Latest news with #Fairlife
Yahoo
20-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Coca-Cola under fire after undercover investigation reveals disturbing scenes at farm: 'A habitual offender'
Coca-Cola under fire after undercover investigation reveals disturbing scenes at farm: 'A habitual offender' An undercover investigation found animal welfare violations at Woodcrest Dairy, which the report said was, at least at one time, a supplier to Coca-Cola's Fairlife milk brand. What's happening? According to World Animal News, Animal Recovery Mission (ARM) documented many cases of animal mistreatment at the Woodcrest facility in New Mexico between December 2024 and March 2025. Workers were filmed forcibly extracting unborn calves from cows not yet in labor using chains. Newborn calves were left to suffer and die from blunt force trauma and neglect. Investigators also recorded pregnant and sick cows being whipped, punched, kicked, and beaten with metal objects, including shovels, wrenches, and pipes. The abuse was carried out by various staff, including owners, managers, and ranch hands. In a statement to The Cool Down, a Coca-Cola spokesperson said the company has not sourced milk from Woodcrest since 2023 and that it was never a primary supplier, and that the company stopped sourcing milk other farms in previous investigations by ARM. "Fairlife is committed to ensuring strong animal welfare at supplying farms and has zero tolerance for animal abuse," the spokesperson said. "Woodcrest Dairy in New Mexico is not a supplier to fairlife, and upon learning about the incident in Arizona in February, fairlife stopped accepting milk from those farms and has not received milk from them since. As a milk processor, fairlife does not own farms or cows and requires all farms that supply milk for fairlife products to adhere to stringent animal care guidelines and comply with regular 3rd-party audits." This marks the ninth time ARM has found abuse at a Fairlife supplier, despite the company's public claims about sourcing from farms with high animal care standards. Since learning about these findings, Fairlife has cut ties with Select Milk Producers and quietly removed animal welfare marketing claims from its website. ARM founder Richard Couto stated, "Fairlife milk is now a habitual offender, and Coca-Cola will be forever known as the global corporate leader in animal cruelty." Why is Coca-Cola's Fairlife milk division concerning? The repeated pattern of animal abuse across multiple Fairlife suppliers points to system-wide problems in Coca-Cola's oversight of its dairy supply chain. This directly affects communities through consumer deception, as many people choose Fairlife products based on promises of ethical treatment. In February 2025, ARM released two more investigations from Arizona dairies also in Fairlife's supply chain, where cows were stabbed, beaten, shot, and electrocuted. Thousands of calves were kept in illegal veal crates and left to suffer. The legal consequences are mounting. In 2019, Fairlife agreed to a $21 million class action settlement for false advertising related to its animal welfare claims after similar abuse was exposed at Indiana dairies. In June 2025, a new class action lawsuit was amended to include both the Arizona and New Mexico cases. Coca-Cola has made some good steps in other areas, such as water conservation and promises to reduce plastic waste through its World Without Waste plan. However, these animal welfare issues contradict the company's public statements about responsible sourcing. Editor's note: This article was updated to include a statement from a Coca-Cola spokesperson. Should companies be required to help recycle their own products? Definitely No way It depends on the product They should get tax breaks instead Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. What's being done about Coca-Cola's Fairlife practices? ARM has submitted its findings to several authorities, including the Chaves County Sheriff's Office, the New Mexico Department of Agriculture, the USDA, and the FDA for potential legal action. As a consumer, you can make a difference, too. Pick plant-based milk options. If you prefer dairy products, look for brands with third-party animal welfare certifications. Contact Coca-Cola directly through their customer service to share your concerns about Fairlife's supply chain practices. Consumer pressure often leads to corporate policy changes more quickly than government regulations. Sign ARM's petition asking for accountability and real changes to Fairlife's supply chain practices. Customer voices create public pressure that companies notice when their brand image is on the line. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. Solve the daily Crossword
Globe and Mail
26-06-2025
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Coca-Cola Pushes for Premiumization: Is This Strategy Working?
