The latest news, trends, analysis, interviews and podcasts from the global food and beverage industry

As political controversy continues to swirl around the Beijing Olympics, Coca-Cola North America is launching a major promotional campaign focused on the athletes and the sporting ideal of the Games.

Vimto, famous for Shlurple the Purple, a soft drink in the UK, has launched an interactive online game where players can win £10,000.

The first major brand extension since Sugar-Free, the natural and premium Red Bull Simply Cola is soon to launch in six countries.

Coca-Cola Enterprises, the world’s biggest Coke bottler, is cutting its carbon emissions and improving its fuel efficiency by buying 120 new trucks powered by an environmentally friendly diesel-electric system.

The Coca-Cola Company has revealed that it agreed to pay $626m plus the assumption of debt to take full control of its German bottling operations last year.

DLR Associates in the US is aiming at Hispanic consumers with its 16oz Potencia Energy Drink. President Daisy Ramirez explained how the appetite suppressing ingredient tamarind is known to be beneficial for gut and colon health.

Playboy and Play Beverages LLC have announced the launch of the ultra-sexy, invigorating Playboy Energy Drink.

PepsiCo and Britvic Soft Drinks are introducing a new premium Pepsi brand exclusively to the licensed sector in the UK: Pepsi Raw.

The Coca-Cola Company has acquired a substantial stake in the fast-growing US producer of organic ready to drink teas, Honest Tea, confirming industry speculation reported in the last issue of Beverage Innovation.

Greece's Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling (CCHBC) expects to grow earnings per share by 12-15% this year as it launches low-calorie drink Coke Zero into more markets after soaring 2007 profit beat forecasts.

Exquisa Fruiss from Exquisa Italia is the first fruit and vegetable shot in Italy.

A&W and Sunkist Floats launched this January in the US in 11.5oz, vintage, soda shop inspired glass bottles with twist-off tops.