Breaking News on Supplements & Nutrition - North AmericaEU edition

Disptaches from Microbiota 2011

IPA co-founder: EU probiotic approach is “dirty pool”

Jarrow Rogovin, never a man to mince his words, says it is high time the IPA and other trade groups stepped up to the plate to defend a sector that has been under regulatory siege on both sides of the Atlantic for several years.

From Penthouse shots to sports gum: The solution to pill fatigue is at hand

While tablets and capsules still dominate the market, more imaginative delivery formats are starting to gain traction, from calcium chews and probiotic straws to omega-3 gummies. Our gallery gives you a flavor of what's on offer if pill popping is not your thing.

2011 IN PICTURES: DMAA, NDI draft guidance, 'killer' vitamins and SPACE (food), the final frontier

Krill wars, vitamins to send you to an early grave (well who reads beyond the headline, right?), DMAA, microalgae and space food. 2011 was an action-packed year, and with the NDI draft guidance hanging over the trade like the sword of Damocles, 2012 looks set to be pretty eventful too… Picture credit: NBC

From calcium to cocoa: A year in nutrition research

Does hoodia work? Could multivitamins do more harm than good? What role does calcium really play in weight management? Find out in our review of the year in nutrition research.

FDA will 'consider whether regulatory action is warranted on DMAA'

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has weighed into the debate over the stimulant DMAA (1,3-Dimethylamylamine, also known as methylhexaneamine or MHA), which has garnered more bad press in recent weeks.

US patent office grants Aker request to re-examine Neptune's patent; Neptune accuses Aker of 'misleading characterization' of prior art

The US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has granted Aker BioMarine's request to re-examine a krill oil patent just awarded to arch rival Neptune Technologies & Bioressources.

News in brief

NPA seeks new boss following departure of John Gay

John Gay has left the Natural Products Association (NPA) after two years at the helm as executive director and chief executive.

Fabricant on NDI draft guidance: Thanks for your 146,000 pages of comments. We’ll get back to you…

Those hoping the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is preparing for a major climb down on its draft guidance on new dietary ingredients (NDIs) will draw little comfort from comments made by the agency's supplements chief yesterday.

Vitamin K2 expert NattoPharma boosts IP platform with Canadian patent

NattoPharma has been awarded a Canadian patent covering the use of menaquinone (vitamin K2) in foods and supplements for maintaining, optimizing, strengthening or promoting cardiovascular health.

Researchers argue vitamin therapy can still reduce stroke

Reducing levels of the amino acid homocysteine through vitamin therapy still has a role to play in reducing stroke, argue researchers.

Plant proteins, ‘pill fatigue’ and ‘abominable’ weight loss ads: A year in supplements…

Could 2012 be the year for canola protein to shine? Will a dietary solution to the ticking time bomb of type 2 diabetes finally make it big in the supplement aisles? And are gummies the solution to ‘pill fatigue’?

ABC: Solvents white paper could help inform NDI debate

An authoritative new guide to 23+solvents used in the production of botanical extracts for dietary ingredients could help inform the debate on ‘chemical alteration’ at the heart of the FDA’s draft guidance on new dietary ingredients (NDIs), says the American Botanical Council (ABC).

Inaccurate media coverage and misguided attempts at regulation? A year in consumer health advocacy …

We’ve spoken to the industry trade associations, but what are the priorities for health advocacy groups claiming to represent consumers’ interests when it comes to dietary supplements?

Soy compounds may boost cancer treatment effectiveness: Mouse study

Oral supplementation with soy isoflavones could help to make radiation treatment of lung cancer tumours more effective while helping to preserve normal tissue, according to new research.

News in brief

Researchers discover ‘normal’ function of vitamin E

Scientists claim to have uncovered the first evidence for one of vitamin E's normal bodily functions.

The agony and the ecstasy: A year in the life of the trade association…

Not surprisingly, the FDA's draft guidance on new dietary ingredients (NDIs) is top of the list for most trade associations when asked what is keeping them awake at night as we head into 2012, but it is not the only thing causing sleepless nights.

Frito-Lay hit with lawsuit on all-natural claims

PepsiCo’s snacks business Frito-Lay has been accused of misleading consumers by making all-natural claims on its products which also contain genetically modified corn and vegetable oils.

USPLabs hit with class action over DMAA in Jack3d and OxyELITE

The regulatory status and safety of DMAA, a stimulant used in sports and weight loss supplements and reported by some to be a natural constituent of geranium oil, has been challenged again this week.

