Coronavirus

NAD cites superfood marketer for video implying coronavirus claim

04-Jun-2020 By Hank Schultz

The National Adverting Division has joined in the battle against coronavirus disease claims by advising a company marketing a superfoods blend to take down a video that NAD says crosses the line.

Riots rock nutrition stores across the country

03-Jun-2020 By Danielle Masterson

From big-box to mom-and-pop stores, already struggling businesses now face yet another setback.

Balchem VP of HR: ‘Our employees see how much we’re helping people throughout the world’

01-Jun-2020 By Stephen Daniells

The coronavirus crisis is placing huge demands on American workers. For a company like Balchem, which is seeing surging demand for some of its nutritional products like zinc, employee motivation is being helped by seeing how important their work is, says...

Warning letters continue as pandemic rages on

26-May-2020 By Danielle Masterson

The Federal Trade Commission has sent out another round of warning letters to 50 more marketers nationwide, most of which are labeled as dietary supplements or Chinese herbs.

Growing pains: Hemp industry deals with oversupply, shifting retail landscape

21-May-2020 By Danielle Masterson

The boom in hemp cultivation after the passage of the 2018 Farm Bill has created a supply bulge that the industry is still working through, observers say.

FTC refunds $8.5 million to consumers over fraudulent product claims

20-May-2020 By Danielle Masterson

The Federal Trade Commission just announced it is issuing refund checks totaling over $8.5 million to consumers defrauded by misleading claims on weight loss products an erectile dysfunction product in a case dating back to 2004.

Despite coronavirus dislocations, FDA, FTC not taking foot off compliance pedal

18-May-2020 By Danielle Masterson

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) may have suspended all routine plant inspections, but dietary supplement producers are still expected to remain in compliance. In the meantime, the Federal Trade Commission has sent another 37 warning letters over...

OTA asks USDA for funding flexibility, remote inspections and increased enforcement during pandemic

15-May-2020 By Elizabeth Crawford

The Organic Trade Association is calling on the US Department of Agriculture to help ease mounting pressure on the organic supply chain posed by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic by increasing flexibility for inspections and the disbursement of funds related...

Developer promotes colostrum as weapon in immune arsenal

14-May-2020 By Danielle Masterson

With the focus now on immune health more than ever before, many consumers are exploring all their options.

Herbal ingredient supplier benefits from incontinence product supply problems

07-May-2020 By Hank Schultz

The unpredictable spikes in demand that are distorting the supply chain in the current crisis has created another opportunity, in this case for herbal ingredients that help adults deal with urinary incontinence issues.

Despite sales bump, brands that are not preparing for stormy seas ahead could struggle, consultant says

05-May-2020 By Hank Schultz

The dietary supplement industry as a whole is enjoying booming sales as consumer stock up on products to support optimum health. But an industry strategist warns that that sales bump is likely to be ephemeral, and brands that are not strategizing vigorously...

60-second interview: Jon Peters, president, Beneo

BENEO president: ‘We have seen higher and more volatile demand during the pandemic’

05-May-2020 By Elaine Watson

From fewer containers and reduced shift work at harbors to delays in planned maintenance in factories, the coronavirus pandemic is impacting global supply chains in myriad ways. FoodNavigator-USA (FNU) caught up with Jon Peters (JP), president at Beneo,...

UNPA’s Israelsen: ‘We’ve had a good six weeks, but consumers have used some of their last spending power to buy supplements’

04-May-2020 By Stephen Daniells

While dietary supplement sales have surged in recent months, the extent of the economic damage caused by the novel coronavirus and COVID-19 could lead to some very tough quarters as families and businesses start to run out of money.

Essential oils marketers added to list of coronavirus claims offenders

04-May-2020 By Hank Schultz

Some producers of essential oils have thrown their hats into the coronavirus claims ring, according to recent warning letters from the US Food and Drug Administration and the Federal Trade Commission.

From the Editor's Desk

Supplement industry can help consumers change their health regimens after the crisis

01-May-2020 By Hank Schultz

Given the current torrid pace of sales for some categories, the dietary supplement industry could emerge from the present crisis is a significantly strengthened position. Even categories that are in the doldrums stand to benefit.

