News Briefs

Orbit Gum is ringing in the new year with its new white sweet mint soft chew gum. 

Featuring a sweet mint flavor, the gum comes in a crunchy exterior and chewy center that is bursting with flavor and helps freshen breath, the brand stated. 

“We know consumers can be self-conscious about their smiles, so we hope that Orbit white sweet mint can help give everyone an extra boost of confidence, and inspire moments of everyday happiness in 2024,” said Maria Urista, vice president at Mars Wrigley. “Our soft chew format is a fan favorite and we're excited to deliver this beloved flavor as part of our Orbit White lineup to keep everyone feeling their best.”

The new white sweet mint flavor is rolling out to retail shelves in a 40-count bottle at retailers nationwide. 

The Pharmacy Quality Alliance has released a third edition of the PQA Social Determinants of Health Resource Guide. The third edition of this guide profiles 40 SDOH services, including eight new services and updates to 10 initiatives from the previous two editions. Created by PQA, the guide spotlights SDOH screenings, referrals and interventions focused on improving medication use quality.

The guide covers services that address at least one of seven SDOH barriers, plus expands the number of interventions that focus on food and nutrition. It also highlights tactics employed by successful SDOH programs.

“Throughout developing the guide, we have identified several tactics among successful initiatives such as community partnerships, training and cultural sensitivity," said Amanda Rya, education director at PQA. “These tactics can be considered by those developing their own SDOH programs and are testaments to the power of innovation, adaptability and unwavering dedication to improving the quality of medication use.”

The guide has been instrumental in identifying real-world interventions and screenings that have addressed SDOH, especially programs that are not described in peer-reviewed journals and other grey literature.

“PQA members continue to expand the work they are doing to address social determinants of health for the populations that they serve,” said Micah Cost ,CEO of PQA. “The third edition of the guide takes a closer look at food and nutrition security. We know that individuals without reliable access to affordable, nutritious food are more likely to encounter challenges related to medication access and outcomes of medication therapy.”

Access the resource guide here.

This activity was supported by an independent education grant from Merck.

HRG’s Dave Wendland, vice president, strategic relations, will be moderating the education breakout session, “Bringing Nonfood Destinations to Life,” Saturday, Jan. 20, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. ET at the Food Marketing Institute’s  Midwinter Conference. T

The session will focus on how strategically positioning nonfood categories can add items to shoppers’ baskets and bolster loyalty. Panelists Joe Toscano, vice president, trade and industry development, Nestle Purina PetCare Company; Bill Wolfenden, vice president food and alternate channels, Haleon; and Jill Blanchard, president, Advantage Solutions; will share insights about assortment planning, merchandising tactics, omnichannel trends, and digital marketing, and provide creative ideas to engage customers.

Wendland stated, "I'm excited to bring these three industry powerhouses together to explore ways to spotlight nonfoods within the grocery channel. There are unrealized opportunities for grocers to expand sales to current customers and solidify loyalty by focusing on categories such as pet food and digestive health. When shoppers realize these items are competitively priced and recognize how convenient it is to pick them up as part of their regular weekly trip, they’ll wonder why they haven’t been purchasing them at the grocery store all along."

Hawaiian Tropic is continuing to highlight the importance of using sunscreen, even in the winter months, with a new water-based product. 

The Weightless Hydration SPF 30 Mist for Face and Body features a delicate tropic scent, and also is formulated to moisturize the skin and leave a glowing appearance due to the inclusion of ingredients like hyaluronic acid and aloe vera. 

Featuring an alcohol-free formula that works to not dry out the skin or clog pores, the Weightless Hydration Water Face Mist SPF 30 and the Weightless Hydration Water Body Mist SPF 30’s texture plays well with other skin care or makeup product and is easily blended across skin tones. 

The water-based products are designed to be easily pat into the skin—even when there is makeup on, the company said. 

Retailing for $12.99 each, the Weightless Hydration SPF 30 Mist for Face and Body is available for purchase wherever the brand’s products are currently sold. 

Essence Makeup is bringing variety to its Lash Princess Mascara line. 

The brand announced the launch of a new shade and primer to the collection, which features products that help consumers achieve long and not so dramatic lash looks. 

Following the trend of brown-coated lashes on social media, the Lash Princess Mascara now comes in a brown shade. The mascara features a conically shaped fiber brush to give length and dramatic volume to users for a false lash effect. 

The newly launched Lash Princess Primer, which is made with a pastel green, creamy texture and soft elastomer brush, aims to provide users with extra length and volume that will lay the base for any desired lash look. 

Both the mascara and primer and ophthalmologically tested, with the primer being suitable for contact lens wearers and the mascara is made with caring plant waxes, the brand said. 

Consumers can find essence Makeup’s new Lash Princess Mascara in brown and Lash Princess Primer available for purchase online. 

Puig has acquired a majority stake in skin care brand Dr. Barbara Sturm. 

Founded in 2014 by Dr. Barbara Sturm, a doctor best known for her work in the field of anti-inflammatory treatments, the brand offers a range of products that span the skin care, body, hair care and supplement spaces. 

As part of the acquisition, Sturm will retain a minority stake in the company and continue as its chief product development officer and brand ambassador. 

Puig is the parent company of such beauty and fashion brands as Charlotte Tilbury Beauty, Byredo, Carolina Herrera, Paco Rabanne and Jean Paul Gaultier among others.