Eno is an over-the-counter antacid brand produced by Haleon. It is mostly composed of sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate and citric acid.[1][2][3]
History
Eno was first marketed by James Crossley Eno (1827–1915).[4] Legend has it that his idea for the product arose while he was working at the pharmacy of an infirmary in Newcastle, Britain, with Dennis Embleton; Embleton often prescribed an effervescent drink made by mixing sodium bicarbonate and citric acid in water, and Eno adopted this beverage.[5] In reality, Eno opened a pharmacy where he made the mixture in 1852, a year before Embleton came to work at the infirmary, and such fruit salt mixtures were common at the time.[5]
Marketing
Eno gave away his branded mixture to sea captains at the port, and in this way Eno's became a brand known around the world. By 1865 he had to move to a bigger facility, and he formally founded the company Eno's "Fruit Salt" Works in 1868.[5][6][7] In 1878 Eno moved the business to Hatcham where the factory employed 50 people by 1884.[8]
Eno was advertised heavily, as all patent medicines were at that time.[5] In 1883 it was advertised as a cure for cholera[9] and in 1892 for "keeping blood pure and free from disease", prevention of diarrhea, and many other conditions.[10]
References
- About Us, Indigestion And Heartburn Relief ENO GlaxoSmithKline Canada^
- Eno's Fruit Salt The Quack Doctor, 17 July 2009^
- Eno – Summary of Product Characteristics at eMC Electronic Medicines Compendium, retrieved 2 September 2016^