Branding and PR/social agency BrandHive, dedicated to "creating healthy buzz," is celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2016.

Abbott is introducing Curate, a new brand that takes a culinary approach to snacking by creating unique flavor combinations that taste like they were handcrafted by a chef. Curate is launching with six flavor recipes. These non-GMO, gluten-free snack bars are a good source of plant-based fiber, contain protein and are made without artificial preservatives, flavors or colors.

The United States Healthful Food Council audited and recognized Chosen Foods for its Responsible Epicurean and Agricultural Leadership, and awarded the use of its REAL Certified mark for Chosen Foods' Avocado Oil and Chia Bites. To become REAL Certified, products and foodservice providers must satisfy prerequisites and earn sufficient points in the areas of Responsible (nutrition), Epicurean (preparation), Agricultural (sourcing) and Leadership (going above and beyond).

Viva Corporation, a U.S.-based probiotic specialist, says it has demonstrated 18 months of real-time stability with its Bacillus coagulans probiotic gummies. Viva 5 has developed a proprietary manufacturing process which allows for the addition of the probiotic into the gummy matrix, rather than as a component of the sugar coating, allowing high recovery after manufacture and robust stability over an extended period of 18 months.

Hawaii-based bottled water company Kona Deep will begin launching its namesake brand in the continental United States beginning this month. The naturally electrolyte-rich bottled water will initially be distributed throughout the natural, grocery and specialty retail channels in the Western United States. Later this year, Kona Deep will expand its distribution throughout the rest of the country.

Biossance, the pioneer of sustainable solutions in beauty from parent company Amyris Inc., has introduced The Nourisher Precious Rose Face Oil, the newest addition to its breakthrough skin care collection of 100 percent plant-based squalane products. The Nourisher is a luxurious, weightless face oil blended with an elixir of roses designed to keep skin radiant, supple and smooth.

Force Factor, a sports nutrition brand, announced the release of VolcaNO Fury, its new pre-workout nitric oxide booster, now available at GNC stores nationwide.

In response to consumers' desire to make more informed choices about whether to eat foods which are made with genetically modified organisms, New World Pasta Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of Ebro Foods, announced that its brands American Beauty, San Giorgio, Ronzoni, Creamette, Prince and Skinner have earned Non-GMO Project Verification on their most popular pasta products.  

Sprouted grain bread company Angelic Bakehouse announced that its certified kosher, Sprouted Seven-Grain bread will become available in select Costco locations in the northeast this week.

RiceBran Technologies, a global leader in the production and marketing of value added products derived from rice bran, announced a strategic supply agreement for organic rice bran and an LLC Agreement for the formation of a jointly owned sales and marketing entity with the Bangkok-based Narula Group, one of the world's largest growers of organic rice, which is controlled by social impact entrepreneur Arvind Narula. RIBT will gain exclusive worldwide supply and distribution rights for organic jasmine rice bran and organic rice bran from other rice varieties produced by the Narula Group. The exclusive territory excludes certain South East Asian markets, Germany and the United Kingdom, which will continue to be serviced by Narula Group.