Taurine · Functional Amino Sulfonic Acid for Energy Drinks, Beverages & Nutrition

Key characteristics

• Chemical name: 2-aminoethanesulfonic acid (taurine).
• Form: typically a white, crystalline powder with neutral odour and taste at typical use levels.
• Solubility: freely soluble in water, enabling high inclusion levels in liquid beverages, syrups and instant powders.
• Taste profile: generally neutral; at higher concentrations it may show a slight umami or mildly bitter note, which is usually masked by flavours and sweeteners.
• Function: used as a functional ingredient and nutritional enhancer in energy drinks, sports beverages, instant powders, infant and clinical formulas and supplements.
• Compatibility: generally compatible with B-vitamins, caffeine, inositol, sweeteners, minerals and other beverage/ nutrition ingredients.
• Regulatory status: recognised and regulated differently across markets; maximum levels, categories and claims must follow local legislation.

Atlas supports R&D and regulatory teams in positioning taurine within energy, sports, infant and medical nutrition frameworks, in line with applicable laws and guidelines.

Indicative specification points

Final specifications are agreed per project and destination market. Typical food and nutrition-grade taurine parameters include:

• Assay: generally 98.5–101.0% taurine (on dried basis), according to agreed method.
• Appearance: white or almost white, crystalline powder, free from visible foreign matter.
• Identification tests: confirm taurine structure and purity according to pharmacopeial or food-grade methods.
• Loss on drying: controlled to ensure powder stability, flow and shelf life.
• Residue on ignition / sulphated ash: limited in line with specification and regulations.
• Clarity/colour of solution: compliant with visual clarity and colour limits for beverage use.
• Related substances and specified impurities: controlled to meet food, infant and nutrition standards.
• Heavy metals and contaminants: limited to comply with global and local safety requirements.
• Microbiological profile: aligned with good manufacturing practice, with stricter limits for infant and medical nutrition grades where applicable.

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, origin, Halal/Kosher certificates) can be provided from approved producers.

Energy & functional beverages

• Energy drinks and energy shots – taurine is a hallmark ingredient in classic and modern energy drink formulations, typically combined with caffeine, B-vitamins, inositol, sweeteners and flavours.
• Sports and isotonic drinks – used in hydration and performance beverages alongside electrolytes, carbohydrates and vitamins.
• Functional RTD beverages – taurine included in focus, gaming, active lifestyle and wellness concepts, subject to local regulatory frameworks.
• Concentrated syrups and beverage bases – taurine’s high solubility supports stable, homogeneous concentrates for later dilution and filling.

Instant powders & dry beverage mixes

• Instant energy drink powders – taurine blended with caffeine, B-vitamins, sweeteners and flavours for single-serve sticks and sachets.
• Sports powder mixes – included in pre-, intra- and post-workout formulations together with amino acids, minerals and carbohydrates.
• Multifunctional nutrition powders – used in meal-replacement and active lifestyle powders where permitted by local rules.

Infant, growing-up & medical nutrition

• Infant formulas and follow-on formulas – in some jurisdictions, taurine is included in carefully regulated compositions with tight purity and safety specifications.
• Growing-up milks – formulations tailored to toddler and children’s nutritional requirements, where regulations permit taurine use.
• Medical and clinical nutrition – taurine can be part of enteral nutrition and oral supplements for specific patient groups, subject to category legislation.

Dietary supplements & combinations

• Tablets and capsules – taurine supplied as a stand-alone supplement or in blends with caffeine, B-vitamins and other actives.
• Powder sticks, tubs and sachets – single-serve powders for direct consumption or dissolution in water, often combined with amino acids and vitamins.
• Gummies and functional confectionery – emerging formats where taurine is included alongside vitamins and other functional ingredients, subject to local rules and dosage limits.

Formulation guidance

• Taurine dosage is determined by:
  • Local regulatory maximum levels for each product category,
  • Target positioning and functional claims (where permitted),
  • Overall formula design and interaction with caffeine, vitamins and other actives.
• In beverages, taurine is usually added via:
  • Direct dosing into the mixing tank as a powder, or
  • Pre-dissolved concentrates or premixes for easier handling and dosing accuracy.
• For instant powders, attention should be paid to particle size, flow and premix design to ensure homogeneous distribution and avoid segregation.
• Taurine is generally stable under typical heat treatment and pH ranges used in beverages, but pilot trials and shelf-life studies are recommended to confirm retention.
• Regulatory and scientific teams must confirm authorised use levels, categories, labelling rules and any claims or warnings associated with taurine in each destination market.

Quality & documentation

• Supplied as food or nutrition-grade taurine with agreed specifications for assay, impurities and physical properties.
• Each batch is accompanied by a Certificate of Analysis (COA) and a technical data sheet describing key analytical parameters and methods.
• Additional documentation can include GMO status, allergen declarations, contaminants and heavy metal data, dietary suitability (e.g. vegetarian/vegan where applicable), BSE/TSE statements, origin and Halal/Kosher certificates, depending on the producer and grade.
• Manufacturing sites typically operate under recognised ISO and food safety management systems (e.g. HACCP, FSSC/ISO 22000), with further certifications available on request.
• Customers remain responsible for regulatory compliance, maximum use levels, claims and labelling in each destination market and product category.

Packaging, storage & logistics

• Standard packaging: typically 20–25 kg bags, fibre drums or cartons with inner liners to protect against moisture and contamination; alternative pack sizes can be evaluated as needed.
• Suitable for full-container or mixed-container shipments together with other vitamins, nutritional enhancers, sweeteners, acidulants and functional ingredients.
• Store in a cool, dry place, away from heat, moisture and odour-intensive materials to maintain powder quality and flow.
• Typical shelf life is defined in the product specification and on the COA; customers should verify taurine stability in their own processes and finished products under intended 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 intended applications (energy drinks, functional beverages, instant powders, sports nutrition, infant/medical nutrition, supplements, etc.), target taurine level per serving, annual volume, packaging needs, documentation/certification requirements and destination markets. Our team will recommend suitable grades and premix concepts.