To offer insight into the research and development side of the popular seasonal beverage pumpkin spice lattes, the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT), Chicago, released a video and Q&A with food scientist and IFT spokesperson Kantha Shelke. Through these platforms, Shelke shares how the drink and the spice mix is made, explains any safety concerns involving the ingredients, and offers the science behind why consumers love it so much.

Following its initial summer rollout in select The Fresh Market stores, Coca-Cola Life now is available across the United States. A brand of Atlanta-based The Coca-Cola Co., Coca-Cola Life is the company’s first reduced-calorie carbonated soft drink sweetened with cane sugar and stevia leaf extract.

Sparkling Ice, a brand of Preston, Wash.-based TalkingRain Beverage Co., announced the launch of a new advertising campaign featuring Oklahoma City Thunder forward and 2014 NBA MVP Kevin Durant. “The Bold and the Best,” which is part of a recently announced partnership initiated by Durant, celebrates Durant’s career, both on and off the court, as part of an advertisement for one of the fastest-growing beverage brands in the United States, the company says.

KonaRed Corp., Koloa, Hawaii, announced its third-quarter and year-to-date financial results for 2014.

Dr Pepper Snapple Group (DPS), Plano, Texas, completed its acquisition of the business assets of Bethlehem, Pa.-based Davis Beverage Group and Davis Bottling Co. The acquisition includes a 42-county distribution territory covering most of the eastern half of Pennsylvania, excluding the Philadelphia area, as well as western and central New Jersey.

To help consumers celebrate Friendsgiving, a Thanksgiving celebration with friends that usually happens before or after Thanksgiving, Budweiser is introducing new packaging. The brand of St. Louis-based Anheuser-Busch will offer a limited-edition, handmade wooden crate with 18 Budweiser beers and two pilsners glasses. In addition, the beer bottles will feature authentic, classic labels from 1918, 1933 and 1976.

KeVita Inc., the Ventura County, Calif.-based maker of KeVita Sparkling Probiotic Drinks, is adding another functional beverage lineup to its portfolio.

The American Beverage Association (ABA), Washington, D.C., announced the election of Rodger L. Collins, president of packaged beverages for Plano, Texas-based Dr Pepper Snapple Group, as chair of its board of directors.

Innova Market Insights, the Netherlands, used its ongoing analysis of key global developments in food and drink launch activity worldwide to identify the Top 10 trends most likely to impact the food and beverage industry in 2015 and beyond.

Celsius Holdings Inc., the Boca Raton, Fla.-based maker of Celsius negative-calorie beverages, reported a revenue increase of 47 percent to $3.42 million in the third quarter of 2014, which ended Sept. 30. This increase was associated with a 60 percent increase in international sales to approximately $1.6 million due to increases from existing accounts and initial sales in Brazil. In addition, domestic sales increased 38 percent to approximately $1.9 million because of a 66 percent increase in health and fitness retail accounts and a 53 percent increase in domestic retail accounts. However, this was partially offset by a 6 percent decrease in Internet sales and the elimination of a liquidator sale that took place during the same period in 2013.