Vitamins, Diet and Sports Nutrition

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens has begun promotion of its exclusive PureLife Naturals line of health supplements, a line launched in September in its weekly circulars. The line of active-ingredient formulas are blended without any artificial ingredients, colors or preservatives and ideal for the purity-conscious shopper.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration on Tuesday advised consumers not to purchase or use “MAXILOSS Weight Advanced” — a product promoted and sold for weight loss on various web sites, including DreamLifeWeightLoss.com, and in some retail stores.

NEW YORK — The Electronic Retailing Self-Regulation Program on Tuesday recommended that Casper Labs modify or discontinue certain claims for Calmestra, a dietary supplement marketed as providing relief for symptoms of menopause, including claims that the product has been “clinically proven” to address symptoms of menopause.

COMMERCE, Calif. — Fueled by strong store growth and increased household penetration, dollar stores have been stepping outside of their comfort zone in pursuit of consumer trips that have historically belonged to retail pharmacy. 

NORTH BERGEN, N.J. — The Vitamin Shoppe's proposed acquisition of Super Supplements has been delayed, the company recently announced. According to the company, the Federal Trade Commission had notified VSI that it is conducting an investigation into the planned acquisition, noting that the investigation will extend beyond Dec. 31, 2012.

SUNBURY, Pa. — Weis Markets on Friday announced the launch of its 10th round of price freezes, effective in all 163 store locations. 

More than 2,000 products have been reduced in price and will stay at these discounted levels for 90 days. Since the company began its price freezing initiative in January 2009, Weis customers have saved more than $40 million dollars, the grocer stated.

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. — NBCUniversal Television Consumer Products, in conjunction with Shine America, on Thursday announced the launch of the newly enhanced Biggestloser.com to serve as a one-stop portal with complete access to NBC’s “The Biggest Loser” online community.

WASHINGTON — The Council for Responsible Nutrition on Thursday kicked off a year-long celebration in honor of the association’s 40th anniversary. Created in 1973 by three companies and a single staffer, CRN is today recognized by many, both inside and outside the industry, as the leading trade association representing more than 100 dietary supplement manufacturers, ingredient suppliers and companies that supply services for the supplement industry.