Guest article

Selecting trademarks and service marks that maximize protection and value

In the second of two articles on trademarks, Norm J Rich explains the trademark selection and clearance process.

Study reignites low-carb high-protein debate

A recent study props up the principle of low-carb high-protein dieting - giving the low carb fad diets that pushed meat consumption, such as the once fashionable Atkins diet, one...

AER missing from FDA guidance

The FDA has released a guidance for food facilities to maintain records of production and distribution that still falls short of taking a stance on the issue of adverse events...

Red wine again linked to slowing Alzheimer's

A Mount Sinai School of Medicine study found giving mice with amyloid plaques red wine slows their memory loss and brain cell death - adding to a body of science...

Guest article

Strength and value of US trademarks and service marks

In the first of two articles, Norm J Rich explains the value and strength of a trademark for goods, services or a new business name, and the legal protection it...

Mannatech gets Lonza arabinogalactan deal

Mannatech has entered into an exclusive ten-year arrangement with Swiss biotech Lonza for the worldwide distribution and marketing of dietary fiber arabinogalactan harvested from the American larch tree.

Fruit and vegetables cut heart disease risk, says study

Every extra of fruit or vegetable consumed daily could cut the risk of heart disease by four percent, says a meta-analysis of almost a quarter of a million people, giving...

More selenium could slash bladder cancer risk, says study

Increasing the daily intake of selenium from dietary and supplementary sources, could cut the risk of bladder cancer by 70 per cent, suggests a new study from Belgium.

Ever-expanding SunOpta buys Purity Life

The SunOpta natural food group has expanded its distribution network in Canada through the acquisition of natural products supplier Purity Life Health Products, enhancing control over the pipeline of its...

Kline puts figure on nutricosmetics market

First there were cosmeceuticals, now there are nutricosmetics - orally-taken products to improve health and beauty that, according to the latest market study, make up a rapidly-growing category.

Kemin wins patent infringement appeal

A US Court of Appeals has upheld Kemin Industries' lutein patents after Pigmentos Vegetales del Centro appealed a September 2004 jury verdict - finally closing lengthy litigation between the two...

Fruit-flavored drinks decline, future dull, says Mintel

Obesity concerns and a lack of innovation have driven down sales of fruit-flavored juice drinks in the US over the past five years, and prospects to boost the market remain...

An egg a day could keep AMD at bay

Making the point of getting a daily egg, the yolk of which is a rich source of lutein and zeaxanthing, could reduce the risk of developing age-related macular degeneration (AMD),...

Nutrition labels may confuse public

If formulators are worried verbose FDA-approved health claims fog the message they are trying to get across to consumers, they should maybe question one of the basic foundations of nutrition...

Beta-carotene-rich maize boosts vitamin A in rodents

Maize, bred to contain high concentrations of the pro-vitamin A carotenoid, beta-carotene, did increase the vitamin A status in gerbils, and could be used to tackle vitamin A deficiency, says...

Weekly comment

When vegetables become victims

The demonisation of spinach following last week's E.coli outbreak could give salad-dodgers the excuse they have been looking for to skimp on their recommended five to nine portions of fruit...

More support for inulin, oligofructose for bone health

Scientists from Brazil have reported that supplementing the diet with the soluble dietary fibres, inulin and oligofructose, boosted calcium absorption in rats by about 40 per cent, results that add...

Tomato extract could stop platelet build-up, boost heart health

Extracts from tomatoes offer heart health benefits by reducing the accumulation of platelets that lead eventually to blood clots, heart attacks and strokes, say two complimentary studies from the UK.

CRN eager to open industry-healthcare talks

In an effort to get government and healthcare agencies to recognize the health benefits of dietary supplements, the Council for Responsible Nutrition is planning to open dialogue between industry and...

WellGen seeks partnerships for first nutrigenomic products

Nutrigenomics specialist WellGen is negotiating partnerships with food companies for its first two ingredients and looks to roll out another this year, with new president and CEO Dr Kathleen Mullinix...

