Top Headlines

NIH releases database with info on 17,000 dietary supplement labels

A new government dietary supplement database now provides information on the ingredients thousands of finished products for the benefit of researchers, health care providers and consumers, according to the National Institutes of Health, which hosts the site.

News in brief

Newly available test will help qualify vitamin K2 sources, originators say

A new test will help bring clarity to the supply situation for vitamin K2, according the test’s originators. The test, developed by ingredient development and marketing firm Xsto Solutions and its supply partner Kappa Bioscience, fixes the ratios of cis- and trans-isomers in the ingredient, a critical distinction for this...

Ayurvedic salacia herb shows pre-diabetes benefit: Study

An ayurvedic herb can manage pre-diabetes states and mild to moderate hyperlipidemia, according to Indian researchers.

Sweet success? Study backs mannitol for Parkinson’s disease

The sweetener mannitol may help decrease the risk of Parkinson's disease by reducing the potentially dangerous 'clumping' of proteins in the brain, according to new research.

Carries and gingivitis sugar free gum benefits questioned: Study

Colombian researchers have questioned the clinical benefits of sugar free chewing gum to prevent dental carries and gingivitis after a double-blind, randomized controlled trial.

Global Industry News

Judge: ‘There is a gaping hole in the current regulatory landscape for ‘natural’ claims and GMOs’ from FoodNavigator-USA.com

By Elaine Watson+

A federal judge handling a lawsuit filed in California over ‘all-natural’ claims on Mission tortilla chips has recommended that the case be put on hold for six months to give the FDA time to determine whether products containing GMOs should be labeled ‘natural’.

60-second interview: Kurt Seagrist and Byron Madkins, Chr. Hansen

Chr. Hansen: The gap between synthetic and natural colors is closing all the time from FoodNavigator-USA.com

Not so long ago the gap between the performance - and price - of natural vs synthetic colors was huge, but more efficient supply chains, advances in extraction technology and more sophisticated microencapsulation techniques have closed the gap considerably in recent years, says Chr. Hansen.

What do ‘natural’ and ‘clean label’ mean anyway? from FoodNavigator.com

By Caroline Scott-Thomas+

Market researchers tell us that consumers are seeking ‘natural’ products more than ever – and ingredient suppliers have responded by providing ways to ‘clean up’ product labels – but what do these terms really mean?

News in brief

Red Bull labeling gaffe leads to Japanese recall - Report from BeverageDaily.com

By Ben Bouckley+

Red Bull in 330ml PET bottles has reportedly been pulled off the shelves in Japan, due to use of incorrect Western-style date labeling on packaging.

Health research

Study links red meat consumption to heightened diabetes risk from FoodNavigator-Asia.com

By RJ Whitehead

Researchers in Singapore have identified that eating high quantities of red meat over a period of time can increase the risk of type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

US COMMODITIES CORNER

'Escalating' US cheese prices push Class III milk prices to year high from DairyReporter.com

By John Geuss

Class III milk prices hit their highest point of the year so far in May 2013 on the back of "escalating" cheese prices. US dairy commodities expert and MilkPrice blogger, John Geuss, has warned, however, that milk prices will drop if high cheese, butter and whey inventories are not reduced....

Mengniu set to acquire majority stake in Chinese infant formula manufacturer Yashili from DairyReporter.com

By Mark Astley+

Mengniu has launched a general offer to acquire all outstanding shares of Hong Kong-based infant formula manufacturer Yashili International Holdings – the latest move by the company's to increase its interest in rival Chinese firms.