Vitamins, Diet and Sports Nutrition

WASHINGTON — Elderly and disabled people nationwide have saved almost $9 billion on prescription drugs thanks to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, according to a new study by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

NEW YORK — The National Advertising Division has referred advertising claims made by Maxam Nutraceuticals for its PCA dietary supplement to the Federal Trade Commission for further review, after the company declined to participate in a review of its claims.

The Council for Responsible Nutrition challenged claims made by Maxam in television and Internet advertising, including:

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — The global market research firm Harris Interactive on Monday announced that it has entered into a definitive merger agreement to be acquired by Nielsen Holdings. 

MEAD, Wash. — Movit Energy Gummies recently launched its signature product targeting active sports enthusiasts with an energy product in gummy format. 

Movit comes in a snack-size packet typically containing 11 gummies, which altogether contain 60 calories, in one of two flavors — citrus or berry. The proprietary formula includes such ingredients as Brazilian guarana, co-enzyme Q10, D-ribose, vitamin C, taurine, protein and a full complement of B vitamins.

The energy formula meets high school and NCAA guidelines, the company stated.

MELBOURNE, Australia — PGT Healthcare, the international joint venture between Procter & Gamble and Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, earlier this week announced a collaboration with Swisse Wellness, a leading wellness brand in Australia, to begin expanding Swisse Wellness' range of more than 100 vitamins, minerals and supplements globally over the next few years.

Swisse Wellness products are currently available in Australia, New Zealand and the United States. The collaboration with PGT Healthcare encompasses all new markets in Europe, Asia and Latin America.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — The Global Market Development Center and The National Grocers Association on Thursday announced the GMDC Showcase at the 2014 NGA Show, to be held February 9-12, 2014 at the Mirage Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. For the first time, GMDC in partnership with their supplier and wholesale members will bring a 3,000 square foot pavilion of general merchandise, health, wellness, and beauty care products, merchandising concepts and promotions to the 2014 NGA Show.

CHICAGO — Across five different product or service attributes analyzed (i.e., price, service agreement, selection, feature or quality) in a Nielsen Global Survey of Loyalty Sentiment, "offering the best price" held the most persuasive power to motivate consumers to swap devotion to a brand, service provider or retailer, Nielsen reported on Monday. 

SILVER SPRING, Md. — Following actions by the Food and Drug Administration, USPLabs has agreed to recall and destroy the dietary supplement OxyElite Pro, as it has been linked to dozens of cases of acute liver failure and hepatitis, including one death and illnesses so severe that several patients required liver transplants, the agency noted Wednesday.