Study underscores CAM potential for sleep troubles

A study into the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) to alleviate insomnia may provide supplement-makers with useful data on consumers who may use their products, and serve as...

Multivitamins in early pregnancy may stave off brain tumors

A recent study suggests women who take multivitamins early in pregnancy could reduce the risk of their child developing a brain tumour - giving further leverage for marketing to this...

CRN plans multi-million campaign to avert supplements crisis

The Council for Responsible Nutrition is laying the groundwork for a massive public relations campaign to 'restore pride' in the supplement industry and will be looking to all companies for...

Blackberry extract shows anti-tumour promise

An extract derived from fresh blackberries has been seen to reduce cancerous tumours and prevent the proliferation of cancer cells in animal models, paving the way for further investigations into...

Leadership - not management - brings most success to companies

A focus on leadership as opposed to just management within companies is the key to attaining emotional commitment in employees, teams and customers that will ultimately lead to stronger results,...

K2 cardiovascular patents to bolster PLT's position

PL Thomas is set to reap the benefits of three pending patents in the area of natural vitamin K2 and cardiovascular health which Natto Pharma, whose MenaQ7 PLT markets in...

BASF makes vitamin A to suit all market tastes

BASF is introducing a new formulation of compressible vitamin A suitable for the spectrum of specialist diets, giving its customers one ingredient to meet the specifications of every market in...

Consumers trust supplements less, but consume the same

An Ipsos-Public Affairs survey indicates consumer confidence in dietary supplements is declining, but - at 65 percent of all adults - the number of Americans taking dietary supplements remains high.

Curcumin could block colorectal cancer hormone

Curcumin has been found to block activity of a hormone implicated in the development of colorectal cancer - results which contribute to a growing body of evidence pointing to the...

FDA issues advice following carrot juice botulism scare

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a consumer advisory statement following the discovery of three cases of botulism in the state of Georgia.

New GI definitions spark fierce debate

A new set of definitions related to glycemic carbohydrates have been approved by a group of industry and science experts, in an effort designed to help food manufacturers communicate how...

Salad eaters more likely to get key nutrients

People who eat salads have higher serum levels of vitamins C and E, folic acid, and carotenoids, according to a large study of US adults that suggests these nutrients are...

Black cohosh safety rep boosted by court decision

Liver safety concerns surrounding black cohosh may be mitigated, with a US District Court's dismissal of a product liability lawsuit against two manufacturers of the herbal, and the testimony of...

CRN funds self-regulation move

The CRN has announced it is funding a federal advertising body to monitor advertising for dietary supplements as part of the overall aim of encouraging the industry to self-regulate.

Folate, colorectal cancer study could sway fortification debate

A new study from Sweden suggests that low folate levels may exert a protective effect against colorectal cancer, a finding that could have some bearing on discussions over mandatory folic...

Weekly Comment

The functional food fudge

In today's competitive food industry, healthy products mean healthy sales but the scramble to keep up with the obesity backlash can have dangerous repercussions.

Omega-3 least known of pregnancy "Big 3"

Only 41 percent of mothers and expectant mothers know they should be consuming omega-3 fatty acids during pregnancy, according to a recent survey, emphasizing a need for more education as...

Less calories may help fight Alzheimer's

A reduced calorie diet could delay the onset of Alzheimer's disease, found a Mount Sinai School of Medicine study conducted on primates - results that suggest healthy eating not only...

Kyowa Hakko brings back its CoQ10

Kyowa Hakko has re-launched sales of its patented coenzyme Q10 following a six-year break, and is one of many companies entering this fold as supply increases following bottlenecks.

Cocaine drink could further confuse energy drinks market

Move over caffeine. A new breed of energy drinks are referencing illegal drugs in their marketing - but without actually containing them - in a bid to capture the lucrative,...

New process pits watermelon against tomato as lycopene source

A new method for extracting lycopene from watermelons developed by US scientists could challenge tomatoes' pre-eminence as the source of the antioxidant for foods and dietary supplements.

