[MONDAY MINUTE] The Explosive (and Controversial) Role of DSD Distribution in the Rise of Functional Beverages

Amidst booming demand for functional beverages…niche ingredients have found a catalyst to mainstream awareness and mass acceptance. Though, there’s a big difference when comparing (say) lion’s mane mushrooms, which meets the FDA definition of a dietary supplement…and kratom, even if plant-derived sources of the niche ingredient could align with natural wellness trends. And I get it…there’s obviously growing market demand for kratom, that (depending on dosage) supposedly delivers a boost of euphoric energy or sedative relaxation. But poor regulatory enforcement doesn’t somehow make it allowable by default. And maybe this is a spicy take, especially coming from someone (personally) holding strong libertarian views when it comes to adults consuming whatever they want, but I believe professionally that beer-affiliated DSD distributors selling high-margin products with kratom (or even hemp-derived THC beverages in certain states) are no different than all these independent specialty supplement retailers selling unauthorized peptides or prohormones.