Emergen-C

Emergen-C is an effervescent, powdered drink mix vitamin supplement manufactured by Alacer Corp. The Emergen-C product line was introduced in 1978.[1] Alacer was established as a private company in 1972, focusing on vitamin supplements containing vitamin C. The company was acquired by Pfizer in 2012. In 2019, Pfizer consumer healthcare entered a joint venture with GlaxoSmithKline.[2][3]

It contains, depending on the variety, 16 times the vitamin C, 4 times the vitamin B12, and 5 times the vitamin B6 of the USDA Reference Daily Intake based on a 2000 calorie diet. Some versions include calcium, glucosamine, quercetin or lycopene. Studies have failed to establish evidence for the use of vitamin C megadoses as a cold remedy or in reducing cold incidences.[4]

Manufacturing

Alacer manufactures its products in the United States, in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.[5]

Ingredients

GMO ingredients are used. From the Alacer website: "We have chosen to source materials that are non-GMO whenever possible. That being said, we cannot guarantee that all of our raw materials are sourced from non-GMO ingredients and do not currently have this requirement in place for our vendors". Most products do not contain animal-derived ingredients, but some certain products contain chondroitin from cows, honey, and vitamin D3 from wool.[6]

Emergen-C Class Action Lawsuit

In December 2013, a superior court judge preliminarily approved a $6.45 million settlement to a class-action lawsuit filed against Alacer Corp. for allegedly deceptively marketing the supplement Emergen-C. The complaint, which was originally filed earlier in the year, alleges that the company misleadingly represents that the supplement will provide health benefits – including reducing the risk of or preventing colds and flu – without scientific evidence to support such claims. According to the settlement terms, class members may receive a refund of up to $36 with proof of purchase. (Wong et al v. Alacer Corp., Case No. CGC-12-519221, Superior Court of California County of San Francisco). A superior court judge gave final approval of the settlement to this lawsuit in June 2014.

Outreach

In 1997, Alacer established The Emergen-C Fund, which has raised more than $650,000. This fund provides support to Vitamin Angels, Surfrider Foundation, Keep A Breast Foundation, Young Survival Coalition, and Whole Foods' Whole Planet Foundation.[7]

Alacer sponsors Operation Gratitude, a volunteer organization that has sent care packages to U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.[1]

In 2008 Emergen-C teamed up with surf artist Jay Alders to create art for the packaging of their new product/flavor, Emergen-C Blue, with 25 cents donated to Surfrider Foundation for each box sold.[8][9]

See also

References
  1. "About Alacer Corp". Archived from the original on 2012-12-11. Retrieved 2012-12-04.
  2. "Pfizer Acquires Alacer Corp., a Leading Vitamin Supplements Company". BusinessWire. 2012-02-17. Retrieved 2012-12-04.
  4. Hemilä, Harri (2013). "Vitamin C for preventing and treating the common cold". Reviews (1): CD000980. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD000980.pub4. PMC 1160577. PMID 23440782.
  5. "Alacer Corp FAQ". Archived from the original on 2012-12-11. Retrieved 2012-12-04.
  6. "Is Emergen-C Vegan?". Is It Vegan?. Retrieved 10 January 2016.
  7. "Emergen-C Fund Charities". Archived from the original on 2012-12-11. Retrieved 2012-12-04.
  8. "Emergen-C launches a new product to benefit Surfrider". Surfersvillage.com. 2009-02-03. Archived from the original on February 4, 2010. Retrieved 2011-02-11.
  9. Emergen-C | Surfrider Foundation Archived 2013-12-03 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2013 November 29.
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