Breaking News on Supplements & Nutrition - North America EU edition

Cranberry extract near match for antibiotic UTI potential - study

A cranberry extract may play some role in supplementing use of the antibiotic Trimethoprim for prevention of urinary tract infections (UTIs) in older women, according to a new study.

A Nutra eye on 2009

As we wind down the online printing presses here at NutraIngredients for 2008, it seems appropriate to cast our eyes forward and locate those trends that are likely to battle for the functional foods and supplements spotlight in the coming year.

Weekly comment

Obesity: A taxing solution

Benjamin Franklin once said that nothing is certain in life but death and taxes, conveniently forgetting the human race’s desire to avoid both inconveniences at any cost.

MillerCoors' brand falls in US caffeine crackdown

MillerCoors has become the latest brewer to bow to pressure from authorities after voluntarily agreeing to reformulate its caffeinated beer products amidst wider national crackdowns on stimulant beverages.

News in brief

Dietary fiber modified for frozen functionality

The frozen food market is the latest target for a dietary fiber ingredient that its manufacturer claims can help maintain healthy cholesterol levels.

Diet Coke Plus earns FDA labeling minus

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has told Coca-Cola to change the labeling of its vitamin and mineral-fortified diet cola, Diet Coke Plus.

2008 round-up: The year’s most clicked video and audio podcasts

NutraIngredients-USA is reviewing the year and recapping on which articles generated the most interest amongst you, the readers. Today we look at the video and audio podcasts that sparked the most interest.

Video season's greetings from Decision News Media

The Decision News Media team would like to bring you its seasonal greetings in person and show you around the offices.

News in brief

Benecol buys into Thailand

Finnish group Raisio has entered Thailand- its third Asian market - following a deal with a Thai-based company that will see its cholesterol-lowering, plant stanol ingredient featuring in a beverage targeting increasing numbers of obese consumers.

Soybean oil prices tumble on petroleum fall

Falling petroleum prices and an abundance of other vegetable oils has brought soybean oil prices a new low – but other oils are eating away at market share.

Proanthocyanidins battle blood vessel degradation: study

New research has shown the ability of oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPC) to protect blood vessels against degradation caused by the likes of ageing and smoking.

BASF announces vitamin plant closure

High raw material costs are being blamed by material supplier BASF for the closure of one of the group’s Us-based vitamin manufacturing sites in North Carolina.

The plant-sourced fish oil files

Monsanto reports safety of SDA-rich soybean oil

Genetically modified soybeans containing stearidonic acid (SDA) could be commercially available within a couple of years, after positive safety results from Monsanto.

The plant-sourced fish oil files

BASF pursues EPA-rich rapeseed oil

German biotech giant BASF continues to progress with the development of EPA-rich vegetable oils, according to one of the company’s scientists.

Calls to reverse FDA action over stevia sweetener

More stevia sweetened products are lining up for launch but campaigners are calling for the FDA decision that signaled that the sweetener could be used in food and beverages to be reversed.

2008 round-up: US regulation

NutraIngredients-USA’s ongoing review of the articles that sparked most interest in you the readers continues today with the most viewed pieces in the regulatory area.

2008 round-up: This year’s most read articles about probiotics

NutraIngredients is reviewing the year and recapping on which articles generated the most interest amongst you, the readers. Today we look the most read articles about probiotics.

Exclusive interview

Sharing broccoli’s goodness with other plants

Everyone knows that broccoli is good for you, and advances in transgenic plant engineering by Danish researchers may soon see that goodness replicated in other plants.

Omega-3 EPA triumphs over in DHA for anti-asthma potential: Study

The omega-3 fatty acid EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) is a more potent inflammation inhibitor than DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), says a new Anglo-American study.

Stevia sweetener gets US FDA go-ahead

The FDA has given the long-awaited green light for Reb A, the sweetener made from the stevia leaf, to be used in food and beverages - opening the flood gates for new product launches.

Obama nominates next US secretary of agriculture

President-Elect Barack Obama has nominated the former Iowa governor Tom Vilsack to be the 30th Secretary of Agriculture.

Ganeden wins probiotics gong

Ohio-based probiotics specialist, Ganeden Biotech, has won a Frost & Sullivan award probiotic innovation for its GanedenBC30 probiotic strain.

Girls lick boys on taste sensations: Study

There may be a shred of truth to sisters telling their brothers that they have better taste than them but we’re not talking about fashion or music, according to findings of a new study.

Probiotic strains boost breathing and immunity, say scientists

Scientists have found a proprietary probiotic strain, BLIS K12, can deliver immunity and respiratory benefits that go beyond previously investigated oral health potential.

