BellRing: Strong Q2 Sales Set Stage for Premier Protein Volume Recovery

As the company focuses on rebuilding its Premier Protein inventory after significant out of stocks last year, BellRing Brands, Inc., announced fiscal year Q2 2022 net sales growth of 11.7% to $315.2 million, an increase of around $33.1 million compared to last year, according to an earnings report last week.

FDA Addresses Safety of Foreign Food by Issuing Draft Guidance for Third-Party Certification Program

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in late April announced draft guidance for the Accredited Third-Party Certification, a voluntary program within the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). The guidance aims to encourage more organizations to participate in the Accredited Third-Party Certification Program (also referred to as the Third-Party Program or TPP) which would expedite regulatory approval of foreign food and beverage into the U.S.

Review: Llama Mama

Llama Mama is a new line of organic sparkling beverages that are enhanced with prebiotics and antioxidants through the use of Peruvian superfoods camu camu and yacon. The product line comes in three flavors, including Clementine, Cherry Berry and Lemon Lime, each 45 calories and no added sugar per 12 ounce can.

Monster: Sales Soar But Costs Cut into Bottom Line in Q1

Monster Beverage Corp. posted strong topline numbers in its Q1 2022 earnings report on Thursday, as net sales rose 22.1% to over $1.5 billion. Yet increased pricing in aluminum and continuing supply chain obstacles pushed distribution costs up by nearly 50% and operating expenses north of $377 million for the quarter, driving a 6.7% drop in net income for the energy drink company.

People Moves: Liquid Death Names Marisa Bertha as SVP of Strategy

As the company plans for significant scaling over the next several years, Liquid Death has hired former Marisa Bertha as Senior Vice President of Strategy to help chart the path forward; California-based alkaline water brand Eternal Water announced this week that it has tripled its sales force with more than 30 new hires; Lifeway Foods has announced its slate of director nominees.

Taste Radio: Coffee With An NBA Superstar? It’s An Experience. Plus, Maxi Advises On Exits.

This episode features an interview with NBA All-Star Jimmy Butler, who spoke with us about his upstart specialty coffee and lifestyle brand, BIGFACE. We also feature the latest edition of The Maxi Minutes with LDR Ventures managing director Maxine Kozler Koven, who advises entrepreneurs on how to speak to potential investors about their vision and exit strategy.

Web3 Roundup: Katy Perry’s De Soi Augments Reality; Starbucks Unveils NFT Plans

De Soi, a mocktail brand co-founded by pop star Katy Perry, is partnering with metaverse social app company FlickPlay to give away beverages to consumers who collect NFTs while playing the tech company’s augmented reality game; Starbucks unveiled more about its plans to create a “digital third place” during its fiscal Q2 2022 earnings call this week.

Wild Bill’s: New Flavors Fuel Reach into Retail

When faced with disruptions during the early days of the pandemic, New Jersey-based craft soda maker Wild Bill’s did like many other independent CPG brands: they adapted, using their connections to introduce a full line of packaged organic coffee, plus snacks like peanuts and jerky. But as COVID’s grip finally appears to be receding, the company is eager to get back to the core business.

NielsenIQ: Easter Holiday Accelerates Non-Alc Beverage Sales

Beverage dollar sales rose 11.4% in the two-weeks, accelerating from 8.2% growth for the four-week period and 11.3% for the 52-weeks. The dollar sales bump was accompanied by a turnaround in volumes, which rose 1.4% in the two-weeks, compared to a -1.7% decline for the four-week period, with CSDs and energy drinks seeing some of the strongest volume increases.

Brands Bring Boba Tea to RTD, Frozen Formats

If you live in a major U.S. city, chances are you’re not too far from a boba tea shop. The indulgent Taiwanese beverage, also known as bubble tea or occasionally “Black Pearl” tea, was invented in the 1980s and is defined by the addition of marble-sized tapioca “pearls” – boba – to sugary milk tea, and traditionally is drank through an oversized straw that allows the boba to be consumed one at a time.