All news articles for July 2008

Omega-3s more effective for mental slowdown than Alzheimer’s: study

Brain benefits from regular intake of omega-3 fatty acids may be more pronounced in people with mild cognitive decline than people with mild Alzheimer’s: study.

Global divide over natural color regulation

In the third of a four part series on natural colors, FoodNavigator looks at the regulatory situation in the US and Europe and the challenges this poses for food manufacturers and ingredients companies.

Lonza reports carnitine may slow bone loss

Supplements of L-carnitine may reduce bone loss in postmenopausal women, if promising results from a rat study can be repeated in humans.

Sports supplements under fire again

The contamination of sport supplements has again come under the microscope after a high-profile Olympian tested positive to a banned substance and blamed the dietary supplements she was taking.

Nurturing the next generation of food scientists

The number of food science graduates is falling across the globe, but measures are in place to halt the decline. Has disaster been averted? Is the industry’s future assured?

Omega-3-rich fish linked to better hearts in Japan

Large intakes of omega-3 fatty acids from fish may explain the low levels of heart disease in the land of the rising sun, says a new study.

Avatar adds nutritional ingredients to bakery offerings

A new player in the flax omega-3 market signaled its arrival at the IFT Food Expo in New Orleans recently, as Avatar launched a series of functional food ingredients.

Study plays up skimmed milk sports hydration boost

Skimmed milk may become an unlikely new secret weapon within an athlete's kit bag, with new research linking the product to a beneficial effect on preventing dehydration after a workout.

SunOpta announces profits for first quarter

SunOpta is catching up on filing its financial results and has announced a rise in profits in the first quarter of this year despite hefty professional fees relating to its berry division write-down.

CRN attacks disease in GSK weight loss petition

Reclassifying weight loss claims as disease claims will unfairly "disease-ify" many health conditions, according to the Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN).

Vitamin C-rich diet may slash diabetes risk

Increased blood levels of vitamin C may reduce the risk of developing diabetes by 62 per cent, says a new study from Cambridge.

FMC announces latest hydrocolloid acquisition

FMC Corporation has strengthened its hold in the hydrocolloid market and entered into an agreement to acquire CoLiving Food Ingredients, based in Guangzhou, China to serve the rapidly growing dairy market there.

FDA survey supports low lead levels in supplements

Concerns over lead exposure for at risk groups, such as children and pregnant women, appear unfounded, according to a new survey from FDA.

Slim-Fast sales slip but brand rebuilds

The weight management sector may be booming but Unilever's flagship diet brand, Slim-Fast, is experiencing sliding sales as consumers continue to associate it with old-school dieting habits.

Can we believe the Danisco – Apax rumours?

Rumour, according to the Romans, is a feathered beast with a myriad eyes and tongues. Last week she went bristling through the Danish business pages, spreading the news that Danisco could be bought by a private equity firm.

Green tea catechins go nano: study

The controlled release of green tea catechins may be achieved by encapsulated in chitosan-tripolyphosphate nanoparticles, suggests new research.

License opens route to fruit antioxidants through fermentation

ChromaDex has licensed the technology to manufacture compounds found in super fruits using fermentation, which will allow for in-depth research on health benefits and may open up a new, stable source of natural pigments.

Breast milk benefits from CLA-enriched cookies, study

The consumption of food enriched with conjugated linoleic acid can increase the level of these potentially healthy fatty acids in breast milks, according to a recent study.

CLA achieves US approval for use in foods

Lipid Nutrition has confirmed its Clarinol conjugated linolenic acid ingredient has received approval by the US regulator to be used as an ingredient in certain foods and beverages in that country, a move that comes as the firm continues to anticipate the equivalent approval in the EU market.

Patchy paper trail at fault in pomegranate case

A pomegranate juice manufacturer that has been ordered by a Californian court to pay $1.5m to market leader Pom Wonderful for making false and misleading claims, has highlighted supply chain issues.

CRN makes membership cheaper for small firms

Supplement trade group Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN) is adjusting its membership costs to make membership more accessible to small and mid-size companies.

Food better than supplements for omega-3, says ADA

The American Dietetic Association (ADA) has said that a food-based approach to receiving adequate fatty acid levels is recommended, but careful supplementation is a feasible alternative if dietary intake falls short.

Danone, Yakult award probiotics science grants

The Global Probiotics Council (GPC) today announced the awardees of two new research grants, which are designed to develop understanding of the mechanistic processes that promote human health.

Study links low sperm with high soy consumption

A new study has found that men who consume an average of half a portion of soy products per day are more likely to have a lower concentration of sperm, particularly if they are overweight or obese.

Bilberry and pine bark combo wards off glaucoma: study

A study has found that the combination of a standardized extract of bilberry and French maritime pine bark can reduce the risk of glaucoma – news welcomed by the makers of the ingredients as a breakthrough in nutrition for eye health.

