Taurine · High-Purity Taurine for Energy Drinks, Functional Beverages & Nutrition

Key characteristics

• Chemical name: 2-aminoethanesulfonic acid.
• Common name: taurine.
• Form: usually a white, crystalline powder, odourless or nearly odourless, with a slightly bitter but generally neutral taste at common use levels.
• Solubility: very soluble in water, allowing use in clear energy drinks, functional beverages, syrups and liquid nutrition products as well as powders.
• Stability:
  • Generally stable under normal storage and processing conditions in both dry and aqueous systems,
  • Compatible with many heat treatments used in beverage and nutrition manufacturing.
• Purity profile: high taurine assay with strict limits on related substances, residual solvents and inorganic impurities according to specification.
• Origin: produced via controlled synthetic processes suitable for food and nutrition markets.
• Regulatory status:
  • Regulatory frameworks for taurine in energy drinks, infant formula and other categories are country-specific,
  • Permitted levels, target population and claims must be confirmed by the customer’s regulatory and scientific teams in each market.

Atlas supports customers in integrating taurine into energy, hydration, focus and specialised nutrition concepts, ensuring alignment with raw material quality, processing conditions and local regulations.

Indicative specification points

Exact specifications are agreed by project and producer. Typical food/nutrition-grade taurine parameters include:

• Assay (taurine): usually ≥ 99.0% on dried basis.
• Appearance: white crystals or crystalline powder, free from visible foreign matter.
• Identification tests: confirm taurine structure via infrared spectroscopy, melting range or chemical reactions according to recognised methods.
• Loss on drying: controlled to secure consistent assay and flow behaviour.
• Residue on ignition / sulphated ash: low levels according to food and/or pharmacopeial standards.
• Chloride, sulphate and other inorganic ions: limited in line with purity requirements.
• Heavy metals and specific contaminants: restricted to meet food, infant and/or nutrition ingredient standards where applicable.
• Related substances and residual solvents: monitored and controlled according to specification and regulatory expectations.
• Microbiological profile: low counts suitable for beverages, infant formula, medical nutrition and dietary supplements, depending on grade.
• Particle size distribution: grades available for fast dissolution in drinks and optimal flow in powders, capsules and tablets.

Each batch is supplied with a Certificate of Analysis (COA) and a detailed technical data sheet. Additional documentation (GMO status, allergen statements, dietary suitability, contaminants and pesticide data, solvent information, origin, Halal/Kosher certificates, infant/medical nutrition statements, etc.) can be provided from approved taurine producers to support audits and regulatory dossiers.

Energy & functional beverages

• Energy drinks – taurine is one of the signature ingredients in many energy drink concepts, typically combined with caffeine, B-vitamins, sugars or sweeteners and other functional ingredients.
• Functional soft drinks & flavoured waters – used in enhanced waters, flavoured drinks and non-carbonated beverages, often together with electrolytes, vitamins and plant extracts.
• Energy shots & concentrates – taurine contributes to the functional profile of small-volume shots, syrups and beverage bases where high solubility and accurate dosing are required.
• Powdered drink mixes – included in instant drink powders designed for dilution with water, often together with caffeine, B-vitamins, amino acids and minerals.

Sports nutrition & active lifestyle products

• Pre-workout and intra-workout powders – taurine is combined with creatine, BCAAs, beta-alanine, electrolytes and caffeine in sports formulations targeted at healthy adults, where permitted.
• Recovery drinks & powders – used in post-exercise recovery products together with carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins and minerals.
• Capsules & tablets – taurine can be delivered in single nutrient or multi-ingredient capsules and tablets for sports and lifestyle brands.

Infant formula & paediatric nutrition*

• Infant formula & follow-on formula* – taurine may be added as a conditionally essential nutrient depending on regional rules; composition and levels are tightly defined by infant nutrition regulations.
• Growing-up milk & paediatric drinks* – included in children’s nutrition products where permitted and aligned with local legislation.
• Medical & clinical nutrition* – used in enteral formulas and specialised medical nutrition for specific patient groups under medical supervision.

