B&D Nutritional Ingredients of Vista, CA, released an infographic on the Surprising Costs of a Sick Day. According to the firm, “while the total economic impact of colds ($40 billion) adds up to $127 per person, per year, the cost of flus clocked in at just under $200 per worker in 2012-2013.” The company feels these costs can be mitigated with a healthier lifestyle for all Americans. It can be viewed and downloaded at www.bdnutritional.com.

Whole Foods Market of Austin, TX, acquired seven leases in the Chicago area from Safeway Inc. that were formerly Dominick’s stores.

NeoCell of Irvine, CA, completed its third annual campaign with Vitamin Angels and raised $192,000, which is enough to help more than 770,000 children.

Fairhaven Health of Bellingham, WA, announced designer and TV personality Rosie Pope will help the company promote reproductive and pregnancy wellness. Pope will help with product giveaways, social media events and education for trying-to-conceive and pregnant couples.

NBTY, Inc. of Ronkonkoma, NY, was named a silver winner by the Best in Biz Awards for “Most Socially Responsible Company of the Year.”

UAS LifeSciences, LLC (formerly UAS Laboratories, Inc.) moved its sales and marketing offices to Madison, WI. Headquarters and manufacturing will stay in Wausau, WI.

The Natural Products Association’s Natural Products Day has been scheduled for April 8 on Capitol Hill. Additional information is available at www.NPAinfo.org/NPD14.

Twinlab of New York, NY, announced that Capstone Financial Group will act as an advisor and raise $130 million to support a buyout of the company. In addition, Twinlab Consolidation Corporation was created to make three strategic acquisitions. Twinlab’s CEO Tom Tolworthy will head the management team.

A new astaxanthin book written by William Sears, M.D., is available free from Nutrex Hawaii. Astaxanthin: Seafood’s Ultimate Supernutrient is Sears’s second book on nutrients. This text covers five ways astaxanthin can help the heart; astaxanthin’s anti-inflammatory effects; its benefits for the skin and brain; and the major differences in efficacy between natural astaxanthin (from microalgae) and artificial astaxanthin (which is synthesized from petrochemicals). To request a free paper or electronic copy, e-mail info@nutrex-hawaii.com. Special pricing is available for those wishing to use this book for educational or promotional purposes.

Honolulu, HI-based Down to Earth Organic & Natural, launched an e-store from which the store will sell over 100 items, including local Hawaii products. The site interfaces through Amazon.com.

BLW Enterprises of Sequim, WA, is now representing Waitaki Biosciences of Christchurch, New Zealand for its glandulars in the United States.

Gold Mine Natural Food Company of San Diego, CA, is relocating to a newer, larger facility in Poway, CA. The 19,173-ft2 facility will have a new R&D Test Kitchen with seating for up to 50 people for cooking classes and educational events. The new warehouse design will also quadruple its production area.

Representative Henry A. Waxman (D-CA), longtime opponent of DSHEA, announced he will retire at the end of 2014.

Published in WholeFoods Magazine, March 2014