2008 round-up: The hottest omega-3 articles

NutraIngredients-USA is reviewing the year and recapping on which articles generated the most interest amongst you, the readers. Today we look the most read articles about omega-3.

News in brief

Heinz takes on MyPyramid corporate challenge

Heinz Company has announced that it is partnering with the United States Department of Agriculture’s MyPyramid: Corporate Challenge.

AHPA promotes heavy metal references for botanicals

The American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) has put forward its own heavy metal standards as reference guides for the influential third party product certifier and tester, US Pharmacopeia (USP).

D for diabetes: Study says vitamin D may be needed for diabetics

Over 75 per cent of young type-1 diabetics may require vitamin D supplements, after a US study reported ‘surprisingly’ high levels of insufficiency.

Probiotic strain passes yoghurt culture test: Study

Canada-based scientists report the successful incorporation of Lactobacillus reuteri RC-14 and Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1, potentially offering a new probiotic product.

News in brief

China compiles list of chemicals banned from food

China has issued a list of 17 substances not to be used in foodstuffs as part of its post-melamine scandal effort to clean up the food supply chain.

2008 round-up: Ingredient innovation

As NutraIngredients continues a series of annual re-caps, we look at the ingredient launches and developments that made the biggest splash in 2008.

2008 round-up: Top five most read comments

NutraIngredients-USA is reviewing the year and recapping on which articles generated the most interest amongst you, the readers. Today we look at out comment pieces that sparked the most interest.

Canadian firms ally to develop plant extracts

Plant extract specialist, Biopharmacopae Design International, has joined with nutrition industry venture capitalist, Avrio Ventures, to develop a range of nutritional and cosmeceutical products.

Weekly comment

Why is food science the ‘baddie' for consumers?

It sometimes seems as if life is a pantomime, and food science is the baddie, complete with boos and hisses from the audience.

2008 round-up: This year’s top five science

As the year draws to a close, NutraIngredients thought you functional food and supplements industries. First up is the science.

News in brief

Denomega creates omega-3 foods website

Norwegian omega-3 specialist, Denomega Nutritional Oils, has launched a website designed to assist consumers “in the search for concise and updated information about omega-3”.

Coca-Cola could launch stevia drink ahead of FDA GRAS

Coca-Cola is expected to launch a drink sweetened with stevia in the US this week, according to reports, but there is still no word from the FDA on GRAS status.

Supplier found in disease claim wilderness

A Minnesota-based supplier of organic ingredients has been prohibited from marketing products using unapproved health claims regarding the treatment of diseases, says the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

News in brief

GMA appoints new president and CEO

Pamela Bailey, president and CEO of the Personal Care Products Council (PCPC), has been named the Grocery Manufacturers Association’s (GMA) new president and CEO.

Berry extracts may ease age-related mental decline: Study

Old lab rats fed a diet supplemented with a compound from berries and grapes called pterostilbene performed better in mental challenges than their un-supplemented counterparts, says a new study.

Government survey highlights most common supplements

Omega-3s, glucosamine, echinacea and ginseng are the most commonly consumed supplements as part of alternative therapy regimes, according to a new US government survey.

Low-carb diets may reduce cognitive ability: Study

Researchers at Tufts University have reported that low-carbohydrate diets may impair cognitive performance, following a study comparing an Atkins-type diet with a reduced-calorie regime.

Martek predicts moderate growth in 2009

The financial slowdown has hit global DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) market leader, Martek Biosciences, which has forecast only moderate growth for the coming year, after several years of strong growth.

Special Comment

Are clinical trials short-changing us?

Yet again major randomised clinical trials report that vitamin and mineral supplements don’t work to prevent disease, so should we give up and just eat chips and chocolate?

Pine bark extract may help joints and hearts: Study

An extract from the bark of the French maritime pine tree may reduce markers of inflammation in people with osteoarthritis, suggests a new study.

Doctors reveal supplement recommendation priorities

Bone, joint and heart health are some of the top reasons for doctors to recommend supplements to their patients, according to a new study.

When foods become drugs

As the year draws to a close, NutraIngredients-USA.com looks at occasions where the US FDA has intervened to clear up the food, drink and supplement industries of products that overstep the fine line between function and pharmaceutical.

‘Smiling Bob’ sells for $2.75m to Ohio businessman

An Ohio real estate developer has purchased Berkeley Premium Nutraceuticals, the bankrupt manufacturer of the infamous Smiling Bob male sexual enhancement supplements, for $2.75m.

