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April 19, 2011
Report: Don’t bank on vitamin D sales

The ever-increasing popularity of vitamin D may have reached its plateau, suggested a report issued by Euromonitor International in late March, in part because of the vitamin’s ubiquity across the marketplace.

LONDON — The ever-increasing popularity of vitamin D may have reached its plateau, suggested a report issued by Euromonitor International in late March, in part because of the vitamin’s ubiquity across the marketplace.

Accordingly, sales of vitamin D supplements may fall, especially sales of single-letter vitamin D, the report concluded.

April 19, 2011
Sigma-Tau OKed to manufacture primary ingredient in Oncaspar

The Food and Drug Administration has given approval to Sigma-Tau Pharmaceuticals to manufacture the main ingredient of a treatment for leukemia, the drug maker said.

GAITHERSBURG, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration has given approval to Sigma-Tau Pharmaceuticals to manufacture the main ingredient of a treatment for leukemia, the drug maker said.

Sigma-Tau was approved to manufacture L-asparaginase, the primary ingredient in the drug Oncaspar (pegaspargase). Sigma-Tau began seeking approval when the previous manufacturer ceased production. The drug is used to treat acute lymphoblastic leukemia, also known as ALL.

April 19, 2011
Skinny Water achieves record sales, looks to expand distribution

The maker of Skinny Water achieved a 67% increase in earnings and sold nearly 1 million cases for 2010, compared with the year-ago period.

BALA CYNWYD, Pa. — The maker of Skinny Water achieved a 67% increase in earnings and sold nearly 1 million cases for 2010, compared with the year-ago period.

April 19, 2011
Target's recycling efforts pay off

Target said that its in-store recycling stations collected and recycled more than 170 million shopping bags, weighing more than 1,800 tons, between April and December 2010.

MINNEAPOLIS — Target said that its in-store recycling stations collected and recycled more than 170 million shopping bags, weighing more than 1,800 tons, between April and December 2010.

The retailer also said that its in-store recycling stations, which were launched to make it easier for guests to recycle common household items, also collected and recycled more than 700 tons of bottles and cans, as well as nearly 2 million units of such small electronics as MP3 players and cell phones during the nine-month period.

April 19, 2011
Tria completes equity, debt financing; two board members named

Tria Beauty, which creates at-home light-based skin care products, has announced the completion of $27 million in equity and $10 million in debt financing to help support the continued growth of the company and global commercialization of its light-based skin care products.

DUBLIN, Calif. — Tria Beauty, which creates at-home light-based skin care products, has announced the completion of $27 million in equity and $10 million in debt financing to help support the continued growth of the company and global commercialization of its light-based skin care products.

April 19, 2011
Vitamin Shoppe announces opening of 500th store

Vitamin Shoppe on Monday opened the doors to store No. 500 in St. Peters, Mo. — the company’s first store in that market and the third in the state.

NORTH BERGEN, N.J. — Vitamin Shoppe on Monday opened the doors to store No. 500 in St. Peters, Mo. — the company’s first store in that market and the third in the state.

"The opening of our 500th store is an extremely important event and a rewarding accomplishment that our entire company can be proud of,” Vitamin Shoppe CEO Tony Truesdale said. “The community's commitment to health and wellness makes the city an ideal location for the Vitamin Shoppe, and we are very excited to have our 500th store in this market.”

April 18, 2011
Albertson's LLC announces participation in Diabetes Prevention and Control Alliance

Albertson's LLC, which operates more than 200 stores across seven states under the Albertsons banner, announced it has joined the Diabetes Prevention and Control Alliance.

BOISE, Idaho — Albertson's LLC, which operates more than 200 stores across seven states under the Albertsons banner, announced it has joined the Diabetes Prevention and Control Alliance.

The retail grocery chain joins such companies as UnitedHealth Group, YMCA, Walgreens and Novo Nordisk as a DPCA partner. Albertson's LLC will participate in the DCPA's Diabetes Control Program, offering its customers community-based programs that help prevent and control diabetes.

April 18, 2011
Annie Chun's shakes up ramen noodles with new product line

Annie Chun's has introduced soup singles that include ramen noodles and gourmet sauce, serving as an alternative to dry or canned soups.

SAN RAFAEL, Calif. — Annie Chun's has introduced soup singles that include ramen noodles and gourmet sauce, serving as an alternative to dry or canned soups.

