Pharmacy

PepsiCo is relaunching Propel to further compete in the enhanced water category. The low-calorie nutrient-enhanced beverage line is introducing two sublines: Propel Body and Propel Mind, according to Purchase, N.Y.-based PepsiCo. The Body subline will contain additional fiber and be available in peach mango.

Grocery stores have become hunting grounds for healthful, functional foods and beverages that offer distinct wellness advantages beyond basic nutrition, and this has boosted sales of such products by 6 percent to almost $31 billion in 2008, according to a new study by market research publisher Packaged Facts.

The Produce for Better Health Foundation (PBH) is now offering new marketing materials to licensed retailers online. The materials, meant to promote the “Fruit & Veggie of the Month” campaign, include recipes, consumer columns and ad slicks.

While the Christmas season is always a time when West Michigan residents generously turn to giving, today’s challenging economy has prompted a new giving season to help those in need.

Fans of the Mexican beverage Jarritos can now exchange their bottle caps for prizes including music downloads, CDs, gift cards, money transfers via MoneyGram, movie tickets, T-shirts, soccer balls, jewelry, MP3 players and HDTVs through Club Jarritos, a points-under-the-caps promotion for the Jarritos, Mineragua and Jarritos Kids brands. Anyone over 13 can participate.

To get adults to consume more vegetables daily, V8 brought out V8 V-Fusion, a line of 100 percent juices employing the sweeter taste of fruit along with the veggies. Now, V8 V-Fusion, a brand of the Campbell Soup Co. of Camden, N.J., is adding two new varieties to its product line: Goji Raspberry and Passionfruit Tangerine.

The category of energy drinks continues to grow, and new varieties are popping up all over. New York-based Brazen Street Corp. has introduced The Tastiest Buzz, a premium caffeinated beverage whose flavor profile features cranberry citrus.

According to the Organic Trade Association (OTA), which has released the results from its 2009 Organic Industry Survey, U.S. sales of organic products, both food and nonfood, reached $24.6 billion by the end of 2008, growing an impressive 17.1 percent over 2007 sales, despite tough economic times. While the overall economy has been losing ground, sales of organic products reflect very strong growth during 2008.