Carlsberg Britvic deal gets go-ahead from UK competition watchdog
The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority has cleared the anticipated acquisition by Carlsberg UK Holdings Limited of Britvic plc.
Soft drinks
How to build a beverage brand: FHIRST on the potential of the gut health market
Consumers are getting more and more interested in gut health - and it’s just the beginning, says Steven Van Middelem, founder of FHIRST. How is he building a brand in this space?
How does sugary drink consumption affect cardiovascular risk?
A newly-published large-scale study in Sweden puts the spotlight on how sugar consumption - and specifically sugary drink consumption - affects cardiovascular risk.
Revolutionizing soda: The emergence of a new Modern Soda category
Walmart has introduced its new ‘Modern Soda’ category: featuring innovative, better-for-you brands that are far from the traditional sugar-packed drinks loved by previous generations. So what is Modern Soda – and how big is its potential?
Should dairy drinks and RTD coffee be included in soda taxes?
The UK government is considering extending its Soft Drinks Industry Levy to milk-based drinks and plant-based alternatives: putting milkshakes and RTD coffee in the firing line. Will this move go ahead - and could other governments consider doing the same?
Saccharin daily intake threshold almost doubles post EFSA review
Safe daily intake limits for saccharin have been almost doubled by the European Food Safety Authority following a new review on the sweetener.
Lifeway Foods rejects Danone’s ‘opportunistic proposal’, adopts ‘poison pill’ plan
The kefir maker’s board of directors has adopted a shareholder rights plan in a bid to avoid a hostile takeover.
UK looks to expand sugar tax
Championing the success of the policy so far, the UK government wants to increase the impact of the Soft Drinks Industry Levy. It’s already announced an increase to the tax: and is also considering extending it to include milk-based drinks.
UK’s competition watchdog looks into Carlsberg-Britvic deal
The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has launched a merger inquiry into Carlsberg’s acquisition of soft drink company Britvic.
Coca-Cola Consolidated recalls ‘zero sugar’ drinks that contain sugar
Coca-Cola Consolidated LLC has recalled cartons of Minute Maid Zero Sugar Lemonade: which in fact contained regular Minute Maid Lemonade.
PepsiCo lowers full-year guidance on Q3 2024 results, North American business continues volume declines
PepsiCo’s North American snack and beverage businesses continue to slow down in its third quarter of 2024, as the company adjusts its forecast from 4% organic revenue growth for the year to low single digits amid continued pressures but beats Wall Street...
Recoup launches gut-friendly beverage at Sprouts, raises awareness on benefits of regen ag
Recoup’s prebiotic sparkling beverages hit the shelves at 420 Sprouts Farmers Market stores nationwide, as the company leans into gut health and regenerative agriculture claims to deliver consumer demands for functional and environmental benefits.
Functional beverage spotlight: The latest in gut health NPD
From probiotic and prebiotic sodas to kefir and kombucha, what are the latest innovations in gut health beverage NPD?
Coca-Cola & Bacardi to launch RTD cocktail as innovation heats up in the space
With Coca-Cola and Bacardi’s RTD cocktail announced for a 2025 launch, we take a look at some of the other big name partnerships between soft drink giants and beverage alcohol heavyweights in this space.
Can microchipping make people recycle more? Tech company's chips can be used for intelligent packaging
One Tech company's silicon-free chips can both store information to tell consumers how to recycle a product, and tell manufacturers how often the product is recycled.
How to build a beverage brand: Gut health superstar OLIPOP on creating the next wave of soda
When Ben Goodwin founded OLIPOP in 2018, his mission was to reshape the US’ soda addiction with a healthier alternative. This year, the brand is featured in Time100’s Most Influential Companies 2024. How has Goodwin built both a beverage brand – and a...
Startup Spotlight
Functional beverage startup Yesly’s viral social media posts underscore big ad budgets are not necessary for big impact
Big advertising budgets are not a requirement for big sales or an indicator of how successful a marketing campaign will be as illustrated by a viral video on social media by functional beverage newcomer Yesly, which generated more than 16 million views...
Soda taxes: Cutting sugar is one thing, promoting healthy hydration is another…
Sugar taxes set out to reduce sugary beverage consumption. But how can that be built on to steer people towards choosing healthier options instead?
How to reduce calories in beverages
From reformulation to new innovations, what are some of the ways to reduce calories in beverages?
$40bn personalised nutrition market tapped for growth with Xampla and Lehmann tie-up
Plastic replacement technology firm Xampla’s partnership with Lehmann Ingredients will seek to build on global consumers’ growing demand for personalised nutrition.
Carlsberg Britvic deal gets approval from Britvic shareholders
Britvic shareholders have voted in favor of Carlsberg’s proposed acquisition of the company: bringing the creation of UK beer and soft drink giant Carlsberg Britvic one step closer.
Advancing ASEAN: Philippines sales lead growth for Coca-Cola Europacific in Asia Pacific region for first half of 2024
Coca-Cola Europacific (CCEP) has seen its newest acquisition of Coca-Cola Philippines pay off with strong sales contributing to significant APAC growth in the first half of the year.
Bottoms up: Japan’s Umami Cola looks to upend category with botanical-rich, koji-sweetened beverage
Japan-based Umami Cola is aiming to turn the category on its head with a new botanical-rich, koji-sweetened formulation and an inverted caN design.
Bubbling potential: Prebiotic sodas on course to take off in SEA on the back of rising demand and product boom
Prebiotic sodas are said to possess strong growth potential in South East Asia (SEA), largely owing to rising consumer interest in gut health, and an increasing number of companies making strides in product development and launches.
