Content about Connecticut

WILTON, Conn. — Beiersdorf, whose brands include Nivea, Nivea for Men and Eucerin, announced on Thursday the promotion of Bill Graham to president and general manager of the company. Effective immediately, Graham will be responsible for the strategic direction, growth and success of the U.S. affiliate.

WASHINGTON — The dietary supplement industry last week took another legislative knock to the chin as it was associated with controversy surrounding mislabled conventional foods, specifically Lazy Cakes, a brownie that contains the dietary ingredient melatonin and purports to be a dietary supplement.

NORWALK, Conn. — The United Kingdom's pharmacy-led health and beauty retailer Boots — whose branded products are available in the United States at Target, Target.com, ShopBootsUSA.com, Ulta stores and at Shoppers Drug Mart in Canada — has named Sandra Gabriele, VP marketing and communications for Boots Retail USA, as its International Employee of the Year, part of the retailer's annual "Best of the Best Awards."

RIDGEFIELD, Conn. — Just after the approval of their new treatment for Type 2 diabetes, Eli Lilly and Boehringer Ingelheim plan to present data in more than two dozen presentations at the American Diabetes Association Scientific Sessions starting this week.

Lilly and BI, which recently launched the oral diabetes drug Tradjenta (linagliptin) will present data from studies of the drug, as well as studies on BI-10773, an investigational diabetes drug made by BI.

SHELTON, Conn. — Banana Boat sun care has kicked off its "101 Days of Summer" daily giveaway of prizes to help educate families on how to best protect themselves this summer.

The 101 daily prizes, will be awarded to fans on Facebook.com/BananaBoatBrand and Twitter at @BananaBoat. Prizes, which include Banana Boat product, beach totes, beach towels, gas cards and Visa gift cards, range in value to upward of $300.

GOODLETTSVILLE, Tenn. — Dollar General announced its plans to expand its operations to California in 2012.

The California announcement comes on the heels of the company’s planned expansions into three new states in 2011 — Connecticut, Nevada and New Hampshire. California would be Dollar General’s 39th state.

The company said it plans to serve shoppers in rural, suburban and metropolitan markets.

FAIRFIELD, Conn., and QUINCY, Mass. — Stop & Shop will distribute $1 million to local schools in the Northeast as part of its A+ School Rewards program.

RIDGEFIELD, Conn. — A drug for cardiovascular disease made by Boehringer Ingelheim has received preferred formulary status with AARP’s Medicare Part D plans, the drug maker said Thursday.

BI announced that Pradaxa (dabigatran etexilate mesylate) received preferred Tier 2 formulary status through AARP’s pharmacy benefit manager, Prescription Solutions. The Food and Drug Administration approved Pradaxa in October 2010 to reduce the risk of stroke and embolism in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation.

FAIRFIELD, Conn. — Stop & Shop announced that it has finalized its acquisition of five New Jersey Shore-area Foodtown supermarkets previously owned by Norkus Enterprises.

The transaction involves stores in Freehold Township, Manalapan, Neptune City, Point Pleasant Beach and Long Branch, N.J. Stop & Shop currently operates 10 stores in Monmouth and Ocean counties.

SHELTON, Conn. — Banana Boat has teamed up with The Skin Cancer Foundation to raise funds for skin cancer education initiatives through a new Facebook promotion.

The sun care brand said that every consumer that takes its "sun certification" quiz on Facebook.com/BananaBoatBrand will receive a "sun certified" badge to display on their own Facebook wall and trigger a $1 donation to support The Skin Cancer Foundation's sun education initiatives, for a total donation of up to $101,000.

STAMFORD, Conn. — Nestle Waters North America has inked a deal to acquire the maker of Sweet Leaf and Tradewinds beverage brands.

Nestle Waters said its acquisition of Austin, Texas-based Sweet Leaf Tea Co. — which was founded in 1998 — is subject to applicable regulatory approval and satisfaction of other customary closing conditions. The deal will expand the company's beverage portfolio of bottled water to include high-quality iced teas, lemonades and juice drinks.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The National Community Pharmacists Association's membership has expanded to include a buying and advertising cooperative that offers rebates and signage to independently owned pharmacies.

Quality Care Pharmacies — a Springville, N.Y.-based company that boasts more than 450 member pharmacies in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut and Ohio — has joined NCPA, the association said.