Sports drink brands including PepsiCo's Gatorade and Coca-Cola's sibling beverages BodyArmor and Powerade are competing aggressively with each other for market share, but a second factor weighing on them is the proliferation of other functional beverages, such as Electrolit which has US distribution from Keurig Dr Pepper. "With smart marketing and good retail positioning, and making sure you are responding to the functionality and ingredients consumers are asking for, there is growth in the category," says Duane Stanford of Beverage Digest.

The American Beverage Foundation for a Healthy America partnered with the African American Mayors Association to award a grant of $125,000 to improve nutrition access and education in Savannah, Ga. Healthy Savannah and the City of Savannah will work together to apply the funding toward food affordability, nutrition access, and community-focused education programs.

FedUp Foods, a producer of fermented beverages, has opened a facility in Wilmington, N.C., in a building formerly occupied by TRU Colors Brewing. The facility, which began production in November, will distribute products across the US, Canada and Mexico. The site currently employs 74 people and is expected to eventually have 100 employees.

Nestle is launching a line of Boost brand beverages geared toward users of GLP-1 weight loss medications, aiming to assist consumers in managing their appetite and blood sugar levels. These beverages include proprietary whey protein microgel technology that allows for higher protein concentration without compromising taste or texture, and products include Boost Pre-Meal Hunger Support and Boost Advanced.

Mountain Dew has partnered with Little Caesars to introduce Mountain Dew Mango Rush, a tropical beverage combining citrus and mango flavors. Available exclusively at Little Caesars starting May 5, the drink comes in a limited-edition 16-ounce can.

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