaller, allowing businesses to do more with less. In today's foodservice environments, saving space gives operators greater flexibility to design efficient, high-performing operations. Smaller equipment helps teams maximise every square metre and get more value from their footprint. But when it comes to water filtration, does a smaller footprint require compromises in design or filtration performance? Compact systems and filtration performance: Be smart about going small Compact water dispensing systems with smaller cartridges offer significant space savings for both freestanding and countertop dispensers. This flexibility allows filtration systems to be integrated into a variety of dispenser sizes without sacrificing valuable space. Backed by innovative technology, a unique combination of filtration media, and a focus on effective contaminant reduction, Aqua-Pure water filtration offers the benefits of compact technology while still delivering the high-quality water that businesses and their customers expect. For drinking water applications, Aqua-Pure water filtration helps reduce contaminants such as bacteria1, cysts, dirt and microplastics, while also reducing taste and odour issues. The result is high-quality drinking water that helps support customer satisfaction. Aqua-Pure water filtration: Compact filtration without compromising performance "The primary trade-off some brands make when reducing filter size is the loss of health claims, such as cyst and bacteria reduction, and the absence of NSF certification," said Hemang Patel, global technical lead for Aqua-Pure water filtration. "This can result in bare-bones filters that address only taste and odour." The 3M High Flow Series Filter Cartridge HF10-I is NSF-certified for chlorine taste and odour reduction, particulate reduction, cyst reduction and microplastics reduction, and it also includes bacteria1 reduction. The system is designed to retain these benefits despite its compact size, helping provide effective contaminant reduction while maintaining high flow rates. Advanced filtration technology Aqua-Pure water filtration's Integrated Membrane Pre-Activated Carbon Technology “I.M.P.A.C.T.” technology uses a 0.2-micron pharmaceutical-grade membrane combined with an activated carbon block. This advanced approach helps deliver high filtration performance in a compact form factor. The 0.2-micron pharmaceutical-grade membrane helps reduce bacteria1, cysts, and dirt, while the activated carbon block helps reduce chlorine, taste and odour. Together, these technologies enable effective filtration without requiring a larger system footprint. With advanced technology at its core, the 3M High Flow Series Filter Cartridge HF10-I demonstrates that compact filtration does not have to come at the expense of performance. Aqua-Pure water filtration systems offer a broad range of water filtration solutions designed specifically for commercial environments. Systems and cartridges certified by NSF to reduce microplastics help address microplastics and other contaminants in drinking water. Whether your operation uses a water fountain, dispenser, cooler, single-carbonator dispenser or hot water boiler, Aqua-Pure water filtration offers solutions designed to meet your needs. Learn more about finding the right solution for your establishment. 1. Reduction of water-borne bacteria as demonstrated with 99.99% reduction of surrogate E.coli (ATCC 11229) and P.fluorescens (ATCC 49642) in manufacturer's laboratory test.

Jimmy’s, the Carlsberg Britvic-owned brand, is expanding into the milkshake category with the launch of two new nostalgic flavours: Iced Cereal Milk and Black Forest Gateau Milk. The new 500ml products join Jimmy’s existing Iced Chocolate Milk, extending the brand’s focus on indulgent and unconventional flavour combinations into the milkshake aisle. Iced Cereal Milk is inspired by the sweet, frosted milk left at the bottom of a cereal bowl, while Black Forest Gateau Milk combines flavours of chocolate cake, cherry and cream. The launches come as Jimmy’s looks to capitalise on consumer interest in nostalgic food and drink flavours. According to the brand, 70% of UK consumers say food and drink that reminds them of their past makes them feel good. The Milkshakes and Flavoured Milk category is currently valued at £505 million and is growing by 15%, according to figures cited by Jimmy’s. Russell Goldman, managing director, Breakthrough Brands, Carlsberg Britvic, said: “Jimmy’s has always been about doing things a little differently, and we think there’s a real opportunity to bring that same ‘Let’s Go!’ energy to milkshakes". "Cereal Milk and Black Forest Gateau Milk are exactly the kind of flavours we love at Jimmy’s – familiar enough that you know what you’re getting, but with a little twist that makes you want to give them a go.” The new milkshakes will initially launch in Sainsbury’s from 16 September, available in 500ml formats with a manufacturer’s recommended selling price of £2.00.

