The FDA has confirmed the qualified health claim linking whole
grain barley to a reduced risk of coronary heart disease, which
could help raise awareness of the grain amongst heart
health-conscious consumers.
Heart health is a preoccupation of almost half of adult Americans,
according to data from the Natural Marketing Institute that flags
up the considerable opportunities for healthy and functional
food-makers.
Cholesterol-lowering plant sterols look set to appear in more
product categories in Europe, since the EC Commission has given the
green-light for their use in dietary supplements and rye breads.
The ability of the waxy sugar-cane extract, policosanol, to reduce
LDL-cholesterol levels have been called into doubt by a new
clinical trial, but a poor delivery system undermines the studies'
conclusions, says industry.
Following a decision in its first quarter to withdraw from supply
of non-branded phytosterol, Forbes Medi-Tech has revealed a
projected revenue cut of up to two-thirds for 2006, but has
nonetheless posted modest year-to-date profits.
Malaysian authorities have given their stamp of approval for food
manufacturers to use soy protein heart claims in labeling following
petitioning by The Solae Company - news that will further the
company's goal to penetrate Asian...
Cognis has announced its first move in the competitive omega-3
market with the acquisition of Norwegian fish oil concentrate
supplier Napro Pharma, and is developing new solutions to aid its
use in foods.
Israeli ingredients firm Frutarom is to supply Salvia seed oil, a
potent source of the omega-3 fatty acid alpha linoleic acid,
following a marketing and distribution agreement with compatriot
Magnetica Interactive.
People with more magnesium and less copper in their blood could
reduce their risk of death from cancer by as much as 50 per cent,
says a new study from France.
The evidence that green tea could benefit heart health are
"supportive" but not "conclusive", said the FDA, leaving the door
open to backing such health claims in the future.
Florida-based Valensa International used the Vitafoods expo in
Geneva to introduce industry to its new nanodispersed policosanol,
that is said to increase its functionality when used in a range of
supplements or functional foods.
Over a quarter of a million coronary heart disease events could be
avoided by replacing trans-fats in foods, says a new review - calls
that have been welcomed by a leading trans fat-free producer.
Raisio has reported a set of Q1 results that once again relies
heavy on its powerhouse Benecol brand, and which echoes the drop
off in performance seen at the end of 2005.
Canada-based Neptune Technologies has announced results from a
clinical trial that reports a daily dose of its krill oil can lower
bad cholesterol levels by 34 per cent and boost good cholesterol by
44 per cent.
The commonly used spice cinnamon could lower blood pressure in
hypertensive people, researchers report for the first time, results
that have been heralded by industry.
Postmenopausal women are not inclined to recognise functional foods
as a viable means of reducing risk of heart disease, finds a survey
that could inform marketing efforts aimed at this important
consumer group.
Ocean Nutrition Canada has secured an Excellent Source Nutrient
Content Claim for combined EPA/DHA ingredients, giving food
manufacturers an additional tool with which to market their
products.
A new €5.2m, five-year study aims to clarify the unknowns of
lycopene availability from tomatoes, and boost public awareness and
Europe's tomato industry in the process.
Canadian-based essential-fatty acid (EFA) specialist Bioriginal is
introducing a new service to help companies develop clear and
accurate labeling for essential fatty acids that meets regulatory
requirements.
Nestle Nutrition may develop products for metabolic syndrome using
Phospha E, an advanced form of vitamin E that has shown promise in
protecting against and alleviating the condition in animal trials.
Firmenich is unveiling the first innovation to come out of its
newly formed nutrition and health unit - Duralife Omega 3, which
uses microencapsulation technology to overcome stability issues of
working with the healthful ingredient.
Long-term heavy coffee drinking does not increase the risk of
coronary heart disease (CHD) say Harvard researchers, results that
also have positive implications for the stimulant drink industry.
A Mediterranean-style diet, rich in olive oil, fresh vegetables and
vitamin E, could reduce the risk of obstructions in blood vessels
in the elderly, says Italian research.
PL Thomas (PLT) is introducing NattoPharma's soy-derived natural
vitamin K2 in the US, with which it hopes to generate awareness of
the vitamin amongst industry and consumers.
Provexis has suffered a set-back in the distribution of its Sirco
heart health juice, with UK retailer Sainsbury's ditching it as
part of a chilled juice reorganisation.
Most adults should include soy products in their diet, says a new
white paper that reviews literature and studies investigating the
health benefits they may confer.
Plant sterol (PS)-enriched yoghurts better lower cholesterol levels
when consumed at mealtimes than between meals, regardless of the
fat content of the drink, says research from Unilever.
The Whole Grain Stamp program is evolving to give the number of
grams of whole grain ingredients in a serving, an initiative that
will help consumers keep track of their consumption.
Irish biotech firm Alltracel is moving closer to taking its
cellulose fibre bioactive into functional foods, and is currently
in discussions with companies in the EU, US and Japan about
commercialisation.
The benefits of broccoli have been showing up on consumers' health
radar screens recently, and now they will be able to buy CS
Health's Vitalica supplements from retail outlets in the US
following a distribution agreement...
The solid waste from carrot juice production is rich in insoluble
fiber, could reduce cholesterol levels, and should be exploited as
a functional ingredient, say Taiwanese researchers.
The European inventors of a process for deriving higher yields of
DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) from microalgae have licensed the patent
to Advanced BioNutrition - a deal that could ultimately impact the
human nutrition market for DHA.
Boots has become the second UK company to withdraw fish oil
supplements from the market due to excessive dioxin levels in less
than a month, but companies and the authorities reassure consumers
that the products pose no threat to...
Blueberries could strengthen blood vessels against oxidative stress
that may lead to heart disease, says new research - news that could
boost already impressive sales.
On the back of increased demand for its stabilized rice bran
product, California-based NutraCea has announced it is to double
capacity at its Dillon, Montana plant, revising its previously
announced decision to increase capacity by...
Raisio is gearing up to launch its Benecol brand of plant-stanol
containing foods in Russia - a challenging market where obesity and
cardiovascular disease levels are high but awareness of the dangers
of high cholesterol is low.
Snacking on bars containing plant sterols and glucomannan could
improve cholesterol levels of both diabetic and non-diabetics, but
had no effect on glucose control, reports a Canadian study.
A high-dose vitamin D supplement inhibit pro-inflammatory and boost
anti-inflammatory molecules and could help people with heart
failure, says a German clinical trial.
People who eat a diet high in fibre have significantly lower levels
of a protein that is associated with inflammation, diabetes and
heart disease, say scientists, giving yet more support for
high-fibre diets.
Leatherhead Food International is offering a new analysis service
to help food manufacturers develop products with added omega-3 and
to aid quality control.
Italian researchers have reported that a daily glass of tomato
juice could lower markers for inflammation by over 30 per cent, but
has no effect on the immune system, adding to the debate as to
whether carotenoids can boost immune...
KGK Synergize has a full pipeline of new nutraceutical products,
and is seeking additional growth capital of between C$7 and $10m to
bring them to market over the coming years.
Spain's Natraceutical Group has developed a new alkalization
process to make its soluble cocoa fiber suitable for use in
functional milk products, an area it has identified as offering
strong opportunities in the functional sector.
Forbes Medi-Tech is expecting future growth for its branded
nutraceutical business to be borne of its milestone deal with
leading UK retailer Tesco, yet is philosophical that it will
continue reporting losses until one of its ventures...
The global population is getting older—according to WHO by 2050 the world’s population over 60 years will double and the population above 80 years will...
According to Grandview Research, the global omega-3 market is a $2.62 billion market and is one of the fastest-growing segments in the dietary supplement...