Coronavirus

FDA sends warning letter to CBD firm over coronavirus claims

02-Apr-2020 By Hank Schultz

The US Food and Drug Administration has issued another warning letter on COVID-19 claims. This one was issued to a Nevada company marketing CBD products.

Coronavirus: Spotlight on the Supply Chain

India lockdown affecting ashwagandha supply, but US inventories remain strong

02-Apr-2020 By Stephen Daniells

Supplies of the Ayurveda’s flagship herb Ashwagandha from India are tightening as the country goes on lockdown because of the novel coronavirus, but two leading US suppliers tell NutraIngredients-USA that their domestic inventories remain robust.

CRN UK highlights why essential nutrients have never been more essential

02-Apr-2020 By Will Chu

The ongoing threat of coronavirus could increase the potential for deficiencies in key micronutrients supporting the immune system, according to The Council for Responsible Nutrition UK (CRN UK).

Coronavirus: Spotlight on the Supply Chain

Potential supplement supply bottlenecks identified in response to federal government request

01-Apr-2020 By Hank Schultz

The US Department of Agriculture has contacted stakeholders in the dietary supplement industry to potential problems in the supply chain of dietary supplements in light of the current coronavirus crisis.

Experienced formulator helps separate coronavirus fact from fiction

31-Mar-2020 By Danielle Masterson

If only social distancing could stop the spread of misinformation. A prominent natural products chemist shares four steps on differentiating the real from the fake.

Federal guide calls supplement workers ‘essential;’ task for industry now to ensure state and local mandates reflect that

31-Mar-2020 By Hank Schultz

A new federal government update on who may be considered essential workers now specifically includes employees of dietary supplement manufacturing and sales operations. Trade groups said it’s now up to industry to make sure that is reflected in local...

Coronavirus highlights opportunity for smart packaging

30-Mar-2020 By Danielle Masterson

As much of the world shelters in place, delivery services like Amazon have become a lifeline for many who wish to still receive their supplements and other items without having to go to the store.

NIU’s Global Round-up: TGA postpones overseas GMP inspections, Italian authorities crack down on coronavirus claims, and more

30-Mar-2020 By Stephen Daniells

The novel coronavirus is impacting every level of the nutra- industry in almost every country, so check out our round-up of the key news from around the globe for the past seven days.

Plant-based diet could be 'helpful' to vulnerable during pandemic, say researchers

30-Mar-2020 By Nikki Hancocks

The high antioxidant, flavonoid and fibre intake associated with a plant-based diet can help manage asthma and this could be helpful for many vulnerable people during this pandemic, according to the authors of a new clinical review.

Editor's Spotlight: Startup Focus

Global AI startup adds immunity support to personalised nutrition tech amid Coronavirus

30-Mar-2020 By Nikki Hancocks

A global AI startup company has created a way to help consumers find the nutrition and supplements they need to support their immune system during this health pandemic.

AHPA: Our essential community is in this together

26-Mar-2020 By By Michael McGuffin, president, American Herbal Products Association

The world as we know it is changing.

Coronavirus relief package will ease loan process for smaller supplement firms

26-Mar-2020 By Hank Schultz

The $2 trillion stimulus packaged passed unanimously by the US Senate this morning will have important implications for the dietary supplement industry that may help companies survive the worst of the coronavirus crisis impacts.

Hospital turns to high-dose vitamin C to fight coronavirus

26-Mar-2020 By Will Chu

A hospital has reportedly turned to vitamin C as a treatment for the coronavirus, after reports emerged from China that doses well in excess of daily Dietary Reference Values (DRV) showed promise.

FDA gives more time for adverse event reporting in light of coronavirus crisis

25-Mar-2020 By Hank Schultz

Dietary supplement companies may store adverse event reports and submit them after the present crisis is past, the US Food and Drug Administration said recently.

Social distancing, mall closures paint bleak picture for an already struggling GNC

24-Mar-2020 By Danielle Masterson

In recent years, many consumers chose to move away from brick and mortar stores to shop more conveniently online. Now the coronavirus outbreak is all but forcing them to do so.

Coronavirus: Changes, challenges and opportunities in the supplement space

24-Mar-2020 By Danielle Masterson

Natural Products Expo West was supposed to be a launching pad for many new products. With the cancellation of the show and the many other coronavirus-related dislocations, natural products companies are scrambling to adapt.

