BellRing Brands To Narrow Focus on Beverage

BellRing Brands, the holding company for Post Consumer Brands’s nutrition entities, including Premier Protein and Dymatize, reported a net sales increase of 9.6% to $282.1 million for the second fiscal quarter ending March 31, according to the company’s earnings report last week.

New Realm Launching Spirits-Based RTDs, Exploring NA and CBD Drinks

New Realm will launch three vodka-based, 7.5% ABV canned cocktails by the end of May: Lemon Drop, Orange Crush and Naka Cranberry. A fourth flavor — Tequila Paloma — will launch later in the summer, while gin and bourbon RTDs are also in the works.

Taste Radio: Why Whole Foods Bit On — And Built Around — This ‘Wilde’ Concept

Jason Wright, the co-founder and CEO of chicken- and pork-based chip brand Wilde Brands, explained how he was able to land investment without having a finished product, why he regrets working with a co-packer, how he collaborated with retail buyers to establish a new protein-centric segment within the snack category and why the keys to winning consumers over always begins with taste.

Nielsen: CSDs Slow, Energy Surges

Non-alcoholic beverage year-over-year sales remained elevated during the period ending April 24 as the industry moved past the effect of last year’s pandemic-driven pantry loading, according to an analysis of Nielsen data by Goldman Sachs Equity Research.

Sparkling Tequila Soda Onda Closes $5M Series A Round

Sparkling tequila soda brand Onda has closed a $5 million Series A round of funding led by Aria Growth Partners and beverage entrepreneur Clayton Christopher, the company announced last week.

DELOCE Raises $1.5M in Seed Round Led by Vice Ventures

DELOCE, a California-based maker of ready-to-drink espresso martinis, announced last week that it has closed a $1.5 million series seed round led by Vice Ventures. Founded in 2019 by CEO Sean Zoka and CMO Keaton Moody, DELOCE makes a canned Espresso Martini made with 100% cold-pressed arabica espresso beans and premium vodka.

Nestlé Acquires Hydration Platform Brand Nuun

Nestlé Health Science has acquired hydration tablet brand Nuun for an undisclosed fee, the company announced today. The deal is expected to close in Q3 2021.

Aloha Looks to “Provide Options” with rPET Bottle, Iced Coffee Launch

Plant-based protein brand Aloha is getting ready to become a more serious beverage player. The Colorado-based, plant-based CPG brand, which makes bars, powders and protein drinks, announced this week a line extension of its ready-to-drink beverages, adding new rPET plastic-packaged variations of its core flavors.

Mayawell Closes $2 Million Seed Funding Round

Prebiotic soda brand Mayawell has raised $2 million through seed funding led by Mexico-based distillery, Casa Armando Guillermo Prieto, to expand distribution throughout Texas, California and Florida as well as introduce a new flavor and packaging with a lower carbon footprint.

Nestle Waters North America Sued For “Real Fruit” Claims

This week, Spencer Sheehan, an attorney who has led several legal campaigns alleging deceptive advertising by food manufacturers, has recently filed a pair of class-action lawsuits on behalf of consumers who he claims are being misled by water brands.

Chobani, Fair Trade Announce New Dairy Certification

Fair Trade USA and Chobani announced yesterday the formal launch of a certification program for dairy farms and cooperatives “that provides financial premiums to dairy farmers and workers, which will help protect and empower them while raising sustainability standards,” according to a press release.

Rowdy Energy Raises $13M

Rowdy Energy announced today that it has raised $13 million in a fundraising round intended to shore up the brand’s marketing initiatives and finance new innovation. Launched last year, Rowdy Energy is a better-for-you energy brand founded by CEO and Suja founder Jeff Church and NASCAR star Kyle Busch.

Roar Organic Announces Brand Refresh, Charts New Retail Strategy

One year after brand investment firm Factory acquired an equity stake in Roar Organic, the company, under new leadership, is using a redesigned and reformulated RTD line to deepen its presence at natural retailers while it takes on ecommerce with its similarly refreshed powder mixes.