In today's competitive beverage landscape, The Coca-Cola Company KO is leaning heavily into a premiumization strategy to drive growth across global markets. The company's strategy centers on expanding consumer choice through brand innovation and a diverse pricing spectrum, ranging from affordable, local products to premium and functional beverages. This shift comes against a backdrop of macroeconomic uncertainty, with mixed consumer sentiment and volatile regional demand. Despite these challenges, Coca-Cola delivered strong organic revenue growth, expanded margins and demonstrated resilience by quickly adapting to shifting market dynamics. Coca-Cola's premiumization strategy is most evident in its product innovation and marketing initiatives. The company emphasized the success of higher-end and health-focused products such as Fairlife, Coca-Cola Zero Sugar and the new Simply Pop prebiotic soda. Fairlife was the top dollar-contributing brand in U.S. retail in the first quarter, reinforcing the commercial viability of premium-tier offerings. On the marketing front, the global return of the 'Share a Coke' campaign, alongside digital customization efforts, underscores Coca-Cola's attempt to elevate brand engagement and perceived value as part of its premiumization strategy. The company's marketing strategy also focuses on leveraging connected packaging, Studio X digital content, and targeted experiential marketing, each tailored to strengthen engagement and drive growth in higher-margin segments. As Coca-Cola continues to evolve, its premiumization strategy positions the company to capture value in a changing consumer landscape. By balancing affordability with aspirational offerings and investing in innovation and targeted marketing, Coca-Cola is not only defending its global leadership but also redefining it for the next generation of beverage consumers. If executed effectively, premiumization has the potential to be a powerful catalyst for long-term margin expansion and sustainable value creation. KO's Rivals Step Up: PEP & KDP Double Down on Premium Plays As Coca-Cola leans into premiumization, rivals like PepsiCo Inc. PEP and Keurig Dr Pepper Inc. KDP are stepping up their game with strategic moves aimed at capturing a larger share of the high-margin beverage market. PepsiCo highlighted premiumization as a core pillar of its growth strategy, focusing on transforming its portfolio to meet evolving consumer preferences for health, functionality and value. The company emphasized the success of premium offerings such as Gatorade Zero, Propel and hydration powders and tablets, which are gaining share in the functional beverage space. It is also expanding through strategic acquisitions like Poppi, a prebiotic soda brand, and strengthening partnerships with Celsius, Starbucks and Unilever to grow in high-value categories like energy drinks, coffee and tea. Keurig emphasized its strategic push into premiumization across its beverage and coffee portfolios. The company is building a tier of premium and super-premium coffee offerings through brands like Lavazza, La Colombe, Philz and Kicking Horse, which resonate with higher-value consumers and drive positive mix. KDP also expanded its presence in ready-to-drink (RTD) and cold coffee segments, with La Colombe RTD showing strong growth. Additionally, its Refreshers platform is adding incremental value. KO's Price Performance, Valuation & Estimates Shares of Coca-Cola have gained around 11.8% year to date compared with the industry 's growth of 5.8%. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research From a valuation standpoint, KO trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 22.58X, significantly above the industry's average of 17.59X. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for KO's 2025 and 2026 EPS implies year-over-year growth of 3.1% and 8.2%, respectively. The estimates for 2025 have moved up by a penny, whereas the estimates for 2026 have been stable in the past 30 days. KO stock currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. Research Chief Names "Single Best Pick to Double" From thousands of stocks, 5 Zacks experts each have chosen their favorite to skyrocket +100% or more in months to come. From those 5, Director of Research Sheraz Mian hand-picks one to have the most explosive upside of all. This company targets millennial and Gen Z audiences, generating nearly $1 billion in revenue last quarter alone. A recent pullback makes now an ideal time to jump aboard. Of course, all our elite picks aren't winners but this one could far surpass earlier Zacks' Stocks Set to Double like Nano-X Imaging which shot up +129.6% in little more than 9 months. Free: See Our Top Stock And 4 Runners Up Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report CocaCola Company (The) (KO): Free Stock Analysis Report PepsiCo, Inc. (PEP): Free Stock Analysis Report Keurig Dr Pepper, Inc (KDP): Free Stock Analysis Report
Business Insider
07-06-2025
- Health
- Business Insider
Dairy is so back. It's now a high-protein, gut-healthy superfood shoppers love.
