Beer Marketer's Insights - PLANT-BASED WORLD EXPO: Maizly Corn Milk, TBD THC/CBD Drinks, Raya Fruit Water on Show; Could Show Pick Up Some Slack from Departed Expo East?

Plant Based World Expo was modest-size show at Javits Center this year and commensurately modest array of bev exhibitors and the most intriguing element may have been word among some exhibitors that it may be changing its name to Future Food next year. That implies a broadening of the product range that might allow the show to serve as an alternative to the now-discontinued Natural Products Expo East, now downsized to offering called Newtopia Now far from the East Coast, in Denver. Expo East, of course, had enjoyed a long run first in Baltimore and, when it outgrew that city, in Philadelphia, before promoter New Hope decided to retreat to just the massive Expo West show in the spring in Anaheim, arguably leaving a void for natural food/bevs that's not filled by another East Coast mainstay, Fancy Food in NY. In a coupla stops at the show office at Javits staffers said they weren't authorized to discuss any changes. We'll offer more as we hear it. Maizly Corn Milk Offers Heavy Fiber Bill The array of plantmilks sourced from soy, almonds, oats and even bananas has been augmented with a non-GMO brand called Maizly that claims to be "the world's first corn milk." After test in Costa Rica, brand launched in US about a year ago and has penetrated retailers like Shop Rite, Market Basket and Hannaford Bros in Northeast and Andronico's in NorCal, with some foodservice biz in UK coffee shops too. The item offers 8 g of US-sourced soluble corn fiber, is free from all 14 key allergens and uses coconut oil rather than seed or nut oils. It adds a modicum (1 g) of protein with chickpea protein. It's offered in shelf-stable Original and Chocolate versions priced vs other plantmilks at $3.99-4.50 per 32-oz carton with an Original Unsweetened entry due soon. Co also is about to launch refrigerated version in Original. As presence at show indicated, key focus for now is Northeast, with production out of Ontario. For now, distribution is via broadliners KeHe and UNFI. Effort is backed by private investors including an unidentified Australian family office.TBD THC/CBD Brand Shakes Up Portfolio; Harnesses THC-V for Energizer Studio TBD is shaking up its portfolio of drinks combining various levels of THC and CBD. In biz nearly 5 yrs now, co has relied on trio of entries dubbed Mellow (4 mg THC + 25 mg CBD), High (10 + 20) and Intense (25 +25). Now it's ready to tilt more to array of Low Dose Energy with THC-V as energizing ingredient, targeting gyms and health food stores in $4.75-8 price range depending on channel. Low Dose Energy contains 1 mg THC + 20 mg CBD + 10 mg THC-V, off base of peach lemonade and green tea with cane sugar and stevia to sweeten. And it's going lower in THC intensity with Low Dose entry containing 1 mg THC + 15 mg CBD priced in $3-6 range depending on channel. And it's offering undosed alternative, No Dose, with just 20 mg CBD at $2.35-4.50. TBD brand name is combo of THC and CBD to flag concept.At this point, core line produced in Texas goes out in retailers like Erewhon, and it reaches C&G stores in canna-friendly states via purveyors like Airgoods, Dash Mart and Pep Rally. It also has reach into NY's indie groceries and bodegas. Also in mix are gummies that mimic Mellow, High and Intense core entries. Show rules required TBD to sample only non-dosed items.Raya Fruit Water Ready to Roll Eastward Raya Fruit Water claims to be hydration option that's "crafted on earth" with Himalayan sea salt but no added sugar, tho it does contain a hefty bill of 25 g of sugar per half-liter can (110 calories). Launched early this year, it's claimed to be in 11 states now and on Amazon, with its eastern push signaled by its presence at show. Produced in Vietnam, it contained robust 425 mg potassium along with 200 mg vitamin C and 40 mg calcium, in flavors Tangerine Water + Yuzu, Pineapple Water + Lychee and Passion Punch. There's also an unflavored Coconut Water in mix.

PLANT-BASED WORLD EXPO: Maizly Corn Milk, TBD THC/CBD Drinks, Raya Fruit Water on Show; Could Show Pick Up Some Slack from Departed Expo East?

Publishing Info