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John McCain Introduces Dietary Supplement Safety Act
September 21st 2010Senator John McCain (R-AZ) held a press conference last week introducing the Dietary Supplement Safety Act of 2010. The proposed legislation, which has been cosponsored by Senator Byron Dorgan (D-ND), would amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA), making a host of changes to operations of dietary supplement industry.
Senate Bill Calls for Increased Nanotechnology Research
September 21st 2010Newly proposed legislation would require FDA to step up research on nanotechnology. The Nanotechnology Safety Act of 2010 would give FDA $25 million between 2011 through 2015 to assess the health and safety implications of nanotechnology in 'everyday products,' and develop best practices for companies using nanotechnology.
Update from Orrin Hatch on Dietary Supplement Safety Act
September 21st 2010In response to Senator John McCain's (R-Arizona) introduction of S. 3002, the Dietary Supplement Safety Act, Senator Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) held a nationwide conference call today for representatives of dietary supplement companies. Hatch echoed concerns that the bill would create 'additional regulatory burdens' on responsible members of the dietary supplement industry and would curb the current consumer availability and choices of dietary supplements.
USDA Vows to Crack Down on Organic Products After Audit
September 21st 2010Following an audit that deemed the U.S. Department of Agriculture...s (USDA) National Organic Program (NOP) enforcement of organic products too lax in recent years, USDA...s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) has promised to step up policing. AMS, which oversees the organic program, says that it will start increasing spot testing of companies operating under USDA...s certified-organic label, including companies that issue organic certification, to ensure compliance. It will also more strongly police products on store shelves that are labeled as organic.
EFSA Establishes Dietary Reference Values for Key Nutrients
September 21st 2010The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has published its final draft of dietary reference values (DRVs) for carbohydrates, dietary fiber, fats, and water. EFSA came to its final opinions on various nutrients after having met with nutrition experts from European Union member states, following two years of submitted opinions on nutrients. EFSA...s Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition, and Allergies, crafted the final opinions which include the following determinations:
FDA Stings Bee-Derived Products over Website Drug Claims
September 21st 2010On April 5, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that federal marshals had seized contract manufacturer Beehive Botanicals... (Haywood, WI) proprietary line of bee-derived consumer products. FDA said that the products were misbranded as drugs on several websites by claiming to diagnose, cure, and prevent diseases such as asthma, dermatitis, and ulcers.
ConsumerLab.com Finds Natural Vitamin E Products to be Synthetic
September 20th 2010In a review of various natural vitamin E products, ConsumerLab.com (White Plains, NY) found \"virtually all\" of two products to be composed of synthetic vitamin E. The report by ConsumerLab states that natural vitamin E is more expensive than the synthetic option.
FDA Issues Wisdom Naturals "No Questions" Letter on Steviol Glycosides
September 20th 2010Wisdom Natural Brands(Gilbert, AZ) received a 'no questions' letter from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in which an FDA expert panel of scientists granted Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) status to the whole leaf steviol glycosides (with rebaudioside A and stevioside) in the company...s SweetLeaf Sweetener... extract. SweetLeaf Sweetener is Wisdom...s all-natural, zero-calorie, zero-carb and zero-glycemic index stevia sweetener.
White House Unveils New Food Safety Website at www.foodsafety.gov
September 20th 2010This week, HHS (Washington, DC) secretary Kathleen Sebelius and USDA (Washington, DC) secretary Tom Vilsack, announced the launch of a new government website at www.foodsafety.gov, according to the news agency Reuters. This website is a development of the White House...s Food Safety Working Group, which Sebelius and Vilsack are co-chairs of. The site will provide consumers and businesses with up-to-date information regarding food product recalls with the ability to receive information through email and phone alerts.
U.S. Omega Opens Business with Fish Oil Soft Gels
September 20th 2010Fish oil distributor U.S. Omega, Inc. (U.S. Omega; Santa Ana, CA) began operations today with an official press release. The Southern California-based company has launched its premier product, Omega 3 Fish Oil 1000 mg soft gels, which will available in retail stores and for medical practitioners in retail-ready bottles or in bulk.
CRN Responds to Senate Subcommittee Hearing on Hidden Steroids
September 20th 2010In response to Tuesday...s Senate Subcommittee on Crime and Drugs hearing, 'Body Building Products and Hidden Steroids: Enforcement Barriers,' the Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN; Washington, DC) released a statement detailing its position on products containing anabolic steroids and sold as dietary supplements.
Grain Processing Corporation to Unveil New Fiber and Maltodextrin Products
September 20th 2010Grain Processing Corporation (GPC; Muscatine, IA) will showcase brand new products at the upcoming SupplySide West 2009 tradeshow in November. The company will present its TruBran oat fiber in a breakfast cookie. TruBran products offer high fiber sources in a variety of snacks, cereals, baked goods, and other applications.
Study Confirms Quick Absorption, Good Retention For Vitamin C Ingredient
September 20th 2010A recent clinical study of Fast-C, a vitamin C ingredient, has confirmed the ingredient\'s quick absorption and retention rates. The study\'s findings were presented at the American College of Nutrition conference held last week in Orlando, FL.
