Dosage forms & delivery formats

Patent watch

Abbott Labs files patent for ‘better tasting’ nutritional powders

09-Jun-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Abbott Laboratories has filed an international patent for a process it says allows it to produce better-tasting powders with improved nutrient content.

Naturex makes play for natural sports nutrition consumer

29-May-2015 By Niamh Michail

Boosted by botanicals, Naturex's WinDrink range targets a new breed of consumer who is interested in sports nutrition but wary of complex, synthetic ingredients. 

Prebiotics bring infant formula closer to ‘golden standard’ of breast milk: Review

27-May-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

There is growing evidence of the health benefits of adding prebiotics to infant formula, according to a review from Belgian and Russian researchers.

Euromonitor runs rule over recent nutraceutical award winners

25-May-2015 By Simone Baroke

Market analyst Euromonitor International dissects recent NutraIngredients Awards winners to provide category perspective from sustainable omega-3 to healthy ageing in this guest article.

Neglected female microbiota research a ‘disgrace’; congress lights issues

22-May-2015 By Shane STARLING

Better Lactobacilli genetic screening, biomarker development, better pregnancy support and better engagement with health professionals were just a few of many actions proposed to improved women’s health at a recent Amsterdam congress focused on the female...

Is the $35 billion figure for the dietary supplements industry over-inflated?

21-May-2015 By Stephen Daniells

The US dietary supplements industry is only worth about $12 billion, according to Dr Kurt Jetta, CEO and founder of the TABS Group.

HBO report links Hatch to military deaths associated with DMAA via his sponsorship of DSHEA

20-May-2015 By Hank Schultz

An HBO Real Sports segment about dietary supplement use in the US military implied that Sen. Orrin Hatch was complicit in the deaths of several US soldiers who collapsed with the banned ingredient DMAA in their systems. 

InterHealth expands branded ingredient range with acquisition of Next Pharmaceuticals

14-May-2015 By Hank Schultz

InterHealth Nutraceuticals has acquired the assets of Next Pharmaceuticals, including the well-known branded ingredients Relora and Sytrionol, the company announced this week.

FTC seeks injunction against weight loss supplement marketer over false claims, fraudulent 'risk free' offer

14-May-2015 By Hank Schultz

The Federal Trade Commission, alleging false advertising, is seeking a permanent injunction to prevent Lunada Biomedical Inc. from claiming that its dietary supplement Amberen causes substantial weight loss.

Link of green tea extracts to liver injury raises age old question: How much of a good thing is too much?

12-May-2015 By Hank Schultz

Botanical ingredient experts are not surprised by a recent report on the association of green tea extracts with liver toxicity. It’s consistent with recent literature and could serve as a warning sign of the potential dangers lurking in the pharmaceutical-style,...

Dispatches from Vitafoods Europe 2015

Frutarom backs Peruvian berry in beverages

12-May-2015 By Shane STARLING

Inca berry, cape gooseberry, golden berry. It has many monikers but one primary Andean source in Peru and Swiss supplier Frutarom was promoting it at Vitafoods Europe last week.

Dispatches from Vitafoods Europe 2015

Indena refines Boswellia bioavailability; shifts compound focus

11-May-2015 By Shane STARLING

Italian botanicals giant Indena has debuted a version of the Indian Ayurvedic herbal extract Boswellia serrata it says offers boosted bioavailability via a lecithin delivery system.

High doses of green tea extract linked to liver damage in research

08-May-2015 By Elizabeth Crawford

Mounting evidence suggests high doses of green tea extract, a popular ingredient in weight loss and body building supplements, could cause liver damage, although low and moderate doses appear safe.

Ex-IPA chief takes business development role at US firm

28-Apr-2015 By Shane STARLING

Ex-International Probiotics Association (IPA) director general Ioannis Misopoulos has taken a business development role at Michigan-based probiotics manufacturer, Daily Body Restore.

Dispatches from the International Yakult Symposium

No health claims but probiotics remain on medical agenda

27-Apr-2015 By Shane Starling from Berlin

Probiotics are yet to win a health claim in the European Union but they continue to receive backing by various bodies for gastrointestinal issues like diarrhoea.

Fish-liver oil when younger may reduce heart disease risk when older

27-Apr-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Consuming fish-liver oil three times weekly in adolescence or midlife may reduce a woman’s chances of coronary heart disease later in life, say Icelandic researchers.

Special Edition: View from the aisles: The retailers' perspective

NYAG affair may ultimately serve to reinforce smaller retailers' quality message, execs say

23-Apr-2015 By Hank Schultz

The actions of the New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman have yet to filter down in a big way to the kind of questions retailers are getting from their customers on supplements. But business executives contacted by NutraIngredients-USA said that...