Gut microbe diversity is key in fight against allergies, study suggests

Children with a diverse variety of bacteria in their gut may have better protection against allergies, according to new research.

Folic acid plus B12 shows brain function benefits in older people

Long term supplementation of folic acid and vitamin B12 may promote improvements in brain functioning in older people, according to new research.

Abbott explores brain food with the University of Illinois

Healthcare giant Abbott has announced a tie up with the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign to establish a multi-disciplinary research center exploring the relationship between diet and cognition.

News in brief

Ullman: NDI draft guidance withdrawal unlikely, but industry deserves timely response

While it is possible that the FDA could withdraw its draft guidance on new dietary ingredients (NDIs), such a move would be “highly unusual”, according to one leading food law attorney.

To boldly go: Is microalgae the next big thing in functional ingredients?

Martek’s been doing it for years, right? Well it’s about to get some competition. Because 2012 looks to be the year when microalgae finally hits the big time as a source of functional food ingredients, from long-chain omega-3s to proteins and flours.

Kalahari tribe throws weight at Unilever over hoodia rejection

South Africa’s San people say food giant Unilever was working off inaccurate research data when it decided to bin a €20m investment in hoodia gordonii, the Kalahari cactus the San have used for centuries to curb hunger pangs.

NBTY: Ester-C sales are going from strength to strength

Sales of NBTY’s Ester-C vitamin C supplements surged 18% in the 13 weeks to October 29 within a category that was otherwise pretty flat, bosses have revealed.

Regulatory blues: 2011 in the dock

While a certain draft guidance document on new dietary ingredients (NDIs) has grabbed all of the headlines, it has not been the only issue keeping the sector’s regulatory affairs experts awake at night.

Herbalife: Belgian court judgment contains factual errors

Direct selling giant Herbalife says it will appeal last month’s ruling in a commercial court in Brussels stating it had violated Belgian law on unfair commercial practices.

Schiff Nutrition boss: BOGOs don’t build brands

While BOGO (buy one get one at a discount) offers have their uses, an over reliance on them is not in anyone’s best interests, according to the boss of supplement maker Schiff Nutrition.

Harvard meta-analysis supports benefits of algal DHA omega-3

Algae-derived docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) supplementation may boost levels of HDL (good) cholesterol and cut levels of triglycerides, says the first systematic review and meta-analysis of on lipid levels.

Calcium plus vitamin D may cut body fat levels: RCT data

Daily supplements of calcium plus vitamin D may help slim fat around the waist, according to a new study from Coca-Cola and Massachusetts General Hospital.

Naturex opens Canadian subsidiary in Toronto

French botanical ingredients supplier Naturex has continued its expansion in North America with the opening of a subsidiary in Toronto, Canada.

Raspberry extracts show joint health potential: Rat study

Extracts from red raspberry (Rubus idaeus) may protect cartilage in joints and influence the severity of arthritis, suggest data from a University of Rhode Island study.

Rose hip extract may boost heart health for obese: RCT

Supplemental rose hip extracts may cut blood pressure and cholesterol levels in obese people, says a new study from Sweden and Norway with implications for the heart health market.

New research boosts case for caffeine in sports performance

The addition of caffeine to carbohydrate could help to boost athletes’ performance of skilled tasks in addition to boosting endurance, according to UK researchers.

News in brief

Vitamin Angels gets 5 million vitamin A doses from Ocean Nutrition Canada

Omega-3 giant Ocean Nutrition Canada has donated five million doses of vitamin A to Vitamin Angels, and the company continues its longstanding relationship with the charitable organization.

FTC claims victory in Lane Labs case, but is berated by judge for its “fundamentally unfair” approach

A federal judge has found supplement marketer Lane Labs USA Inc in contempt of a court order barring it from making deceptive health claims, but has also heavily criticized the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC’s) handling of the case.

POLL: How healthy will your profits be in 2012?

With Christmas approaching, NutraIngredients-USA is in reflective mood, so our coverage in the coming days will reflect on the highs and lows of 2011 and try to get a sense of what 2012 might have in store for the dietary supplements sector.

Dispatches from Microbiota 2011

Researchers close in on the ‘black box’ of bacterial vaginosis

Dr Jacques Ravel, one the world’s leading vaginal microbia researchers, says revelations about differing ‘community types’ of vaginal bacteria could drastically improve treatments for the common condition, vaginosis.

