Breaking News on Supplements & Nutrition - North America EU edition

FDA finds vitamin B6 form not legal in supplements

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has ruled that the vitamin B6 compound, pyridoxamine dihydrochloride, cannot be used in dietary supplements.

High purity chondroitin ‘can prevent joint degradation’: Study

Long term administration of high purity and concentrated chondroitin sulphate may prevent degradation in the joint structure of people suffering from osteoarthritis, says a new study.

Cognis says sale rumours taken out of context

Cognis has told NutraIngredients.com the German ingredients giant will not be sold in the near-future despite suggestive statements emanating from the German press.

Pumpkin shows potential as fortifiable iron source

Flesh form pumpkin may provide an ideal matrix for iron fortification for functional food manufacturers, according to new research from Argentina.

Low-fat dairy linked to blood pressure improvements: Study

Consuming low-fat dairy-based products may improve blood pressure in older people at risk of heart disease, according to a new study from Spain.

Apple juice may offer Alzheimer’s protection: Study

Apple juice consumption may play some role in helping to prevent the onset of age-related cognitive decline such as Alzheimer’s disease, according to a new animal study.

News in brief

Review backs CoQ10 safety rep and levels

Coenzyme Q10 is “highly safe for use as a dietary supplement”, and has an acceptable daily intake (ADI) of 12 mg per kg per day, says a new review from Kaneka.

NY bill seeks extra labeling on supplements

The New York State Assembly is to amend its agriculture and markets law to require dietary and nutritional supplement manufacturers to label products as tested or untested by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

RFI undergoes GMP audit in consumer confidence mission

A US-supplier of functional ingredients and supplements has successfully completed an audit of its manufacturing facilities as part of NSF International’s Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) Registration program.

Weight loss partnership aims for mainstream

Minnesota-based ingredient supplier, Humanetics Corporation, has teamed up with major dietary supplements manufacturer, Chattem, to launch a weight loss formula the companies say can dramatically increase weight loss rates.

Broccoli and cabbage’s anticancer benefits probed

Texan researchers have identified a pathway to explain how a compound in cruciferous vegetables like broccoli may protect against pancreatic cancer.

News in brief

New president at Frutarom USA

Ingredients and flavors firm Frutarom has announced the appointment of Rafi Friedman as president of Frutarom USA.

News in brief

NBJ awards researchers for stevia quality standard-setting

The Nutrition Business Journal has awarded a Scientific Achievement Award to the research organization ChromaDex for its role in developing quality standards for the individual sweet components of stevia.

News in brief

NPA to stage 12th annual Washington DC rally

March 24 will see the National Products Association (NPA) and its supporters descend on Washington DC for the 12th consecutive year to drum up political support.

Soy isoflavones heart benefits again under question: Study

Questions have again been raised concerning the consumption of soy isoflavones for improved blood flow and heart health, following publication of a joint Anglo-Australian study.

CHR Hansen spies collaboration in phytonutrient push

Cyvex Nutrition has teamed up with ingredients group CHR Hansen as part of a cooperation designed to extend both groups’ presence in the US market for phytonutrient supplements.

Guest article

FDA supplement warning letters: 2008 year in review

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued over 40 warning letters to supplement marketers last year. An analysis by FDA legal specialists Ivan Wasserman and Svetlana Walker reveals that the agency’s focus was on cancer claims made on internet web sites.

Green tea may protect against breast cancer: Study

Regular consumption of green tea may reduce a woman’s risk of breast cancer by about 12 per cent, according to a new study from the US and China.

Phytosterols for cholesterol cuts supported by review

Phytosterol-enriched foods are efficacious for reducing levels of LDL cholesterol, with no differences between stanols and sterols, or delivery in fat or non fat foods, says a new review.

US-Danish alliance in search of healthier foods

A new consortium of leading American and Danish food scientists has been established to develop new ingredients for tackling malnutrition and diet-related diseases.

SunOpta takes on barley beta-glucan ingredient

SunOpta Ingredients Group has added a beta-glucan concentrate to its range of fiber ingredients, following an agreement with PolyCell Technologies.

Green tea catechins linked to weight loss: Study

Antioxidant compounds in green tea could help promote exercise-induced abdominal fat loss, according to a new study from the American Society of Nutrition.

Weekly comment

Time to quieten the nutrition label noise

Everyone from government to grocers seems to have their own idea of how best to inform consumers about foods’ nutritional content, but a labeling free-for-all has resulted in a clamor of nutrition labels which are actually getting in the way of comprehension.