Natreon builds science behind its Indian gooseberry

New-Jersey-based Natreon says the latest study on its Indian gooseberry ingredient finds it to have longer lasting antioxidant properties than other extracts of the berry.

Resistant starch raises fibre in gluten-free bread: study

A new study has concluded that partially replacing corn starch in gluten free breads with tapioca and corn resistant starch can raise dietary fibre significantly, but without having a great impact on rheological properties.

UNPA alliance aims to build science behind supplements

Trade group United Natural Products Alliance (UNPA) has joined forces with another supplement testing lab, in a move that will help develop crucial scientific backing for the industry.

Danisco aims to milk probiotic immune system benefits

Danisco is launching a new protobiotic fortification for milk products in North America, which targets the market for immune-boosting children's products.

Court finds pomegranate juice is not so super

California-based pomegranate maker Purely Juice has been ordered to pay market leader, Pom Wonderful, $1.5m for making false and misleading claims about the purity of its juices.

Health trend continues as obesity rates rise

The number of Americans who are obese has increased by nearly two percent in two years and people need to cut down on high calorie foods and sugary drinks, according to a new report.

Sabinsa ingredients certified Halal

Sabinsa Corporation has received Halal certification for a number of its dietary supplement ingredients, opening up their use in products targeting Muslim populations.

IADSA hosts Latin American regulatory debate

Developing harmonised dietary supplements regulations in Latin America was the central topic at a recent meeting in Buenos Aires, Argentina, convened by the International Alliance of Dietary/Food Supplement Associations (IADSA).

FDA issues guidance on antioxidants

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has published guidance to help small companies comply with the labeling of antioxidant products and high potency products.

Grapefruit pulp may boost bone health: study

The pulp of grapefruit may improve bone health and reduce the risk of developing osteoporosis, according to a new study with male rats.

Budweiser to be Belgian? Big deal

The news that all-American brewer Anheuser-Busch is to be sold to Belgium’s InBev for $52bn has made sports bar patrons across the US weep into their Budweisers. But the idea that an American firm must remain American for all time runs counter to the world of global commerce.

Hearing highlights childhood obesity, diabetes

The importance of a consistent approach to preventing childhood obesity, diabetes and related conditions was again highlighted last week, in the first part of a hearing held by the US Senate Subcommittee on Children and Families.

European zeaxanthin safety opinion may damage industry

The recent European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) opinion that the eye-health ingredient zeaxanthin is not safe for use in dietary supplements is potentially damaging to industry, according to Michigan-based botanicals supplier, Kalsec.

Study unlocks door to xanthophyll's eye health

The science supporting lutein and zeaxanthin for eye health is strong, but how the compounds move from the blood stream to the eye was not clear. American scientists have gained an insight, according to new research.

Early probiotic consumption stops gut problems: study

Probiotic bacteria may reduce the occurrence of gut complications in premature infants, suggests new research with piglets.

Nervous citrus industry faces new woes

A disease that can wipeout citrus crops is adding to the woes of an industry that has seen price hikes and supply shortages over recent years.

Bakery products developed as caffeine carriers

Maxx Performance has put the focus on bakery to deliver microencapsulated caffeine, with products aimed at improving memory and performance but without impacting taste or flavour.

Sea-sourced calcium building big future

Plant-derived calcium forms can help ignite a dormant market, according to a start-up that has been marketing an algae-derived form of the bone health ingredient for about two years.

Low-carb as good as low-fat diet for weight loss: study

Low-carb diets are as effective as Mediterranean and low-fat diets in delivering long-term weight loss, according to a two-year study published in the July issue of The New England Journal of Medicine.

Saturated fat solutions for bakers speared at new ADM baking facility

Fats and oils supplier ADM Pura steps up solutions for bakers, opening a new R&D test bakery at its production site in Purfleet, Essex to look into reformulation and novel fats.

Spammers settle charges over weight loss claims

A group of defendants allegedly involved in selling bogus weight loss hoodia supplements through illegal spam e-mails have settled charges with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

Vitamin K good for young bones, too: study

A child's vitamin K status could have important long-term implications on bone health, and higher levels could benefit children with arthritis, suggests a new study.

Center to showcase canola performance

Cargill will demonstrate the performance of both current and future canola varieties at its new research and production centre for specialty canola oils when it opens in November.

Cocaine rapped over narcotic marketing

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has told Las Vegas-based Redux Beverages - the maker of controversial energy drink Cocaine - that the powder-like font that adorns its products and marketing contravenes federal law and must be changed.

Encapsulation and fish dominate July's science

July started with IFT in New Orleans - always a time for innovation. The highlights of this month's science have been novel encapsulation and controlled release, and getting more from fish.

Danisco meets growing South American demand for probiotics

A blooming probiotic market in South America has given Danisco the chance for strong growth in the region as companies there are increasingly seeking solutions from its cultures.

Science looks rosy for astaxanthin and stomach health

The pigment that gives salmon its pink colour may reduce the symptoms of indigestion and heartburn, says a new study.

