News
China Implements New Food Safety LawFood producers in China are now operating under closer scrutiny due to new quality control and safety regulations, reports European Advisory Services (EAS; Brussels). New legislation applied last month includes a range of regulation procedures including new monitoring and reporting processes, stricter inspections and a “farm-to-fork” approach for overseeing all chains of production in the food industry.In the wake of recent food scares in China, this new oversight aims at acting as increased liability for food producers. “There have been a series of food safety scandals in recent years in China that have seriously undermined consumer confidence, and the new law aims to restore confidence from domestic consumers and international trade partners on the safety of the food products made in China,” said EAS Asia advisor Jie Hu. “The development of the law is a significant step, and improving food safety issues in China will be a long-term process.” -Robby Gardner |
| published date: 07-02-2009 |
Central Coast Nutraceuticals Fined $1.3 MillionSupplements firm Central Coast Nutraceuticals (CCN; Phoenix) has been fined $1,375,000 for alleged deceptive online marketing practices in a State of Arizona consumer fraud lawsuit.The lawsuit was enacted by Arizona attorney general Terry Goddard after he received hundreds of complaints from consumers who made online CCN purchases of “risk-free” trial offers for health supplements. Consumers complained of being charged for additional products that were pre-selected in the order process for the “risk-free” trial offers. Consumers also claimed they did not receive responses to their emails and that they were put on telephone holds for over an hour. Resulting from the lawsuit, CCN must now warn its consumers of the consequences of purchasing CCN trial products. -Robby Gardner |
| published date: 07-02-2009 |
Naturex Earns Spot on Sustainable Businesses ListNatural ingredients supplier Naturex (Avignon, France) announced today that it has earned a spot on the 2009 SB20 List of sustainable businesses. The SB20 List, presented by SustainableBusiness.com, annually recognizes 20 international companies leading in sustainable and environmentally-conscious business practices.Naturex is a multinational supplier and manufacturer of products for food, nutraceuticals, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetic industries. “Naturex was selected for this year’s SB20 List in the ‘sustainable food’ category because it produces products from plant extracts, replacing chemical ingredients,” says Rona Fried, PhD, CEO, of SustainableBusiness.com. “Besides being plant-based, its flavorings, colorings, antioxidants and preservatives are GMO-free and not tested on animals, providing a much healthier and environmentally responsible alternative for the food industry. Such ingredients are found throughout the food industry; therefore Naturex has the potential to make an important contribution on a large scale.” -Robby Gardner |
| published date: 07-01-2009 |
Cerilliant Introduces Certified Reference Standards for SteviaCerilliant (Round Rock, TX), a producer and provider of certified reference standards and materials, announced the introduction of two new certified reference standards today, Rebaudioside A (Reb-A) and multi-component Rebaudioside-A Impurities.These new reference standards will enable producers of Reb-A, a natural sweetener derived from stevia, to meet FDA guidelines for Reb-A ingredients and to attain a consistent flavor profile in the sweetener. -Robby Gardner |
| published date: 07-01-2009 |
Fuji Chemical Focused on AstaxanthinResearchers at Fuji Chemical Industry (Fuji; Toyama, Japan) are researching the supplement AstaREAL astaxanthin for its potential to cure asthenopia, commonly known as eye fatigue, reports its U.S. subsidiary Fuji Health Science (Burlington, NJ).Astaxanthin is a natural antioxidant that can be abundantly found in the freshwater microalgae, Haematococcus pluvialis. Fuji scientists believe it can reduce cellular inflammation and improve capillary blood flow for the lens of the eye. The company has sponsored eleven human studies with astaxanthin on patients with symptoms of asthenopia. Fuji also cultivates astaxanthin at locations in Hawaii and Sweden. -Robby Gardner |
| published date: 07-01-2009 |
Gluten Identified as Culprit of Unusual Celiac DiseaseResearchers at the Mayo Clinic (Rochester, MN) have determined that celiac disease is four times more common today than it was in the 1950s, according to a Mayo Clinic study published in the June issue of Gastroenterology.Celiac disease occurs when gluten from wheat, barley, or protein causes an attack on the immune system and nutrient-absorbing villi in the small intestine become damaged. Symptoms of celiac disease include diarrhea, abdominal discomfort, and weight loss. Since these symptoms are typically associated with other more common diseases, celiac disease can be misidentified. A Mayo Clinic study conducted from 1948 to 1954 at Warren Air Force Base in Wyoming tested blood samples for the antibody produced in celiac disease. A follow-up of 45 years determined that patients who had celiac disease had a mortality rate four times higher than those patients who were celiac-free. The Mayo Clinic recently conducted two similar blood test sets in Olmsted County, MN. One set was taken from patients matching the birth years of those from the Warren study, and the other with patients matching the ages of the Warren patients at the time of the Warren study. Results indicate that younger people are 4.5 times more likely to have celiac disease, and people as old as the Warren participants are four times more likely to have celiac disease. "Something has changed in our environment to make [celiac disease] much more common,” says Joseph Murray, MD, the lead researcher in the recent studies. “Until recently, the standard approach to finding celiac disease has been to wait for people to complain of symptoms and to come to the doctor for investigation. This study suggests that we may need to consider looking for celiac disease in the general population, more like we do in testing for cholesterol or blood pressure." |
| published date: 06-30-2009 |
Harvard Report: Two Nutrients are Better than OneNew research suggests that some of the daily nutrients we seek are actually influenced by other nutrients, according to reports in July’s Harvard Health Letter.The reports suggest that certain nutrient levels in our bodies can be increased and decreased by other nutrients. Calcium absorption is said to be assisted by high levels of vitamin D. When sodium levels are too high in the kidneys, potassium can encourage sodium excretion. Vitamin B12 is also cited for its ability to help folate be absorbed, stored, and metabolized, the report says. -Robby Gardner |
| published date: 06-30-2009 |
Fusion Formulations Quadruples Liquid Manufacturing OutputFusion Formulations (Fusion; Phoenix) has announced an estimated quadrupling of its capacity for liquid manufacturing as a result of recent investments in production equipment that will create higher and faster output of products.The investments include new Phase Fire heat tunnels and an Axon applicator machine which will yield a fully-automated shrink-labeling process for sleeve labels on any bottle shape. Additionally, a new FTNIR analytical testing instrument will expedite raw material analysis from two weeks to two days. Thanks to this new equipment, Fusion claims it will be able to increase its daily output from 6000 bottles per day to 22,000 bottles per day. Fusion is a GMP-certified manufacturer working with nutraceutical beverages, vitamin and mineral capsules and powders, and other nutraceutical products. -Robby Gardner |
| published date: 06-29-2009 |
Chemi SpA Passes Inspection of Enhanced Brazilian FacilityChemi SpA (Chemi; Milan, Italy) has announced that its manufacturing facility, ITF Chemical Ltda, (ITF; Camacari, Bahia, Brazil) has been granted “acceptable status” after an inspection was conducted by HHS (Washington, DC) on its construction of new R&D and QC facilities.ITF, which specializes in the production of active pharmaceutical ingredients and nutraceutical ingredients, was notified of the new status on June 16. Its new facilities come as a result of increased production of SerinAid PhosphatidylSerine (PS), which is known in the United States as a product used to enhance skills like memory, concentration, and exercise performance. PS is supplied to the United States through Chemi’s U.S. supplier, Chemi Nutra (White Bear Lake, MN). -Robby Gardner |
| published date: 06-29-2009 |
Cracking the Mystery of QuercetinA recent study on the effects of quercetin proves the plant pigment found in red wine and apples is still of scientific interest. Previously researched for its potential to treat health conditions like cancer or child asthma, quercetin is now being evaluated as a potential athletic performance booster, according to U.S. News & World Report.The International Journal of Sports Nutrition and Exercise metabolism published a study this week that tested the effect quercetin had on cycling performance for 12 patients over seven days. Some performance results (notably endurance times) leaned in favor of those patients who took quercetin, but there is still speculation surrounding its use. The American Cancer Society states that there is no reliable proof that quercetin can treat or prevent cancer. ConsumerLab.com, involved in a 1999 study of the supplement, acknowledges that it “may be helpful for chronic non-bacterial prostatitis,” but that it should be avoided by pregnant women and in high doses. -Robby Gardner |
| published date: 06-26-2009 |
Government to Fund Huge Vitamin D StudyIn 2010, Boston will be home to a $20 million study on the effects vitamin D and fish oil have in reducing the risks of cancer and cardiovascular disease in humans, reports the Boston Globe. The project is being funded by NIH (Bethesda, MD), and will enroll 20,000 patients starting January of next year.The intentions of the study are to analyze how vitamin D affects the average person, and specifically how it affects African American. Darker skin does prevent significant vitamin D absorption from the sun, so a quarter of the study’s patients will be black to evaluate this factor. “African Americans have a higher risk of vitamin D deficiency and a greater frequency of certain types of cancer,” said JoAnn Manson, MD, a lead researcher for the study. “I think that it will be of great importance to look at whether something as simple as taking a vitamin D supplement can narrow these health gaps.” The study will use women over 65 and men over 60, all with no history of cancer or cardiovascular disease. Patients will be separated into four groups—one given pills of vitamin D and fish oil, one given placebos, and the other two given one placebo and one supplement. More information on the study can be found at www.vitalstudy.org. -Robby Gardner |
| published date: 06-26-2009 |
UN Making Food Safer; Smaller Companies Feel at RiskA new United Nations report may have some small food companies feeling left in the cold. The World Health Organization (WHO; Geneva) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO; Rome) wrote a report that warns of the adverse effects that may occur impending food safety standards put on smaller companies.The report says that processors and exporters have found it difficult to deal with “new and overlapping requirements,” with smaller companies having neither the time nor the infrastructure to compete with their richer, more-able counterparts. The report comes in response to recent U.S. and world food scares involving pistachios, peanuts, and alfalfa sprouts, says the Reuters report. The report is scheduled to be released next week at a Codex Alimentarius Commission (CODEX, Rome) meeting. CODEX is a joint body of WHO and FAO that establishes international food safety standards. Various new safety standards of “both a regulatory and private nature” are expected to impose problems on smaller food companies, especially those in poorer nations, according the report. "To the extent that there are economies of scale in compliance and/or larger firms are better able to access finance and other resources, compliance processes are likely to induce processes of consolidation and concentration," said the study. -Robby Gardner |
| published date: 06-25-2009 |
Survey Says Grocery Shoppers are WaryIBM (Armonk, NY) has released a survey indicating significant levels of consumer anxiety in the U.S. surrounding grocery shopping, reports MediaPost News. The survey sampled 1000 Americans who claim to shop for groceries at least once a month.Among many notable statistics, the survey concluded that less than 20% of adult shoppers trust their food companies to produce safe and healthy products. Out of those surveyed, 60% claimed to feel concerned about the foods they purchase with 77% wanting more information about their foods' contents. Recent nationwide product recalls may provide this survey with more relevance as 83% of those surveyed were able to name a food product recalled in the past two years. IBM has not been identified as the study’s sponsor. |