Omega-3 contamination study is misleading, says industry

A new study on pollutant levels in fish oil supplements has been criticized by industry as being misleading and sensationalist.

Enzyme player grows encapsulation capacity and speed

Enzyme supplier and contract manufacturer Deerland Enzymes has bucked the economic slowdown by expanding its Georgia facility and making its encapsulation processes fully automated in the process.

News in brief

Pycnogenol player picks up research prize

Pine bark specialist Horphag Research has won a gong from Frost & Sullivan for excellence in research for its proprietary ingredient, Pycnogenol.

Low vitamin D linked to higher risk of dementia: Study

A new large-scale senior population study has found that a lack of vitamin D in the elderly could be linked to cognitive impairment.

Kyowa takes up North American distribution for DFK ingredients

Kyowa Hakko USA has started distributing the functional ingredients made by the Japanese firm Daiichi Fine Chemicals (DFK) for use in the North American dietary supplement and cosmetics industries.

Acai ad campaign not so super

The Better Business Bureau of Northern Indiana has warned consumers against bogus celebrity campaigns promoting the Amazonian superfruit, acai.

Synbiotic may improve gut, immune health in elderly: Study

Consumption of a combination probiotic and prebiotic supplement for two weeks was found to improve the gut and immune health of a group of seniors, according to a study conducted by Danisco.

News in brief

IADSA adds Russia and Brazil to global network

The Russian Council of Dietary Supplement, Nutrient and Healthy Food Producers (CDSP) and the Brazilian Association of Foods for Special Dietary Uses Industry (ABIAD) are the latest groups to join the world’s eminent international food supplements trade body.

Georgian seniors need nutrient supplementation, finds study

Researchers at the University of Georgia (UGA) report that elderly people across the state are largely deficient in vitamin D, calcium and B12, and should consider dietary supplementation.

Asian herb compound researched for prostate cancer benefits

The University of Minnesota’s Hormel Institute has received $1.525 million to study the potential of a compound derived from an Asian herbal medicine to relieve prostate cancer.

News in brief

ASN report promotes small changes against obesity

The American Society for Nutrition (ASN), the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT), and the International Food Information Council (IFIC) have published a report advocating small lifestyle and diet changes in the fight against obesity.

News in brief

New GOED board includes Unilever executive

The Global Organization for EPA and DHA (GOED) has announced its new board for 2009, which includes executives from some of the biggest omega-3 ingredients suppliers, as well as the global food giant Unilever.

US growth potential for South American-inspired snacks

Gilroy Foods & Flavors has added its voice to the many that are forecasting South American flavored snacks to be the next big trend for the year ahead.

News in brief

Enzymotec wins Israeli phytosterol patent

Israeli-based lipid specialist, Enzymotec, has been granted a home turf patent for the composition and production of its phytosterol ingredient, Cardiobeat.

News in brief

Symrise appoints vice president of North American supply chain

Symrise has announced the appointment of Larry Garro as vice president of supply chain for its food and nutrition division in North America.

Reduced CoQ10 shows superior bioavailability: SGTI study

A reduced formulation of Coenzyme Q10 was better absorbed than a standard commercial formulation in a senior population sample, suggests a small company-sponsored study.

New report breaks down global mood foods market

Mood foods are emerging as the latest niche in the functional foods market, and are expected to experience continued growth, according to a new market report.

AHPA publishes heavy metals GMP guidance

The American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) has published a heavy metals white paper it says will assist industry to comply with current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP).

IOM creates benchmarks to track Americans’ health

A new report issued by the Institute of Medicine (IOM) provides a range of indicators that will be used as yardsticks to track progress in improving the health of Americans.

Food stamp changes may not aid healthy eating

A USDA paper examining the implications of proposed changes to the Food Stamp Program (FSP) has concluded that they may force prices higher for healthy foods, and discourage participation in the program.

New study backs soy’s bone protection benefits

Soy protein consumption could help protect against bone loss in post menopausal women, suggests a new study that adds to previous findings linking soy to bone health in women.

Unrefined sweeteners bring antioxidant boost to bakery: Study

Fresh evidence from researchers in the US suggests that substituting refined sweeteners with unrefined equivalents in food formulations could raise disease-fighting antioxidants in consumer diets.