Want to snack on something that's high in protein, gut-friendly, minimally processed, and tastes good? Hit the dairy aisle. After years of being outshone and relegated to second best by shiny, new plant-based alternatives like oat milk and cashew cream, dairy is not only in demand, it's having a glow-up. Products like mint chocolate cookie probiotic ice cream and pistachio-flavored kefir — some of which come wrapped in whimsical, retro-style packaging — are hitting the market as dairy finds itself at the center of the Venn diagram of health, food, and cultural trends. "I really have not seen this type of dairy innovation in past years," Jessica Rubino of New Hope Network, an organic-focused consultancy firm that tracks US food and drink industry trends, told Business Insider. According to the organization's insights, the organic dairy sector grew by 9.8% in 2024, up from 5.6% the previous year — far higher than the one or two percent a year increase seen since around 2015. "That type of increase in growth is pretty significant," Rubino said. Dairy aligns with health trends With 82% of US consumers considering wellness a top or important priority in their everyday lives, according to 2024 trend data from McKinsey, food and drink can't just taste good, it needs to provide health benefits too. A large part of dairy's appeal right now is that it's high in protein and minimally processed. Whether you want to eat enough protein to build muscle, you use a GLP-1 and need more protein to maintain muscle mass or are a member of the manosphere following the carnivore diet, we've gone protein-crazy in recent years. The global protein market is estimated to reach over $47.4 billion by 2032, up from $26 billion in 2021, according to Statista. Protein-enhanced products, such as sodas, waters, powders, and bars, have taken over grocery store aisles. Fairlife, the industry leader in ultra-filtered milk, which contains 50% more protein than regular milk, has seen dollar sales rise by 31% in the past 12 months, according to data from market research agency Circana. The milk is filtered to separate its components (water, lactose, protein, fat, and vitamins and minerals) and reformulated. Lactose and sugar are removed, and protein is concentrated. Melissa Altobelli, a dairy industry analyst at Circana, told BI that Fairlife, which has been around since 2012, has exploded in popularity recently because its product chimes with current trends. "It's not that the effort wasn't made in the past. It's just more appealing to consumers currently," she said, adding: "Protein is in everything at this point, and that's what consumers are looking for." Rubino also sees gut health as a particularly big draw for dairy, as people seek out functional foods to "optimize" their health and live longer. "You can get high dosages of probiotics through these food products," she said. The ultra-processed foods backlash is good news for dairy As ultra-processed foods take over from carbs as the demon of the dietary world, shoppers are losing their appetite for them. Typically long-lasting and designed to be irresistible and easy to eat, these foods contain ingredients you wouldn't find in a regular kitchen, such as gums, emulsifiers, and colors. Mounting research links ultra-processed foods to a host of health conditions — from type 2 diabetes to depression and poor gut health. As public awareness of ultra-processed foods has grown, people have become more wary of alt milks, which typically contain additives, Amy Bentley, a professor of food studies at NYU who specializes in the American diet, told BI. "Alt meat and alt milk don't want to be put in that category. They want to say, 'Hey, we're different.' But if you read those ingredient labels of some of those alt products, they are very, very ultra processed," she said. This has been dairy's gain: "The pendulum has swung back," Andrea Hernández, the author of the food trends newsletter Snaxshot, told BI. "Milk was the original functional drink," Hernández said, "and it's become culturally cool again." "Consumers are still looking for simple ingredients and naturalness," Altobelli said. And traditional dairy products, like unflavored yogurts and cottage cheese, as well as more innovative ones like Fairlife, fit the bill. The cult status of raw dairy in a MAHA world Dairy products, including raw milk, have become part of a cultural conversation in the past year or so. Fans of raw milk say it contains more beneficial microbes than pasteurized milk and can protect against allergies and asthma. Food scientists, however, argue that the ostensible benefits of raw milk are outweighed on a population level by the risk of catching bird flu or being poisoned by E. coli. Raw milk, along with beef tallow and butter, has also become synonymous with the "make America healthy again," or MAHA, movement. Its spearhead, Robert F. Kennedy Jr, the US Health Secretary, said in June 2024 that he only drinks raw milk and, before he was appointed, criticized what he called the