Beverages definition clarifies nutritive versus non-nutritive classification, affecting regulatory terminology, labeling and consumer information obligations. The entry defines beverages as liquids consumed chiefly for taste or effect rather than nutritive value, listing coffee, tea, fruit juices, soft drinks, beer, wines and spirits; it notes fruit juices supply certain nutrients while coffee and tea are largely non-nutritive, and observes beverages may carry added ingredients like sugar, milk or lemon. This characterization informs regulatory classification, labeling and nutritional disclosure by distinguishing nutritive from non-nutritive beverages.