| published date: 06-25-2009 |
Redpoint Developing a Sweet AlternativeThe biotechnology company Redpoint (Ewing, NJ) has announced that it has developed a new all-natural sweetener, RP44. Redpoint claims RP44 “demonstrated enhancement results” with common sweeteners, including sucrose, fructose, and high-fructose corn syrup. The independent laboratory that conducted taste tests with RP44 also found that the sweetener “enables reduction of up to 25% of the caloric sweetener content in product prototypes,” according to Redpoint.Redpoint CEO Ray Salemme has publicized strong interest in further development and marketing of RP44. “We believe that the development of an all-natural sweetness enhancer…can permit the development of new food and beverage products that require reduced amounts of [highly caloric] sweeteners,” said Salemme. “In addition, RP44 has the potential to reduce overall ingredient costs for manufacturers, along with creating healthier products for consumers due to lower calorie content.” According to Redpoint, they expect to develop RP44 by obtaining GRAS status. Ultimately they hope to market the product with food and beverage companies. As a result of research into healthier approaches to food, the company has vested much research into RP44, they said. If proven successful, the sweetener may give stevia a run for its money in the natural sweetener product aisle. -Robby Gardner |
| published date: 06-24-2009 |
Moving and Shaking the Produce IndustryThe United Fresh Produce Association (United Fresh; Washington, DC) is urging member companies and the produce sector at large to enact change in what United Fresh thinks can be a transformative year in the industry.Citing the recent House approval in Congress of the Food Safety Enhancement Act of 2009, United Fresh is pursuing industry activism with high hopes in its recent news. “More than ever before, it s… important that members of the produce industry actively engage with lawmakers on legislation that would both maximize public health and rebuild consumer confidence in our food safety system,” says United Fresh president and CEO Tom Stenzel. Stenzel suggests this September’s Washington Public Policy Conference, where 350 industry leaders will meet with policy makers, as an opportunity for “groundbreaking legislation” around issues like child nutrition and food safety. -Robby Gardner |
| published date: 06-24-2009 |
DSM and Lonza Renew Partnership in SwitzerlandDSM (Basel, Switzerland) and Lonza (Basel, Switzerland) have announced an extension of their partnership in Swiss production facilities in the districts of Visp and Lalden, the companies announced today.The two companies have collaborated for over 40 years. -Robby Gardner |
| published date: 06-22-2009 |
USADA Advocates State Action on DopingIn a conference with attorneys general on June 18, USADA (Colorado Springs, CO) CEO Travis Tygart called for state-level action in dealing with steroid contamination in supplements, according to the Associated Press.Statistics related to high steroid contamination in consumer supplements were cited at the conference. Tygart urged attorneys general to use state consumer protection laws to influence federal government interest in steroid use. A possible avenue could be recovering government-paid health care costs for the treatment of people that have become ill from tainted supplements. "We're a complaint-driven organization and I have to admit, we're not getting a high number of complaints at our office about mislabeled substances," said Colorado Attorney General John Suthers. "Whether we can muster the will to do something about it, I don't know. But it's a serious issue and I think we've got to look at it." -Robby Gardner |
| published date: 06-22-2009 |
USDA Commits $176 Million to Priority LabsAgriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced the distribution of $176 million in Recovery Act funding to research laboratories in 29 states, according to the Agricultural Research Service (ARS; Washington, DC). ARS states that the funding will help improve research facilities “of the highest priority.” The funding will go towards improving safety and health aspects, energy efficiency, and reduced operation and maintenance costs of each facility.Vilsack says the funding shows President Obama’s commitment to “ensuring that USDA (Washington, DC) stays on the cutting edge of research in food safety, nutrition, producing food, and preserving the quality of our soil and water,” according to ARS. These investments are expected to support continuing scientific research, create new jobs, and help sustain local businesses that conduct business with the labs. For a list of the selected research projects, visit www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr. -Robby Gardner |
| published date: 06-19-2009 |
BASF Increases Costs of Styropor and Neopor, AgainEffective June 15, 2009, chemical company BASF (Florham Park, NJ) will charge an increase of 5 cents per pound on all of its grades of Styropor and Neopor expandable polystyrene. The price hike follows a previous increase which went into effect this month.-Robby Gardner |
| published date: 06-19-2009 |
Nestlé Recalls Cookie Dough as Consumers Fall IllA nationwide recall of all Toll House cookie dough products has been announced due to the risk of E. coli infection, according to Nestlé USA (Nestlé; Glendale, CA).While Nestlé states that it has not detected E. coli in its product, FDA (Rockville, MD) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC; Atlanta) have released an official warning to consumers not to eat the refrigerated cookie dough. Since March 2009, 66 cases of illness have been reported to FDA from 28 states, with 25 people hospitalized and seven having developed a complication known as hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). No fatalities have been reported. -Robby Gardner |
| published date: 06-19-2009 |
Surprise Bacterium Causes Disease in TurkeysAgricultural Research Service (ARS; Washington, DC) scientists have discovered that an avian bacterium, Bordetella hinzii, has been doing more damage to turkeys than previously assumed.DNA tests at ARS National Animal Disease Center (NADC; Ames, IA) have concluded that B. hinzii caused respiratory disease in a sample of turkey isolates. The finding came after NADC scientists realized that infected turkeys had been mislabeled as carrying another Bordetella species, B. avium. The confusion is attributed to the difficulty in distinguishing B. avium from B. hinzii. Results of the tests are published in the March 2009 issue of Avian Diseases. -Robby Gardner |
| published date: 06-18-2009 |
New Study Suggests Rise in Organic SalesAccording to a study by the Organic Trade Association (OTA; Greenfield, MA) and Kiwi Magazine, families in the United States are now spending significantly more money on organic products than in years past. The study, to be released this week, examined the consumer behaviors of 1200 families surrounding organic food purchases. Among several key findings, nearly three-quarters of the families sampled claimed they purchase organic products at least occasionally.For more information, visit OTA’s website at www.ota.com. -Robby Gardner |
| published date: 06-17-2009 |
FDA Drafts Reportable Food Registry for CommentIn response to section 1005 of the Food and Drug Administration Amendments Act of 2007, FDA (Rockville, MD) has drafted its Reportable Food Registry (RFR).RFR now requires a “responsible party” to file a report through an FDA internet portal whenever a food or dietary supplement regulated by FDA poses a threat of causing serious adverse health consequences or death to humans or animals. A “responsible party” is any person who submits registration information to FDA from a food facility that manufactures, processes, packs, or holds food for human or animal consumption in the United States. The draft for RFR details who is responsible for submitting reports, when and where reports must be submitted, and what information must be provided in the reports and through the food supply chain. Implementation of RFR is scheduled for September 8, 2009 and may also be accessed by federal, state, and local officials for reporting information on adulterated foods. The draft can be read at: www.fda.gov/Food/GuidanceComplianceRegulatoryInformation/GuidanceDocuments/default.htm or www.regulations.gov. -Robby Gardner |
| published date: 06-17-2009 |
ChemNutra Pleads Guilty in Toxic Pet Food CaseMatt J. Whitworth, acting U.S Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced today that Sally Qing Miller and Stephen S. Miller, owners of pet food supplier ChemNutra, Inc. (Las Vegas), have pleaded guilty on federal charges for selling adulterated and misbranded pet food.ChemNutra was indicted on February 6, 2008 over several shipments of toxic wheat gluten that were distributed between November 6, 2006 and February 21, 2007 for use in various brands of pet food. The shipments, which were imported from China, all contained the unsafe contaminant, melamine. This culminated in a nationwide pet food recall, and the deaths of thousands of cats and dogs. FDA consumer reports claim that 1950 cats and 2200 dogs died from eating the contaminated products. Sentencing and fine hearings will be scheduled after all presentence investigations are carried out by the U.S. probation office. -Robby Gardner |
| published date: 06-17-2009 |
Clean Label Products as a Modern Selling PointRising consumer interest in eco-friendly products—not to mention recent food scares—is encouraging food manufacturers to take on more natural approaches when it comes to selling products. From ingredients used, to locations and methods of manufacturing and distributing, a “cleaner” image is becoming increasingly significant.BENEO-Remy (Wijgmaal, Belgium), a producer of rice-based ingredients, is taking this trend seriously. Vincent Caluwaerts, sales and marketing manager for BENEO-Remy, says, “…we have been working closely with leading food and beverage manufacturers to see how our rice derivatives, Remyline (natural waxy rice starch) for example, can best offer innovative solutions.” BENEO-Remy’s approach involves various “clean label characteristics,” such as oversight of its production sites (i.e. water quality, soil condition, and crop rotation) and relationships with its rice farmers and millers. Such practices demonstrate a variety of ways many manufacturers are attempting to attract consumers with an inclination towards natural products. BENEO-Remy’s process is used in the making ingredients for baby foods, breakfast cereals, prepared meals, bakery goods, and other products. -Robby Gardner |
| published date: 06-16-2009 |
Dairy Doesn’t Spoil in Economic CrisisAs plenty of markets take spills in the midst of international economic downturn, one industry is managing to thrive: the dairy industry.The Packaging Machinery Manufacturer’s Institute (PMMI; Arlington, VA) has released a recent study, "Dairy Industry Market Research Study 2009," in which the industry proves to be making considerable profit. PMMI’s study evaluates the perspectives of 34 leading dairy processors, accounting for 68% of the total dairy industry. While some doubt comes with the prospect of raw materials and price fluctuations in the future, the study still bodes well for the industry. The study affirms that, even with a price increase of 9%, dairy product sales have gone up 2% within the last year. U.S. dairy production is expected to move to the West Coast and to centralize in a greater number of mega dairies, according to PMMI. Production methods are also expected to change, with a greater vested interest in energy sustainability. Such cost-effective moves in production would, in effect, make up the projected capital expenditures (expected from 71% of dairy processors) on packaging and machinery investments that will continue as long as dairy is a thriving industry. PMMI’s full study can be read at www.pmmi.org. - Robby Gardner |
| published date: 06-16-2009 |