Solae urges food manufacturers to up products' choline content

Lack of choline in the American diet is a public health issue, according to a Solae nutritionist, and the way is open for manufacturers to develop more choline-fortified foods and...

MM2 to shake-up nutra market with UTEK network

Nutraceutical finance consultant MM2 Group has inked an agreement with UTEK Corporation to boost its ambitious expansion policy by identifying technology acquisition opportunities.

Fish oil beats defibrillators in sudden heart death model

Increasing consumption of omega-3 by eating adequate amount of oily fish or taking fish oil supplements could save 58 Americans for every 100,000, a recent study looking into preventing sudden...

Whole grains linked to blood pressure reduction, small study

A small study into the effects of soluble and insoluble fibre on blood pressure indicates that individuals with slightly high cholesterol levels may benefit from including plenty of whole grains...

New Brazilian açai factory set to boost supplies to US market

Leading açai berry supplier Sambazon has completed the construction of a new manufacturing facility in Brazil, a move that is set to significantly increase the volumes of the berry brought...

Lutein skin health study elicits excited response at conference

Initial results from a new study investigating the effects of lutein and zeaxanthin on skin health presented yesterday is expected to open up a whole new market for suppliers of...

Vitatene's Betanat gets accolades for cost-saving

Vitatene has received an award from Frost & Sullivan for its proprietary beta-carotene Betanat - signifying a pat on the back for breaking industry ground and bringing prices for the...

Calgenex tackles calcification

New manufacturer and marketer Calgenex Corporation is taking the condition-specific approach to supplementation to a very specific level - tackling soft tissue calcification with a range of products.

Vectomega retail product 'to change omega-3 category'

Europharma has signed a deal with New Chapter to take Vectomega into theretail sector, a move it expects will up the stakes in bioavailability ofsupplement products available on the US...

Geni Herbs shifts strategy with Stauber

Geni Herbs has announced it is signing over its marketing and distribution of ayurvedic botanicals to Stauber Performance Ingredients in an exclusive partnership, which will allow it to focus on...

Nutrition 21 results flat but places store by retail in 2007

Nutrition 21 has reported sales on a par with last year in full year 2006 and increased losses, but believes it is on the cusp of great things for the...

Vitamin D could half pancreatic cancer risk

Supplements of the sunshine vitamin could cut the risk of pancreatic cancer in half, says a study led by researchers at Northwestern and Harvard universities.

SoyLink powder tech patent sparks new applications

Soy-powder maker SoyLink has a new US patent for its proprietary technology - a manufacturing process the Iowa-based company says will expand current uses for soy in functional foods and...

Brown seaweed extract could fight obesity

Supplementing the diet of obese rodents with a compound found in brown seaweed reduced weight by 10 per cent, and could be developed as a natural extract to help fight...

More support for CoQ10's benefits for heart health

Researchers from Italy have reported that daily oral supplements of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) improved the cardiovascular health of people with heart failure, a result that has been welcomed by the...

Weekly Comment

Sweet nothing for global trade

The transition to the new EU sugar regime is a reminder of what was lost when the Doha round of WTO trade talks collapsed.

Chrysantis obtains new zeaxanthin patent

Chrysantis has a new utility patent for development of zeaxanthin esters - an announcement that bodes well for its soon-to-be-launched extended line of the naturally sourced eye health ingredients.

Infant formulas evolve to replicate breast milk

The infant formula market presents opportunities for proven nutritional ingredients within the updated EU regulatory framework, and follow-on products and those aimed at mothers' are also targeted by suppliers.

Affordable plant sterols reach Argentine mass market

The first products using sterols supplied by Advanced Organic Materials reach Argentine retail outlets this month and are positioned to be affordable even for price sensitive customers.

Irish scientists to probe vitamin D needs

Researchers from the University of Ulster and University College Cork are to embark on a three-year project to investigate what level of dietary vitamin D is needed to maintain good...

Scientists take first steps to high yield, purity cryptoxanthin

A team of researchers from Mexico have reported a process to produce the carotenoid beta-cryptoxanthin at high yields and purity for use in dietary supplements.

