Content about Chemistry

March 4, 2011
Sparking a nutritious 'Stride'

NORTHFIELD, Ill. — The active gum category has a new functional addition. Kraft Foods recently introduced Stride Spark, a gum that contains vitamins B6 and B12, two essential nutrients known for helping to release energy in the body.

Manufacturers have been boosting new gum flavors with vitamins and supplements in an effort to help consumers meet their daily nutritional requirements and keep the category exciting. The strategy has worked — gum has seen steady growth over the past few years, outpacing many other confection segments.

March 4, 2011
Study: Potassium levels may be insight to racial disparity among diabetics

Researchers at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine have discovered that potassium levels in the blood may explain a racial disparity among Type 2 diabetes patients.

NEW YORK — Researchers at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine have discovered that potassium levels in the blood may explain a racial disparity among Type 2 diabetes patients.

According to a new study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, among 12,000 participants, more than 2,000 African-Americans in the study had lower average serum potassium levels than the more than 9,000 whites in the study. They also were twice as likely to develop Type 2 diabetes.

March 4, 2011
Survey: Surge in use among vitamin D, fish oil supplements

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. — Among people who use dietary supplements, the most popular products in 2010 were fish oil, multivitamins, vitamin D, calcium and Co Q-10, according to a ConsumerLab.com survey.

Women were much more likely than men to have taken vitamin D, calcium or probiotics. Men were more likely than women to have taken Co Q-10, herbs and extracts, glucosamine/chondroitin, vitamin E, resveratrol, amino acids, and nutrition drinks and powders.

March 2, 2011
Report: FDA warns of long-term PPI use

The Food and Drug Administration is warning that long-term use of a class of drugs for gastroesophageal reflux disease may decrease levels of magnesium in the body and increase the risk of such side effects as seizures and heart rhythm problems, according to published reports.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration is warning that long-term use of a class of drugs for gastroesophageal reflux disease may decrease levels of magnesium in the body and increase the risk of such side effects as seizures and heart rhythm problems, according to published reports.

The reports quoted the FDA as saying that in a quarter of cases of proton-pump inhibitors depleting magnesium from the body, use of magnesium supplements did not bring levels back to normal, and use of the drugs had to be stopped.

March 1, 2011
Puristics Totally Ageless line arriving at select Walgreens

Consumer products company Scerene Healthcare is bringing its Puristics Totally Ageless skin care line to Walgreens on a regional basis in April.

PEAPACK, N.J. — Consumer products company Scerene Healthcare is bringing its Puristics Totally Ageless skin care line to Walgreens on a regional basis in April.

The collection is available in select markets at select retail locations, including Rite Aid, King Soopers and Harris Teeter. Beginning in April, the line also will be available in Walgreens in the Milwaukee, Madison, Wis., and Denver regions.

February 28, 2011
P&G slims down Tide, Gain with compacted powder laundry detergents

Procter & Gamble is letting Target customers know that great things come in small packages as it launches new Tide and Gain compacted powder laundry detergents.

CINCINNATI — Procter & Gamble is letting Target customers know that great things come in small packages as it launches new Tide and Gain compacted powder laundry detergents.

The compacted Tide and Gain detergents, which offer the same number of loads in a smaller box, could save up to 22 million lbs. of total packaging in the United States and Canada each year, P&G said. The company said that in addition to the Tide and Gain launch at Target, P&G also will introduce compacted formulas for Cheer, Dreft and Ivory Snow.

February 24, 2011
Heinz to use Coca-Cola's PlantBottle packaging

Expect to see Heinz in a whole new way.

ATLANTA — Expect to see Heinz in a whole new way.

The company said it has entered a strategic partnership with Coca-Cola to implement the soft drink giant's PlantBottle packaging in the production of its Heinz Ketchup bottles. PlantBottle packaging is made of PET plastic bottles that are fully recyclable and use less nonrenewable resources than traditional PET plastic bottles, according to the companies. Heinz said the adoption of the PlantBottle technology will be the biggest change to its iconic ketchup bottles since they first introduced plastic in 1983.

February 24, 2011
Par sees sales gains across all sectors

Generic drug maker Par Pharmaceutical Cos. had sales of $227 million during fourth quarter 2010 and $1 billion for the year as a whole, according to an earnings statement Thursday.

WOODCLIFF LAKE, N.J. — Generic drug maker Par Pharmaceutical Cos. had sales of $227 million during fourth quarter 2010 and $1 billion for the year as a whole, according to an earnings statement Thursday.

Profits were $17.5 million for the quarter and $92.7 million for the year, compared with $10.7 million in fourth quarter 2009 and $76.9 million for 2009 as a whole.

February 23, 2011
Vita-K Professional line now includes treatments for deep facial lines, crow's feet

Freeman Beauty's Vita-K Professional line is expanding to now include Vita-K Professional deep facial lines and Vita-K Professional crow's feet treatments.

