Spindrift Becomes First Non-Ultraprocessed Beverage Brand

Newton, Mass. — Spindrift Beverage Co. announced Jan. 22, 2026, that its full portfolio is now verified under the Non-Ultraprocessed Food (Non-UPF) Verified Standard, a certification developed by the Non-GMO Project. The verification covers all Spindrift products, including Spindrift Sparkling Water and Spindrift SODA. The company said it is currently the only beverage brand to receive the Non-UPF designation.

The announcement comes as consumer scrutiny of ultraprocessed foods continues to intensify. The beverage category has felt this shift most strongly, particularly among products dominated by artificial sweeteners and heavily engineered formulations.

The certification applies across Spindrift’s entire product lineup. The certification confirms that the company makes its beverages without ultraprocessing or artificial sweeteners. Instead, the products rely on real squeezed fruit, carbonated water, and minimal processing.

The company said the verification formalizes practices it has followed since its founding in 2010. It also provides consumers with a third-party signal in an increasingly crowded “better-for-you” beverage aisle.

Spindrift reports it is growing four times faster than the flavored sparkling water category. The company attributes that growth to rising demand for beverages with shorter ingredient lists and clearer sourcing. Industry analysts note that many brands claim to use “simple ingredients.” However, few have been able to substantiate those processing claims through independent verification.

Why the Non-UPF verification matters

According to Spindrift CEO Dave Burwick, the certification helps translate behind-the-scenes formulation decisions into something consumers can recognize on the shelf. He said the verification allows shoppers to identify beverages made without the “industrial additives, artificial sweeteners, and heavy processing” common across the category. Burwick added that taste and ingredient transparency drive Spindrift’s formulation choices.

The Non-UPF Verified Standard was developed by the Non-GMO Project. The organization said the goal is to address a growing information gap around food processing.

Ultraprocessed foods make up a significant share of modern diets. However, consumers often lack tools to distinguish between minimally processed products and those designed primarily for shelf stability, sweetness, or texture.

Megan Westgate, founder and CEO of the Non-GMO Project, said the new standard gives shoppers clearer guidance. She noted that consumers increasingly want foods and beverages “made closer to their natural state,” and that verification offers a consistent framework to evaluate processing levels across categories.

Non-UPF Verified branding will begin appearing on Spindrift SODA packaging in early 2026, with sparkling water packaging updates rolling out in late summer. The company also plans to integrate the certification across its website and digital channels.

Industry context: Processing transparency moves to the forefront

Spindrift’s verification arrives amid a wider shift within the CPG industry toward processing transparency. The focus is moving beyond ingredient lists to address how products are made.

As research increasingly links ultraprocessed diets to long-term health concerns, scrutiny has intensified. Retailers and manufacturers are facing growing pressure to substantiate their claims with independent standards.

For beverage manufacturers, the move highlights growing demand for simpler formulations, fewer additives, and verifiable processing practices, particularly as private label and emerging brands compete for shelf space. Certifications like Non-UPF may also influence R&D decisions, pushing suppliers and co-manufacturers to rethink formulation strategies that rely on intensive processing.

Spindrift’s Non-UPF verification comes as other beverage brands experiment with functional formulations built around recognizable ingredients and minimal processing. In a related move announced later in January, Arden’s Garden introduced Sea Moss Energy™, a wellness shot made with sea moss gel and green tea, reflecting growing interest in plant-based energy sources and ingredient-driven functionality. Together, these launches illustrate how beverage companies are competing by emphasizing formulation integrity and targeted health benefits rather than artificial stimulants or complex processing methods.

Why it matters

Spindrift’s Non-UPF verification signals a broader shift in how beverage brands communicate product integrity. As consumers move past generic “clean label” claims, third-party standards increasingly differentiate brands by how they process foods, not just by what those foods contain. For the CPG industry, this marks an inflection point where transparency, formulation discipline, and certification credibility increasingly shape brand trust and long-term growth.

Editor’s note: Source86 perspective

For beverage manufacturers, importers, and private label brands, Spindrift’s verification underscores a growing industry reality. Processing standards are becoming as important as ingredient sourcing.

As consumers demand clearer answers about how products are made, expectations continue to rise. Brands must ensure their formulations, documentation, and supply chains can withstand third-party scrutiny.

At Source86, we work with beverage and food brands across bulk sourcing, private label development, co-manufacturing, FSQA oversight, and R&D support, helping teams align formulation goals with evolving certification standards. As processing transparency becomes a competitive requirement rather than a niche advantage, supply chain readiness will determine which brands can credibly meet the moment. Contact us!