
Coca-Cola Ireland announced that all of its 500 ml and smaller packs are now being made from 50 percent recycled plastic (rPET). “Take-home" packs, which include all bottles larger than 500ml, have moved to 25 percent rPET. The recycled material will be incorporated across Coca-Cola's full portfolio, which includes Coca-Cola, Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, Diet Coke, Fanta, and Sprite. The company said the investment in recycled PET, combined with other sustainability measures across its packs, will take approximately 2,000 tons of virgin plastic from circulation in Ireland each year.[Image Credit: © THE COCA-COLA COMPANY]
Coca-Cola Hong Kong is aiming the marketing of Coca-Cola Energy at younger consumers – the so-called “slasher” generation -- who tend to be heavily into multitasking. The company said “slashers” are not satisfied with performing one job, have a thirst for freedom, and are willing to stray beyond the confines of a stable income. The introduction of Coca-Cola Energy is the company’s attempt to tap into the rising demand for energy drinks from this segment. The beverage contains 80 mg of caffeine per 250 ml; in contrast, classic Coca-Cola has 24 mg. It also contains guanara extract (with naturally-occurring caffeine) and vitamins B3 and B6, but not taurine, which is suspected of having neuromuscular side effects. Coca-Cola Energy comes in both original and sugar-free variants. [Image Credit: © THE COCA-COLA COMPANY]
Danone’s new Actimel Fruit & Veg Cultured Shots, launched in the U.K. and targeted at younger beverage consumers, is an attempt to revolutionize the juice and smoothie category by providing fewer calories per serving, according to the company. Marketing research has found that consumers like smoothies but restrict the amount they drink because of high calorie counts. The new shots contain fewer than 50 calories per bottle, while offering immune system support and L. casei (probiotic) cultures. The new drink is launching in three flavors that blend fruit, vegetables and other ingredients. None of the drinks contain added sugar. Actimel Fruit & Veg Cultured Shots will be available in all stores in Ireland from late July, while U.K. consumers can purchase them on Ocado from July 29 and at convenience stores from September onward.[Image Credit: © DANONE]
Stamford, Conn.-based Juicy Juice has expanded its beverage portfolio targeting kids – and their moms and dads – with three options that contain no added sugar, no high-fructose corn syrup, and no artificial sweeteners: the “the sweetness comes straight from the fruit.” The company is pitching the new drinks – Fruitifuls Organic, Juicy Waters, and Juicy Juice + Protein – as both hydration and nutrition beverages for kids. Juicy Juice Fruitifuls Organic, for example, contains 45 percent less sugar than other juices and a half cup of fruit in each 8 ounce serving. The company developed the lineup with the help of nutrition expert Mitzi Dulan, co-author of The All-Pro Diet.[Image Credit: © Juicy Juice]


Acknowledging that consumer tastes are changing and non-dairy milk alternatives are here to stay, the Dairy Farmers of America has developed a hybrid plant-based/dairy brand of milk featuring 50-50 blends of lactose-free dairy and either almonds or oats. Described as the “first-ever blended beverage of its kind,” Dairy Plus Milk Blends offers “the protein-packed goodness of pure dairy milk with the flavors and versatility of alternatives.” The DFA said cited research showing that 42 percent of consumers purchase both dairy milk and plant-based alternatives. Live Real Farms’ Dairy Plus Milk Blends are available now in half-gallon cartons at supermarkets in Minnesota; a national roll-out is planned for early 2020.[Image Credit: © Dairy Farmers of America, Inc]
Central Standard Craft Distillery of Wisconsin released what it says is the first vodka water of its kind in the growing and trending alcoholic seltzer market. Hard2O contains 40 calories in 12-fluid ounces, five percent alcohol-by-volume, and comes in berry, mango, citrus, and dragon fruit-pear flavors, packaged in recyclable material. Currently available in grocery and liquor stores in Wisconsin, the new product’s ad campaign beyond the state features billboards in St. Louis, Mo., and Newark, N.J. The company has also participated in a social media-focused campaign that invites anyone with the names Michael, Michelle or Mickey to email the distillery for a first taste of the drink. H2O is slated to go national in 2020 once a distributor is chosen. [Image Credit: © Central Standard Craft Distillery]
Oregon-based Riff Cold Brewed, which recently launched Alter Ego Sparkling Coffeefruit Tea, announced it is available for wider distribution. The product, currently sold in retail outlets in Oregon, Northern California, and Arizona, is an all-natural brew made from dried cascara, the sweet caffeinated fruity pulp, or “cherry,” that surrounds the green coffee bean prior to harvest. The tea contains 100 mg of caffeine and is packaged in 12 oz. sleek cans with a suggested retail price of $2.99. According to the company, the global coffee industry generates nearly 50 billion pounds of coffeefruit waste each year; decomposing coffeefruit waste emits greenhouse gases equivalent to 16.6 million megatons of carbon dioxide. “We had confidence we were on to something and were optimistic about its potential,” said CEO Paul Evers.[Image Credit: © Riff Cold Brewed Coffee]