Guest article

What Obama means for functional foods and supplements: Part I

As we enter the Obama era today, NutraIngredients-USA.com examines the likely effects of the much-awaited Congressional shift on the functional foods and dietary supplements industries. According to industry veteran Loren Israelsen, the road ahead could be less than positive – especially for supplements.

GMP inspections could focus on Utah, California

The focus of FDA’s GMP inspections of dietary supplement manufacturing facilities will likely take a short-term focus on the Utah area and Southern California, according to inside sources.

CoQ10 passes quality test

Product tester Consumerlab.com has found most coenzyme Q10 dietary supplements – best known to benefit heart health – do exactly what they say on the tin.

Prebiotic may offer ray of light for IBS sufferers: Study

A novel mixture of prebiotic galactooligosaccharides may selectively boost levels of friendly bacteria in the gut, and ease symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, says a new study.

Advana Science edges closer with nutraceutical Alzheimer ingredient

New biotechnology to stop the build up of protein plaques linked to Alzheimer’s disease could be hitting the market this summer, says Advana Science’s CEO.

T&L fibres could hold weight, diabetes benefits: Study

Maize-based dietary fibres have been found to help lower glycemic and insulin responses, potentially opening up opportunities for their use in foods for weight management and diabetes control, reports a new study from the University of Toronto.

Weekly comment

In praise of pesticides

Who likes pesticides? Misunderstood by consumers and misrepresented by pressure groups, pesticides are a soft target for legislators. The latest blow to that soft target could have hard consequences for the European food industry and for developing countries.

Irradiation, EtO not permitted for supplement sterilization, clarifies BI

Botanical ingredients supplier BI Nutraceuticals has sent its customers a clarification of current US regulations that prohibit the use of irradiation and ethylene oxide (EtO) as a means to sterilize supplement ingredients.

Nanotech in supplements unsafe, says report

The use of nanotechnology in dietary supplements is badly understood and largely unregulated, and could be putting consumers at serious risk, claims a new report.

Pre-term omega-3 may boost brain development for girls, not boys

Supplements of the omega-3 fatty acid DHA may boost the neurodevelopment of prematurely-born baby girls, but premature boys don’t get the same benefits, says a new study.

Coffee may decrease the risk of Alzheimer’s: Study

Drinking between three and five cups of coffee a day in middle age could decrease the risk of dementia and Alzheimer's disease by 65 per cent, says a new study from Scandinavia.

News in brief

PureCircle appoints Tate & Lyle man for Reb A sales drive

PureCircle has appointed Jordi Ferre to its senior management team in the US to spearhead the commercial development of the all-natural, zero calorie stevia-derived sweetener, Rebaudioside A (Reb A).

Mexico fertile for functional food imports, says USDA

The Mexican market for health foods is set for steady growth, which presents good export opportunities for US manufacturers, according to a government report.

News in brief

Five deaths recorded in US salmonella outbreak

US health officials have reported two more deaths linked to a nationwide salmonella outbreak that has sickened more than 400 people in 43 states.

News in brief

Weight loss book author ordered to pay $37m

Infomercial marketer Kevin Trudeau has been ordered to pay $37m for making false claims about weight loss in a book.

News in brief

Sales boosted by consumer fear of healthcare costs, says Fenchem

Chinese ingredient group Fenchem has said it has remained unharmed by the global economic environment partly because consumers have been embracing health foods and supplements as they try to avoid high medical costs.

News in brief

Fraud supplement makers fined $16m

Manufacturers of dietary supplements have been ordered to pay a fine of almost $16m in the latest case of uncovered deceptive marketing.

The depression diet

Experts predict that consumers will put on recession pounds by eating more unhealthy food to save money. But Dr Adam Drewnowski, director of the Center for Public Health Nutrition at the University of Washington, says nutrient-rich foods that were typically eaten during the depression are affordable alternatives.

The short-sightedness of clinical trials

The results of randomised clinical trials to test nutrients continues to grab the headlines, and more often than not the titles are not positive. Is the emphasis on a trial model anchored in drug testing a good thing for nutrition? Stephen Daniells talked to Prof Jeff Blumberg from Tufts University for this views.

Carotenoids may boost bone health: Study

Antioxidant pigments from plants may protect against bone loss in older men and women, according to a new study funded by the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service.

Fibre-rich ice-cream gets formulation boost: Study

Dietary fibres may control crystallisation and recrystallisation in ice creams, and offer new formulation possibilities for formulators, according to new research from Greece.

