KombuchaKon 2017 Recap
Category growth, testing methodology and distribution strategies were just a few of the topics bubbling inside the Long Beach Convention Center over the weekend at the fourth annual KombuchaKon.
Press Clips: Ritual Coffee Roasters Teams with Cannabis Startup for THC Cold Brew
San Francisco-based Ritual Coffee Roasters team with Somatik for a THC-infused cold brew coffee, a California lawmaker wants plastic caps tethered to bottles to reduce environmental damage, Whole Foods announces it will close nine stores, and Hint Water CEO Kara Goldin quits NACIE.
Starbucks Launches Teavana RTD Teas
Starbucks today announced that a new line of bottled teas under its Teavana brand will soon hit the market in four states. The news comes approximately eight months after Starbucks and Anheuser-Busch InBev (ABI) announced a partnership in which the beer giant would manufacture and distribute the teas.
5-hour Energy Makers Ordered To Pay $4.3 Million in Deceptive Marketing Lawsuit
Living Essentials, maker of 5-hour Energy, and its venture capital arm Innovation Ventures were ordered to pay nearly $4.3 million in penalties and legal costs following a trial in Washington in which a judge found the company in violation of the state’s Consumer Protection Act.
BevNET Podcast Ep. 44: BodyArmor/Vitaminwater Co-Founder: “We’re Not Here for Bronze Medals. It’s Gold or Nothing.”
Mike Repole, the co-founder of BodyArmor, is unsatisfied. Why? Because BodyArmor, despite its impressive growth in recent years, is not the world’s top-selling sports drink brand. Repole, who also co-founded vitaminwater and is a horse-racing magnate and billionaire, clearly does not lack ambition.
Tractor Soda, Maker of Organic Fountain Soda, Partners With AccelFoods
Tractor Soda founder Travis Potter praised the investment as a partnership that will align the company with AccelFoods’ broad network of industry contacts and provide guidance on corporate staffing.
Review: Dunkin’ Donuts Ready-to-Drink Iced Coffees Stand to Make a Splash
With ready-to-drink coffee a $2 billion category and just about every coffee chain in America having taken a crack at it, we’re honestly somewhat surprised that it has taken this long for there to be a Dunkin’ Donuts’ branded offering.
With New Ingredient Rule, Whole Foods Takes on Health Halos
Late last month Whole Foods Market took aim at a class of products who position themselves as “healthier” options due to their use of added functional ingredients.
Dirty Lemon Looks to Expand Post-Fundraising Round
In an interview with BevNET, Normandin, who founded baby and toddler organic food brand Little Duck Organics, said the company was in the middle of closing the fundraising round and declined to go into specifics. He said that the new resources would be directed towards the company’s current focus on marketing initiatives and developing new products.
Coca-Cola Company Year-End Investor Call Assures “Future for No Calorie”
Incoming CEO James Quincey told investors during its Q4 and year end results conference call Thursday that zero-calorie sparkling beverages and smaller package products will be a focus area for the company over the next two years.
Review: Vim Vitae Exotics
Vim Vitae, a Dallas, Texas-based producer of cold-pressed, high pressure processed, organic juices that was formerly known as Vim + Vigor, has launched this new product line, “Exotics,” which features unique flavor varieties, including Chia Sangria, Spicy Rita and Jicama High Five.
POM Sues Bai Over “Super Tea” Trademark
A cursory search of U.S. trademark registration records indicates that both companies may indeed have reasonable arguments to present with regard to their ownership of the term.
Class Actions Target Alt-Milk Nutritional Standards
Last week two leading alternative milk producers were hit with class action lawsuits alleging their products falsely claim to be equally or more nutritious than dairy milk, one against WhiteWave Foods, producer of Silk, and another against Blue Diamond Growers, producer of Almond Breeze.
Muscle Milk Founder Launches Flavor Company
As the founder and creator of Muscle Milk, Greg Pickett helped make protein drinks palatable for mainstream consumers. In his latest venture, Pickett wants to elevate taste profiles across the beverage spectrum.