BSCG offers expanded testing suite that looks for almost 400 drugs that have been found in supplements

22-Apr-2015 By Hank Schultz

In this new era when the quality of dietary supplements has been called onto the carpet in the mainstream media, a San Diego-based testing firm believes it has a solution.  The Banned Substances Control Group now offers an expanded testing suite that...

Taiyo carves out niche in natural caffeine market with slow-release whole green coffee bean ingredient

20-Apr-2015 By Hank Schultz

It’s been 10 years and more since ephedra was taken off the market and in that time the importance of caffeine as an energy and thermogenic ingredient has grown significantly.  Suppliers are competing to offer forms the compound that offer interesting...

BMPEA proponent Hi-Tech Pharmaceuticals expands with acquisition of Mexican company

17-Apr-2015 By Hank Schultz

Hi-Tech Pharmaceuticals, a controversial Georgia-based dietary supplement finished products and contract manufacturer, has announced plans to acquire a major Mexican dietary supplement and OTC drug manufacturer, the company announced this week. Hi-Tech...

Sodium pills neither help nor hinder athletes: Research

14-Apr-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

High-dose sodium supplements do not impact temperature regulation, heart rate, or performance in endurance athletes, say researchers.

Chinese suppliers angling to snare bigger share of natural astaxanthin market

13-Apr-2015 By Hank Schultz

Demand for astaxanthin continues to rise and new suppliers are stepping to the fore to meet that demand. Among the newer players in the market are BGG and InnoBio, both Chinese companies extracting astaxanthin from algae grown in closed systems.

US web retailer pumps EU distribution as gym community swells

09-Apr-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

US site Bodybuilding.com has opened its first UK distribution centre to better cater to its customer base in Europe - part of a community that includes 25 million unique visitors to its websites each month.

Is fast food as effective as sports supplements for recovery?

08-Apr-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Burgers and French fries may be just as effective in glycogen recovery and performance as isoenergetic sport supplements, say researchers from the University of Montana.

Looking into the food future at Food Vision 2015

Is personalised nutrition about to go public in a big way?

07-Apr-2015 By Shane STARLING

Nutrigenomics – the idea of optimising nutrition via individualised and/or pooled genetic data – is one that has long promised to revolutionise how we eat – not to mention keeping us healthy and out of hospitals. Are converging technologies about to deliver...

Cohen releases study that finds form of amphetamine in weight loss, sports products

07-Apr-2015 By Hank Schultz

Prominent dietary supplement industry critic Dr Pieter Cohen has released a new study that shows that a synthetic stimulant was found in more than half of weight loss and sports performance products tested that listed Acacia rigidula as an ingredient...

April 8, 14:00 CET: Experts debate hot issues in NutraIngredients omega-3 forum

Omega-3 hits €25bn but can it keep growing?

03-Apr-2015 By Shane STARLING

Are omega-3 fisheries really under threat? How many functional foods have cracked omega-3 blockbuster status? How is the sector recovering from the ‘Brasky effect’? How are developing markets developing? How is the latest research influencing regulation?...

Nestlé files patent for cocoa extract allergy treatment

03-Apr-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Nestlé has filed an international patent for cocoa polyphenols as a treatment or prevention of eosinophilic esophagitis – an allergic reaction of the esophagus.

Olive oil polyphenol backed for selective anti-cancer potential

03-Apr-2015 By Nathan Gray

A phenolic compound known as oleocanthal can selectively kill cancerous cells while leaving healthy cells intact, say researchers, who suggest their novel findings may explain why olive oil is linked to decreased cancer risk.

Perrigo settles latest of glucosamine class action suits

27-Mar-2015 By Hank Schultz

A recent class action settlement will affect the way certain glucosamine supplements are marketed. The most recent settlement applies to the labeling of supplements sold by Walmart, Supervalu and Walgreens.

$5.9 bn US sports nutrition market unlocking mass appeal: Euromonitor

27-Mar-2015 By Maggie Hennessy

Buoyed by the continued rise of protein as a super-nutrient and a growing urgency around better fitness to stave off lifestyle diseases, sports nutrition is attracting a wider audience of consumers, according to “Trends and Developments in Sports Nutrition”...

CRN discourages members from selling bulk powdered caffeine direct to consumers

26-Mar-2015 By Hank Schultz

The Council for Responsible Nutrition has announced a policy that discourages its members from selling bulk powdered caffeine to consumers. The use of the ingredient has been implicated in the deaths of two young men.

Probiotics on the verge of “dramatic second growth curve,” expert says

25-Mar-2015 By Elizabeth Crawford

Probiotics are on the cusp of a “dramatic second growth curve” that could more than double their sales in supplements in the U.S., but new delivery platforms and uses could threaten the long-term potential growth of supplements in the category, according...

