USDA pulls 8 products from approved organic production list

The USDA's Agriculture Marketing Service issued the final rule for the ingredients up for sunset review this year. Eight ingredients were removed from the list of approved substances in organic production—lignin sulfonate (for use as a floating agent); furosemide; magnesium carbonate; and the nonorganic forms of chia, dillweed oil, frozen galangal, frozen lemongrass and chipotle chile peppers. The rule also renews the allowance of nonorganic forms of inulin-oligofructose enriched, Turkish bay leaves and whey protein concentrate on the National List. Read more at Growing Produce...

This vegan energy drink company just got $2 million in funding—here's how it actually tastes

Revere is a new vegan, non-GMO sports nutrition company that makes pre- and post-workout powders from plant-based ingredients like sweet potato, green tea powder and pea protein. The company, which raised $2 million in a seed round, is based on a subscription model that starts at $34 a month. The founders hope its basis of easy-to-understand nutritional science will win over consumers, but it's a crowded category already. Read more at Fortune...

Stonyfield appoints its first creative agency of record as yogurt wars heat up

As Stonyfield transitions to new ownership, GYK Antler will serve as the creative agency for all of its brands including Stonyfield, YoBaby, YoKids and Brown Cow. The firm's president and CEO described its role as helping the brand rediscover its roots. Read more at AdWeek...

Albertson's stalls renewed IPO plans after Amazon's deal with Whole Foods

Its been almost two years since the grocer first postponed its IPO; now management and investors have put its public listing on hold again, according to Bloomberg sources. In addition to the Whole Foods-Amazon deal, struggling sales and competitor Kroger's poor stock performance were cited as reasons. Read more at Bloomberg...

New CDC chief partnered with Coke in state obesity program

Brenda Fitzgerald, former Georgia health commissioner and now the country's top public health official, worked on a program in one of the nation's most obese states that was partially funded by the Coca-Cola Foundation and made little mention of the problem with sugary drinks. Some advocates are concerned that she will take that approach in the national battle against obesity. Read more at The Washington Post...