FDA's "aggressive suppression" of raw milk, which he said on X in October 2024 "advances human health." In late May, he took shots of the stuff in the White House on a podcast. Federal law prohibits the sale of raw milk across state lines, but individual state laws, not the FDA, dictate whether it can be sold within that state. Raw milk enthusiasts include people across the political and cultural spectrum. Republican congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene posted "Raw Milk does a body good" on X in October 2024. Gwyneth Paltrow, an early adopter of wellness culture, said she adds raw milk creamer to her coffee every morning. And "tradwife" influencer and dairy farmer Hannah Neeleman, who posts as "Ballerina Farm" online, was featured milking one of her cows on the cover of the conservative women's magazine Evie in November, emblazoned with the words " The New American Dream." Hernández said there is a "romanticization of a dairy farm or a farmer's life." "It's become trendy to be able to say, 'Oh, I got this $20 raw milk jug at Erewhon,'" the Los Angeles-based health food store known for its $20 smoothies, she said. The next era for dairy: exotic flavors with health benefits People may want their meals to be nutritious, but that doesn't mean they're willing to compromise on taste. On top of wellness, consumers, and Gen Z in particular, are looking for "unusual flavors as they seek new and unique experiences," according to branding consultancy and market research agency VML's Future 100: 2025 trends report. One in four of us want "interesting and exotic global flavor combinations," the report said. If the offerings at Natural Products Expo West, a prolific trade show for organic, sustainable food and beverage products, which took place in California in March, are any indication, brands are meeting the moment. Attendees could try ashwagandha -infused or Aleppo chile-flavored ghee, pineapple cottage cheese, and reduced-sugar chai tea-flavored yogurt. Alec's, an organic ice cream brand that displayed at the trade show, launched their Culture Cup, a 4 fl oz cup of ice cream with added pre- and probiotics, in April with flavors including chocolate-covered strawberry and dark chocolate honeycomb. All Things Butter, a company founded by the British chef Thomas Straker in 2023, has also gained traction for its flavored butters. Current products include cinnamon bun butter, chocolate butter, and smoked paprika butter. Unlike traditional butter packaging, its butter sticks come in colorful foil adorned with anthropomorphic cartoon cows. It was the first "very yassified, very millennial looking" dairy brand Hernández noticed, but she's certain we'll see many more.
NDTV
04-06-2025
- Business
- NDTV
Ozempic Users Flock To Protein Shake Now Named America's Unhealthiest Bottled Drink
Water is the best way to hydrate, but if you're craving something else, be cautious. Many bottled drinks like juice and protein shakes may seem healthy, but they're often high in sugar. These convenient drinks can exceed daily recommended sugar intake, making them a less healthy choice than they appear. Fairlife's Core Power protein shakes have been named the unhealthiest bottled beverage in America by food and nutrition magazine Eat This, Not That!, despite their popularity among fitness enthusiasts and Ozempic users. The shakes' muscle-boosting reputation is overshadowed by concerns over their nutritional content, sparking surprise and concern among consumers. A news portal consulted dietitian Mary Sabat, MS, RDN, LD, who identified the seven unhealthiest food choices-ranking Core Power Protein Shakes as the worst among them for health impact. They are a go-to for many after a workout or to boost their protein intake, but Sabat says these drinks are highly problematic. "I put these first because they are so highly marketed as a great source of protein and a healthy food when in reality they are a disaster to your metabolic health," Sabat says. "Core Power Protein Shakes may seem like a convenient post-workout drink, but a closer look at the ingredients reveals several health concerns." She explains, "They use non-organic, conventional dairy, which often comes from cows fed GMO corn and soy and may contain residues of hormones and antibiotics-unlike grass-fed dairy, which is higher in omega-3s and CLA and free from harmful residues. The addition of carrageenan, a thickening agent linked to gut inflammation and irritation, further detracts from its health profile." Sabat also points out other harmful ingredients. "Artificial sweeteners like sucralose and acesulfame potassium are also used, both of which have been associated with gut microbiome disruption and potential carcinogenic effects in animal studies," she says. Sabat adds, "Lastly, the label includes 'natural flavours," a term that can encompass up to 100 different undisclosed chemical additives, many of which are far from natural. Together, these ingredients make Core Power far less healthy than its marketing implie"s.