Vitafoods targets $4bn South American functional foods market with new event

The organizers of the Vitafoods trade show have announced that the first ever Vitafoods South America show will take place in Sao Paulo, Brazil in March 2012.

Jarrow: FDA's talk of spiked supplements in context of NDI debate is 'highly disingenuous'

Food and Drug Administration (FDA) references to safety concerns over supplements spiked with drugs in the context of the debate on new dietary ingredients (NDIs) are “highly disingenuous”, Jarrow Formulas has argued.

Milne Fruit Products inks deal with Nutrasorb to evaluate bioactive sorption technology

New Jersey-based Nutrasorb LLC has signed a collaboration agreement with Milne Fruit Products to evaluate the company’s bioactive sorption technology.

Vitamin D may slash pancreatic cancer risk: Harvard study

Increased blood levels of vitamin D may decrease the risk of developing pancreatic cancer by an impressive 30%, according to a new Harvard-led study.

Ready to launch! Horn installs kit to fill and seal blast caps

Ingredients distributor Horn is installing equipment at its Nutri Granulations facility in La Mirada, California, to fill and seal ‘blast caps’, a dosing technology enabling consumers to add vitamins and other bioactives to beverages at the point of consumption.

News in brief

NPA sets March 27 Day for 15th Annual Natural Products Day in D.C.

Members of the Natural Products Association (NPA) will take to Capitol Hill on March 27, 2012 to meet members of Congress, as NPA takes its annual Natural Products Day into its 15th year.

Algal genetic optimization breakthrough could boost omega-3 offerings

A breakthrough in the genetic optimization of algae could expand the supply of omega-3 fatty acids, according to newly published research from UC Berkeley and Aurora Algae.

News in brief

UNPA webinar to explore NDIs ‘what now?’ with FDA

The United Natural Products Alliance (UNPA) will host a webinar on Wednesday December 21 with FDA’s Daniel Fabricant, PhD, to discuss the 7,000+ comments filed on the new dietary ingredients (NDI) draft guidance.

New research suggests top-selling brain supplement does what it says on the tin

New, as yet unpublished, research on top-selling cognitive function supplement FOCUSfactor suggests it could improve memory, concentration, and focus in healthy adults.

Grapefruit compound may boost diabetic kidney health

Supplementing the diet with naringenin, a compound from grapefruit, may reduce markers of inflammation and boost kidney health in diabetics, suggests data from a study with mice.

Neptune to double krill oil production capacity by next fall

Canadian krill oil firm Neptune Technologies & Bioressources has begun the first phase of an expansion project at its facility in Sherbrooke, Québec that will see production double to 300,000kg of Neptune Krill Oil (NKO) per year.

Fish rich diet may protect young women from heart disease, study suggests

Consumption of omega-3 rich fish may help to protect young women of child bearing age from risk of heart disease, according to new research.

Comment

Lobbyists, start your engines: Can a new health claims formula be won in the European Parliament?

Five years ago the European Union nutrition and health claims regulation (NHCR) became law. Around the bloc, hopeful EU healthy foods and supplements stakeholders submitted more than 44,000 health claim applications.

Broccoli supplements: Could be better but still effective?

Recent studies have questioned the ability of broccoli supplements to deliver potential cancer-preventing compounds, but the situation may not be so clear cut, and the supplements are not ineffective, according to industry experts.

Probiotics may boost immune health markers for smokers: Study

Daily supplements of the probiotic Lactobacillus casei Shirota strain may boost activity of key immune cells in smokers, says a new study.

Sachets, dissolvable strips and vitamin gum: Which new delivery formats have legs? Part II

Sprinkle and go? Manufacturers are seeking ever more appealing ways of delivering a meaningful dose of what’s good for us without making us pop pills. But which novel delivery formats for dietary supplements have staying power?

NDI draft guidance comments

Lawyer: NDI draft guidance raises ‘significant intellectual property issues’

Requiring supplement manufacturers to submit new dietary ingredient (NDI) notifications will force them to seek confidential information from suppliers in order to file submissions, according to law firm Amin Talati.

Calcium chews, omega-3 gummies and sports beans. Which new delivery formats have legs? Part I

While consumers are constantly urged to boost their omega-3 intakes, not everyone wants to tuck into a plate of oily fish twice a week to get the benefits.