British bakery and fast food chain, Greggs, has announced plans to restructure parts of its UK manufacturing network, including the proposed closure of four manufacturing sites and the end of manufacturing operations at a fifth location. The bakery and food-to-go chain said the proposals follow a review of its manufacturing network aimed at improving efficiency, resilience and capacity as the business continues to expand. Under the plans, Greggs is proposing to close manufacturing sites in Enfield, North Lakes, Pettigrews and Seaham. Distribution operations at Enfield would remain unaffected. Manufacturing operations at Treforest would also close under the proposals, although the site would continue to operate as a distribution centre. Greggs is additionally proposing to reduce the range of products manufactured at its Clydesmill and Manchester facilities, while retaining production at both sites, and to end the manufacture of tinned bread at Gosforth. Some manufacturing and packing activities would be relocated between sites, while a small number of products could be sourced from specialist external suppliers. If implemented, Greggs’ manufacturing operations would be concentrated across six sites: Clydesmill, Gosforth, Balliol, Leeds, Manchester and Derby. The company said its retail shop estate would not be affected. The proposed changes come as Greggs continues to invest in expanding its manufacturing and logistics capacity. Since the beginning of 2024, the company has invested more than £300 million in its network, with the aim of supporting an estate of at least 3,500 shops across the UK. Greggs has grown from 2,181 shops in 2021 to 2,796 today and currently employs around 33,000 people. The company said its review concluded that owning and operating its own manufacturing and logistics network remained a key competitive advantage, but that consolidating some activities would create a more streamlined operation. Greggs will now begin a consultation process with affected employees and union representatives. The company stressed that no final decisions have yet been made. Roisin Currie, chief executive of Greggs, said: “Greggs is a strong and growing business, and we continue to invest significantly in our future. To continue building a successful business for the future, we must keep evolving alongside changing customer expectations." “Greggs manufacturing and logistics network remains a key strength of the business, and these proposals are intended to strengthen our manufacturing network, improve efficiency and ensure we remain well placed for the future while continuing to deliver the quality, value and service our customers expect.” Top image: © Greggs

Deliveroo has announced an exclusive partnership with Coco Robotics to introduce autonomous food deliveries across the UK, starting in Canary Wharf, London, this October. The roll-out marks Coco Robotics' entry into the UK market and Deliveroo's first use of autonomous delivery vehicles in the country. Following the initial launch, the service will expand to Milton Keynes, Leeds, Stockton-on-Tees and Nottingham over the coming weeks and months. The partnership forms part of Deliveroo's wider strategy to develop a multi-modal last-mile delivery network, incorporating autonomous technologies alongside its existing rider operations. Coco's fully electric delivery robots are designed to navigate urban environments at walking pace, providing an alternative option for short-distance deliveries. While the majority of orders will continue to be fulfilled by Deliveroo's rider network, the robots are expected to provide additional capacity and flexibility for participating businesses. In Canary Wharf, customers will initially be able to order from restaurants and cafés including Patty&Bun, Signorelli and Beam, with plans to expand the service to other businesses such as Ole & Steen, Royal China and Din Tai Fung. In Milton Keynes, participating merchants will include Smoke and Pepper and 5 Akhis. The UK expansion will be supported by investment in local operational infrastructure, including depots and charging facilities, alongside the creation of skilled jobs in operations, maintenance and logistics. Miki Kuusi, CEO of Deliveroo and head of DoorDash International, said: “We see huge potential in autonomous delivery and we are looking forward to working with Coco to bring more flexibility to our delivery network, helping local restaurants and shops meet increasing consumer demand”. Zach Rash, CEO and co-founder of Coco Robotics, added: “We're thrilled to be bringing Coco to the UK with Deliveroo as our launch partner. The interest here has been incredible, and we're committed to building something that creates lasting value for local merchants and the communities they serve.” As part of its operations, Coco will also work with accessibility technology provider BlindSquare to share real-time data on pavement hazards detected by its robots. The information will be used to alert blind and partially sighted pedestrians to obstacles, including discarded e-scooters and temporary construction works. The launch builds on Coco's existing partnerships with DoorDash and Wolt, which operate robot delivery services in several cities across the US and Europe, including Los Angeles, Chicago, Miami and Helsinki. The wider DoorDash group is also investing in other autonomous delivery technologies, including drones and its own ground-based delivery robot, Dot, which is operating in Phoenix, Arizona.

