Repent Soda Sinners

Apparently, the governor of Massachusetts thinks that those of us who like to consume a few "empty calories" via a Root Beer or Soda are sinners and in need of additional taxation. It's yet another, in a long line of attempts at behaviour modification by the powers that be to encourage us to act and consume the way they wish us to. At the same time these nanny staters want to fill their coffers by taxing the population segment that they wish to modify.

When Governor Deval Patrick proposed a 5 percent premium on sugary treats this week, his administration presented it as a sin tax with a bonus: Imposing such a levy, a briefing paper pledged, "is a critical first step in discouraging the consumption of these empty calories."

Thankfully, I am not a resident of Taxachusettes, nor am I likely to ever be, but the innocent people who like a good Soda, or one of the excellent regional Root Beers have to bear the burden of these nonsensical do-gooders. Enough is enough, isn't it? Once upon a time there were some Bostonians who had the courage to protest a tax increase on their beverage of choice. Where are those people now? If you won't protest a 5% tax on your Soda or Root Beer then what will you speak out against? Very little, it seems.

Technorati Tags:
Taxation, Root Beer, Soda, Massachusetts

Shame On PepsiCo!

Looks like the Pepsi Company is suing a company for importing and selling a better version of their product.

PepsiCo says a metro Atlanta company is illegally distributing a Mexican version of its soda in Georgia, according to a lawsuit pending in federal court.

PepsiCo, the beverage and snack foods giant based in Purchase, N.Y., alleges in the lawsuit that Clayton Distributing Co. violated trademark laws, committed fraud and engaged in unfair and deceptive trade practices by distributing Mexican Pepsi in the United States.
Clayton Distributing has not been authorized to distribute the Pepsi product, Pepsi said in the lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in Atlanta.

The Mexican product also is not intended for distribution in the United States, the company said. The labels do not comply with Food and Drug Administration or PepsiCo standards for the United States and the product could deteriorate during shipping.

“The Mexican product is neither authorized nor intended for exportation out of Mexico,” Pepsi said in its filing.

The lawsuit was filed Dec. 17. The court records do not show a response yet by Clayton Distributing. Clayton lists Austell as its principal office and Kennesaw as the address for its registered agent.

This is hardly the way to treat brand loyalty. Customers want something that you're not willing to provide, a product sweetened with Cane Sugar and not with that foul tasting HFCS. Here's a hint, Pepsi. Back off and let your customers have what they really want, even if you refuse to meet that market need. This is obviously what they want. I notice that I haven't seen the Coca~Cola company doing this to people who distribute their Mexican product.Maybe there's a model there for you to emulate?

Technorati Tags:
Pepsi, Cane Sugar, Mexico