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Vemma Nutrition Company, one of the world’s fastest growing liquid dietary supplements has just launched a three ounce Energy Shot this weekend at the company’s 4th annual convention, held in Las Vegas, Nevada.  

We had heard rumblings that Verve was creating the new energy shot back in August of last year.

The new drink, the Verve Energy shot, is a three ounce shot perfect for people on the go. The shot is available in low sugar and sugar free. The drink is a perfect addition to the company’s Verve Energy drink line which has been wildly popular in just the few short years it has been on the market. The Energy Shot business has been one of the fastest growing beverage categories. According to a report by bevnet.com the energy shot industry grew nearly $100 million dollars in 2008 and analysts expect it could be a $500 million dollar business in 2009.

The Verve Energy Shot is a healthy all natural alternative to many of the shots currently on the market. The mangosteen based drink contains a fast acting blend of superfruit juices including aloe and mangosteen in a clinically tested formula. The company claims that the shot contains low amounts of sugar and will not cause the crash that is a side effect of many shots.

BK Boreyko, President and CEO of Vemma announced the addition of the new drink at the Vemma Convention in Las Vegas last week. In attendance at the convention were over 2500 Independent Members including Shawne Merriman, three time Pro Bowl linebacker for the San Diego Chargers.

BK was excited about showing off the drink at the convention and about its release into the marketplace. “As a young brand in the energy drink/functional beverage marketplace, Verve has definitely raised the standard and credibility when it comes to exceeding people’s health and energy needs. Every one of our Members is fired up about our Verve Energy Shot and the momentum it creates to positively fulfill people’s daily nutritional gaps, but also to tap into the financial freedom our business opportunity presents them.”

The new shot is available on the website, http://www.verve.com, through your local distributor and will be available at select retail stores through hybrid marketing.

Popularity: 57% [?]

Longaberger announced this past week that the company, famous for its hand woven baskets, will begin selling the American Home Pottery collection in just a month. The new collection which will include plates, bowls, and mugs will all be stamped with the words “Made in America,” and will be available to consumers March 1st.

Longaberger will continue to sell its current pottery line, which is made in Asia, but hopes the newest products will appeal to the many consumers who in these hard economic times have become conscious of buying American to help others stay employed and to strengthen and rebuild the economy.

The company’s new line of pottery will be made in three locations in the west and Midwest. For some unknown reason, the company is choosing to keep the location of these three facilities secret. The company said that are still working out details with suppliers and is open to adding additional pottery makers.

“Made in America matters,” company president and chief executive Tami Longaberger said in a press release. “Rebuilding our nation’s economy requires an investment in America and its workers. It is the right thing to do. It is what we’re about.”

Pottery accounts for about 15 percent of the company’s sales. While the new line of pottery will cost slightly more than the current line produced in Asia, the benefits of buying and supporting the made in the U.S. pottery, far out way the few extra bucks that you will spend on the products.

Popularity: 4% [?]

Amway Global has just launched their newest dietary supplement aimed at kids. The new Nutrilite Kids Multi Tarts ($16.95) are a chewable dietary supplement packed with natural fruit concentrates to help boost kid’s immune system and fight off free radical damage.

Nutrilite is the vitamin and mineral brand of the Amway Company. Nutrilite is the only vitamin brand to grow and harvest plants on their own organic farms. Nutrilite is one of the world’s leading vitamin and nutrient brands.

The new Kids MultiTarts addresses the growing problem in the U.S. and all over the world of unhealthy, malnourished kids who do not get enough vitamins or minerals in a diet that contains large amounts of synthetic chemicals. The chewable supplements contain four all natural fruit concentrates including passion fruit, pineapple, papaya and guava. The vitamins will ensure that kids are receiving all of the vitamins and minerals that they might not receive in their normal diet.

MultiTarts support healthy kids by providing:
- Vitamin C: Helps in the development and maintenance of bones, cartilage, teeth, and gums.
- Vitamin A: Maintains healthy eyesight, skin, membranes, and immune function.
- B Vitamins: Supports the body’s metabolic functions.
- Calcium: Helps in the development and protection of bones and teeth.
- Iron: Helps form red blood cells and helps in their proper function.

“We are excited to launch the Nutrilite Kids MultiTarts supplements as part of our children’s line. In a perfect world, kids would eat all their fruits and vegetables, but few people of any age achieve optimal nutrition through diet alone,” says Gary Mougalian, Director - Nutrition for Amway Global. “Nutrilite is here to help fill in those nutritional gaps and a supplement like MultiTarts is ideal for kids because it not only has nutrients they need but also tastes great.”

The MultiTarts supplements come in a few different flavors including Strawberry-Mange, Orange and Grape. All of the supplements are completely natural and contain no artificial flavors or colors. They are also aspartame and lactose free.

Popularity: 9% [?]

David Sinclair, a Harvard Medical School professor who had been working with Shaklee as a member of their scientific advisory board, has quit.

Sinclair’s exit from the company is not entirely shocking as he has been questioned lately regarding his involvement and endorsement of Shaklee’s latest revolutionary product, and anti-aging serum called Vivix which has been touted as the “world’s best anti-aging supplement.” Sinclair has been helping to promote the product since it was introduced in August. The Vivix syrup is said to be a key ingredient to extending life.

The exit from the board comes after being questioned in the past weeks by the Wall Street Journal about the endorsement of the product. Dr. Sinclair now claims that his name has been misused in connection to Vivix and disputes claims that he approved use of his name in its advertising material.

Shaklee, the California based direct sales company claims that they had the full support of Dr. Sinclair with regarding to Vivix, a formula which contains the antioxidant resveratrol which claims to help slow or even halt the aging process. This is a huge blow to Shaklee who for several months has enjoyed the backing of a Harvard professor and reputable doctor, something no direct sales company nowadays has.

Both sides are taking firm stands on the issue, with Harvard Medical School even reviewing Shaklee’s use of Dr. Sinclair’s name as well as any references on the website or in promotional videos of the Harvard name.

Shaklee released a statement saying that “every implied product endorsement was in Dr. Sinclair’s own words and every Shaklee use of his name — whether in print or video — was pre-approved by him in keeping with our agreement.

Shaklee’s grape tasting Vivix is quite pricey, at $100 for 30 teaspoons, which is roughly a month’s supply, and while it is pricey, Shaklee says that there is a huge request for the product which has been purchased by well over 100,00 people since it was introduced, and orders are even backlogged.

Popularity: 100% [?]