The Hershey Company has appointed Amanda Almond as president of its international business, effective 12 October 2026, succeeding Rohit Grover, who has held the position for eight years. Almond brings more than 30 years of experience in consumer goods and retail, having most recently served as regional managing director for Europe, the Middle East and Africa at global wine company Vinarchy. At Vinarchy, Almond oversaw operations across 57 markets. Prior to this, she spent 12 years at Bacardi, where she held several senior regional leadership positions. In her new role, Almond will oversee Hershey's international operations as the company looks to accelerate growth across global markets. She will be based at Hershey's UK office and will work alongside the company's international leadership team during the transition. Grover, who joined Hershey in 1999, has spent 27 years with the company, holding leadership positions across its US and international businesses. Kirk Tanner, president and CEO of The Hershey Company, said: "Amanda is a proven international leader who knows how to build and scale brands in markets around the world". He added: "She has a track record of scaling and growing businesses, bringing teams together and building high-performance cultures, and she brings the experience and energy to accelerate our international growth". Almond added: "Hershey's brands are loved around the world, and I'm honored to join the company at such an exciting time for its international business". "I'm grateful to Rohit for the strong foundation he and the team have built, and I look forward to working with our teams, customers and partners to bring these iconic brands to even more consumers."

FoodBev Media is delighted to announce the winners of the prestigious World Coffee Innovation Awards 2026, celebrating the products, ideas and innovations helping to shape the future of the global coffee industry. From solutions designed to enhance the barista experience to innovations that make coffee more convenient, accessible and enjoyable for consumers, this year’s winners demonstrate how the industry continues to evolve through practical, purposeful innovation. With winning brands representing 12 countries, this year’s awards showcase the truly international nature of coffee innovation. 15 brands have secured a World Coffee Innovation Award, recognising the companies bringing new thinking to the category and developing products and solutions designed to make the coffee experience more efficient, streamlined and engaging. The winners were unveiled live at Cafe Business Expo on 30 September, bringing together the businesses and innovators at the forefront of the coffee sector to celebrate their achievements. The event provided an ideal setting to recognise the ideas and products making a tangible difference across the coffee industry, from the preparation and serving experience to the way consumers discover and enjoy coffee. FoodBev Media's Louis Porcelli presented the awards ceremony, reflecting on the quality and diversity of this year’s submissions: "The standard of innovation this year has been incredibly impressive, with this year's winners demonstrating just how much thoughtful new ideas can enhance both the barista and consumer experience." The 2026 winners highlight an industry that is continually refining the coffee experience for both those behind the bar and those enjoying the final cup. Whether through thoughtful product development, improved functionality or new approaches to convenience, this year’s recognised innovations demonstrate that meaningful progress can often be found in making everyday experiences work better. Congratulations to every Winner, Finalist and Commended product, innovation and company! Explore the full list of World Coffee Innovation Awards 2026 winners by category below. World Coffee Innovation Awards 2026 results COMMENDED Coffee Machine Cimbali Group | LaCimbali M40 LaCimbali M40 redefines the traditional high-end espresso machine by combining advanced thermal technology, intelligent automation and IoT connectivity to deliver exceptional in-cup consistency, energy efficiency and reliability. Through Art.In.Coffee, the Barista Drive System and the Perfect Grinding System, M40 streamlines workflows, supports barista expertise and ensures precision in every cup, setting a new benchmark for specialty coffee and premium hospitality. Coffee Tool/Equipment BeanGo Cube | Tower Precision Coffee Grinder BeanGo Tower is a compact, patent-pending precision coffee