The purpose of Drinks Panel is to provide a forum for discussion, information exchange, research direction and management of topics relating to drinks science and processing - soft drinks (including water and fruit juices), alcoholic beverages (wine, spirits and beer/cider) and tea/coffee/chocolate products, and also the ingredients that are used in their manufacture. In particular:

• To share non-confidential information about issues, trends and knowledge gaps relating to drinks.
• To foster understanding of technical issues relating to drinks.
• To provide guidance to CCFRA and others on priority areas concerning drinks that require further study
• To review and mentor CCFRA projects relevant to the panel.
• To consider, suggest and monitor projects where research in drink processing, ingredients, and preservation will lead to improvements in quality, safety and processing efficiency.

Areas of specific interest include:

• Drink microbiology, including spoilage issues and related factory hygiene issues
• Drink chemistry, including nutritional issues, and product stability
• Drink processing, including novel methods and particularly filling issues
• Drink packaging, including sustainability and usability of packaging and novel designs
• Drink raw materials, including colours, sweeteners and novel ingredients
• Shelf-life issues relating to the above
• Legislation, including its effects on the marketability of drinks
• Consumer perceptions of drinks, including likes/dislikes and opinions related to ingredients