When supermarkets organize their beverage shelves which criteria should they use for consumers to differentiate juice from beverages or fruit beverages from fruit nectars? According to Rogério Tocchini, scientific researcher at Ital - Instituto de Tecnologia de Alimentos (Food Technology Institute) there are no established rules for supermarkets or even for government inspectors that require that such products be differentiated. "Therefore, we find several beverage and energy drinks with ingredients that are marketed as juice," he added.

The issue around beverage ingredients is becoming more evident since the arrival in the Brazilian market of an energy drink commercialized and considered by consumers as pure orange juice. "If it contained juice, the product would be registered in the Ministry of Agriculture and not in the Ministry of Health. Furthermore, supermarket shelves identify them as 'natural juice'," commented Tocchini.

It is very important not only for those who sell, but for those who consume, to read product labels and to learn how to identify the ingredients.

Below is a brief list of beverage definitions:
    Juices: 100% developed with fruit and up to 10% sugar.
    Beverages: vary from fruit to fruit; in the case of oranges, they must contain at least 30% juice, 70% water
      and sugar.
    Fruit nectars: have to contain fruit pulp and may contain juice; in the case of oranges, they must contain
      at least 31% between juice and pulp.
    Mixed fruit beverage: 10% juice and 90% other ingredients, such as water and sugar, etc.

Source: Cargill Magazine