Vitamins, Diet and Sports Nutrition

ANAHEIM, Calif. — Erba Vita on Monday announced its entry into the U.S. market with a line of supplements, including Propolis, a resinous material collected by honeybees from tree buds and other plant sources shown to benefit the immune system.

"Erba Vita has been helping Italians naturally live 'la dolce vita' for decades, and we are thrilled to finally bring this innovative line of products to American consumers," stated Angela Butler, director of Erba Vita USA. 

WINNEPEG, Manitoba — Manitoba Harvest Hemp Foods on Wednesday named John Durkin VP sales. Durkin will lead the sales team in expanding sales of Manitoba Harvest’s award-winning Hemp Hearts raw shelled hemp seeds, and the newly rebranded line up of hemp protein powders.   

“We are thrilled to have a seasoned professional like John join our dynamic team,” stated Mike Fata, Manitoba Harvest CEO. “John brings an abundance of experience and expertise that will boost Manitoba Harvest’s rapid growth.” 

PITTSBURGH — GNC on Thursday announced new the launch of new delivery systems and certification advancements across GNC's Pro Performance AMP Concentrated Intelligent Release Series and the Pro Performance X.R. Series, along with three new AMP formulas. 

NEW YORK — The Electronic Retailing Self-Regulation Program on Monday recommended that Lunada Biomedical discontinue weight-loss and other claims made for Amberen, a dietary supplement marketed to menopausal women. ERSP found, however, the company could support claims related to hot flashes, irritability, sleeplessness and “low libido.”

LOS ANGELES — Music mogul Sean Combs and actor/producer Mark Wahlberg on Wednesday announced a joint venture with fitness and wellness water brand AQUAhydrate. Per the arrangement, Combs and Wahlberg will oversee business strategy along with CEO John Cochran, former president of Fiji Water.  

Together they will help drive the AQUAhydrate brand and be instrumental in helping secure retail partnerships for the water brand, such as their recently signed deals with Safeway, Kroger and GNC.

WATSONVILLE, Calif. — Nordic Naturals and Lipid Technologies on Tuesday developed a partnership to ensure that practitioners have easy access to the Holman Omega-3 Blood Spot Test for their patients. The Holman Omega-3 Blood Spot Test delivers a fast, easy and accurate measurement of a person’s omega-3 levels, which can aid in making informed choices about diet and supplementation. 

CHICAGO — As part of its 10th anniversary celebration, RightSize Health and Nutrition has introduced three new smoothie formulas, new packaging and a new website loaded with smoothie recipes and weight-loss tips and advice.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force on Monday issued a trio of controversial recommendations regarding supplementing with vitamin D and calcium. Specifically, the Task Force determined that the current evidence was insufficient to support vitamin D and calcium supplementation for the primary prevention of fractures in premenopausal women, in men or in postmenopausal women and recommended against daily supplementation of vitamin D or calcium toward that end.