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Breaking down functional foods

The functional food boom has taken the global food and beverage market by storm. But the lack of a consistent definition and regulatory framework could produce challenges in product marketing and communication. In this series, NutraIngredients-USA.com examines global definitions, regulations, health claims, and research for functional foods.

Ganeden Biotech strikes global probiotics deal with Unistraw

Ganeden Biotech - the Ohio-based firm behind ultra-resilient probiotic strain BC30- has struck a deal with Unistraw International that will see BC30 incorporated into Unistraw’s probiotic straw concept on a global basis.

Welcome to the GastroLab: IFN introduces the model gut

A model gut designed to help manufacturers more rapidly determine which ingredients will survive the rigors of the digestive tract before spending a fortune on clinical tests has been launched by product development firm International Food Network (IFN).

Hershey seeks stronger foothold in health & wellness market with more cocoa-based functional foods

More functional foods capitalizing on the health benefits of cocoa should hit shelves next year as confectionery giant Hershey seeks to gain a stronger foothold in the health and wellness market via its new Apure subsidiary.

Horphag launches bid to make Pycnogenol next big thing in functional foods

Horphag Research is on a mission to turn Pycnogenol - a potent antioxidant from the bark of the maritime pine tree – into the next big thing in functional foods and drinks with the creation of a new division dedicated to this market.

The digestive tract starts with the lips, says oral probiotics pioneer

The market for oral probiotics has enormous potential if consumers and food and supplement manufacturers can get their heads around the fact that the digestive tract “starts at the lips”, according to one leading player in the field.

Aurora Algae ups ante in omega-3 market with plans for Q4, 2012 launch

Aurora Algae – the firm promising to turn up the heat in the algal omega-3 market by producing a concentrated 65% EPA-rich oil on a completely new scale – aims to ship out its first commercial products in the fourth quarter of 2012.

Novel oat beta-glucan attracts big guns in US food market

Some of the biggest names in the US food and drink industry are experimenting with samples of a heart- and gut-friendly oat beta glucan soluble fiber that could also help them slash fat levels and clean up product labels.

General Mills looks 'beyond calcium and vitamin D' for bone health

General Mills is looking for new ingredients or technologies “beyond the known impact of calcium and vitamin D” to boost the bone formation process in cultured dairy foods.

Ganeden on 'predatory lawsuits', probiotic tea and the Walmart snowball effect

Elaine Watson caught up with Ganeden Biotech's business development boss Mike Bush at the IFT show to talk about opportunities in the food and drink market for its ultra-resilient BC30 probiotic strain.

Dow: DHA from canola oil still ‘some years away’

Dow Agrosciences and Martek Biosciences (now part of DSM) are progressing well with plans to develop canola oil containing the coveted long-chain omega-3 fatty acid DHA, but are still “a number of years” away from bringing something to market.

Bone health food launches double, but market value remains flat

There has been a sharp rise in the number of functional foods and drinks launched on a bone health platform over the last five years, but the retail value of the global market has nevertheless remained stubbornly flat at around $2.1bn over the same period.

What makes a successful functional food product?

Why do so many ‘functional’ foods fail? Sometimes, it’s just bad luck or bad timing, but in most cases, manufacturers only have themselves to blame, product development guru Mark Crowell tells Elaine Watson at SupplySide East.

FDA still reviewing functional food regulatory requirements

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says it is still reviewing comments on how functional foods should be regulated, before considering further actions.

Types of research needed for functional food claims

Health claims that can be made on functional food products vary depending on the quality and quantity of scientific evidence that backs the claim. In this article, NutraIngredients-USA.com provides a break-down of the different types of research that can be conducted.

Regulation and health claims for functional foods

Functional foods in the US are not legally defined as a distinct category, which has generated a confusing regulatory framework. In this article, NutraIngredients-USA.com provides a break-down of the health claims that can be used on the products.

Functional foods: What they mean around the world

Functional foods are continuing to grow in popularity around the world, but there is currently no universal definition of the category. NutraIngredients-USA.com looks at the way global markets classify this class of foods and beverages, both in the regulatory and marketing arenas.