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.
In a recent interview with BevNET, Xyience president John Lennon said that amid new distribution and retail placement for the brand, the company is looking to further develop and enhance its reputation as an energy drink for athletes and plans to introduce a protein-infused line of drinks next year.
After a bitter campaign that pit global ingredient conglomerates against a range of food safety advocates, voters in Washington state rejected a measure that would have required foods and beverages manufacturers to label products made with genetically engineered or modified (GMO) ingredients.
Following a successful test launch of its 3-Day Purifying Cleanse pack in Costco stores, Sambazon CEO Ryan Black said that the company will look to extend its presence in mainstream and club retailers with a new line of cleanse-inspired products as well as a variety of new multi-serve packages.
Nearly four months after purchasing the assets of Mix1 from The Hershey’s Co., the new owners of the brand are readying a relaunch. In a statement, Mix1, now headed by longtime entrepreneur Cameron Robb, today announced that it has reformulated the line of high-protein meal replacement shakes, introduced new packaging and commenced manufacturing of Mix1.
Following a successful limited distribution launch in the Northeast, Sunny Delight Beverages Co. has announced plans to roll out Sparkling Fruit2O to the rest of the country. The line of zero-calorie, flavored, sparkling waters-- one of several new brands with marketing and positioning parallel to that of category juggernaut Sparkling ICE -- will be distributed through the Dr Pepper Snapple system as well as other existing DSD partners of Sunny Delight.
Clermont, KY (October 17, 2013) – As the holiday season inches steadily closer, Jim Beam® Bourbon has tapped the warm taste of maple to reveal the latest creation in its…
Amid rising consumer disdain for high-calorie beverages, a convergence in demand for simple refreshment and functionality is starting to give rise to a broad, catch-all category: premium hydration.
The suit, which was filed in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, accuses Hain Celestial of dishonestly marketing its BluePrint brand of high-pressure processed (HPP), super-premium juice and cleanse products as “raw” and “unpasteurized.”
The New York Daily News today reported that the family of Brooklyn man who consumed a can of Red Bull shortly before suffering a heart attack is planning to file an $85 million wrongful death lawsuit against the energy drink company. While Monster Beverage Company is facing at least two lawsuits claiming wrongful death as a result of consumption of the company’s energy drinks, this new case is believed to be the first of its kind filed against Red Bull.
The Coca-Cola Co. Inc. has once again extended the Dasani brand name to a new line of products and today introduced Dasani Sparkling, a five-SKU line of naturally flavored, unsweetened and lightly carbonated waters. Coke will roll out Dasani Sparkling in select outlets beginning in December, and launch the brand nationally in February 2014, according to a statement from the company.
Amid rising consumer concerns about obesity and sagging demand for highly sweetened ready-to-drink (RTD) teas, U.S. beverage marketers should look to the evolution and growth of unsweetened and fresh-brewed tea products in Asian Pacific markets as a way to jumpstart stagnant growth in the category, according to a new report from Euromonitor International, a London-based market research firm.
Although the emergence of chia as an ingredient originated from within the natural channel -- and remains in high demand among natural consumers -- Chia\Vie, a line of ground chia seed and fruit juice smoothies, is attempting to take advantage of growing awareness and consumption of chia through placement and positioning of the brand in grocery and club stores.
With the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) show returning to Atlanta for the first time since 2010, executives from the Coca-Cola Co. didn’t have to travel very far from the company’s downtown headquarters to the show’s location at the Georgia World Congress Center. That was probably a good thing considering that they certainly had their hands full with a heap of new products and packages that Coke unveiled at the event.
No, the 2013 NACS show in Atlanta may not have been a hub for innovation as it was in years past. Nevertheless, here was a significant number of new product announcements and brand updates seen at the 2013 NACS show, most coming in the form of line extensions and packaging revamps. After three days on the floor, we located almost 60 new products and brands that were featured at the event, all of which are included in the following photo gallery.
