Health-Ade, Los Angeles, announced that long-standing partner First Bev has acquired a controlling stake in the company. The deal also is backed by powerhouse investors including Manna Tree, a Vail, Colo.-based investment firm committed to improving human health through nutrition.

GT’s Living Foods launched two new SYNERGY flavors: California Citrus and Lemon Berry. 

Holy Kombucha announced its national partnership with Hope Squad to bring attention and financial support to the school-based peer-to-peer suicide prevention program. 

KÖE Kombucha released two new flavors to its fruit-forward, organic kombucha lineup: KÖE Tropical and KÖE Watermelon.

GT's Synergy, Los Angeles, announced a partnership with Chopra Global, a leading whole health platform founded by Dr. Deepak Chopra. The two brands are joining forces in support of GT's recently launched Rooted In Nature campaign to reinforce the message that holistic health for mind, body, and soul are all rooted in the natural world.

As consumers demand more from today’s beverages, today’s manufacturers continue to develop innovative new products that deliver function and convenience. Kudos to Big Easy Bucha’s new line of functional shots, which won Beverage Industry’s New Product of the Month for August. 

Southern kombucha manufacturer Big Easy Bucha launched a line of premium, organic juice shots in 2-ounce bottles.

Middlebury, Vt.-based Aqua ViTea has rebranded its kombucha bottles and cans to better reflect its commitment to “responsible kombucha’ing,” it says.

SodaStream, a division of Purchase, N.Y.-based PepsiCo Inc., introduced certified organic, shelf-stable Kombucha Concentrate to its lineup of at-home beverage products. Kombucha has seen a rise in popularity during the past decade because of its intended health benefits, but in the past it has been difficult to make at home because of its long preparation time — that all changes now.