09.01.01
McNeil Nutritionals, Fort Washington, PA, in July acquired the Viactiv™ nutritional supplements business from Mead Johnson Nutritionals, Evansville, IN. The business becomes part of McNeil Nutritionals, a newly formed business within Johnson & Johnson. According to a recent article in The Tan Sheet (7/23/01), the Nutritionals business includes Viactiv, Benecol cholesterol-maintenance spread, Lactaid digestive aid and Splenda low calorie sweetener. The marketing of Benecol and Lactaid was previously overseen by McNeil Consumer Healthcare, while Splenda’s distribution was handled by McNeil Specialty Products. McNeil’s probiotic supplement, Probiotica, was not shifted to the Nutritionals umbrella because the product is considered part of the Imodium line and targets the Imodium consumer. The Aflexa glucosamine supplement is similarly linked with the Consumer Healthcare Division’s Tylenol brand and is marketed alongside analgesics. The Healthy Woman line of dietary supplements for bone health and menopause is marketed by J&J’s Personal Products Company.