NutraCast Podcast: Mark LeDoux on industry opportunities, setbacks & FDA shortcomings

01-May-2020 By Danielle Masterson

On this episode, we talked with Mark LeDoux, founder, CEO and board chairman of Natural Alternatives International as well as the chairman of the Board of the Natural Products Association.

Regulators using ever more powerful microscopes to look for disease claims, attorney says

01-May-2020 By Hank Schultz

Marketers of natural products need to be on their best behavior during this pandemic crisis as regulatory authorities comb through every aspect of a company’s marketing to look for disease claims, an attorney says.

Personalized nutrition: Adapting to the evolving tech space

29-Apr-2020 By Danielle Masterson

Technology has disrupted several industries, and nutrition is no exception.

Preliminary research links low vitamin K status to worse outcomes for COVID-19 patients

28-Apr-2020 By Hank Schultz

COVID-19 patients with low vitamin K status tend to have worse outcomes, according to preliminary results of a study conducted by researchers in the Netherlands.

Clear link between vitamin D deficiency and severity of coronavirus, say researchers

28-Apr-2020 By Nikki Hancocks

Vitamin D deficiency may play an important role in the severity of COVID-19 infections so supplementation should be strongly advised at this time, according to researchers who studied mortality rates across the globe.

FTC nails 10 MLMs for illegal disease treatment, earnings claims related to coronavirus crisis

27-Apr-2020 By Hank Schultz

The US Federal Trade Commission has sent 10 warning letters to network marketing companies whose participants it alleges have been making illegal COVID-19 treatment claims and earnings claims related to the pandemic crisis.

Online sales will cushion coronavirus blow, Usana says

27-Apr-2020 By Hank Schultz

Network marketing company Usana Health Sciences says an accelerated move toward online selling will help it weather the current pandemic crisis.

From the Editor's Desk

How firms respond to opportunities created by pandemic will say a lot about their corporate cultures

24-Apr-2020 By Hank Schultz

Companies are taking a number of different tacks to be of service during— and potentially to profit from — the current pandemic crisis.

Nouri CEO: ‘I don’t think it’s a bad time to have a new supplement brand, but it has to provide value to consumer’

24-Apr-2020 By Stephen Daniells

2020 may not seem to be a good time for being a year one start-up, but increased consumer interest in supplements and immunity is a rising tide that is raising all boats, says the CEO of Nouri.

NutraCast Podcast: Eric Dahan from Open Influence on social influencing best practices

24-Apr-2020 By Danielle Masterson

While many companies have shut down in order to adhere to social-distancing measures, others have turned to social media influencers to create content.

Small Business Administration's Paycheck Protection Program: Take two

22-Apr-2020 By Danielle Masterson

The last coronavirus relief package that was meant to ease the loan process for smaller supplement firms was largely deemed a disappointment by many. Now a new deal has been struck in the Senate, with the House expected to vote as soon as Thursday.

US health and wellness companies pivot to aid first responders

21-Apr-2020 By Danielle Masterson

Some unscrupulous marketers are cashing in on the current crisis. Other companies, however, are stepping up to support health care workers and to shift production to critical supplies and services.

Equinom boosts food security and profitability with new method

21-Apr-2020 By Danielle Masterson

Israeli Seed breeding specialist Equinom is expanding its modern cultivation methods for sesame into the global market.

Colorado joins Nevada in closing supplement retailers as part of 'shelter in place' orders

21-Apr-2020 By Hank Schultz

Verbiage contained in a revised stay at home order issued by Colorado Gov. Jared Polis has led to the closure of some dietary supplement retailers in the state. It’s the second state after Nevada where such actions have been taken.

Prominent animal supplement stakeholder shares insight into supply chain, cautions industry

20-Apr-2020 By Danielle Masterson

The American Pet Products Association’s (APPA) 2019-2020 National Pet Owner Survey found that 67% of American households own at least one pet. But is pet health a priority in tough times?

