Among the trends analyst Mintel has forecast for 2008, tap water,
faux genomics and sustainability are most likely to affect the
dietary supplement industry.
Enzymotec has said it can produce a 99 per cent pure form of its
brain health nutrient phosphatidylserine (PS), which will make the
product more attractive to manufacturers.
Stevia, the natural sweetener causing a whirlwind of interest
around the globe, could also be a rich source of antioxidants and
may protect against DNA damage and cancer, says a study from India
published yesterday.
The gut health of elderly people is positively changed by
xylooligosaccharides, found in bamboo shoots, fruit, vegetables and
honey, and was more efficient than fructooligosaccharides and
inulin, Taiwanese researchers report.
Campina has announced its intention to acquire Satro from Germany's
Humana Milchunion, to boost growth in value-added ingredients and
make it stronger in the face of price issues.
Nutricia has teamed up with child obesity group Mend in the UK to
help improve the health of toddlers and boost infant diet by
educating parents, but the move has been criticised as a conflict
of interests.
Debate has been stirred in the UK over a future that could see GM
foods on supermarket shelves, as the government's outgoing chief
scientific advisor said he believes GM food to be safer than
convention food.
Multivitamins and minerals could reduce appetite in women on a
weight reduction regime, while lower body weight and fat mass was
more obvious in men, says new research from Canada.
As the holiday season nears and industry members begin thinking
about how to give back, Nourish America is launching its 1,000 for
$1,000 campaign to improving the health of Americans in need.
An algae extract from fucus vesiculosus aimed at reducing
the hardening of arteries, which can lead to cardiovascular
disease, has been launched by Diana Naturals.
A food industry initiative launched this year is promoting one
standard, easily recognisable symbol to aid identification of
healthy foods across the world and encourage manufacturers to
reformulate products along healthier lines.
It all started with a trip to Greenland in 1970. Three Danes, a couple of dogsleds, and several years of study later and the omega-3 was born. Since then, awareness and understanding of marine omega-3 has sky-rocketed.
Lonza has extended the reach of its Fiberaid prebiotic into the US
market with the signing of distribution deals with partners the
E.T. Horn Company and Del-val Food Ingredients.
Food and beverage processors will be fighting it out for an
increasingly dwindling supply of grains sourced at ever higher
prices, ING Group warned in a new forecast report for the sector.
France's Naturex is launching an extract from the fraxinus
excelsior seed, known as the common ash tree, and has been
linked to having a positive effect on weight loss.
Scientists have linked what has become the brain health staple of
the supplement industry - the omega-3 fatty acid DHA - to yet
another application, this one for Parkinson's disease.
Teaming-up genistein from soy and resveratrol from grapes enhances
the anti-obesity effects of the individual compounds, reports new
research from the University of Georgia.
Nestlé Research Center has joined a team of top companies and
science institutes which will let it take advantage of new
discoveries made in the field of genomics.
An iron fortification technique developed by LycoRed will help
beverage manufactures add the important mineral without interfering
with taste and colour, the company said.
Sales in the UK food ingredients industry are falling on average as
a result of increased competition, both domestically and
internationally, according to a new market report by analysts
Plimsoll.
Danish Chr Hansen recently launched a cranberry ingredient for
functional foods that could further increase the role of the berry
beyond juice and dietary supplements.
Farming selected species of marine algae could provide an
economical, non-conventional source of iron to help boost intakes
around the globe, suggests a new study from Venezuela.
A big handful of almonds every day could boost the antioxidant
defences of smokers, a group at risk of low antioxidant levels due
to higher oxidative stress, by up to 35 per cent, says a joint
Chinese-US study.
New research has linked oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPCs) from
grape seeds to preventing the LDL cholesterol oxidation that can
lead to atherosclerosis.
An American court has confirmed Atrium Innovation's exclusive US
rights to the supplement WobenzymN, which the company has indicated
could hold considerable commercial potential in the country.
Aloe vera research and development specialist Aloecorp has
announced a series of moves designed to meet demand for the
ingredient as well as bolster further research.
The health benefits of curcumin, the natural pigment that gives the
spice turmeric its yellow colour, could be enhanced by
encapsulation in nano-emulsions, suggests new research.
Moderate deficiency of folate, riboflavin, and vitamins B6 and B12
together may promote the risk of DNA damage and increase the risk
of colorectal cancers, suggests a new study with mice.
Regulations concerning the addition of inulin, fructo
oligosaccharides (FOS) and galacto oligosaccharides (GOS) to foods,
both as a nutritive substance and as a sweetener, are being
considered in Australia and New Zealand.
Israel's LycoRed is continuing its global expansion with the
announcement of an agreement with BTSA, Spain to enable penetration
of Spain and Portugal's food and beverage fortification markets.
Friesland Foods Domo and Novasep Process aim to accelerate
production times while developing purification technologies and
reducing cost for the functional foods and dairy markets through
their new partnership.
Extracts from French maritime pine bark may reduce the pain and
stiffness associated with arthritis of the knee by about 40 per
cent, suggests a new international study.
Extracts from the bark of the magnolia plant formulated in mints
and gums can effectively tackle dental bacteria, suggests a new
study from the Wm Wrigley Jr. company.
DSM Nutritional Product has released specifics on its price
increases for vitamin E, which have resulted from the rising cost
of raw materials, energy and transportation.
According to a report from Reuters, French dairy giant Danone
is drawing new yoghurt consumers to the prebiotic category since it
launched its probiotic products this side of the ocean.
Antioxidant testing of nutrients has taken a leap forward as
Cornell University scientists report a new assay that moves the
quantification of antioxidant activity from the test tube to
measuring bioactivity inside cells.
The patent community breathed a collective sigh of relief on
October 31 when the US District Court for the Eastern District of
Virginia granted a preliminary injunction blocking the US Patent
Office's Claims and Continuations...
The whey protein industry looks set to profit from the functional
beverage trend as manufacturers say they have seen a surge in
demand for their ingredients.
Neotame has moved a step closer to being approved for use in the
European Union as a sweetener and flavour enhancer, following a
positive safety opinion from EFSA.
Yesterday's landmark decision by the European Court of Justice,
ruling Germany failed to fulfil its obligations concerning the free
movement of goods by refusing to import garlic extract powder
capsules, has paved the way for...
