Rise Wellness has launched Protein Pop Balance, a carbonated, clear ready-to-drink beverage that stacks 15 grams of protein, 5 grams of prebiotic fiber, and collagen into a zero-sugar soda format — marking the brand's first explicit entry into the gut-health RTD segment. The product is live now at proteinpop.com and on Amazon, with rollout to Target and additional major retailers slated for mid-September.
The Formulation Stack
Each can combines 10 grams of clear whey protein isolate with 5 grams of bovine collagen, supplemented by added prebiotics and 5 grams of fiber. The finished formulation contains 0 grams of sugar and is sweetened with a premium stevia leaf extract blend — specifically Reb A and Reb M glycosides — with no artificial sweeteners, no caffeine, and no gluten. The use of clear whey protein isolate, rather than conventional concentrate or milk protein, allows for the sparkling, translucent appearance that differentiates the Protein Pop line from opaque, creamy-format competitors. Combining a prebiotic fiber dose with protein in a single RTD can addresses two of the fastest-growing functional claim territories in the better-for-you beverage space simultaneously.
Protein Pop Balance launches in four flavors — Lime Slush, Tropical Pineapple, Watermelon Lime, and Fruit Punch — completing what Rise Wellness positions as a three-tier portfolio. The original Protein Pop delivers 22 grams of whey protein isolate in a non-carbonated format, while Protein Pop Max (formerly Protein Pop Plus) provides 30 grams of protein and collagen in a carbonated can. Balance occupies the lighter end of the dosing range, aimed at consumers seeking gut-support functionality alongside moderate protein intake rather than a post-workout bolus.
Market Context
The launch lands at an inflection point for two converging categories. The functional RTD beverage market has seen sustained double-digit growth driven by consumer demand for on-the-go nutrition with clean-label credentials, while gut health — anchored by probiotic and prebiotic positioning — has expanded well beyond traditional supplement formats into mainstream carbonated beverages. Operators stocking functional and fortified beverage sets at mass and food-drug-mass retail are increasingly allocating shelf space to products that bundle protein with a secondary functional claim, making the Target distribution timing strategically relevant.
USANA Health Sciences (NYSE: USNA), the parent of Rise Wellness, operates across 25 global markets with a portfolio spanning nutritional supplements, functional foods, and personal care. Rise Wellness also produces Rise Bars and holds an investment in Hiya Health Products, the children's wellness brand. Folding the Protein Pop Balance launch into that infrastructure gives the SKU access to established co-manufacturing quality controls and regulatory compliance workflows — a meaningful advantage as gut-health claims on beverages draw increasing scrutiny from the FTC and FDA regarding substantiation.
"Balance brings together prebiotics, protein, collagen, and fiber in one can that's easy for consumers to grab and go," said Darin Perry, CEO of Rise Wellness, framing the product as a convenience-oriented solution rather than a performance-first offering. That positioning — lighter, mid-day-appropriate, gut-friendly — differentiates it from the protein-maximalist messaging typical of sports nutrition RTDs and may widen the addressable consumer base.
Written by Michael Politz, Author of Guide to Restaurant Success: The Proven Process for Starting Any Restaurant Business From Scratch to Success (ISBN: 978-1-119-66896-1), Founder of Food & Beverage Magazine, the leading online magazine and resource in the industry. Designer of the Bluetooth logo and recognized in Entrepreneur Magazine's "Top 40 Under 40" for founding American Wholesale Floral, Politz is also the Co-founder of the Proof Awards and the CPG Awards and a partner in numerous consumer brands across the food and beverage sector.
