HEALTH

Increased consumer spending prompts NRF to boost 2016 sales projections
WASHINGTON – With increases in consumer spending expected to remain solid during the remainder of the year, the National Retail Federation on Tuesday increased 2016 retail sales projections by 30 basis points to 3.4% over last year.

Online and other non-store sales, which are included in the overall figure, are expected to increase 7% to 10% year-over-year rather than the 6% to 9% percent forecast earlier.
Sanofi Pasteur to start shipping new flu vaccines
SWIFTWATER, Pa. – Sanofi Pasteur on Tuesday announced today that its first doses of Fluzone for the 2016-2017 influenza season have been released by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for shipment.
In the 2015-2016 influenza season, 50% of seniors who were vaccinated received Fluzone High-Dose vaccine, and this number is expected to rise to 60% in the coming season.

NBTY's Ester C clinically proven to stay in the body longer

RONKONKOMA, N.Y. - A new clinical study conducted by NBTY demonstrated that Ester-C, a patented form of Vitamin C, stays in immune cells longer than regular Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) currently on the market, NBTY announced Monday.

The study, published in SpringerPlus, reports that Ester-C significantly increases vitamin C concentrations in white blood cells (leukocytes; cell of the immune system) up to 24 hours following a single oral administration of 1,000 mg vitamin C.
Kline: Latest OTC supplier rankings change following multitude of M&As

PARSIPPANY, N.J. – While the U.S. OTC market is not highly dynamic in terms of growth, its competitive landscape has changed significantly over the past five years, with the top 10 rankings shifting in 2015, the Kline Group noted on Monday from its recently published Nonprescription Drugs USA.
Sundown Naturals completes 3-month vitamin roadshow
Genesis Today launches cranberry supplement in a powdered drink format

AUSTIN, Texas - Superfruit product leader Genesis Today earlier this week launched Cranberry U.T. Complete, a new superfruit-based supplement to support urinary tract health.

Cranberry U.T. Complete features Cran D'Or cranberry extract plus selected botanicals, such as Ceylon cinnamon, d-mannose, uva ursi leaf, dandelion root and corn silk powder, that help it achieve 135mg of antioxidants from Proanthocyanidins (PAC's) per serving.
Hyland's names new president

LOS ANGELES – Hyland’s on Tuesday announced that Les Hamilton has succeeded Dale Nepsa as president of Hyland’s. Nepsa retired after 25 years of growing Hyland’s sales and brand recognition in the domestic marketplace.

As president, Hamilton now has full leadership of the company’s sales division. He will ensure continued strategic alignment between Hyland's food, drug and mass merchandiser customers and the company's natural food store customers.
Congressional Task Force to explore VMS regulations in Puerto Rico, NPA reports

WASHINGTON – A new Congressional Task Force will investigate the impact of Puerto Rico’s regulations on the dietary supplement and natural products industry, the Natural Products Association reported Wednesday. This comes as part of the federal government’s efforts under the Puerto Rico Oversight, Management, and Economic Stability Act.
Ansell trades condoms for performance apparel with SkynFeel intro

ISELIN, N.J. - Ansell is parlaying its brand recognition as one of the leading condom manufacturers with Skyn Condoms into a new out-of-the-box venture - performance apparel. The new SkynFeel is a one-of-a-kind conceptual long jump suit for elite athletes that's made of the same condom material that lets a person "feel" everything.
Shae set to introduce new health platform to help shape behavior this fall

SAN DIEGO - This fall, health expert and mobile health entrepreneur Matt Riemann will introduce his latest product, Shae, a health platform designed to both analyze and interpret incoming data from FitBit, Apple Watch and other wearables to make personalized, real-time health recommendations for the user.