Distribution Roundup: Reed’s Sonoma Sparklers Enter Rite Aid; Avitae Hits Jewel-Osco
Here's the latest in distribution news across the beverage industry.
Headlines
FDA to Columbia Gorge: Revise Your HACCP Plan for HPP Juice
In a warning letter dated March 25, 2015, the FDA wrote that the company has failed to include in its plan “control measures that will consistently produce, at a minimum, a 5-log reduction of pertinent microorganisms, for a period as long as the shelf life of the product when stored under normal and moderate abuse conditions.”
Harvest Hill Completes Acquisition of American Beverage Co.
Harvest Hill and Brynwood currently have a team of executives at ABC’s Verona, Penn. headquarters overseeing the transitional process.
Kombucha: Upcoming Booze Report Ferments Concern
Rumors of an impending report on alcohol content in kombucha from the American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) has those in the ‘bucha biz buzzing over what the report may entail.
Press Clips: NYC Teens Drinking Less Soda; Nestlé Bets Big on Bubbles
A recent survey found a significant decline in the number of New York City high school students who drink soda on a regular basis. Meanwhile, Nestlé SA will introduce new flavored line extensions for its water brands and increase production of sparkling water products as it aims to take advantage of increased consumer demand for healthier beverages.
False Advertising Lawsuit Targets Antioxidant Statements by GT’s Kombucha
The plaintiffs allege “the statement that GT’s Kombucha Beverages provide a ‘unique blend’ of ‘powerful antioxidants’ misleadingly suggests that the beverages provide superior antioxidant content than foods and beverages with antioxidant nutrients like vitamin C that have antioxidant properties as well as nutritional value.”
Craft Beer Co. Acquires Búcha Live Kombucha Brand
The purchase of the Búcha brand was precipitated by a legal battle between owner B&R Liquid Adventure and a contract brewer of its kombucha drinks.
Distribution Roundup: Mocktails and Switchel Enter Mid-Atlantic Whole Foods
The new distribution will bring the brands to 44 stores throughout Washington D.C., Maryland, Virginia, Southern New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Kentucky and Ohio.
The Bottled Water Rebound
We have new categories getting started, counters to those new categories, and established brands starting to really flex.
Press Clips: Is Matcha Mainstreaming?
ABC News headed over to Brooklyn’s MatchaBar to get the scoop on the trending Japanese green tea beverage.
RTD Coffee Leads All Beverages in Volume Growth for 2014
Volume of ready-to-drink (RTD) coffee products surged by 10.7 percent last year, as compared that of 2013, trumping growth of bottled water and energy drinks, which rose by 7.3 percent and 6.4 percent, respectively.
Non-Alcoholic Beverage Companies and Independent Distributors: Lawsuits in the Making?
It is well known that contracts between producers of alcoholic beverages and their independent distributors are subject to extensive state regulation. Less understood are the network of state laws – sometimes called “relationship laws” – designed to protect local, independent distributors of non-alcoholic beverages.
Pepsi Passes Diet Coke as the No. 2 Soda in the U.S.
The shift speaks to the faster and more drastic drop of diet soda within the greater fall from grace of carbonated soft drinks, which have now seen a full decade of declines.
Video: Darrelle Revis, Channing Tatum — An Expo West Brand Ambassador Smackdown
With Darrelle Revis and Channing Tatum on board, the star power was there; but how did they do while reppin’ their brands? Let’s go to the tape and see.