Content about Soft matter

ATLANTA — Three years after purchasing a minority stake in Honest Tea, an organic bottled tea company, Coca-Cola said it has exercised its option to acquire the remaining portion of the company.

Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed, but Coca-Cola did note that Honest Tea would continue its operations outside of Bethesda, Md., and will continue to operate as a stand-alone business. Honest Tea will be led by current CEO Seth Goldman, his management team and current Honest Tea employees.

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.

Supplier News — A citrus soda made by Dr Pepper Snapple Group is making a major splash in the Southern states in which it’s currently sold. Sun Drop is made with orange juice and caffeine. DPS’ sudden focus on Sun Drop stems from the company’s interest in directing consumer interest to flavored sodas, a noncola segment of the soft drink industry in which the company specializes.



SEATTLE — Jones Soda received a nod for its product revamp of the company's WhoopAss energy drink.

At BevNet Live Winter 2010, Jones Soda was awarded BevNet's 2010 best product revamp honor.

Jones relaunched its WhoopAss energy drink earlier this year with new packaging and functional ingredients. Each 16-oz. can of WhoopAss retails for $2.39 each.

MONTVALE, N.J. — A whole bean coffee has been honored as one of the most respected U.S. brands.

Eight O'Clock Coffee has been featured in the eighth edition of America's Greatest Brands, an annual publication recognizing esteemed U.S. brands. Published by the American Brands Council, America's Greatest Brands highlights some of the country's strongest and most trusted business brands, delving into each brand's market, positioning, history and heritage, Eight O'Clock Coffee said.

PURCHASE, N.Y. PepsiCo reportedly is making a lower-calorie Gatorade product line targeted at athletes.

PepsiCo's G Series Fit line of Gatorade includes a pre-workout energy bar and a fruit-based protein drink, according to published reports. The line builds on the success of other lower-calorie Gatorade products, including the brand's G2 line.

G Series Fit is slated to hit retail shelves in April.

WHITESTONE, N.Y. Coca-Cola has unveiled a new Vitaminwater drink, which is enhanced with vitamin D.

Vitaminwater Stur-D, a blue agave, passion fruit and citrus-flavored blend, is the first enhanced water and juice beverage to include vitamins C and D and calcium, Coca-Cola said.

SEATTLE Jones Soda is packing punches with the relaunch of its energy drink.

WhoopAss features all-new, edgy packaging, including a tall, all-black 16-oz. aluminum can featuring a gritty red and grey Iron Cross graphic; functional new ingredients that boost energy and provide muscle recovery; and an updated flavor profile and color, the beverage maker said.

The new product will carry a suggested retail price of $2.39 and will be available at convenience and grocery stores in November.

PURCHASE, N.Y. PepsiCo is replacing Sierra Mist with a "natural" alternative.

The lemon-lime soda has been transformed into Sierra Mist Natural, to reflect that it's only made with natural ingredients, PepsiCo said.