grinder designed for espresso and filter brewing. Its 48 mm titanium-plated conical burr, ten-micron stepped adjustment, five-stage variable RPM control, and low-retention magnetic workflow deliver consistent grinding with less heat, static, waste, and maintenance – making professional-level precision simpler and more accessible for everyday users. Functional Coffee Hanspeter Steffen | SlimmCoffee / Tornado SlimmCoffee/Tornado is a coffee capsule innovation designed to integrate weight-management support into a daily coffee ritual, without requiring consumers to change their existing habits. Coffee Concept GoodBrew | GoodGut Probiotic Caramel Latte The classic caramel latte, reimagined. GoodBrew’s GoodGut Probiotic Caramel Latte is made with the brand's GoodGut formula that includes more than 1 billion live Lactobacillus rhamnosusprobiotics cultures, gut-friendly prebiotic inulin fibre, vitamins A, D and E for immune support, and 75% less sugar than the current market leader. GoodBrew is sweet, creamy plant-based ready-to-drink coffee designed to 'make you feel as great as it tastes'. Infused with a natural caramel flavour, this plant-based latte is described as a 'wellness boost in a bottle'. Difference Coffee | Restaurant Edition – Da Terra Restaurant Edition – Da Terra puts a Michelin restaurant's own coffee into its guests' homes. Created by Difference Coffee with two-Michelin-starred Da Terra in London, it began as Xodó, a 19kg nano-lot won at the Daterra Masterpiece Auction, refined alongside Chef Rafael Cagali and sealed into 2,420 Nespresso Original-compatible capsules. The coffee is served after the tasting menu and can be brewed in the guest's own kitchen the next morning. Brewing Innovation Sparkfe | Sparkfe CES Series – 2-in-1 Portable Espresso Machine | Rich Espresso or Instant Hot Water Built with triple 5000mAh batteries and 20-bar peak-pressure extraction, this cordless brewer supports NS capsules and ground coffee. Dual Direct-Brew and Heat-Brew modes make cold brew, hot espresso and 92°C hot water (or instant tea with tea bag) easy. The compact lightweight design with hands-free brewing fits home, office, travel and outdoor adventures, aiming to bring café-quality coffee to every journey. Technology Innovation Bean Luxe | Compass Bean Luxe Compass is a beta-stage digital coffee discovery platform that translates personal taste preferences into guided coffee recommendations. Through a simple quiz and a personal 'Taste Compass,' it helps consumers understand coffee more easily while giving quality-focused roasters a clearer way to communicate their coffees, identity and sensory value. Cimbali Group | LaCimbali Supera LaCimbali Supera is a next-generation fully automatic coffee machine that combines Italian design, advanced technology and exceptional versatility to deliver an augmented coffee experience. Engineered for high-performance environments, it integrates the Dynamic Thermodrive system, HQM dual-circuit milk technology and an intuitive 13” HD touchscreen designed to ensure consistent, professional-quality results while seamlessly adapting to staffed and self-service operations. Ethical/Sustainability Initiative Cata Export | Cata Origins: The Huila Legacy Coffee consumers, professionals and producers are all hungry for the same thing: truth and connection. This compelling and emotional short movie offers a genuine insight into how single individuals united by the same passion have helped permanently redefine speciality coffee whilst improving the lives and conditions of those who produce it in a way that had never been done before. Feat. Cata Export, Nestor Lasso, Jhonathan Gasca and more. FINALIST Coffee Machine Franke Coffee Systems UK | New A600 Franke Coffee Systems New A600 combines Swiss precision engineering with industry-leading technologies, including patented iQFlow extraction control and the New FoamMaster milk system, designed to deliver exceptional coffee quality, cup after cup. Developed for versatility, efficiency and ease of use, it offers outstanding beverage variety, intuitive operation and reliable performance, making premium coffee experiences accessible in any commercial environment. Coffee Tool/Equipment Cimbali Group | Ermes Dual by Casadio Casadio Ermes Dual is a next-generation coffee grinder that redefines versatility through its innovative dual mode concept, seamlessly switching between on demand and single shot grinding. Featuring real-time micron-precision burr distance detection, premium 75 mm Keber flat burrs and intuitive digital