HEALTH

Sales of glucose meters were slightly up over the holidays, reaching $67.7 million for the 12 weeks ended Dec. 30 across U.S. multi-outlets, according to SymphonyIRI Group data.

With a new diabetes diagnosis being made once every 21 seconds, coupled with the coming expansion of Medicaid requirements across at least some states, there will be a significant consumer demand for blood-glucose meters and the test strips that supply them for some time to come.

WHITEHOUSE STATION, N.J. — Drug maker Merck has hired celebrity chef and cookbook author Leticia Moreinos Schwartz as a spokeswoman to reach out to Hispanics living with Type 2 diabetes, the drug maker said Friday.

NORTH ANDOVER, Mass. — Nelsons on Thursday launched Rescue Pearls, dissolvable gel capsules that provide relief from daily stress. Each pearl releases one dose of Rescue Remedy. 

PLEASANTON, Calif. — Safeway on Wednesday offered a glimpse of its new wellness platform, slated to launch in the second quarter, to analysts during the chain's 2013 investor conference here. "Today, we're a supermarket company … selling wellness services and wellness products," Steve Burd, Safeway chairman and CEO, told analysts. Within 10 years, Safeway will transform into a wellness company that happens to sell food, Burd said. 

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The cost of diabetes has increased by more than $70 billion over the past five years, according to new research from the American Diabetes Association.

The ADA announced the release of a report estimating that the total costs of diagnosed diabetes had risen 41%, from 2007's $174 billion to $245 billion in 2012. The report, Economic Costs of Diabetes in the U.S. in 2012, was commissioned by the ADA and addresses increased financial burden, health resources used and lost productivity associated with the disease.

CHICAGO — Morton Salt on Thursday introduced a new line of Natural Epsom salt products, marking its first foray into the health and beauty category.

"The Epsom salt category has seen sustained growth over the past few years, presenting an opportunity for Morton Salt to begin leveraging its ubiquitous brand equity with the health and beauty shopper," stated Carol Panozzo, VP consumer products sales and marketing at Morton Salt.

Morton's new Epsom salt line includes four core products, which are unique in that they are made with natural magnesium sulfate.

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Heel on Thursday announced the launch of the Reboost cold and flu product line and new packaging for the Traumeel pain relief product line. The Reboost product line brings together four of the company’s cold, cough and flu products under a single brand that has been specifically designed to speak to the consumer in a retail environment. 

PITTSBURGH — GNC on Monday named Scott O'Hara to its board of directors. 

"[O'Hara's] wealth of knowledge and experience, particularly his international business expertise, should be a valuable resource to GNC as we move forward," stated Joe Fortunato, GNC chairman and CEO.