The tradition of drinking tea began thousands of years ago. While other ingredients of ancient times have waned or fallen to the brink of extinction, today, the United States alone sees more than $1 billion in sales from the ready-to-drink tea category. The Pepsi-Lipton Partnership (PLP), a joint venture between Pepsi-Cola North America and Unilever, aims to take that ancient ingredient and create new and relevant RTD teas for consumers.

Secondary packaging is pulling double duty these days, providing safe, sturdy transportation for beverage multipacks while also meeting the ever-increasing call for sustainability.

Everyone likes to look rich, but no one likes to waste money. Giving your packaging an “upscale” look doesn’t have to break your budget. Here are a dozen hints to look like you’ve spent a lot on packaging without actually doing so.

Restaurant and foodservice operators are caught between the proverbial rock and a hard place in 2008, with higher prices on everything from ingredients to energy, and a sluggish economy that is causing customers to make fewer visits and spend less per visit.

For some beverage distributors, navigating the streets to make deliveries is an art, especially for drivers who have worked routes for years and know their territories inside and out. But with today’s high fuel costs, optimizing routes can require a bit of science as well.

Come 2010, engine manufacturers will have to meet the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s more stringent diesel emission standards. 

Pepsi released new Sierra Mist Undercover Orange and Sierra Mist Free Undercover Orange Free. The drink is tied to Warner Bros.’ “Get Smart” movie featuring Steve Carell as an undercover agent, Anne Hathaway and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. The new Sierra Mist has a Mandarin Orange flavor, but in keeping with the movie theme, is disguised as a clear liquid with no orange coloring. The drinks are on shelves for a limited time, from May through July. The beverages were released in 20-ounce bottles and 12-ounce 12-packs.

Skinny Nutritional Corp. launched a new line of multi-functional Skinny Waters. The newest flavor is Acai Grape Blueberry. The Hi-Energy water was inspired by Pat Croce, a Philadelphia-area fitness trainer. Skinny Water’s three key ingredients are Super CitriMax, ChromeMate and EGCG. Hi-Energy also includes guarana, ginseng, vitamins B3, B6 and B12, and l-carnatine. The line also includes: Raspberry Pomegranate (Crave Control), Passionfruit Lemonade (Total-V), Goji Fruit Punch (Shape) and Peach Mango Mandarin (XXX-Detox). Each 8-ounce serving contains 99 mg. of potassium and 70 mg. of calcium. Skinny Water is available in 16.9-ounce plastic bottles for a retail price of $1.49.

Coca-Cola introduced Powerade Zero, a calorie-free sports drink that replaces Powerade Option. The beverage contains B vitamins and electrolytes. Powerade Zero is available in Strawberry, Grape and Mixed Berry flavors, and is packaged in 32-ounce bottles as well as 20-ounce eight-packs. Strawberry also is available in 12-ounce 10-packs. The suggested retail price for the 32-ounce bottle is $1.45 and for the 20-ounce eight-pack is $4.50.