This week: Vital Proteins introduces vegan supplements | Mother Dirt gets Made Safe

Vital Proteins added two plant-based products to its collagen collection: Spirulina capsules and Organic Beauty Boost capsules. Both products are vegan and Non-GMO Project verified. The Spirulina capsules contain just California-sourced spirulina, while the Beauty Boost capsules contain organic fruits and vegetables.

Jin+Ja, a health and wellness brand founded in 2009, announced the launch of its first new product line in eight years. Jin+Ja Super Greens is a non-GMO, vegan and paleo plant-based nutrition powder made with a proprietary blend of antioxidants, premium fatty acids and detoxifying herbs and plants.

Probiotic skincare brand Mother Dirt says its AO+ Mist is the first live probiotic product to earn the Made Safe Seal, indicating that it is free of chemicals known to harm human health or environment. 

Steviva Ingredients, a leader in pure and all-natural alternative sweeteners, added two people to its sales team: Lisa Sheridan, director of sales, and Jennifer Allison, retail sales manager. 

Natural products industry veteran Victoria Hartman joined Blue Moose of Boulder as its president. Hartman brings more than 25 years of sales experience in the natural and organic product industry with specific expertise in driving brand growth, increasing revenue and expanding market share. She joins Blue Moose from leading national food broker Alliance Sales & Marketing.

New food and beverage company Sovos Brands announced the close of its previously announced acquisition of Rao's Specialty Foods Inc., maker of pasta sauce Rao's Homemade. 

Vital Essentials announce via press release that Bark to Basics, a distributor of premium pet foods and treats, will be serving pet specialty retailers in the Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma and Arkansas markets. Bark to Basics will distribute the full line of Vital Essentials high quality RAW frozen and freeze-dried pet food, snacks and treats.

Contract research organization KGK Science Inc. announced via press release the completion of an investment from CPS Capital, an independent private equity firm. As part of the partnership, CPS Capital will advise KGK operationally while helping to grow the business organically. 

Dannon added new Light & Fit Greek Nonfat Yogurt with Zero Artificial Sweeteners and Light & Fit Regular Nonfat Yogurt with Zero Artificial Sweeteners to its lineup of snack offerings. These new additions are made with stevia leaf extract. The Greek variety is available in six flavors; the regular variety comes in four flavors.

Simply Probiotic is a new, easy-to-use probiotic powder from Herbalife that delivers 1 billion probiotic cultures per serving. It contains zero calories per serving, with no artificial flavors, colors or added sweeteners, and is made with non-GMO ingredients. It's formulated with the GanedenBC30 probiotic strain. 

Q Laboratories has purchased two buildings in Cincinnati, Ohio, as part of its ongoing capacity expansion project, that will serve as administrative offices supporting its microbiology, analytical chemistry, and research and development laboratories.