control, it delivers exceptional consistency and precision across espresso and filter recipes, designed to empower coffee professionals with maximum flexibility and uncompromising quality. Functional Coffee GoodBrew | GoodGut Probiotic Pistachio Latte GoodBrew’s Pistachio Cold Brew Latte is made with the brand's GoodGut formula that includes more than 1 billion live Lactobacillus rhamnosusprobiotics probiotic cultures, gut-friendly prebiotic inulin fibre, vitamins A, D and E for immune support, and 75% less sugar than the current market leader. GoodBrew is a sweet, creamy plant-based ready-to-drink coffee designed to 'make you feel as great as it tastes'. Low/No Caffeine Nolo | Nolo Classic Decaf Cold Brew Oat Latte Nolo is a decaf cold brew oat latte designed to deliver the full experience of real coffee, without the caffeine. Made with water-decaffeinated Arabica beans and 6.75g of prebiotic fibre per can, it combines smooth, complex flavour with functional benefits and no spikes, crashes or cut-off point. The cans contain only 65 calories, with no added sugar or sweeteners, positioned as 'decaf, redefined'. Ready-To-Drink Coffee GoodBrew | GoodGut Probiotic Coconut Latte Tropical coffee vibes in every can, containing 'no syrups, just sunshine.' GoodBrew’s GoodGut Probiotic Coconut Latte is made with the brand's GoodGut formula that includes more than 1 billion live Lactobacillus rhamnosusprobiotic cultures , gut-friendly prebiotic inulin fibre, vitamins A, D and E for immune support and 75% less sugar than the current market leader. GoodBrew’s Coconut Latte Cold Brew is described as 'your summer escape in a can!' Coffee Concept Plamil Foods | The Coffee Bar The Coffee Bar transforms real coffee beans into a convenient snack bar format, creating a new way to enjoy authentic coffee beyond the cup. Rather than adding coffee flavour to another food, The Coffee Bar reimagines coffee itself, delivering a genuine coffee experience in a portable, plant-based bar. This innovation opens a new consumption occasion for coffee and challenges traditional expectations of how coffee can be enjoyed. Café Concept Onyx Coffee Lab | Onyx at The Preserve Onyx at The Preserve challenges the boundaries of the modern cafe. It unites world-class speciality coffee, chef-driven cuisine, wine and cocktails, events, architecture and landscape into one transformative hospitality concept. Designed to evolve from morning through evening, Onyx at The Preserve positions the café as something bigger than a place to get coffee. It makes it a cultural gathering place built around flavour, discovery, movement and human connection. Brewing Innovation Franke Coffee Systems UK | Franke iQFlow Franke iQFlow is a patented coffee extraction technology that controls and adjusts water flow in real time, delivering exceptional flavour, aroma and consistency in every cup. By optimising extraction throughout the brewing process, it enables customised taste profiles and reduces variation, aiming to set a new benchmark for intelligent espresso brewing. Roasting Innovation Bellwether Coffee | The Bellwether Shop Roaster The Bellwether Shop Roaster is an all-electric roasting system that enables cafés to roast fresh coffee on-site without gas lines, ventilation or costly infrastructure. Combining automation, scalability and sustainability, it delivers consistent, high-quality roasting at the push of a button while reducing emissions and lowering coffee costs. The technology is helping redefine how cafés and retailers roast and serve coffee worldwide. Technology Innovation Najjar Professional Solutions | Najjar Raqwa Q2 Raqwa transforms authentic coffee craftsmanship into digital engineering. Patented Smart Authentic Coffee Brewing Platform precisely controls parameters traditionally managed by human skill while preserving authentic brewing. Its patented capsule architecture ensures precise dosage and freshness. Coffee Codes digitise personal recipes, allowing users to reproduce their preferred cup on any Raqwa worldwide. It is a purpose-built technology platform for authentic coffee, engineered from the ground up rather than adapted from espresso. Branding/Packaging Difference Coffee | Restaurant Edition – Da Terra Restaurant Edition – Da Terra is packaging built for two rooms: the pass of a two-Michelin-starred restaurant and the guest's home. It features a textured presentation box marked only in gold; black capsules carrying the monogram; a co-branded card that reads like a wine label – Daterra Estate, Masterpiece Auction