5@5: GNC settles with DOJ over 2013 supplements case | Vitamin Shoppe expands internationally

GNC settles dietary supplements case with U.S. government

Under a non-prosecution agreement related to allegations that it illegally sold a misbranded supplement called OxyElite Pro Advanced Formula in 2013, GNC Holdings has agreed to pay $2.25 million plus conduct more due diligence on its vendors, stop selling products if the FDA issues public warnings about them and help develop a quality seal program. Last year, the Department of Justice accused USP Labs, the maker of the supplement in question, of conducting a conspiracy to import ingredients from China with fake certificates of analysis and false labeling. It is currently awaiting trial. Read more at Reuters...

The Vitamin Shoppe plans to expand in Paraguay

Shares of the retailer were up after it announced that it would open its first two franchise stores in Paraguay, bringing its total international franchise stores to 16. It also recently opened two new stores in both Panama and Guatemala. Read more at MarketWatch...

Data shows most American farms are still family farms

The USDA's Economic Research Service's new report shows that family farms account for 89 percent of food production as of 2015. And 72 percent of all farms in the U.S. don't receive any government payments, according to the report. Read more at Food Safety News...

Nestle sells Nutrament nutrition drink to private equity firm

Harvest Hill Beverage Company, a subsidiary of Brynwood Partners, was the buyer. Nestle continues to divest its underperforming brands. Read more at Reuters...

How I started my business: Siggi's skyr

Siggi Hilmarsson said he didn't realize it was possible "to have so much sugar in regular foods like bread, condiments and yogurts" until he left his home of Iceland and moved to the U.S. He started his yogurt brand tinkering with recipes in his kitchen. He advises: "You have to offer certain values that other people aren’t—and you have to stick to them. Otherwise, you’re just like everyone else." Read more at Lucky Peach...