Beverage Acronyms You NTK (Need to Know)

Posted: July 1, 2018
In: Technical & Industry Guidance

Updated March 2025:

Each industry has its own language, partially defined by the abbreviations used throughout meetings, conferences, collaborations and industry publications. Exposure to industry specific terms may vary depending on department and job function, so we thought it would be helpful to put together a guide of some of the most common acronyms in our industry. Let Imbibe be a resource to enhance your product offerings with our flavors, taste modulation ingredients, and comprehensive R&D support. Together, we can accelerate your innovation pipeline and ensure timely market entry. Here is a resource with acronyms that all food and beverage industry professionals should know:

Regulatory & Compliance

Acronym	Meaning
CFR	Code of Federal Regulations
FD&C	United States Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act
FEMA	Flavor and Extract Manufacturer’s Association
GRAS	Generally Recognized As Safe
RACC	Reference Amount Customarily Consumed
NBFDS	National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard (bioengineered food labeling)
FDA	Food and Drug Administration
USDA	United States Department of Agriculture

Processing & Preservation Methods

Acronym	Meaning
HTST	Hot Temperature Short Time (treatment method for processing)
UHT	Ultra High Temp (treatment method for processing)
HPP	High Pressure Processing (nonthermal preservation method)
MAP	Modified Atmosphere Packaging (used to extend shelf life)
TP	Tunnel Pasteurization

Product Types & Categories

Acronym	Meaning
CSD	Carbonated Soft Drink
LRB	Liquid Refreshment Beverage
RTD	Ready to Drink
FAB	Food and Beverage
FMP	Flavor with Modulating or Modifying Properties

Foodservice

Acronym	Meaning
BOH	Back of House
QSR	Quick Service Restaurant
FOH	Front of House (customer-facing restaurant operations)

Partner with Imbibe to leverage our expertise in flavor innovation and product development. Let us help you create standout products that drive market differentiation and customer engagement. Email us at marketing@imbibeinc.com to get started.

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