Malcolm Spicer
US Consumer Health Managing Editor

Latest From Malcolm Spicer
Democrat, Republican Pioneer Women In US House Won’t Return After 2024 Elections
Granger’s exit means House Appropriations will have different chair no matter which party wins majority 2024 elections; Democrats will lose senior House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee member with Eshoo’s retirement.
After At-Home Diagnostics Got Boost From COVID, FTC Shows False Claims Didn’t End With Pandemic
FTC and California Attorney General offer CRI Genetics LLC as exhibit A for making good on promised deliverables for DNA-based ancestry and information reports.
Tianeptine Rings Latest Unapproved Drug Alarm, Followed By Echo About Lack Of FDA Regulation
Tianeptine isn’t approved as drug in US nor allowed for use as dietary ingredient or food additive. FDA has warned multiple firms selling tianeptine-containing products and federal prosecutors recently announced guilty plea from man who sold the drug to consumers.
Coca-Cola Flexes In Powerade Social Media Posts But Bends Electrolyte Claims To Gatorade Challenge
BBB National Programs’ NARB “troubled” because 50% more electrolytes claim is unclear which Gatorade product the claim references. It finds consumers will understand “leading sports drink” claim references Gatorade and “ambiguous reference” makes “incorrect message” Powerade has 50% more electrolytes than all Gatorade products rather than Gatorade Thirst Quencher alone.
US Wellness Market Executive Moves: HedoniaUSA, Relaxium, FinaFlex, Arizona Nutritional
HedoniaUSA appoints Dany Sfeir CEO; FinaFlex collaborates with bodybuilding champion Branch Warren; Relaxium supplements recruits NFL Hall of Famer Dan Marino; Arizona Nutritional Supplements founders Aaron Blunck and Jonathan Pinkus re-acquire business.
New York's Halt On Sales To Minors Could Catch More Than Weight Loss, Bodybuilding Products
“What are retailers going to do? They're either going to put it behind a case or they're going to put it in a pharmacy-only counter where you have to ask for assistance to get it,” says CRN CEO Steve Mister. “Until we have some more insight, we're being over inclusive in terms of what we're including,” says attorney Claudia Lewis.