The sales decline continues for herbal and vitamin maker Nature's
Sunshine, with challenging international and domestic market
conditions still held responsible.
An updated version of the Agricultural Research Service's flagship
nutrient database was launched yesterday, aiming to become the most
authoritative source of food composition in the United States.
The Canadian government took a further step towards reducing the
risk of Canadians becoming exposed to the agent that may transmit
BSE with new rules that prevent specified risk material (SRM) from
entering the human food supply.
One century on and millions of ice cream tubs later the US 'food
police' are out in force calling on ice cream retailers to tell the
full story about saturated fat and calorific content.
The United States Pharmacopeia (USP) has published three new
lycopene-based monographs, reflecting the rapid growth in
supplement products containing the antioxidant.
Cognis Nutrition and Health is launching a nationwide publicity
campaign, in the form of a video news release, to directly promote
its Tonalin CLA product to consumers.
Virgo Publishing has revealed details of the expanded Education
Program to be offered at SupplySide West in October. Features are
to include talks from various well-reputed researchers, top
government officials and industry leaders.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has finalised its rule
expanding the sources of oat beta-glucan soluble fiber that can
carry the health claim for lower risk of heart disease. But adding
the fiber to processed foods seems to...
Anemia, a condition caused by vitamin and mineral deficiency,
doubles the risk of serious physical decline in the elderly,
according to a new study. The researchers do not yet know if
vitamin supplements could prevent elderly disability...
Increasing the intake of soy isoflavones may have little effect on
either LDL or HDL cholesterol, concludes a review by Dutch
researchers, while a Chilean team finds that soy protein can
improve endothelial function despite producing...
The Balance Bar brand has added three new sweet-tasting flavors to
its nutrition bar range, including a chocolate cookie dough flavor,
which it claims remains a healthy snack food.
US firm Technology Flavors & Fragrances continues to falter in
2003 with a 70 per cent decrease in net income for the second
quarter, a decrease in net sales of 5.7 per cent and rising
operating costs.
An outright ban on ephedra looks likely after last week's hearing
on the weight-loss herb but the momentum created by the case could
also sweep along with it changes to regulation affecting the whole
industry.
Researchers in Japan report that low dose supplements of the
hormone DHEA may improve the health of arteries as well as insulin
sensitivity in middle-aged men with raised cholesterol, reducing
their risk of developing heart disease.
By all accounts, the new European proposals on nutrition and health
claims have provoked a mixed reaction across the board. Raymond
O'Rourke, a food lawyer at Mason Hayes & Curran, Solicitors in
Dublin shares his opinion...
Dairy protein distributor Euro Proteins is to launch Armor
Proteins' whey protein isolate Vitalarmor LFX 100 in the US. The
product is said to differ from others on the market due to its
extraction process and 'built-in'...
Abbot Laboratories has paved the way for rapid company expansion in
the weight control and healthy living categories following an
agreement to acquire nutrition bar company ZonePerfect Nutrition.
Natural chemicals released in the body as a result of chronic
inflammation may underpin the failure of low-fat, so-called heart
healthy diets to actually reduce cholesterol and heart disease risk
in some people, suggest results of...
Executives from global food and drink firms, under increasing
pressure to improve the nutritional value of their products,
continued talks on their role in global health at a WHO meeting
last week.
The Council for Responsible Nutrition Annual Conference on Dietary
Supplements, taking place in September, aims to focus on future
challenges concerning the industry.
Edible vegetable and fruit wraps, among the latest developments
from modern chemistry, look set to keep lunches fresher longer and
be substituted for some non-biodegradable wraps, says the creator,
food chemist Tara McHugh.
German scientists claim to have developed a new technique
facilitating the identification of useful and even unknown
ingredients in natural plant extracts.
By all accounts DSM presented a less than rosy set of second
quarterly figures this week with sales and operating profit figures
both plummeting. The company predicts a further downward trend in
the third quarter but should rebound...
The €435 billion US food industry has welcomed a move by the Bush
administration to inject more cash into food security. "Both
Secretary Thompson and FDA Commissioner McClellan emphasised that
the focus of this new food security...
The actual feasibility of linking consumption data to health
outcomes came to light this week following investigations into the
buying and eating of novel - to include genetically modified -
foods.
American Casein Company (AMCO), a manufacturer of milk protein
isolates, has reported a significant increase in demand for its
milk protein isolate (CMP-221) in recent months.
Endomatrix, developer of a patented Endothelial Dysfunction Therapy
(EDT) focused on treating the root cause of cardiovascular disease,
has announced the signing of agreements for Capsugel to both
develop and subsequently manufacture...
A green algae supplement has been shown to boost the immune
system's response to the flu vaccine in people aged 50-55 years
old, although the findings, published in the Canadian Medical
Association Journal, were not consistent...
Agribusiness giant ADM will dissolve a joint venture with US corn
sweetener company after the two companies stuck an agreement under
the auspices of a federal judge, reports the Washington
Post.
Maker of reduced-carbohydrate products Carbsense Foods has launched
two new brands, Aramana and MiniCarb, one aimed at healthy eaters,
the other at strict Atkin's dieters.
US food manufacturers this week spoke out against new European
rules on the labelling and traceability of GMOs, describing the
legislation as "a brick wall blocking international trade".
Nutritional supplement maker NBTY saw overall sales increase 22 per
cent to $308 million in this year's third quarter, helped by new
product introductions at Nature's Bounty and stronger sales in all
other units.
Mandatory addition of folic acid to cereals and grains in the US
may be dangerously concealing vitamin B12 deficiency in the
elderly, said a scientist this week. B12 is needed to protect
against deterioration of brain cells.
The House Committee on Energy and Commerce opens a two-day hearing
on ephedra today, likely to attract considerable scrutiny of
supplement industry regulation. Prior to the start, the media had
already reported on leaked testimonies...
Martek Biosciences is to pay around $10 million for the assets of
contract fermentation business FermPro Manufacturing. The FermPro
facility will be used to produce extra quantities of its
microalgae-derived DHA and ARA fatty acids.
Nutiva, a Northern California manufacturer of hemp food products,
has announced the availability of its latest innovation, Organic
Hemp Protein Powder.
Intake of omega-3 fatty acids, known to boost cognition and mood,
could also significantly reduce the chances of developing
Alzheimer's disease, said researchers this week.
A new study finds that eating a dietary plan high in soy protein,
viscous fibre, almonds and plant sterols is as effective in
managing cholesterol as taking a starting dose of
cholesterol-lowering drugs.
Scientists across the globe continue their mission to map the
genomic sequence of crop varieties. A team in the US could now have
the solution to a rogue fungus that is the enemy of beer brewers.
Archer Daniels Midland has launched a NovaLipid zero and reduced
trans-fat oils and shortenings range for use in confectionery,
snack and cereal products.
Athletes should be warned against drinking too much water, or other
sports drinks, during exercise, writes a sports medicine expert in
this week's BMJ, prompting swift reaction from sports drink
maker Gatorade.
Direct-selling firm Unicity Network has been bought out by a group
of its management executives from parent company Netherlands-based
Numico. Financial terms of the sale were not disclosed.
Eating in between mealtimes is fundamentally ingrained in
Europeans' eating habits, claims a new report that encourages
manufacturers to concentrate on healthy snacks and meal-snack
'hybrids' to meet the needs of this...
