WTRMLN WTR CEO Christine Perich has stepped down from her role due to personal health reasons, according to a statement this morning from the parent company World Waters.

As anyone who’s waited for their barista to prepare their pour over is well aware, there’s often a clear correlation between time and quality in coffee and tea preparation. But in the shadow of the third-wave coffee movement, a group of young startup brands are exploring ways to disrupt the coffee and tea industries with a new generation of versatile, high-end instant products.

The Coca-Cola Company today announced the acquisition of premium sparkling mineral water brand Topo Chico through its Venturing & Emerging Brands (VEB) unit for a reported fee of $220 million. The acquisition of Topo Chico, founded in Mexico in 1895, gives Coke a leading brand with strong consumer affinity, particularly in Texas, within the rapidly growing $4 billion sparkling water category.

In this video interview from Expo East, BevNET assistant editor Martin Caballero talks with Detox Water founder Kenneth Park about the company's retail expansion and new innovations, recent investment in the brand, and how Detox Water has found success in building a consumer base at music festivals.

Existing lines Capri Sun Organic, Capri Sun 100% Juice, and Capri Sun Fruit & Veggie Blends (previously known as Super V) will now feature no added sugar. In an email to BevNET, Melanie Huet, vice president for Capri Sun, said the decision to reformulate was partially based on consumer feedback.

The four-SKU line, which was first showcased in March at Natural Products Expo West 2017 in Anaheim, Calif., will be arriving on shelves next week. The milk is packaged in 48 oz. multi-serve bottles and has a suggested retail price of $4.99.

As the nascent drinking vinegar category continues to emerge, brands working in the space showcased different strategies and approaches last week at Natural Products Expo East 2017 in Baltimore, Md., as they seek to establish a place on-shelf at retail where their products can thrive.

Natural product brands and manufacturers of all sizes and types came from across the country to Baltimore, Md., last week for Natural Products Expo East 2017. From subtle product updates to category-disrupting innovations, this year’s expo, held Sept. 13-16 at the Baltimore Convention Center, gave attendees a chance to see and experience the latest developments in beverage firsthand

As reported in The Financial Times, Nestlé, the world’s largest coffee company, has paid up to $500 million, at a valuation of over $700 million, for a 68 percent stake in Blue Bottle. The company will continue to operate as an independent entity and current management and employees will retain a minority stake in the business.

Bhakti, based in Boulder, Colo., markets a variety of ready-to-drink chai teas and tea concentrates that are sold nationwide at natural and conventional retailers such as Whole Foods, Sprouts and Target.

Grass-fed protein drink brand Iconic Protein announced today the completion of a $8 million round of fundraising led by private equity firm KarpReilly and includes KeVita co-founder and former CEO Bill Moses, who was named the company's executive chairman.

Whether it’s presenting kombucha as a base for cocktails, disrupting self-service growler fills, or elevating the social atmosphere around the drink, Portland-based brands are helping kombucha evolve into a sophisticated, multi-faceted drink with plenty of on-premise appeal.