PepsiCo announced last month an initiative with German tech conglomerate Siemens and computer chip maker NVIDIA to create “digital twins” of manufacturing plants and warehouses. The goal is to use AI-backed digital simulation technology to figure out what physical changes to plants and warehouses would best improve speed, quality, and efficiency. According to Siemens, the technology tested in one US Gatorade plant increased throughput by +20% within three months. PepsiCo estimates it could reduce capital expenditures by -10% to -15% by “uncovering hidden capacity and validating investments in a virtual environment” before construction. “This allows the company to optimize existing assets rather than investing in costly new construction,” Siemens said in a blog post about the PepsiCo partnership. BD wanted to understand how digital twins work, so we turned to Niraj Jha, who is the senior director of logistics at Niagara Bottling. His work is focused on how data, automation, and AI are reshaping beverage supply chains. Jha’s team leads large-scale optimization initiatives across Niagara’s national network. Jha has been an outspoken proponent of AI technology in manufacturing and distribution. The following interview has been condensed and edited for clarity:

More than 70% of SNAP consumers would scale back consumption of carbonated soft drinks and energy drinks if they couldn’t use their benefits to pay for the products, according to research by RBC Capital Markets using Numerator data. The finding...

The US government just released new Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA), updating previous recommendations issued in 2020. The guidelines, backed by the American Medical Association, American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Heart Association, offer recommendations on how Americans should eat. Federal and local governments use the guidelines to shape everything from school nutrition programs to SNAP benefits. The guidelines also influence food industry strategy, healthcare advice, and nutrition education. For the first time, the DGA has said “no amount of added sugars or non-nutritive sweeteners is recommended or considered part of a healthy or nutritious diet.” Analysis.

UPFs, Soda Taxes, SNAP Bans, Natural Colors, GRAS Reform, Plastic Waste, More

Shares Thoughts on Federal Mid-Term Elections

It’s been a “challenging” regulatory year for the beverage industry, American Beverage President and CEO Kevin Keane reminded participants during Beverage Digest’s Future Smarts conference in New York on Dec. 15. A new U.S. president and a new Congress brought new

Coca-Cola just announced that EVP and COO Henrique Braun will be the company’s next CEO beginning March 31 of next year. He succeeds Chairman and CEO James Quincey, who will become executive chairman after nine years as CEO. Braun will also become...