Bisleri
Counterfeit Bottled Water Threatens Consumer Safety In India
Officials in Greater Noida, India, uncovered a large counterfeit bottled water operation selling fake “Bilseri” bottles. The Food Safety and Drug Administration seized over 13,000 bottles from two unlicensed units violating safety regulations. This follows a similar incident in Baghpat, highlighting ongoing challenges with counterfeit products in India. Authorities warn that fake water poses serious public health risks, especially in less regulated rural areas. Samples were sent for testing and legal action has started.
Coca-Cola
Jubilant Raises Funds For Coca-Cola Stake
Jubilant Bhartia Group plans to raise ₹5,650 crore via non-convertible debentures to partly fund its ₹12,650 crore acquisition of a 40% stake in Hindustan Coca-Cola Holdings, Coca-Cola’s largest bottler in India. Jubilant Beverages and Jubilant Bevco will issue zero-coupon bonds offering around 9% annualized yields, with strong anchor investor backing. The acquisition deal values HCCH at ₹31,250 crore.
Coca-Cola Sees Growth Via Indian Brands
Coca-Cola plans to expand its billion-dollar brand portfolio, with India playing a pivotal role. Currently, India contributes three billion-dollar brands: ThumsUp, Maaza and Sprite. Henrique Braun, Coca-Cola’s COO, emphasized India’s market strength and resilience in the face of high taxes on carbonated beverages, including a 28% GST and an added 12% cess. The company aims to build and localize its offerings, with Coca-Cola’s flagship cola potentially joining the billion-dollar club soon. India ranks as Coca-Cola’s fifth-largest market by volume growth.
Other Companies
Athena’s Glow Offers A Wellness Drink For Women 45+
MAR Advantage launched Athena's Glow Drink in May 2025, targeting health-conscious women aged 45 and older. This RTD beverage caters to a niche often overlooked by the soda and soft drink industry, namely active, affluent midlife women seeking wellness-focused options. Athena's Glow comes in four flavors, all based on green tea and naturally sweetened with Stevia and honey, containing only 40 calories and no added sugar. It blends superfoods like yerba mate, collagen, magnesium and vitamins to support energy, skin health, immunity, hydration, relaxation and sleep.
Red Bull Launches Monk Fruit Sweetened Zero Sugar
Red Bull introduces Red Bull Zero to Australia. It’s a new zero-sugar energy drink sweetened with monk fruit extract, providing a natural alternative to the artificial sweeteners in Red Bull Sugarfree. With 80mg of caffeine per 250ml can, it targets consumers needing a boost for activities like study, work or workouts. The drink offers a balanced flavor profile with sour, tutti frutti notes complemented by pineapple and vanilla. Red Bull Zero is part of the Australian Red Bull Editions lineup, alongside flavors like Winter Iced Vanilla Berry and Tropical Edition. Packaged in a matte light-blue 250ml can, it is now available at major Australian retailers such as Coles, Woolworths and 7-Eleven.
Halfday Rebrands To Boost Prebiotic Iced Tea Appeal
Halfday, a prebiotic iced tea brand, relaunched with a fresh look and clearer messaging to stand out in the crowded better-for-you beverage market. The rebrand highlights the functional benefits of prebiotics, now prominently featured on packaging alongside sugar content, after rapid retail growth that saw distribution expanding from 2,000 to 7,000 stores in six months. Halfday’s cans feature vibrant, flavor-inspired color schemes designed for shelf visibility. Established from co-founder Kayvon Jahanbakhsh’s health journey, the brand targets modern consumers seeking functional, lower-sugar iced teas. Halfday is also increasing digital marketing efforts, focusing on influencer content and experiential campaigns tied to leisure moments.
Refresco Acquires Norwegian Beverage Maker TKV
Refresco, an independent beverage solutions provider based in Rotterdam, agreed to acquire Telemark Kildevann Holding AS, a family-owned Norwegian soft drink and bottled water manufacturer. TKV operates two production sites in Fyresdal and Aurskog, serving retailers and brands in Norway and Sweden. This acquisition will strengthen Refresco’s footprint in the Nordics, complementing its presence in Finland. With 75 manufacturing facilities globally, Refresco aims to enhance its service capabilities and market reach through this deal. CEO Hans Roelofs highlighted that TKV’s strong customer relationships and operational strengths align with Refresco’s Buy & Build strategy, anticipating growth and integration with the addition of over 60 new employees.
Celsius Expands Beyond Fitness Consumers
Energy drink maker Celsius is launching its largest ad campaign, “Live.Fit.Go,” to attract everyday achievers balancing busy lives. The campaign features diverse professionals like firefighters and nurses to broaden its consumer base beyond fitness enthusiasts. Celsius, backed by PepsiCo’s $550 million investment, promotes itself as a healthier alternative to Red Bull and Monster with claims of metabolism acceleration and fat burning. Starting in June, the campaign will span TV, social media and events, supporting Celsius’s growing ad spend, which reached $222 million last year.
JamJar Backs Hydration Brand Humantra
JamJar Investments, founded by the creators of Innocent Drinks, made a major investment in hydration brand Humantra, which is co-owned by JamJar, now a majority shareholder, and Dubai-based HB Investments. Humantra plans to use the funding to expand retail presence in the UK and accelerate global growth. Launched in the UAE in 2022, Humantra offers electrolyte and antioxidant drink sachets and will launch nationwide in over 1,200 UK Boots stores this June. It is targeting retail, gyms, hotels and lifestyle hospitality worldwide. Humantra currently operates in the UAE, UK and several Middle Eastern and Asia-Pacific markets.
Thai Coconut Aims For Global Beverage Innovation Leadership
Thai Coconut Public Company wants to become a global leader in beverage innovation by expanding its product portfolio and targeting high-growth markets. Leveraging natural Thai coconut ingredients, the company unveiled three new drinks at THAIFEX Anuga Asia 2025: a sparkling coconut yogurt drink with prebiotics, a coconut hydration drink and Thai tea with coconut milk. Thai Coconut aims to grow by focusing on health-conscious consumers and OEM partners. Expansion efforts target regions including the Middle East, the US, China, Japan and South Korea, supported by new production facilities in the Philippines.
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