A federal judge has ruled that a class action lawsuit filed against the makers of Muscle Milk cannot proceed until the lead plaintiff improves her claims that the marketing of the brand is false and misleading. Although U.S. District Judge Claudia Wilken agrees that Cytosport's claims that Muscle Milk contains “healthy fats” and that the product is a “nutritional shake” might mislead consumers, she stated that the complaint lacks sufficient detail for the suit to proceed.

First Beverage Group has announced new details about the debut and initial distribution of its Oatworks brand of oat and fruit smoothies. Oatworks will simultaneously launch on the East and West Coast beginning in Boston through DSD distributor Blue Coast Beverage, and in San Fransisco through DBI Beverage, Inc., also a DSD distributor.

Today Wells Fargo analyst Bonnie Herzog released research derived from a poll of beverage retailers.The survey represents “tens of thousands of convenience store locations across the country” and offers some interesting insights into the overall performance of many individual beverage categories.

Had to squeeze one last headline out of that one. Neuro, which has finally been spotted in the Boston area, has softened the brand messaging on one of its more memorable SKUs.

In yet another coup for the brand, Harmless Harvest has added specialty grocery chain The Fresh Market to the rapidly growing list of retailers carrying its raw and organic coconut water. The Fresh Market , known for its innovative and on-trend product mix, as well as an affluent and influential consumer base, will launch Harmless Harvest in its 115 stores later this spring.

Do you have a brand that was launched within the last year (or is launching soon)? The New Beverage Showdown 3 is taking place at BevNET Live Summer 2012 in…