Lot, Xodó, Brazil – with QR codes for the story and the brew: quiet on the outside, precise underneath. Ethical/Sustainability Initiative Cafédirect | Cafédirect and Fairtrade Living Incomes Partnership For more than 30 years, Cafédirect has challenged how coffee is traded. Building on the company's long-standing partnership with Fairtrade, it has become the first UK coffee company to put Fairtrade Living Income Reference Prices into practice across its directly sourced coffee. By turning living income from an ambition into commercial practice, the company aims to create a fairer purchasing model that can inspire change across the coffee industry. WINNERS Coffee Machine Najjar Professional Solutions | Najjar Raqwa Q2 Najjar Raqwa Q2 is a new generation of coffee machine purpose-built for authentic coffee. Instead of adapting espresso technology, its patented brewing architecture digitally controls dosage, water, temperature, extraction and signature foam to reproduce the traditional kettle experience consistently in approximately 45 seconds. With personalisation, digital Coffee Codes and a growing beverage ecosystem, Najjar Raqwa Q2 transforms a centuries-old manual ritual into a modern, connected coffee experience. Coffee Tool/Equipment Hauck Barista Tools | Hauck Vibra Tamper The Hauck Vibra Tamper transforms tamping into a controlled, repeatable moment of espresso craftsmanship. Instead of relying on extra force, its controlled vibration supports a more homogeneous coffee puck, helping reduce channelling and improve extraction stability. Precision engineering, ergonomic handling and a distinctive premium design make it a tool for baristas who want consistency they can feel and taste. Functional Coffee LivOn Artisan Coffee + | LivOn Immune LivOn Immune is a specialty ground coffee infused with reishi mushroom and vitamin D, crafted to support and strengthen the immune system without supplements or fuss – just your 'everyday cup with a purposeful twist'. It is part of the LivOn Artisan Coffee+ range, built for real, everyday needs. Great taste meets great purpose. Low/No Caffeine Onyx Coffee Lab | Circadian Circadian by Onyx Coffee Lab reimagines caffeine from a binary choice into a spectrum. Using single-origin coffee and its Swiss Water decaffeinated counterpart, Onyx creates five calibrated caffeine levels, from full to decaf, while preserving a consistent sensory experience. Designed intentionally for different moments of the day, Circadian gives coffee drinkers unprecedented agency over caffeine without asking them to compromise the ritual, craft or flavour of exceptional coffee. Ready-To-Drink Coffee Lost Sheep Iced Coffee| Lost Sheep Iced Decaf Latte with Fibre Positioned as 'decaf reimagined,' Lost Sheep Iced Decaf Latte brings genuine speciality coffee craft to RTD, challenging the caffeine-first category with a premium, farm-to-can decaf latte. Hand-roasted speciality beans, sugar cane decaffeination and hot-brew, flash-chill brewing deliver rich chocolate and caramel notes, without instant coffee or artificial sweeteners. With 4.5g of chicory root fibre per can, it unites three major trends – decaf, fibre and functionality – in one smooth, café-quality innovation. Coffee Concept Espressgo | Espresso Coffee Jelly Espressgo is espresso in a pocket: a shelf-stable coffee jelly pouch delivering the same caffeine as one espresso shot with no machine, queue or hot water needed. Torn open and slurped in seconds, it's ready anywhere: at a desk, on a hospital ward or mid-commute, with 12 months' ambient shelf life. Sugar-free and vegetarian, it's built for shift workers, commuters and busy professionals who don't have time to queue, walk or brew. Café Food New Forest Shortbread | Mocha-flavoured New Forest Shortbread A refined mocha shortbread, delicately infused with smooth Mozo Classic coffee and dark cocoa. Gentle roasted notes unfold into a rounded cocoa depth, creating a balanced, lightly bittersweet flavour with a clean, lingering finish. Baked to a classic crumbly texture, it offers a quietly indulgent twist on traditional shortbread. Café Concept Cartisan | The Kensington The Kensington is Cartisan's flagship 200cm mobile coffee cart, bringing the functionality, workflow and presence of a premium café into one beautifully engineered mobile workspace. Handcrafted in the UK, it integrates power, refrigeration, storage, barista essentials, lighting and custom branding, giving coffee professionals the freedom to create an 'exceptional café experience almost anywhere.' Brewing