Caffeine Test

I have been fortunate enough to be involved with the beverage industry across Asia over the past decade. In particular, Chinas evolution into a global economic powerhouse has been nothing less than spectacular. Given the sheer geographic and population spread, China is too big to be considered as one country. For example, Guangdong province alone has a population of over 100m which itself is bigger than the Philippines (the 12th most populated in the world), therefore businesses should treat each province within China as a separate country.

Over the past few years, Chinas food amp; beverage industry has been plagued by a number of scandals. The most famous of which has been the melamine contamination post Beijing Olympics in late 2008. The Associated Press back then reported that over 50,000 babies and children were affected with nearly a thousand being hospitalized as well as several deaths. There was a public and media outcry which resulted in several high profile arrests in the dairy industry as well as open apologies from the leading dairy companies such as Mengniu and Yili. Sales of dairy products declined sharply in the months following the scandal, but have since recovered as the industry continues to prosper and grow.

Despite the promise by the government to tackle and improve food safety in China, further scandals broke out in 2011 as Xinhua News Agency reported unscrupulous businesses collected used cooking oil from sewers and restaurants to process and repackaged as new cooking oil for sale. This type of dishonest practice continues to be the norm as businesses sidelines consumers health and safety for a quick profit.

Frustrated by the slow progress taken by the authorities, the industry has taken the matter into their own hands. Star Farm, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of the retailer Metro Group, was established in 2007. The company is committed to food safety and quality through a traceability system along the whole value chain. As of 2010, it has developed over 2,000 products with local producers resulting in RMB 700m (pound;70m) in retail sales in 2010.

One of the recent developments with Star Farm has been the collaboration with Beijing Summit Wines. The result is a brand called 1421, which is Chinas first traceable wine. The cabernet sauvignon and chardonnay grapes are cultivated and grown in Xinjiang province by which Star Farm has maintained full records of the soil, fertilizers used as well as processing, bottling and distribution. Consumers can scan the barcode at the back of the bottle with their mobile phones as it directs them to Star Farms website, by which they will be able to access all relevant information about the ingredients and processes along the value chain for the brand.

The initiatives taken by the industry to provide food safety assurance to consumers represents a step in the right direction, but there is still a very long road ahead as consumers are becoming more knowledgeable, with health and safety becoming a key priority for their families. The central government needs to maintain a fine balance between consumers and businesses in order to continue its economic miracle.

Source:www.newstatesman.com

WAYZATA, Minn., April 19, 2012 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ –
The Truvia® brand announced today the nationwide launch of the Truvia® ‘Behind the Bar’ product, specially designed for use at bars, restaurants and other foodservice establishments. Now available through local foodservice distributors, the latest Truvia® brand innovation provides a solution to creating natural, great-tasting, zero-calorie simple syrups for cocktails.

As consumers pay greater attention to the sugar content of beverages[1], bars and restaurants are looking to provide lighter alternatives to the classic, sugar-based cocktail while maintaining great taste. Research shows that “skinny” menu item claims have grown significantly over the past year.[2] The Truvia® Behind the Bar product will help the food and beverage service industry meet this growing trend naturally and create great-tasting, reduced-calorie cocktails, teas, and lemonades.

Truvia® Simple Syrup is created by adding one package of Truvia® Behind the Bar product to 1/2 gallon of water and mixing until it dissolves. This Truvia® Simple Syrup contains zero calories, compared to an equivalent amount of sugar-sweetened simple syrup with about 6400 calories.

“As the #1 natural sugar substitute in the United States, Truvia® natural sweetener has become a pantry staple for U.S. households,” said Mark Brooks, Truvia® global consumer products director. “With its ability to deliver new revenue to the food and beverage industry, the Truvia® Behind the Bar product is a foodservice essential, as consumers expect a greater variety of reduced-calorie beverage options.”

Truvia® natural sweetener is a great-tasting, natural, zero-calorie sweetener born from the leaves of the stevia plant. When used in cocktails, Truvia® natural sweetener enhances the intensity of fruit flavors such as citrus and berry, and smoothes out the overall taste while maintaining its flavor.

“This new product is a perfect tool for bars and restaurants to expand their menu offerings and give customers more of what they want – natural, great-tasting drinks at a fraction of the calories,” said Anthony Caporale, mixologist, host and producer of Art of the Drink. “The Truvia® Behind the Bar product is the first natural, high-quality product with nationwide availability that is tailor-made for the food and beverage industry to deliver reduced-calorie cocktails.”

