Two of the largest tart cherry producing states, Michigan and New York, had terrible yields in 2012, the result of an early spring heat wave that encouraged blooms 5 1/2 weeks early -- and put the tender blossoms, as well as the juice company's own prospects, at the mercy of the snow and ice that followed. Cheribundi was forced to adapt, and did so by re-branding its products.
The company issued a statement that called the DAWN report, which included information that energy drink-related emergency room visits had doubled in the U.S. from 10,068 in 2007 to a total of nearly 21,000 in 2011, "highly misleading and does not support any conclusion that energy drinks are unsafe for consumers."
On Thursday, Sens. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and Richard Durbin (D-Ill.) joined an effort by Rep. Edward Markey (D-Mass.) to push the FTC to begin investigating the marketing practices of energy drink companies. The move, while not a full strategic pivot, as the agencies often work on parallel tracks to ensure consumer protection, represents something of a strategic recalibration from the two senators’ previous attempts to force the FDA to take a harder look at energy drinks.
Made in Italy, Frizz Coffee is a sparkling and sweetened coffee drink. While this is certainly a niche product (it has no dairy and it’s sparkling -- two things that Americans don’t seem to like when it comes to coffee), it has definitely hit the nail on the head for what it is trying to be.
With the consumer in mind, Odwalla has redesigned its packaging for the first time in six years. The healthy beverage and bar maker, owned by the Coca-Cola Co., Inc. says it has tried to remove much of the clutter from its bottles and proceeded with a cleaner look and a color-coded system that matches caps with drink segments.
Over the last three days, the American Beverage Association (ABA) has published three separate statements countering a recent Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN) report which found that the number of emergency room visits involving energy drinks more than doubled from 10,068 in 2007 to 20,783 in 2011. The ABA called the report inaccurate and “more sensational than substantive.”
For all its heroic marketing, Red Bull provides no more energy than a cup of coffee or a caffeine pill, a recent lawsuit argues. Filed Tuesday in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, the lawsuit claims that the energy drink company uses deceptive marketing to justify its premium pricing even though its products offer a strong but not superior boost of energy. The lead plaintiff is Benjamin Careathers of the Bronx, N.Y., who has been drinking Red Bull products since 2002.
The 2013 Winter Fancy Food Show begins this Sunday in San Francisco. The show is one of the largest for the specialty, natural, and gourmet food and beverage industries. The event will features approximately 50 beverage companies. BevNET.com will be on hand to report on news and innovation from beverage-related exhibitors at the show.
Riding the wave of momentum for lemonade drinks and health and wellness products, Mr. Mo's is a new line of organic lemonades. While the beverages are enjoyable from a taste perspective, the branding and packaging of Mr. Mo's leaves something to be desired.
Taking direct aim at the Smartwater juggernaut, Nestlé Waters North America (NWNA) announced that it is now distributing its Resource water brand nationally. NWNA test launched the premium-priced water brand, which is spring-sourced and contains naturally occurring electrolytes, last year in Southern California, and initiated new distribution of the brand across the U.S. earlier this year.
New York City’s Board of Health has announced that it will give restaurants and other on-premise food retailers a three-month grace period before enforcing its ban on the sale of large format sugary drinks. Once the 90-day grace period ends, violators of the ban will be subject to a $200 fine.
A proposal to introduce a five cent deposit on beverage containers sold in Maryland has distributors and industry groups calling the plan "ill-conceived, outdated and ineffective," according to an article in the Baltimore Sun. State delegates Maggie McIntosh and John A. Olszewski Jr. have announced their intention to introduce a bill called “Recycle for Real," that would add Maryland to a list of 10 other states that require beverage container deposits.
Vinki, a line of all-natural juice drinks made with apple cider vinegar, recently underwent a mild rebranding. The products are still being positioned as a digestive health beverage, but feature a new label design that has a more modern and good for you feel. Overall, it’s definitely an improved product, but it’s not totally there yet.
In this short video, we’ve compiled a month by month timeline of the headlines and news stories that shaped our coverage in 2012 and look to have a significant impact on ingredient trends, marketing, government regulation, and financing deals in the months to come.
