Reed's Inc. Leading Trend in Beverage Marketplace Towards All Natural Diet Sodas
With Virgil's Stevia Sweetened Premium Diet Sodas
LOS ANGELES, Jan. 5, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reed's, Inc. (Nasdaq:REED)
announced today that its Virgil's premium sodas continue to lead the trend in
the beverage marketplace towards all natural diet sodas sweetened with stevia, a
calorie-free herb said to be up to 300 times sweeter than sugar. Reed's was one
of the first beverage companies to the marketplace to offer consumers a better,
all-natural alternative to diet colas with its Virgil's Diet Real Cola, as well
as diet versions of its award-winning Virgil's Root Beer and cream sodas.
Virgil's all-natural premium sodas address the consumers increasing preference
towards all-natural beverage alternatives. According to the NPD Group, a leading
global market research company, nearly 7 of 10 U.S. adults say they want to cut
down or avoid sugar completely, a concern that has driven up the use of
artificial sweeteners. However, according to Harris Interactive, a global leader
in custom market research, based on an online poll conducted within the United
States between May 5 and 12, 2008, among 2,602 adults, two-thirds of U.S. adults
are concerned about the safety of sweeteners, as artificial sweeteners have long
posed health concerns and may lead to weight gain. As a calorie-free herb said
to be up to 300 times sweeter than sugar, stevia continues to make news and draw
attention from major beverage companies as consumers seek all-natural diet soda
alternatives.
Christopher Reed, Founder and CEO of Reed's, Inc, stated, "Reed's was among one
of the first beverage companies to introduce all natural diet sodas to the
mainstream marketplace. After the successful launch of Virgil's Diet Real Cola
earlier this year, we expanded the line to include diet versions of our Virgil's
Root Beer, Cream Soda and Cherry Cream Soda. Our diet sodas utilize stevia, a
calorie-free herb that we believe will revolutionize the diet industry. As
mainstream beverage players look to enter the natural category with
introductions of all-natural diet sodas, we seek to benefit from further growth
in the natural beverage category and increasing acceptance of all-natural
products in the mainstream marketplace."
About Reed's, Inc.
Reed's, Inc. makes the top selling sodas in natural food markets nationwide and
is currently selling in 10,500 supermarkets in natural foods and mainstream. Its
six award-winning non-alcoholic Ginger Brews are unique in the beverage
industry, being brewed, not manufactured and using fresh ginger, spices and
fruits in a brewing process that predates commercial soft drinks. In addition,
the Company has acquired the top selling root beer line in natural foods, the
Virgil's Root Beer product line, and the top selling cola line in natural foods,
the China Cola product line. Other product lines include: Reed's Ginger Candies
and Reed's Ginger Ice Creams. Reed's products are sold through specialty gourmet
and natural food stores, supermarket chains, retail stores and restaurants
nationwide, and in Canada. For more information about Reed's, please visit the
company's website at: http://www.reedsgingerbrew.com or call 800-99-REEDS.
SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT
Some portions of this press release, particularly those describing Reed's goals
and strategies, contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section
27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. While Reed's is working to achieve those goals
and strategies, actual results could differ materially from those projected in
the forward-looking statements as a result of a number of risks and
uncertainties, including difficulties in marketing its products and services,
need for capital, competition from other companies and other factors, any of
which could have an adverse effect on the business plans of Reed's, its
reputation in the industry or its expected financial return from operations and
results of operations. In light of significant risks and uncertainties inherent
in forward-looking statements included herein, the inclusion of such statements
should not be regarded as a representation by Reed's that they will achieve such
forward-looking statements. For further details and a discussion of these and
other risks and uncertainties, please see our most recent reports on Form 10-KSB
and Form 10-QSB, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, as they
may be amended from time to time. Reed's undertakes no obligation to publicly
update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information,
future events, or otherwise.
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CONTACT: Reed's, Inc.
John Mills, Integrated Corporate Relations
310.954.1105
jmills@icrinc.com