Steady citrus supplies whatever the weather

Ingredients companies may look to more consistent sources of citrus fruit outside of the US to compensate for Mother Nature, according to Blake Anderson, president of Symrise's North America flavor division.

Functional products grow in diversity and popularity

Functional foods providing health and beauty benefits are experiencing overwhelming growth with Americans spending more than $27bn on such products in 2007, says a new report.

Diet better than statins in kids' cholesterol control

The prescribing of statins for eight years-olds is tantamount to saying that food and diet have failed, and that children are incapable of changing their eating habits and lifestyle.

Sabinsa announces GRAS for Cococin

Sabinsa has gained GRAS status for its coconut water solids ingredient Cococin, giving an extra layer of assurance that it is safe for use in food and beverage products, as well as supplements and cosmetics.

Black tea extract may offer heart benefits

Extracts from black tea may reduce total cholesterol levels by nine per cent and LDL cholesterol levels by 12 per cent, according to a new study from Japan.

Low-fat dairy again linked to healthier hearts

A healthy lifestyle should include low-fat dairy products to lower the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) associated with poor kidney function, suggests new research from the US.

Probiotics grow on innovation, Datamonitor

Probiotics are being included in increasing numbers of 'innovative' new applications, according to information released by Datamonitor.

New fiber derived from inulin launched for digestive health

A new fiber product that is taken from the same plant used to make tequila has been launched by the functional food ingredients company GTC Nutrition.

Mini snack portions make you munch more, study

Weight-conscious consumers often opt for mini-versions of snacks and treats to stay trim, but it might actually have the opposite effect, say scientists.

Dow buys Rohm and Hass for $18.8bn

Dow Chemical has acquired ingredient firm Rohm and Hass in an $18.8bn deal designed to deliver higher margins and stable earnings.

Study may allay folic acid concerns

Concerns over folic acid promoting embryos in the womb with genotypes that increase the risk of disease in the offspring may be unfounded, according to new research.

Tate & Lyle gives Promitor fibers new marketing push

Tate & Lyle has set up a new US marketing platform for its Promitor fiber products, designed to provide manufacturers with easily accessible information on the ingredients and their uses.

Stryka rises to defense of its hoodia ingredient

The 'fake' hoodia battle between supplier Stryka Botanics and customer Certified Natural Laboratories has moved up a notch, after Stryka filed papers that it says will have the lawsuit thrown out.

Nutrient cocktail may boost memory and learning: study

A combination of omega-3 fatty acids with the uridine and choline improved memory and learning in gerbils, and may have benefits for Alzheimer patients, suggests new research.

Dependence on product breakthroughs to meet health expectations

Retailers are relying on food manufacturers to come up with new product developments to help address consumer demands during challenging economic times, according to a new report.

Not all flavonoids are created equal: meta-analysis

An increased consumption of flavonoid-rich chocolate and soy may decrease blood pressure and improve heart health, but other flavonoids from other sources are not as effective, according to a new meta-analysis.

Cognis targets beauty foods with new lutein

Cognis has launched another ingredient in its lutein ester line, which the firm is positioning for the beauty from within market.

New Cargill center focuses on snacks and cereals

Cargill has opened a new innovation center for snack and cereal products which it says will help food manufacturers create new products that drive sales growth.

Fish oil plus red yeast rice match statins for cholesterol cuts

A combination of fish oils, red yeast rice and other lifestyle changes reduced cholesterol levels by the same amount as a daily statin pill, according to new research.

Mum's vitamin D during pregnancy strengthens kid's teeth

Higher intakes of vitamin D during pregnancy may lead to stronger teeth in children, according to researchers from University of Manitoba, Canada.

Harvard supplement attack is old news

The latest negative media slant on dietary supplement usage fans a long-standing debate although is unlikely to have a major impact on an industry that has already taken the hit.

Enhanced soybeans to meet health demands

A growing variety of enhanced soybeans and soybean oils becoming available to food manufactures could increase consumer demand for soy products, according to a new study.

Evidence lacking for polyphenols' brain benefits: expert

Years of research lie ahead before science can confidently support the apparent benefits of polyphenols for brain health, according to a new review from Canada.

New emulsifier an alternative to gum arabic

National Starch has introduced an organic beverage ingredient into the US and Canadian market that it describes as "nature's perfect emulsifier" and hopes will rival gum arabic.

Kyowa Hakko extends US dipeptide focus

Ingredients maker Kyowa Hakko has announced a new partnership with US-based Austin Chemical Company to market and sell its Sustamine product in North America.

Give obese kids statin drugs, advises US pediatric group

Large sections of the pediatric community, not to mention sporting clubs and the dietary supplements and functional foods industries, have expressed concern at an American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) statement calling for obese children to be prescribed cholesterol-lowering statin drugs.

Breaking News on Supplements & Nutrition - North America

News Headlines

On your radar