Monster Energy reported a rise in net sales in the first quarter of 2018, but a significant drop in gross profits has left investors pessimistic about year-end margins for the energy drink company.

Ugly Drinks, an United Kingdom-based sparkling water brand, is launching in the U.S. on May 14 via a direct-to-consumer ecommerce platform and at independent retailers in the New York metro area.

As the sparkling water and protein drink categories both continue to expand, David Jenkins, a former Olympic sprinter and founder of protein products brand NEXT Nutrition, is looking to marry the two with his latest venture.

Massachusetts-based botanical essence water brand Blossom Water has unveiled new packaging and a reformulation reducing the amount of sugar from 11 g to 5 g per bottle, removing erythritol and agave, and adding probiotics.

During an earnings call with investors on Thursday, CEO Kevin Johnson partially attributed the company’s growth during the quarter to its $384 million sale of Tazo Tea to Unilever in November, as well as the strategic decision to close Teavana cafes in order to focus on that brand’s CPG products.

The company, which launched online in November 2017, markets a line of plant-based protein beverages targeted at active women. Each SKU is vegan and non-GMO, contains 180 to 190 calories per 11 oz. Tetra Pak container, and has 13 g of protein.

The Coca-Cola Company touted its Diet Coke rebrand, the performance of Coke Zero Sugar, and its 2017 acquisition of sparkling water brand Topo Chico as positive contributors to its Q1 2018 financial results during a conference call with investors on Monday.

Sound Tea Gains DSD in New York with Gold Coast, Target Launch Announced; CHERRiSH Partners with CoreMark; Flow Water Enters Sprouts Farmers Market; Hydrive Energy Water Announces Southeast Grocer Expansion

Brew Dr. Kombucha has appointed EVP of Business Development Marty Wall as the company’s first President, the company told BevNET on Wednesday; John Fieldly approved as permanent CEO of Celsius

Having filed multiple lawsuits over the past year against brands such as Health-Ade, Humm, and GT’s Living Foods, Tortilla Factory -- the parent company of Kombucha Dog -- filed complaints against an additional four kombucha brands earlier this week.

Perfect Day, a food tech startup, is utilizing a proprietary process to create the same protein found in cow’s milk, allowing the company to develop lactose-free milks, cheeses, yogurts, and other such products with the same nutritional benefits of dairy without sourcing from animals.

Chris Hall named new permanent CEO of Talking Rain; Karyn Abrahamson takes CMO position at Essentia; Bulletproof adds Shazi Visram to Board of Directors