Hormel Foods Corp., Austin, Minn., announced the closing of its acquisition of CytoSport Holdings Inc., Benicia, Calif. The purchase price was approximately $450 million. The deal includes the Muscle Milk brand of shelf-stable, ready-to-drink protein beverages; a manufacturing facility in Benicia, Calif.; as well as several manufacturing and distribution agreements both domestically and abroad, according to Hormel Foods.

Oviedo, Fla.-based New Whey Nutrition announced that its NuAquos protein drinks will be available in Shop Rite stores in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware and Connecticut. More than 250 stores will sell the brand’s Peach Mango, Pomegranate, Watermelon, Kiwi-Strawberry and Orange varieties, which are priced at $2.49 for a 20-ounce bottle.

CytoSport Inc. debuted the first organic line for its Muscle Milk brand of ready-to-drink (RTD) protein shakes.

ProSupps USA, Allen, Texas, released its pre-workout powder Mr. Hyde in a ready-to-drink (RTD) format.

CytoSport Inc., Benicia, Calif., debuted the first organic line for its Muscle Milk brand of ready-to-drink (RTD) protein shakes.

After a strong growth period, the sports drink category is facing competition from brands outside the category.

Hormel Foods Corp., Austin, Minn., has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire CytoSport Holdings Inc., Benicia, Calif., for approximately $450 million. The deal includes the Muscle Milk brand of shelf-stable, ready-to-drink protein beverages; a manufacturing facility in Benicia, Calif.; as well as several manufacturing and distribution agreements both domestically and abroad, according to Hormel Foods. Total 2014 annual sales for the Muscle Milk brand are expected to be approximately $370 million, it says.

Botan introduced a line of soluble vegetable protein beverages that are gluten-free, non-GMO Project Verified and certified vegan.

Reality TV has sparked resurgence in competition programming. Whether it’s dating shows, cooking challenges, sing-offs or physical/mental challenges, viewers aren’t at a loss to satiate their competitive appetites. And now, this kind of intense competition has reached a new platform.

As the old saying goes, only two things are absolute in life: death and taxes. As many of us just finished the hustle and bustle of tax season, I think we can add another item to today’s list of absolute certainties, and that’s the discussion of obesity.