BARRY MEIER November 14, 2012 The New York Times Federal officials have received reports of 13 deaths over the last four years that cited the possible involvement of 5-Hour Energy, a highly caffeinated energy shot, according to Food and Drug Administration records and an interview with an agency official. The disclosure of the reports is the second time in recent weeks that F.D.A. filings citing energy drinks and deaths have emerged. Last month, the agency acknowledged it had received five fatality filings mentioning another popular energy drink, Monster Energy. Since 2009, 5-Hour Energy has been mentioned in some 90 filings with the F.D.A., including more than 30 that involved serious or life-threatening injuries like heart attacks, convulsions and, in one case, a spontaneous abortion, a summary of F.D.A. records reviewed by The New York Times showed. The filing of an incident report with the F.D.A. does not mean that a…

AP November 16, 2012 THE US Food and Drug Administration is investigating reports of 13 deaths possibly linked to so-called “energy shots”. The agency has received 92 reports that cite illnesses, hospitalisations and deaths after consumption of a product marketed as 5-Hour Energy. The FDA has also received reports that cited the highly caffeinated Monster Energy Drink in five deaths and one non-fatal heart attack. Agency officials said the reports to the FDA from consumers, doctors and others don’t necessarily prove that the drinks caused the deaths or injuries, but said they are investigating each one. In a statement, FDA officials said they will take action if they can link the deaths to consumption of the energy drink. Such action could include forcing the company to take the drinks, often found at convenience store checkout counters, off the market. FDA spokeswoman Shelly Burgess said the agency is cautioning consumers that…

AAP November 16, 2012 ADELAIDE is trying to lure key British retailers to set up shop in the centre of the city, offering them the chance to “escape the gloom” of the UK economy. South Australia’s agent-general in London is actively looking for retailers from the UK and across Europe to open an outlet in Rundle Mall, as part of its $30 million upgrade. Among the brands on the city’s wish-list are fashion favourites Reiss, Topshop and Marks & Spencer along with luxury labels such as Stella McCartney and Burberry. Retail groups across Europe are also being targeted, including Longchamp from France, Salvatore Ferragamo and Prada from Italy and Alfredo Dominguez from Spain. All have either opened branches in Australia already but not in South Australia, have indicated an intention to open in Australia or are opening branches in Hong Kong, Singapore and China so are internationally active in the…

Rachel Wells November 19, 2012 The Age Australian retail prices for hundreds of products, from clothing to cosmetics, have dropped by as much as 50 per cent in recent years, due to greater global price transparency brought about by a boom in online shopping. While Australian shoppers remain disgruntled about the sizeable price gap that often exists between local and overseas stores, consumers are paying significantly less for many international brands than they were a year or more ago. Australian retail price reductions: how they’ve changed Myer, David Jones, JB Hi-Fi and online cosmetics retailer, Adore Beauty, are among hundreds of retailers who have been negotiating with suppliers to lower wholesale prices to enable them to compete on price with overseas websites, while minimising the impact on margins. The retailers do not claim to have always achieved parity with their overseas counterparts but they say the gap is closing on…

BARRY MEIER November 15, 2012 The New York Times As its policy on highly caffeinated energy drinks is scrutinized, the Food and Drug Administration publicly released records on Thursday about fatality and injury filings that mentioned the possible involvement of three top-selling products. The Web posting of the records by the agency included 13 previously undisclosed injury filings that mentioned Rockstar Energy. The F.D.A. also released filings related to 5-Hour Energy, a popular energy shot, and Monster Energy, another popular brand. The agency’s action comes a day after The New York Times reported that the agency had received more than 90 filings about 5-Hour Energy, including reports that cited its possible involvement in 13 fatalities. In late October, the F.D.A. confirmed that it had received five fatality reports that cited Monster Energy. The filing of an incident report with the F.D.A. does not mean that a product was responsible for…