Dietary Supplements

Dispatches from VitaFoods Europe 2013

GNC relationship helps boost Stepan's Clarinol CLA ingredient for sports applications

17-May-2013 By Hank Schultz

As Stepan Liquid Nutrition looks to expand the use of its Clarinol CLA in sports nutrition products, it’s time to trot out a sports analogy.  Stepan is looking for companies that are willing to step up to the plate.

Sen. Martin Heinrich: 'The model that DSHEA created is working well'

24-Apr-2013 By Hank Schultz

Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-NM, one of the dietary supplement industry’s new champions on Capitol Hill, spoke with NutraIngredients-USA to offer his views on the industry and the challenges it faces now.

Drug-tainted weight loss, bodybuilding, and sexual enhancement products top DS recall lists

18-Apr-2013 By Stephen Daniells

Weight loss, bodybuilding and sexual enhancement products tainted with unapproved drug ingredients are responsible for 98% of recalls for ‘dietary supplements’, says a new analysis.

Bitter orange and caffeine combo may be unsafe, says BfR

09-Apr-2013 By Nathan Gray

Sports supplements and weight loss products that contain a combination of caffeine and synephrine from bitter orange may not comply with current regulations and could be classified as unsafe, warns the BfR.

Nicole Kidman and a focus on research & quality: Swisse Wellness outlines strategy behind ambitious US expansion

01-Mar-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

Swisse Wellness – Australia’s #1 multivitamin brand – is hitting US mass retail with 15 of its top-selling products available in Walgreens, and aims of $0.5 billion in sales by 2015.

Battle of the omega-3 forms: Triglycerides, ethyl esters, or phospholipids?

21-Feb-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

As the number of omega-3 sources in the market increases, including fish, krill, squid, algae, and plant, suppliers are increasingly using the omega-3 form to differentiate their products. But where does the science currently stand, which questions remain,...

FDA sends more GMP-related warning letters to four dietary supplement manufacturers

14-Feb-2013 By Stephen Daniells

Four dietary supplements have received independent warning letters from the Food and Drug Administration for alleged GMP violations, as the agency maintains its focus on compliance.

Be flattered, not threatened, by increased medical scrutiny of products

12-Feb-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

The dietary supplements industry should be encouraged and not threatened by increased scrutiny of its products by the mainstream medical community, because it means they are taking the products – and the questions from their patients – seriously.

Vitamin D content of supplements ‘varies widely’, says new analysis

11-Feb-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

The vitamin D content of over-the counter and compounded supplements differs widely, says a new research letter in JAMA Internal Medicine that calls for ‘more regulation of dietary supplements’.

General health & wellness (and not disease concerns) top list of supplement use reasons

05-Feb-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

‘Improving’ and ‘maintaining’ overall health are the top reasons for consumers to use supplements, according to new data from the National Institutes of Health.

Program provides edge-of-shelf health claims info for supplement retailers

22-Jan-2013 By Hank Schultz

Vestcom, a provider of shelf-edge pricing and product information for grocery retailers, has entered the dietary supplements retailing space with the launch of vitaAisles, a new service that provides nutrition and health claims information for a wide...

Bayer's acquisition of Schiff creates billion-dollar powerhouse

31-Oct-2012 By Hank Schultz

The combination of Schiff Nutrition and Bayer AG has created a powerhouse in the U.S. market with deep financial resources and global reach, said experts contacted by NutraIngredients-USA.

NPA chief calls FIFA official's statements about supplements 'outrageous'

11-Sep-2012 By Hank Schultz

John Shaw, executive director and CEO of the Natural Products Association, rose vigorously to the defense of the dietary supplements industry in the wake of statements made by an official of FIFA, the international governing body of soccer.

Industry should engage in dialogue to address ‘ineffective regulation’: Arch Intern Med commentators

17-Aug-2012

The dietary supplements industry has been called on to engage in dialogue to address its ‘ineffective regulation’ by the authors of a recent commentary in the Archives of Internal Medicine.

Bodybuilding.com steroid spiking case shows retailers also responsible for dietary supplements: US Attorney

06-Aug-2012 By Stephen Daniells

The $8.1 million in total fines for Bodybuilding.com and the DeLuca brothers should serve as a reminder for retailers as well as manufacturers of their responsibility to ensure dietary supplements really are dietary supplements, says a US Attorney.

AHPA: Mojo Nights warning letter ‘clear signal’ that FDA intent on tackling drugs masquerading as supplements

26-Jul-2012 By Elaine WATSON

A Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warning letter sent to a sexual enhancement supplements maker should serve as a “clear signal that FDA continues its enforcement efforts against illegal drugs or drug alternatives masquerading as dietary supplements”...

