mocean wins Best New Retail Beverage in Prepared Foods' 2026 Spirit of Innovation Awards

Prepared Foods recognizes the functional energy brand for new-product innovation, judged on innovation, R&D teamwork and sensory performance.

HYANNIS, Mass., Sept. 4, 2026 — mocean™, the functional energy drink made with organic green tea caffeine and botanicals, has been named the Best New Retail Beverage winner in Prepared Foods' 2026 Spirit of Innovation Awards, the long-running industry program that recognizes excellence in new food and beverage product development.

Established by Prepared Foods in 2003, the Spirit of Innovation Awards honor the teams behind the industry's most inventive products. Entries are evaluated by a panel of industry judges on overall innovation, the team's problem-solution story and sensory performance, including taste, aroma and texture.

"This recognition means a great deal coming from Prepared Foods, because it comes from people who understand what goes into building a product," said Tony Vieira, co-founder of mocean. "We set out to make a functional energy drink built for adults, and being named among this year's honorees tells us the work is connecting."

mocean is a low-sugar functional energy drink that contains 130 milligrams of organic green tea caffeine and a blend of botanicals, and is made without taurine or artificial colors, flavors or preservatives. The brand was co-founded by Vieira, a veteran brewmaster, and his son, Christian Vieira.

Prepared Foods is expected to announce the full slate of 2026 Spirit of Innovation honorees next week. Additional information about the winning products is available through Prepared Foods.

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About mocean

Founded by Tony and Christian Vieira, mocean drinkwerx is a functional energy drink company dedicated to supporting immunity and wellness through premium, taurine-free formulations. Inspired by eastern botanical traditions and backed by decades of brewing expertise, Mocean creates energy drinks designed specifically for health-conscious adults seeking quality ingredients and sensible nutrition.