Nutraceuticals International articles from August 2003

Nutraceuticals International archives from August 2003

US foods, some supplement labels must list trans fat contents from Jan 1, 2006.
August 1, 2003... The US Food and Drug Administration has announced that, from January 1, 2006, manufacturers must list trans fatty acids, or trans fat, on the Nutrition Facts panel of foods and some dietary supplements. "By putting trans fat information on...

US FDA claims review to reward firms that make healthier products.(US Food and Drug Administration )
August 1, 2003... In its new policy of allowing qualified health claims to be included in food product labeling (NI vol 8 no 1), the US Food and Drug Administration will rely on expertise from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality and other federal...

Nuts and heart disease: first qualified health claims for conventional foods.
August 1, 2003... The Food and Drug Administration has cleared the first qualified health claims for conventional foods in the USA, opening the door for a range of nuts to be positioned as simple tools for lowering the risk of heart disease. The approved...

FDA warns on tadalafil supps.(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... The US Food and Drug Administration has issued a warning about a range of products being marketed as dietary supplements but actually containing prescription-strength tadalafil, the active ingredient in Eli Lilly's Cialis. The Lilly drug is...

US FDA and FTC review enhanced joint enforcement actions on supplement claims.(US Food and Drug Administration and the Federal Trade Commission )
August 1, 2003... The US Food and Drug Administration and the Federal Trade Commission have reported on the enforcement actions which they have taken, jointly and separately, against misleading claims by manufacturers of dietary supplements, under the enhanced...

US Congress must act on ephedra, House panel told; HHS Sec says "amend DSHEA".
August 1, 2003... Late-July joint hearings by two US House Energy and Commerce Committee subcommittees into issues relating to ephedra- and ephedrine-containing dietary supplements (NI passim) saw witnesses repeatedly attack the integrity of the products'...

Euro food and supplement industries balk at revised health claim proposal.
August 1, 2003... The adoption of a revised European Commission proposal for a regulation on health and nutrition claims has unleashed a volley of complaints from the food industry. But representatives of European consumers welcomed the proposed regulation,...

UK's RPS: "no need to remove supps yet".(Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... The Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain has advised community pharmacists that they do not need to withdraw any vitamin or mineral supplement products from sale at present, because regulations emanating from the European Union...

FSA tapped for Noni juice equivalence.(UK Food Standards Agency has received an equivalence application for Noni juice originating in Hawaii)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... The UK Food Standards Agency has received an equivalence application for Noni juice originating in Hawaii. The UK submission from Neways Inc, which markets a Noni-based fruit drink in countries including the USA and Australia, follows the...

EU food contaminant laws - responsibility of ingredient makers by Peter Berry Ottaway.
August 1, 2003... Throughout 2002 and the first half of 2003, there was a considerable number of supplement product recalls and withdrawals across the European Union. Almost all those officially notified were for non-compliance with regulations covering...

European Rapid Alert System for food and supplements goes public.
August 1, 2003... A European-wide Rapid Alert System for food and animal feed, which includes food supplements, was established in the European Union in February 2002 by Regulation (EC) No178/2002. The system is designed to provide a network for the exchange of...

Worldwide vitamins market has slowed 18.5%; expected to stay flat to 2007.
August 1, 2003... The global market for vitamins has shrunk 18.5% between 1999 and 2002 and is expected to remain more or less flat in the years to 2007, according to a new report by the USA-based Business Communications Company However, the picture is not...

Global nutrition alliance, GAIN, looks to fortify world's poor.
August 1, 2003... A new Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition aims to save millions of lives and prevent crippling conditions such as blindness and mental retardation by bringing food fortification programs to developing countries. China, Morocco, South...

Research casts doubts on safety of black cohosh for women with breast cancer.
August 1, 2003... Research results released last month by the Mylan School of Pharmacy at Duquesne University, USA, indicate that dietary supplement containing the herbal extract black cohosh, one of the most-widely used alternative therapies for women...

Antioxidant cysteine may decrease the risk of breast cancer.
August 1, 2003... Researchers believe that higher total cysteine levels may be associated with a lower risk of breast cancer, according to a study presented at the 94th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research last month. Cysteine, an amino...

Plant sterols an option to lower cholesterol.
August 1, 2003... Supplementation with plant sterols or sterol esters may be an option for lowering cholesterol in the large population who find it difficult to follow a low-fat diet or for those who prefer not to take cholesterol-lowering medications such as...

Black cohosh "is safe" as HRT replacement.(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... There is "a growing body of evidence on the safety of black cohosh" to treat menopause symptoms, according to a study published in Menopause (2003; 10(4), the journal of the American Menopause Society. The study, which came out just days after...

Potassium supps can lower blood pressure.(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... New findings, published in the July edition of the British Journal of Nutrition, demonstrate that a sustained low dose of potassium can lower blood pressure, thus decreasing the risk of strokes and cardiovascular disease. Previous research...