*Manufacturers must thoroughly review national and international standards and compile the necessary nutritional, safety and clinical data when using taurine in these sensitive categories.

Other food, pet & technical applications

• Dietary supplements – taurine is used in single-ingredient capsules/tablets or as part of complex supplement blends with vitamins, minerals and other actives.
• Pet food & aquafeed* – taurine is a known nutrient in cat and certain fish diets; specific feed-grade taurine and feed regulations apply (*handled as a separate product category).
• Other technical uses* – where relevant, technical grades may be used in non-food applications such as cosmetics or fermentation, outside the scope of this food-focused page.

Formulation guidance

• Dosage considerations:
  • Typical use levels are driven by regulatory limits, safety opinions, target claims and positioning,
  • Energy drinks and sports products generally work within established taurine ranges per serving and per day defined by local guidance,
  • Infant and medical nutrition applications follow strict compositional rules and professional oversight.
• Solubility & processing:
  • Due to its high solubility, taurine is typically dosed via premixes, syrups or direct addition into process water or beverage base,
  • Compatible with common thermal processes in beverage and liquid nutrition manufacturing,
  • In powders, attention to particle size, flow and segregation ensures homogeneous distribution.
• Compatibility with other ingredients:
  • Works well in systems containing caffeine, B-vitamins, sweeteners, flavours, minerals and other amino acids,
  • Formulators should evaluate any interactions with strong oxidants, reducing agents or extreme pH, especially in long-shelf-life liquids.
• Regulatory & labelling:
  • Manufacturers must determine the legal status of taurine in each product category and market, including maximum levels and target population,
  • Any energy, performance, focus or health-related claims must follow local rules on approved claims, safety notices and mandatory labelling,
  • Labels should clearly state taurine content per serving in line with nutrition information requirements.

Quality & documentation

• Supplied as food or nutrition-grade taurine with agreed specifications for assay, related substances, inorganic impurities and microbiological quality.
• Each batch is delivered with a Certificate of Analysis (COA) and a technical data sheet summarising testing methods and acceptance criteria.
• Additional documentation can include GMO status, allergen declarations, dietary suitability (e.g. vegetarian/vegan where applicable), solvent and contaminant data, origin, Halal/Kosher certificates and statements for infant/medical nutrition use, depending on the selected producer and grade.
• Manufacturing sites typically operate under recognised ISO and food safety management systems (e.g. HACCP, FSSC/ISO 22000); other certifications are available on request.
• Customers remain responsible for regulatory compliance, maximum use levels, nutrition and health claims, infant/medical nutrition regulations and labelling in each destination market and product category.

Packaging, storage & logistics

• Standard packaging: typically 20–25 kg fibre drums or multi-wall paper bags with inner liners designed for moisture protection and clean handling. Other packaging (e.g. big bags) may be considered for high-volume projects.
• Suitable for full-container or mixed-container loads together with other amino acids, proteins, vitamins, minerals, sweeteners and functional ingredients.
• Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area, away from moisture, excessive heat and strong odours to maintain powder flow and assay.
• Typical shelf life is defined on the specification and COA; customers should confirm taurine retention, physical properties and sensory impact under their own processing and storage conditions.
• Shipments can be arranged under FOB, CFR, CIF or other agreed Incoterms, with export, customs and quality documentation coordinated from Ankara, Türkiye.

To receive a tailored offer, please share your target applications (energy drinks, functional beverages, sports powders, infant/paediatric nutrition*, medical nutrition*, supplements, etc.), desired taurine content per serving, formulation format (liquid, powder, capsule/tablet), annual volume, packaging format, documentation/certification needs (Halal, Kosher, non-GMO, infant/medical suitability, etc.) and destination markets. Our team will recommend suitable taurine grades and integrated functional concepts for your projects.

*Subject to strict local regulations and safety evaluations; Atlas can support ingredient-level documentation, while final product compliance remains the responsibility of the manufacturer.