The vast majority of American consumers don't care whether their foods contain genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Food executives and think tanks will tell you that and cite, for example, how Indiana local bakery Aunt Nellie's bombed when it introduced a specifically labeled "non-GMO" bread a couple of years ago.

But California isn't most of America, with a more health-conscious outlook than most states. That's why mainstream food companies are in a hot and heavy contest against GMO opponents over Proposition 37, The Right to Know Genetically Modified Food Act, a piece of state legislation that, if passed in November, would require GMO-containing products to disclose that on labels, and make California the first state to mandate genetically modified food.

Similar to what happened to automakers after California took an extreme position on cutting emissions, essentially imposing that higher standard on cars sold all over the country, food and beverage companies are concerned that California will serve as a bellwether in GMO labeling regulation as well.

In a particular bind in this fight are the many mainstream food conglomerates that now own organic brands, which by definition don't include GMOs: Kellogg, owner of GMO poster brand Kashi; General Mills, owner of the Cascadian Farm, Muir Glen, Larabar and Food Should Taste Good brands; Coca-Cola, owner of Odwalla and Honest Tea; PepsiCo; and Dean Foods, owner of Horizon Organics.Continue reading...

McDonald's continues to look less and less like a food-police "Most Wanted" corporation with a rap sheet to match its notoriety. Instead, the global fast-food leader keeps adding to its shift toward better-for-you fare and toward making healthier food not only accessible to its customers but palatable as well — even including the health of its own employees.

Today, McDonald's USA announced a number of nutrition initiatives, including the news it's adding calorie counts on restaurant and drive-through menus nationwide starting Monday and introducing menu items next year in line with the latest obesity-targeting federal dietary guidelines.

"We recognize customers want to know more about the nutrition content of the food and beverages they order," McDonald's USA president Jan Fields stated in a press release. As the Associated Press notes, "The move comes ahead of a regulation that could require major chains to post the information as early as next year. 'We want to voluntarily do this,' Fields told AP. 'We believe it will help educate customers.'"Continue reading...

Forget martinis and even Heineken if you want to Be Bond. Coca-Cola would like you to think, and drink, Coke Zero to get your 007 on.

When the twenty-third James Bond film, Skyfall, hits screens worldwide on October 26, Bond and brand watchers will paying close attention. The upcoming movie got an unprecedented plug from the monarch atop Her Majesty's Secret Service during the opening ceremonies for the London 2012 Olympics. The film also created a bit of stir to fans of the series because beer giant Heineken struck a deal to get some product-placement within the film, even though Bond has long been known as a fan of mixed drinks, particularly the martini.

You might say fans were shaken, not stirred, by the news — but thanks to the marketers at Coke, they have a non-alcoholic way to imbibe Bond.Continue reading...

Who says you can’t teach old dogs new tricks? Monadnock Paper Mills exemplifies the transformative mind-set of brands willing to change their process to ensure performance with conscience.

The oldest continuously operating paper mill in the U.S., founded in 1819 and based in Bennington, NH, Monadnock this week launched a suite of fiber-based solutions for eco-savvy brand owners made with high-quality alternatives to plastics, Envi Portfolio.

Its sustainability-seeking packaging clients include Gap Inc. and Burt's Bees, which commented:

“Gap Inc. is committed to making sustainable choices that work for our customers and for the environment. Monadnock’s Envi Portfolio of environmentally-friendly, recycled paper and gift card products allow us to bring this effort to our stores.” — Jorge Perez-Olmo, Senior Marketing Manager

“Monadnock helps brands like ours continue to make more sustainable packaging choices without sacrificing performance, beauty or budget.” — Julie Colón, Brand Design Manager, Burt's Bees

Monadnock uses renewable, responsibly sourced FSC Certified fiber and post-consumer waste in a manufacturing process that is chlorine free, 100% green electrical energy, carbon neutral, under an ISO 14001 independently verified, audited, and certified Environmental Management System.Continue reading...

What is a beverage powerhouse to do when another company produces something that is going to eat into its market share? Attempt to crush it, of course.

Kraft introduced beverage drops called MiO last year, putting its marketing muscle behind a new water flavoring brand that created a new category and made the global snacks behemoth more than $100 million in the first half of 2012 alone, according to the Associated Press. So what is Coca-Cola going to do in the coming weeks? Launch Dasani Drops, described as "a zero-calorie liquid beverage enhancer that allows people to add a veritable burst of flavor to their water."

The latest product from Coca-Cola's water brand and PlantBottle innovator is more than just a tastier way to drink water (it's described as "naturally flavored with other natural flavors"). The drops empower consumers to decide just how much flavoring they’d like, encouraging user interaction and customization — which is why Kraft called their product "MiO" (mine in Italian).

Four different flavors of Dasani Drops — Strawberry Kiwi, Pink Lemonade, Pineapple Coconut and Mixed Berry — will roll out in early October with more fruit flavorings expected next year (MiO offers nine flavors). And Coca-Cola has big plans for Dasani Drops — "I think there's an opportunity beyond just flavored waters," said John Roddey, VP of Coca-Cola's water, tea and coffee business in North America.Continue reading...

Absolut vodka is famed for collaborating with artists such as Keith Haring on unique limited-edition bottles. Now it's making every bottle a unique limited edition, in a global campaign that's shipping nearly four million individually designed bottles, each one as and unique as a proverbial snowflake by combining 38 bright colors and 51 abstract patterns.

According to the press release for the Absolut Unique campaign (tagline: "One of a kind. Millions of expressions"), its production team of robot artists were programmed with algorithms to ensure that no two bottles are alike: "To make every bottle become a one-of-a-kind work of art, ABSOLUT had to re-engineer the entire production process."Continue reading...

UPS is one of only 10 U.S. corporations to receive an A+ for superior transparency from companies registered with the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) .

"One of the guiding principles to UPS's sustainability strategy is our commitment to transparency," UPS Chairman and CEO Scott Davis wrote in the organization's just-released 2011 Sustainability Report. "We are disclosing more information than ever... We have reported our five-year progress, successes and challenges. Now, we are focused ahead." 

The report shows that UPS exceeded four of seven key sustainability goals established for 2011 including employee safety, auto accident frequency, aircraft emissions and full-time employee retention.Continue reading...

Procter & Gamble is only in the beginning stages of what could be a long turnaround effort under CEO Bob McDonald. One promising step announced today: P&G is partnering with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to help the consumer packaged goods giant make serious strides towards its sustainability goals.

The company announced that it will be working with the EPA's National Risk Management Research Laboratory "to develop new tools to optimize sustainability improvements in manufacturing facilities, and their associated supply chains."

The collaboration will focus on the pillars of P&G’s long-term environmental sustainability vision, announced in September of 2010: "Powering its plants with 100% renewable energy; Using 100% renewable materials or recyclate for all its products and packaging; Having zero consumer or manufacturing waste going to landfills; and Designing products that delight consumers while maximizing the conservation of resources."Continue reading...