Panacea Drinks to expand healthy water kefir business

Panacea Drinks, Northern Ireland's water kefir producer, is moving into bigger premises to meet the growing demand in the UK and Ireland for its healthy drinks.

The company, which has a portfolio of water kefir soft drinks, is planning to switch from its existing base at Saintfield, county Down to much bigger premises in Belfast early in 2018. The new plant is being kitted-out with new production equipment.

Kelly Neill, founder and managing director of Panacea Drinks, says the expansion will support the company's recently established distributors in the UK as well as enabling it to build on existing sales throughout Northern Ireland with health shops, delis, gyms and independent stores.

Mrs Neill, who founded Northern Ireland's only water kefir business in 2016, says: "The new premises and equipment will provide the scope we need to increase production and meet the growing interest in our range of fermented soft drinks.

"Our products are made with water kefir cultures and natural fruit and herbs. There's a growing awareness throughout the UK and Ireland of the health benefits of the fermentation process, which is seen as providing good bacteria especially in terms of improved digestion and enhanced immune system.

"We currently have five products, including ginger, raspberry and cherry, which are in 250ml glass bottles and retail at £2.75. The drinks all have a 14-week shelf-life. All the drinks are processed and bottled by the company at our premises in Northern Ireland from my own recipes," she says.

Mrs Neill, originally from Newcastle upon Tyne, has a successful background in sales with A.Vogel, the Swiss specialist in herbal remedies and complementary medicine.

The drinks are naturally carbonated using filtered water. "Our soft drinks are essentially lifestyle products created to promote wellness and especially digestive health by supporting healthy bacteria in the gut. They also support the immune system.

"Panacea drinks produce what are now regarded as functional foods because they offer essential enzymes, pre-digested nutrients, amino acids, vitamins, minerals, calories/energy and huge amounts of good bacteria for a healthy body," adds Mrs Neill.