FDA files injunction against NY supplements company for GMP violations

16-Jul-2012 By Stephen DANIELLS

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has again shown that it will go beyond just sending warning letters for GMP violations after filing an injunction against a NY supplement manufacturer.

Breaking news

Who says the FDA doesn't listen? Industry welcomes plan to issue revised draft NDI guidance

20-Jun-2012 By Elaine Watson

The FDA might have spent the past year vigorously defending its much-maligned draft guidance on new dietary ingredients (NDIs), but it appears it has been listening to industry concerns as well.

Florida firm accused of serious cGMP violations and unauthorized disease claims

15-Jun-2012 By Elaine Watson

Private label supplement distributor Caribe Natural has been warned by the FDA that it is still responsible for violations of current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) regulations and making drug claims on product labels, even though its supplements...

Bodybuilding.com steroids spiking guilty plea is a wake-up call for industry, says lab director

05-Jun-2012 By Elaine Watson

News that Bodybuilding.com has pled guilty to selling dietary supplements spiked with steroids - and agreed to pay a $7m fine - proves the FDA is “not blowing smoke” when it says it will crack down on adulterated products, says one analytical testing...

FDA warns of sexual enhancement products and sends yet more letters for GMP violations

18-May-2012 By Stephen Daniells

Another week, another batch of warning letters from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA): Warning letters for current good manufacturing practice (cGMP) violations continue, and the agency has warned consumers against three sexual enhancement products...

Consumer supplement habits remain steady, despite economic worries: CRN survey

05-Apr-2012

Economic concerns have not affected purchasing habits of dietary supplements for 71% of Americans, says a survey by the Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN).

97% of dietitians recommend supplements: CRN survey

29-Mar-2012 By Stephen Daniells

Dietitians are regularly using dietary supplements and almost all of them have recommended supplements to their clients at some time, says a new survey from the Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN).

Dateline NBC exposé provides opportunity to fix dry labbing issues

19-Mar-2012 By Stephen Daniells

Yesterday's airing of a Dateline NBC exposé on dry labbing practices in dietary supplements represents an opportunity for industry to tackle the problem head on, says Frank Jaksch, CSO and co-founder of ChromaDex.

Supplement use up to 69% of US adults: CRN survey

14-Mar-2012 By Stephen Daniells

Supplements use among US adults has increased to a record level of 69%, according to results of a survey commissioned by the Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN).

Poison Control Centers’ data support dietary supplement safety

09-Mar-2012 By Stephen Daniells

The 28th Annual Report of the American Association of Poison Control Centers has been welcomed by the Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN) for supporting the ‘wide margin of safety for dietary supplements’.

Jack3D is safe: Study

27-Feb-2012 By Shane Starling

A study of 25 healthy men has found DMAA-containing, pre-workout sports supplement, Jack3D, does not change resting heart rate, blood pressure or affect liver and kidney function when used at recommended dosage levels.

ABC paper promises to dispel ‘myth’ of unregulated supplements

07-Feb-2012 By Elaine Watson

A new paper published by the American Botanical Council (ABC) attempts to dispel the ‘puzzling’ and pervasive ‘myth’ that the US dietary supplements trade is unregulated.

Brazil’s top sports nutrition firm snapped up by Valeant Pharmaceuticals

06-Feb-2012 By Elaine Watson

Canadian firm Valeant Pharmaceuticals International has acquired Brazil’s leading sports nutrition and food supplements maker Probiótica Laboratorios in a $150m deal.

NPF: Many ignorant of disease/drug claim rules and where testimonials fit in

24-Jan-2012 By Elaine Watson

A surprising numbers of companies contacted by the Natural Products Foundation (NPF) about unauthorized disease or drug claims on supplements are unaware that they are breaking the law, according to NPF executive director Deb Knowles.

170+ products have earned NSF Certified for Sport designation

17-Jan-2012 By Elaine Watson

More than 170 products have now earned the NSF Certified for Sport designation as momentum builds ahead of the London Olympics.

GMP Labs gets NSF Certified for Sport

04-Jan-2012

Anaheim-based GMP Laboratories of America Inc has been Certified for Sport by NSF International, as the company met stringent certification requirements, including testing for more than 150 banned substances.

November in pictures: Krill wars, weight crystals, DMAA and mood-enhancing multivitamins

02-Dec-2011 By Elaine Watson

It’s been an eventful month in the dietary supplements trade, with the FDA provoking more wrath over its new take on phytosterol health claims but garnering praise for its tough stance on GMP compliance. Meanwhile krill oil rivals Neptune and Aker Biomarine...