Innovation Najjar Professional Solutions | Najjar Raqwa Q2 Najjar Raqwa Q2 re-engineers the traditional kettle brewing process without compromising its identity. A proprietary brewing architecture recreates the critical sequence behind authentic coffee, including dosage, water ratio, temperature, extraction and signature foam, while delivering consistent results in approximately 45 seconds. By combining traditional brewing principles with precise digital control, Najjar Raqwa Q2 turns a centuries-old, skill-dependent ritual into a repeatable brewing experience that can be personalized and scaled globally. Flavour Innovation Coccola | Coccola 2g – Whole Coconut Sweetening Powder Coccola 2g – Gently Sweet is a patent-pending natural taste technology based on coconut bioactives, designed to reduce the perception of bitterness without increasing sweetness. The new 2g single-serve sachet brings this innovation directly to cafés and coffee bars, offering a precise, simple way to improve coffee palatability while respecting its original aromatic and sensory character. Roasting Innovation Climate Coffee | Rocket Roaster Powered by the company's patented Rocket Char Technology, Climate Coffee has developed the 'world’s first' carbon-negative coffee roaster. Its process utilises a specialised pyrolysis technology to convert spent coffee grounds into valuable biochar for garden and field soil amendment. The heat generated during this pyrolysis method is harnessed to roast coffee beans using indirect heat. Additionally, its facility operates completely off-grid, utilising solar electricity to power all machinery and lighting. Technology Innovation Franke Coffee Systems UK | New FoamMaster The New FoamMaster is a patented milk foaming technology that combines ultrasonic flow measurement with optimised temperature control to deliver flawless, barista-style foam without steam. Designed for dairy and plant-based beverages alike, it is developed to ensure exceptional taste, texture and consistency while reducing waste, improving efficiency and simplifying operation across high-volume coffee environments. Branding/Packaging Bongo Roasting Co | Coffee Superheroes – Barista Boy and Bongo Baby Launching on Bongo Roasting Co's 33rd birthday, Barista Boy turns sustainable coffee into an old-time superhero adventure. Developed with The PCKG Company, the recyclable box follows Barista Boy and Bongo Baby as they seek partnerships with small-scale organic farms whose producers are paid fairly. It places ethical sourcing at the heart of the story, making a serious mission approachable, memorable and fun. Ethical/Sustainability Initiative SEND Coffee CIC | SEND Coffee: Making The Speciality Coffee Industry More Accessible SEND Coffee is making the speciality coffee industry more accessible through three strands of work: its two-year mentoring programme supporting young adults with SEND into paid employment; removing financial barriers for like-minded organisations through free training, equipment and support; and thought leadership that advocates for greater accessibility across the industry. Entirely funded by its coffee shops and wholesale business, SEND Coffee is using coffee to change lives and create lasting industry-wide impact. New Brand Cartisan Cartisan is a British manufacturer of premium mobile coffee carts, created around one simple belief: mobile coffee shouldn't have to look temporary. Combining specialist engineering with contemporary café design, Cartisan brings together mobility, integrated functionality, craftsmanship and custom branding to help coffee businesses and global brands create exceptional coffee experiences almost anywhere. About FoodBev Awards FoodBev Media awards schemes have been running for more than 20 years and are now recognised as the most credible and respected awards schemes to influence the international food and beverage industry. For more information about our selection of awards programmes, please visit foodbevawards.com or email awards@foodbev.com

Michael Wood Following 365 Markets’ acquisition of Cantaloupe, FoodBev Media’s Melissa Bradshaw speaks to Michael Wood, product management senior manager at 365 Retail Markets, to find out how the company is adapting unattended retail innovation to meet different regional and customer needs. Topics covered include new age verification approaches, AI-powered vision coolers and freezers, improving unattended coffee, and adapting smart stores and payment experiences for different spaces and regions. Listen on to find out more.

