The Flow: Smart Choices on hold; NY water deposits start Sat.

ON TOP


  • The Smart Choices Program announced that it will voluntarily postpone active operations and not encourage wider use of the logo at this time by either new or currently enrolled companies. This move follows an announcement by FDA Commissioner, Margaret Hamburg, M.D. on Oct. 20, 2009 which said that the agency intends to develop standardized criteria on which future front-of-package nutrition or shelf labeling will be based. Link
  • The Mid-Atlantic Coca-Cola Bottling Co. plans to cease operations at its Havre de Grace, Md. facility leading to the displacement of up to 50 employees. Link
  • New York’s state government will begin collecting deposits on bottled water Saturday, Oct. 31. Link


ON THE SHELVES


  • SoNu Beverages LLC is introducing a dynamic new package design for its Sonu Water line of organic flavored beverages. The new packaging will highlight its USDA organic certification, reinforce the product’s healthy attributes and ingredients, and rejuvenate its appearance with bright colors and textures.
  • Wave Energy Drink has completed the first re-design of its 16 oz. beverage cans, launching the new design earlier this week.
  • Noah’s Naturals launched Noah’s Naturals Anti-Aging Beauty Beverage. Link
  • WIT Beverage Company launched 9 flavors of a Jelly Belly Gourmet Soda at the National Association of Convenience Stores show. Link


DISTRIBUTION


  • ViB Holdings LLC announced a distributor agreement with Dr Pepper 7-Up Bottling Company of the West. Link
  • Jones Soda Co.‘s GABA can now be found at a majority of Duane Reade stores throughout New York City. Link
  • Reed‘s, Inc. announced that it has entered into a distribution agreement with 5 Star Beverage of San Diego. Link
  • Whynatte Latte has signed with United Distributors in Georgia. Link


LAW, POLICY, AND ADVOCACY


  • The International Dairy Foods Association applauded Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and the Obama Administration for highlighting the importance of offering more low fat milk and dairy products in schools. Link
  • Americans Against Food Taxes hit the airwaves in Missouri, featuring two prominent community members from the Ozarks to deliver their message. Link


BRAND MARKETING & PROMOTION


  • Full Motion Beverage, Inc. announced that Performaxx Brands, Inc. has launched an online store for its zero calorie, 2 oz. energy shot, ENERGIZE. Link
  • Food Lion has teamed with PepsiCo for the “2009 Fall Football Sweepstakes” that will send eight people to the Super Bowl. Link
  • DNA Beverage Corp. announced that 24-year-old professional surfer Jeremy Johnston, has joined the DNA team. Link
  • PepsiCo unveiled special limited edition Halloween cans for Pepsi, Diet Pepsi and Pepsi Max. Link


TRENDS AND STUDIES


  • Recent research shows that drinking tart cherry juice may help runners recover more quickly and effectively from post-race pain. Link
  • A new study from Miller Zell finds that end caps have much stronger appeal than many other in-store displays. Link


IN THE MEDIA


  • The BBC‘s Jimmy Doherty attempted to reverse-engineer Coca-Cola for his program, Jimmy’s Food Factory. Link
  • NBC’s 9 News in Colorado applied its “Truth Test” to anti-soda-tax commercials aired by Americans Against Food Taxes. The verdict? Some claims are factual. Overall, the commercial is “an opinion.” Link
  • owater is using everyday athletes to promote its brand, Advertising Age reports. Link
  • The Wall Street Journal took a look at agave nectar, examining how it is marketed and how the sweetener affects consumers when compared to sugar. Link


FINANCIALS


  • Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated announced that the Board of Directors has declared a dividend for the Fourth Quarter of 2009 of $.25 per share on shares of the Company’s Common Stock and Class B Common Stock payable on November 20, 2009 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on November 9, 2009.


SUPPLY SIDE


  • Novelis announced a new multi-year agreement to supply aluminum can sheet to Anheuser-Busch. The agreement becomes effective January 1, 2010, when Novelis’ existing supply contract with Anheuser-Busch expires. Link
  • Senomyx, Inc. announced that it has been notified by the Flavor and Extract Manufacturers Association that its sucrose enhancer, S6973, has been determined to be Generally Recognized As Safe. Link


INTERNATIONAL


  • Energy drinks continue to be under siege in Australia, where a recent survey found that 77 percent of tested drinks exceeded the legal limit for caffeine. Link


ETC.


  • Following PepsiCo‘s recall of its iPhone app, “Amp Up Before You Score,” PC World published an article entitled “Sex and Smartphones: 5 Apps Edgier Than Pepsi’s ‘Amp Up'” Link
  • The American Academy of Family Physicians has come under fire from nutrition advocates for a new partnership with The Coca-Cola Co. The organization recently announced that it would accept a grant from Coke to “develop consumer education content on beverages and sweeteners for FamilyDoctor.org.” Link
  • Ralph D. Crowley Jr., chairman and chief executive of Polar Beverages Corp., may be on the verge of buying his local newspaper, the Worcester, Mass. Telegram & Gazette. Link
  • The Coca-Cola Bottling Company hoisted a 16 foot bottle of Coke above its Regional Distribution Center in Hagerstown, Md. Link
  • A 77-year-old Michigan man used a Pepsi bottle to fight off a would-be robber. Link