ON TOP
- A federal judge has allowed a class-action suit alleging that Coca-Cola Co. Inc.-owned Vitaminwater employed false advertising in making health claims about its products. Link
- The 20 finalists in the high-tech PepsiCo10 Competition have been chosen; the final 10 will work with industry mentors and activate new PepsiCo pilot programs. Link
ON THE SHELVES
- EB Performance launches new performance beverages, Whey Juice and Whey Juice Skinny, to appear in Florida and Southwest regions of Whole Foods Market stores. Link
- New Leaf has doubled production of its lemonade in the New York metro area as part of increased distribution and marketing efforts by Manhattan Beer. Link
DISTRIBUTION
- Innovative Beverage Group and Premium Brands of northwest Arkansas collaborate will distribute drank across the state. Link
- RelaxZEN has increased its New England distribution and will be sold in all 54 Nouria Energy Travel Centers and Gas Stations. Link
IN THE MEDIA
- Reuters: Pregnant women who drink artificially-sweetened beverages may be more likely to give birth early. Link
- Baltimore retailers find the new beverage tax to be a headache as they work to cover the new costs while retaining customers, reports the Baltimore Business Journal. Link
- Coke’s VEB Unit plans to introduce an Asian zero-calorie drink in the next few months, and may put new VEB groups in Europe and Asia, according to interviews with Reuters. Link
BRAND MARKETING & PROMOTION
- New Leaf plans a guerrilla marketing campaign in NYC and is casting “Defenders of Taste” to hand out samples and raise awareness of unhealthy beverages. Link
- See Celsius spokesperson Mario Lopez discuss his role and the upcoming “Ultimate Workout Challenge” promotional campaign. Link
- EQ Labs, Inc. launches promotion with Wallgreens’ stores nationwide for an EQ Smart Energy Drink consumer to win a free personal poker seminar from poker celebrity Vanessa Rousso.
Link - Seeking to reach yoga practitioners, Steaz Zero Calorie Sparking Green Tea will celebrate September’s International Self-Improvement Month. Link
- Zipfizz plans to host the first annual golf tournament in Echo Falls, Washington, to benefit the Boys and Girls Club of King County. Link
DEALS
- Gatorade and STACK Media unite to develop the social network platform and online training tool, Gatorade Performance Center. Link
SUPPLIER SIDE
- Smart Balance announced the launch of its Earth Balance non-GMO soymilk line at nationwide Whole Foods Market stores. Link
- Spartan Beverages has launched a new protein water in Amcor Rigid Plastics’ hot fill bottles that incorporate active Hinge technology Link
INTERNATIONAL
- Aquitina collapsible and refillable water bottles were a big hit in London — the inaugural batch of 400 sold out in 3 days in Carnaby Street store. Link
- Loaded magazine team up with Podium Brands to produce the magazine-sponsored Loaded Stamina Shot, the The Herald Scotland reports. Link
VENDING
- Healthy U, the Hyatt Regency Chicago and area schools unite to bring the company’s health-conscious vending machines to employees and students in the city of Chicago. Link