Snapple Discontinues Autism Awareness Drink

Last year, Holly Robinson Peete appeared on the hit reality show, Celebrity Apprentice, where she competed against 13 other contestants in hopes of benefiting the charity founded by her and her husband. Peete eventually placed second in the competition, losing to Poison front man and "Rock of Love" star Bret Michaels.

As part of their season finale challenge, Peete and Michaels were both assigned to create a new drink flavor for Snapple, along with a corresponding ad campaign. Michaels, who has diabetes, came up with the Trop-A-Rocka flavor, while Peete, who has a son with autism, created Compassionberry Tea.

Peete’s drink benefited the HollyRod Foundation, a non-profit organization that assists those with autism and Parkinson’s disease, while Michaels’ flavor supported the American Diabetes Association. Public response to both drinks after the finale was overwhelmingly positive.

However, in a not-so-compassionate move, Snapple has apparently pulled the plug on Peete’s drink, just one month before Autism Awareness Month.

Earlier last week, she tweeted the following:

"Disappointed 2 hear that @snapple is discontinuing my #compassionberry tea flavor which is not only yummy but spreading #autism awareness…"

There were no further details as to why Snapple decided to discontinue Peete’s Compassionberry flavor, however, in a subsequent tweet, she noted that despite the move, Snapple was still continuing to carry the competing tea created by Michaels:

"@Snapple is only discontinuing my #compassionberry supporting #autism happy they r keeping Bret’s tea 4 #diabetes but room 4 both"

Presumably, this was strictly a business decision by Snapple based on sales and/or demand.

However, nixing the drink so close to Autism Awareness Month, while at the same time keeping Michaels’ flavor, is the kind of move that would be worthy of a hot-seat in Trump’s board room.

Admittedly, I have not tried the drink, however, there have been many who have commented on its great taste. Compassionberry ingredients include passion fruit and strawberries, along with traditional tea flavors.

For those who would like to see the Compassionberry Tea make a comeback, a note can be sent to Snapple’s consumer affairs division here.