LOS ANGELES — Freeman Beauty's Vita-K Professional line is expanding to now include Vita-K Professional deep facial lines and Vita-K Professional crow's feet treatments.

Like all products in the collection, the formulas feature the ProVita-K complex and anti-aging peptides (Matrixyl 3000) to help give skin a youthful and radiant appearance.

The ProVita-K complex combines the benefits of vitamin K and an amino acid/polypeptide complex that improves the appearance of skin tone and elasticity, according to the manufacturer.

February 22, 2011
Take 10 introduces two new relaxation beverages

Take 10 Beverages on Monday launched Take 10 to Relax and Take 10 to Sleep, two relaxation shots joining a number of recent introductions that are the yin to an energy shot’s yang.

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Take 10 Beverages on Monday launched Take 10 to Relax and Take 10 to Sleep, two relaxation shots joining a number of recent introductions that are the yin to an energy shot’s yang.

February 18, 2011
First half of cold season ends with H1N1 hangover

All the hype around H1N1 
that was so prevalent in 2009 is gone, leaving only the tough comparisons a year later.

All the hype around H1N1 
that was so prevalent in 2009 is gone, leaving only the tough comparisons a year later. That makes the first half of the 
2010-2011 cough-cold season an H1N1 hangover with overall sales of $4.6 billion, representing a slight decline of 1.8%, for the 52 weeks ended Dec. 26, 2010, according to SymphonyIRI Group. What was missing in 2010 was the 2009 summer of sickness that reached a crescendo in September.

February 16, 2011
HealthWarehouse.com, GC America promote MI Paste

HealthWarehouse.com and GC America on Wednesday announced a partnership to distribute MI Paste, a professional dental product that helps strengthen teeth and aids in keeping them cavity-resistant.

CINCINNATI — HealthWarehouse.com and GC America on Wednesday announced a partnership to distribute MI Paste, a professional dental product that helps strengthen teeth and aids in keeping them cavity-resistant.

MI Paste and MI Paste Plus provide calcium and phosphate ions at the surfaces of the teeth. The active ingredient, Recaldent, is casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate (CPP-ACP). Using MI Paste twice daily helps promote enamel strengthening and diminish white spots, the companies stated.

February 14, 2011
FDA grants Acurox priority review

The Food and Drug Administration has accepted for review an application for a pain medication designed to thwart drug abusers.

PALATINE, Ill. — The Food and Drug Administration has accepted for review an application for a pain medication designed to thwart drug abusers.

Acura Pharmaceuticals announced Monday the acceptance of King Pharmaceuticals’ application for Acurox (oxycodone hydrochloride). King developed the drug using Acura’s Aversion technology, which is designed to limit or impede the ability to abuse the drug by dissolving or crushing the pills and then injecting them.

February 10, 2011
Bolthouse Farms' Aura botanical water hits retail

Bolthouse Farms has introduced a new line of 100%-natural enhanced water infused with herbs and fruit juice.

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — Bolthouse Farms has introduced a new line of 100%-natural enhanced water infused with herbs and fruit juice.

Aura botanical water, available in cucumber lemon rosemary, orange basil and grapefruit sage, carries a suggested retail price of $1.99 for each 15.2-oz. bottle.

Each serving of Aura contains 45 calories but packs a robust assortment of essential vitamins, including 50% of the recommended daily value of vitamins B3, B5, B6 and B12, as well as 100% of the recommended daily value of vitamin C, according to Bolthouse Farms.

February 10, 2011
Court: Watson's generic OTC decongestant does not infringe on branded versions

Over-the-counter generic versions of a line of products used to treat congestion do not infringe on the patents covering the branded versions, a federal court ruled Wednesday.

MORRISTOWN, N.J. — Over-the-counter generic versions of a line of products used to treat congestion do not infringe on the patents covering the branded versions, a federal court ruled Wednesday.

February 10, 2011
Stride Spark touts B vitamins claims

Kraft Foods is building on the success of its vitamin-infused gums for Trident by expanding another gum brand's portfolio with a nutrient-filled, "ridiculously long-lasting gum," according to the company.

EAST HANOVER, N.J. — Kraft Foods is building on the success of its vitamin-infused gums for Trident by expanding another gum brand's portfolio with a nutrient-filled, "ridiculously long-lasting gum," according to the company.

New Stride Spark gum contains vitamins B6 and B12, and will be available in two new flavors: Kinetic Mint and Kinetic Fruit. Each piece of Stride Spark contains 25% of the recommended daily value of the B vitamins, according to Stride.

February 9, 2011
Pharmavite’s GreatMind claims vetted by NAD

The National Advertising Division of the Council of Better Business Bureaus on Wednesday announced that Pharmavite is able to support advertising claims for the company’s NatureMade GreatMind dietary supplement, pursuant to NAD’s ongoing monitoring of advertising for dietary supplements.

