Poppi settles lawsuit over gut health claims

The waves in our industry, as tumultuous and unpredictable as they are, are what makes this industry as appealing as it is…

Happy Monday people!

Juice News 🧃

Austin-based Poppi settles gut health lawsuit

Months after a consumer sued an Austin-based prebiotic soda brand, the company has reached an $8.9 million settlement in the class action lawsuit. A customer alleged in a June 2024 lawsuit that Poppi misled consumers regarding its gut health benefits.

The settlement agreement mandates that Poppi clarify its product advertising to ensure future marketing campaigns accurately reflect the beverage’s nutritional content.

Pickle Juice Secures Strategic Growth Investment from Azalea Capital

Pickle Juice®, the functional beverage brand that pioneered the anti-cramping category and continues to dominate it, today announced a strategic growth investment from Azalea Capital, a private equity firm known for its values-driven approach and long-term partnership mindset.

The investment marks a significant milestone for Pickle Juice® as it enters a new chapter of expansion and innovation. The core leadership team at Pickle Juice® will remain in place, with key internal promotions reinforcing the company's commitment to building from within.

Packaged beverages get smaller and smaller

The miniaturization is in response to the preference for on-the-go consumption in smaller amounts. Similarly, low-sugar products are for the health-conscious consumer. The flip side of miniaturization, however, is that more non-recyclable plastic may be floating in the market – be it juices and beverages, sauces, condiments or personal care products.

The war on sugar: Are better-for-you options unfairly caught in the crosshairs?

In recent weeks, USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins signed waivers for several states to prohibit low-income Americans from using Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program funds to purchase soda, energy drinks, candy and other categories of food and beverages that legislators deem unhealthy, in part because they traditionally are high in sugar and low in nutrients of desire.

The divisive decisions have earned accolades from some public health advocates and pushback from some industry stakeholders, including retailers who argue the move will cause confusion. They explain retailers will have to determine which products count as ‘soda’ or ‘candy,’ as these terms are not clearly defined, and cashiers will be placed in the awkward position of enforcer.

Why Craft Beer Breweries Are Turning to THC-Infused Drinks

Thanks to a regulatory loophole created by Congress seven years ago, hemp-derived THC beverages are now being sold legally in liquor stores and online across the country—and yes, they’ll get you high. This new, psychoactive drinks category is competing with craft beer for precious (and shrinking) shelf space and putting small brewers to a tough decision: should they partake?

How Slice soda is relaunching with an AI-generated retro radio station

Slice had a heyday in the 1980s and ’90s as PepsiCo’s flavored soft-drink line before being discontinued in 2005. The brand has since been sold twice, most recently to beverage company Suja Life, which reformulated the product to align with healthy lifestyles of millennials and Gen Z (low sugar, real juice, gut healthy) and compete with high-flying soda brands like Poppi, Olipop, Culture Pop and Coca-Cola’s new Simply Pop.

Citrus News 🍊

Justin Chadwick has left the building

CGA chief executive Boitshoko Ntshabele pays tribute to Justin Chadwick after 25 years at the helm of South African citrus Justin Chadwick has now officially left the Citrus Growers Association (CGA) offices after leading the South African citrus association for a quarter of a century.

🗓️ Registration for ICBC is Open

This major event in our industry will sell out… again.

California Citrus Mutual is Hiring: Director of Grower Services

California Citrus Mutual (CCM), a voluntary membership association for citrus growers, is seeking a qualified candidate for the position of Director of Grower Services. This key leadership role is responsible for overseeing grower service programs, managing membership activities, and serving as a vital link between citrus growers and the organization’s activities.

Key responsibilities include the collection and reporting of citrus market pricing, managing the citrus weather watch program, and expanding grower membership benefit programs.  The position will also support the team’s advocacy-related efforts at the Federal, State, and local levels.

Research Worth Reading 🔬

Enhanced Production of (+)-Limonene through Targeted Engineering of Citrus sinensis Limonene Synthase

This work not only deepens our understanding of CsLS function but also offers a scalable approach to enhanced (+)-limonene production. The findings underscore the potential of enzyme engineering and pathway optimization to transform biotechnological processes, significantly impacting the commercial viability of the flavor and fragrance industries.

Upcycling of Pomegranate By‐Products: Pomegranate Juice Enrichment With Phenolics‐Rich Pomegranate By‐Product Extracts Obtained by Green Extraction Methods

The objective of this study was to produce high-added-value and upcycled pomegranate juices (PJs) enriched with extracts obtained from pomegranate by-products using innovative green extraction methods. The physicochemical properties of PJs stored for 60 days at 4°C and 25°C were analyzed. The incorporation of extracts into the juice resulted in a notable enhancement in the bioactive content and antioxidant activity of the samples when compared to the control.