Kerry has opened a new coffee extraction facility in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, expanding its capacity to produce coffee ingredients for beverage, dairy, foodservice and other food and beverage applications. The site, Kerry’s first manufacturing facility in Pennsylvania, officially opened on 30 September with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by customers, industry partners, government representatives, and community leaders. First announced in September 2025, the facility is designed to develop natural coffee taste and flavour profiles using extraction and concentration technologies. Kerry said the site will produce tailored coffee solutions for applications including ready-to-drink (RTD) coffee, alcoholic beverages, ice cream and savoury sauces. The facility includes separate hot and cold brew extraction lines and has been designed with additional capacity to allow production to scale as demand increases. John Cahalane, president and CEO of Kerry North America, said the investment would increase coffee production capacity closer to customers on the US East Coast and provide greater flexibility in responding to changing consumer preferences. The company also expects the site to help reduce supply chain complexity and associated environmental impacts. The opening comes as demand for premium and speciality coffee continues to increase in the US. According to data cited by Kerry from the National Coffee Association, 48% of American adults drank speciality coffee in the past day, compared with 39% for traditional coffee – a record level for speciality coffee consumption. Kerry also points to growing demand for higher-quality coffee across formats such as RTD beverages, despite continued price pressures. The company is positioning its Bethlehem operation to support manufacturers and foodservice operators looking to replicate fresh-brewed and craft coffee experiences in products with longer shelf lives. Its technologies combine roasting, extraction, concentration and thermal processing to create coffee ingredients tailored to individual formulations while maintaining what Kerry describes as consistent, true-to-bean flavour and aroma. For foodservice customers, the ingredients can also be used to develop products such as iced lattes, espresso-style beverages, cold brew and functional drinks without requiring specialist barista skills or significant investment in coffee equipment. Sustainability is another focus of the new facility, with Kerry highlighting the potential environmental benefits of concentrated coffee products. The company said its high-Brix coffee concentrates, at between 23 and 30 Brix, can reduce the amount of water that needs to be transported and can be shipped at ambient temperatures rather than requiring refrigeration. According to Kerry's calculations, its Direct Concentrated Fresh (DCF) bean solution can deliver a 61% lower carbon footprint, while its conventional coffee offering has a 40% lower carbon footprint compared with competitor conventional coffee products. Kerry also claims a 34% reduction compared with refrigerated Brix products. The facility will use naturally sourced ingredients aligned with certification standards including USDA Organic, Fairtrade, Rainforest Alliance and Café Femenino. The investment forms part of Kerry’s wider sustainability strategy, which includes commitments around responsible sourcing and reducing environmental impacts across its operations and supply chain.

Natural Mineral Waters Europe (NMWE) has been selected by the European Commission to join its Water Resilience Stakeholder Platform, representing the natural mineral and spring water sector in discussions on water management and resilience across the EU. The platform's first meeting brought together stakeholders from various sectors to identify priorities for its future work, with European commissioner Jessika Roswall highlighting the shared responsibility of industries in promoting water stewardship. Nature-based solutions, including the proposed Sponge Facility, emerged as the leading priority for the Platform's work in 2027-28. Discussions also covered the role of agriculture in strengthening water resilience, alongside the need to raise public awareness of water pricing, cost recovery and the polluter-pays principle. The European Commission also outlined its ongoing efforts to improve water efficiency, including the development of a methodology and framework aimed at supporting broader water resilience objectives. Looking ahead, the platform is expected to establish thematic sub-groups based on stakeholders' areas of interest, allowing for more focused discussions on key water management challenges. Through its participation, NMWE aims to contribute the perspective of the natural mineral and spring water industry to EU discussions on water resilience and responsible resource management.

Luckin Coffee has appointed Philip Yifei Bao, a private equity executive at Mubadala Investment Company, to its board of directors as the Chinese coffee chain continues to pursue its long-term growth strategy. Philip Yifei Bao Bao joined the board effective 29 September 2026, according to an announcement from Luckin Coffee. His appointment brings the board to 10 directors, including three independent directors. Bao is director of Private Equity China within Mubadala’s private equity platform, where he leads the sovereign investment company’s private equity investments in China. He is based in Beijing. Before joining Mubadala, Bao worked in private equity and investment banking in London between 2011 and 2017. He holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in electrical and electronic engineering from Gonville and Caius College at the University of Cambridge. Hui Li, chairman of Luckin Coffee, said: “We are pleased to welcome Mr Bao to our Board. His extensive experience investing in consumer businesses, deep knowledge of the China market and broad global perspective will bring valuable insights to the Board.” Li added that the company looked forward to working with Bao as Luckin continued to execute its long-term growth strategy. The appointment adds an investment professional with experience across consumer businesses and China-focused private equity to Luckin’s board. Mubadala, the Abu Dhabi-based sovereign investment company, has a broad investment portfolio spanning multiple sectors and geographies. Luckin, founded in 2017, operates a technology-driven retail model focused on coffee and other beverages and food products. The company has positioned convenience, affordability and digital technology as central elements of its operating model as it builds its presence in China’s coffee market.