Reed's Inc. Leading Trend in Beverage Marketplace Towards All Natural Diet Sodas With Virgil's Stevia Sweetened Premium Diet Sodas
Released: 01/05/09 09:00 AM EST

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 5, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reed's, Inc. (Nasdaq:REED) announced today that its Virgil's premium sodas continue to lead the trend in the beverage marketplace towards all natural diet sodas sweetened with stevia, a calorie-free herb said to be up to 300 times sweeter than sugar. Reed's was one of the first beverage companies to the marketplace to offer consumers a better, all-natural alternative to diet colas with its Virgil's Diet Real Cola, as well as diet versions of its award-winning Virgil's Root Beer and cream sodas.

Virgil's all-natural premium sodas address the consumers increasing preference towards all-natural beverage alternatives. According to the NPD Group, a leading global market research company, nearly 7 of 10 U.S. adults say they want to cut down or avoid sugar completely, a concern that has driven up the use of artificial sweeteners. However, according to Harris Interactive, a global leader in custom market research, based on an online poll conducted within the United States between May 5 and 12, 2008, among 2,602 adults, two-thirds of U.S. adults are concerned about the safety of sweeteners, as artificial sweeteners have long posed health concerns and may lead to weight gain. As a calorie-free herb said to be up to 300 times sweeter than sugar, stevia continues to make news and draw attention from major beverage companies as consumers seek all-natural diet soda alternatives.

Christopher Reed, Founder and CEO of Reed's, Inc, stated, "Reed's was among one of the first beverage companies to introduce all natural diet sodas to the mainstream marketplace. After the successful launch of Virgil's Diet Real Cola earlier this year, we expanded the line to include diet versions of our Virgil's Root Beer, Cream Soda and Cherry Cream Soda. Our diet sodas utilize stevia, a calorie-free herb that we believe will revolutionize the diet industry. As mainstream beverage players look to enter the natural category with introductions of all-natural diet sodas, we seek to benefit from further growth in the natural beverage category and increasing acceptance of all-natural products in the mainstream marketplace."

About Reed's, Inc.

Reed's, Inc. makes the top selling sodas in natural food markets nationwide and is currently selling in 10,500 supermarkets in natural foods and mainstream. Its six award-winning non-alcoholic Ginger Brews are unique in the beverage industry, being brewed, not manufactured and using fresh ginger, spices and fruits in a brewing process that predates commercial soft drinks. In addition, the Company has acquired the top selling root beer line in natural foods, the Virgil's Root Beer product line, and the top selling cola line in natural foods, the China Cola product line. Other product lines include: Reed's Ginger Candies and Reed's Ginger Ice Creams. Reed's products are sold through specialty gourmet and natural food stores, supermarket chains, retail stores and restaurants nationwide, and in Canada. For more information about Reed's, please visit the company's website at: http://www.reedsgingerbrew.com or call 800-99-REEDS.

SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT

Some portions of this press release, particularly those describing Reed's goals and strategies, contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. While Reed's is working to achieve those goals and strategies, actual results could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of a number of risks and uncertainties, including difficulties in marketing its products and services, need for capital, competition from other companies and other factors, any of which could have an adverse effect on the business plans of Reed's, its reputation in the industry or its expected financial return from operations and results of operations. In light of significant risks and uncertainties inherent in forward-looking statements included herein, the inclusion of such statements should not be regarded as a representation by Reed's that they will achieve such forward-looking statements. For further details and a discussion of these and other risks and uncertainties, please see our most recent reports on Form 10-KSB and Form 10-QSB, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, as they may be amended from time to time. Reed's undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

CONTACT:  Reed's, Inc.
          John Mills, Integrated Corporate Relations
          310.954.1105
          jmills@icrinc.com