Claims that drinks company Innocent misled consumers about how its products were transported have served as timely reminder of the scrutiny ethical brands now face over their marketing claims.

An investigation by The Daily Telegraph revealed that the high-profile smoothie-maker had published inaccurate information about how the ingredients for its drinks were transported.

The company claimed that the fruit for its smoothies only travels by rail or boat and tells customers that its drinks are produced in the UK. However, The Daily Telegraph claims its investigation revealed that the drinks are blended on the continent before being carried “hundreds of miles” on tanker lorries.

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What comes to mind when you hear the word ’smoothie’? If it’s lovely fruit, whizzed together to make a super-healthy, fresh drink, you may have to think again.

Smoothies are the next big thing. We drink £134m worth every year. In the last five years, sales have rocketed by 523%. But a fruity debate is being whipped up in the world of smoothies because it seems no one actually knows what the word ’smoothie’ really means.

Not so long ago, a ’smoothie’ meant a suave man but, all of a sudden, the word’s taken on new meaning and now most people think of fruity drinks. The trouble is, there’s no legal definition of the word ’smoothie’ - so how do you know what you’re getting?

Dave Holland, head of Cardiff Trading Standards, commented that, although shelves may be stocked with numerous cartons and bottles describing themselves as ’smoothies’, they are by no means all the same product.

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New Mintel Report Shows Five-Year Market Boom Raises Smoothie Market Sales by More than 80 Percent.

With on-the-go dining and snacking moving to the American meal forefront, the U.S. smoothie market has been flooded with consumers looking for a quick portable meal alternative. Last year, smoothie makers raked in more than $2 billion from made-to-order and packaged smoothies, up more than 80 percent in the last five years. Consumers are embracing the trend in a major way, and for a variety of different reasons.

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We are proud to announce we are now part of Enterprising Women!

In the 80s, fast-food burger joints flooded UK town centres. By the 90s, coffee shops took their place on every street corner.

But now that the noughties are well established, the new fast food fight is on a rather healthier battlefield.

Warnings about obesity and increased awareness of the importance of eating five fruit a day have fuelled a surge in healthy eating.

The UK smoothie market is worth £100m and doubling yearly.

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