NEW YORK — The National Advertising Division of the Council of Better Business Bureaus on Wednesday announced that Pharmavite is able to support advertising claims for the company’s NatureMade GreatMind dietary supplement, pursuant to NAD’s ongoing monitoring of advertising for dietary supplements.

NAD, the advertising industry’s self-regulatory forum, reviewed claims that appeared in print and Internet advertising and on product packaging, pursuant to NAD’s ongoing monitoring of advertising for dietary supplements.

February 4, 2011
Fisk acquires Barielle brand

Fisk Industries, a manufacturer of niche-oriented cosmetics and health- and beauty-aid products, has acquired the Barielle line of nail, skin and foot care products.

NEW YORK — Fisk Industries, a manufacturer of niche-oriented cosmetics and health- and beauty-aid products, has acquired the Barielle line of nail, skin and foot care products.

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

February 1, 2011
New Rogaine unscented topical foam hits retail

A new weapon to battle hair loss has arrived.

SKILLMAN, N.J. — A new weapon to battle hair loss has arrived.

New Rogaine unscented topical foam quickly penetrates into the scalp to revitalize hair follicles that have become dormant and stimulate hair growth, the company said.

The new Rogaine product will be available nationwide this month and on RogaineDirect.com ($29.99 for one-month supply and $49.99 for a three-month supply).

February 1, 2011
Touch of ‘Finesse’

STAMFORD, Conn. — Lornamead is bringing innovation to hair care with its new Finesse Clean + Simple line, the first 
dermatologist-tested hypoallergenic shampoo and conditioner for the mass market. Until now, those with sensitive skin or allergies had to turn to pricey specialty or salon products, stated Randy Sloan, president of Lornamead. 


January 28, 2011
White peach scent added to Dial's NutriSkin lineup

Henkel's Dial brand has launched for 2011 the new Dial NutriSkin white peach and shea butter body wash with seven bionutrients.

NEW YORK — Henkel's Dial brand has launched for 2011 the new Dial NutriSkin white peach and shea butter body wash with seven bionutrients.

The formula has a white peach fragrance and is infused with such ingredients as vitamin C and E (antioxidant ingredients), omega-3 and 6 (moisture balance), amino acids (builds moisture), electrolyte minerals and mineral water.

The new Dial NutriSkin white peach and shea butter body wash with seven bionutrients has a suggested retail price of $3.99 for a 16-oz. bottle and $4.99 for a 21-oz. bottle.

January 27, 2011
FDA reaccepts approval application for Remoxy

The Food and Drug Administration has accepted a regulatory approval application for a pain drug that it previously had declined to approve.

CUPERTINO, Calif. — The Food and Drug Administration has accepted a regulatory approval application for a pain drug that it previously had declined to approve.

Durect announced Thursday that the FDA had accepted a resubmitted application by King Pharmaceuticals for Remoxy (oxycodone), a controlled-release painkiller designed to reduce the risks of misuse. King and Pain Therapeutics are developing the drug using Durect’s drug-delivery technology.

January 26, 2011
Dial unveils NutriSkin line

Henkel's Dial brand has launched for 2011 a collection of NutriSkin lotions with BioNutrients.

NEW YORK — Henkel's Dial brand has launched for 2011 a collection of NutriSkin lotions with BioNutrients.

According to the manufacturer, Dial NutriSkin lotions go beyond moisture to provide a daily dose of nutrition for healthier-looking skin in seven days. The formula features an exclusive BioNutrient complex, which is a blend of vitamins, nutrients and minerals.

The collection, which launched this month, includes:

January 26, 2011
Walmart, Pacific World give sneak peek of GeoGirl

At a press event in New York on Wednesday, Pacific World and Walmart officially took the wraps off a new eco-friendly beauty line for tweens, aptly named GeoGirl.

NEW YORK — At a press event in New York on Wednesday, Pacific World and Walmart officially took the wraps off a new eco-friendly beauty line for tweens, aptly named GeoGirl.

The line, which has a suggested retail price between $3.98 and $5.98, is launching exclusively at about 1,250 Walmart stores and on Walmart.com beginning in March. The 69-SKU collection includes makeup for face, lips, cheeks and eyes, as well as skin and body care. A GeoGirl website is slated to launch Feb. 24.

January 25, 2011
Report: Kristen Bell named face of Neutrogena's Naturals line

Word has it that "Burlesque" star Kristen Bell has inked a deal with Neutrogena to be the new face of its Naturals line, according to published reports.

NEW YORK — Word has it that "Burlesque" star Kristen Bell has inked a deal with Neutrogena to be the new face of its Naturals line, according to published reports.

Johnson & Johnson, the maker of Neutrogena, has not disclosed any details, but Bell reportedly told People, "I strive to live a healthy lifestyle, and to be able to represent a line that I actually use and like to incorporate into my daily routine is ideal." The line is free of dyes, chemical sulfates, parabens and petrochemicals.