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ALLEGAN, Mich. — Perrigo on Tuesday announced that it has begun shipments of over-the-counter nicotine polacrilex mini lozenge USP, 2 mg (mint flavor) and 4 mg (mint flavor), comparable to GlaxoSmithKline's Nicorette mini lozenge. 

"This launch strengthens Perrigo's leading store brand position in smoking cessation products, which also includes coated and uncoated flavored gums and regular size lozenges," stated Joseph Papa, Perrigo's chairman, president and CEO. 

PURCHASE, N.Y. — PepsiCo is planning a controversial line of products under its FritoLay brand. The new line, called Cracker Jack’d, is a caffeinated extension of its Cracker Jack line of popcorn clusters and is expected to hit shelves by the end of the 
fourth quarter.


The line extension is expected to include a caffeinated snack called Power Bites, which will contain approximately 70 mg of caffeine from coffee in each 2-oz. package. Snack mixes and popcorn clusters also will be included in the lineup.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Hangover Joe's on Wednesday announced the launch of its Hangover Recovery Shot, an officially licensed product of Warner Bros.' "The Hangover" movie.

The 2-oz. hangover shot features Hangover Joe's patent-pending, proprietary Get Up and Go Blend — a blend of taurine, kudzu, green tea leaf and acai fruit extracts, along with goji berry concentrate, niacin and vitamins B6 and B12, among other ingredients. And the Hangover Recovery Shot contains only as much caffeine as a single cup of premium coffee, the company stated.

BROOMFIELD, Colo. — Hiball Energy said its line of reformulated sparkling energy waters and organic energy drinks now are packaged in cold-activated, lightweight 16-oz. aluminum cans developed by Ball.

The new can package features "cold activation" graphics using thermochromic ink by Chromatic Technologies. When cans reach a temperature of 45 degrees F, the bubbles on the can graphics turn from white to blue — indicating that the beverage inside is at the optimal temperature for drinking.

It may be time to start carving out more real estate for single-serve energy shots, or more appropriately for the food, drug and mass channel two-packs and four-packs of shots. Living Essentials can be credited with creating the category, and between its 5 Hour Energy and 5 Hour Energy Extra Strength, the company still drives the category with an 82.1% dollar share, according to SymphonyIRI Group data for the 52 weeks ended Sept. 4 across food, drug and mass (excluding Walmart).


LOS ANGELES — Blast Powder Nutrition Co. on Thursday announced its entry into the energy shot/drink market with its Blast Powder, a packet that can be added to a beverage and contains 300 mg of caffeine. 

Energy shots have delivered a jolt to pharmacy sales to the tune of an incremental $50 million in the past year. That business was borne out of targeting the typical all-nighters: college kids cramming for exams, truck drivers and third-shift workers. But seniors?


CAMDEN, N.J. — Campbell Soup on Tuesday announced the company is expanding its V8 franchise into the fast-growing energy drink category with two new products: V8 V-Fusion + Energy drinks and V8 Energy Shots.

Sales of energy shots reached $173.9 million across food, drug and mass (minus Walmart) for the 52 weeks ended April 17, representing growth of 43.5% compared with the prior year, according to SymphonyIRI Group data.

NEW YORK — OmegaWater has made its way to the New York metropolitan area.

The brand, which touts zero-sugar, zero-calorie, flavored water fortified with omega-3s, now is available at Duane Reade stores. OmegaWater is available in Berry Breeze, Fruit Fusion, Lemon Squeeze and Orange Splash varieties. Each bottle delivers 100 mg of omega-3s and is fortified with six essential vitamins.

For more information, visit Omegawater.com.

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.

NOVI, Mich. — “Do you know what 2:30 in the afternoon feels like?” Not if you have Living Essentials’ 5-Hour Energy on the shelf. The company peppered the airwaves with its commercial message, positioning 5-Hour Energy shots as an alternative to coffee for those 30-somethings in the work force.


NEW YORK — The Food and Drug Administration could move on manufacturers of energy drinks that combine alcohol and caffeine as soon as Nov. 17, The New York Times reported Monday, citing unnamed state law enforcement officials across several states.

The New York Times report suggested the FDA may issue warning letters as a first step toward removing the products from the market.