Rich pickings: Coca-Cola India promotes sustainable mango cultivation in alignment with government initiative
Coca-Cola India has launched a programme to back sustainable mango cultivation in India to increase yields and maximise sustainability, in alignment with the government’s vision of self-reliance for the country.
Mexico, Canada and beyond: Keurig Dr Pepper’s international growth strategy
Keurig Dr Pepper’s international portfolio represents an ‘increasingly significant growth driver’ for the company: with international sales up 15% in the latest quarter.
Coca-Cola leverages AI, technology to drive sales, volume in difficult economic climate
The Coca-Cola Co. is “leveraging digital and tech-enabled innovations” in marketing and price-pack architecture to drive incremental sales and volumes of new products in the critical second year after launch – helping the CPG giant beat expectations in...
Are sweeteners good or bad for the planet?
Research suggests some could be more harmful to the environment than others.
Seven summer beverage trends for 2024
What's hot this summer? We take a look at the top beverage trends.
COMMON eyes up potential of mushroom drinks in UK functional drinks market
UK functional drinks brand COMMON is celebrating a six-figure seed investment round from a host of pioneers in the F&B industry: with investors including James Watt (BrewDog co-founder). That level of interest shows that the mushroom drink category is...
Startup Spotlight
Bobabam built a devoted fan base with customizable at-home boba tea kits
Capitalizing on the boba tea boom during the pandemic, coupled with their love of the Taiwanese drink, Bobabam co-founders, Brian Khoddam, Ron Escopete and Bob Yau, leveraged their expertise in supply chain, foodservice, and data analysis to quickly...
Could sugarcane super crop cut cost of sugar?
The cost of sugar has increased sharply in recent years. Now researchers believe gene editing could boost supplies. But how, and what does this mean for manufacturers?
The rise of Dr Pepper: What is the brand doing right?
Dr Pepper has become the second largest soda brand in the US. How has it done this - and is growth set to continue?
Brain booster: Singapore’s Flojo eyes opportunities in cognition and concentration with sparkling functional beverages
Singapore start-up Flojo has debuted its sparkling drinks formulated with botanical ingredients aimed at supporting cognitive function, strengthening immune system, and improving mood and mental clarity.
Forever young? PepsiCo China on how localisation and indulgence appeals to younger snack consumers
PepsiCo China has revealed its snacking strategies based on localisation and indulgence that have successfully captured and retained the interest of younger local consumers in the market.
Huge tax hikes: Vietnam proposes phased 100% alcohol tax rise, 10% for sugar-sweetened drinks
The Vietnamese government has drafted new regulations proposing a phased increase on excise taxes for alcoholic beverages to 100% by 2030 as well as 10% for sugar-sweetened beverages, in attempts to curb overconsumption as well as boosting national income.
Monk fruit ingredient no longer a novel food in UK, what about EU?
In sweet news for food manufacturers, monk fruit decoctions are no longer classified a novel food in the eyes of the UK Food Standards Agency. What does this news mean for the EU?
Spicy and swicy heat up beverage flavor innovation
Jalapeno, pepperoncini, chili and more: spicy and 'swicy' flavors are trending across the beverage universe in 2024.
‘Keto-Fructose’ sweetener developed for consumers following ketogenic diet
With its low-calorie and low-carb profile, a new sweetener developed in the Netherlands is targeting a very particular segment of consumers.
Should sugar taxes be extended beyond beverages?
Most ‘sugar taxes’ are, in reality, ones that apply specifically to beverages. Is this fair – and would extending them to items such as chocolate, cakes and biscuits work?
Sugar overload: Thai students exceeding WHO limits, researchers warn of chronic health issues
A majority of Thai students are consuming more added sugar than is recommended by the WHO, but researchers did not find a link with increased BMI.
Sugarcane industry faces threat from South Africa's sugar tax
SA Canegrowers says South Africa's sugar tax is hurting the livelihoods of small-scale farmers.
Poppi faces class action lawsuit over health claims around prebiotic labeling
A class action lawsuit accusing better-for-you soda maker Poppi of misleading consumers about the prebiotic benefits of its beverages could force the industry to standardize marketing for these ingredients, according to one industry player.
How much sugar is really consumed globally? And how much do shoppers care?
New data reveals the countries with the highest appetite for the sweet stuff and how much those sweet-toothed consumers worry about their intake
Do soda taxes reduce childhood obesity?
The potential of sugar-sweetened beverage taxes to tackle childhood obesity has been a key rationale for their introduction. How effective are they?
Coca-Cola Europacific Partners sells Feral Brewing Company
Coca-Cola Europacific Partners Australia is selling Feral Brewing Company: the craft brewery it acquired in 2018.
Childhood obesity linked to high soda and milk consumption but not juice – Kuwait study
A Kuwait study found that children who consumed a lot of soda and milk had higher obesity risk than those who consumed high amounts of juice.
Liquid I.V.’s brand refresh captures hydration through new packaging, summer ad campaign
Hydration brand Liquid I.V.’s new packaging and summer ad campaign help “optimize and modernize” the brand “without disrupting shopability at shelf,” Brittany Shaw, the company’s senior brand director told FoodNavigator-USA.
Olipop benefits from social media buzz following accidental early launch of Barbie-inspired flavor
Olipop commemorates Barbie’s 65th birthday with a new Peaches & Cream flavor of its gut-friendly soda, as the brand expands into the convenience and gas channel, Steven Vigilante, the company’s director of growth and partnerships, told FoodNavigator-USA.
Coca-Cola fights ‘flat to modest growth’ in North America with innovation, in-store displays & RGM
The Coca-Cola Company anticipates “flat to modest growth in volume” in North America despite characterizing the US consumer as “in good shape” with only modest “compression” among lower-income shoppers, and reporting positive response to stepped-up...