Discover reduced-calorie cocktails using Truvia® Simple Syrups and related product tips at
www.truviacocktails.com . To learn more about ordering the new Truvia® Behind the Bar product, contact your local foodservice distributor or call 866-853-6077.

About the Truvia® Brand Truvia® natural sweetener is a great tasting, zero-calorie sweetener made with the best tasting part of the stevia leaf. Truvia® natural sweetener is the #2 sugar substitute in the U.S and is also available to consumers in Europe and Mexico. Truvia® stevia leaf extract is also a versatile sweetening ingredient used to enable reduced calories or sugars in foods and beverages. Truvia® LLC uniquely manages its stevia supply chain from field to table having established a global agricultural standard for stevia. For more information, visit
www.truvia.com

About Cargill Cargill is an international producer and marketer of food, agricultural, financial and industrial products and services. Founded in 1865, the privately held company employs 142,000 people in 66 countries. Cargill helps customers succeed through collaboration and innovation, and is committed to applying its global knowledge and experience to help meet economic, environmental and social challenges wherever it does business. For more information, visit Cargill.com and its news center.

[1] Mintel, May 2011, Healthy Dining Trends [2] Mintel, May 2011, Menu Insights

Press contacts
Ann Clark Tucker Atalanta Rafferty
Director Communications Executive Managing Director
Truvia® RF|Binder
office: 952-742-4057 office: 212-994-7511
ann_tucker@cargill.com atalanta.rafferty@rfbinder.com

SOURCE Truvia Brand

Copyright (C) 2012 PR Newswire. All rights reserved

LONDON, March 26, 2012 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ –
Due to the growing global concern about water quality and scarcity, reduction of industrial water footprint is emerging as competitive tool for food and beverage manufacturers. Modern treatment solutions can help food and beverage companies mitigate water risks and turn it into economical and competitive advantage.

According to Frost & Sullivan, increasing focus to reduce water footprint will drive global food and beverage water and wastewater treatment market that is expected to reach approximately USD Five Billion by 2020.

On this subject Frost & Sullivan is organizing a complimentary online conference with expert Paulina Szyplinska, Water and Wastewater Research Analyst. The briefing – that will take place on Tuesday, 3rd April 2012, at 3 pm BST – will highlight key global trends impacting food and beverage water and wastewater treatment market. It will also present the prospects of food and beverage water and wastewater solutions and services until 2020 with forecast of market-specific technologies, regional market hotspots and trends linked to end-user segments.

“Given the significant volume of water required for food and beverage production, combined with growing population and increasing water stress, there is a vast need to implement sustainable water management practices,” explains Ms. Paulina Szyplinska. “Increasing water stress and quality problems as well as climate-related impact are expected to be a major risk associated with food and beverage businesses in the years ahead. Therefore, sustainable solutions in food and beverage industry have never been more important.”

Advanced treatment technologies, including modern membrane and disinfection systems, are projected to be widely applied in the food and beverage industry, bringing benefits of reduced water and energy consumption, improved water quality and plant operational efficiency. Additionally, rising concerns over global water protection and increasingly stringent legislative regulations are expected to increase investment into tertiary, advanced and sludge treatment equipment.

Increasing focus of food and beverage companies on water efficiency creates high investment potential with significant opportunities for companies in a number of segments with customers increasingly seeking comprehensive solution providers in this highly competitive market.

With more stringent requirements regarding treatment standards, outsourcing of water-related services is also expected to become a significant trend in the market with customers increasingly responding to wider service options.

This briefing will benefit several stakeholders in the value chain of the water and wastewater sector, including water and wastewater treatment equipment providers, design and engineering as well as operation and maintenance service providers for all water-related food and beverage installations.

To attend the conference or to receive a link to the recording after the briefing please contact Chiara Carella, Corporate Communications, at chiara.carella@frost.com with your full contact details.

