Hydrogen-infused water maker Susosu has closed a seed round backed by food and beverage accelerator Union Kitchen, marking the Virginia-based brand’s first ever outside investment. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Last week, e-commerce beverage-alcohol platform Provi filed a complaint against Southern Glazer’s Wine and Spirits and Republic National Distributing Company (RNDC), alleging that the companies have unlawfully stifled the growth of its platform. The complaint filed March 29 in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois Eastern Division, alleges that the defendants have acted together and individually to “boycott, disparage and tortiously interfere with Provi’s business.”
New beverage startup Kowa has teamed with ingredient maker Nura to feature its branded organic 5-HTP supplement in its line of mood-boosting functional drinks; U.K.-based ingredients manufacturer Tate & Lyle announced last week that it has signed an agreement to acquire Chinese fiber producer Quantum Hi-Tech Biological Co., Ltd for $237 million; and more news from Kerry and Sweegen.
In this week’s roundup of new product launches, both Coca-Cola and MTN Dew rolled out new limited edition soda flavors targeting the gaming community, regional cannabis beverage makers introduced new line extensions, and the gut health boosting soda and seltzer trend continues with launches from emerging player Poppi and newcomer Aqua ViTea.
In this episode, Taste Radio’s hosts discussed new products in several food and beverage categories, including a nootropic-boosted hydration drink brand launched by an NFL star and NFT icon, a nostalgia-inspiring cinnamon spread, RTD milk teas and spiked tonics, artisanal and low-sugar sweets and perhaps the best-tasting tortillas on the market. They also riffed on this weekend’s Specialty Coffee Association trade show and a funding round for a brand of experimental condiments and beverages.
Spring is here, but ready-to-drink cocktail brands are already getting ready for the summer with a number of new product launches made for the heat – including vodka spitzes, frozen margaritas, and a classic Cape Codder.
Constellation Brands’ beer business recorded an +11% increase in net sales growth, to $6.75 billion, for the company’s 2022 full fiscal year.
In this Distribution Roundup, Ruby Hibiscus Water goes sparkling via Amazon and Earth Fare, nut milk maker Three Trees goes chainwide in Whole Foods Market stores and TEN Alkaline Spring Water flows into Meijer stores across the Midwest.
Siempre Tequila has introduced a virtual Bored Ape brand ambassador, marking the beginning of a push into web3 integration; Liquid Death sells out its Murder Head Death Club NFT line; evian introduces a limited NFT artist collaboration; Mid-Day Squares sells its Hershey diss video as NFTs.
For a decade, Remedy Drinks has been brewing down under. Now, the Australia-based kombucha brand is making a broader push into the U.S., bringing over a full slate of new products to American retailers this year.
Family-owned beverage maker Orange Bang and Monster Energy Company have asked an U.S. District Court in California to confirm an interim award of $175 million in damages and a 5% royalty on all future net sales of Bang-branded products after an arbitrator found that VPX was liable for breach of contract and trademark infringement by falsely claiming its products contain creatine.
In this marketing roundup, Sparkling Ice honors America’s veterans through its third annual Cheers to Heroes campaign, plant-based beverage maker MALK encourages consumers to take their bottle and #turnitaround and SodaStream partners with David Hasselhoff to save the baby sea turtles. Plus, the founders of Finnish Long Drink try to help America become the happiest place on earth.
Dutch bottling conglomerate Refresco has completed its acquisition of three U.S. manufacturing facilities from The Coca-Cola Company, as first announced in August 2021.
Non-alcoholic beverage sales remained strong but continued to decelerate over the two-week period ending March 26, according to an analysis of NielsenIQ data by Goldman Sachs Equity Research. The sales slowdown resulted from slower volume growth, which was up by low single digits in the four-week period with several categories facing declines.
