The antioxidant-rich açai berry has steadily grown in popularity over the past five years, but analysts warn that manufacturers need to start communicating the fruit’s benefits if consumers are to continue paying the premium.
Ice-cream as a vehicle for delivering probiotic strains has ‘great potential’, giving a health boost without affecting the sensory profile of ice-cream, say Brazilian scientists.
Dannon, the US arm of French dairy giant Danone, is settling class actions mounted against it for making false and misleading probiotic health claims, according to press reports.
Two brands of infant formula – which make up almost 90 percent of the US market – were found to have the highest levels of contamination with the chemical perchlorate by a recent government study, but the industry has dismissed the findings on the basis...
‘Superfood’ firm Navitas Naturals has launched what it claims to be the first organically certified chia seed product available on the North American market.
A combination supplement containing omega-3, vitamin C and zinc may improve symptoms of asthma, a condition on the rise, suggests a new study from Egypt.
Health claims that can be made on functional food products vary depending on the quality and quantity of scientific evidence that backs the claim. In this article, NutraIngredients-USA.com provides a break-down of the different types of research that...
Functional foods in the US are not legally defined as a distinct category, which has generated a confusing regulatory framework. In this article, NutraIngredients-USA.com provides a break-down of the health claims that can be used on the products.
Omega-3 supplier Martek Biosciences has teamed up with a leading US pregnancy and infant health organization to educate consumers about the importance of DHA for infant development.
A German study that found omega-3 dietary supplementation does not benefit post-heart attack patients, has drawn criticism from industry for mismatching a study group with stated aims.
Ingredient firm Cypress Systems has received FDA-reviewed GRAS status for its selenium yeast product, opening up the use of the ingredient in foods and beverages targeting a range of health conditions, including cancer risk reduction.
The marine versus plant-derived omega-3 debate continues in the wake of recent studies that found in favor of one or the other on environmental or physiological grounds.
Health claims appearing on food and beverage products may not influence consumer purchasing behavior as much as price and taste, suggests a new review.
The International Society for the Study of Fatty Acids and Lipids (ISSFAL) statement that ALA only converts to DHA in the body at negligible levels, has drawn criticism for bias toward marine sources.
Alpha-linolenic acid, (ALA) does not convert to docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) at levels that confer any physiological benefit, according to a summary of omega-3 research conducted by the International Society for the Study of Fatty Acids and Lipids (ISSFAL).
Increased intake of omega-3 fatty acids may protect against advanced prostate cancer, according to new research from the University of California San Francisco.
Biotech giant, Cargill, has ceased work on its nascent fish oil-sourced omega-3 offering less than two years after it debuted with a high-profile launch in May, 2007.
An article published last week in the Canadian Medical Association Journal has generated a flow of criticism for its claims that fish oil is not healthy enough to warrant its depletion of global fish stocks. NutraIngredients-USA.com publishes a selection...
Consumers are being duped into purchasing acai products with bogus credit card schemes and exaggerated health and nutrition claims, according to the healthy food advocate, Consumers for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI).
A new research paper on the production of fish-derived fatty acids has concluded that the continued promotion of omega-3s for their health benefits is irresponsible in the face of depleting fish stocks.
Short of an earth-bound deity walking amongst us and miraculously multiplying our fish stocks, industry must invest more in alternative sources of omega-3 to meet nutritional needs.
The second article in a series examining the impact of a new Congress on the functional food and supplements industries takes a close look at the new FDA Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner. According to industry veteran Loren Israelsen, we should expect...
Foods fortified with omega-3 will be able to continue using a nutrient content claim until at least 2012, despite FDA’s proposed prohibition of the claim.
A proposed ruling to prohibit the use of omega-3 nutrient content claims would generate consumer confusion by limiting the ways in which manufacturers can communicate meaningful omega-3 references on their products, says the Global Organization for EPA...
Shane Starling takes Michael Chubb, the sales director at Canadian fatty acid specialist, Bioriginal, into the organic and natural product extravaganza that is Expo West for a real-time spec of end-product omega-3 ingredient innovation and application.
Proprietary Nutritionals Inc (PNI) has launched a microencapsulated version of its plant-sourced omega-3, which the firm says allows it to be used in beverage applications.
Food and supplement manufacturing firms in the US are set to benefit more than ever before by installing solar panel energy systems at their facilities, as the benefits of tax cuts and grant programs start to take effect.
All ginseng entering the US market is now required to be labeled with its country of origin after a US Department of Agriculture final rule kicked in today.
Fungal treatment of a biodiesel byproduct can produce the omega-3 fatty acid EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid), offering a potentially economical source of EPA from microbes.
The staggered implementation of America’s controversial GMP rules is underway and due for completion in June, 2010. For the Council for Responsible Nutrition’s VP of regulatory and scientific affairs, Andrew Shao, PhD, the bill may be progressing but...
At Expo West recently, Shane Starling sat down with industry stalwart, Loren Israelsen, to discuss the Obama effect, Senator Richard Durbin of Illinois, the “flyspeck” that is the Dietary Supplements and Health Education Act (DSHEA), GMPs, oh, and the...
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has been criticized for not enforcing Good Manufacturing Practises, but according to the FDA’s Brad Williams, boosted funding means FDA inspectors may be about to “saturate the field”. He spoke with Shane Starling...
Omega-3 supplier Martek Biosciences has reported a strong performance in the first quarter, indicating a growing interest in DHA despite the tight economy.
Omega-3 trade group Global Organization for EPA and DHA (GOED) is preparing to petition the US Institute of Medicine (IOM) to establish a recommended daily allowance for the nutritional lipid. Shane Starling catches up with the organization’s executive...
Supplements of the omega-3 fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) may reduce compounds associated with inflammation by up to 20 per cent, says a new study.
US scientists have reported that the stable nitrogen isotope 15N may be a suitable biomarker to analyse blood levels of EPA and DHA intake in clinical and epidemiologic studies.
Consumer activists claim a GAO report on the oversight of dietary supplements confirms that regulatory loopholes plague the industry, while trade bodies say the report makes unrealistic recommendations to improve regulation of the products.
North American children do not receive enough omega-3 in their diets, according to new research which found only 22 percent of young children received adequate amounts of the long-chain omega-3 fatty acids, DHA and EPA.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has made significant progress in regulating dietary supplements, but the agency is still lacking basic information to keep the products – and consumes – safe, according to the US Government Accountability Office...
Double encapsulation of bacterial strains with potential probiotic activity may enhance the shelf-life and offer protection against harsh stomach conditions, says a new study.
Probiotic suppliers are increasingly stepping in to provide quality and efficacy guidance for the ingredients, as a lack of a legal framework continues to put the market at risk.
Indirect benefits of the economic stimulus bill signed by President Obama earlier this month are set to filter through to manufacturers of food, beverage and supplement products – especially the smaller players.
The economic stimulus bill signed last week by President Obama is expected to promote food production and consumption through its provision for a nutrition supplementation program, according to an expert on food legislation.
Children and infant probiotics products are booming as parents connect with the healthy bacteria’s immune system boosting benefits, according to market researcher, Euromonitor.
One of the world’s leading probiotics specialists says consumers are interested in probiotic cheese products but cheese manufacturers and probiotic suppliers need to get their scientific house in order and clarify their marketing messages.
Daily supplements of the probiotic bacterial strain Lactobaccilus casei rhamnosus may boost the immune health of children, and prevents many infections, says new research.
Probiotics have had a rapid rise to public prominence in North America since Danone launched probiotic drinkable and spoonable yogurts on the US market in 2005, but probiotic cheeses have won little favor, according to Euromonitor research.