About Frost & Sullivan

Frost & Sullivan, the Growth Partnership Company, enables clients to accelerate growth and achieve best-in-class positions in growth, innovation and leadership. The company’s Growth Partnership Service provides the CEO and the CEO’s Growth Team with disciplined research and best-practice models to drive the generation, evaluation, and implementation of powerful growth strategies. Frost & Sullivan leverages 50 years of experience in partnering with Global 1000 companies, emerging businesses and the investment community from more than 40 offices on six continents. To join our Growth Partnership, please visit

http://www.frost.com

Contact: Chiara Carella Corporate Communications – Europe P: +44 (0) 20 7343 8314 M: +44 (0) 753 3017689 E: chiara.carella@frost.com

http://www.frost.com

SOURCE Frost & Sullivan

Copyright (C) 2012 PR Newswire. All rights reserved

Soft drink sales have been in a downtrend for much of the past decade, but the pace of the decline increased in 2011. According to data from Beverage Marketing, a research firm that covers the industry, the US beverage market increased by only 0.9% last year, representing slower growth than in 2010.#160;

The weakness in soft drink sales is paving the way for companies like#160;Starbucks (SBUX) to capitalize on changing taste buds.

Americans seem to be shifting away from unhealthful and expensive soft drinks. Earlier this month, the Center for Science in the Public Interest found traces of the chemical 4-methylimidazole in samples of various sodas belonging to Coca-Cola (KO), PepsiCo (PEP), Dr. Pepper Snapple Group (DPS) and Whole Foods (WFM). Although the FDA insisted the existing levels did not have any known harmful effects on human health, the discovery did not bode well for soft drinks. Many consumers already limit their intake of soft drinks because of sugar and high fructose corn syrup content. Beverage Digest, an industry newsletter, estimates that Coca-Cola, PepsiCo and Dr. Pepper Snapple all sold lower volumes in the US last year.

Although shares in major soft drink companies are flat this year, shares of Starbucks continue to bubble higher, gaining 17% year to date. In addition to falling coffee bean prices, the coffee house giant continues to make strategic moves to help expand its global presence. The company announced Wednesday that it will expand its partnership with Green Mountain Coffee Roasters (GMCR) to produce and sell Starbucks Vue coffee packs for use in Green Mountains Keurig Vue single-cup coffee makers.

Starbucks also announced a new beverage for the $8 billion energy drink market. Starbucks Refreshers will aim to satisfy taste buds by combining real fruit juice with green coffee extract. The fruit-flavored drinks will also provide less of a caffeine kick than coffee drinks made from roasted beans. By the end of April, customers will find ready-to-drink Starbucks Refreshers at more than 160,000 points of distribution in the US

In an effort to stay ahead of rivals like#160;McDonalds Corp. (MCD) and Dunkin Brands#160;(DNKN), Starbucks also announced plans to create 150 jobs by investing nearly $200 million to build a new factory in Georgia and to expand an existing roasting plant in South Carolina. The company also plans to add almost 300 stores and remodel 1,700 existing cafes in 2012, helping to create more than 5,000 additional jobs. After the US, China will soon be Starbucks second-largest market, with more than 1,500 stores by 2015.

Investors appear to be pleased with the new announcements from Starbucks. Shares of the company closed at $53.81 on Wednesday, a fresh all-time high. The addition of an energy fruit drink could provide strength for shares in the coming years. Beverage Marketing estimates that energy drink sales jumped 14.4% by volume in 2011, making it the fastest-growing segment in the beverage industry.

Eric McWhinnie is an editor at Wall St. Cheat Sheet. As of this writing, he did not own a position in any of the aforementioned stocks.

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Did you know that Wisconsin is the No. 1 producer of cheese, beans, cranberries and ginseng? Or that we inhabit the number two position for butter, milk, and dairy cows? That we are number two in the nation for organic production?

Were you aware that Wisconsin also ranks in the top five for its production of carrots, potatoes, sweet peas, sweet corn, maple syrup, oats, tart cherries, cucumbers, mint and food-manufactured products?

If so, you wont be surprised to hear that approximately 18 months ago, Milwaukee 7, the regional economic development collaborative of Southeast Wisconsin, identified food and beverage manufacturing as a target sector for economic growth.

Wisconsin possesses considerable strength in this area, with more than 240 manufacturers employing nearly 15,000 individuals, most of whom earn a family-supporting wage. As the group met with industry representatives over the past year, it was determined that forming an industry network would be a key strategy to grow more of these jobs.

The result? FaB Milwaukee, the Milwaukee 7 Food and Beverage Industry Network, a group whose mission is to grow, expand and attract world-class businesses and talent in the Milwaukee region.

