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CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Ballantyne Brands, an electronic cigarette provider, on Monday announced the introduction of a new premium brand, NEO. The company also announced that it has acquired the Mistic brand of electronic cigarettes for an undisclosed amount, and has secured an investment partner to support its business for the long term.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Tropical Foods — a food manufacturer that specializes in raw and roasted nuts, dried fruit and snack mixes — recently announced the introduction of new flavors to their top-selling Buffalo Nuts line.

The new flavors include Buffalo Nuts with Ranch, Honey Roasted Buffalo Nuts and Buffalo Nuts with Blue Cheese. Buffalo Nuts are peanuts with a kick of buffalo wing flavor.

LOS ANGELES – Arrowhead Brand 100% Natural Spring Water on Thursday announced the launch of the .5 L ReBorn bottle in California.

The .5L ReBorn bottle is made of 50% recycled plastic (i.e., rPET), which requires 15% less energy to produce than bottles made from all-new materials. Additionally, bottles made of rPET can be continually recycled and reused.

EL PASO, TEXAS – Novamex, producer and marketer for such Mexican brands as Jarritos premium Mexican soda, on Thursday announced that it has launched Alova — the first natural, sparkling aloe vera beverage.

Alova will be available in three flavors: Cucumber/Mint, Mandarin Orange and Grapefruit. Each bottle contains 70-80 calories and all natural ingredients, real sugar, no preservatives and no artificial flavors.

ALLEGAN. Mich. — Business for OTC store brands is expected to boom in the coming year, Perrigo chairman and CEO Joseph Papa told analysts discussing the private-label manufacturer's first-quarter results during a conference call Wednesday, even as the growth rate across the entire OTC category slows. "What we are seeing though, is the continued acceleration of store brand as being the reason why we're seeing the growth in our OTC category. For us to have a 9.4% growth in our OTC category, we think is a strong indication," Papa said. 

SEATTLE — People looking for a nice red or white to go with dinner might be able to find it online.

Amazon.com announced Thursday the launch of Amazon Wine, which will feature more than 1,000 wines from wineries around the country, and offer information such as details on tasting notes, food-pairing recommendations and total case production.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The National Confectioners Association's Confectionary Foundation has established the Rockaway Disaster Relief Fund to help aid in the recovery of the community after Hurricane Sandy struck the East Coast.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Coach K, the highest winning coach in NCAA Division One basketball, was named the keynote speaker for the 2013 Sweets & Snacks Expo, which is hosted by the National Confectioners Association on May 21-23 in Chicago.

As head coach of Duke University's Blue Devils for more than 30 years, Coach K has made a career of motivating people, on and off the court. He was named "America's Best Coach" of all coaches, in any sport, at any level of play in 2001 by TIME magazine and CNN.