Class action targets 'dangerous' DMAA in BPI Sports' products

17-Nov-2011 By Stephen Daniells

Florida’s BPI Sports has been hit with a proposed class action in the state of California over allegations of its products containing a ‘dangerous amphetamine-like ingredient’ with ‘potentially life-threatening side effects’.

Congress asks GAO for clarity on adverse event reporting

16-Nov-2011

Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Representative Henry Waxman (D-CA) have called on the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) to clarify how the adverse event reporting (AER) system is working.

Physician supplement use matches general population levels: Survey

09-Nov-2011 By Stephen Daniells

Between 60 and 75% of US physicians may use dietary supplements and do recommended dietary supplements to patients related to their specialty, finds a new survey.

CRN challenges industry to develop an ‘aggressive agenda of scientific investigation’

20-Oct-2011 By Stephen Daniells in Rancho Palos Verdes

The dietary supplements industry can demonstrate the benefits of its products by developing its ‘own aggressive agenda of investigation’ and not sit back and let ‘outsiders’ conduct research into dietary supplements, said Steve Mister, president &...

Multivitamins, minerals linked to higher risk of mortality, but calcium may boost survival

11-Oct-2011 By Stephen Daniells

Consuming multivitamins, and iron and copper dietary supplements may increase the risk of death in older women, says a new study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine.

Special edition

Key consumer trends in the $28bn US supplement business

22-Sep-2011

The US supplement business is valued at $28 billion, according to the Nutrition Business Journal’s new report, but with survey figures staying stable, which sectors are showing growth and which are not?

Americans need supplements, fortified foods to achieve nutrient intakes: Survey

01-Sep-2011 By Stephen Daniells

Most Americans are achieving the estimated average requirement (EAR) for a number of nutrients, with fortification and supplementation playing an important role in boosting intakes of key nutrients.

Thorne Research: CoQ10 Q-cell opportunity is huge

19-Aug-2011 By Elaine Watson

The opportunity to drive sales of CoQ10 to the healthcare practitioner market is “huge” and largely untapped, according to the boss of one leading supplier of dietary supplements to this market.

Melatonin brownie maker: ‘We’ll sell them as supplements’

04-Aug-2011 By Elaine Watson

The maker of the melatonin-laced ‘relaxation’ brownies at the center of a debate over where a dietary supplement ends and a food begins says it will make “all necessary changes to market and sell the product as a supplement”.

Big interview: Daniel Fabricant, Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

FDA on NDI guidance: This is ‘not a doomsday scenario’ for supplements trade

11-Jul-2011 By Elaine Watson

The trade can rail against the Food and Drug Administration's new dietary ingredient (NDI) guidance as much as it likes, but it cannot honestly pretend to be shocked or even surprised by it, according to the man in charge of the FDA’s dietary supplements...

NPA: Tax breaks for supplements will save cash in long-run

01-Jul-2011 By Elaine Watson

A Bill that would provide tax breaks for dietary supplements now has 32 co-sponsors in the House of Representatives.

Special edition: NDI draft guidance reaction

The wait is over: FDA releases NDI draft guidance

01-Jul-2011 By Stephen Daniells

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has released the much anticipated New Dietary Ingredient (NDI) draft guidance, meeting its statutory deadline for the release of the document.

ODS requests proposals for analytical methods validation

29-Jun-2011

The Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) is requesting proposals for "Analytical Methods Development, Optimization, and Validation: Dietary Supplement Constituents".

CRN hails Capital Hill outreach as it hits 112 in 112th

03-Jun-2011 By Stephen Daniells

Continued outreach and an ongoing education program with members of Congress and their offices has seen the Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN) meet met with all 112 freshmen offices in the House and Senate in the 112th Congress.

60-second interview: Paul Jacobson, Thorne Research

Thorne Research: 80-90% of cancer patients take dietary supplements, but don’t tell doctor

26-May-2011

There is a sizable gap in the market for dietary supplements and nutritional advice specifically targeting people living with cancer, Thorne Research chief executive Paul Jacobson tells Elaine Watson.

Aker BioMarine gets NDI notification from FDA for krill oil

24-May-2011 By Stephen Daniells

The US Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has no objections regarding Aker BioMarine’s New Dietary Ingredient Notification process (NDIN) for its Superba Krill Oil ingredient.

Dispatches from SupplySide East

NDI guidance could be 'gamechanger' for supplements trade

04-May-2011 By Elaine Watson, Secaucus, New Jersey

Fears are mounting that the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA’s) long-awaited guidance on new dietary ingredients (NDIs) could prove a “game changer” for the industry, and not in a good way.