The prostate cancer trials: SELECT, PHSII

No effects of selenium and vitamins in prostate cancer clinical trials

Daily supplements of vitamin E, vitamin C, or selenium, alone or in combination, may not lower the risk of prostate cancer, according to two new high-profile studies.

The prostate cancer trials: SELECT, PHSII

Industry reacts to selenium, vitamin trials

Two high-profile clinical trials have reported that selenium and the vitamins C and E are ineffective against prostate cancer. But questions are being asked over the study design.

Plants, herbs should be exempt from new import declarations, says AHPA

The American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) has submitted comments to USDA requesting that amendments to an import act do not apply to herbs and herbal products.

ConsumerLab finds contamination, low dosage in zinc tablets

Zinc supplements are the latest target by testing body ConsumerLab, which found that many of these did not contain significant dosages to help with the common cold.

StarCaps diuretic recall expanded

The US recall of StarCaps weight loss supplements has been expanded after it was determined by the manufacturer that further batches of end products and raw materials were contaminated with a banned diuretic.

Vitamin B1 may help diabetic kidney health: Study

High-dose vitamin B1 supplements may protect against kidney damage, a condition said to threaten one in three diabetics, according to a new study from England and Pakistan.

Dermatologists recommend vitamin D supplements

The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) is backing efforts to encourage increased consumption of vitamin D through food and dietary supplements.

Med diet may help manage metabolic syndrome: Study

Consuming a Mediterranean-style diet may help managed some of the metabolic abnormalities in older adults at high risk for heart disease, says a new study.

News in brief

Plant sterols win Australian approval

Cognis has won hard-to-come-by approval from the Australian Thepareutic Goods Administration (TGA) to use its anti-cholesterol, plant sterol ester ingredient, Vegepure, in food supplements.

New product development needed for baby boomers

Manufacturers need to explore new product developments in health and wellness and functional categories in order to tap into the US baby boomer market, according to a report.

FDA issues new guidance on AER labeling

FDA has issued another draft guidance document on the labeling of dietary supplements to facilitate adverse event reporting, despite earlier calls from industry that the guidance should be withdrawn.

News in brief

2010 no bogey year for Canadian health products

The 2010 deadline for Canadian health care products to be registered under the Natural Health Products Directive (NHPD) legislation will not be the shock many are expecting, according to a Canadian consultancy.

New report examines opportunities for condition-specific foods

Food and beverage manufacturers looking to succeed in the functional category should base their products on ingredients already well-recognized for their health benefits, according to a new report.

The private label potential for functional foods

Private label will become a major avenue of opportunity for innovative functional products, which could make their mainstream debut via this “historically unlikely source”, according to a firm specializing in functional food development.

Selenium may prevent female bladder cancer: Study

Increased levels of selenium may reduce a woman’s risk of bladder cancer by 34 per cent, according to a new study from the US.

Broccoli compound may inhibit lung cancer from tobacco smoke: Study

A compound found in broccoli may help protect against lung cancer in smokers, according to results of a study with mice.

Weekly comment

Coping with health claim hurt

One of the most fiercely debated and amended pieces of European Union food law history is playing out before our eyes, and its effects are beginning to be felt.

News in brief

Océanova and Nutra Bridge bring nutritional ingredients to US

Canadian nutraceutical ingredient supplier Biotechnologies Océanova has joined forces with a start-up US firm to market its ingredients across the boarder.

News in brief

BioGaia and Ferring extend licensing arrangement

Swedish probiotics specialist BioGaia has strengthened its relationship with biopharma group, Ferring Pharmaceuticals, via new licensing agreements that will see the Swiss firm distributing BioGaia products in European and Middle East countries.

Industry defends weight loss products against academic attack

In response to a recent BMJ editorial claiming that only drugs are effective for weight loss, members of the global food and supplements industries have defended the efficacy of their products, calling the article the “latest misinformed campaign”.

Supplements blamed for NFL doping

Dietary supplements have again been blamed for athletes not passing anti-doping tests, after six National Football League players were suspended this week.

Three parties, one project: the probiotic straw

A drinking straw innovator, a leading probiotics supplier and the world’s biggest aseptic beverage packager have teamed up to deliver a probiotic drink that has attracted the interest of the world’s biggest beverage companies. Shane Starling met with them at HIE recently.

News in brief

Cuba GM corn plan to cut imports

Cuba is expected to give the green light to plant genetically modified (GM) corn for the first time, to help reduce dependence on food imports, it was reported.

News in brief

MSU enrols for distance food law courses

Michigan State University has said it is accepting applications for its three-month distance-learning courses on international food law.

McCormick releases 2009 flavor forecast

McCormick’s annual flavor fusion forecast for the coming year takes a multi-cultural approach and sticks with the sweet and savory theme that was a growing trend in 2008.

