Brand Overview
#Emergen-C is the largest-selling branded vitamin C line in the United States, originally created by Alacer Corp. in 1978. Based in Southern California, the brand pioneered the effervescent vitamin C drink mix category. Acquired by Pfizer in 2012, the brand became part of Haleon when the company spun off from GSK in July 2022. Emergen-C produces nearly 500 million packets annually and is sold nationwide in health food stores, supermarkets, drug stores, mass merchandisers, and club stores.
History
#Corporate Ownership Timeline
#| Period | Owner | Notes |
|---|
| 1972-2012 | Alacer Corp. | Original founder |
| 2012-2019 | Pfizer | Acquired Alacer |
| 2019-2022 | GSK Consumer Healthcare | GSK-Pfizer JV |
| 2022-Present | Haleon plc | Independent spin-off |
Key Milestones
#- 1972: Alacer Corp. founded to focus on natural vitamin C products
- 1978: Emergen-C product line introduced
- 1997: Emergen-C Fund established (raised $650K+ for charities)
- 2012: Pfizer acquires Alacer Corp.
- 2019: Pfizer consumer health merges with GSK
- 2021: Production moved from Carlisle, PA to Puerto Rico
- 2022-07-18: Haleon listed as independent company
Corporate Structure
#- Parent Company: Haleon plc
- Original Company: Alacer Corp. (Foothill Ranch, California)
- Manufacturing: Puerto Rico (since 2021)
- Production Volume: ~500 million packets annually
Product Portfolio
#Core Product Lines
#| Product Line | Description |
|---|
| Emergen-C Daily Immune Support | High potency Vitamin C with B vitamins |
| Emergen-C Immune+ Triple Action | BetaVia®, Vitamin C, Zinc, Vitamin D |
| Emergen-C Crystals | No water needed, direct consumption |
| Emergen-C Gummies | Chewable format |
| Emergen-C Kidz | Children’s formula |
| Emergen-C Botanicals | Plant-based ingredients |
| Emergen-C Zero Sugar | Sugar-free option |
| Emergen-Zzzz | Sleep support formula |
Flavors
#- Super Orange (flagship)
- Raspberry
- Pink Lemonade
- Tangerine
- Various seasonal and specialty flavors
Key Features
#- Effervescent powder drink mix format
- High potency Vitamin C
- Antioxidants and B Vitamins
- Immune system support
- Energy support
Philanthropy
#Emergen-C Fund (est. 1997)
#Raised over $650,000 supporting:
- Vitamin Angels
- Surfrider Foundation
- Keep A Breast Foundation
- Young Survival Coalition
- Whole Foods’ Whole Planet Foundation
Retail Presence
#| Channel | Status | Notes |
|---|
| Health Food Stores | ✅ Active | Original channel |
| Supermarkets | ✅ Active | Nationwide |
| Drug Stores | ✅ Active | CVS, Walgreens |
| Mass Merchandisers | ✅ Active | Walmart, Target |
| Club Stores | ✅ Active | Costco, Sam’s Club |
| Amazon | ✅ Active | E-commerce |
Investigation Notes
#- UPC Prefix: 076314 (primary, Alacer legacy), 885898 (newer products)
- Business Model: Mass retail + pharmacy + e-commerce
- Ownership: Public (Haleon plc)
- Market Position: #1 branded vitamin C in USA
- Production: ~500M packets/year
Status Determination
#| Criterion | Finding |
|---|
| Official Website | ✅ Active (emergenc.com) |
| Retail Availability | ✅ Nationwide, all channels |
| Parent Company | ✅ Haleon plc (FTSE 100) |
| Market Leadership | ✅ #1 branded vitamin C |
Status: active (High Confidence)