FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

• Where can I find market research on the beverage industry?
• I am looking for a particular beverage. Is it still being made? By whom?
• While remodeling my home, I found some old beverage bottles in the wall. Are they valuable?
• How much caffeine is there in (fill in the blank)?
• Will ABA sponsor charitable events?
• What is a soft drink?
• Is it true that Pepsi eliminated "Under God" from the Pledge of Allegiance printed on its cans?
• Why are soft drinks sometimes called "Pop"?

Where can I find market research on the beverage industry?

Beverage industry marketing and beverage industry merchandising information is available from beverage industry trade press, fee-based services and online services. The American Beverage Association (ABA) does not publish beverage industry market data. For more information visit the Market Research section of News & Resources.

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I am looking for a particular beverage. Is it still being made? By whom?

Please consult ABA’s Brands Index. Once you find the beverage brand, contact the company directly and inquire about the product. If you don’t find the beverage product there try Bevnet, Ifsandsbutts, Popsoda, Goodsoda, Realsoda or other similar web pages. For older beverage products that may not be made today, consult the resources listed in our Beverage Memorabilia section.

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While remodeling my home, I found some old beverage bottles in the wall. Are they valuable?

ABA recognizes the world-wide popularity of collecting and trading memorabilia, bottles, and cans related to beverage products. While ABA does not have information on specific collectibles, our Beverage Memorabilia section will provide you with a few resources that do.

P.S. Apparently hiding rubbish in walls is an old builder’s trick to avoid carrying it off-site.

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How much caffeine is there in (fill in the blank)?

Please consult the Caffeine section of our Web site for information about the caffeine content of beverages. For general information on ingredients please see the "What's Inside?" section for our beverage categories. For information on a specific brand, please contact the beverage manufacturer directly. Our Brands Index will help you get in touch with various beverage manufacturers.

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Will ABA sponsor charitable events?

The American Beverage Association (ABA) appreciates your commitment to your favorite charity and wishes you much success with your fundraising efforts. However, ABA is unable to sponsor your activity. Like many organizations, ABA chooses to sponsor local activities and charities in Washington, D.C., where our offices are located. However, the beverage bottlers in your region may be able to assist you as they are more likely to support regional charities and other worthwhile activities in their own communities. Call the franchise companies (The Coca-Cola Company, Cadbury Schweppes Americas Beverages, PepsiCo, etc.) and ask for names of bottlers in your area. Telephone numbers are available on our Brands page.

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What is a soft drink?

Soft drinks are distinguished from “hard drinks” or alcohol beverages, such as distilled spirits, beer, or wine. Soft drinks do not contain alcohol. Consumers can choose from a wide variety of beverages including regular carbonated beverages, diet and caffeine-free beverages, bottled water, juices, juice drinks, sport drinks, and ready-to-drink teas.

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Is it true that Pepsi eliminated "Under God" from the Pledge of Allegiance printed on its cans?

The Pepsi-Cola Company wants to clarify an erroneous report that has been circulating around cyberspace for the past several years. Pepsi has not created any packaging containing an edited version of America's Pledge of Allegiance. A patriotic package used in 2001 by Dr Pepper (which is not a part of PepsiCo) was also inappropriately linked to this rumor. For more information on the hoax visit Snopes.

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Why are soft drinks sometimes called "Pop"?

The name "Pop," having special reference to flavored soda water in bottles, came into use about midway through the nineteenth century. It was used, for example, in the 1881 edition of Vol. III, A History of American Manufactures for 1608 to 1860 (J. Leander Bishop), in the classification "Mineral Waters and Pop" as heading for data on factories in various cities.

"Pop" came not from the composition of the product, but rather from the popping noise made when the gaseous pressure within the bottle was released, by removing the cork or other closure. The term has been generally associated with products on which the Hutchinson stopper or similar bottle closures were used, dating from about 1880. It’s use has continued with the crown cap, but the bottler's preference for the term "Pop" has declined materially....."

From "A History of the American Soft Drink Industry: bottled carbonated beverages, 1807-1957 by John J. Riley. Arno Press, 1972.

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