Reactions to the diuretic clamp down

The dietary supplements industry must continue to be vigilant against products such as the diuretics that have been the subject of professional sports bans recently.

Prebiotic potential of enzyme-converted durum wheat

Treating insoluble durum wheat fibre with an enzyme could produce a soluble fibre with potential prebiotics activity, according to a new study.

Fruit and veg may boost bone health: study

Increasing the alkali content of the diet by eating food such as fruit and vegetables may reduce calcium excretion and boost bone health, says a new study.

Verdure launches organic botanical extracts

Verdure Sciences has launched a line of USDA-certified organic fruit and plant extracts, designed for use primarily in dietary supplements.

Researchers develop cheap tortilla fortification

Researchers at Brigham University have completed a project to fortify tortillas with vitamins and minerals, in an effort to help improve the dietary deficiencies of Mexicans.

News in brief

NutraGenesis hires new sales manager

Nutraceutical ingredients firm NutraGenesis has appointed a new national sales manager and director of new business development.

General Mills rapped over probiotic claims

General Mills has been told to amend advertising for its functional yogurt product, Yoplait Yo-Plus, for making misleading claims.

News in brief

Martek wins customer focus award

Market researcher Frost & Sullivan has handed DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) specialist, Martek Biosciences Corporation, an award for its “innovative marketing and branding initiatives” and “long-standing, successful customer relationships”.

Folic acid in early pregnancy linked to wheezing in baby: Study

Would-be mothers taking folic acid supplements during the first three months of their pregnancy may increase the risk of their babies being hospitalised with respiratory infections, says a new study from Norway.

NutraCea deal delivers higher rice bran quantities

NutraCea has entered an agreement with a Californian rice cooperative, which the company says will allow it to directly maintain a consistent supply of its stabilized rice bran ingredient to food manufacturers.

Tea yoghurt may expand healthy dairy options

Addition of green and black teas to yoghurt may boost the colour and flavour of the product, without affecting the starter cultures, says a French-Tunisian study.

News in brief

Fortitech strengthens technical services team

Nutrient premix supplier Fortitech has appointed a new senior technical services specialist, who will be responsible for the formulation of new “nutrient systems” for use in foods, beverages and pharmaceuticals.

IOM to review vitamin D and calcium DRIs

The US and Canadian governments are sponsoring a review of vitamin D and calcium that may lead to the establishment of higher recommended daily intakes.

FDA targets consumers via WebMD

The US Food and Drug Administration has teamed up with popular consumer health news information website, WebMD, to deliver targeted information about FDA-related matters.

Vitamin D may protect against placental infection: Study

Supplementing the diet of pregnant women with vitamin D may enhance the placental innate immunity and protect it from infection, according to new study.

Model gut brings life-like stomach to the bench-top

Answering questions about food structure, the potential of bioactive ingredients, and general safety could be achievable in-house and on the bench top within 18 months, if development of the most advanced model gut continues as planned.

AHD expands ‘superseed’ chia ingredient line

AHD International has expanded its line of chia ingredients to include different forms that will make it easier for manufacturers to incorporate the heart-healthy product into different food and supplement applications.

CHFA champions legislation for natural health products

The Canadian Health Food Association (CHFA) last week met with Canadian MPs in its continued efforts to ensure “fair and effective” food and drug legislation that does not penalize the nation’s natural health products industry.

Soy ignorance high, says survey

More than 50 per cent of consumers polled in a recent survey admit they know very little about soy with less than one in five consuming soy products on a weekly basis, according to a new survey.

Weekly comment

Why farm support puts food on plates

“Four legs good, two legs bad.” When the pigs take over the land in George Orwell’s Animal Farm, they have no hesitation; any creature with four legs is beyond reproach and any human is bad, mad and dangerous to know.

World AIDS Day

The role of nutrition in living with HIV/ AIDS

Nutrition and HIV/AIDS are intricately linked. To mark World AIDS Day, NutraIngredients.com looks at the science behind the role of nutrition and nutrients for people living with HIV and/or AIDS.

US infant formula safe from melamine, says FDA

The domestic supply of infant formula in the United States is safe for consumption, the FDA has said following an investigation into contamination with the industrial chemical melamine.

FTC sets out rules for testimonials in marketing

Food and supplement manufacturers have two months to comment on new guides issued by the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) on product endorsements and testimonials.

Codex agrees nutrient risk analysis principles

Codex Alimentarius, the World Health Organization’s food supplements regulations advisory body, has handed in nutrient analysis recommendations that have pleased the world’s biggest global dietary supplements trade group.