Content about What's Hot

CINCINATTI — Procter and Gamble's Bounty unveiled a new cloth-like disposable paper towel designed to be used in place of dishcloths. P&G research shows that reusing dishcloths can redeposit millions of germs after just one use. Switching to disposable Bounty DuraTowel is a cleaner alternative. The DuraTowel is made with a durable, fiber-rich design and can be used for cleaning countertops, sinks and small appliances. The new product is available now at a suggested retail price of $3.19.

CHICAGO — Wrigley has entered the "energy" arena with Alert Energy Caffeine Gum. Each piece contains 40 mg of caffeine, the equivalent of a half cup of coffee. The company said the gum is targeted to adults who consume caffeine for energy and are looking for a "portable solution." The gum's bitter taste is designed to deter children from using it. The gum is available in eight-piece packs in fruit and mint flavors, and has a suggested retail price of $2.99.

RACINE, Wis. — SC Johnson's new Windex Touch-Up Cleaner offers consumers a fast and convenient way to clean and sanitize the most frequently used surfaces in the home. An inventive new pump design makes it easy to clean and sanitize surfaces. A push on the pump applies the formula onto a paper towel, bath tissue or clean sponge, making cleanup convenient. Windex Touch-Up Cleaner is available in two varieties: Bathroom Fresh Scent and Kitchen Glistening Citrus Scent.

LAKE FOREST, Ill. — Omron recently charged analgesic aisles with a new pain relief option. Omron's Electro-Therapy Pain Relief unit is the only approved transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation unit on the market and should be an adjunctive sale for chronic pain sufferers. The product could add a spark to nonmedicinal, external pain relief. Sales of heat and ice packs were relatively flat in 2012, with sales approaching $235 million.

CHICAGO — Balding men will give up just about anything to get their hair back, according to a recent survey out of the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery — including that monster 60-in. LCD HDTV bought for this year's airing of the 49ers versus the Ravens. Of the 2,338 men with male pattern hair loss polled, more than 56% said they would be willing to give up something they owned in exchange for more hair. But they might not have to go as far as getting surgery with the launch of Lifes2good Natural Healthcare's Viviscal Man.

PALO ALTO, Calif. — Speck recently launched a line of cases for the iPad Mini. New CandyShell cases have a hard outer shell in a stylish glossy finish and a soft interior that absorbs shock from bumps. A raised bezel protects the iPad's screen and rubberized covers shield its buttons.

Also new, Speck's Smart-Shell for iPad Mini protects the back of the Mini, securing the Smart Cover in place when open so the tablet can lay flat from edge to spine.

SHAWNEE MISSION, Kan. — Bayer HealthCare’s Animal Health Division recently introduced Resultix, a spray-on formula that kills attached or crawling ticks. Ticks can infest pets in very large numbers. Resultix is an easy-to-use spray formula that works by dissolving the outer wax layer that covers a tick’s hard shell, killing the parasite within three hours.

Resultix can safely be used as often as needed on crawling or attached ticks. The product is available in an easy-to-transport 20-mL bottle.

EDINA, Minn. — Arkray recently launched Glucocard Expression, an audio-enabled blood glucose monitoring system that includes bilingual voice options so that consumers can hear their test results. Oversized picture icons and large tactile buttons also make the meter easier to use, and reliable test results are displayed in six seconds. Glucocard Expression also uses a small sample size and alternative site testing to increase comfort for users, Arkray stated.

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.

NORTHRIDGE, Calif. — Pharmavite’s recent launch of its Voots Veggie-Fruit Tarts may once and for all put to rest the dinner-table drama of enticing a young child to “eat their veggies.” Voots is a chewable supplement packed with a blend of 11 real fruits and vegetables. What’s more, Mom can pack that veggie-punch into her child’s lunchbox with the Voots single-serve packets. It’s a differentiated product launch in a still-growing category. Sales of vitamins are up 8.3%, to $9.1 billion, for the 52 weeks ended Sept. 29, according 
to Nielsen.

ALAMEDA, Calif. — Abbott’s latest glucose meter, the FreeStyle Insulinx, is helping to bring blood-glucose monitoring up to speed with the latest in smartphone and tablet technology. The new meter features a touchscreen interface, automated logbook and is equipped with built-in FreeStyle Auto-Assist software that enables patients to track progress, analyze trends and easily display data for their healthcare providers.

NEW YORK — Marrying its successful Salon Effects real nail polish strips with the popular gel polish, Coty’s Sally Hansen brand has once again brought innovative technology to the mass market with its new Salon 
InstaGel Strips.