Purchase Capital Backs OWYN With Further Growth Funding

Plant-based protein brand OWYN has secured growth investment from Purchase Capital, an affiliate of its parent company United Nutritional Brands, as well as from Hammock Park Capital LLC and PowerPlant Ventures, the company announced today.

EARI Beverage Group Acquires Original New York Seltzer

Entertainment Arts Research Inc. (EARI Beverage Group), a diversified beverage and media group, announced today it has acquired Original New York Seltzer LLC and its production arm, LA Bottle Works Inc., for an undisclosed sum. Founded in 1981, Original New York Seltzer produces a line of mid-calorie craft sodas made with cane sugar and no artificial coloring and packaged in 10 oz. glass bottles.

Review: Brooklyn Cannery Prebiotic Sodas

Brooklyn Cannery’s Prebiotic Sodas is a new line of low calorie carbonated soft drinks enhanced with prebiotics. The products have no added sugar and several varieties contain added fruit juice. The product line is packaged in 12 ounce cans and there are currently five SKUs.

Alkaline Water Co.: New CEO Pledges Strategic Changes After Losses Dampen Record Revenue

The Alkaline Water Company, maker of the Alkaline88 bottled water brand, announced record revenue of $60.6 million in its full fiscal year 2022 earnings report last week, up 32% year-over-year for the 52-weeks ending March 31. However, the growth was accompanied by substantial net losses of $39.4 million, prompting the company to highlight plans to reduce costs and ensure profitability in the future.

Review: Leelanau Tea

Leelanau Tea is a line of RTD teas and lemonades that are made with a base of tart cherry juice from cherries grown in Michigan’s Leelanau peninsula. The product line, which launched in 2020 and rebranded in 2021, features five SKUs packaged in 16 ounce glass bottles.

Taste Radio: Perfect Partnership, Or Peculiar Pairing?

Taste Radio’s hosts discussed several recently announced collaborations, including those of high-profile drink brands that have aligned to create new RTD cocktails, a well-known entertainer and an upstart energy drink company and a humanitarian initiative that connects with better-for-you brands. They also chatted about notable new products, including a line of shelf-stable tamales, NA wine and beer and a protein bar with a somewhat odd name.

How Wellfare’s Better Box Aims To Take On Food Insecurity With Center Store Items

Soon-to-expire snacks, surplus single-serve beverages and excess energy bars are the types of products that are now being donated to food insecure families through nonprofit organization Wellfare’s Better Box. The program currently distributes boxes of better-for-you grocery items nearly 800 recipient families at no cost.

Review: Revive Probiotic Soda

When it was acquired by Peet’s Coffee in 2018, Revive was focused on making refrigerated kombucha in glass bottles. But after releasing a shelf-stable line in 12 oz cans in 2019, the brand has discontinued kombucha altogether. Under its new brand identity of Revive Drinks, the company is looking to reintroduce itself with its debut product: sparkling probiotic sodas, available in Cherry Cola and Root Beer flavors.

This Week’s New Products: Grinch-Themed Holiday Creamers, Mushroom Cola and Probiotic-Packed Lemonade

Now that “Christmas in July” is officially underway, brands like International Delight are rolling out new Grinch-themed products far in advance of the holiday season. However, other brands such as Tropicana and KeVita are embracing the summer heat and rolling out beach-friendly flavor extensions like Peachy Pineapple Paradise and Peach Lemonade.

Gut Feelings: Prebiotic Soda Brands Split Messaging on Science and Flavor

In the race for dominance in the emerging functional soda category, gut health focused brands have had to walk a fine line between being a wellness drink – with all the baggage that designation brings for mainstream consumers – and being a fun and lively soda pop.

People Moves: Lemon Perfect Appoints Jim Brennan as President; Rowdy Mermaid Expands Leadership

Enhanced water producer Lemon Perfect announced today it has named former Coca-Cola Company executive Jim Brennan as its President and Chief Revenue Officer; Colorado-based kombucha and tonic brand Rowdy Mermaid has made several new additions to its executive and sales teams, including the appointment of Matt Opperman as COO and CFO; Kevin Rutherford Reaches Finish Line at Nuun