Info & Insight

An alderman in Chicago wants to ban the sale of high-caffeine energy drinks (Monster Energy, etc.) in the city. He is targeting containers with 180mg or more of caffeine.

Spending by consumers rose 2.2% in Q4, a rare bright spot as GDP shrank slightly. (Yes, we know some consumer spending is not for CPG brands … even if it should be.)

Bloomberg Businessweek reported that 38% of all unemployed people have been out of work six months or longer. That’s twice the historical level.

A rose is a rose is a rose, but Monster Beverage is changing their label to qualify as a drink ... not a dietary supplement. Beverages must be more explicit about ingredients, such as caffeine content, but the FDA does not require notification of adverse consumer reaction. In case you’re wondering, Red Bull is already a beverage.

Walt Freese joined the board of Dave’s Killer Bread. Most recently he was CEO of Stonyfield Farm.