Researcher identifies middle ground for functional food success

Functional foods are more likely to be successful if they meet a consumer perception of the types of foods suitable for fortification, according to a new report.

Sabinsa launches antioxidant Amla extract

Ingredient firm Sabinsa has launched a new Indian gooseberry ingredient, which the company says is standardized using optimal biomarkers.

Low selenium levels may increase anaemia risk in the elderly

Low levels of the mineral selenium may increase the risk of anaemia in older people, according to a new study from the United States.

Probiotic 'bar-code' could boost strain identification

Identifying the bacteria in a food product – be they probiotic or pathogenic – may be as easy as reading a bar-code, according to a novel technique called optical mapping.

Omega-3 foods will favor EPA/DHA over ALA, predicts report

Fish-derived omega-3s are set to overtake plant-based sources as the preferred forms of the essential fatty acids used in food and beverage fortification, according to a new report.

Kraft uses math to develop functional foods

Kraft Foods has invested in a novel ingredient screening technology that uses mathematics to identify new compounds with specific health benefits.

Robinson Pharma audit confirms cGMP compliance

Robinson Pharma Inc (RPI), a dietary supplement contract manufacturer, has said its latest quality audit has confirmed continued cGMP compliant operations.

AHD launches chia flour for gluten-free bakery

AHD International has expanded its range of chia products to include chia seed flour, a gluten-free, heart-healthy alternative to white flour in bakery products.

Vitamin C may improve blood pressure: Study

High intakes of vitamin C may protect against blood pressure increases in young women, according to a new study from the US.

Herbals are mainstream - change needed, says WSJ opinion

Health academics from leading US universities have published an opinion piece in the Wall Street Journal maintaining that alternative medicine, including herbals, must be part of President-elect Barack Obama’s health plan.

Probiotics may improve alcoholics’ liver health: Study

A pilot study from Russia and the US indicates that supplements of Bifidobacterium bifidum and Lactobacillus plantarum 8PA3 may improve the health of an alcoholic’s liver.

News in brief

DSM gains Preventase approval in Singapore, Netherlands

DSM has added two new markets to the list for which it has expressed approval for its acrylamide-busting asparaginase enzyme, as it progresses towards global roll out.

News in brief

UNPA to hold mock FDA inspection workshop

The supplement trade group United Natural Products Alliance (UNPA) will hold a mock FDA GMP inspection seminar, which will provide guidance on what companies should do if agency inspectors visit their facilities.

Vegetarian market for kids

A new survey which offers an estimate on the number of vegetarian children in the US highlights a potential emerging market for those on an ‘ethical diet’ needing alternative sources of protein.

Consumers likely to move away from ‘medicalized’ foods, predicts report

While there is little doubt that the food and beverage industry’s preoccupation with functional foods will not lose steam, consumer reaction could well be set for a shift, according to a US market researcher.

CoQ10 bioavailability boost from soft gels: Study

Delivering co-enzyme Q10 in its reduced form and in a soft gel capsule may increase the bioavailability of the nutrient, according to a new study.

Weekly comment

The invincibles – recession proof food and healthy eating

There are fears that in the economic crisis consumers will put on “recession pounds” by eating unhealthily. Rightly or wrongly, food manufacturers may suffer the blame but “unhealthy” and “recession proof” do not necessarily go hand-in-hand.

FDA finds 70 fraudulent weight loss supplements

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has intensified its clamp-down on adulterated weight loss supplement products, which have been found to contain undeclared pharmaceutical ingredients.

Common hydrocolloid may reduce cholesterol levels: Study

The commonly used hydrocolloid hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC) may reduce cholesterol levels by over 20 per cent, suggests new research from the Dow Chemical Company.

News in brief

NMI and Nielsen cover Canadian consumer market

Market research firm Natural Marketing Institute (NMI) is expanding its scope to include the Canadian market.

US health experts urge Obama to take ‘urgent action’ on obesity

A group of prominent American health professionals has issued a letter urging President-elect Barack Obama to take “bold and urgent action” to curb obesity or, they say, the current generation could be the first to live shorter lives than their parents.

Omega-3 and the search for alternative sources

Omega-3 fatty acids are one of the industry's star performers, being added to a wide variety of food types as well as supplement capsules. But searching for alternative sources continues behind the scenes. Stephen Daniells talks to Prof Ski Chilton from Wake Forest University about future possibilities for the industry.

