Louth start-up Soothing Solutions has agreed a deal with Boots Ireland to supply Tonstix to the retailer’s 90 stores nationwide. 

Tonstix is the debut product from the children’s healthcare company, and looks like a traditional lollipop to encourage the sucking reflex in children. 

Tonstix is formulated to soothe the effects of seasonal ailments such as irritated throats caused by allergies, infections or viruses. It comes in Honey & Strawberry and Honey & Apple flavours and is €5.99 for a box of six.  

The jelly in each lollipop has honey in it which dissolves to create a coating on the throat to suppress irritation. Soothing Solutions says the jelly is made using natural ingredients to appeal to children’s taste buds and includes Vitamin C and Zinc, ingredients known to support the functioning of the immune system. 

Founder and CEO Sinead Crowther, a pharmacy technician and mum of four, said Tonstix is already available in c.600 pharmacies.  

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“Signing this deal with Boots is a testament to the quality of our product,” Crowther said.  

“The idea for Tonstix came from my experience as a mum, and working in community pharmacy for over 25 years. On a daily basis, I was met with frustrated parents trying to do their best to soothe their childrens’ sore throats, but unfortunately there wasn’t an over-the-counter product available for this type of distress.   

“I spent four years developing the product alongside a leading food scientist to ensure its efficacy, safety and child-friendliness, and I’m incredibly proud that we have brought the concept to life.” 

Crowther added: “The feedback from pharmacists and parents thus far has been incredible and we look forward to continuing to form new relationships as our journey continues.”  

The product resembles ‘stick people’ i.e. with ‘arms’ to prevent children from inserting the pop too far into their mouths.

Avril Farrell, buying manager of healthcare at Boots Ireland, commented: “We have been really impressed by Tonstix, and I am delighted to add the range to our children’s healthcare shelves.  

“Our consumers are becoming increasingly interested in product ingredients and provenance, so it’s wonderful our sales teams can tell them that Tonstix is created in Ireland using all-natural ingredients.”  

Soothing Solutions has secured investment from Redesdale, a food investment fund, as well as funding from Enterprise Ireland and private angel investors. This has enabled the venture to recruit eight employees. 

Co-founder and chief operating officer Denise Lauaki stated: “Tonstix has the potential to become a household staple, always on-hand and ready for when seasonal illnesses like hay fever or the common cold strikes. I am particularly proud that we have established our manufacturing base here in Ireland and hope that we can also inspire more women in STEM to see their ideas through.  

“Little did we know when pitching for funding from our kitchen tables that our determination would see our product on Boots’ shelves.”