什么才是真正的“椰子水”？标准来了！

Group 1 - The coconut water market in China is experiencing rapid growth, projected to reach $1.1 billion by 2024, with a compound annual growth rate of 61% over the past five years, significantly outpacing the overall soft drink industry [2] - Current per capita consumption of coconut water in China is only 0.1 liters, which is much lower than in the US (1.1 liters) and Thailand (0.2 liters), indicating substantial growth potential in the market [2] - The market is facing issues such as water dilution, added sugars, and flavoring agents, which undermine product integrity and consumer trust [2] Group 2 - A new group standard for coconut water was released on December 12, aiming to establish clear and scientific guidelines for the industry, helping consumers make informed choices and promoting sustainable development [3] - The standard defines "coconut water" as a product made solely from coconut fruit through physical processing or reconstitution from concentrated juice, distinguishing it from flavored beverages that contain added sugars and artificial ingredients [3] - The standard mandates that labels on pre-packaged products must comply with existing food labeling regulations, and products claiming to meet the standard can assert they are "100% coconut water" [3] Group 3 - Advanced stable isotope fingerprinting technology is being developed to verify the authenticity of coconut water, providing a reliable method for market regulation and helping to standardize the industry [5] - This technology aims to create a unique identification for coconut water based on the isotopic composition of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, which can serve as a "geographical ID" and "biological process recorder" [5] - The goal is to establish a standardized method for testing and verification, ultimately enhancing market order and supporting honest businesses in the coconut water sector [5]