The Red Yeast Rice RideA new study in the June 16 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine concluded that nonprescription red yeast rice may have cholesterol-lowering qualities.The study included 62 people who stopped taking statins because of side effects. All of them followed a lifestyle change program, including education on nutrition, exercise and relaxation techniques. Half also took 1,800 mg twice a day of a red yeast rice product for 24 weeks, while the others took a placebo. "In the group that took red yeast rice, the average drop in cholesterol was 43 points at 12 weeks," said Ram Y. Gordon, PhD, a cardiologist in private practice who was a member of the research group. "The drop in the placebo group was only 11 points. In the longer run, the drop was 35 versus 15 points. We think the difference narrowed because after 12 weeks we told people to keep on doing it, but maybe some stopped." There are, however, complications related to the product. Red yeast rice is under a regulatory cloud at the FDA (Rockville, MD) because it contains a natural statin, lovastatin, sold as a prescription drug named Mevacor. FDA moved against several red yeast rice products—not the one used in the Pennsylvania study—on the grounds that they were unlicensed pharmaceuticals, a move which was upheld after a court tussle. The product used in the study does contain lovastatin, Gordon said, but not enough to explain the reduction seen in the trial. Trial participants took three 600-mg vials of red yeast rice twice a day. "Each vial had one mg of lovastatin. So the total was six mg a day, which is really a tiny amount," Gordon said. "And lovastatin is one of the weaker statins. The cholesterol drop was much more than what you'd expect from that low dose of lovastatin." Some statin-related side effects, such as muscle pain and liver problems, were reported in the study, by two people who took red yeast rice and one who took the inactive substance, "but they were not severe," Gordon said. |
| published date: 06-16-2009 |
Deerland Enzymes Acquires GMP Sport CertificationEnzyme supplier and contract manufacturer Deerland Enzymes (Kennesaw, GA) recently received GMP for Sport certification from NSF International (Ann Arbor, MI).Deerland Enzymes’ new GMP for Sport is meant to certify that the company’s sports products do not contain any banned substances. The Sport Certification was granted in addition to Deerland Enzymes’ already existing GMP certification, under NSF’s dietary supplements certification program, which approves of the company’s facility, processes, and ingredient sourcing. -Robby Gardner |
| published date: 06-15-2009 |
EFSA Issues Health Claims AssistanceThe European Food Safety Authority (EFSA; Parma, Italy) has published a Q&A in advance of its stakeholders meeting in Brussels on June 15 to help industry better understand the nutrition and health claims process.Plausibility between dietary effect and development of disease; the importance of human data; careful wording of claims; the inclusion of the full totality of evidence in regard to a proposed claim were all highlighted by the risk assessor in the seven-page document. EFSA stated the importance of accurately demonstrating nutritional and physiological effects with “appropriate outcome measures of that claimed effect." “The claimed effect needs to be specific enough to be testable and measurable by generally accepted methods,” EFSA said. “For example, ‘gut health’ is too general but ‘transit time’ is specific.” “In the preparation of an application, a rationale/evidence should be provided that the claimed effect is beneficial in the context of the specific claim as described in the application.” Risk factors in relation to the development of disease were singled out with EFSA emphasising that reduced risk factors for particular diseases must be “biologically plausible”. The risk factor must also be an independent predictor of disease risk, something that can be established via intervention and/or observational studies. “For some risk factors, there is strong evidence that they meet both criteria,” EFSA said. “For example, elevated serum LDL cholesterol is a risk factor for coronary heart disease (CHD) for which there is strong evidence for the biological basis through which it can contribute to the development of atherosclerosis (one pathway to CHD).” EFSA’s document reemphasised the importance of targeted studies carried out on the food/constituent in question; the importance of human data; conditions of use; relevant study groups; usable animal models. “In addition, it is important that the human studies provided represent all available evidence pertinent to the claim, including evidence that supports the relationship as well as equivocal evidence and evidence of no effect or opposing effects.” EFSA said it would propose wording on occasion so that claims matched the available science, but noted it was up to the European Commission to take into account how such wordings may be interpreted by consumers. It said wording must reflect the scientific evidence, complies with criteria established in the regulation and conditions of use are appropriate. The meeting in Brussels next month has been double over-subscribed as industry seeks answers from EFSA before January, 2010, when the process is due for completion. |
| published date: 05-28-2009 |
Herbal Supplement Sales Experience Slight IncreaseAccording to data supplied by IRI of Chicago, Illinois, sales of herbal dietary supplements in the food, drug, and mass market (FDM) channel increased by 7.16% in 2008 from 2007 sales, for a total figure of $289,248,200.Although IRI data does not represent the entire FDM channel, as it does not include sales reports from Wal-Mart, Sam’s Club, and other large warehouse buying clubs, or from convenience stores. Sales of cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon, Ericaceae) supplements, which increased by more than 23% in 2007 from 2006,3 continued to rise in 2008, making cranberry the top-selling herbal supplement product within the FDM channel. |
| published date: 05-19-2009 |
NY Times Columnist Calls Vitamin A Supplements A Cost-Effective and "Simple Fix"In the May 13th edition of The New York Times, columnist Nicholas Kristof paints a very favorable portrait of vitamin A supplements. After visiting a town in northern Guinea, Kristof had this to say about supplementation:"Americans pretty much take vitamin A for granted, but many of the world’s poorest people lack it," he writes. "And as a result, it is estimated that more than half-a-million children die or go blind each year. There’s a simple fix: vitamin A capsules that cost about 2 cents each. "[It has been] have found that vitamin A supplements reduce not only blindness, but also death from diarrhea and other diseases. A review by Unicef and Helen Keller International reports that in areas such as West Africa where many children lack the vitamin, child mortality drops by approximately 23% after vitamin A capsules are distributed to children. "According to the United Nations, half of the children in many African countries are deficient in vitamin A (which comes from liver, mangos, orange-fleshed sweet potatoes and dark, green leafy vegetables), and a disease like measles will quickly deplete their supply further and trigger blindness. The upshot is that vitamin A deficiency is the leading cause of child blindness in the world today. “Addressing vitamin A deficiency may be the most cost-effective intervention you can implement,” he quotes a member of Helen Keller International as saying. To read the full story, click here: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/14/opinion/14kristof.html |
| published date: 05-19-2009 |
ZMC and Farbest Extend Beta-Carotene MarketZMC-USA (The Woodlands, TX)and ZMC China have announced a strategic partnership to market ZMC’s line of beta carotene products in the United States. Leveraging its national sales and distribution network, Farbest (Montvale, NJ ) will exclusively market these products to the U.S. food and beverage industry. The companies will join forces to market ZMC’s beta carotene to the dietary supplement industry, maximizing customer service and penetration. |
| published date: 05-19-2009 |
FDA Seizes $1.5 Million Worth of Food from "Filthy" Supplement Ingredients from WarehouseFDA says federal agents have seized more than $1.5 million worth of herbs, botanicals, and other ingredients used in dietary supplements that were being stored in “filthy” conditions.U.S. Marshals, acting at the direction of FDA, targeted the American Mercantile Corporation of Memphis, Tenn. An FDA inspection of the facility in March 2009 uncovered evidence of widespread insect and rodent infestation throughout the warehouse. When the company failed to clean up the mess on its own and comply with FDA orders regarding the cleanliness of the facility, the food stored there was seized under a warrant issued by the United States District Court. “FDA will not tolerate a company’s failure to adequately control and prevent filth in its facility,” said Michael Chappell, the FDA’s acting associate commissioner for regulatory affairs. “The FDA is prepared to use whatever legal means are necessary and appropriate to keep potentially contaminated products out of the marketplace.” American Mercantile Corp. stores and processes food ingredients used in dietary supplements and herbal teas made by other companies, FDA said. The products seized include sarsaparilla, spearmint leaves, cornstarch, sweet orange peels powder, licorice powder, sassafras, and salt. |
| published date: 05-14-2009 |
U.S. Dept. of Agriculture Offers New Funding & ContractsThe Organic Trade Association has announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture is offering $50 million in new funding to encourage greater production of organic food in the United States.A portion of the funding has been allocated for every state and is available exclusively through a special signup under the Environmental Quality Incentives Program, administered by USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service. To qualify, a producer must be certified through the National Organic Program or be in the process of transitioning to organic production. "The Organic Trade Association is pleased to see this support and recognition from USDA that organic farming practices represent positive environmental practices. OTA believes that this funding will further encourage farmers to use such practices and help increase the U.S. production of organic food to meet growing consumer demand," said Christine Bushway, OTA's executive director. Under the initiative, new contracts for organic production are being offered for six core practices, which include conservation crop rotation, cover crops, nutrient management, pest management, prescribed grazing, and forage harvest management. Funding is capped at $20,000 per year. The sign-up period for the special organic contracts begins May 11 and ends on May 29. |
| published date: 05-14-2009 |
American Companies May Experience Fierce R&D Competition From AsiaWestern-origin brands were found to be leading Asia-based products in terms of research and development, according to joint findings by Global Intelligence Alliance Group (GIA) and analyst Fusion Consulting.The groups tracked 20 multinational food and drink companies. Although the research found companies like Nestle or Danone to be more advanced in pushing innovative products that rivals such as Yakult, there was still strong potential for certain Asian products. “There are very strong Asian companies in the food and beverage industry that can compete with Western European and US-based multinationals,” stated a Fusion spokesperson. “In fact, in some domains like probiotic drinks and instant noodles, Asian companies are way ahead than their European or US-based competitors.” In looking at the findings, which were conducted between 2004 and 2007, the consultancy group said that Asia-based companies were in an increasingly strong position to follow the lead of their western counterparts and look to international markets to expand. In the same way that more Westernized companies had worked to distribute and establish their products in Asia, manufacturers in the region were well positioned to increasingly bring their goods to Europe and the US, according to the analyst. Fusion Consultancy said that in order to successfully meet seemingly growing Western demand in Asian food and drink products, customizing products and brand identity to meet local tastes was a key challenge. “The challenge on doing this is always the same: customization,” stated the analyst. “Some companies are very good at it like Unilever, Nestle and Kraft.” The GIA index, that focused on three dimensions – innovation, regional presence and revenue performance – claims that Anglo-Dutch firm Unilever performed “best in class” thanks to efforts to appoint chefs and food experts in 18 key markets to research and develop new products customized to the local needs and preferences. |
| published date: 05-14-2009 |
Phosphotech and Enzymotec Sign Marketing AgreementPhosphotech (Saint-Herblain Cedex, France) and Enzymotec (Springfield, NJ) have signed a marketing agreement to target the nutraceutical market in FrancePhosphotech specializes in natural ingredient for human and animal health. They will will distribute phosphatidylserine-based products under the Sharp trademark. “We expect that the collaboration with Phosphotech will enable us to deepen our penetration into the French market which is one of leading nutraceutical markets in Europe. The collaboration will cover our proprietary phospholipids based line of cognitive solutions under the brand name Sharp. The French nutraceuticals brands have a very strong presence in other European countries and we expect that working closely with leading French companies will further expand our market share in the European market,” said Michal Haim-Bravman, Enzymotec's director of sales and marketing. |
