Since the start of the FIFA World Cup on June 12, soccer (or football) has taken the world by storm. Just this week at IFT in New Orleans, tradeshow attendees gathered around exhibitor booths with TVs to catch the action. In some moments, you almost forgot you were at a tradeshow when the fan crowd roared and cheered.

Super-premium green juice is outpacing the growth of the $1.6 billion super-premium juice category, according to Seattle-based Starbucks Coffee Co., citing data from Chicago-based Information Resources Inc. (IRI). Additionally, Greek yogurt, which five years ago represented less than 10 percent of yogurt sales, today represents nearly 50 percent, according to the market research firm’s data.*

The Packaging Machinery Manufacturers Institute (PMMI), Reston, Va., announced the passing of Director of Expositions A.J. Janosko, who passed away June 23 as the result of an accident over the weekend.

As the weather warms up, it looks as though people are finding favor with iced varieties to give themselves a little pick me up. In Beverage Industry’s May New Products poll, readers voted Verve MoJoe as the top release posted on www.bevindustry.com during the month.

Starbucks Coffee Co., Seattle, expanded its cold beverage portfolio with the addition of Fizzio handcrafted sodas and Teavana shaken iced teas.

Beam Suntory Inc., Deerfield, Ill., announced that it will begin distribution of the Suntory Japanese and Scotch whiskies as well as Midori liqueur in the United States and Germany beginning July 1.

Celsius Holdings Inc., Boca Raton, Fla., in partnership with rapper Flo Rida, announced the upcoming launch of Flo Fusion, a pre-workout powder that will be available to consumers late this summer.

Keurig Green Mountain Inc., Waterbury, Vt., closed on the purchase of a 585,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Douglasville, Ga., which will be responsible for producing pods for the company’s new Keurig Cold platform, set to launch in fiscal-year 2015.

Federal Way, Wash.-based Fresh Matters LLC’s ‘tude Juice brand is launching four new cold-pressed, high-pressure processed (HPP) juices in Apple Marionberry, Apple Cranberry, Apple Blueberry and Apple Ginger + Turmeric varieties. The new additions to the 'tude Juice line will be exclusively available in 166 Whole Foods Market stores in the Pacific Northwest, Northern California, Southern Pacific, Rocky Mountain and Southwest regions during July and August. The juices will be available to retailers nationwide beginning Sept. 1.

Ole Smoky Tennessee Moonshine, Gatlinburg, Tenn., is rolling out a limited-time flavor for the summer. Ole Smoky Sweet Tea Moonshine celebrates America’s traditional summer refreshment in a 40-proof moonshine, the company says.