Akta-Vite facts for kids
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| Type | Chocolate-flavoured drink mix |
|---|---|
| Introduced | 1943 |
| Discontinued | 2023 |
| Previous owners | Sara Lee Corporation |
| Tagline | Pure Aussie Goodness |
Akta-Vite was a popular chocolate-flavored powder. You would mix it into milk or plant-based drinks. It was special because it didn't have any milk products. This made it perfect for people who couldn't drink milk (lactose intolerant). It was also good for those who chose not to have dairy.
Akta-Vite was first made in 1943. George Nicholas created it in Chadstone, a suburb of Melbourne, Australia. At first, it was sold only in pharmacies. It was meant to be a healthy extra for your diet. The Nicholas family owned and made Akta-Vite for many years. The product is no longer made.
The Story of Akta-Vite
How Akta-Vite Began
The story of Akta-Vite starts with two brothers, Alfred and George Nicholas. They became very successful by making a pain relief medicine called Aspro. This happened after another company, Bayer, lost its special right (called a patent) to sell aspirin in Australia. This was during the First World War.
Because they earned a lot of money from Aspro, the brothers could try making other health products. Akta-Vite was one of these new products.
Early Ingredients and Growth
In the 1940s, it was hard to make all vitamins in a lab. So, Akta-Vite used natural ingredients. For example, it got vitamin A from shark livers.
In the 1950s, Akta-Vite became very popular. It was sent to countries in Southeast Asia. It was especially well-known in Thailand. There, people bought it in bright orange tin cans.
Changing Owners
Over the years, Akta-Vite changed hands a few times. In 1984, the brand was sold to a big company called the Sara Lee Corporation. But in 2016, the Nicholas family bought Akta-Vite back. They owned it until it stopped being made.
