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Who owns AriZona Beverages? Internet rushes to the defense of 'unhealthy' iced tea

A tweet read, 'Nobody's assuming Arizona iced tea is healthy, just like they don't ask what's in a Costco hot dog'

WOODBURY, NEW YORK: AriZona Iced Tea is trending on Twitter after the company wrote on Twitter, "can everyone reply to this tweet saying 'AriZona Iced Tea.'" This prompted a conversation among social media users, with some stressing how on unhealthy the drink is, and others defending it as good.

Arizona Beverages USA produces various flavors of iced tea, juice cocktails, and energy drinks. The company's first product was made available in 1992 in an attempt to compete with Snapple. Both the companies originated in New York. It is known for its 'Big Can' drinks holding 23 fl oz (680 ml) of iced teas, juice drinks and other beverages. In the US, the beverages retail for around the price of $0.99.

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Who owns AriZona Beverages?

Domenick "Don" Vultaggio is a billionaire businessman and the co-founder of Arizona Beverage Company, which is a subsidiary company of Hornell Brewing Co, Inc. The company's website says it is "family-owned & operated since 1992." Vultaggio grew up in Flatbush, neighborhood of Brooklyn.

Vultaggio father was the manager of an A&P supermarket. He reportedly bought out co-founder John Ferolito in 2015. He is married to an artist named Irene, and the two share sons Wesley and Spencer. The brothers, too, work for the company. As of April 2022, his net worth was estimated at $4.4 billion, as per Market Realist.

According to the company's website, "Born in the heart of Brooklyn, AriZona® Beverages came onto the scene with a fresh take on iced tea, which has now taken the world by storm. Since 1992, our mission has been to bring our customers great-tasting products, using top-quality ingredients, presented in uniquely designed packaging, skillfully produced and made affordable to everyone."

'I will not accept AriZona Iced Tea slander': Internet defends 'unhealthy' drink

The tweet that led the current 'AriZona Iced Tea' trend read, "can everyone reply to this tweet saying "AriZona Iced Tea." Social media users were quick to defend the drink after a user said in a tweet, which has been deleted, that it is 'unhealthy'. "AriZona Iced Tea is $1 because it has high fructose corn syrup in it… keep drinking it if you want but it’s def not healthy," the user had written.

"I will not accept AriZona Iced Tea slander. This got me through college hell weeks and sleepless nights. Literally carried a fucking gallon around campus. From the dorm to the library to the editing lab," one user wrote, defending the tweet. Another said, "I only did it during hell weeks! I prefer coffee usually. but didn't wanna keep buying coffee or making it during all nighters, so i just carried around a gallon of arizona iced tea looool." "Me checking twitter to make sure arizona iced tea is okay," one user joked, sharing a video. 

"Nobody's assuming Arizona iced tea is healthy, just like they don't ask what's in a Costco hot dog," one user said. Whilst, another wrote, "Nobody's assuming Arizona iced tea is healthy, just like they don't ask what's in a Costco hot dog". "Me waking up and going back to sleep after seeing Arizona Iced Tea trending and knowing everything is ok," one user said, sharing a meme. 

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.