FUL Water uses spirulina for sustainable nutrition in functional drinks

Amsterdam-based food-tech startup FUL Foods entered the US market in April with its FUL water, a vegan, low-calorie drink featuring the company's proprietary spirulina ingredient, FULBlue. The company has now expanded its beverage line by introducing Raspberry Yuzu, complementing existing flavors such as Lemon & Ginger and White Peach.

Blue spirulina

Credit: AdobeStock Gulsina

In response to consumer feedback, FUL Foods incorporated Yuzu, a citrus fruit from East Asia, into its new flavor. Yuzu's rising popularity in the US since 2020 is attributed to its unique combination of lemony tanginess, grapefruit bitterness, and orange sweetness.

FULwater's Daily Detox beverages, available for online purchase at $23.00/€22.00 for a 6-pack, can be shipped nationwide in the US and are also offered at select retailers in Los Angeles. As FUL Foods continues to expand its brand, it is actively seeking retail and food service partners to incorporate its spirulina ingredient into various products, such as smoothies, juices, and snacks.

Cristina Prat Taranilla, FUL Foods' Chief Technology Officer, highlighted the company's environmentally conscious production process, stating, "For every two tons of CO2 we use, our team produces one ton of nutrition." The closed-loop growing system used in spirulina production allows for cultivation without the need for fertilizers or pesticides, minimizing environmental impact.

FUL Foods, founded in early 2020, has developed a sustainable model that uses fewer natural resources than many other nutrition sources. Sara Guaglio, FUL Foods' Chief Operating Officer, emphasized the flexibility of their production process, stating, "We can grow on top of buildings or even in the desert."

The startup, formed by entrepreneurs Julia Streuli and Sara Guaglio, has achieved notable recognition, winning the Venture Competition at INSEAD and receiving accolades from the World Economic Forum and Fast Company for its "World Changing Idea." FUL Foods is committed to turning waste into value by developing functional ingredients from the non-soluble part of spirulina, a practice that aligns with its dedication to minimizing waste and maximizing nutritional and commercial value.