| published date: 05-11-2009 |
XSTO Solutions Announces U.S. Distribution of BRUDY’S New DHAXSTO Solutions (Morristown, NJ) and Brudy Technology (Barcelona, Spain) have jointly announced a new sales and marketing distribution agreement between the two companies to market Algatrium, Brudy’s patented source of DHA. Brudy’s new Algatrium product is naturally produced and clinically tested.“Using XSTO’S experience and relationships in the nutrition industry, we look forward to expanding the presence of our specialty ingredient line” stated Francesc Gassó, managing director of Brudy. |
| published date: 05-06-2009 |
Sale of Organic Products Reached $24.6 Billion in 2008The sale of U.S organic products, both food and non-food, reached $24.6 billion by the end of 2008, growing 17.1% over 2007 sales, according to the Organic Trade Association (OTA), which yesterday made available final results from its 2009 Organic Industry Survey."Organic products represent value to consumers, who have shown continued resilience in seeking out these products," said Christine Bushway, OTA's executive director. Results show organic food sales grew in 2008 by 15.8% to reach $22.9 billion, while organic non-food sales grew 39.4% to reach $1.648 billion. As a result, organic food sales now account for approximately 3.5% of all food product sales in the United States, according to OTA. |
| published date: 05-05-2009 |
Danisco Introduces LysoMax EnzymeDanisco (Copenhagen, Denmark) is introducing a new enzyme called LysoMax for vegetable oil refiners. The enzyme is claimed to increase yield during refining, and enable more sustainable use of water and energy.Vegetable oils commonly used in foods, such as soy and oilseed rape, tend to be subject to fluctuations in supply and price on the commodity market. This means that users on the manufacturing side are eager to glean maximum use from their oil. For refiners, however, the challenge is obtaining the maximum amount of oil during the refining process. The Danish firm is presenting a new tool that it says improves the release of vegetable oil from the gum, the viscous mass that is obtained when the crude oil is treated with hot water. Called LysoMax, the enzyme solution is added to the water during the first stage of refining the crudely pressed oil. As well as increasing the yield, the enzyme is said to reduce water use by 50%. The company says the enzyme has no impact on the quality of the oil, and does not require the refiner to invest in any special equipment. |
| published date: 05-05-2009 |
Astaxanthin Launched in Softgel CapsulesThe Israeli company Algatechnologies is launching 4 mg softgel astaxanthin capsules at the Vitafoods trade show in Geneva next week.“Usually, we sell our astaxanthin in the form of oleoresin and beadlets to dietary supplement manufacturers,” said Efrat Kat, marketing director at Israel-based Algatechnologies. “But due to the increase in demand for our high-value AstaPure astaxanthin line from other manufacturers, who cannot produce the necessary initial quantities of softgels themselves, we decided to provide it in capsules as well.” She said the company would not sell the capsules direct to consumers, only to business partners and would focus on Europe, the US and also in Asia Pacific. The global astaxanthin market is estimated at about €190m globally, most of which is used in fish coloration. |
| published date: 05-05-2009 |
Capsugel Announces Pre/ Probiotic ComboCapsugel (Peapack, NJ ) has announced the launch of Pre-Pro Combo, which is designed to contain a combination of prebiotic and probiotic ingredients.Utilizing its Moisture Defense System (MDS) design, which includes the use of capsule-in-a-capsule technology, the capsule offers natural products marketers the opportunity to enter the growing probiotic market "with an innovative edge," according to the company. “As the awareness of digestive health continues to grow, consumers are looking for nutritional products that can improve their digestive health. Prebiotics and probiotics can work together to improve the ultimate nutritional effectiveness of probiotic ingredients. However, prebiotic regimens are less common because they are new to the market and more difficult to find on store shelves. The Pre-Pro Combo gives manufacturers a distinctive way to efficiently offer consumers additional benefits within one unique product,” said Mark Vieceli, marketing manager for Capsugel. The inner capsule of the Pre-Pro Combo contains Lactobacillus acidophilus probiotic, which is then suspended in a liquid-based prebiotic formula containing fructo oligosaccharide. Both capsules are composed of plant-based HPMC (hypromellose), and both are sealed with Capsugel’s proprietary LEMS sealing process. The low moisture content of HPMC capsules, as well as the use of excipients with low water activity, means that very little moisture is present. “It acts like an internal desiccant--which means twice the protection from moisture from one innovative system,” said Vieceli. |
| published date: 05-05-2009 |
CapsCanada Acquires Two New Gelatin Production FacilitiesCapsCanada announced today that it has formally acquired two additional bovine hide gelatin production facilities.The acquisition further consolidates the company’s vertically integrated operations with a total of four bovine hide gelatin production facilities. According to the company’s director of business development, Gabriel Eilemberg, “We have experienced very strong demand.” He added that CapsCanada is the only vertically-integrated capsule manufacturer. “Vertical integration means a secure long-term supply, better traceability and superior quality," Eilemberg noted. |
| published date: 04-27-2009 |
Pure Genistein Reduces Menopausal Symptoms, According to DSM StudyAccording to a new study first presented at the Experimental Biology 2009 meeting in New Orleans today, a form of pure genistein reduces the number and duration of hot flashes in peri- and postmenopausal women. The study was conducted by KGK Synergize, Inc., London, Ontario and sponsored by DSM Nutritional Products, Inc (Basel, Switzerland).In the randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, half of the enrolled women were given placebo capsules, while the other half were given capsules of a safe, high purity, non-plant derived, non-allergenic, patent-protected, proprietary genistein branded as geniVida by DSM. Study measurements included daily hot flashes (frequency, duration and intensity), individual-specific safety factors and adverse events. |
| published date: 04-22-2009 |
CapsCanada Launches Platinum CapsCapsCanada (Pompano Beach, FL) has announced the launch of Platinum Caps, two-piece metallic capsules available in gelatin or vegetable HPMC.The metallic look is obtained with a light-reflecting pigment, Candurin, composed of titanium dioxide and natural mica. Platinum Caps are available in a wide range of metallic colors or color combinations, and can be printed for increased product differentiation. Platinum Caps are free of preservatives, allergens, gluten and starches. |
| published date: 04-17-2009 |
Packaged Facts Reports Increase in Kosher Food SalesPackaged Facts estimates that sales of certified kosher foods swelled from nearly $150 billion in 2003 to more than $200 billion in 2008, demonstrating a compound annual growth rate twice that of the overall food market. The increase is largely attributable to the rising number of certified products, as well as a growing number of consumers who deliberately seek out kosher foods. Packaged Facts does not see traditional or "ethnic" kosher foods contributing to market growth.Packaged Facts forecasts the total market for certified kosher food will approach $260 billion, while sales of products that are purchased because they are kosher will fall between $14 billion (low estimate) and $17 billion (high estimate). Because the concept of a market for certified halal foods is a fairly new phenomenon, Muslims compose a very small share of the U.S. population, and many of the countries that are home to large Muslim populations have just begun to monitor and quantify sales, hard data are virtually nonexistent. |
| published date: 04-15-2009 |
NSF International Launches New Web SiteANN ARBOR, MI—In response to demands from consumers, athletes and coaches, NSF International has launched a new online resource, www.nsfsport.com, that provides information to help consumers, athletes, and coaches choose safer, quality products. Additional information, such as recent news stories on doping in sports and educational resources, can also be found at nsfsport.com. |
| published date: 03-13-2009 |
FDA Continues Weight-Loss Supplement InvestigationIn a continuing investigation, FDA (Rockville, MD) has determined that dozens of weight-loss supplements, most of them imported from China, contain hidden and potentially harmful drugs. The agency plans to issue a longer list of brands to avoid that are spiked with drugs in the coming weeks, an FDA spokeswoman said.Late last year, FDA ruled that StarCaps, papaya-infused weight loss capsules promoted as natural dietary supplements, were potential health hazards. The capsules contained pharmaceutical drug, bumetanide. So far, the FDA has cited 69 tainted weight-loss supplements. An in-depth story can be found here: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/10/business/10pills.html?_r=1&hp |
| published date: 02-09-2009 |
Astaxanthin May Lower Blood PressureBURLINGTON, NJ— Astaxanthin has the ability to significantly lower systolic blood pressure in rats, according to a new study performed at Georgetown University Medical Center. This study joins three other past studies performed at the Toyama Medical and Pharmaceutical University in Japan which researched astaxanthin’s ability to reduce hypertension as well mechanism of actions for this benefit.In the Georgetown University study, tests suggested that the Renin-Angiotensin system was involved in the ability of astaxanthin to lower blood pressure. Also, at higher dosage levels it was shown that astaxanthin influenced circulating TNF-α and MCP-1 and lessened fat oxidation in the liver and kidneys. This is an indication that astaxanthin may help to reduce stress. The study was sponsored by Fuji Chemical Industry (Japan) and performed using AstaREAL astaxanthin. |
| published date: 02-03-2009 |
Pyridoxamine Decision Places More Responsibility on Industry, CRN SaysWASHINGTON, DC—In response to an FDA (Rockville, MD) decision declaring products containing pyridoxamine dihydrochloride are not dietary supplements under DSHE, the Council for Responsible Nutrition issued the following statement:“CRN accepts as established law under DSHEA the requirement that an article that has been authorized for investigation as a new drug and subjected to substantial clinical investigation prior to its being marketed as a dietary supplement or a food may not be marketed as a dietary supplement. "However, we are disappointed with FDA’s response to the recent citizen petition involving pyridoxamine (a form of vitamin B6) that apparently views as inadequate the evidence presented by the industry, including CRN, of the previous marketing of pyridoxamine, even prior to the passage of DSHEA. "FDA’s decision suggests that companies need to produce even more extensive evidence supporting an ingredient’s marketing as a dietary supplement, including catalog and business records from more than 15 years ago. Demanding that industry maintain these records, but failing to work with industry to develop an agreed-upon list of ‘grandfathered ingredients,’ places more burden on dietary supplement companies to be sure that they can substantiate that an ingredient has in fact previously been marketed as a dietary supplement. "The agency’s decision on pyridoxamine could set a precedent for the status of other dietary ingredients to be challenged. As such, CRN strongly encourages supplement and food companies to keep careful records of ingredients and marketing materials to ensure that the ingredients that they are using and marketing can continue to be marketed as dietary supplement ingredients under the law.” |
| published date: 01-28-2009 |
Cyvex Becomes Sole Distributor for Chr. HansenMILWAUKEE, WI—Cyvex Nutrition will be the exclusive distributor for Chr. Hansen's (Irvine, CA) line of phytonutrients.“Chr. Hansen is a perfect partner for developing unique phytonutrients for the dietary supplement industry,” said Gilbert Gluck, Cyvex CEO. |
| published date: 01-27-2009 |
