Consumer activists and trial lawyers have been feeling their oats in recent years as food and beverage companies have found themselves responding to several challenges by regulators. Increasingly, the public seems skeptical of the claims and motives of brands — and eager to take them on.

Two recent cases have nicked brands owned by PepsiCo and the Dr Pepper-Snapple Group — so far, with different outcomes.

PepsiCo announced last week that it would remove an emulsifier from Gatorade that also has applications as a flame retardant, prompting Sarah Kavanagh, a teenager who waged an online campaign against brominated vegetable oil (BVO), to claim victory. Meanwhile, Mott's, owned by Dr Pepper Snapple, is the subject of a recently filed class-action suit that claims "deceptive labeling" of its Mott's for Tots Immune Support Fruit Punch.Continue reading...

Arnold Palmer re-brands for a generation who never knew the golfing legend.

Audiovox rebrands to Voxx International.

BlackBerry-maker RIM warns about profit outlook.

BMW and Mercedes-Benz race to the wire for 2011 luxury-sales crown in U.S.

Boeing takes its Dreamliner on a "world tour."

Chick-fil-A spat with t-shirt maker hits the New York Times.

Corona brings beach experience to London.Continue reading...

Wal-Mart, Tesco and Carrefours would be welcomed by shoppers in India, where such “multi-brand” foreign-owned retailers currently are restricted, a new study says. Meanwhile, in the U.S., Wal-Mart’s new president scrambles to reverse earlier decisions that hurt sales.

American Apparel's troubles increase after auditor quits and fashion retailer (which is relaunching as "preppy") receives subpoena.

Axe Music launch is promoted with "mystery concerts" across U.S., kicking off with Mary J. Blige in New York.

Burger King tests $12.99 “shareable” pizza burger at its Whopper Bar in New York.

CBS will air a companion series to last winter’s hit reality show, Undercover Boss.

EMI faces an uphill struggle despite a corporate restructuring of the U.K. music icon.Continue reading...

Google, Verizon Wireless collaborate to develop software, devices and services for the Android mobile operating system. [BusinessWeek]

Amazon launches the Kindle in 100 countries, lowers US price by $40, to $259. [Bloomberg]

Versace reviews overall strategy, closes stores in Japan. [Bloomberg]

Europe and Microsoft near settlement in antitrust case. [NY Times]

AT&T will allow iPhone users to access Skype. [Bloomberg]

Twitter may feature premium accounts for corporate users by year's end. [LA Times]

(More headlines: Burger King remodels, ING repays bailout, ads boost US food brands.)Continue reading...