Undeterred by failed efforts to rename high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) as “corn sugar,” the Corn Refiners Association (CRA) has remained on the offensive to protect the integrity of the widely used ingredient. Today, the CRA released a scathing statement denouncing a forthcoming study that specifically links consumption of HFCS with Type 2 diabetes.
The concept behind Live Soda seems like a good one -- at least in theory: take classic soda flavors, cut the calories, and add in some live kombucha culture. While the resulting formulation does taste pretty good, it's hard to comprehend just how many people out there will want to combine something that is a health drink (kombucha) with something that is an indulgence product (soda).
The makers of the most widely consumed red carbonated soft drink are adapting but not changing with the times. Big Red, the Austin, TX, based producer of CSDs among other beverages, announced Tuesday that it acquired HyDrive Energy, the Rye, NY-based company that markets 30-calorie energy drinks and a zero-calorie energy powder drink mix under the slogan “Energy Done Better.”
Should energy drinks be age-restricted? A prominent elected official in Chicago thinks so. Stating that he doesn’t “want kids dying because of something that shouldn’t be in their hands,” Chicago alderman George Cardenas has proposed banning the sale of energy drinks to individuals under the age of 21, according to a recent article in the Chicago Sun-Times.
Solixir has unveiled new branding and a new citrus flavor to its line of sparkling botanical beverages. We like what Solixir has done with the redesign and simplification of its packaging which now connects nicely with the botanical ingredients in the drinks.
Big Red, Inc. announced today that it has acquired HYDRIVE Energy, marketer of better-for-you energy drinks. The sale, orchestrated by Gary Smith (Big Red) and Mike Weinstein (HYDRIVE), will be effective immediately and adds HYDRIVE Energy drinks to the Big Red portfolio which includes, All Sport isotonic, NuGrape, Thomas Kemper, Nesbitt’s and other beverage lines.
A few days after The New York Times revealed that 5-Hour Energy had been mentioned in U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reports linking consumption of its energy shots to 13 deaths, Living Essentials, which markets and distributes 5-Hour, announced that it was dealing with another potential loss of revenue and brand reputation: counterfeiting.
... with Presence Marketing Founder Bill Weiland, Former Target Buyer Chandra Holt, Sambazon Co-Founder Jeremy Black, Zevia CEO Paddy Spence and Natural Products Consulting Founder Bob Burke
Zevia has come a long way since its inception, with no meaningful difference in flavor between its products and those of mainstream competitors, most of which are, by comparison, not all-natural. The brand's new Lime Cola - a stevia- and erythritol-sweetened zero calorie soda - is a great example of that.
A few months after showcasing his line of military-inspired energy shots in New Beverage Showdown 3 at BevNET Live Summer 2012, RuckPack founder Robert Dyer pitched his brand to a panel of veteran investors and entrepreneurs on the ABC reality TV show “Shark Tank.” After Dyer's presentation, two panelists agreed to invest $150,000 in RuckPack for a 20 percent stake in the company.
Celestial Seasonings recently launched “Enerji,” a line of green tea-based energy shots. Despite a solid base of energy ingredients and a rather enjoyable trio of flavors, we do have to wonder how consumers will react to the rather classic and reserved brand that is Celestial Seasonings being mixed with something that’s trying to be modern and edgy in the “Enerji” brand.
BevNET Live, the premiere event recognizing innovation in the beverage industry, is scheduled to take place in just two weeks, on December 3rd and 4th at the Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel. Registration for BevNET Live Winter 2012 has, so far, outpaced every previous sold-out BevNET Live event. With over 400 registrations to date, seats are expected to sell out very soon.
Despite the category’s decline amid growing trends of health and wellness, pricing of carbonated soft drinks (CSDs) slowed, but remains competitive, according to a consumer price index (CPI) report released by Morgan Stanley. Tracking beverage data for October 2012, Morgan Stanley found that CSD pricing grew by only 0.3 percent, well below September’s growth of 1.5 percent and the trailing twelve month (TTM) average of 2.7 percent.
Brewbound.com, the web site published by BevNET.com, Inc. and dedicated to serving the growing craft beer community, is pleased to announce its expansion into Southern California with the addition of a conference series located in San Diego, as well as a San Diego-based sales and editorial staff.
