Headlines

Libonate Returns to FRS as SVP of Sales

Three months after Carl Sweat stepped down as CEO of the company, FRS continues to reorganize its executive team and has brought back a familiar face to head up its sales department. Richard Libonate, who held the position of General Manager, Retail Sales for FRS from March 2008 to June 2010 has returned to the company as its Senior Vice President of Sales.

New Report Ties Ginkgo to Cancer

Ginkgo biloba is back in the spotlight – and for all the wrong reasons. Commonly sold as a dietary supplement and frequently used as an additive in a range of beverages, Ginkgo has been found to cause cancer in mice and rats, according to a two-year study by researchers at the National Toxicology Program (NTP), an interagency program tied to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the National Institutes of Health.

Brewbound Releases Agenda for May 2 Craft Beer Session in Boston

Brewbound, BevNET’s site dedicated to craft beer, has released the preliminary agenda for its upcoming business conference for craft brewers. The Brewbound Session will be held on May 2 at the Revere Hotel in Boston and provides an excellent opportunity to learn marketing, investment, and distribution strategies, as well as hear case studies of successful brands in a highly collaborative atmosphere.

New First Beverage Fund Adds VEB as Investor

Growing beverage companies have a new option for raising investment cash, and the Coca-Cola Co. has a new way to get involved in determining their future, taking a limited partnership stake in a new fund focused on non-alcoholic beverage brands. First Beverage Ventures has launched the new fund in collaboration with Coke’s Venturing & Emerging Brands (VEB) group -- along with several other investors -- to invest in small and emerging beverage brands.

Lacroix Lands NYC Distribution via ITO EN, Adds New 12 oz. Slim Cans

National Beverage has announced a new partnership with premium tea company ITO EN to distribute the company’s Lacroix Sparkling Water brand throughout New York City. ITO EN, which markets and range of loose leaf and ready to drink tea products including Teas’ Tea and Oi Ocha, has begun distributing Lacroix’ products from its company-owned DSD house, which services 3,000 accounts in New York’s five boroughs.

Press Clips: NYT Discovers Juice; They Put WHAT in Energy Drinks?

The surging popularity of high pressure processing and cold-pressed juice has seized the attention of The New York Times, a publication that’s — apparently —fashionably late to this news. Also, The Boston Globe makes an assumption about the FDA and the Los Angeles Police Department wrestles with energy drinks.

Zico Puts Some ‘Oomph’ Into National Ad Campaign

Under the wing of the Coca Cola Co., its majority stakeholder as of about one year ago, coconut water company Zico has launched a national advertising campaign, according to Ad Week.

Amid Reset, Avitae Hires New CEO

After removing CEO Brian Pitzer on Oct. 29, downsizing its staff and restructuring its business operations, Avitae USA, LLC announced today the hiring of Norman E. Snyder as the company’s new president and CEO.

Coke to Sell Some Distribution Territory to Five Independent Bottlers

In its first major step to divest from company-owned bottling operations, The Coca-Cola Co., Inc. today announced that it will sell some of its distribution rights to five independent bottlers. While details of the agreements have not yet been finalized, Muhtar Kent, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, The Coca-Cola Co., hailed the plan as one that would accelerate “the transformation of our U.S. system in ways that will establish a clear path to achieve our 2020 Vision.”

Durbin, Markey, Blumenthal Release Energy Drink Report

Three federal legislators released a report on Wednesday that accused energy drink companies of making products that sport inconsistent labels and are marketing highly caffeinated products directly at young people. The report contained several recommendations for the energy drink industry in order to reduce confusion and increase transparency about ingredients, but also came at a time when leading energy drink companies are already moving in that direction.

Packaged Facts: Consumers Increasingly Seeking Innovative Juice Products

A new report on the market for fruit and vegetable juices finds that while dollar sales and consumption of juice drinks has since 2007 remained stagnant, consumers are increasingly embracing new and innovative juice products and flavors - and mainstream retailers are paying attention.

Review: BluePrint Juices

In the nearly two years since we first sampled BluePrint products, juice cleanses have become en vogue, high pressure processing is gaining momentum, and countless other brands have entered super…