NDI comments review: Industry urges FDA back to the drawing board

One week on from the deadline for submission of comments on the FDA’s new dietary ingredients (NDI) draft guidance, we review the comments.

NDI draft guidance comments

IPA: We do not see NDI draft guidance as 'death sentence' for probiotics industry

The only probiotics that should be subject to new dietary ingredient (NDI) notifications should be “new probiotics derived from GM engineering which have little to no history of safe use”, according to the International Probiotics Association (IPA).

Acai compound shows potent anti-inflammatory activity: Study

The potential heart health benefits of acai and its extracts may be linked to the potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity of a compound called velutin, new research suggests.

Krill oil shows colitis potential: Rat study

A diet supplemented with krill oil helps to improve the markers of colitis and IBD in a rat model of the disease, say researchers.

Green tea extract may protect against muscle damage from exercise

An extract from green tea may protect the muscles from exercise-induced damage, according to a new study from Poland.

Infiniti Marketing Group: ‘We are NOT the firm targeted by FDA in ephedrine seizure’

A California-based company with the same name as a firm targeted by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in a crackdown on adrenaline-like stimulants says it has been inundated with calls from confused customers, although it has nothing to do with the FDA enforcement action.

Men may benefit from omega-3 EPA more than women: Study

Daily supplements of the omega-3 fatty acid EPA may benefit men more than women in terms of their stroke or heart attack risk linked to blood clots, suggests new data from Australia.

New soy ingredient could re-invigorate cardio foods market, predicts Scoular

A soy-based ingredient packing four times the nutritional punch of standard soy protein isolate could reinvigorate the cardiovascular functional food market, according to bosses at agri-food giant The Scoular Company.

Novel extraction method should not trigger automatic NDI notification, says USP

Botanical extracts that have been on the market for years should not automatically be treated as new dietary ingredients (NDIs) just because extraction methods have changed, according to the United States Pharmacopeia (USP).

Dietary antioxidants may reduce stroke risk in women: Study

Increasing the intake of antioxidants in the diet is associated with a reduced risk of stroke in women, according to new research.

US Marshals seize ephedrine-containing raw materials for supplements

The FDA claims US Marshals have seized $70,000 worth of raw materials for dietary supplements containing ephedrine alkaloids, as enforcement action in the dietary supplement industry continues.

Pine bark extract shows brain health benefits: Study

Daily supplements of a French maritime pine bark extract may enhance mental performance, according to a new study with Italian university students.

NDI Draft Guidance Comments

Trade associations united in calls for ‘substantial overhaul’ of NDI draft guidance

The five main trade associations for the dietary supplements industry are united in their calls for a ‘timely’ and ‘substantial overhaul’ of the draft guidance, according to a joint statement.

Ocean Spray: ‘We’ve always said POM’s claims had no merit’

POM Wonderful has failed to convince a federal jury that Ocean Spray Cranberries misled shoppers and deprived POM of potential sales by selling a pomegranate juice product containing only 2% pomegranate juice.

Syntec hopes for 'swift resolution' with FDA post supplement seizure

Syntec Inc (Syntec Nutraceuticals) says it is “fully co-operating” with the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) after supplements made at its facility in Wisconsin were seized following allegations of serious cGMP violations and unauthorized disease claims.

Low vitamin D status may be associated with diabetes development

Obese children with low levels of vitamin D may be at higher risks of developing risk factors associated with diabetes such as insulin resistance, according to new research.

NDI Draft Guidance Comments in brief

Atrium Innovations on NDIs: The system isn’t broken, so why fix it?

The FDA’s NDI draft guidance sets up a ‘substantial and unprecedented premarket regulatory process’ that is ‘tantamount to obtaining FDA approval for dietary supplement products’, says Atrium Innovations.

NDI Draft Guidance Comments

UNPA: NDI draft guidance is ‘needlessly burdensome’ & does not advance overall safety of dietary supplements

The new dietary ingredient (NDI) draft guidance, as it stands, will not help achieve the objective of full and efficient implementation and enforcement of DSHEA, says the United Natural Products Alliance (UNPA), as it adds its voice to calls for FDA to withdraw the document.

Strawberry extracts show heart benefits in obese people

Daily supplements of strawberry powder may improve heart health measures in obese people, suggest results of a new pilot study from the USDA and the University of California, Davis.