Deerland Invests in Capital ExpendituresKENNESAW, GA—Deerland Enzymes recently invested in several capital expenditures at its Kennesaw headquarters. These expenditures included improved bulk blending capabilities for both large and small batch sizes, high speed encapsulation capabilities along with a broader spectrum of capsule sizes, a new tableting line to broaden manufacturing capabilities, automated bottling and labeling capacity, and automated inspection equipment.“Deerland must evolve as our industry evolves. In doing so, it is vital that we continually invest in our business to meet or exceed the expectations of the customers who entrust us with their business,” said Scott Ravech, CEO. “Deerland has recognized this and to support these needs we invested in additional manufacturing capabilities, which will help us be able to better partner with our customers from concept through to commercialization. This will be offered across the value chain to include product/formulation design, development and finished product.” |
| published date: 01-26-2009 |
Next Pharmaceuticals Expands WebsiteSALINAS, CA—Next Pharmaceuticals has announced their expanded website, www.nextpharmaceuticals.com. Scientific articles that support their branded proprietary raw materials may now be accessed. The site also addresses product manufacturers.“Next Pharmaceuticals has grown significantly since the company’s inception into the dietary supplement industry and it was time that our website reflected that growth and loyalty to our customers,” said Charles Kosmont, NP CEO. |
| published date: 01-26-2009 |
Devansoy Facility Assumes Sole OwnershipROCK CITY, IL—Devansoy has assumed complete ownership of their soy plant previously jointly operated with Berner Foods (Dakota, IL).“This evolutionary step for Devansoy provides an increased ability to address new and exciting opportunities,” stated Elmer Schettler, president of Devansoy. “Most importantly, this commitment allows Devansoy to provide even greater service to our customers.” The liquid soy base production facility is 94,000 sq ft. |
| published date: 01-23-2009 |
Himalaya Plants “Trees for the Future” in IndiaHOUSTON— In a partnership with Trees for the Future (Silver Spring, MD), Himalaya Herbal Healthcare, makers of LiverCare, planted 49,750 trees in the two states of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, the company’s home country of India.“These trees, planted in India, will sustainably benefit lands and communities devastated by deforestation and, increasingly, global climate change,” said Trees for the Future director, Dave Deppner. “These fast-growing, permanent, multi-purpose trees will protect fragile and eroded lands. They will improve the food and water security of surrounding households and communities, and ensure that families can continue to live in dignity and harmony with the natural resources of the land.” |
| published date: 01-23-2009 |
Omega Fatty Acids Gaining Prominence in Global MarketNEW YORK – In a new report, "Omega Fatty Acids: Trends in the Worldwide Food and Beverage Markets, 2nd Edition," market research publisher, Packaged Facts estimated that the omega fatty acid global market grew 36% between 2007 and 2008.The market for omega-3 fatty acids alone grew 34% from an estimated $3 billion in 2006 to almost $5 billion in 2007. Packaged Facts projects that the retail market for omega-3 enhanced foods will approach $8 billion by 2012. The projection reflects a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 32% between 2003 and 2012. “The upsurge of products enriched with omega fatty acids began in earnest in 2006 and the market is believed to be many years away from saturation. Marketers didn’t really start touting the omega-3 content of enhanced foods until late 2004, and even once products entered the retail scene it wasn’t until early 2006 that such products appeared in mainstream U.S. supermarkets,” said Tatjana Meerman, publisher of Packaged Facts. |
| published date: 01-22-2009 |
BI Nutraceuticals Educates Industry on ETO and IrradiationLONG BEACH, CA— BI Nutraceuticals has begun an education program designed to inform the dietary supplement industry about the FDA's (Rockville, MD) ban on the use of both irradiation and ethylene oxide (ETO) as a means of sterilization for raw materials.As part of this initiative, BI has compiled a four-page consultative guide to help industry members better understand U.S. regulations surrounding the banned use of ETO and irradiation as a means for dietary supplement ingredient sterilization, as well as familiarize them with legal alternatives including steam sterilization. "What a majority of manufacturers in the industry may not realize that the use of ETO and irradiation for the purpose of reducing or eliminating microbial loads is not permitted right now," stated George Pontaikos, president and CEO, BI Nutraceuticals. "These restrictions are not part of the new cGMPs that are being phased in over a three-year period, they are being enforced currently and companies using ETO or irradiated materials are subject to FDA penalties now." ETO is considered a pesticide, and according to the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, any food that bears or contains a pesticide chemical residue that is unsafe is considered adulterated. |
| published date: 01-22-2009 |
Purdue Technology Detects Contaminant in Milk ProductsWEST LAFAYETTE, IN—A research team at Purdue University created an analysis method to detect levels of melamine in the low parts-per-billion in milk and milk powder in about 25 seconds.FDA (Rockville, MD) issued new guidelines in November limiting melamine in dairy products to 1 part-per-million or less. "This situation created an immediate need for an analytical method that is highly sensitive, fast, accurate and easy to use," said R. Graham Cooks, professor of chemistry, who led the team that developed the analysis method. "We took it as a challenge to use simpler instrumentation and to develop a faster method that allows the testing to be done on site and does not require pretreatment of samples." The new method pairs mass spectrometry with a low-temperature plasma ionization probe technique. Mass spectrometry is a commonly used analysis method known for its sensitivity and accuracy; however, most available mass spectrometers require that a sample be pretreated and remain in the controlled environment of a vacuum for analysis, Cooks said. "There is a growing need in our society for detailed chemical information that calls for the special capabilities of mass spectrometers," he said. "Researchers are working to make these devices faster, easier to use and more portable. Perhaps one day everyone will have a mass spectrometer to analyze whatever comes their way." |
| published date: 01-22-2009 |
Sabinsa Stages Functional Food Demo at Expo WestPISCATAWAY, NJ— Sabinsa will provide dishes including several of Sabinsa’s GRAS ingredients at Expo West in Anaheim, California on March 6. The products include:LactoSpore shelf-stable probiotic: Produces only L (+) Lactic Acid, which metabolizes to glycogen Cococin coconut water solids: Hold a repository of vitamins, minerals and amino acids Citrin K Garcinia cambogia fruit extract in potassium salt form: Supports satiety Selenium: Bio-available, a form of selenium supplementation This demo will take place at 1 PM in the Global Supply Marketplace booth #130 in the Anaheim Convention Center. |
| published date: 01-21-2009 |
Vitiva Opens New UK OfficeSLOVENIA—Vitiva has opened a subsidiary office in the UK for its natural rosemary extract formulations used for food and beverage preservation.“I'm very enthusiastic to see the UK market follow the success that natural preservatives based on rosemary extract meet in Europe and the USA,” said Steve Sutton-Wild, regional sales manager of Vitiva. “The new office will provide local service, superior technical support and after sales support to an extensive customer base.” |
| published date: 01-21-2009 |
Pycnogenol Wins Frost and Sullivan AwardGENEVA—Horphag Research, suppliers of Pycnogenol, has earned the 2008 Frost & Sullivan Health Ingredients Excellence in Research of the Year Award. The antioxidant Pycnogenol is an extract from French maritime pine bark. It is available in more than 600 dietary supplements, cosmeceuticals and functional food and beverage products.“Our pledge is to further strengthen the brand value of Pycnogenol though innovative research, new product development and state of the art communication in order to continue growing consumer demand,” said Victor Ferrari, CEO of Horphag Research. |
| published date: 01-21-2009 |
AHPA Releases White Paper on Heavy MetalsSILVER SPRING, MD—AHPA announced its paper, “Heavy metal analysis and interim recommended limits for botanical dietary supplements,” on January 20. The paper provides industry with information on successful compliance with current good manufacturing practices (cGMP).AHPA’s white paper presents the association’s proposed interim limits for lead, mercury, cadmium and arsenic, which were announced in October 2008, with accompanying explanations as to how these limits were determined. Additionally, the document addresses: 1) Regulations concerning lead, mercury, cadmium and arsenic in products sold in the U.S. 2) Daily limits set for these chemicals by U.S. and international regulatory agencies 3) Available analytical methods for measuring heavy metals guidance on how to determine which analytical methods are most suitable for dietary supplements 4) Selecting a contract lab that can properly conduct heavy metal testing “Heavy metal analysis and interim recommended limits for botanical dietary supplements” is available for purchase by non-members at AHPA’s online bookstore. If you are an AHPA member, you may login and then download your free copy here: http://www.ahpa.org/Default.aspx?tabid=211> The paper will also be provided free to registrants of AHPA’s upcoming webinar, “Setting and Meeting Specifications for Contaminants in Finished Products Under cGMP.” Scheduled for Jan. 22 at 1 p.m. EST, the webinar will expand upon the information in the white paper and also address California’s Proposition 65, certificates of analysis, liability concerns and additional contaminants including mycotoxins and pesticides. “AHPA’s goal is to help excellent companies of all sizes come into compliance with cGMP and continue producing superior, health-promoting products for consumers,” said Michael McGuffin, AHPA president. |
| published date: 01-20-2009 |
CortiSlim Re-Launches with Advantra ZWEST CALDWELL, NJ—Nutratech’s bitter orange extract, Advantra Z, will continue as the thermogenic component of the weight loss supplement, CortiSlim (Laguna Niguel, CA)."By incorporating Advantra Z, CortiSlim offers the thermogenic benefits of all five adrenergic amines that occur naturally in the bitter orange fruit - including the stable p isomer of synephrine - so consumers can enjoy optimal body fat loss as well as an increase in energy expenditure without any negative cardiovascular and central nervous system side effects," said Bob Green, Nutratech president. "It was important to us to continue the CortiSlim formula that was effective for so many consumers, and that includes Advantra Z," said John Neubauer, chief financial officer of CortiSlim International. |
| published date: 01-16-2009 |
EBF Releases Report Detailing Botanical SupplementsBRUSSELS—In light of the popularity of botanical supplements in Europe, the European Botanical Forum (EBF) has released its first fact file detailing the nutritional role of these ingredients.The file aims to correct some commonly-held misapprehensions, and offers an overview of aspects related to the use of these ingredients in food supplements. It includes regulatory and practical information on their current use. It also details legislation that covers these products to ensure consumers have safe and useful products to supplement their diet. “Advances in research and technology have meant that the health-promoting benefits of botanicals can be captured, preserved and presented in a convenient form that can be made widely available,” said Manfred Ruthsatz, EBF chairman. “The development of botanical food supplements enables an ever-growing number of consumers in our increasingly urbanised society to safely and easily use botanicals to both maintain and optimise their health.” “Botanical food supplements and herbal medicinal products follow two distinct and separate legal frameworks, hence fully justifying their co-existence side by side,” Ruthsatz said. “This fact file clarifies and shows that the extensive regulatory framework for botanical food supplements is fully adequate to ensure their safety and quality,” he added. The EBF was founded in 2004 by the European food supplements sector. Its main goal is to encourage debate among industry, government and the scientific community on issues affecting botanical foods supplements. To obtain a copy of the fact file, e-mail info@botanical-forum.be or call the EBF at (+32) 2 209 11 50. |
| published date: 01-15-2009 |