Trade orgs ask IRS to allow flex spending accounts to go toward supplement purchases

20-Apr-2020 By Hank Schultz

A group of trade associations has asked the IRS to allow the use of tax advantaged medical savings accounts to be used for the purchase of dietary supplements, a move that the group says could support consumers’ health as well as boost the economy.

Designs for Health tests employees, contractors for coronavirus antibodies

20-Apr-2020 By Hank Schultz

Florida-based company Designs for Health has announced a program to company-wide blood tests to look for coronavirus antibodies among its employees. The results could help the company devise a cogent back to work strategy.

NIU’s Global Round-up: EU consumers warned of coronavirus claims, Chinese interest in immunity spikes, and more

20-Apr-2020 By Stephen Daniells

A lot happened across the Nutra-verse last week, so stay up to date with our round-up of the key news from around the globe.

Wiley’s Finest CEO on surging sales, the supply chain, and being ahead of the curve with innovative digital platforms

16-Apr-2020 By Stephen Daniells

NutraIngredients-USA spoke to Sam Wiley, CEO of Wiley's Finest, about the company's exceptional March (35% year-on-year growth), their strong oil stocks (but consumer goods bottles "cannot be found for any amount of money"), and why...

Coronavirus: Spotlight on the biotin supply chain

15-Apr-2020 By Danielle Masterson

China accounts for about 80% of the global biotin supply, making it the largest biotin production country in the world. While supply chain dependency on China is a well-known fact for the United States, the crippling impact of the coronavirus in recent...

New delivery services pop up amid social distancing era

15-Apr-2020 By Danielle Masterson

As many people practice social distancing by substituting activities with safer alternatives, businesses are also challenged to evaluate their options during the coronavirus pandemic.

Cashing in on the crisis: More FDA warning letters

14-Apr-2020 By Danielle Masterson

There is currently no cure for coronavirus, however, that hasn’t stopped companies from preying on consumers’ fears, as a new raft of FDA warning letters makes clear.

CORONAVIRUS: SPOTLIGHT ON THE SUPPLY CHAIN

Curcumin supply escapes worst of coronavirus supply disruptions

14-Apr-2020 By Hank Schultz

The rapid shutdown of Indian society to combat the coronavirus crisis has inconvenienced manufacturers of curcumin ingredients, but thus far has not put a critical dent in inventories, suppliers say.

NOW CEO: ‘March was unprecedented in the history of the company’

14-Apr-2020 By Stephen Daniells

Many dietary supplement companies are experiencing surging sales as consumers seek out health-promoting products, and Chicago-based NOW is no different. The company experienced “incredible” sales in March, but ingredient supply bottlenecks and the economic...

CORONAVIRUS: SPOTLIGHT ON THE SUPPLY CHAIN

Probiotics players express solid supply expectations amid surging sales

13-Apr-2020 By Stephen Daniells

As demand for dietary supplements continues to surge, immune products, including probiotics, are among the most in-demand. We spoke to some leading probiotic players to find out how supply is being impacted by the novel coronavirus and what the next 3-6...

Xsto's new cell culture form of echinacea could hit sweet spot in market threatened by adulteration

13-Apr-2020 By Hank Schultz

Branded ingredient supplier Xsto Solutions is launching a new echinacea product line based on a cell culture technology that hits the market at a what might prove to be a propitious time when supply of this botanical has been skewed by a huge spike in...

CORONAVIRUS: SPOTLIGHT ON THE SUPPLY CHAIN

Echinacea demand spike likely to cause bottlenecks, price increases

10-Apr-2020 By Hank Schultz

The rapid increase in demand for echinacea products is putting a strain on the supply system that may take some time to sort through, suppliers say.

Neptune transitions CBD facility into sanitizer production

09-Apr-2020 By Hank Schultz

Neptune Health and Wellness has received approval to transition one of its facilities for the production of hand sanitizer, the company announced today.

Despite FDA pronouncements, industry coalition action the coronavirus claims warning letters keep coming

08-Apr-2020 By Hank Schultz

The US Food and Drug Administration has issued an additional six warning letters in recent days on coronavirus claims. The letters coincide with an industry coalition raising a red flag on the growing flood of such claims on dietary supplement-type products.