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.
Under new management and featuring a reformulated line-up and updated packaging, mix1 is set to make its return to the market. The company today announced that it will debut its new look at the upcoming Natural Products Expo West show, which will take place next month in Anaheim, Calif.
With a new round of funding in hand, the company behind brain-boosting beverage Nawgan has launched a new brand of functional drinks intended broaden its reach to a wider range of consumers. Launched today, ON Powered Refreshment is a line of energy/refreshment beverages that are formulated with a blend of tea leaf-sourced caffeine and ornithine, an amino acid said to have several health benefits.
In a quarterly earnings call, Dr Pepper Snapple (DPS) announced that it is planning to test market 60-calorie versions of its Dr Pepper, 7UP and Canada Dry soft drinks. While DPS executives offered few details about the new sodas, the products will be formulated with a mix of sugar and stevia and contain no artificial sweeteners.
Fast-growing cold-pressed juice brand Suja is facing the potential of a class-action lawsuit that includes claims that the company has misled consumers by labeling its products, which are high pressure processed, as “raw.” Meanwhile, it appears that rival Blueprint, which was hit with a similar false advertising lawsuit last year, has dodged the legal bullet -- at least for now.
Concerned that public perception has been unfairly skewed, the American Beverage Association (ABA), an industry trade group, recently published two statements intended to reinforce its view that energy drinks are safe and not marketed to children.
Apple & Eve, the largest privately held juice company in the U.S., today announced that it has acquired The Switch Beverage Co., which markets a line of sparkling 100 percent juice drinks and holds a strong presence in U.S. schools.
Having recently announced its tenth consecutive year of growth, eight of which reached double-digits, Essentia is positioning itself for a booming 2014 -- and well beyond. Earlier this year, Essentia, the top-selling enhanced water brand in the natural channel, raised $3.2 million in convertible debt and is perhaps prepping for a much larger round of funding later this year.
Whynatte, an Atlanta-based start-up that produces a line of premium coffee beverages and mixers, has been selected as one of four companies to take part in an accelerated growth program launched by AccelFoods, a new food and beverage accelerator with a dedicated investment fund of $4 million.
Following yesterday’s announcement that the Coca-Cola Co. will purchase a 10 percent stake of Green Mountain Coffee Roasters and enter into a long-term partnership with the Vermont-based company, a number of beverage industry analysts weighed in on the move, one that will result in a new line of Coke-branded pod-based products.
The Coca-Cola Co. has agreed to acquire a 10 percent minority stake in Green Mountain Roasters, maker of the popular Keurig Single Cup brewing system, for $1.25 billion, according to a joint statement. As part of the deal, Coke and Green Mountain have signed a 10-year exclusive arrangement in which the cola giant will launch a Coke-branded line of pod-based, single-serve beverages for use in the Green Mountain's forthcoming Keurig Cold at-home beverage system.
LAKE BLUFF, Ill., Feb. 5, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — Terlato Wines, a leading U.S. marketer of luxury wines and spirits, announced the newest addition to its Artisan Spirits Portfolio: the rare…
Starbucks yesterday announced significant changes to its executive leadership team, including an expanded role for CEO Howard Schultz in the company’s "next generation retailing and payments initiatives,” according to a statement. Starbucks CFO Troy Alstead has been promoted to chief operating officer, a newly created role in which he will be responsible for the day-to-day operations of the company.
Extending its platform of full-service recruiting for the beverage industry to the food world, Force Brands has announced its official launch of Food Force, a new division designed to specialize “in hiring strategies and organizational design for food companies,” according to a statement from the company.
Earlier this month, Life Juice founder Ety Salamone landed her biggest and -- for cold-pressed juice -- one of the most noteworthy retailers to date: Target. The brand is now distributed within the retailer’s 390+ PFresh concept stores, where Target sells refrigerated products and fresh produce. It’s a placement that, if successful, may have a significant impact on how Target and other mass retailers view the nascent category and its potential in that channel.