NDI draft guidance comments

ANH-USA: 'Unworkable and irrational’ NDI guidance is rulemaking by the backdoor

Health advocacy group the Alliance for Natural Health USA (ANH-USA) is exploring all available “legal remedies” should the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) fail to ditch or substantially revise its draft guidance on new dietary ingredients (NDIs).

NDI draft guidance comments

FDA history of safe use definition is ‘arbitrary and unfounded’, says pre/probiotics group

The International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP) has urged the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to rethink its approach to live microbial dietary ingredients.

NDI draft guidance comments

Citizens for Health NDI guidance withdrawal petition signatures approach 15,000

Health advocacy group Citizens for Health (CFH) has delivered a petition to the House of Representatives, the Senate and the Food and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) signed by more than 12,000 Americans, calling on the FDA to withdraw its draft guidance on new dietary ingredients (NDIs).

NDI draft guidance comments

AHPA to FDA: Tear up NDI draft guidance and start again

The Food and Drug Administration should tear up its “hugely flawed” draft guidance on new dietary ingredient (NDI) notifications and go back to the drawing board, according to the American Herbal Products Association (AHPA).

Syntec supplements seized over unauthorized disease claims and serious cGMP violations

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says it had no choice but to seize supplements manufactured by Syntec Inc (Syntec Nutraceuticals) after the firm committed serious cGMP violations and ignored warning letters accusing it of making unauthorized disease claims.

NDI draft guidance comments

ABC: Expert panel should clarify list of grandfathered dietary ingredients

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) should recognize the existing industry list of ‘grandfathered’ or ‘old’ dietary ingredients (ODIs) sold in the US pre-1994 – but work with an expert panel to clarify its contents, according to the American Botanical Council (ABC).

FTC ups the ante in crackdown vs bogus acai weight loss claims

The Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC’s) crackdown against firms making bogus weight loss claims about açai supplements has stepped up a gear.

News in brief

Codex forms online nutrient reference group

International supplement companies are welcoming the establishment of a Codex group to debate nutrient reference values (NRCs) around 28 individual nutrients.

NDI draft guidance comments

CRN on NDI draft guidance: ‘A choir has many voices but we’re all singing the same song ‘

There will be differences in emphasis in comments submitted to the FDA on its draft guidance on new dietary ingredients (NDIs), but the overall message from the supplements industry is clear - and consistent - says the Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN).

Polyphenols in apple peel show colitis potential: Mouse study

Oral ingestion of antioxidant polyphenols from apple peels have been shown to suppress inflammatory immune responses that may prevent colitis, according to new research in mice.

November in pictures: Krill wars, weight crystals, DMAA and mood-enhancing multivitamins

It’s been an eventful month in the dietary supplements trade, with the FDA provoking more wrath over its new take on phytosterol health claims but garnering praise for its tough stance on GMP compliance. Meanwhile krill oil rivals Neptune and Aker Biomarine continued to trade insults and GNC and NBTY considered the future of sports nutrition.

Quercetin heart benefits may be linked to genes: Study

Daily supplements of the polyphenol quercetin may boost levels of good cholesterol and decrease blood pressure, but benefits for waist size may be linked to our genetics, says a new study from Germany.

Krill oil specialist Neptune predicts 17-22% rise in Q3 revenues

Bosses at Canadian krill oil firm Neptune Technologies & Bioressources are confident that third quarter revenues (three months to Nov 30) will be in the $5m to $5.25m range compared with $4.29m in the same period last year, representing a 17-22% rise.

NJ supplement companies hit with $1 million fines, owners get 'stiff' prison sentence

The owner of two New Jersey-based dietary supplement companies guilty of criminal contempt of court relating to GMP violations has been sentenced to prison for 40 months.

Probiotic ice cream shows oral health potential: Study

Eating ice cream containing probiotic strains may reduce levels of the bacteria in the mouth responsible for tooth decay, says a new study from India.

PhytoTrade Africa gets cash injection to fund US market research into baobab

PhytoTrade Africa has secured a $100,000 cash injection from the USAID Southern Africa Trade Hub to help develop a US market strategy for baobab – the African superfruit packing an unparalleled nutritional punch.

NDI draft guidance comments

NPA to FDA: Ditch product-specific notifications and accept our grandfathered lists … and NDI guidance could be salvaged

The Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA’s) draft guidance on new dietary ingredients (NDIs) can be salvaged, but only if the agency is willing to substantially rewrite the offending document, the Natural Products Association (NPA) has argued.