April 18, 2011
Bossa Nova introduces new organic beverage

Bossa Nova is expanding its superfruit juice beverages portfolio.

CINCINNATI — Bossa Nova is expanding its superfruit juice beverages portfolio.

New Bossa Nova organic acai pomegranate currently is available at retailers in the Boston area, with gradual rollout in May to other markets, the juice company said.

April 18, 2011
Crème of Nature taps new spokeswoman

Crème of Nature, a maker of ethnic hair care, has tapped New York dermatologist, author and speaker Fran Cook-Bolden to serve as the company's spokeswoman.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Crème of Nature, a maker of ethnic hair care, has tapped New York dermatologist, author and speaker Fran Cook-Bolden to serve as the company's spokeswoman.

April 18, 2011
Deloitte: Consumers turn to various resources for recall information

Consumers that seek timely and detailed information about product recalls look to multiple resources, according to a new Deloitte survey.

NEW YORK — Consumers that seek timely and detailed information about product recalls look to multiple resources, according to a new Deloitte survey.

April 18, 2011
Family Dollar names VP real estate development

Family Dollar announced that it has named Brad Rogers to the position of VP real estate development.

MATTHEWS, N.C. — Family Dollar announced that it has named Brad Rogers to the position of VP real estate development.

Rogers will report to Keith Gehl, SVP real estate and facilities.

“Accelerating new store growth is a key element of our strategic agenda,” Gehl said. “Through Brad’s leadership, we will continue our aggressive growth in both new and existing markets to provide budget-conscious customers with a compelling shopping experience in more areas of the country.”

April 18, 2011
FDA approves Actemra as arthritis treatment for children

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a drug made by Genentech for treating a rare and severe form of arthritis that affects children, Genentech said.

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a drug made by Genentech for treating a rare and severe form of arthritis that affects children, Genentech said.

The biotech company, the U.S. division of Swiss drug maker Roche, announced the FDA approval of Actemra (tocilizumab) for active systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis. SJIA has the worst long-term prognosis of all varieties of childhood arthritis.

April 18, 2011
Guylian debuts new U.S. website, package design

Looking to reach U.S. consumers, a Belgian chocolate brand has launched a new website and package design for its namesake treats.

ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J. — Looking to reach U.S. consumers, a Belgian chocolate brand has launched a new website and package design for its namesake treats.

Guylian said its new website and package highlights the iconic Belgium tradition, while offering U.S. customers new and unique ways to indulge its chocolates.

April 18, 2011
Hellmann's, Best Foods team up with celebrity chef Bobby Flay

In honor of America's sandwich fans, two mayonnaise brands have teamed up with a celebrity chef to share sandwich-making tips, tricks, techniques and secrets.

ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J. — In honor of America's sandwich fans, two mayonnaise brands have teamed up with a celebrity chef to share sandwich-making tips, tricks, techniques and secrets.

April 18, 2011
Keryx, Torii commence phase-3 trial for Zerenex in Japan

A U.S. drug maker and its Japanese partner have started a late-stage clinical trial of a drug for treating elevated phosphate levels in the body, the two announced Monday.

NEW YORK — A U.S. drug maker and its Japanese partner have started a late-stage clinical trial of a drug for treating elevated phosphate levels in the body, the two announced Monday.

Keryx Biopharmaceuticals and Torii Pharmaceutical, the pharmaceuticals subsidiary of Japan Tobacco, started a phase-3 trial of Zerenex (ferric citrate) in Japan for patients with hyperphosphatemia. The drug also is in phase-3 trials in the United States as a treatment for hyperphosphatemia in patients with end-stage kidney disease on dialysis.

April 18, 2011
L'Oréal Paris study uncovers sentiments about lipstick among women, men

The majority of lipstick-wearing beauty mavens believe that lipstick improves their confidence, and many men associate women in red lipstick with such positive sentiments as being sexy and confident, according to the findings of a recent survey commissioned by L'Oréal Paris.

NEW YORK — The majority of lipstick-wearing beauty mavens believe that lipstick improves their confidence, and many men associate women in red lipstick with such positive sentiments as being sexy and confident, according to the findings of a recent survey commissioned by L'Oréal Paris.

