Suja Organic Sparkling Cold-Pressed Juice

Immunity, energy and gut health were all over the show floor at Natural Products Expo West 2022, and especially within the coffee, kombucha and juice categories where innovations emphasized functionality and plant-based offerings. In this gallery of new products featured at the show last week, we highlight some of the show’s launches.

In this first post-Expo West dispatch, we look at how classic soda flavors are being embraced by next generation brands. As well, powders at the show proved prominent, several new awards honoring deceased industry veterans were given out, and Jones Soda provided a first look at its anticipated cannabis line.

With the release of its first line extension, Rowdy Power Burn, the brand is aiming to diversify both its consumer base and retail presence, while giving it a lifestyle focus.

California based supplements brand Nouri is branching out into the beverage set with its latest innovation, Inner Immune, a line of immunobiotic functional drinks intended to promote gut health and immunity.

After a period of fits and starts, SoCal-based premium juice brand Juice Served Here (JSH) is back in limited distribution.

The Coca-Cola Company announced today that it has acquired full control of sports drink maker BodyArmor for $5.6 billion, its largest acquisition to date. The beverage giant is exercising its option to purchase BodyAmor in full at a pre-existing discount, as included in a 2018 deal that gave Coke U.S. distribution rights to BodyArmor and a 15% stake in the brand.

The Coca-Cola Company is in the closing stages of completing its acquisition of sports drink brand BodyArmor at a valuation of around $8 billion, according to media reports.

“Don’t drink your calories” is a classic piece of health advice, and American consumers are increasingly following it as average overall calorie consumption from beverages has fallen 10% since 2014, according to a new progress report on the Beverage Calories Initiative (BCI).

Investment firm Full Sail IP Partners announced today it has acquired the Odwalla brand from The Coca-Cola Company. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. This is the first acquisition for Connecticut-based Full Sail, which aims to be “an acquirer of leading brands” with a “sector agnostic” approach to building its portfolio, according to CEO Alan Kravetz.

Beverage maker Koia has landed a major new partner in its mission to popularize plant-based diets: last week, the company announced that NBA All-Star point guard Chris Paul has joined the brand as an investor.

PepsiCo has taken a major step back from the juice business through the sale of Tropicana, Naked and its other juice brands in North America, the company announced this morning.

Cold-pressed juice brand Suja Life has been acquired by investment group Paine Schwartz Partners, the company announced today. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

California-based Better Booch is seeking to drive that momentum behind a push into conventional retailers, including Walmart. Elsewhere, GNGR Labs partners with Dora’s Naturals to expand within New York City and beyond.

Rowdy Energy announced today that it has raised $13 million in a fundraising round intended to shore up the brand’s marketing initiatives and finance new innovation. Launched last year, Rowdy Energy is a better-for-you energy brand founded by CEO and Suja founder Jeff Church and NASCAR star Kyle Busch.