The latest news, trends, analysis, interviews and podcasts from the global food and beverage industry

Carbonfund.org and The Monarch Beverage Company have announced the release of four new CarbonFree energy drinks: Acute Fruit, CoMotion, NTrinsic and NTrinsic Sugar-free. This partnership highlights a growing trend of businesses bringing carbon-conscious food options directly to store shelves and the growing number of eco-conscious consumers who scrutinise food production methods and seek products that minimise climate impact.

Carbonfund.org's CarbonFree label, which appears on all four energy drinks, indicates that the products' entire carbon footprint will be offset through the support of greenhouse gas reduction projects. CarbonFree food options enable consumers to make carbon-conscious buying decisions and take further steps to combat global warming while at the supermarket. The drinks are currently on sale at three convenience store chains: Mapco, Fas Mart, and Flash Foods.

Carbonfund.org certified the four energy drinks CarbonFree after a rigorous life cycle analysis (LCA) performed by carbon management consultants, Edinburgh Centre for Carbon Management. Carbon emissions associated with the energy drinks were calculated at each step based on the ingredients used in manufacturing, the ink and materials used for packaging, and the fossil fuel burned during shipping.

Four main steps to CarbonFree product certification: • Determine the product's carbon footprint through a life cycle analysis (LCA) • Certify and register the product as CarbonFree • Offset the product's footprint through the support of greenhouse gas reduction projects • Conduct annual review and recertification

"The partnership with Carbonfund.org is a valuable addition to our sustainable development strategy that will include a continued push for recycling, conservation and investment in renewable energy across our business processes," said The Monarch Beverage Company Chief Operating Officer Didier Arnaud. "We are committed to reducing the impact of our business activities on the environment and believe that offering CarbonFree products will also raise the awareness of simple ways to protect the environment among energy drink consumers."

"If only the whole transition to a clean energy economy were as easy as popping the tab on a CarbonFree Acute Fruit energy drink!" exclaimed Eric Carlson, Executive Director of Carbonfund.org, just before having his first taste of the new drink. "Fortunately, now that these drinks are CarbonFree, Monarch Beverages is providing consumers with an eco-friendly option that moves us in the right direction. We're proud to partner with them in increasing carbon-conscious consumerism."

A new study shows that roughly half of all consumers now consider questions of sustainability in their purchasing decisions, with particular focus on the food and beverage industry.