Suja Classic Line

Backed by new innovation, Rowdy Energy is looking to hit the gas with C-store retailers this summer. The two-year-old brand, co-founded by NASCAR star Kyle Busch and ex-Suja founder Jeff Church, is shoring up its presence in the Midwest and South with a slate of new retail placements, according to an email from the company.

Following Tuesday’s announcement that it had acquired HPP juice brand Evolution Fresh for an undisclosed sum, Bolthouse Farms said today that it wants to quickly scale the brand in new channels nationwide after the deal closes later this year.

Starbucks Coffee has agreed terms with Bolthouse Farms for the sale of its cold-pressed juice brand and business Evolution Fresh, the two companies announced late on Tuesday. Financial details of the transaction, expected to close later this year, were not released.

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.