Results tagged “soda”

Hey, people who have complained that 12-ounce cans of Coke are too ungainly—today's your day! The soft drink bottler has announced it's bringing mini 7.5-ounce Coke cans to NYC and Washington DC this December. Coca-Cola's North America Sparkling Beverages President Hendrik Steckhan said, "The Coca-Cola mini can is a great option for smaller thirst occasions and for calorie-conscious consumer. Our new sleek mini can supports the idea of moderation and offers people yet another way to enjoy their favorite Coca-Cola beverage."

While the NYC Health Department is busy running around warning citizens about the dangers of sugary sodas, the bureaucracy still isn't doing anything about diet sodas with excessive amounts of amphibians. Excessive, of course, meaning one—the FDA has confirmed that either a frog or a toad was in a Florida man's Diet Pepsi. No, this did not happen in NYC...yet. According to CNN, Fred DeNegri was grilling in his backyard tiki bar in July when he cracked open a cool, refreshing diet beverage; took a big sip; and started gagging. The FDA later traced the can to a local Pepsi bottling plant in Orlando, but after an investigation "did not find any adverse conditions or association to this problem." And Pepsi insists, "The speed of our production lines and the rigor of our quality control systems make it virtually impossible for this type of thing to happen." So no one knows how the poor thing got in there, but DeNegri's wife says, "It was disgusting. And now, what started out as a normal afternoon in our tiki bar has blown up into this crazy thing." Hopefully for them, a crazy lucrative thing—they are, naturally, consulting with lawyers. (Below, the full-size photo.)

The American Beverage Association is more than a little defensive about the city's new public awareness campaign which depicts human fat pouring out of cola, energy drink, and sweetened ice tea bottles. The ads, which are intended to educate the public about the high caloric content of sugary beverages, debuted yesterday, and Kevin Keane, a senior vice president at the Association, was quick to run to the Post: "It's absurd and over the top and unfortunately is going to undermine efforts to educate about a serious and complex issue like obesity." Also, why does government keep picking on soda? Earlier this year Governor Paterson proposed a tax on soda, which was successfully shot down by the beverage industry. Keane wonders, "Why aren't they going after cake? Why single out soft drinks?" But Cathy Nonas at the Health Department says, "It's just horrifying to see how many preschoolers are drinking these sugar-sweetened beverages" and even abusing sports drinks: "In terms of physical activity... water is the most important thing before, during and after an event." Well, the American Beverage Association has got kids covered on that because according to their website "all BEVERAGES provide hydration." Your move, cake!

Remember that $25,000 sundae that Serendipity 3 was selling back before the stock market parked itself in the garage with the engine running? Needless to say, they haven't been selling too many of those lately, and even their down-market $1,000 sundae hasn't had any takers since last November.

Passover may be more than two weeks away, but for those of you who love your soda with pure sugar (or just love your sugar), you can get Passover Coke now. The special Coke, which isn't made with the forboden corn syrup, is only available in two liter bottles for a limited time and is distinguished by its yellow caps with the symbols "OU-P" on them. Calls to stores around the city found that some aren't carrying the product yet (deliveries could be there as soon as Friday/Saturday), but some stores already have the product is on their shelves — the Upper West Side Harlem Fairways. A call to Coca Cola revealed that Passover Coke is already available in many markets, like Albany. Other establishments that Coke's corporate communications department recommended in our area include Key Foods, Associated and A&P. If your local grocery store isn't carrying it, you can even ask them to order it. Of course, the rest of the year, you can buy Passover Coke as "Mexican Coke."

Governor David Paterson met with students at Morrisville State College yesterday to talk about the budget, and was forced to admit that his proposed "obesity tax" was all but defeated, Newsday reports. In response to a student's question about the "foolish tax on soda," Paterson said he doesn't "think the legislature will pass it...But often publicity is as important as legislation." The plan would have put an 18% tax on soda and other sugary drinks containing less than 70% fruit juice, raising an estimated $1 billion for the state while discouraging the consumption of such crap. But the beverage industry was prepared to fight it in court, and yesterday the governor spun the failed proposal as simply part of an ongoing effort to raise awareness. He also warned students who think diet cola is the health-conscious choice: "Sure there's sugar in regular soda, but the chemicals in diet soda will kill you, too." Apparently, the students were just too mature to ask him to elaborate on the dangers of Coke.

State Health Commissioner Richard Daines has taken to YouTube to educate New Yorkers on the virtues of Governor Paterson's proposed "obesity tax," which would add an 18-percent tax on non-diet soda and other sugary drinks containing less than 70 percent real fruit juice. Sure, the video's no Ottomoman-Humping Gangbang, but we are in a recession, so we'll excuse the lackluster production values.

The beloved Manhattan Special was featured in the NY Times yesterday as siblings Aurora and Louis Passaro are experiencing a new resurgence in popularity in the coffee soda specialty. The drink, which has been made in a Brooklyn factory since 1895, is now available online, but it's not always easy to find locally. It has been spotted in Inwood, at Manganaro's Hero Boy, Bruno's King of Ravioli, the Associated Supermarket on 14th Street and First Avenue, Faicco's Pork Store, and a few newsstands here and there. Let us know if you've seen it near you!

We've seen expensive pancakes, hams and who can forget the $25,000 frozen haute chocolate? But now overpriced sodas are hitting the scene, and there aren't even gold flakes floating in them. Or refills!