A proposal to introduce a five cent deposit on beverage containers sold in Maryland has distributors and industry groups calling the plan "ill-conceived, outdated and ineffective," according to an article in the Baltimore Sun. State delegates Maggie McIntosh and John A. Olszewski Jr. have announced their intention to introduce a bill called “Recycle for Real," that would add Maryland to a list of 10 other states that require beverage container deposits.

Energy drinks saw a significant deceleration in c-store sales growth, according to a new report from Morgan Stanley. The investment bank today released an overview detailing a year-over-year comparison in which category sales of energy drinks rose by 11.2 percent over the four-week period ending on Dec. 22. The recent slide in sales growth appears to be tied to the sustained deluge of controversy and criticism in recent months surrounding energy drinks.

The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) has reversed a published claim that energy drinks are not regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The change came shortly after BevNET contacted the organization to inquire about the validity of the claim.

Sherborn, MA-based investment bank Silverwood Partners has brought on Lynette McKee and Neal Yanofsky as Industry Advisors within its Consumer division. McKee and Yanofsky join Silverwood having both held executive roles in the restaurant, foodservice, and beverage industries, with positions at Dunkin' Brands, Burger King, and Panera Bread.

Steaz has introduced new packaging and transitioned to a 100 percent green-tea based beverage portfolio, the company announced today in a statement. Steaz, which makes a variety of organic and Fair Trade certified drinks, has already launched its new look energy shots in stores and will begin distributing its zero-calorie sparkling tea products in new 12 oz. sleek cans sometime within the next two months.

Caffeinated water brand Avitae has laid off its entire staff and is in the process of liquidating its remaining inventory, according to former employees. Brian Pitzer, who founded Avitae in 2009, was ousted as CEO in September by the company’s board of directors, the employees say. Multiple calls to Pitzer have not been returned.

The Coca-Cola Co., Inc. has acquired Sacramento Coca-Cola Bottling Company (SCCBC), the sixth largest independent Coke bottler in the U.S. SCCBC was founded in 1927 and distributes Coke products in all or part of the nine California Counties of Sacramento. The company employs over 460 people.

Hoping to make a big splash in the country’s second largest market, HINT Water has signed an agreement with L.A. Distributing Co. to distribute the brand throughout Los Angeles county. HINT, which markets still and sparkling lines of unsweetened, flavored waters is looking to the upstart DSD distributor to dramatically increase its presence in the market, specifically in mainstream grocery and up and down the street retailers.