Review: Xiomega Seedless Chia Water

Fortified with chia seed oil, rather than seeds or ground chia, Xiomega Seedless Chia Water has no detectable taste of chia.This could be opportunity for the company, in that some consumers dislike the texture of some some chia drinks. However, we do wonder about Xiomega's use of agave as a sweetener and think that the label for these products definitely needs an upgrade.

Coke Announces New Bottling Partnerships in Florida, Chicago

During the Coca-Cola Co.’s fourth quarter earnings call held earlier this week, CEO and Chairman Muhtar Kent stated that the company would "imminently announce new bottling partnerships" in North America. By imminently, he must have meant today.

Distribution Roundup: A-GAME Partners With Stop & Shop; Arriba Hits 7-Eleven

When we hear about a new energy drink company with plans to snag market share from Red Bull and Monster, we’re often skeptical. With the category at such a mature state and the two linchpins not going anywhere, most new energy drinks don’t have much of a future beyond niche markets. However, when the energy drink in question is devised by L.A. Libations, the beverage incubator that has helped carry brands such as ZICO and illy issimo to prominence, we take a closer look.

PepsiCo Responds to Trian’s Call for Restructure

As reported today, investment firm Trian Partners released a white paper and letter to the PepsiCo board, reiterating its belief that PepsiCo should split its beverage and snack businesses into two independent public companies. Trian believes that the restructure would sustain growth and benefit the company and its shareholders. Shortly after the story’s publication, PepsiCo e-mailed BevNET with a response.

Review: Suja Essentials

Launched in January, Essentials is Suja’s third line of organic, HPP juices and designed to be a more mainstream offering than its other lines. The launch comes with a subtle…

Trian Reiterates Belief in Splitting PepsiCo’s Snacks and Beverages

Trian remains adamant in its belief that PepsiCo should split its snacks and beverages into two independent public companies. PepsiCo, which has been steadfast in its “Power of One” platform, hasn’t budged. The company believes that the strategy allows for “full coordination across the food and beverage operating systems, while also unlocking opportunities to create value across the business.”

L.A. Libations Set to Launch New Horchata Energy Drink Nationally in 7-Eleven; Partners with Relativity Media in Joint Venture

Set for a national launch in 8,300 7-Eleven stores, Arriba is a new horchata energy drink that is targeted to reach a specific demographic in Latino consumers. L.A. Libations entered into a joint venture with film studio and entertainment powerhouse Relativity Media, which is investor in Arriba and will play a major role in the marketing of the brand with product placement in Relativity-produced TV shows and movies.

Press Clips: GMOs and Consumer Behavior

For many Americans, GMOs are like monsters under the bed. They don’t exactly know what GMOs are, but they’re worried about them. This sentiment has already influenced shopping habits, according to a recent write-up on hartbeat, the newsletter of The Hartman Group (HG), a consumer research firm.

Review: drinkme Juices

drinkme, which markets a line of "cold blended" and high pressure processed juices and smoothies, recently updated its packaging and moved into a new 15.2 oz. round-edged bottle. While the company had done well with the formulation of the products, we’re still left feeling as though the company could do more with the label.

Expo West Preview: Revamped Mix1 Ready for its Close-Up

Under new management and featuring a reformulated line-up and updated packaging, mix1 is set to make its return to the market. The company today announced that it will debut its new look at the upcoming Natural Products Expo West show, which will take place next month in Anaheim, Calif.

Public Interest Group Questions Coca-Cola Endorser Michelle Kwan

About a month after Michael F. Jacobson, the executive director of the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI), penned a polemic for The Huffington Post, his group is back at it, questioning former Olympic figure skater Michelle Kwan for her endorsement of Coca-Cola and membership of the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition.

BevNET FBU Boston 2014 – An Investor for Every Stage

From angels to crowdsourcing to private equity to venture capital, BevNET FBU Boston will feature a broad look at financial options for new food and beverage companies that will match the lifecycle and needs at all growth stages.

Review: Mastiqua Water

Mastiqua is a sparkling mineral water flavored with mastiha, "a world-renowned natural resin from the Mediterranean island of Chios," according to the supplier. For most people out there, that really will give no indication as to the taste of this product, which has a flavor that is almost like a light birch or sarsaparilla flavor with a mint finish. While we do like what's inside the bottle, we think that the branding, which is very heavy on its Greek origins, is not the best way to position it.

Nawgan Marketer Adds ON Powered Refreshment; Kirin Ups Investment

With a new round of funding in hand, the company behind brain-boosting beverage Nawgan has launched a new brand of functional drinks intended broaden its reach to a wider range of consumers. Launched today, ON Powered Refreshment is a line of energy/refreshment beverages that are formulated with a blend of tea leaf-sourced caffeine and ornithine, an amino acid said to have several health benefits.