Vitamins, Diet and Sports Nutrition

PITTSBURGH — GNC is ramping up its reach beyond its 6,100 retail outlets, Joe Fortunato, the company's chairman, president and CEO, told analysts last week. The company's relationship with Sam's Club, which incorporated a branded shelf in July, is expanding; new products are being introduced to PetSmart, suggesting potential growth in pet supplements; and GNC's Marked line, co-developed with action movie star Mark Wahlberg, has been launched through Rite Aid and Walgreens. 

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration and the Federal Trade Commission last week issued a number of warning letters to distributors of "unapproved medicines," noting that because each of the products identified claimed to prevent or treat the cold or flu, they need to be registered and approved by the FDA. And because none of the ingredients listed are in fact monographed OTC cough, cold or flu symptom relievers, those products would additionally need to be filed as "new drugs."

NORTHRIDGE, Calif. — Pharmavite on Tuesday announced that its Voots Veggie-Fruit Tarts brand, a fruit- and vegetable-based supplement for kids ages 4 years and older, are now available for purchase at Walgreens locations nationwide.

PITTSBURGH — GNC on Friday announced that its employees and customers donated a total of $3.1 million over the past few months to support the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Thanks and Giving campaign. The campaign, now in its ninth year, builds awareness of and raises funds for the research and treatment done at St. Jude to help children fighting cancer. 

SILVER SPRING, Md. — U.S. marshals, acting on behalf of the Food and Drug Administration, on Thursday seized tainted products from Globe All Wellness in Hollywood, Fla. The products may be unsafe because they contain an undisclosed active pharmaceutical ingredient.

NORTH BERGEN, N.J. — The Vitamin Shoppe on Thursday announced that it has closed on the previously announced purchase of Super Supplements — a specialty retailer of vitamins, minerals and supplements — for approximately $50 million.  

Super Supplements is headquartered in Seattle and operates 31 stores in the Pacific Northwest.

CHICAGO — Swisse Wellness, one of Australia's leading multivitamin brands, on Thursday announced availability of 15 of its most popular multivitamins and dietary supplements through Walgreens. 

"We are impressed by Swisse's growth, commitment to its principles and the research investment in the premium quality of their multivitamins and supplements," stated Robert Tompkins, divisional VP and general merchandise manager for Walgreens.  

NEW YORK — Schiff Nutrition Group and M&C Saatchi NY on Tuesday launched a Valentine’s Day marketing campaign — “Whose Heart Do You Love” — in support of MegaRed krill oil supplements.