Is Diet Mountain Dew racist? Well, no… but why would it be? That’s the head scratching question social media users, cultural analysts, and, uh, beverage trade journalists have been trying to answer this week after the Republican Vice Presidential candidate, J.D. Vance, invoked the idea during a stump speech on Monday. The strange moment even had a former GOP advisor calling it “cringe.”

Vance was speaking at his hometown high school in Middletown, Ohio when he suggested that Democrats “say it’s racist to do anything.”

“I had a Diet Mountain Dew yesterday, and one today, and I’m sure they’re gonna call that racist too,” said the junior Senator from Ohio, then adding “It’s good.” 

BevNET Insiders can read all of our thoughts on this pivotal moment in U.S. politics and learn whether Vance's joke had any credibility to it.

Keurig Dr Pepper reported its Q2 earnings this morning with net sales up 3.5% to $3.9 billion despite challenges in coffee pricing. 

🔥 The beverage giant recently turned up the CSD heat with rival PepsiCo and has been leveraging its DSD network with brands like C4 Energy, Electrolit, Black Rifle Coffee and La Colombe. KDP CEO Tim Cofer said on the call this focus has been “the single greatest driver of top line acceleration.” Let’s look at the numbers:

• Adjusted operating income was $723 million, up 11.9% from Q2 2023.
• Adjusted operating margin of 30% in the quarter.
• U.S. refreshments segment sales were up to $2.4 billion, a 3.3% increase from the same period last year. 
• U.S. coffee sales were down to $950 million, a $20 million decrease year-over-year.
• International net sales were $565 million with a 14.7% rise in constant currency segment.

🏭 Company leadership expressed confidence that its planned acquisition of Kalil Bottling will continue to bring “competitive advantage” to the drink maker in the Southwest. Additionally, the company said green coffee prices continue to drag on profits in the category but it is hedging to reduce the impact on its P&L in the back half of the year.

BevNET Insiders can read the full report for all the insights.

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What was on the floor at IFT First? Why is PRIME in more legal hot water? And would anyone really wear 5-Hour Energy cufflinks? 

This week Nosh managing editor Monica Watrous and senior reporters Lukas Southard and Brad Avery explore the latest news from the CPG industry.

🥼 After a couple days in Chicago last week, Lukas shares what trends proliferated the show floor of the Institute of Food Technologists’ yearly expo including weight reduction ingredients, alternative sweeteners and a number of innovative new products.

🧑‍⚖️ Later in the show, Brad digs through PRIME’s most recent legal issues, this time raising the ire of the U.S. Olympic Committee over a LTO Kevin Durant hydration drink.

Listen to the full episode on Nosh.

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• A dive into the latest Nielsen numbers
• Digestible details from Nestle's half year earnings report

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