Diet Soda Beats Water in Weight Loss Program, Concludes ABA-Funded Study
A new study funded by the American Beverage Association has determined that diet soda is a better beverage option than water for individuals trying to lose weight.
Ray Latif
Producer, Taste Radio; Contributing Editor, BevNET
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.
Posts by Ray Latif
Video: Barnhorn Leads New CircleUp Investment Fund
As the lead in one of the seven “Circles” funds, Brad Barnhorn, a long-time beverage investor and advisor, will focus on investment opportunities in the healthy food/beverage and healthy living space.
ZICO Shifts Tone in New Multimillion Dollar Marketing Campaign
Led by actress Jessica Alba, who serves as “brand ambassador” for its "Crack Life Open" campaign, ZICO is now positioned as an everyday, anytime type of beverage.
Consumers Increasingly Seeking “Healthfulness” in Food, Beverages
A recent survey conducted by the International Food Information Council Foundation (IFIC) found that "healthfulness" has become of critical importance in consumer buying decisions.
Yakult Opens Massive U.S. Facility for Production of Probiotic Drink Brand
Yakult, a probiotic dairy beverage popular in Japan and sold in over 30 countries, is getting a big boost in the U.S. with the launch of a new state-of-the -art production facility in Southern California that is capable of producing 400,000 bottles per day.
Swirling Innovation: Pepsi Intros Spire, Coke Adds Smaller Freestyle
The everlasting battle between PepsiCo and The Coca-Cola Co. featured a new chapter at the 2014 National Restaurant Association convention, where in a game of one-upmanship, the two companies unveiled competing customized fountain dispensing units, with innovation designed to offer consumers and foodservice operators greater variety.
Sustained Surge: Coconut Water Swells
With literally dozens of brands in a still nascent category, getting a clear snapshot of the overall coconut water segment is a rather difficult task. Instead, we decided to look at three brands in various stages of development – Vita Coco, Zola and Minoku – and how they approach sustained demand for coconut water in terms of sales and distribution strategy, innovation and marketing.
WhiteWave: Sales of Silk Almondmilk Up 52 Percent in Q1
Supported by surging demand its Silk brand of almond milk products, WhiteWave Foods today reported that net sales of its North America plant-based foods and beverages platform rose by 13 percent in the first quarter of 2014. Sales of Silk Almondmilk drinks soared by 52 percent in the first four months of the year, as compared to the previous period in 2013, the company said in a statement.
Hoagland Elevated to Chief Operating Officer of ITO EN North America
Praising his “unwavering commitment to high quality products and innovation,” ITO EN North America has promoted Jim Hoagland to Chief Operating Officer, according to a statement. Hoagland has been with ITO EN North America in August, 2003 and most recently held the role of Executive V.P. of Sales & Marketing for the company.
The LOHAS Influence
In this new series of videos on BevNET FBU, Neil Kimberley, VP of Strategy/Brand Development at Essentia Water, explains the history and origins of LOHAS (Lifestyles of Health and Sustainability), and how the concept has become a key reference point in marketing strategies for natural and organic brands.
Mass Appeal: Chameleon Cold Brew Hits SuperTarget
Target added Chameleon coffee concentrates to 81 of its SuperTarget locations in Texas, Colorado, Oklahoma, Kansas and Louisiana. The products, which are priced in line with other retail channels, are being shipped direct from Chameleon’s Austin, Texas facility to Target’s distribution center in Dallas.
Fresh Funding: Spindrift Lands Over $2 Million in New Investment Round
With sales of big soda brands in a sustained freefall, it’s a fair guess that most would be wary of new investment in the carbonated beverage category. Yet where some see a perilous position for soda, some see opportunity, particularly when it comes to innovative brands. It’s that line of thinking that has garnered Spindrift, which produces a line of premium-positioned sodas and seltzers made with fresh juice and purées, a new round of funding worth over $2 million.
Milk Takes Center Stage in New Cytosport Lawsuit
Muscle Milk beverages and powders contain no actual milk, and Cytosport, which markets the brand, has been deceiving consumers for years. That’s the chief allegation in a new lawsuit filed against Cytosport, according to Law360.com, and comes nearly three years after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warned the company that its marketing and labels might mislead consumers.
FreshBev Gets Crafty With Branding of its Cold-Pressed Juices
Taking a cue from the world of microbrewed and artisanal beer, FreshBev LLC, which produces a range of cold-pressed, high pressure processed (HPP) juices, recently registered the phrases “craft juice” and “craft bar juice,” which it now uses in the labeling and marketing of its products.