CRN Questions PEN ReportWASHINGTON, DC—In response to a recent report released by the Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies (PEN; Washington, DC) detailing the regulatory challenges posed by nanomaterials, Andrew Shao of the Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN), released this statement:“Nanotechnology has been used in various products for decades, including drugs, medical devices, cosmetics, conventional foods and dietary supplements. As the prevalence of nanomaterials continues to rise, FDA (Rockville, MD) is examining how to best address this emerging technology in all regulated industries. "We question the true motives behind this report from ...PEN which provides a very limited amount of useful information on nanotechnology and paints a misleading picture by implying that only one industry faces questions about nanotechnology. This report masquerades as a legitimate review of the use of nanomaterials in dietary supplements but in reality it seems to be an attempt to explain the authors’ views on dietary supplement regulations and their suggestions for change. "As far as we are aware, there are no specific safety issues associated with the use of nanotechnology. There is one area of agreement with the report: that FDA could use more resources to better do its job; however, adequate agency funding and nanotechnology are not specific to dietary supplements—these issues affect all industries regulated by FDA. We encourage FDA to evolve with emerging technologies, such as nanotechnology, and welcome further dialogue with the agency on how to proceed with reasonable regulation of these new technologies—regulation that is able to be implemented by the industry, enforced by the agency and would benefit consumers.” |
| published date: 01-15-2009 |
Judge Orders Weight Loss Author to Pay More Than $37 MillionA federal judge has ordered infomercial marketer Kevin Trudeau to pay more than $37 million for violating a 2004 stipulated order by misrepresenting the content of his book, “The Weight Loss Cure ‘They’ Don’t Want You to Know About.”In August 2008, Judge Robert W. Gettleman of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois had ordered Trudeau to pay more than $5 million and banned him, for three years, from producing or publishing infomercials for products in which he has an interest. The ruling confirmed an earlier contempt finding, the second such finding against Trudeau in the past four years. Urged by both the FTC (Washington, DC) and Trudeau to reconsider aspects of its August order, on November 4 Judge Gettleman amended the judgment to $37,616,161, the amount consumers paid in response to the deceptive infomercials. The judge also revised the three-year ban to prohibit Trudeau from “disseminating or assisting others in disseminating” any infomercial for any informational publication in which he has an interest. On December 11, the court denied Trudeau’s request to reconsider or stay this ruling. The FTC filed its first lawsuit against Trudeau in 1998, charging him with making false and misleading claims in infomercials for products he claimed could cause significant weight loss and cure addictions to heroin, alcohol, and cigarettes, as well as enable users to achieve a photographic memory. A stipulated court order resolving that case barred Trudeau from making false claims for products in the future, ordered him to pay $500,000 in consumer redress, and established a $500,000 performance bond to ensure compliance. In 2003, the Commission charged Trudeau with violating the 1998 order by falsely claiming in infomercials that a product, Coral Calcium Supreme, could cure cancer. The court subsequently entered a preliminary injunction that ordered him not to make such claims. When Trudeau continued to make cancer-cure claims about Coral Calcium, he was found in contempt. In 2004, Trudeau agreed to an order that resolved the Coral Calcium matter. He was directed to pay $2 million in consumer redress and banned from infomercials, except for informational publications such as books, provided that he “must not misrepresent the content” of those publications. The 2004 injunction remains in effect. |
| published date: 01-15-2009 |
Marketers of Thermalean, Lipodrene, and Spontane-ES Must Pay More Than $15 MillionNORCROSS, GA—A federal district court has ordered the marketers of three dietary supplements to pay more than $15 million for deceiving consumers about the products’ safety and effectiveness. The court imposed the final monetary judgment and permanent prohibitions against the marketers in December 2008, after granting the FTC's (Washington, DC) motion for summary judgment last June.The court found National Urological Group, Inc. and several other corporate and individual defendants liable for more than $15.8 million in deceptive sales of Thermalean, Lipodrene, and Spontane-ES. Thermalean and Lipodrene are purported weight loss treatments. According to the defendants’ advertisements, they were clinically proven to cause substantial weight loss, including a 19 percent loss in total body weight. Spontane-ES is a purported treatment for erectile dysfunction. According to the defendants’ advertisements, it was clinically proven to safely and effectively treat 90 percent of men with erectile dysfunction. The court permanently barred the defendants (except now-dissolved National Institute for Clinical Weight Loss) from engaging in deceptive conduct in the future and also ordered Terrill Mark Wright, MD, to pay $15,454 for his deceptive endorsement of Thermalean. “These defendants are old-fashioned snake oil salesmen who retooled their pitches to cash in on 21st century concerns,” said Lydia B. Parnes, director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. “They led people to believe that the supplements they sold to treat weight loss and erectile dysfunction were safe and effective treatments, when nothing could be further from the truth.” Of note, the court held the three corporate defendants liable based on their operation as a “common enterprise,” given that the same group of individuals controlled all the companies, shared expenses and advertising for the same products, and worked together to achieve profitability. The court rejected the defendants’ arguments that the advertising was protected commercial speech under the First Amendment or that it was mere puffery. The court held that the FTC’s requirement calling for “competent and reliable scientific evidence” is not unconstitutionally vague, pointing to the FTC’s dietary supplement guides as evidence that an ordinary person could understand the definition of the term as outlined in the guides. The court also rejected the defendants’ argument that the FTC’s challenge to the advertising was precluded by a consent decree that the defendants had entered into with the FDA (Rockville, MD). The final order imposes a $15.8 million judgment. The final order against medical endorser Terrill Wright imposes a $15,454 judgment. The orders also place restrictions on the defendants’ future conduct. These orders were issued last month by the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia. They prohibit the defendants from claiming that their products treat obesity or erectile dysfunction, are clinically tested or scientifically proven to be safe or effective, or have other health or safety benefits, unless the claims, including endorsements, are true, not misleading, and based on reliable scientific evidence. In addition, the defendants are banned from misrepresenting the existence, validity, results, or conclusions of any test or study. The orders also contain standard record-keeping provisions to allow the FTC to monitor compliance. Copies of the June 2008 decision and December 2008 court orders are available on the FTC’s Web site at http://www.ftc.gov |
| published date: 01-15-2009 |
Nanomaterials a Regulatory Challenge for FDA, Report ConcludesWASHINGTON, DC—FDA’s ability to regulate the safety of dietary supplements using nanomaterials is inadequate due to a lack of information, resources and statutory authority in certain areas, according to a new report released by the Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies (PEN).The report, titled “A Hard Pill To Swallow: Barriers to Effective FDA Regulation of Nanotechnology-Based Dietary Supplements,” details the FDA’s chief problems in regulating nano-enabled dietary supplements. The report also offers a host of recommendations for improving oversight of such products. "Historically, the regulation of dietary supplements has been a significant challenge for FDA, and the fact that some of those products are now being manufactured using nanotechnology creates an additional layer of complexity," said William B. Schultz, report co-author, and a former FDA official. Supplement manufacturers are required to disclose limited information about their products under current law, and what information is available is a result of nanotechnology marketing by manufacturers, says the report. "While it is not possible to precisely determine the prevalence of dietary supplements using engineered nanoparticles, it is likely that the public's exposure to these products will grow significantly in the next several years," said Lisa Barclay, also a co-author of the report. According to an inventory of federal environmental, health and safety research on nanotechnology maintained by PEN, the U.S. government spends less than $1 million annually to study the direct impact of nanoscale materials on the gastrointestinal tract. "It is not clear that the supplement industry is conducting the rigorous testing needed either to understand the effects of nanoscale ingredients in its products or to back up the product claims. This means that consumers are potentially exposed to unknown risks that should be balanced with the possible benefits of taking these supplements," said David Rejeski, PEN's director. |
| published date: 01-14-2009 |
Bright Outlook for European Functional Foods Sector and Heart Health MarketLONDON—The European functional foods market earned $545 million in 2008 and is estimated to earn up to $2 billion in 2014, according to analysis from Frost & Sullivan (Palo Alto, CA), the company reported on January 13."A variety of ingredients positioned for heart-health, with their functional benefits, is increasingly used for the fortification of various food and beverage applications," said Frost & Sullivan research analyst Chandrasekhar S. "The preventive cost of cardiovascular disease (CVD) by virtue of these ingredients is much cheaper for the consumers than the cost of its treatment." Nevertheless, the heart health ingredients market is restrained by a 2000 EU food-labeling directive preventing health claims from being made on products. Nonetheless, European manufacturers have submitted their dossiers to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA; Parma, Italy) to place health claims on their ingredients. "Manufacturers, with the help of industry associations such as GOED (Salt Lake City) are lobbying for the usage of health claims," noted Chandrasekhar. "They are also involved in extensive branding and promotional activities to increase consumer awareness on CVD and the positive impact of the various ingredients, thereby enhancing the credibility of such awareness campaigns." |
| published date: 01-13-2009 |
Vitamin D May Delay or Prevent DiabetesMAYWOOD, IL—A sufficient intake of vitamin D may prevent or delay the onset of diabetes, concluded research from Loyola University Chicago, Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing. The study, appearing in the latest issue of Diabetes Educator, said adequate intake may also reduce complications for those who have already been diagnosed with diabetes."Vitamin D has widespread benefits for our health and certain chronic diseases in particular," said study co-author, Sue Penckofer, PhD, RN. "This article further substantiates the role of this nutrient in the prevention and management of glucose intolerance and diabetes." One study examined for the review article evaluated 3,000 people with type 1 diabetes and found a decreased risk in disease for people who took vitamin D supplements. Observational studies of people with type 2 diabetes also revealed that supplementation may be important in the prevention of this disease. "Management of vitamin D deficiency may be a simple and cost-effective method to improve blood sugar control and prevent the serious complications associated with diabetes," said study co-author, Joanne Kouba, PhD, RD, LDN. Diet alone may not be sufficient to manage vitamin D levels. A combination of adequate dietary intake of vitamin D, exposure to sunlight, and treatment with vitamin D2 or D3 supplements can decrease the risk of diabetes and related health concerns. The preferred range in the body is 30 - 60 ng/mL of 25(OH) vitamin D. An estimated 23 million Americans with diabetes have low vitamin D levels. Vitamin D deficiency may also be associated with hyperglycemia, insulin resistance, hypertension and heart disease. |
| published date: 01-12-2009 |