Cardax argues for study of astaxanthin in relation to coronavirus; legal experts question strategy

24-Mar-2020 By Hank Schultz

Synthetic astaxanthin product developer Cardax has released a white paper and reportedly filed a patent application on the ingredient’s antiviral properties and in publicizing the fact has treaded on the disease claim line according to legal experts.

From the Editor's Desk

FDA’s inspection hiatus provides opportunity for industry to prove self regulation is real

20-Mar-2020 By Hank Schultz

With FDA receding into the inspection background, now is the time for the dietary supplement industry to step up and show if there are any real teeth in the notion of self regulation.

Dietary supplement manufacturers, sales channels must remain open during COVID-19 shutdowns, stakeholders say

20-Mar-2020 By Hank Schultz

Dietary supplement manufacturers and the natural channel stores that sell the products play an important role in supporting consumers health during this challenging time and should be counted as ‘essential’ businesses, stakeholders say.

FDA suspends most on site inspections because of COVID-19 concerns

19-Mar-2020 By Hank Schultz

In a teleconference held last night the US Food and Drug Administration announced that it is scaling back GMP inspections and is waiving certain FSMA requirements in the face of the COVID-19 crisis.

Disease crisis turns up pressure on analytical labs

18-Mar-2020 By Hank Schultz

The COVID-19 crisis is placing an additional burden on testing labs as companies scramble to meet consumer demand for immune health products.

COVID-19: Expo West canceled as New Hope shifts focus to Expo East

13-Mar-2020 By Elaine Watson

In an announcement that will not likely surprise many stakeholders, New Hope has decided to cancel (rather than postpone) the Natural Products Expo West trade show in Anaheim and focus its attention on Expo East in Philadelphia (Sept. 23-26).

From the editor's desk

With extreme care on messaging, immune support products might play role in COVID-19 crisis

13-Mar-2020 By Hank Schultz

As the news about COVID-19 becomes ever more sobering, the question becomes what dietary supplements might do to help. I think there is opportunity here, but talking about it requires walking a tightrope over a gulf of regulatory peril.

Despite current troubles, trade shows won’t go away anytime soon, expert believes

11-Mar-2020 By Hank Schultz

In the wake of a wave of postponements of trade shows and other dates in the dietary supplement industry driven by the COVID-19 crisis the question has been raised about whether such face-to-face events are still necessary. One expert in the brand development...

Informa reschedules Vitafoods Europe to 1-3 September

11-Mar-2020 By Will Chu

Event organisers are to postpone this year’s Vitafoods Europe in response to the ongoing COVID-19 situation that has already forced several nutraceutical industry events to be rescheduled.

FDA warns 7 firms on COVID-19 claims including televangelist Jim Bakker

09-Mar-2020 By Hank Schultz

The US Food and Drug Administration has sent warning letters to seven companies that have been alleged to have been making COVID-19 disease treatment claims. Among the recipients of the warning letters is a prominent televangelist.

Organizers postpone Expo West trade show over COVID-19 cancellations

03-Mar-2020 By Hank Schultz

The Natural Products Expo West trade show has been postponed, the organizers announced late Monday.

COVID-19 fears could cut Expo West attendance by as much as 60%

02-Mar-2020 By Hank Schultz

Hundreds of companies and brands have announced they won’t be at Expo West because of COVID-19 fears. The show’s organizers said yesterday the show will go on but predict overall attendance could drop by as much as 60%.

Coronavirus in Singapore: Vitamin demand jumps five-fold in two weeks for supermarket chain

26-Feb-2020 By Tingmin Koe

The coronavirus Covid-19 has sparked a sudden spike in demand for vitamin C and multivitamins in Singapore, according to a major retailer in the city state.

FDA suspends China inspections in light of COVID-19 outbreak

17-Feb-2020 By Hank Schultz

The United States Food and Drug Administration has suspended all inspections of facilities in China in keeping with a State Department travel advisory, the agency announced on Friday.

Inventories cushion coronavirus blow for North American companies, but future uncertain

13-Feb-2020 By Hank Schultz

The coronavirus crisis has yet to become a cataclysm for companies that import and rely upon Chinese ingredients, but there is an urgent need for firms to make contingency plans, experts say.