Herbalife Int debuts Niteworks.(Herbalife International has launched Niteworks, a dietary supplement for cardiovascular health)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... USA-headquartered Herbalife International has launched Niteworks, a dietary supplement that contains key ingredients which, the company says, assist the cardiovascular system in boosting its own natural production of nitric oxide. The...

Nestle and Martek infant formula deal.(Martek Biosciences licensing agreement)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... USA-based Martek Biosciences has signed a worldwide licensing agreement with Nestle of Switzerland's Nestec unit for the former's technology relating to doxosahexaenoic acid and arachidonic acid in infant formulas. The deal provides for an...

Air-2 introduces NicoHale in USA.(Advanced Inhalation Revolutions' smoking cessation product)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... Advanced Inhalation Revolutions (Air-2) has introduced NicoHale, the first vaporizer-based system that utilizes organic herbs and essential oils to support the efforts of people who have decided to stop smoking tobacco products, to the US...

QBI launches Tri-Xanthine.(Quality Botanical Ingredients' ephedra substitute)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... QBI launches Tri-Xanthine Quality Botanical Ingredients of the USA has introduced Tri-Xanthine, said to be a safe and effective substitute for ephedra (or its natural form, mahuang) to promote weight loss and boost energy levels....

Two more herbal teas from Celestial.(Celestial Seasonings has added two more all-natural herb teas, Good Nite Cleanse and Detox AM)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... Celestial Seasonings has added two more all-natural herb teas, Good Nite Cleanse and Detox AM, to round off its Wellness Tea line. Good Nite Cleanse is a blend of spearmint, peppermint, camomile, senna and ginger, aimed at "reving-up" the...

Spain's Cederroth launches new lines.
August 1, 2003... Cederroth Iberia, part of the pharmaceuticals group Cederroth International, has launched Revitonil and Gerimax, a cold remedy and polyvitamin, respectively, to mark the introduction of its health care line in Spain. At a press briefing in the...

Multivitamin "Freeze Pops" debut in USA.(new product launched by J Leonard Neutraceuticals)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... While children will get the most enjoyment from taking their multivitamin by sucking on a freeze pop (ice lolly), the new product launched by J Leonard Neutraceuticals of Pittsburg, USA, will also help adults who have trouble swallowing pills,...

QT 5 starts shipping NICOWater in USA.(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... California, USA-based QT 5 Inc, the manufacturer and marketer of NICOWater, a homeopathic nicotinum (nicotine) product designed to relieve the symptoms of tobacco craving, has now started shipping the product. "The majority of shipments...

Nashai develops theaflavin capsules.(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... Theaflavin, the tea ingredient linked to lowering low-density lipoprotein cholesterol 16.4% in a recently-published study, is now available in a 375mg softgel capsule that overcomes the unstable composition of theaflavins under ambient...

Zenergy launches fortified waters in Oz.(Enhanced Waters, fortified with a blend of vitamins and minerals)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... In Australia, the Zenergy Functional Beverage range has been expanded with the launch of Enhanced Waters, fortified with a blend of vitamins and minerals which offers a refreshing pick-me-up while presenting a healthy alternative to carbonated...

Vinlife antioxidants from wine by-prods.(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... Extracts from wine industry by-products can be used as a health-giving food additive, accoording to research by Australia's Tarac Technologies, which makes Vinlife natural antioxidant. This is produced entirely from the skins and seeds of wine...

Masticatory food supp from Mochida.(Mochida Pharmaceutical's new health food Soshaku Hyakusai)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... Last month saw the introduction in Japan by drugmaker Mochida Pharmaceutical of a new health food, Soshaku Hyakusai, a supplementary health food product with functional ingredients based on a mastication concept jointly developed with the Tokyo...

Cargill showcases products at Food Expo.(Cargill Health & Food Technologies; Institute of Food Technologies' Annual Meeting and Food Expo )(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... In response to growing demand from health-conscious consumers for effective, good-tasting products, Cargill Health & Food Technologies has introduced a number of health-promoting ingredients that can be incorporated into a wide variety of...

FloraGLO Lutein GRAS status expanded.(Generally Recognized As Safe status )(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... Kemin Foods' FLoraGLO brand lutein has earned expanded Generally Recognized As Safe status in the USA for increased inclusion amounts in its current GRAS food categories and for use as an ingredient in new food categories. The new food...

ADM launches NovaLipid line.(Archer Daniels Midland zero and reduced trans-fat oils and shortenings)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... US agricultural processing conglomerate Archer Daniels Midland has announced the launch of NovaLipid zero and reduced trans-fat oils and shortenings, for use in margarine, baking, frying, confectionery and snack and cereal products. "With...

Simbiotic Drink launch by Spain's Priegola.(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... Spanish dairy company Priegola has launched a new line of fermented milk, Simbiotic Drink, which it hopes will knock Danone's hugely popular Actimel off grocery shelves. The Madrid-based company has invested 1.8 million euros ($2.0 million)...