Robinson Pharma Completes Successful CGMP AuditSANTA ANA, CA—Robinson Pharma Inc., (RPI) announced its completion of a surveillance audit for cGMP compliant manufacture of dietary supplements on January 9.The audit was performed by STR (Enfield, CT), a third party testing and auditing firm with a focus on quality systems and analysis. According to RPI, the company has undergone significant investments in manufacturing systems that feature a “hands free – constant monitoring” approach to all aspects of manufacturing process. These include investing resources in designing systems that support effective ingredient receipt and testing, pharmacy and pre-production processing, manufacturing, post production testing, and packaging. “Last year we committed to the RQP. This year we have demonstrated that we can maintain a high level of quality simultaneous to expanding our production capacity and speeding our pace of delivery to our customers,” said RPI president and founder, Tuong Nguyen. “Partnering with STR, along with other key strategic initiatives, has facilitated the transformation of RPI from a contract manufacturer to a…private label supplier of some of the leading marketers of dietary supplements in the United States and other international markets” said Kenn Israel, vice president of marketing. |
| published date: 01-09-2009 |
Ecuadorian Rainforest Launches Online Video With Top 2008 IngredientsBELLEVILLE, NJ— Ecuadorian Rainforest has launched an online video titled, “Nutraceuticals 2009,” the company announced on January 9. The video presents the top ingredients of 2008 based on ER sales figures and showcases new ingredients for 2009. The video can be viewed for free at: http://www.intotherainforest.com/blog/ |
| published date: 01-09-2009 |
CRN Supports FDA Weight Loss RecallWASHINGTON, DC— In response to the FDA’s expansion of a nationwide recall of 69 tainted weight loss products that contain undisclosed ingredients, Steve Mister, president of the Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN), issued the following statement on January 9:“We applaud FDA’s efforts to protect consumers from tainted weight loss products that contain active, undeclared ingredients. It is unfortunate that some of these products have been marketed as dietary supplements. Under the law, what is in the dietary supplement bottle should be listed on the label and products that break the law have no business being on store shelves. CRN supports the Agency’s decision to demand removal of these adulterated products from the market. It is particularly concerning that some of these weight loss products illegally contain pharmaceutical drugs, which can be especially dangerous and put consumers at risk. Regardless of how it is marketed, if a weight loss product contains a drug ingredient, it is a drug under federal law. The new good manufacturing practices (GMPs) specific to dietary supplements, published in 2007, provide even more quality assurance throughout the entire manufacturing process to reduce the risk of accidental adulteration and cross-contamination, so that incidences like this are rare. The majority of companies in the dietary supplement industry abide by the law and work hard to provide the more than 150 million Americans who take vitamins and other dietary supplements with safe, high quality, and beneficial products. We encourage consumers to be savvy when it comes to their supplements—always buy from reputable companies that you know and trust.” |
| published date: 01-09-2009 |
AHPA Supports FDA’s Recall of Tainted Dietary SupplementsSILVER SPRING, MD– The American Herbal Products Association supported the FDA’s efforts to recall products marketed as dietary supplements that contained undeclared, active pharmaceutical ingredients, AHPA said on January 9.“We applaud this good work by FDA,” said AHPA president, Michael McGuffin. “AHPA’s mission to promote the responsible commerce of herbal products can only be accomplished when FDA and other government agencies actively enforce the law against outliers.” Under the Food, Drug & Cosmetics Act (FDCA), products marketed as dietary supplements that contain pharmaceutical ingredients not specified on the label are illegal, and must be removed from the marketplace. |
| published date: 01-09-2009 |
NPA Advocates Strength of DSHEAWASHINGTON DC— Responding to recent statements regarding dietary supplement regulation, the Natural Products Association’s CEO, David Seckman, released this statement on January 8:“Increased scrutiny by professional sports leagues on steroid usage, which the NPA commends, has unfortunately also led to increased and unsubstantiated allegations that a "tainted" or mislabeled dietary supplement is to blame when an athlete tests positive for a banned substance. As (DSHEA) mandates, all ingredients must be listed on product labels and product claims must be substantiated. If this is not the case, the FDA (Silver Spring, MD)-- along with the FTC (Washington DC)-- have the authority under DSHEA to act promptly. These federal enforcement powers include, but are not limited to, removing any dietary supplements deemed adulterated from the marketplace and imposing substantial penalties on those who violate the law. Additional regulations authorized by DSHEA require that makers of dietary supplements have manufacturing practices in place that ensure their products meet high standards for quality and purity. Finally, it is important to remember that substances that are banned by various sports leagues as performance enhancers are not necessarily dangerous or illegal and include caffeine, commonly used over-the-counter cold remedies and prescription medications. Athletes have the right and responsibility to avoid their use. However, the consuming public who benefits from legitimate medications or dietary supplements -- as well as a trip to the local coffee house -- should not be denied their use if an athlete is unwilling or unable to follow the rules established by their sport.” |
| published date: 01-08-2009 |
Astaxanthin Detected in the Iris/Ciliary Body of the Eye, Fuji SaysBURLINGTON, NJ—In a new study, Fuji Health’s brand of natural astaxanthin extract (AstaREAL) derived from Haematococcus microalgae was detected in the iris/ciliary body of New Zealand albino rabbit eyes 24 hours after ingestion, the company announced on January 6.Astaxanthin has been reported to have benefits in the eye such as the alleviation of eye fatigue in visual display terminal (VDT) workers after oral supplementation. However, up to now there has been no intraocular kinetic information available. Researchers at Kanazawa Medical University (Ishikawa, Japan) and Fuji investigated the ocular and blood serum levels of astaxanthin in 24 NZW albino rabbits. After administering a 100 mg/kg single oral dose, astaxanthin was determined by extraction followed by HPLC analysis over a period of 168 hours. Further human study is necessary. |
| published date: 01-06-2009 |
Aloha Medicinals Announces Construction of Second Nanoparticle DeviceCARSON CITY, NV—Aloha Medicinals announced the construction of a second proprietary nanoparticle manufacturing device, the company said on January 6. Aloha first introduced nano-sized medicinal mushroom products in early 2008.“Nanoparticles, sometimes called sub-micronized particles, those of 1 microns or less in size, demonstrate remarkable ability to increase the body’s ability to absorb nutrients and medicines,” said John Holliday, president and chief scientific officer of Aloha Medicinals. “The smaller the particle size, the more efficient the nutrient or drug becomes. That means that ultimately less of the drug is required to obtain a therapeutic affect, which in turn means that medicines not only cost less, but absorption is quicker and the potential for side-effects is minimized.” The technology uses jets of high pressure gas to grind the particles down to sizes small enough to pass through the skin. In order to prevent heat from building up, the gas jets are fed through a specially designed nozzle that creates cold rather than heat. The gas jets stream into the manufacturing chamber at temperatures of 30 degrees below zero. Roger Scott, the Aloha’s CEO said that the new technology opens opportunities in the areas of dietary supplements, OTC and prescription drugs, cosmetics and liquids. “The micronized particles of insoluble material are so fine they appear to become soluble, allowing them to be inserted in liquids and not fall to the bottom of the bottle,” said Scott. “This technology gives us the ability to produce novel new dosage forms that will make it more convenient and less expensive for people to stay well.” |
| published date: 01-06-2009 |
New Standard for Stevia to Assue Product’s QualityROCKVILLE, MD— Responding to the growing popularity of a plant-based sweetener, the U.S. Pharmacopeial (USP) Convention today announced it is developing a new standard to be included in the Food Chemicals Codex (FCC) that will help food and beverage manufacturers assure the product’s quality for consumers. USP is seeking comments from the food and beverage industry as well as all other interested parties on the proposed new standard for Rebaudioside A.“As U.S. manufacturers begin to incorporate this new ingredient into their products, it is important for these companies and, ultimately, consumers to have some sort of assurance that the Rebaudioside A being used is of high quality, is free of harmful contaminants and is consistent in its contents from one batch to the next,” said Darrell Abernethy, MD, PhD, chief science officer for USP. “By proposing a standard that all manufacturers—in the United States and around the world—can participate in the development of and subsequently choose to adhere to, USP and food and beverage manufacturers can partner to assure the quality of this ingredient. Consumers also are able to participate in this process. We believe such a quality standard is critical given that Rebaudioside A’s use as a sweetener is relatively new in the United States.” The proposed monograph standard became available in the FCC Forum section of USP’s website on December 31, 2008, for 90 days. After this comment period, USP’s Food Ingredients Expert Committee, which comprises a group of independent, scientific experts, will approve the final monograph to be included in the 2009 FCC supplement. |
| published date: 01-05-2009 |
DSM Blood Pressure Management Product Wins at HIEPARSIPPANY, NJ— TensGuard, an odorless, water soluble blood pressure management ingredient from DSM Nutritional Products, was recently awarded first prize at this year’s Health Ingredients Europe exhibition by a judging panel of retailers, manufacturers, scientists, and industry leaders.”TensGuard demonstrates an innovative heart health solution that creates exciting opportunities for food and beverage manufacturers to open up a completely new market,” said Luc van der Heyden, the business manager for DSM’s functional food marketing division. “We’re delighted to have won.” |
| published date: 01-05-2009 |
Sabinsa Receives GRAS status for LactoSporePISCATAWAY, NJ— Sabinsa’s probiotic ingredient, LactoSpore, received GRAS status after a review of safety and toxicology data by an independent panel of scientists.“LactoSpore is particularly valued by our customers for its convenient storage and handling attributes. The fact that this clinically validated probiotic culture does not need refrigeration to help retain its healthful properties is attractive to formulators and consumers alike,” said Lakshmi Prakash, PhD, vice president of innovation and business development. LacotSpore, formerly known as Lactobacillus sporogenes is a shelf stable (at room temperature) probiotic, originally isolated from a food source (green malt) in Japan. It can be used in baked goods to milk products, soups, snacks, candy, and non-alcoholic beverages, among other products. |
| published date: 01-05-2009 |
Scientia Forecasts Sunny Future for Functional FoodsPALO ALTO, CA—In a study released on December 18, Scientia predicts an annual compound growth rate of 7% through 2012, averaged across all segments of the industry. The rapid rise will bring global sales of functional foods to $195 billion—a 52% gain over 2006 sales of $128 billion.Functional foods, also called “medicinal foods” or “nutraceuticals,” are those fortified with naturally occurring ingredients that provide health benefits beyond basic nutrition. Functional foods may include probiotics, omega-3 extracts, phytonutrients, or other natural substances. Some of these ingredients can reduce the risk of certain diseases or help manage chronic conditions such as diabetes or heart disease. Others can enhance physical and athletic performance, memory, or cognitive performance. The expected growth in the functional foods marketplace will come as a result of a constellation of factors, according to Bob Jones, a principal consultant at Scientia, who led the study. Factors include: increasing scientific evidence of functional foods’ effectiveness; increased media publicity encouraging consumer adoption; an aging population with growing chronic health needs, and food companies’ ability to work in a regulatory environment that increasingly requires scientific substantiation of claims being made. “Both large and small companies are developing efficacious new ingredients,” Jones said. “Currently, there are clinical trials underway to test the role of omega-3 fatty acids in slowing the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. There is also work supporting the role of probiotics in enhancing immune systems.” Equally important, “companies are making commercially successfully products that taste good, are affordable, and can be found in the supermarket.” Not all functional food products enjoy equal success, the study found. For example, yogurts fortified with probiotics have enjoyed great success, where margarines fortified with a cholesterol-lowering sterol have largely failed in the United States. The study identifies several factors responsible for the commercial success of some functional food products and the disappointing sales of others. |
