Vitamins, Diet and Sports Nutrition

 SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration on Thursday announced a pair of penal actions against companies operating outside of dietary supplement regulations. 

A federal judge granted the FDA a permanent injunction against Truman Berst, doing business as Alternative Health & Herbs Remedies of Albany, Ore., for selling products represented as herbs and supplements with claims for treating diseases.

CINCINNATI — Social media engagement between a consumer and brand drives both immediate and long-term sales increases, according to a study released Thursday by LoyaltyOne. The research constitutes a social media marketing breakthrough because it establishes the accountability link long sought by brands that have showered dollars on social media outlets while attempting to prove the return on investment to C-suite skeptics, the company stated.

ALBANY — Leosons Overseas on Tuesday announced the acquisition of the brands N’Ice and Fiberall from Insight Pharmaceuticals. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. 

"We are proud of our growth and success of these brands, and we feel that this acquisition will further our mission to deliver the best U.S.-made products globally," said John Ohanian, general manager and president of Leosons. "The acquisition … will broaden our existing sales and distribution reach, as well as bring scale to our business.” 

DENVER — Although 77% of general shoppers compare store brands to brand names, 90% of women compare both regularly, according to a shopper behavior study conducted by The Integer Group and M/A/R/C Research that was published Thursday in The Checkout.  

BUTLER, N.J. – Sneaky Pete's Naturally Oatstanding Beverage is now available at various grocery stores and other retailers nationwide. The first soluble oat beverage of its kind, Sneaky Pete's is an easy and low-calorie way for consumers to meet the daily requirement for fiber.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Sam's Club, via its Simply Right wellness brand, has donated $500,000 to Vitamin Angels, a nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing availability, access and use of micronutrients among at-risk populations in need. The monetary donation will help Vitamin Angels expand their efforts to reach at-risk children age five and under with vitamin A and daily multivitamins and pregnant or breastfeeding women with prenatal vitamins around the world and domestically.

NORTHRIDGE, Calif. – Pharmavite has introduced Voots Veggie-Fruit Tarts, a fruit- and vegetable- based supplement for children ages 4 years and older that provides the antioxidants found in three servings of fruits and vegetables in two chewable berry-flavored tarts.

Voots are made with a blend of 11 fruits and vegetables and are blended with vitamin C and other ingredients before being pressed into tablets. Voots do not contain any artificial flavors, colors or preservatives. The tablets come in convenient single-serve packets so that kids can enjoy them on-the-go.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS/pharmacy is encouraging customers to consider making simple lifestyle changes to experience long-term health benefits in light of new findings on the positive effect of daily vitamin regimens released this week by Brigham and Women's Hospital and published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.