The cluster is an outgrowth of an advisory council led by Cathy Henry, president and COO of Sysco Food Service; Giacomo Falluca, president and CEO of Palermos Pizza; and Eric Oleson, president and co-owner of Oamp;H Danish Bakery. Members include Sandy Syburg, owner of White Oak Farm/Purple Cow Organics; Tim Peoples of Ocean Spray Cranberries; beverage industry leaders like Russ Klisch, president of Lakefront Brewery; and Guy Rehorst, owner of Great Lakes Distillery; among others.

The networks first Executive Food Forum was attended by more than 40 industry leaders and sponsored by MillerCoors and Milwaukee Water Works. Designed to connect and facilitate resources to drive job growth and innovation in food and beverage production, distribution and systems, the group aims to foster industry growth, workforce strength, sustainable industry innovation, increased exportation outside the region and the development of new businesses.

Our mission is to make the Milwaukee region an easy choice to innovate, start, expand or locate your food or beverage operation and enjoy a rewarding industry career, adds Shelley Jurewicz, vice president of economic development at the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce. Ultimately, our success will be measured by job creation in food and beverage manufacturing and innovation.

But, FaB Milwaukees mission, while focusing primarily on economic expansion and job creation, will also leverage Wisconsins unique position to support the farm-to-table movement.

While our primary goal is to grow jobs in food and beverage manufacturing, remarks Jurewicz, we are working our way out across the food system, from farm to factory to fork, from executives to those working in the industry to students and educators all will be critical to our success. It should be noted that our website features and content will develop more deeply as more industry constituents are engaged.

FaB Milwaukee will also, ultimately, impact Milwaukees dining scene and the food that local inhabitants see on their dinner tables.

As job creation in the restaurant sub-sector is less of a focus for us, expectations have not been developed, Jurewicz admits. But, she foresees the industry benefiting nonetheless. It is clear, though, that restaurateurs and owners will become more aware of a larger array of locally produced food and beverage products. For example, do you put out a bottle of Tabasco or locally made MBF Hot Sauce at your restaurant?

Jurewicz emphasizes that, although FaB Milwaukee has a great deal of powerful potential, it will take the participation and sweat equity of numerous industry experts and willing food enthusiasts to keep the initiative moving forward.

As more people become aware of our efforts, we recommend they go to FaBMilwaukee.com to become a registered member and look at a variety of action groups we are creating and to see how they can best connect to our initiatives.

For more information, or to join the network, visit FaBMilwaukee.com.

The next FaB Executive Food Forum is scheduled for Tuesday, May 15 from 4 to 7 pm at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, 10499 Innovation Drive, in Wauwatosa. It will feature a CEO panel hosted by Grant Thornton on Social Media in the Food Industry.

Tags: milwaukee 7 food and beverage industry network, fab milwaukee, local food

LOS ANGELES, CA, Apr 04, 2012 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) –
Reed’s, Inc.

/quotes/zigman/104409/quotes/nls/reed REED
+4.74%

, maker of the top-selling sodas in
natural food stores nationwide, announced today that it has reached a
new distribution agreement with Intrastate Distributors Inc., a
beverage wholesale corporation headquartered in Detroit, Michigan.

Neal Cohane, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Reed’s,
Inc., stated, “This partnership with Intrastate gives us 100%
coverage in the state of Michigan, but more importantly it brings us
an opportunity for tremendous growth in the greater Detroit and Ann
Arbor markets. Intrastate demonstrates a long history of expertise in
the non-alcoholic and new age beverage category with exceptional
relationships with independent retailers.”

Chris Reed, Founder & CEO, commented, “Historically, Michigan,
particularly Detroit, has been a strong ginger ale market. We fully
intend to leverage our resources to turn Michigan into a strong
Reed’s & Virgil’s market. Our sales team is focused on developing
distribution partnerships in every area of North America, including
natural food and mainstream distributors. These new and expanded
partnerships will provide the opportunity to drive incremental volume
and revenues for the future.”

About Intrastate Distributor’s Inc.

Intrastate Distributor’s Inc. was founded in 1981 in Detroit,
Michigan. The Company is a wholesale distribution corporation focused
on the sales of water, juice, soda pop and beer to chain and
independent retailers. Large brands include Snapple, Tropicana and
Arizona Teas. In the mid 1990s Intrastate purchased a 172,000 square
foot facility from Pepsi Cola Bottling due to ever increasing demand
and sales of their products throughout Detroit and Ann Arbor.

About Reed’s, Inc.

