Food & Beverage Companies Advancing in the Consumer Goods Sector - Company Focuses on Strategic Growth Initiatives for 2014 and Beyond

CORAL SPRINGS, Florida, April 3, 2014 /PRNewswire/ --

Food and Beverage Companies in the consumer goods sector set sights on growth and improvement both long and short-term: RiceBran Technologies (NASDAQ: RIBT), Whole Foods Market, Inc. (NASDAQ: WFM), The Hain Celestial Group (NASDAQ: HAIN), VIVUS, Inc. (NASDAQ: VVUS), Castle Brands Inc. (NYSE: ROX) and Dean Foods Company (NYSE: DF)

RiceBran Technologies(NASDAQ: RIBT), a global leader in the production and marketing of value added products derived from rice bran, today announced that a shareholder conference call has been set for April 23, 2014 at 4:15 pm EDT.  The call will focus on tactical and strategic initiatives for 2014 and beyond.  In addition, management will discuss 2013 full year results as compared to the financial guidance provided in its Form S-1A registration statement filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") in December 2013..

To read the full press release, please click here: http://www.fnmprofiles.com/profiles-ribt.html

The Company reported financial results for full year 2013 which can be found in its March 31, 2014 Form 10-K filing with the SEC.  Consolidated net revenues and Adjusted EBITDA for the full year were consistent with previous financial guidance included in the Form S-1A filed in December 2013.  W. John Short, CEO & President of RiceBran Technologies commented, "We have reported our operating results for the year 2013 and are pleased that they are consistent with the financial guidance provided in the Form S-1A filed in December 2013. Based on subsequent events in 2014, including the acquisition of H&N Distribution on January 2, 2014 and the recently completed $4.9 million convertible debt raise, we now have a stronger business platform and believe we have adequate funding to deliver the improved performance for 2014 set out in our SEC filings and to support continued growth in 2015 and beyond.".

Whole Foods Market, Inc. (NASDAQ: WFM) and New Frontiers Natural Marketplace announced today that Whole Foods Market will purchase four stores from New Frontiers. The stores average 22,000 square feet in size and are located in Flagstaff, Prescott and Sedona, Ariz.; and San Luis Obispo, Calif. The two companies expect the transaction to be finalized in the next few weeks.  The stores will continue to operate under the New Frontiers Natural Marketplace banner until they are re-signed as Whole Foods Market stores.

The Hain Celestial Group (NASDAQ: HAIN), headquartered in Lake Success, NY, is a leading organic and natural products company in North America and Europe. Hain Celestial participates in many natural categories with well-known brands.  HAIN closed up slightly on Wednesday (04/02/14) at $94.45 per share on over 400,000 shares traded by the market close.

VIVUS, Inc. (NASDAQ: VVUS) recently announced that a review article has been published online in the Journal of Hypertension, the official publication of the International Society of Hypertension and the European Society of Hypertension, summarizing the cardiovascular benefit-risk profile of Qsymia^® (phentermine and topiramate extended-release) capsules CIV. The data suggest that Qsymia can be a safe and effective weight loss option for overweight/obese patients with cardiovascular risk factors such as hypertension or type 2 diabetes. The article examined pooled data of patients from two one-year studies of Qsymia (EQUIP and CONQUER) and a two-year cohort of the SEQUEL extension study. The significant and sustained weight loss achieved by patients receiving Qsymia at recommended dose (7.5mg/46mg) and top dose (15mg/92mg) was associated with significant reductions in blood pressure. Heart rate was increased (1.6 bpm) in patients receiving Qsymia top dose; however, rate pressure product was decreased in all treatment arms, with no difference observed between Qsymia and placebo. Due to the decrease in blood pressure and the decrease in rate pressure product, heart rate changes were not associated with an increase in myocardial oxygen demand over one or two years of treatment.

Castle Brands Inc. (NYSE: ROX) engages in developing, marketing, importing, and selling beverage alcohol products in the United States and International. It offers rum, whiskey, liqueurs, vodka, tequila, and wine. The company offers its products under the Gosling's rum, Gosling's Stormy Ginger Beer, Gosling's Dark 'n Stormy ready-to-drink cocktail, Jefferson's, Jefferson's Reserve and Jefferson's Presidential Select bourbons, Jefferson's rye whiskey, Pallini liqueurs, Clontarf Irish whiskey, Knappogue Castle Whiskey, Brady's Irish cream, Boru vodka, Tierras tequila, Celtic Honey liqueur, Castello Mio sambucas, Travis Hasse's Original Pie liqueurs, and Gozio amaretto brands through a network of wholesale distributors and state-operated agencies. On Wednesday, ROX closed up 13.64% on over 4.4 million shares traded.

Dean Foods Company (NYSE: DF) a food and beverage company, processes and distributes milk and other fluid dairy products in the United States. It manufactures, markets, and distributes dairy case products, including fluid milk, ice cream, cultured dairy products, creamers, ice cream mix, and other dairy products; and produces and distributes juices, teas, and bottled water. The company offers its products under approximately 50 local and regional proprietary or licensed brands and private labels, such as the TruMoo, Alta Dena, Berkeley Farms, Country Fresh, Dean's, Garelick Farms, LAND O LAKES, Lehigh Valley Dairy Farms, Mayfield, McArthur, Meadow Gold, Oak Farms, PET, T.G.Lee, Tuscan, and others. The company sells its products to retailers, foodservice outlets, distributors, educational institutions, and governmental entities. On Wednesday, DF closed up 6.71% on over 2.3 million shares traded.

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