Mood/joint targets boost EPAX omega-3 sales

Pharmline has reported sales of proprietary EPAX omega-3 fatty acid concentrates are 40 percent ahead of sales from the same period last year, further evidence - if it were needed...

SunOpta to quadruple antioxidant-rich açai supply

Natural food group SunOpta is to quadruple its sales of the açai berry in North America, revealing that the Brazilian berry is the most popular fruit ingredient with its customers....

Green tea extract may slow Huntington's disease

The green tea extract, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), may slow the accumulation of proteins that cause Huntington's disease, German scientists have reported.

Enzymatic conversion could boost polyphenol bioavailability

Using enzymes to modify the citrus flavonoid, hesperidin, increases the bioavailability of the compound by changing the absorption site in the intestine, say researchers.

Rich Nature launches wolfberry Bevesol

Rich Nature Nutraceutical Laboratories has launched proprietary Bevesol, a low-heat, spray-dried powder from wolfberry juice concentrate, for use in functional foods. Suitable for reconstituting wolfberry juice, the powder could save...

World nutraceutical demand to balloon

Demand for nutraceutical ingredients is set to reach $15.5b by 2010, with the US remaining the largest single consumer of nutraceutical ingredients and China and Japan emerging as the fastest...

Glanbia buys Seltzer, becomes pan-Atlantic customised formulator

Glanbia has today announced that it is acquiring Californian nutritional business Seltzer Companies for $105m (€81.8m), enabling it to establish an integrated nutritional formulation presence across the US and Europe.

Scientists find 'proof' for high protein diets

A key hormone in the human gut could be the reason why high protein diets enhance satiety and promote weight loss, British scientists have reported.

Martek irons out Q3 blip, prepares for mainstream entry

Martek Biosciences' operating profit leaped back into the black in Q3, as it continues to reap rewards from the fortified infant formula boom and more cost-effective DHA production.

Virgin olive oil best for heart health

Virgin olive oil, a rich source of polyphenols, is the best vegetable oil for heart health, says a European study.

Unilever urges FDA loosen phytosterol health claim

Unilever has petitioned the FDA to amend its health claim for the use of phytosterols in foods and allow full daily intake in one serving rather than two - suggesting...

FDA gives GRAS go-ahead to Lipogen PS

Israeli phosphatidylserine-maker Lipogen now has FDA affirmed GRAS status for its patented product line, suggesting increasing US market interest in this mental health ingredient.

Pine bark extract could speed up diabetic ulcer healing

A daily supplement of the French maritime park bark extract, Pycnogenol, could quicken up the healing of diabetic foot ulcers by 75 per cent, says a new Italian-German study.

Lactose intolerant kids shouldn't ignore dairy, say experts

Children with lactose intolerance are missing out on essential nutrients by avoiding dairy, and could benefit from probiotics and aged cheeses, say a review from the American Academy of Pediatrics...

Industry outsources more lab work

The nutraceutical industry is increasingly outsourcing laboratory services to contract research organizations and small analytical laboratories to reduce costs, indicates a Frost & Sullivan report.

Martek joins omega-3 branding trend

Martek Bioscience's flagship vegetarian source of DHA has become the brand life'sDHA, joining a trend in the omega-3 industry to target and promote consumer awareness of the healthy ingredient.

Study could spell opportunity for fruit & veg ingredients

As the gap between the recommended and actual amounts of fruit and vegetables Americans consume increases, there may be more room for ingredients made from the powder or extract versions...

CRN author risk assessments for glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate

A risk assessment for glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate, has been authored by the CRN, providing industry and consumers with important information on safe dosage levels.

Omega-3 index could be goalposts for max heart health

Another scientific review has concluded that omega-3 fatty acids are beneficial to heart health, and proposes a new measure of cardiovascular risk called the "omega-3 index".

Soy isoflavones may reduce artery hardening, boost heart health

The potential cardiovascular benefits of soy isoflavones may also include reducing the early stage of artery hardening, if the results of an animal study can be translated into humans.