Vitamins, Diet and Sports Nutrition

PARAMUS, N.J. — Oceans Omega launched its omega-3 EPA/DHA enhanced water product, branded Omega Infusion, into 100 H-E-B stores with Healthy Living Departments, the company announced.

NEW YORK — Twinlab on Friday launched CleanSeries, a portfolio of sports nutrition products certified gluten-free and independently certified by the NSF International product certification program to verify the products meet nutrient label claims. The company also announced that celebrity fitness guru Joel Harper has officially joined as spokesman for the company’s CleanSeries product line.

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. 

LOS ANGELES — The Nutritional Magnesium Association on Wednesday noted magnesium is an essential nutrient that helps absorb necessary nutritional supplements like vitamin D or calcium in response to a recent U.S. Preventive Services Task Force report that suggested supplementing with these ingredients may not help prevent bone fractures in postmenopausal women, while also increasing the risk of kidney stones. 

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. 

PITTSBURGH — Health and wellness products retailer GNC is sponsoring a 12-week effort to encourage consumers to transform eating and exercise habits for long-term weight management, the company said.

GNC Holdings, the retailer's parent company, announced the Total Lean Challenge and Sweepstakes, which offers a chance for consumers to win $25,000 in cash prizes, as well as serving as an introduction to the company's Lifestyle Diet approach to weight loss and a way to promote products like the Lean Shake and Total Lean Watertex.

WAUKESHA, Wis. — Hamacher Resource Group will present a session about pharmacy layout, design and OTC merchandising principles to first-year students at Campbell University's pharmacy school, the retail consumer healthcare industry market research firm said Wednesday.

ABBOTT PARK, Ill. — Abbott on Monday introduced a new line of nutrition bars for active kids branded Kidz ZonePerfect. The new bars are formulated with 5 g of protein, 23 vitamins and minerals, and 3 g of fiber.