Content about Cola

SUPPLIER NEWS — Frito-Lay is spicing up its Doritos, Fritos and Ruffles brands to include a Tapatio hot-sauce-flavored product. All three products include a unique combination of red chili peppers, spices and a hint of garlic — the same ingredients in the Tapatio hot sauce recipe. They are available at in small bags (99 cents) and large bags ($2.99).

ATLANTA — Coca-Cola has developed 100% recyclable display racks for use in U.S. grocery and convenience stores.

The new Give It Back racks are stand-alone units made of easily recyclable corrugated cardboard, Coca-Cola said. The soft drink giant said the merchandise displays expand its commitment to sustainability. The racks currently are being tested in select markets and are expected to become widely available in late 2011.

PURCHASE, N.Y. — Pepsi is gearing up to launch a low-calorie soft drink, according to published reports.

The beverage maker will debut Pepsi Next, which will tout 60 calories per 12-oz. can, Beverage Digest reported last week. The beverage could be the company's way of meeting diet soda drinkers half way.

Pepsi's portfolio of beverages includes its namesake, Pepsi Max, Pepsi Natural, Pepsi One, Pepsi Throwback and Pepsi Wild Cherry, as well as diet and caffeine-free varieties.

PURCHASE, N.Y. — PepsiCo said it significantly is reducing its carbon footprint through its development of a plant-based bottle.

The company said its "green" PET bottle, made of such bio-based raw materials as switch grass, pine bark and corn husks, is 100% recyclable.

The announcement followed the company's rollout of "quieter" compostable bags for its SunChips brand.

PepsiCo will pilot production of the new bottle in 2012.

ATLANTA — Coca-Cola is expanding the reach of its Seagram's line of beverages across the United States.

The beverage giant said it would begin a several-phase marketing strategy for Seagram’s, beginning with new radio and out-of-home advertisements for Seagram’s ginger ale.

PLANO, Texas — According to published reports, Dr Pepper is gearing up to launch a 10-calorie beverage targeted at male consumers.

The move by Dr Pepper for Dr Pepper Ten — a product that the company hopes will reach 25- to 34-year-old men — is similar to such competitors as Coca-Cola and Pepsi, which omitted "diet" from their respective Coke Zero and Pepsi Max products, perhaps betting that the word carries a negative connotation.

NEW YORK — Diet Pepsi is showing off its skinny side.

The diet cola will debut its skinny can at New York's Fall 2011 Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, held from Feb. 10 to 17, in which Diet Pepsi will serve as the show's official sponsor.

ATLANTA — A Minute Maid product has achieved $1 billion in sales worldwide.

Coca-Cola, which owns the Minute Maid brand, reported that Minute Maid Pulpy marked the first Coca-Cola brand that was launched in an emerging market — the drink was launched nationally in China in 2005 — to reach the billion-dollar mark.

Last year, Minute Maid Pulpy was introduced in Algeria, Malaysia, Singapore and Vietnam, followed by rollouts in Mexico and Kazakhstan.

LONDON — The Advertising Standards Authority, an agency that regulates ads in Britain, said that Coca-Cola needs to stop running certain claims for its Vitaminwater brand.

According to published reports, the agency said that Coca-Cola described the flavored water drinks as "delicious and nutritious" in ads that ran last year. The Advertising Standards Authority said that Vitaminwater's drinks contain 4 tsp to 5 tsp of sugar, and did not qualify to tout the "nutritious" claim.

TOMBALL, Texas — A relaxation/focus soda brand has expanded its market reach.

The Purple Stuff family of beverages has gained retail distribution in 1,264 stores, including convenience stores across the southern United States, according to Funktional Beverages, the brand's manufacturer.

The sodas, which launched in 2008, are available in Sippin' Citrus, Berry Calming, Classic Grape and Lean Apple flavors.

PURCHASE, N.Y. — PepsiCo has upped its investment in O.N.E., a coconut water company.

Terms of the transaction were not disclosed, but PepsiCo noted that it now has the majority stake in the company.

"Coconut water is one of the fastest-growing categories in the U.S. beverage market, and one in which we see a great deal of potential. Our investment in O.N.E. is an investment in the future," said Massimo d'Amore, CEO of PepsiCo Beverages Americas.

PITTSBURGH — Chinese retailer Bright Food Group is looking to potentially grow its portfolio with the acquisition of specialty retailer GNC, according to several reports.

The Bright Food Group acquisition would be backed by Hony Capital, one of China’s biggest buyout firms. What's more, the global buyout firm the Blackstone Group is expected to join Hony in backing Bright Food Group’s potential GNC bid, published reports have noted.