Vitamins, Diet and Sports Nutrition

There may still be room for substantial growth in multivitamins — like in gummy vitamins.

(For the full category review, including sales data, click here.)

Many of the larger probiotic brands are experiencing significant growth. i-Health’s Culturelle generated $61.6 million in sales on a growth rate of 44.5% for the 52 weeks ended Aug. 11, according to IRI data across U.S. multi-outlets. And sales of Bayer’s Phillips Colon Health were up 18.5% to $58.7 million.

NORTHRIDGE, Calif. — Pharmavite launched its latest VMS innovation, Nature Made VitaMelts, earlier this summer, and already the brand ranks No. 12 among one- and two-letter vitamins, according to 52-week sales data as tracked by IRI.

The most significant point of differentiation: a new-format delivery that induces trial and subsequently the repurchase. “The repurchase is so high because the marketing campaign has been very successful and continues to build awareness among mass consumers,” noted Pharmavite spokesman Doug Jones.

MIAMI LAKES, Fla. — Fuse Science on Monday announced that as of late last month it has officially launched its ad campaign behind Powered By Fuse energy products. 

EMERYVILLE, Calif. — Clif Kid, maker of organic snacks for active kids, on Thursday introduced Zbar Monster Chocolate Mint — a seasonal offering for Halloween. 

A nutritious alternative to candy, Zbar Monster Chocolate Mint combines the flavor of chocolate with a hint of mint in a snack bar made with USDA-certified organic ingredients.

PLANO, Texas — Research Now announced the launch of its Diabetes Panel, a collection of 336,000 deeply-profiled panelists in the United States and Canada who have been diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure or obesity. Research Now's Healthcare Panels also include physicians, nurses, pharmacists, hospital executives and administrators.

PITTSBURGH — GNC Holdings on Wednesday announced it has acquired A1 Sports Limited (d.b.a. Discount Supplements), a multi-brand sports nutrition e-commerce retailer in the United Kingdom. 

The acquisition was funded with cash on hand. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Following the acquisition, GNC.com, LuckyVitamin.com and discount-supplements.co.uk will continue to operate as separate businesses, each with its own product offerings and target customers.

BOULDER, Colo. — Pharmaca Integrative Pharmacy on Monday announced that it has served nearly 400,000 children through its partnership with Vitamin Angels. Donations have added up to $98,000 since the start of the partnership in 2004, enough money to serve more than 395,000 people.