| published date: 12-18-2008 |
BASF to Close North Carolina Manufacturing SiteWILMINGTON, NC—BASF Corp. announced on December 18 that it will close its Wilmington, NC, vitamins manufacturing site by March 31, 2009.The facility, a part of BASF’s Care Chemicals Division, manufactures formulated vitamin C products for the dietary supplement industry. Employees were notified that the approximately 33 positions at the site will be eliminated over the next three months. “We wanted employees to be aware of this decision as soon it was made. We regret the impact this decision may have on these employees and their families, especially at this time of year,” said Simon Medley, vice president of BASF’s Care Chemicals and Formulators Regional Business Unit. “The decision is in no way a reflection of the hard work, dedication, and professionalism of the colleagues at this facility.” |
| published date: 12-18-2008 |
Omniactive Launches Capsimax, New Hot Pepper Weight Loss IngredientSHORT HILLS, NJ—OmniActive Health Technologies announced the launch of a proprietary blend of Capsimax Plus, its capsicum, or hot red pepper, ingredient, on December 18."In the weight-loss and athletic performance categories, products containing ingredients with no science to support their calorie-burning claims are all-too-common," stated Jayant Deshpande, PhD, vice president of research and development for OmniActive Health Technologies. "OmniActive is pleased to offer manufacturers a high-quality, clinically researched ingredient like Capsimax Plus Blend to help their customers achieve their diet or weight-management goals." |
| published date: 12-18-2008 |
FDA Issues No Objection Letter to GRAS Status of Reb A; Companies Unveil New ProductsPURCHASE, NY—FDA issued a “no objection” letter to the GRAS status of rebaudioside A (Reb A), the stevia extract used in PureVia, PepsiCo’s all-natural, zero-calorie sweetener, PepsiCo announced on December 17.This response indicates FDA has no objection to the conclusion that Reb A is generally recognized as safe. "We are delighted to bring PureVia to consumers," said Paul Block, CEO of Merisant and Whole Earth Sweetener Co. PepsiCo will launch two new products featuring PureVia. Zero-calorie SoBe Lifewater, a line of naturally sweetened waters, will hit store shelves soon in three flavors: black and blue berry, Fuji apple pear, and yumberry pomegranate. Tropicana will introduce Trop50, a light orange juice product with 50%less sugar and calories using PureVia, in March. “For consumers who are demanding more natural foods and beverages and counting calories but don't want to compromise on taste, PureVia hits the sweet spot," said Massimo d'Amore, CEO of PepsiCo Americas Beverages. "The new flavors of SoBe Lifewater and Trop50 will continue the transformation of our product portfolio into a wider variety of healthy products, and we also believe they can help revitalize interest in our North American beverage business.” Cargill (Minneapolis), which partnered with Coca-Cola to help pioneer Truvia, said of the news, "Given the extensive research conducted to assure the safety of Truvia, Cargill has tremendous confidence in the product. The FDA letter further validates what the science has concluded—that Truvia rebiana is safe for use for all consumers," said Marcelo Montero, president of Cargill Health & Nutrition. "FDA brought the appropriate rigor to the process and we are extremely pleased with the news." As a result of this news: *Coca-Cola announced the launch of its new product, Sprite Green, naturally sweetened with Truvia sweetener. The beverage has 50 calories per 8.5-ounce serving and 5% lemon juice. “The Sprite brand has a rich history of setting trends and breaking new ground in sparkling beverages, and we think consumers will be excited to try Sprite Green,” said Santiago Blanco, vice president of Sprite and Flavors at Coca-Cola North America. “Sprite Green with Truvia natural sweetener is a significant step in our ongoing efforts to apply the latest breakthrough innovations to our expanding array of beverages.” *Odwalla Inc. is also adding reduced-calorie juice drinks sweetened with Truvia to its product portfolio. The drinks, Mojito Mambo natural juice drink with vitamins C and E, and pomegranate strawberry natural juice drink from concentrate with vitamins C and E, will be on retailer shelves this month. Each has 50 calories per 8-oz. serving. |
| published date: 12-17-2008 |
BIO-tract Awarded Third PatentREDMOND, WA—Nutraceutix received a patent for BIO-tract from the Australian Patent Office. BIO-tract tablets form a protective layer in the body, shielding probiotic organisms from the acidic conditions of the stomach. After passing from the stomach to the intestinal tract, the tablets release the organisms at rates determined by formulation.“Many years ago, we recognized the need for an effective probiotic and nutraceutical delivery technology—one that draws from proven pharmaceutical principals, but does so in a fashion that is economically feasible in the nutritional supplement marketplace. With BIO-tract, we have addressed this need," said Steve Moger, president of Nutraceutix. In the case of probiotics, three barriers must be fulfilled: 1) Survival of these beneficial, but fragile organisms through the manufacturing process. 2) Survival on the store shelf. 3) Safe passage through the harsh stomach acids that may denature the organisms. This is BIO-tract’s third international patent. |
| published date: 12-16-2008 |
Airborne Reaches Largest Ever Dietary Supplement SettlementTALLAHASSEE, FL—A $7 million settlement has been reached between Airborne Health Inc., Florida, and 31 other states, said Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum on December 16. Under the settlement, the Florida-based company and owners Victoria Knight-McDowell and Thomas John McDowell will modify marketing practices in order to alleviate allegations against unsubstantiated claims concerning Airborne products.The lawsuit alleged that the company marketed a “cold prevention remedy,” a “sore throat remedy,” a “germ fighter,” and an “allergy remedy” without adequate proof the products could perform as advertised at the time the claims were made. The lawsuit also alleged the defendants failed to adequately warn consumers about potential health risks to select populations, including pregnant women, caused by old formulations of Airborne that contained potentially elevated levels of vitamin A. The company has since significantly reduced the vitamin A levels. The $7 million payment is the largest payment to date in a multistate settlement with a dietary supplement producer. Florida’s share of the $7 million is $460,000, which will go toward future monitoring and enforcement in this area. Under the settlement, the company and the McDowells have agreed not to make any express or implied claims concerning the health benefit, performance, efficacy, or safety of their products, unless the claim can be substantiated by competent and reliable scientific evidence. The settlement is the last of three settlements involving similar claims regarding the older advertising and labeling of Airborne dietary supplements. |
| published date: 12-16-2008 |
AHPA Urges USP to Adopt Guidelines on Heavy MetalsSILVER SPRING, MD—The American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) has petitioned U.S. Pharmacopeia (USP; Rockville, MD) to adopt AHPA’s guidance limits for heavy metals in “orally consumed botanical-containing finished products,” AHPA announced on December 16.“The setting of specification limits for heavy metals should be risk-based, which does not confer a testing requirement unless the risk is likely to be present. USP has provided no justification that additional testing is required, or that initial testing is needed to provide safety assurance that would not otherwise already be handled under CGMP,” said AHPA chief science officer and USP metal impurities ad hoc advisory panel member, Steven Dentali, PhD. AHPA also requested that USP communicate that the listing of limits for metal impurities does not present an implied need to employ analytical testing. USP is an official public standards–setting authority for all prescription and over–the–counter medicines and other health care products manufactured or sold in the United States. |
| published date: 12-16-2008 |
NCCAM Study Reveals 38% of Americans Have Tried CAMAbout 38 percent of American adults 18 years and over and about 12 percent of U.S. children 17 years and under use some form of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), according to the 2007 National Health Interview Survey. The study was developed by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM; Bethesda, MD), a part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH; Washington DC.) and the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS; Hyattsville, MD), a part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC; Atlanta, GA)."The 2007 NHIS provides the most current, comprehensive, and reliable source of information on Americans' use of CAM," said Josephine P. Briggs, MD, director of NCCAM. "These statistics confirm that CAM practices are a frequently used component of Americans' health care regimens, and reinforce the need for rigorous research to study the safety and effectiveness of these therapies. The data also point out the need for patients and health care providers to openly discuss CAM use to ensure safe and coordinated care." The results are based on data from more than 23,300 interviews with American adults. Comparison of the data from the 2002 and 2007 surveys suggests that overall use of CAM among adults has remained relatively steady—36 percent in 2002 and 38 percent in 2007. The most commonly used CAM therapies among U.S. adults were: * Nonvitamin, nonmineral, natural products (17.7 %) Most common: fish oil/omega 3/DHA, glucosamine, echinacea, flaxseed oil or pills, and ginseng3 * Deep breathing exercises (12.7 %) * Meditation (9.4 %) * Chiropractic or osteopathic manipulation (8.6 %) * Massage (8.3 %) * Yoga (6.1 %) The most commonly used CAM therapies among children were: * Nonvitamin, nonmineral, natural products (3.9 %) Most common: echinacea, fish oil/omega 3/DHA, combination herb pill, flaxseed oil or pills, and prebiotics or probiotics * Chiropractic or osteopathic manipulation (2.8 %) * Deep breathing exercises (2.2 %) * Yoga (2.1 %) "Future analyses of these data may help explain some of the observed variation in the use of individual CAM therapies and provide greater insights into CAM use patterns among Americans," said Richard L. Nahin PhD. |
| published date: 12-11-2008 |
“Life…supplemented” Study Reveals Doctor's Supplement ChoicesThe results of the 2008 “Life…supplemented” Healthcare Professionals Impact Study show that orthopedic specialists, cardiologists and dermatologists both consume and give dietary supplements to their patients for nuanced diseases as well as overall wellness.“We learned from the 2007 HCP Impact Study that physicians and nurses are taking supplements as part of a proactive wellness regimen that also includes healthy diet and regular exercise,” said Judy Blatman, senior vice president of communications at the Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN; Washington DC.), that heads the study. “With the second year of this study, we were able to dive into specific specialties and find similar trends, further demonstrating the important role for doctors in incorporating dietary supplements as an integral part of wellness.” The highest dietary supplement use was among dermatologist with 75 percent of dermatologists using dietary supplements and 60 percent believing the use of dietary supplements among consumers is mainstream. About 73 percent of orthopaedic specialists use dietary supplements and 63 percent believe the use of dietary supplements among consumers is mainstream. The number amo |