Reed’s, Inc. makes the top selling natural sodas in the natural foods
industry sold in over 10,500 natural food markets and supermarkets
nationwide. Its six award-winning non-alcoholic Ginger Brews are
unique in the beverage industry, being brewed, not manufactured and
using fresh ginger, spices and fruits in a brewing process that
predates commercial soft drinks. The Company owns the top selling
root beer line in natural foods, the Virgil’s Root Beer product line,
and the top selling cola line in natural foods, the China Cola
product line. Other product lines include: Reed’s Ginger Candies and
Reed’s Ginger Ice Creams. In 2009, Reed’s started producing private
label natural beverages for select national chains. Reed’s products
are sold through specialty gourmet and natural food stores,
mainstream supermarket chains, retail stores and restaurants
nationwide, and in Canada, as well as through private label
relationships with major supermarket chains. For more information
about Reed’s, please visit the Company’s website at:

http://www.reedsinc.com or call 800-99-REEDS.

Follow Reed’s on Twitter at

http://twitter.com/reedsgingerbrew

Reed’s Facebook Fan Page at

https://www.facebook.com/ReedsGingerBrew

SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT
Some portions of this press release,
particularly those describing Reed’s goals and strategies, contain
“forward-looking statements.” These forward-looking statements can
generally be identified as such because the context of the statement
will include words, such as “expects,” “should,” “believes,”
“anticipates” or words of similar import. Similarly, statements that
describe future plans, objectives or goals are also forward-looking
statements. While Reed’s is working to achieve those goals and
strategies, actual results could differ materially from those
projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of a number
of risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties include
difficulty in marketing its products and services, maintaining and
protecting brand recognition, the need for significant capital,
dependence on third party distributors, dependence on third party
brewers, increasing costs of fuel and freight, protection of
intellectual property, competition and other factors, any of which
could have an adverse effect on the business plans of Reed’s, its
reputation in the industry or its expected financial return from
operations and results of operations. In light of significant risks
and uncertainties inherent in forward-looking statements included
herein, the inclusion of such statements should not be regarded as a
representation by Reed’s that they will achieve such forward-looking
statements. For further details and a discussion of these and other
risks and uncertainties, please see our most recent reports on Form
10-K and Form 10-Q, as filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, as they may be amended from time to time. Reed’s
undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking
statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or
otherwise.

Contact:
Investor Relations
Reed’s Inc.
(310) 217-9400 ext. 18
Email: Email Contact

www.reedsinc.com

SOURCE: Reed’s, Inc.

http://www2.marketwire.com/mw/emailprcntct?id=6109703F080FB578

http://www.reedsinc.com/

Copyright 2012 Marketwire, Inc., All rights reserved.

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REED

Reeds Inc.

US

: UTP NASD

$
1.99

+0.09
+4.74%

Volume: 21,158
April 16, 2012 3:59p

P/E RatioN/A
Dividend YieldN/A

Market Cap$20.88 million
Rev. per Employee$454,782

Hall of Fame Beverages, Inc. announced Greg Thrasher will be the companys new chief executive officer.

Greg Thrasher comes to Hall of Fame Beverages from PepsiCo Inc., where he spent 23 years in the snack food and beverage industry with the Fortune 500 beverage giant. He has an extensive background in IT development and management.

Thrasher was chosen for his strong ability to execute, and for his strengths in building and leading top performing teams. He has proven this consistently with an impressive career at PepsiCo, which includes such work as applications developer of executive information systems for sales, logistics and planning. He later held the posts of systems manager and project manager, managed a world class customer service team, and he managed the team responsible for evaluating, recommending and deploying Dell laptops, desktops and servers for PepsiCo, Frito-Lay, Quaker and Tropicana.

The new CEO offers Hall of Fame the right leadership, attention to detail and experience to move the company in the right direction and finally build its brands. Thrasher said in a prepared statement, Hall Of Fame Beverages has a great product line that will satisfy a wide range of customers. As the new CEO, Ill investigate innovative ways to help ensure our customer base continues to grow. Ultimately, our goal is to provide our customers with the best products that they have yet to imagine while increasing our shareholders value.

Thrasher earned a BS in computer science and was a magna cum laude graduate of Grambling State University, in addition to being a member of the world famous Grambling State University Tiger Marching Band.

