Ray Latif is the lead host, producer, and content editor of Taste Radio, BevNET’s flagship podcast and the go-to show for food and beverage industry insights. With 14 years of experience in the industry, Ray is a seasoned journalist known for his sharp interviews and in-depth coverage of trends, innovation, and news. He began his career at BevNET as an assistant editor, later advancing to managing editor of both the website and magazine. Since 2016, he’s been the driving force behind Taste Radio, overseeing everything from content strategy to production. Ray’s conversational style and meticulous research have earned him widespread praise from both guests and listeners. He has had the privilege of interviewing a diverse range of high-profile figures, including Patrick Mahomes, Jennifer Garner, Dan Aykroyd, Kobe Bryant, Padma Lakshmi, and Brad Paisley. His ability to connect with entrepreneurs, celebrities, and industry leaders has made Taste Radio a must-listen for anyone interested in the evolving world of food and beverage.
Sean "Diddy" Combs, one of a trio of high-profile investors in Aquahydrate, has once again worked the alkaline water brand into a national television ad, this time for Ciroc Vodka. The ad, which promotes designated driving, comes approximately 15 months after the debut of a widely aired TV spot for Fiat, which also included placement of Aquahydrate.
U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer of New York visited Black Button Distilling, calling for funding needed by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) to hire additional federal inspectors to review and approve now-delayed permit applications needed by distilleries, breweries, and wineries to open, expand and sell their products.
A recent New York Times stated that SunOpta, a global supplier and processor of natural and organic ingredients and finished products, requested and won permission from the USDA to label corn and soy processed in a company-owned plant as non-GMO.
Juisi's products are now available in specialty food chains Kings and Balducci’s, with distribution managed by Gourmet Guru.
The Non-GMO Project, the leading certifier of products free of genetically modified ingredients, is about to get some new competition from a big-time player in the food and beverage industry: the U.S. government.
Launched in 2008 as a hybrid coffee and energy drink and often promoted as a premium cocktail mixer, Whynatte is now positioned as a ready-to-drink coffee, first and foremost, according to founder Jesse Altman, who said that the beverages will be sold in the natural food sections of Kroger stores.
Despite sustained interest in the market for cold-pressed, HPP juices, Tree Top declined to add to its investment in Fresh Matters, the maker of 'tude juices. Tree Top stated that “the initial business plan for which these investments were made has never materialized and had never come to fruition.”
In an interview with BevNET, Zevia CEO Paddy Spence discussed the company's reasoning and decision to remove coloring from its products and become a non-GMO brand.
A Mother Jones report that focused on a California-based source for Starbucks’ Ethos bottled water brand, which, situated in an area faced with “exceptional drought,” according to the news service, has ignited a flurry of criticism of the coffee giant in recent days.
As Whole Foods continues to introduce new shelf space for high pressure processed (HPP) juice products, it’s clear that the retailer is also adding room for similarly processed and premium positioned beverages in a range of other categories.
A new national presence at Wendy’s, one of the country’s largest fast food chains, hits on two areas of focus for the organic tea brand: rapid growth of its foodservice business and the continuation of a company goal to “democratize organics” by making such products available to as many Americans as possible.
In a category loaded with flavored line extensions, the original, or “natural,” format remains the best-selling variety for most brands. But as flavor innovation and blending techniques improve, the focus is on new products with mainstream and familiar flavors.
Vita Coco today announced the news in a press release, which added that company co-founder and CEO Michael Kirban would take on Popkin's responsibilities and serve as interim president.
Red Bull Editions were a big winner in the convenience store channel, where the products racked up $238.9 million in year-one dollar sales.
