Pepsi Fire Spices Up Summer Soda Season
PepsiCo today announced the launch of Pepsi Fire, a cola spiked with a cinnamon-flavored twist, available nationwide for an eight-week period beginning on May 22.
Headlines
Chuck Muth, Former Coke Exec, Moves from Bevs to Burgers
Longtime bottling and sales executive Chuck Muth announced his retirement from Coke in 2016, but apparently he couldn’t retire from Seth Goldman, his former boss at Honest Tea. The two are reuniting, this time around Beyond Meat, the plant-based protein brand where Goldman serves as executive chairman.
Organic Dairy Industry Responds to WaPost Story on Certification Issues
A recent article in The Washington Post is raising concerns from some members of the organic dairy community about how the practices of some large scale organic dairy operations may be affecting the industry as a whole.
Icelandic Glacial Expands Distribution, Plans To Launch Flavored SKUs
Premium bottled water brand Icelandic Glacial yesterday announced a major distribution expansion at grocery, foodservice and convenience stores. The news comes after double-digit growth in sales of the brand over the past year.
Vita Coco Investigating Strange Object Found in Carton
Vita Coco has launched an internal investigation of its product line after a New York woman reported finding a foreign object -- what she called an “octopus looking thing” in her coconut water -- prompting a media frenzy after a Facebook post last month that has now been shared more than 52,000 times.
Press Clips: New Study Links Energy Drinks to Cardiac Risk
An Australian study found a link between energy drinks and cardiac risk in people with Long QT Syndrome, a consumer survey shows people find some bottled water labelling "confusing," a New York City coffee shop sues Starbucks over Unicorn Frappuccino trademark violation.
One Year In, New Age Beverages Still Aiming For More
Following last month’s acquisition of coconut water maker Coco Libre, the question is not whether New Age can run, but whether it can keep up the relentless pace in 2017 and beyond.
BevNET Podcast Ep. 56: Going Next Level With FoodFutureCo
In this edition, we sat down with Gigi Lee Chang, the managing director of cause-oriented food business accelerator FoodFutureCo. Chang, who also founded baby food brand Plum Organics, explained FoodFutureCo’s work in advising and supporting early- and mid-stage food and beverage companies that are providing unique products and solutions for the food system.
Soda Tax Update: Santa Fe Rejects, Seattle Considers
Voters in Sante Fe gave the soda industry its first victory over pro-tax campaigners, while efforts to push through measures in Connecticut and Massachusetts stall.
Dean Foods Returns to Plant-Based Products with Good Karma Investment
Originally a private label manufacturer of dairy-alternative milks, Good Karma developed its own branded CPG line in 2014 and expanded beyond beverages to yogurt in late 2016.
MATI Energy Raises $2.5 Million in Equity Offering
According to a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filing, the financing is part of a total $3,750,000 equity offering. The round was led by IDEA Fund Partners, Duke Angel Network, and DUMAC, and included contributions from local investors around the company’s North Carolina homebase.
Monster Sees Net Sales Boost in Q1 Earnings
Net sales for the company’s Monster Energy Drinks segment increased 8.8 percent in Q1 to $845.5 million as compared to $777.5 in 2016, while net sales for Monster’s Strategic Brands segment were also up to $68 million as compared to $58.5 million for the same period in 2016.
Soylent Raises $50M in Venture Capital Funding
Los Angeles-based foodtech company Soylent has pulled in some Silicon Valley-grade investors, closing out a Series B financing round today with $50 million in funding, led by GV (formerly Google Ventures), bringing the company’s total funding to $74.5 million.
Spindrift Closes $10M Funding Round Led by VMG
In an interview with BevNET, Spindrift CEO Bill Creelman explained that the company’s rapid growth made securing more working capital a primary objective for this funding round.