U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) Sylvia M. Burwell and Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack released updated nutritional guidelines that encourage Americans to adopt a series of science-based recommendations to improve how they eat to reduce obesity and prevent chronic diseases like Type 2 diabetes, hypertension and heart disease. 

New York-based Breakthru Beverage Group, the beverage wholesaler formed by Charmer Sunbelt and Wirtz Beverage on Jan. 1,  launched Jan. 4 in markets across the country.  

New York-based Pernod Ricard USA announced that Lillet, a wine-based aperitif produced in Bordeaux, France, has joined the Pernod Ricard USA portfolio of premium spirit and wine brands, effective Jan. 1. 

The Stewart family, owners of Sonoma, Calif.-based Lake Sonoma Winery, has negotiated the purchase of Envolve Winery from sibling proprietors Mike, Kate and Chris Benziger and Ben Flajnik. 

Red Mango Yogurt Cafe Smoothie & Juice Bar, a division of Dallas-based BRIX Holdings LLC, expanded its lineup of healthy products with the launch of a new one-day juice plan: Raw6.

Following her record-breaking performances at the 2015 World Gymnastics Championships and the U.S. National Championships, Simone Biles has entered into a partnership with Core Power. 

Who’s thirsty out there? It looks like the readers of Beverage Industry as they voted and named JUST Water as the Readers’ Choice New Product of the Month poll winner for November.

Seattle-based Jones Soda Co. announced the winner of its third annual “Jonesin’ for a Fiat 500X” summer photo contest. Beth Edwards from Lexington, Ky., will take home the grand prize, which includes a new Fiat 500X crossover and one year’s supply of Jones Soda, the company says. Additionally, her winning photo will be featured on bottles of Jones Stripped throughout North America in 2016, it adds.

Corvallis, Ore.-based 2 Towns Ciderhouse announced the release of its latest limited-release cider — The Dark Currant. The winter cider combines apples and local black currants. The black currants are noted for complex tannins, high acidity and earthy flavor profile, much like a traditional cider apple, the company says. The result is a 6 percent alcohol-by-volume cider rich in tannins with notes of cherry, rose and light wood, it adds.

The International Bottled Water Association (IBWA), Alexandria, Va., released a new infographic about landfill space and environmental footprint of PET plastic bottled water containers.