New York Post
04-06-2025
- Business
- New York Post
Ozempic users are hooked on this popular drink — which was just ranked the unhealthiest bottled beverage in the US right now
They're pumping protein — and guzzling sugar bombs. Fairlife's Core Power protein shakes — beloved by fitness fanatics and Ozempic users alike — have just been crowned the unhealthiest bottled beverage in America, despite their muscle-boosting reputation, according to Eat This, Not That! Shakes like these are a 'great way to start the day without having to sit down and have a full breakfast,' gushed Elise Ramer, a 42-year-old PR pro in Florida, previously reported on by The Post. Advertisement Ramer said she puts Core Power in her coffee while taking the weight-loss drug Mounjaro — since users need to focus on their protein intake due to the possible muscle loss side effect. But nutrition experts are throwing a red flag on the play. 'I put these first [as the unhealthiest bottled drink in the U.S.] because they are so highly marketed as a great source of protein and a healthy food when in reality they are a disaster to your metabolic health,' registered dietitian Mary Sabat recently told Eat This, Not That! Advertisement 3 Experts warn that protein shakes — a hit with many Ozempic users (above) — are hyped as health drinks but are actually a metabolic meltdown in a bottle. myskin – 'Core Power protein shakes may seem like a convenient post-workout drink, but a closer look at the ingredients reveals several health concerns.' The shakes are made by Fairlife, owned by Coca-Cola, and boast up to 42 grams of protein per bottle — but that muscle comes with a side of controversy. According to Sabat, it's not just about sugar. 'They use non-organic, conventional dairy, which often comes from cows fed GMO corn and soy and may contain residues of hormones and antibiotics — unlike grass-fed dairy, which is higher in omega-3s and CLA and free from harmful residues,' she told the outlet. Advertisement 'The addition of carrageenan, a thickening agent linked to gut inflammation and irritation, further detracts from its health profile.' Sabat also slammed the inclusion of artificial sweeteners like sucralose and acesulfame potassium, warning they've been 'associated with gut microbiome disruption and potential carcinogenic effects in animal studies.' 3 The shakes, churned out by Coca-Cola-owned Fairlife, pack a whopping 42 grams of protein — but that muscle boost comes with a side of scandal. And it's not just sugar, warns Sabat. Jammy Jean – She added, 'Lastly, the label includes 'natural flavors,' a term that can encompass up to 100 different undisclosed chemical additives, many of which are far from natural. Together, these ingredients make Core Power far less healthy than its marketing implies.' Advertisement That hasn't stopped the protein craze. Thanks to the Ozempic effect, these shakes are flying off shelves faster than a gym bro's tank top. Sales of protein and meal-replacement drinks surged 11.1% to a whopping $4.7 billion last year — and it's the Ozempic army leading the charge, retail tracker SPINS revealed. As The Post previously reported, Rila Global Consulting found 13% of those on GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Mounjaro had consumed protein shakes in the past two years. But some experts warn that overloading on protein — especially the highly processed kind — can backfire. 3 As The Post previously reported, 13% of Ozempic and Mounjaro users have chugged protein shakes in the past two years, according to Rila Global Consulting. Tobias Arhelger – Dr. Joseph Antoun, CEO of longevity company L-Nutra, previously told The Post that too much animal protein can raise IGF-1 levels, a hormone linked to accelerated aging, cancer and diabetes. 'The goal isn't to just build muscle — it's to live long enough to use it,' he said. In the meantime, maybe stick to a protein-packed egg — and leave the mystery 'natural flavors' to the lab rats.