The "Lipstick Diaries" survey was commissioned by L'Oréal Paris and conducted online by Harris Interactive of nearly 2,300 men and women between March 25 and 29.

According to the survey, she said:

April 18, 2011
Lilly receives complete response letter for liprotamase

The Food and Drug Administration declined to approve a drug made by Eli Lilly for treating a disease of the pancreas that often occurs in patients with cystic fibrosis, Lilly said.

INDIANAPOLIS — The Food and Drug Administration declined to approve a drug made by Eli Lilly for treating a disease of the pancreas that often occurs in patients with cystic fibrosis, Lilly said.

April 18, 2011
NCPA, Purdue kick off 'Protect Your Pharmacy Week'

The National Community Pharmacists Association and Purdue Pharma announced the start of “Protect Your Pharmacy Week” — a reflection of the Protect Your Pharmacy Now! initiative that began in 2008 to encourage pharmacists to protect their stores, staff and patients against pharmacy crimes, including prescription drug robbery and thefts.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The National Community Pharmacists Association and Purdue Pharma announced the start of “Protect Your Pharmacy Week” — a reflection of the Protect Your Pharmacy Now! initiative that began in 2008 to encourage pharmacists to protect their stores, staff and patients against pharmacy crimes, including prescription drug robbery and thefts.

April 18, 2011
New Scotch product sticks to eco-friendly attributes

3M announced that it has launched the first-of-its-kind Scotch Magic eco-friendly tape.

ST. PAUL, Minn. — 3M announced that it has launched the first-of-its-kind Scotch Magic eco-friendly tape.

Scotch Magic eco-friendly tape — which includes a refillable dispenser, packaging and tape — is made from more than 75% renewable or recycled materials, the company reported. The boxed refill roll, including packaging, is made from more than 65% renewable or recycled materials.

April 18, 2011
Publix to donate funds to SFP

In recognition of Earth Day, Publix Super Markets on Monday pledged to donate 50 cents per pound, up to $40,000, to Sustainable Fisheries Partnership when customers purchase any wild domestic shrimp from April 17 to 27.

LAKELAND, Fla. — In recognition of Earth Day, Publix Super Markets on Monday pledged to donate 50 cents per pound, up to $40,000, to Sustainable Fisheries Partnership when customers purchase any wild domestic shrimp from April 17 to 27.

April 18, 2011
Redken recalls spray mousse foam cans

Redken has announced that it is recalling spray mousse foam cans sold at beauty supply stores and hair salons because of potential rupture.

NEW YORK — Redken has announced that it is recalling spray mousse foam cans sold at beauty supply stores and hair salons because of potential rupture.

Over time the aerosol containers' inside lining can corrode, creating the potential risk of rupturing and releasing the contents. Nearly 1 million cans have been recalled, according to the manufacturer.

April 18, 2011
Report: Kansas makes switch to NPLEx system to track pseudoephedrine sales

Kansas on Monday officially made the move from a paper tracking system for pseudoephedrine sales to the electronic tracking capabilities afforded through the National Precursor Log Exchange, according to an Associated Press report published Monday.

TOPEKA, Kansas — Kansas on Monday officially made the move from a paper tracking system for pseudoephedrine sales to the electronic tracking capabilities afforded through the National Precursor Log Exchange, according to an Associated Press report published Monday. Kansas first announced its intent to switch over to NPLEx in March 2010.

April 18, 2011
Rite Aid appoints new EVP merchandising

Rite Aid's SVP category management Tony Montini has been promoted to EVP merchandising, the pharmacy retailer said Monday.

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Rite Aid's SVP category management Tony Montini has been promoted to EVP merchandising, the pharmacy retailer said Monday.

In addition, SVP business development Bryan Shirtliff has been promoted to the new position of SVP merchandising.

April 18, 2011
Rite Aid gears up for Easter

Rite Aid is showcasing new candy varieties for last-minute Easter shoppers, the pharmacy retailer said Monday.

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Rite Aid is showcasing new candy varieties for last-minute Easter shoppers, the pharmacy retailer said Monday.

The National Confectioners Association ranked Easter as one of the top-selling holidays for candy and estimated that 16 billion jelly beans and 90 million chocolate Easter bunnies are produced each year. Four-in-5 Americans celebrate Easter and are expected to spend about $14.6 billion during the holiday at all retailers nationwide, according to the National Retail Federation.