The new CEO has moved the companys operations to Dallas, Texas, where hell be announcing his leadership team later this week. He has surrounded himself with a strong group of executives who will execute his business model effectively as a team. Thrasher assures shareholders there will be no reverse split, name change or bankruptcy filed and that he is ready for this challenge and hes ready to apply a proven business model to Hall of Fame Beverages.

DENVER, CO–(Marketwire – April 4, 2012) – The Pulse Beverage Corporation (OTCBB: PLSB) (Pulse), makers of Cabana 100% Natural Lemonade and Pulse NutriPurpose brand beverages, today announced that it has begun production of Cabana 100% Natural Lemonade at its Eastern based co-packer, Castle Co-Packers LLC, an experienced, independent bottling plant located near Pittsburgh in New Kensington, PA. Castle recycles 80% of its materials and has been certified as organic, Orthodox Union kosher and gluten-free. Castle focuses on high end, specialized beverage brands and has four production lines, multiple shifts, 90-plus beverage customers and has an expert logistics service that oversees a 500,000 sq. ft. warehouse. Bob Yates, CEO of Pulse, said, With production in Pennsylvania we can now produce and deliver our products into Eastern and Midwest USA more efficiently and at far less cost than shipping from the west coast.

Pulse also announces it has secured beverage industry pioneer, Zuckerman Honickman, as its new glass supplier for its eye-catching 20oz. Cabana glass bottles. Zuckerman will manufacture Pulses Cabana glass bottle through Anchor Glass Containers Shakopee, Minnesota facility. For over a century, Zuckerman Honickman has been a leader in the packaging industry, with a reputation for excellent customer service, superior buying power and industry know-how. Bob Yates, CEO of Pulse, said, Producing our glass in centrally located Minnesota instead of China brings jobs back to America at the same time as significantly reducing our glass manufacturing, holding and shipping costs while reducing glass delivery time to our co-packers. We are now moving our attention to production in Texas and California to meet the growing demand across America and further reduce costs.

About The Pulse Beverage Corporation

The Pulse Beverage Corporation is an emerging growth beverage company that manufactures and distributes Cabana 100% Natural Lemonade and is preparing to red carpet its flagship beverage product PULSE NutriPurpose originally developed by a major healthcare company. For more information: www.pulsebeverage.com or email info@pulsebeverage.com.

Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements as that term is defined in Section 27A of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Statements in this press release which are not purely historical are forward-looking statements and include any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future. Such forward-looking statements include, among other things, regulatory incentives, the development of new business opportunities, and projected costs, revenue, profits and results operations. Actual results could differ from those projected in any forward-looking statements due to numerous factors. Such factors include, among others, the inherent uncertainties associated with new projects and development stage companies. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release, and we assume no obligation to update the forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Although we believe that any beliefs, plans, expectations and intentions contained in this press release are reasonable, there can be no assurance that any such beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions will prove to be accurate. Investors should consult all of the information set forth herein and should also refer to the risk factors disclosure outlined in our annual report on Form 10-K for the most recent fiscal year, our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and other periodic reports filed from time-to-time with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

BOCA RATON, Fla., Mar 19, 2012 (GlobeNewswire via COMTEX) –
DNA Brands, Inc.

/quotes/zigman/606332 DNAX
+1.37%

today announced that it has appointed Jeff Jonke as Vice-President of Strategic Development. Mr. Jonke will spearhead the growth and development of DNA Energy Drinks and the introduction of new proprietary offerings nationally across all channels.

Darren Marks, President of DNA, said, “We feel very fortunate at this most opportune time to have been able to attract such a seasoned professional with Jeff’s background and experience. Mr. Jonke is an experienced leader and manager, well versed in all aspects of beverage industry and maintains top North American distributor relationships.” Marks concluded, “Jeff has also been responsible for the successful launch of several brands in the functional beverage sector while with such notable companies as Hansen Beverage Company (Monster Energy), Rockstar Energy Drink, Jones Soda Company, Arizona Beverage Company and Boo Koo Beverage. It is for these reasons that we have selected Mr. Hawkins to spearhead our national growth initiative.”

“I am thrilled to be a part of the DNA Brands team,” said Mr. Jonke. “Joining DNA offers great opportunities for growth of DNA Energy Drink and to build nationally on the success the brand has had in the Southeast. I also look forward to the opportunities for new product development, incubation of those products in the Grass Roots Beverage Distribution system in Florida and national growth in the future. I am also excited to be part of the team developing these new products which we will take to market over the next several months. Jonke concluded, “DNA is ready for explosive growth and I look forward to being a part of its future. ”

About DNA Brands, Inc.

