Abstract: Vitamin and mineral-fortified beverages, especially carbonated beverages are disclosed. These beverages are stable and contain vitamin A in the form of encapsulated .beta.-carotene, vitamin C and riboflavin. The beverages show enhanced calcium and iron absorption.

Abstract: Nutritional mineral supplements comprise a mixture of a calcium source, especially calcium citrate-malate, and an iron-sugar complex, especially iron sucrate-malate. Food and beverage compositions, especially juice beverages, supplemented with these calcium and iron materials are disclosed.

Abstract: Nutritional mineral supplements comprise iron-sugar complexes, especially iron sucrate-malate. Food and beverage compositions, especially juice beverages, supplemented with these iron materials are disclosed.

Abstract: Beverages and beverage concentrates nutritionally supplemented with significant levels of solubilized calcium are disclosed. The beverages and concentrates are substantially free of a sugar alcohol and contain specified levels of total edible acids selected from mixtures of citric, malic and phosphoric acid. The weight ratio of total acids to calcium, as well as the particlar acid mixtures, are selected to provide beverages and concentrates having good stability against precipitation of insoluble calcium salts, satisfactory initial taste/mouthfeel, substantial freedom from objectionable aftertaste and desirable calcium absorbability/bioavailability properties.

Abstract: Beverages especially suitable for carbonated soft drinks having a pH of from about 2.5 to about 6.5 are disclosed herein. These beverages have a flavor component which contains flavors selected from fruit flavors, botanical flavors and mixtures thereof. These beverages also contain mixtures of calcium and potassium cations, and preferably mixtures of calcium, magnesium and potassium cations, defined by a regression formula. Also included are edible acids selected from citric, malic/succinic and phosphoric acid, and mixtures thereof defined by a second regression formula. These beverages provide desirable flavor impressions in terms of sweetness, body and sourness with minimal bitter or salty off-notes. In addition, concentrates and syrups used to form these beverages have surprising stability against precipitation of insoluble salts.