Challenges faced by beverage industry

 

Beverage

A beverage is a drink used for consumption purposes. During the last couple of years’ beverage industry has shown significant growth. i.e. creating a variety of products juices, syrups, milk products, and squashes. Pakistani people consume the non-alcoholic beverage. Among all the beverages soft drinks, fruit juices, coffee, and tea are prevalent in Pakistan. However, there are some issues/ challenges faced by the beverage industry in Pakistan.

Challenges faced by the beverage industry of Pakistan

·       Climate Change and Water Challenges

Climate Change is affecting the beverage industry i.e. Droughts and Natural Disasters. Not accessibility of clean water. However, water is the key ingredient making 90% of the beverage composition. Moreover, water protection, sustainability, efficiency, and conservation are core focuses for beverage industries. This will ultimately reduce their additional cleaning and operational costs. Hence increasing their profit margin.      

·       Growing Demand for Sustainability

Sustainability is a major issue as there is no proper waste treatment, i.e. water used in processing has not had a particular fate. Research has shown that almost 50% of the water waste is produced by the beverage industry. i.e. Bottle washing process. They require large quantities of freshwater for rising and cleaning purposes. Moreover, this water wastage is a debate for a long time. One of the main causes of water wastage is that they did not reuse the water and washing and cleansing require huge expenses of water. Thus by reducing the cost of water and energy, investing this cost in developing new processing technologies would be more beneficial.

·       Health Considerations

Research has shown that now consumers are more aware of health and related disorders. As beverage manufactures are known for adding sugars and artificial sweeteners to their products. This will increase the risk of diabetes, CVDs, and obesity. Moreover, product labeling and compositional requirements are a major concern of consumers. Thus industrialists who are not considering these points will ultimately go in loss and less benefit in the markets. Thus greater taste and creating nutritional alternatives is a challenge for industry growers.

·       Lack of Transparency

Consumer desires to know everything from farm to fork. Industries are lacking transparency means weak bonds and trust issues about brand imaging. Thus manufacturers need to fulfill the expectation of consumers for trust-building and engage more customers. Moreover, large brands like Murree Brewery, Nestle Pakistan, and Shezan International have covered such gaps but local brands are still lacking to create a constant image. This will lead to a lack of transparency across the supply chain as well.

Debate on Plastic

Plastic is a great debate for a long period as it adversely affects the ecosystem and aquatic life as well. Research has shown that around 22 billion water bottles are wasted in each water and most are thrown in water streams i.e. oceans, which release a chemical BPA that causes serious health issues like cancer. Thus beverage industries are shifting to other plastic alternatives to reduce such issues. Green business and eco-friendly packaging systems should be used. Nestle took the initiative to use 100% reusable packaging by 2025. While other beverage industries are still lacking this and using plastic as a packaging material.

·       Authenticity and traceability in beverages

The consumer expects or demands the labeling and source of origins. Beverages are more targeted to food frauds issues. Adulteration or mixing of other undesirable materials which do not match the official standards and labeling and are considered as a non-authentic beverage. Issues are reported in some fruit juices, coffee, tea, and some alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. Adulterations from false means possess serious health issues. Thus these points should be taken into considerations.

·       Tackling Allergens Managements

Some allergens are also reported in drinks that cause life-threatening reactions to the allergen person. Moreover, legislation has been passed all over the world to ensure safety by proper labeling of products. Those manufacturers not accompanying these protocols will face serious legal issues. Some common allergens reported are barley, egg protein, gluten, soy lecithin.

·       Meeting Standards and Regulations

Every year many beverages are recalled from the market or banned due to not following proper standards and regulations by officials. Basic reasons are cross-contamination, plastic contamination, adulteration, and allergens addition, and not maintaining proper protocols. Excessive mineral addition is also not required i.e. chlorine, fluorine, iron, etc. They are required in an acceptable range. i.e. Drinking water acceptable chlorine levels are 4 milligrams per liter. Thus to safeguard the quality of beverages manufacturers must ensure hygiene and safety at every production step. Industries that do not follow these regulations will go in loss and bear serious consequences.