US-based firm RushNet claims that its Ginseng Rush XXX and Rush Ginseng Cola XXX drinks have received a huge response from wholesalers eager to distribute the product globally.
"Following RushNet's entry into the huge Japanese market, the company has been inundated with calls from overseas distributors who want to sell our ginseng-powered, non-caffeinated, 100 per cent natural energy drinks," said RushNet president Robert Corr.
"Our energy-drink competitors rely on caffeine, which is harmful, especially to youngsters, in large doses. They have to put caffeine-warning labels on their cans."
Herbal juice drinks for adults, particularly buoyant in the US, are also beginning to develop in Europe. Popular US brands are SoBe and Snapple, and formulations include ginseng, guarana, echinacea and kava root.
Claims mainly focus on 'lifestyle' positionings (eg energising, stimulating, calming, relaxing) or are influenced by health (eg protection against colds and other common ailments).
Corr claims that the company's range of caffeine-free, natural energy beverages can provide stamina and performance by using herbs such as American ginseng, Siberian rhodiola rosea and Chinese peony root.
"In order to take advantage of opportunities, presented to us, for global marketing of our energy drinks, we are printing labels in five languages: English, French, Spanish, Arabic and Japanese," said Corr.
The company also said that it is now in negotiations with a contract beverage canning and packing facility. The facility is equipped with a tunnel pasteurisation unit that allows aseptic processing while preserving and stabilising active ingredients.
RushNet is the licensed marketing agent for Rush Beverage Company products.