Pizza Fusion recently announced that they have gained independent, third-party organic restaurant certification for their Pizza Fusion Fort Lauderdale location, and will pursue this certification with all their restaurants. Strict standards set forth by the USDA’s National Organic Program are verified via on-site inspections to validate the use of organic ingredients and menu selections with consistency and integrity in the certification process. To date, Pizza Fusion Fort Lauderdale is one of only four restaurants in the United States to receive Organic Restaurant Certification.

Barbara’s Bakery recently announced its launch into TV advertising with a Boston-area campaign featuring their highly popular Puffins cereal line. The debut ad campaign includes four animated 15-second ads featuring cartoon puffins from Puffins all-natural cereal cartons. The new ads were created by The Hive Advertising agency in San Francisco, CA. Barbara’s new TV campaign will be supported by newspaper, samples and coupons, sampling events at family-centric venues and special displays by Puffins retailers.

CCOF recently streamlined the certification process with the introduction of a range of online services for certified clients and applicants. The new digital documentation includes online certification applications, renewals and payment options as well as e-forms covering key areas of certification such as requests to add acreage, review input materials and expedite services. Through this streamlining, CCOF plans to grow revenue by 12 percent annually and double the number of certified operations to 4000 by 2013.

Diversified Laboratories, Inc. recently announced that Anthony Vagnino has joined the company as vice president of sales and marketing. Anthony brings tremendous knowledge and experience across the entire spectrum of food safety. Diversified Laboratories is an independent USDA accredited laboratory with a 30-year record of providing advanced analytical services. The company’s primary area of expertise is the detection of pesticides and chemical contaminants.

BI Nutraceuticals has hired Raymond Signore as an East Coast regional sales manager. In this position, Signore will be responsible for supporting and expanding BI's strong position with East Coast customers, as well as growing the company's customer base within the region. Prior to joining BI Nutraceuticals, Signore held sales manager positions at Generichem Corp and Stryka Botanics, where he oversaw East Coast sales of raw materials to the nutritional products industry. He also worked as vice president of purchasing and vice president of sales and marketing at Pure World Botanicals.