Coalition recommends label declaration for use of nanotechnology

23-Mar-2015 By Hank Schultz

A coalition of NGOs has released a policy recommendation on how companies should move forward on the use of nanotech in foods and supplements. The document recommends corporate transparency and label declarations for the use of this technology.

Nestlé files whey world patent: Lactoferrin for infant memory and learning

20-Mar-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Nestlé has filed an international patent for the whey fraction lactoferrin to improve memory, learning speed and promote brain maturation in children.

Vitamin D may prevent inflammation behind type 2 diabetes and clogged arteries

20-Mar-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Vitamin D may play an important role in preventing the inflammation that leads to the development of type 2 diabetes and atherosclerosis, according to research in mice.

Sabinsa looks to beverage applications with new fully soluble uC3 Clear curcumin ingredient

19-Mar-2015 By Hank Schultz

Curcumin is a compound long on health benefits that comes with formidable formulation challenges because of its inflexible solubility profile.  Sabinsa Corp. has found a way around that with a new form of its C3 Curcumin Complex called uC3 Clear that...

Which protein can help weight loss but keep muscle?

19-Mar-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Greater energy from whey protein means greater loss of fat but retention of muscle while dieting, according to research that looked at different protein sources. 

Nutritional supplement shown to be effective in reducing female hair loss

19-Mar-2015 By Andrew MCDOUGALL

Hair loss is a distressing thing for anyone, and is particularly so for women, but scientists have found that taking a nutritional supplement can improve the overall scalp coverage and hair condition.

Special edition: Beauty from within

In the eye of the beholder: Where does the EU stand on beauty claims?

18-Mar-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Unlike health claims, ‘beauty from within’ claims are regulated post-market and only when challenged – and how this process goes will depend on the case and the member state concerned.

SPECIAL EDITION: BEAUTY FROM WITHIN

Nutricosmetics: The latest ingredient trends

18-Mar-2015 By Niamh Michail

NutraIngredients takes a look at the most sought-after ingredients in the world of nutracosmetics

Special edition: Beauty from within

Beauty From Within turns ugly for L’Oréal and Nestlé

17-Mar-2015 By Shane STARLING

It promised so much – the globe’s biggest cosmetic and food players L’Oréal and Nestlé applying serious marketing, research and NPD clout to drive a nascent category into the mainstream public consciousness. It was going to make beauty from within (BFW)...

Mazza Innovation nears full scale production with innovative water extraction process

17-Mar-2015 By Hank Schultz

Mazza Innovation, a producer of botanical extracts, has moved beyond the proof of concept stage and is close to full scale production with its unique water-based extraction technology.

Agave prebiotic significantly increases some faecal friendly bacteria, say researchers

16-Mar-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

The prebiotic agave fructan significantly increases the faecal count of bifidobacteria and lactobacilli compared to maltodextrin, according to research backed by industry.

Folic acid may help reduce stroke risk: 5-year study

16-Mar-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

A combination of folic acid and the medication enalapril may be more effective in reducing the risk of stroke in adults with hypertension than the medication alone, according to large-scale research from China.

Calcium works in synergy with hormone in bone formation: Mouse study

12-Mar-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

High dietary intakes of calcium in combination with hormone treatment may be a more effective way of boosting bone formation than the nutrient or hormone alone, according to research in mice.

CoQ10 benefits questioned: Mouse study

11-Mar-2015 By Shane STARLING

The antioxidant mechanism of action of Ubiquinone (UQ), a form of the CoEnzymeQ10 that has shown cell energy and heart benefits, has been questioned in a mouse study published in Nature Communications.

FDA warning on 26 tainted ED products illustrates point of widespread counterfeiting, expert says

10-Mar-2015 By Hank Schultz

Tainted products aimed at erectile dysfunction seem to be a durable feature of the marketplace.  A recent FDA communication listed 26 public warnings issued since Feb. 27 on erectile dysfunction products tainted with undeclared pharmaceutical ingredients....

Food Vision sneak peeks - Cannes, March 18-20

Ex-World Cup sports scientist: Best carb-protein blend is 3:1

09-Mar-2015 By Shane STARLING

Protein was once thought necessary to fuel sporting activity but evolving research has shown it is better for muscle recovery and short chain carbohydrates (sugars) are the accepted fuel tools. And then there are blends of the two…plus the carb and protein...

Straw format to help Ganeden deliver probiotics with shelf stable beverages

06-Mar-2015 By Hank Schultz

Probiotics specialist Ganeden has announced a new application, one that straddles the supplement /food divide. The company has partnered with BioGaia to place its Ganeden BC30 into a line of straws that can be packaged with beverages.