Sports Drinks

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Among the iconic, long-standing TV programs that Americans tune in to, one factor can be vital to their longevity: evolution. In “The Simpsons,” Lisa goes from always wanting a pony as a pet to being a vegetarian and a mini-activist, whereas Walter White went from being a desperate chemistry teacher to a drug lord in “Breaking Bad.”

After a strong growth period, the sports drink category is facing competition from brands outside the category.

Hormel Foods Corp., Austin, Minn., has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire CytoSport Holdings Inc., Benicia, Calif., for approximately $450 million. The deal includes the Muscle Milk brand of shelf-stable, ready-to-drink protein beverages; a manufacturing facility in Benicia, Calif.; as well as several manufacturing and distribution agreements both domestically and abroad, according to Hormel Foods. Total 2014 annual sales for the Muscle Milk brand are expected to be approximately $370 million, it says.

Celsius Holdings Inc., Boca Raton, Fla., announced its newest flavor, Celsius Negative Calorie Cola, which will be unveiled July 4 during the Subway Firecracker 250 at the Daytona International Speedway.

Gatorade, a brand of Purchase, N.Y.-based PepsiCo Inc., launched “Unreal Around the World,” a contest that encourages entrants to demonstrate how their training and hard work translates to “unreal” performances on the pitch. Winners will receive a unique soccer experience at iconic “football” clubs including FC Barcelona, AC Milan, Liverpool, Arsenal, Boca Juniors and the Brazilian Football Confederation.

Reality TV has sparked resurgence in competition programming. Whether it’s dating shows, cooking challenges, sing-offs or physical/mental challenges, viewers aren’t at a loss to satiate their competitive appetites. And now, this kind of intense competition has reached a new platform.

As the old saying goes, only two things are absolute in life: death and taxes. As many of us just finished the hustle and bustle of tax season, I think we can add another item to today’s list of absolute certainties, and that’s the discussion of obesity.

Atlanta-based The Coca-Cola Co. reported worldwide volume growth of 2 percent as well as volume and value share gains for its non-alcohol ready-to-drink (NARTD) beverages portfolio during the first quarter of 2014.

CytoSport, Benicia, Calif., recently expanded distribution of its Muscle Milk Protein ready-to-drink (RTD) protein shakes into select Boots and Sainsbury’s Locals locations in the United Kingdom. Available in 330-ml packages, the protein shakes contain 20 grams of dairy protein to boost athletic performance and promote healthy lifestyles, the company says. The drinks also are gluten-free and low in sugar, it adds.

BodyArmor, a Beverly Hills, Calif.-based sports drink company, announced that professional basketball player Kobe Bryant made a significant investment in the company and will become its No.3 investor, behind co-founders Mike Repole and Lance Collins.