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BEVERAGES FROM PAGE 55 “As we’ve all been spending more time at home and dealing with the various distractions and opportunities that come with that, people have started searching for things that will help them stay motivated and make the most of their situation,” he said. “And that’s exactly what Shine+ was created to do. “Response to Shine+ has been extremely positive with the launch of two new 400ml flavours, Peach & Passionfruit, and Blueberry Lemonade, in the past 12 months, and we’re keen to continue to provide our customers with a mix of products that will help them get the most out of every day.” In recent weeks, Shine+ has also introduced a 330ml variant to its offering. Shine+ products can be found Australia wide, in more than 5,000 stores, including 7-Eleven, Caltex, Coles Express, Woolworths Metro and Coles as well as in many independents. Addressing immunity, the new Gaga’s Gut Loving Soul Tonic is described as an organic immune boosting elixir and is said to be “crafted specially” to fight off colds and flu. Gaga’s says it infused its own organic apple cider vinegar with a range of spices (including garlic, ginger, turmeric, onion, carrot, cabbage and black pepper) plus a fresh chilli. “At Gaga’s, we’re always looking for new ways to encourage our customers to take care of their gut and overall health,” Gaga’s founder Blaise Bourke said. “Countless studies have shown the powerful benefits of apple cider vinegar for the gut and immune system. By infusing our very own organic apple cider vinegar with a range of spices and a fresh chilli in each bottle, which have their own medicinal properties, we've turned our organic apple cider vinegar into an anti-inflammatory, immune boosting powerhouse.” On the subject of other beverages, Mr Parker notes that juices with no added sugar, after a marked decline in sales volume over the past 10 years, have “enjoyed a recent uptick” as a result of Covid-19. He believes the industry may well see a long-term return to juice as consumers buy it for its “positive contribution” to dietary quality and to support their recommended daily intake of fruit. Sustainability importance sustained Environmental sustainability has been brought into focus during the pandemic, says Mr Parker, with it “likely” to only grow in importance. “As sustainability permeates almost every sphere across a vast number of industries, the drinks industry has also been adapting production processes, packaging sustainability and beverage recipes to meet sustainability goals,” he said. “Driven by both consumer trends and business strategy, sustainable practices, such as higher recycled content in packaging, have become a core focus for the industry. “Sustainable product design and packaging practices generate environmental benefits by redirecting packaging material away from landfill to be remanufactured into new products, keeping it in use and reducing the need for virgin packaging material.” The “missing link” in Australia at present, believes Mr Parker, is sufficient reprocessing and remanufacturing infrastructure to meet demand created by the supply of uncontaminated material via container deposit schemes (CDSs). “While it’s the ambition of the drinks industry to increase the volume of containers being recycled through CDSs, as these uncontaminated or ‘clean’ waste streams have significantly improved the supply of packaging available for recycling,” he said, “it’s also anticipated that we’ll see more PET chipping plants and reprocessing manufacturing facilities. This is commensurate with the COAG ‘Waste export bans – response strategy’ from March this year and is now even more pressing as Australia considers what policy settings are right to support the economic recovery of the nation.” Energy prices are another concern of the industry, particularly for manufacturers. “Beverage manufacturers constantly raise their frustration with high energy prices that cruel growth and stifle innovation by reducing working capital that can be reinvested in R&D,” Mr Parker said. “Moreover, higher costs, experienced by many drinks manufacturers across Australia, erode the price competitiveness of domestic products relative to imported products at a time when domestic production should be a key consideration for economic growth. “Secure and competitive energy supply is critical and something that should be supported by developing a well-informed energy policy that reduces cost, increases reliability and is consistent across the nation.” Clear lessons and opportunities There are some “clear lessons” from the Covid-19 emergency, says Mr Parker. Particular lessons will remain with the industry for some time, he adds, but there are also some “clear opportunities” for reform and positive change. This includes a refocusing of domestic manufacturing and supply, and a celebration of the diversity of the Australian drinks industry. “This will also contribute to businesses becoming even more agile and responsive in the future,” Mr Parker said. “As the country adjusts to the new reality, we know that, in turn, the industry will continue to chart a fascinating and innovative course forward to provide Australians with refreshing drinks for any occasion.” 56 CONVENIENCE WORLD SEP/OCT, 2020