BioCell Appoints Stanford Scientist
September 20th 2010Biocell Technology (Newport Beach, CA) announced the appointment of Joosang Park, PhD, as vice president of scientific affairs, earlier this week. Park, who has direct research experience at Harvard Medical School and Stanford University, will be responsible for all research and development affairs related to patented and branded nutraceutical ingredients; namely BioCell Collagen II and i-Sabi.
Novel Ingredient Services Adds Management Personnel
September 20th 2010Novel Ingredient Services (West Caldwell, NJ and Los Angeles), a supplier of botanical and nutraceutical raw materials, has announced the hiring of Gisela Roufs and Yolanda Nargiella as west coast account executive and director of quality control, respectively.
Natural Products Association Appoints New CEO
September 20th 2010The Natural Products Association (NPA; Washington, DC) has announced the hiring of John F. Gay as executive director and CEO, today. "After conducting a thorough search for someone with an outstanding background in advocacy and trade association leadership, John is the ideal person for the job,' said Pat Sardell, president of NPA. 'John has tremendous experience and a widely respected presence on Capitol Hill."
Consumer Confidence in Dietary Supplements Remains Stable, Says CRN Survey
September 20th 2010In the face of an economic recession and raids on companies selling tainted supplements, dietary supplement use appears to be steady, according to a survey conducted by Ipsos Public Affairs (Ipsos; Washington, DC) for the Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN; Washington, DC).
KGK Synergize Inc. to Participate in "Penguin Climb" for Charity
September 20th 2010KGK Synergize Inc. (KGK; London, ON) is proud to announce that its staff will be participating in the 'Climb of the Penguins' charity event in support of The United Way of London & Middlesex, Ontario (United Way of London) on November 5, 2009. The public charity event is a 'climb' of 427 steps to the top of One London Place, the 24-story skyscraper that houses KGK operations.
Gencor Nutrients to Present Fenugreek Male Libido Study Findings at SupplySide West
September 20th 2010Next week at SupplySide West, Gencor Nutrients Inc. (Anaheim, CA) will present the results of a new human clinical study recently completed in Australia on male libido and Testofen, Gencor's proprietary extract of fenugreek. Gencor says that the study's results show Testofen to be a safe and effective product for increasing libido in healthy males.
Seltzer Companies is now Glanbia Nutritionals
September 20th 2010Seltzer Companies Inc. (Seltzer; Carlsbad, CA) announced today that it has changed its name to Glanbia Nutritionals Inc. and will operate under the Glanbia Nutritionals Customized Solutions brand. Seltzer, which includes Seltzer Nutritional Technologies and Seltzer Ingredients, is a subsidiary of Glanbia Nutritionals (Glanbia; Monroe, WI).
PIVEG Inc. Launches I-Z Trademark for Zeaxanthin Isomer Products
September 20th 2010Nutraceutical products manufacturer PIVEG Inc. (PIVEG; Celaya, Mexico) launched its I-Z trademark for Zeaxanthin carotenoid products at the SupplySide West trade show in Las Vegas, last week. The company produces carotenoid concentrates for eye health, such as Zeaxanthin and Lutein, along with other products at its facilities in Celaya, Mexico.
Natural Wellness Issues Voluntary Recall of MasXtreme
September 20th 2010Natural Wellness (Deerfield Beach, FL) has announced a voluntary recall of its male sexual enhancement product MasXtreme because it contains 'undeclared amounts' of Aildenafil, according to FDA. Aildenafil has a similar structure to Sildenafil, an FDA-approved drug for erectile dysfunction, which is found in products such as Viagra. FDA warns that Aildenafil could produce the same risk of adverse health effects as Sildenafil. Potential side effects include harmful interactions with nitrates from some prescription drugs and severely-lowered cholesterol levels.
AHPA Initiates New Extract Labeling Requirements
September 20th 2010In an effort to better formalize herbal extract standards, the American Herbal Products Association (AHPA; Silver Spring, MD) announced new guidance and labeling requirements related to extract ratios (e.g. Hoodia gordonii extract 20:1), last month.
"Stud Capsule For Men" Recalled
September 20th 2010On April 2, Kanec USA Inc. (Davie, FL) issued a voluntary nationwide recall of its dietary supplement called Stud Capsule For Men, after being informed by FDA that laboratory analysis revealed a batch of the product to be adulterated with Sildenafil, an FDA-approved drug used in the treatment of erectile dysfunction. The presence of Sildenafil means that the dietary supplement is misbranded and is actually an unapproved new drug, according to the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.
Don't Blame Sugar for Obesity, Sugar Association Tells Reuters
September 20th 2010At a time when many are denouncing sweetened soft drinks as playing a huge role in rising obesity rates in the United States, the Sugar Association says that sugar is not to blame, according to Reuters. The association pointed out that most soft drinks are sweetened with high fructose corn syrup (HFCS), and not sugar. 'Sugar is not part of the problem,' told Andrew Briscoe, president and chief executive of the Sugar Association, the Reuters. The association says that HFCS is used almost 15 times more than sugar in beverages.