ROBOT Kombucha by Net Zero Foods, a company focused on developing carbon-neutral foods and beverages, has won the Innovation award in Probiotic Beverages category in the 2025 Just Drinks Excellence Awards for successfully creating a health-focused, sustainable cola that challenges traditional colas by combining organic ingredients, probiotic benefits, and artificial intelligence (AI)-driven development.
The Just Drinks Excellence Awards honour the most significant achievements and innovations in the beverages industry. Powered by GlobalData’s business intelligence, the Awards recognise the people and companies leading change and shaping the future of the industry.
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Enhancing health with probiotic and prebiotic benefits
ROBOT Kombucha has redefined what it means to be a healthy cola. At its core is a unique SCOBY (Symbiotic Culture of Bacteria and Yeast), meticulously cultivated in-house by Net Zero Foods. This scientifically advanced approach ensures that the kombucha metabolizes all the sugar during fermentation, resulting in a naturally sweet yet complex flavour. The decision to use organic honey was multi-fold. It acts as a prebiotic, bypassing the stomach to feed the probiotic bacteria directly in the gut, enhancing digestion and gut health. This synergy amplifies the effectiveness of the kombucha, making it an intelligent choice for gut health solutions. With 90% less sugar than traditional colas, ROBOT Kombucha offers a delicious option for consumers, including those managing diabetes, without resorting to artificial sweeteners like aspartame.
The probiotic benefits are further enhanced by the presence of multiple bacterial strains, such as Lactobacillus spp., which aids in digestion and immune function, and Acetobacter spp., known for producing acetic acid that supports liver detoxification. These strains contribute to a balanced gut microbiome, crucial for overall health. The inclusion of organic honey not only revives the sweet character of the drink but also provides a lower glycaemic load, making it suitable for those needing to manage their sugar intake. This combination of probiotics and prebiotics positions ROBOT Kombucha as a leader in addressing modern dietary challenges linked to gut health, while maintaining the familiar cola taste.
Sustainability at the core: Supporting bee populations
Central to ROBOT Kombucha’s mission is its commitment to sustainability. The use of organic honey not only enriches the flavour profile but also supports the declining bee populations, crucial pollinators for global agriculture. “The decision to use organic honey was critical and carefully thought out, as organic honey is not available in the UK due to the overuse of chemical pesticides that kill bees. Bees are essential for food security because they pollinate crops, and without them, we simply can’t grow food”, says Pascal, Director, ROBOT Kombucha.
By sourcing organic honey from Europe, ROBOT Kombucha champions ethical beekeeping and raises awareness about the detrimental effects of pesticides and industrial farming. This dedication to sustainable agriculture is a testament to the brand’s holistic approach to environmental stewardship, making every can of ROBOT Kombucha a step towards a healthier planet.
The scarcity of organic honey in the UK highlights the broader issue of chemical-laden farming practices, emphasising the need for a shift towards sustainable agriculture. In Britain, although some types of chemicals are banned, many use a loophole that allows them to continue using dangerous chemicals, which are killing off critical pollinators, such as bees and other insects. By insisting on sourcing only organic honey, the team highlights the fact that no pesticides or chemicals have come anywhere near their drink.
“It is the ‘canary in the coal mine as far as I’m concerned,” says Pascal, “not being able to even produce a single drop of organic honey in the UK due to the overuse of pesticides is criminal, as if we continue to ignore the facts about chemicals in our food chain, then we will continue to create problems with gut-health and edge ever closer to food security issues in the UK.”
Crafting excellence with organic ingredients
ROBOT Kombucha stands out for its high-quality standards, crafted in small batches with 100% organic ingredients. By eliminating artificial sweeteners, colours, and preservatives, the brand delivers a luxurious and healthy cola experience. The meticulous brewing process, which includes a handcrafted culture and the infusion of 14 botanicals, results in a sophisticated flavour profile that appeals to a wide audience. The multiple bacterial strains contribute to gut health, digestion, and overall well-being, while also enhancing the drink’s unique taste and complexity.
The decision to use organic honey adds a unique and complex flavour to ROBOT Kombucha, creating a rich taste while remaining low in sugar. This choice not only differentiates the product in a crowded market, but also aligns with consumer demand for natural and organic products. The careful selection of ingredients ensures that every can of ROBOT Kombucha meets the highest standards of quality and taste, providing consumers with a beverage that is both indulgent and health-conscious. Importantly, ROBOT Kombucha is certified by the UK Soil Association as well as the European Organic Federation, confirming its status as 100% organic. This certification process was rigorous and time-consuming, underscoring the brand’s commitment to organic integrity.
Innovation driven by AI and human ingenuity
The development of ROBOT Kombucha was significantly influenced by artificial intelligence, which provided insights into healthy diets, sustainability, and packaging design. This collaboration between technology and human craftsmanship is reflected in the brand’s name and its innovative spirit. By leveraging AI, ROBOT Kombucha has not only refined its recipe, but also positioned itself as an innovative brand that resonates with modern, conscious consumers. The brand’s commitment to eliminating plastic from the food chain further underscores its dedication to environmental responsibility.
AI played a crucial role in optimising the fermentation process and enhancing the flavour profile, ensuring that the final product met the brand’s high standards. Additionally, AI contributed to the design of eco-friendly packaging, aligning with ROBOT Kombucha’s sustainability goals. This integration of technology and traditional brewing techniques exemplifies the brand’s forward-thinking approach, setting a new standard for innovation in the beverages industry.
Company Profile
Net Zero Foods was formed in 2024 with an objective to tackle the planet’s worst food/drink offenders, in terms of public health, planetary destruction, CO2 and cost of damage. It first focused on developing an alternative for Coca-Cola.
The company plans to study and work on other major food problems such as junk food, as it strongly believes that it can make major improvements to the whole food system if it can source high quality, local, seasonal, and organic produce.
It’s launching ROBOT Kombucha after 3 years in development, and the product is already being hailed as The World’s Healthiest Cola.
Contact Details
Links
ROBOT Komucha: www.robotkombucha.co.uk
Net Zero Foods: www.netzerofoods.org