DNA BRANDS, make DNA Energy Drink(R), the award-winning, best-tasting energy drink at the 2010 World Beverage Competition, and DNA Shred Stix(TM). DNA Energy Drink(R) is a proprietary blend of quality ingredients in four flavors Citrus, Lemon Lime, Sugar Free Citrus and CRANRAZBERRY. DNA is a proud sponsor of many action sport teams consisting of top athletes from Motorcross, Surf, Wakeboard and Skateboard has received tremendous TV and media coverage.

Independent retailers throughout the state sell the DNA Brand products as well as national retailers including Walgreens, Race Trac and Circle K.

True to its actions sports roots, DNA BRANDS, INC., has earned national recognition through its sponsorship of the DNA Energy Drink/Jeff Ward Racing team where it competes on a world-class level in Supercross and Motocross, reaching millions of fans. DNA Energy Drink(R) can also be found in other action sports such as Surfing, BMX, Wakeboarding and Skateboarding and its athletes are recognized stars in their own right.

For more information about DNA Energy Drink, its athletes and sponsorships, please visit
www.dnabrandsusa.com .

The DNA Beverage Corp. logo is available at

http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=7258

Safe Harbor Forward-Looking Statements

To the extent that statements in this press release are not strictly historical, including statements as to revenue projections, business strategy, outlook, objectives, future milestones, plans, intentions, goals, future financial conditions, future collaboration agreements, the success of the Company’s development, events conditioned on stockholder or other approval, or otherwise as to future events, such statements are forward-looking, and are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The forward-looking statements contained in this release are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the statements made.

This news release was distributed by GlobeNewswire,
www.globenewswire.com

SOURCE: DNA Brands, Inc.

CONTACT: Darren M. Marks
President
(954) 970 3826
darren@dnabrandsusa.com

(C) Copyright 2010 GlobeNewswire, Inc. All rights reserved.

/quotes/zigman/606332

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DNAX

DNA Brands Inc.

US

: OTCBB

$
0.37

+0.0050
+1.37%

Volume: 49,760
April 12, 2012 3:54p

P/E RatioN/A
Dividend YieldN/A

Market Cap$16.16 million
Rev. per Employee$81,408

STATESVILLE, N.C., April 5, 2012 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ –
Bebida Beverage Company (otc markets:BBDA) (BeBevCo) a developer, manufacturer and marketer of relaxation and energy drinks and supplements, announced today that Dutchess Beer will begin to carry Koma Unwind and offer the relaxation product to their over 500 accounts in Ulster, Greene, Columbia and Dutchess Counties in New York.

“The addition of another tenured and well organized distributor who has many years carrying the King of Beers, will now be the tip of the spear for us and carrying our products; and that’s exciting!” said Brian Weber, CEO of BeBevCo.

“With category growth the fastest in the beverage industry and projected to be for quite a time, it’s not surprising the forward thinking distributors are really doing their homework and joining our growing team. Not many other relaxation brands can put up the data showing marketing efforts anything like what we have done. Between our 111,000,000+ views of the J lo video, weekly TV show on Fox sports, ongoing NASCAR team and driver sponsorships, Celebrity Lounges and all the other projects has all positioned us so well. We tell the story to the 80 million plus Americans who suffer daily from either stress, anxiety, sleeplessness or just flat out exhaustion,” Weber said.

About BeBevCo

BeBevCo (Bebida Beverage Company) develops, manufactures and markets beverages including relaxation products, Koma Unwind “Chillaxation,” Koma Unwind Sugar-free “Chillaxation”(TM) and Koma Unwind “Chillaxation” Shot(TM) as well as Potencia Energy Drink, Potencia “BLAST” energy shot, Relax 5 shots and Piranha Water.

Safe Harbor Statement

Except for historic information contained in this release, the statements in this news release are forward-looking statements that are made pursuant to the Safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which may cause a company’s actual results in the future to differ materially from forecasted results. These risks and uncertainties include, among other things, the company’s ability to attract qualified management, raise sufficient capital to execute its business plan, and effectively compete against similar companies.

Contact: (704) 660-0226 extension 5Investorrelations@bebevco.com
www.BeBevCo.comwww.Relaxfive.com

SOURCE Bebida Beverage Company

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