Growve, Epion Brands win at DSN/ECRM’s Vitamin, Weight Management & Sports Nutrition session
Growve won the Drug Store News Buyers’ Choice Award for its Fruily Organic Immune Gummies at ECRM’s Vitamin, Weight Management & Sports Nutrition virtual session held this month. Epion Brands was a finalist for its Kori Pure Antarctic Krill Oil 1200 MG Soft Gels.
The products were selected from dozens of entries submitted by participating suppliers. Buyers were able to evaluate each entry and cast their votes based on product packaging and innovation via the Drug Store News-branded Buyers' Choice Awards section of the ECRM Connect platform.
“The pandemic has greatly sharpened consumers’ focus on wellness, prevention and longevity,” said “Craig Chmielowicz, senior vice president of health and beauty care at ECRM. “Both Buyers' Choice Award winners have products that deliver health benefits that are in great demand today. Congratulations to both winners.”
Growve creates and partners with brands focused on natural wellness and beauty, with products spanning multiple categories and channels. Its Fruily brand is “the next innovation in gummies,” according to the company. Its line of products are certified organic, vegan and made with real fruit — a base of apple, strawberry, mango and peach juice, puree, pectin — and fiber, with no added fructose, artificial colors/flavors or preservatives.
Eighteen distinct Fruily products will launch this spring, including: women’s, men’s, children’s, prenatal and adult 50+ multivitamins; formulas for immunity, sleep, stress, energy, hair/skin/nails, digestion (probiotics), mental focus, vision and urinary health; plus vitamin B12, vitamin D3+K2; and apple cider vinegar.
The Buyers' Choice Award-winning Fruily immunity products are set to launch in January, and include Elderberry Immune, Elderberry Kid’s Immune and Vitamin C Boost. The Elderberry Immune products feature organic elderberry, vitamin C, vegan vitamin D3 from lichen and zinc. Vitamin C Boost features organic acerola and organic orange juice.
Finalist Epion Brands consists of a team of health aficionados, earth lovers, scientists and fisherfolk, with a passion for Antarctic krill and its ability to promote human health.
Kori Pure Antarctic Krill Oil is an omega-3 dietary supplement made from sustainable pure Antarctic krill — a doctor-recommended source of omega-3 that supports heart, immune, brain, eye, joint and skin health. Antarctic krill oil contains essential EPA and DHA, as well as phospholipids, choline and antioxidant astaxanthin.
According to the company, the phospholipids in Antarctic krill oil aid in superior absorption without any fishy aftertaste or burps, all without the need for added ingredients or processing. The operations behind Kori Krill Oil are MSC certified and “A” rated four years in a row by the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership; both independent organizations dedicated to promoting healthy marine ecosystems and responsible seafood economy.
Kori Krill Oil is available in a three-SKU range — 1,200 mg, 600 mg and 400 mg — with each serving delivering the same amount of essential omega-3 EPA and DHA, as consumers would get from eating the weekly amount of fish recommended by USDA Dietary Guidelines. Kori Krill Oil has launched with a significant investment plan across TV, digital, PR and more to drive growth in the omega-3 category.