PepsiCo’s beverage business might have failed to impress this quarter, but the company may have some big sweetener innovations on the horizon, according to Morgan Stanley analyst Dara Mohesian.
As is often the case with similar flavors from other kombucha lines, Kombucha Mama's Lemon Ginger flavor is the most mainstream in its lineup. All in all, this beverage is quite well-crafted.
Based in New Haven, Conn., Project Fresh is a new line of raw, cold-pressed juices that are marketed as "raw organic craft cleanses." The drinks, which quickly gained distribution throughout Whole Foods' North Atlantic region, come in five varieties. In our sampling of three of the flavors, it's clear that the company has created an excellent array of juice blends, with some pretty solid branding behind the line.
Following a busy week in litigation circles, a break in a pair of cases unrelated to the beverage industry might offer a glimmer of hope for brands in several ongoing food and beverage court battles. But labeling remains a flashpoint for dozens of civil suits across the country, with attorneys continuing to parse labels for any potential ingredients or marketing statements that might allow some leverage against FDA guidelines.
Koa Organic Water isn’t on trend simply because of its lack of calories and sugar. The brand also has a Kickstarter campaign.
Blossom Water, which describes itself as an “all natural essence water,” is a line of fruit- and flower-enhanced drinks. Sweetened with agave and erythritol, the waters are sophisticated, but, very drinkable. However, in the long run, the packaging will need some work.
Rob King, a former Pepsi Bottling Group (now Pepsi Beverages Co.) executive who has worked closely with Cytosport and its key investor TSG Partners, was named CEO of the sports nutrition company Monday.
Beverage scientists shared their latest sweetener compositions earlier this month at the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) conference at McCormick Place South in Chicago.
Now that it's a Campbell's property, Bolthouse Farms is starting to flex some multi-channel muscle.
Brooklyn-based Plan Tea has launched two new varieties -- Masala Chai and Green Tea with Mango -- to its line of organic teas. Well-formulated and incorporating a couple new packaging changes, the products are excellent additions to the brand.
New Beverage Showdown 6, which will take place as part of the two-day BevNET Live conference, will be held on December 9 and 10 at the Loews Hotel in Santa Monica, Calif. The competition gives beverage entrepreneurs an opportunity to show off their business plan and new products and to receive immediate feedback from a judging panel composed of successful and well-respected industry veterans.
Watersensations is a new line of liquid enhancers that come packaged in the company's innovative, patent pending “LiquiPack.” In our review of the brand's "energy" variety, we think the company has done a great job in creating a pleasant flavor profile and a product with added functionality (energy) that will likely attract more mainstream appeal. On the branding front, however, watersensations could use a little work.
Trian Partners, a New York-based investment firm founded by activist investor Nelson Peltz, is calling for PepsiCo to acquire Mondelez International (formerly Kraft Foods), which owns popular brands such as Oreo, Nabisco, Cadbury and Trident. Trian's desired plan aims for PepsiCo to morph into more of a global snacks company.
Aloe drinks remain a category on an upward trend, and Sabila, which markets a line of aloe beverages, has created a solid brand with some excellent formulations and blends. That being said, Sabila, like other competing products, would benefit from a shake-up in its packaging -- most of these aloe drinks look a lot alike, no?
