Herbalife to pay $200M, avoid more serious charges

A two-year FTC investigation into supplements company Herbalife has ended with the company agreeing to restructure its U.S. operations and pay a $200 million settlement. Thought it faced allegations that it deceived salespeople into believing they could earn substantial money for recruiting other salespeople, the multi-level marketing company avoided being classified as a pyramid scheme. Read more at The Denver Post...

Paying farmers to go organic, even before the crops come in

General Mills, Kellogg and Ardent Mills have joined the rank of large food companies helping convert conventional farmland into organic in an effort to meet exploding demand for organic products. These programs include price premiums for farmers in transition or long-term supply contracts. Read more at The New York Times...

Food and politics: Why this American entrepreneur wants to see a conflict zone aisle at Whole Foods

The cofounder of Heavenly Organics (a NEXTY Award winner) supports food companies that source from areas of the world where food production helps refugees and victims of political conflict earn a living. His own company sources raw, wild honey from India. Read more at Forbes...

Once Again Nut Butter grows operations, adds jobs

A 37,000-square foot production facility opened earlier this year near Once Again Nut Butter's headquarters in Livingston County, New York, will help the company produce 50 million pounds of peanut butter a year, including some of the organic variety. Read more at Democrat & Chronicle...

General Mills reveals how it plans to 'renovate' yogurt products

Its product portfolio of regular and light yogurts "is not aligned with the trends," according to one General Mills exec. New product development within the next year will focus on Greek yogurt, organic yogurt and beverages. Read more at Fortune...