False Ox Beverages

false ox

 

Product Development for ‘Switchels’ and ‘Shrubs’ Market

CHALLENGE     

False Ox is a Toronto-based company who makes Switchels and Shrubs, historical drinks with Apple Cider Vinegar. Switchels are the 1700’s answer to Gatorade, made with ginger, apple cider vinegar and organic sugar. Shrubs are a drinking vinegar concentrate, with a small amount added to soda water or into a cocktail. False Ox wanted a product line extension that included product development of a dry-hopped carbonated switchel, along with ready-to-drink shrub and soda beverages.

SOLUTION       

The Canadian Food & Wine Institute (CFWI) Innovation Centre developed five new Switchel SKUs as well as four new RTD Shrub-based SKUs to extend the False Ox product line. A variety of innovative solutions were provided, such as natural flavours used to enhance fruit juices, new suppliers to provide scalable specialty ingredients, and innovative market-mindful flavour combinations. The research team provided formulations, methodologies, process flows, a preliminary food safety assessment, identified potential suppliers, and supplied specifications sheets for various ingredients used in product development.

Funding: the Ontario Centres of Excellence (OCE) through its College Voucher for Technology Adoption (CVTA).