Fonterra supports safety of probiotic ingredients

The probiotic strains Lactobacillus rhamnosus HN001 and Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis HN019 are safe and well-tolerated, according to a new study from New Zealand.

FDA explains substantiation needs for supplement claims

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has published guidance for dietary supplement manufacturers on what it considers to be sufficient scientific substantiation for the health claims made on their products.

NPA defends supplements from recent steroid accusations

The general public should not be misled to believe that supplement products are dangerous or illegal by athletes’ uninformed usage of the products, and by irresponsible media coverage, according to a US supplements group.

News in brief

FWS to examine latest on American ginseng

The US Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) is to hold a public meeting to examine the latest research on American ginseng.

News in brief

FDA finds melamine in more infant formula

Continuing investigations into the contamination of US-produced infant formula with melamine have uncovered more products containing low levels of the chemical.

Study supports folic acid fortified tortillas to boost intakes

Fortification of corn masa flour with folic acid could produce enriched tortilla chips and corn chips, and serve as a new vehicle for the B vitamin, says new research.

Black raspberry compounds may prevent throat cancer: Study

Compounds from black raspberries called anthocyanins may inhibit the growth of cancer cells of the oesophagus, according to a new study with rats.

SourceOne, KGK fight over heart health ingredient rights

Two nutraceutical ingredient suppliers have entered a legal battle over the rights to a cholesterol-lowering product after the termination of a licensing agreement between the two parties, SourceOne Global Partners and KGK Synergize.

Vitamins don’t help with cancer, writes USA Today

An article published this week in USA Today highlights recently published science that finds no link between vitamins and cancer or heart disease prevention.

Nestle places confidence in probiotics for kids

Food giant Nestle is today launching a probiotics drink for children in the US, which the company claims is the only drink on the market to deliver immune benefits coupled with balanced nutrition.

News in brief

Health Canada releases adverse events update

Health Canada has launched its latest edition of the Canadian Adverse Reaction Newsletter (CARN), which covers adverse reactions linked to health products.

Garlic science lacking for cancer health claims: Researchers

No “credible evidence” exists in the literature to support the potential of garlic to reduce the risk of cancer, according to a new review from Korea.

L-carnitine may boost heart health of diabetics

Supplements of L-carnitine may reduce the oxidation of LDL cholesterol in diabetics, indicating significant potential to boost heart health, says a new study.

Baobab GRAS dossier in, an answer in less than 180 days?

FDA approval of baobab fruit pulp could be less than six months away, as momentum continues for what could be one of the hot ingredients of 2009.

Evidence lacking on low-calorie sweeteners’ effect on BMI: Study

Consuming nonnutritive sweeteners in calorie-free products “may heighten appetite”, but not if consumed with energy-yielding products, according to a new review by US researchers.

'Obesity tax’ neglecting nutrition facts, claims drink maker

A manufacturer of natural sparkling soft drinks hopes to stir further debate over a proposed ‘obesity tax’ on carbonated beverages in the state of New York by pushing for greater recognition of nutritional quality in the products.

Maternal AA consumption boosts omega-6 in breast milk: Study

Supplements of the omega-6 fatty acid arachidonic acid (AA) boosted the AA content in the breast milk of lactating mothers, according to a new study from the Netherlands.

Study supports pomegranate’s anti-prostate cancer potential

The potential of pomegranate extracts and juices to protect against prostate cancer may be due to direct interaction with genes, according to a new study.

Coca-Cola defends soft drink pesticides presence

Coca-Cola has played down concerns over pesticide levels within some of its fruit-based drinks following the aftermath of a recent study, claiming there is no need to change its products, according to press reports.

Sabinsa self-affirms GRAS for probiotic ingredient

Sabinsa has self-affirmed the GRAS status of its probiotic LactoSpore ingredient, giving an extra layer of assurance that it is safe for use in food and beverage products, as well as supplements.

Sugar and caffeine seen as key natural developments

One of the key trends in product development for 2009 will be natural additives able to keep consumers active, leading to searches for alternatives to caffeine and sugar, according to market research.

Atrium strengthens probiotics business with Nutri-Health acquisition

Canada’s Atrium has announced the acquisition of Nutri-Health Supplements as the company opens a door to the direct-to-consumer channels.

Supplier constructs to tackle nutraceutical-bottling challenge

A manufacturer of aseptic technologies for functional and nutraceutical goods has commissioned a new bottling plant ahead of further operational expansion designed to encompass proprietary tea extraction.