Coca-Cola
Turkey Probes Coca-Cola For Anti-Competitive Practices
The Turkish Competition Board started investigations into Coca-Cola over suspicions that the company obstructed competitors’ sales at its sales points. It aims to determine if Coca-Cola violated Turkey’s competition law by engaging in unfair practices that limit market competition. Additionally, the investigation will review whether Coca-Cola complied with commitments made to the board in 2021.
Coca-Cola Bottler Resumes Brazil Plant Operations
Brazil’s Agriculture Ministry authorized the restart of production at Solar’s Maracanau plant, a Coca-Cola bottler, after a temporary shutdown due to a cooling system leak that was feared might have contaminated products. The leak was fixed and an inspection team approved resumption, but the sale of about 9 million liters of drinks remains suspended pending federal lab test results to confirm safety.
Coca-Cola Launches Premium RTD Rum In New Zealand
Coca-Cola New Zealand introduced RUM Co. of Fiji® FIJI DRY™, a premium alcoholic ready-to-drink beverage blending Fiji’s golden rum with Schweppes mixers, tailored for the New Zealand market. This marks Coca-Cola’s entry into New Zealand’s dynamic premium ARTD sector. The product offers two variants: Golden Rum with Schweppes Dry Ginger Ale and Golden Rum with Schweppes Lemon, Lime & Bitters. The 4.8% ABV drink is available nationwide from June 2025.
Greenpeace Africa Urges Coke To Cut Plastic Waste
Greenpeace Africa protested outside Coca-Cola’s Johannesburg office, urging the soda giant to reduce its plastic pollution by switching to glass and cans. Highlighting Coca-Cola’s production of 120 billion throwaway plastic bottles annually, activists took a giant bottle cap with the words “Cap it Coke”. Greenpeace criticized Coca-Cola’s recycling claims as greenwashing, noting only about nine percent of its plastics are recycled. Activists called on Coca-Cola to invest in refill, reuse and sustainable packaging alternatives, and support a Global Plastic Treaty to limit plastic production. After failed global negotiations last year, Coca-Cola has lowered its environmental commitments, scrapping targets for reusable packaging and delaying recycling goals.
Coca-Cola India’s Charged Launches Wolf Mascot
Coca-Cola India’s energy drink Charged launched a new mascot, the Wolf, to strengthen its brand identity. Created by BRANDED, the Wolf embodies physical agility and mental alertness, aligning with Charged’s core message: “Mind Charged, Body Charged.” The mascot features high-contrast colors and detailed design to highlight the drink’s energy-boosting qualities. It appears alongside Aamir Khan’s Cave Man in the latest “Mind Charged, Body Charged” campaign, aiming to create a strong visual impact in a competitive market. BRANDED’s CEO, Ankur Rander, noted the mascot is more than a symbol, but also a mindset for adrenaline and attitude-driven consumers.
Keurig Dr Pepper
Flavor, Wellness And Gen Z Drive Drink Trends
Keurig Dr Pepper’s State of Beverages 2025 report highlights a cultural shift in how Americans choose beverages, driven by personalization, wellness, and flavor exploration. Coffee remains essential, with over half of adults prioritizing it above breakfast or alcohol, and carbonated soft drinks continue to dominate as indulgent, refreshing treats. Flavor is the top motivator for trying new drinks, and Gen Z leads the charge in experimentation and customization. Premium beverage options are gaining traction, with nearly half of consumers willing to pay more for perceived quality. Mental and physical well-being are major factors influencing drink choices and the rise in numbers of the sober-curious, particularly among younger adults, signals a shift toward non-alcoholic options in social settings.
Nestle
Nestea Among Fastest-Rising Brands In Philippines
With 28% growth in consumer reach points, Nestea topped the list of Philippines’ fastest-growing FMCG brands, according to Kantar’s 2025 Brand Footprint Report. Local brand Mama Sita’s was next at 26%, followed by Coca-Cola at 24%. Rankings were based on data for the 12 months to October 2024. It was the first time Mama Sita’s and Coca-Cola appeared in the top 5.
Other Companies
Trip And Calm Launch Wellness Drink Collaboration
Soft drink brand Trip and mental wellness app Calm partnered to launch a new flavor, Trip Wid Strawberry, aimed at supporting mental health among young people. With seven in ten reporting worsening mental wellbeing, the collaboration offers consumers a free three-month Calm Premium subscription with every can. Available through Sainsbury’s meal deals and retailers like Tesco, Amazon, Waitrose and Trip’s online store, the drink also appears in Young’s Pubs and Leon restaurants. The partnership builds on Trip’s expansion in the US through its recent collaboration with Target.
Small Drink Brands See Major Q1 Surge In UK
Small and medium UK beverage manufacturers saw a 64% jump in sales revenue in Q1 2025 versus Q4 2024, following a 113% rise in profitability in Q4. Year-on-year, they grew 1%. This growth was partly driven by international market instability, including tariff threats, which pushed buyers toward local suppliers and accelerated order placements. Seasonal patterns play a role too: Q1 often sees strong sales from the beverage sector. The data, compiled by Unleashed’s Manufacturing Health Index, reflects trends among UK-based challenger brands with fewer than 25 employees.
RTD Teas Redefine Wellness And Innovation
Younger consumers are reshaping wellness trends by favoring RTD teas that combine health benefits with bold flavors and functional ingredients. Beverage brands are innovating by blending “real” teas and tisanes, like hibiscus and rooibos, with adaptogens, nootropics and botanicals to support mental clarity, digestion and immune health. Companies such as Mind Garden and Guayaki Yerba Mate are leading this evolution by using blends of calming and energizing ingredients. Emerging flavors pair mint with fruits or create mocktail-style fusions. RTD boba and kombucha remain popular, while new biotic and botanical extracts enhance gut health and cognitive function.
MLB Warns Players About Celsius Energy Drink
Major League Baseball is reportedly "strongly" discouraging players from consuming Celsius energy drink due to concerns it may cause false positive drug tests for cocaine. Detroit Tigers Prospect writer Emily Waldon shared that MLB provides a list of approved energy drinks like C4 and Red Bull, which are less likely to trigger testing issues. While Celsius is not officially banned, its ingredient profile raised suspicion among players and staff. Though unconfirmed, this discussion highlights risks energy drink brands face in professional sports regarding ingredient transparency and testing. Despite the controversy, Celsius maintains athlete partnerships, including with Olympic sprinter Noah Lyles, suggesting broader acceptance outside MLB circles.
SOLO Hits Australia’s Energy Drink Market
SOLO launched SOLO Energy, its first energy drink, in Australia’s $1.3 billion energy drink market. The new beverage blends SOLO’s classic lemon flavor with guarana, caffeine and B-vitamins. It’s offered in full sugar and zero sugar variants, in 250ml and 500ml cans. Each 250ml can delivers 75mg of caffeine, matching a shot of espresso. Jarrod Dooley, Asahi Beverages’ marketing head, emphasized SOLO Energy’s unique positioning as both an energy drink and a refreshing lemon-flavored beverage. Available now in petrol stations and convenience stores, it will expand to major supermarkets like Coles and Woolworths later in June.
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