Nutrinova offering veggie DHA soft caps.(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... Germany's Nutrinova has collaborated with Swisscaps AG, a capsule provider for pharmaceutical and dietary supplement firms, to develop soft gel capsules containing DHActive, the former's brand of vegetarian omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid...

Roche carotenoids, vitamins price hikes.(Roche Vitamins )(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... Roche Vitamins has increased its US dollar price for vitamins and carotenoids, as well as for selected fine chemicals by 12%, effective July 1. The company added that it will honor all existing contracts. As previously announced (NIs...

Eisai debuts vitamin B2 Chocolabb product.(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... Japanese drugmaker Eisai has launched Chocolabb Plus, a tablet containing activated vitamin B2. The product is a vitamin supplement for the alleviation of skin roughness, acne and stomatitis, and is said also to be beneficial at times of...

Abbott Labs buys ZonePerfect for $160 million and settles Ross fraud case.
August 1, 2003... US major Abbott Laboratories has signed an agreement to acquire ZonePerfect Nutrition Co, a privately-owned firm based in Beverly, Massachusetts, that markets a line of health and nutrition products . Under the terms of the deal, Abbott...

Forbes signs Korean Reducol supply deal.(Forbes Medi-Tech)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... Canada's Forbes Medi-Tech has signed a licensing and sale agreement with Iljin Pharmaceuticals of South Korea to supply its cholesterol-lowering phytosterol-based ingredient Reducol for use in dietary supplements and functional food products in...

PanGeo goes bankrupt, disposes of assets.(PanGeo Pharma)
August 1, 2003... Canadian vitamin and herbs manufacturer PanGeo Pharma has been granted protection from its creditors under bankruptcy regulations after announcing that it was insolvent. The Montreal-headquartered firm is seeking to restructure its operations...

Atkins diet leaves bad taste for Unilever.(Unilever earnings forecasts)
August 1, 2003... Anglo-Dutch consumer products major Unilever has reaffirmed its full-year earnings guidance, despite reining in forecasts for sales growth of its branded products earlier this year and reporting a 3% fall (at constant exchange rates) to 23.5...

Nature's Sun 2nd qtr.(Nature's Sunshine 2nd quarter earnings)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... The USA's Nature's Sunshine has reported sales of $73.2 million for the second quarter of 2003, down from $77.9 million during the like, year-earlier period. Net profits fell to $1.1 million from $3 million, reflecting the impairment of an...

Imagenetix posts strong 4th quarter.(earnings report)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... San Diego, USA-headquartered Imagenetix, which develops natural-based drugs and nutraceuticals, has posted a 22% leap in revenues for the fiscal fourth quarter ended March 31, 2003, although profits plummeted to $48,393, or $0.01 per share,...

Endomatrix in alliance with Capsugel.(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... California, USA-headquartered Endomatrix, a developer of both pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals aimed at treating the root causes of heart disease, says that it has signed dose-form development and manufacturing agreements with Pfizer...

PepsiCo counts the cost of healthy move.(2nd-quarter earnings impacted by costs of making potato snacks more healthy)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... USA-headquartered food and beverages giant PepsiCo says that its earnings for the second quarter of 2003 were negatively impacted by the cost of the transition to making its potato-based snack products more healthy. The company, which is...

Procter & Gamble to sell Sunny Delight?(Sunny Delight and Punica brands of juice beverages)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... US health care major Procter & Gamble says that it is "exploring strategic alternatives" for its Sunny Delight and Punica brands of juice beverages. The company noted that it will consider various alternative structures, in order to increase...

NHT unit opens in Korea.(Natural Health Trends' Lexxus Korea unit)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... Lexxus Korea, the South Korean unit of USA-based Natural Health Trends, opened for business early last month. NHT president Mark Woodburn said: "we are very committed to the Korean market and believe it will be one of our stronger international...

Burcon Nutra updates business operations.( fiscal year earnings ended March 31)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... Canada's Burcon NutraSciences has reported a loss of C$3.44 million ($2.5 million), or C$0.23 per share, for its fiscal year ended March 31, some 11.1% higher than in the previous year. Among the highlights of the reporting year at this R&D...

South Africa's Herbology achieves first US exports; boosts turnover to 50M rand.
August 1, 2003... South African health products company Herbology has exported its first shipment to the USA, and says that it has grown retail turnover to 50 million rand ($6.6 million) since launching in early 2001; the firm's best-known product is the...

Red Bull Australia links with Cadbury.(distribution alliance with Cadbury Schweppes)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... Red Bull Australia has formed a distribution alliance with Cadbury Schweppes, which began operating last month, in order to allow more consumers to have access to its energy drinks, according to Red Bull's chief executive, Stuart MacLean, who...

Nestle buys Russian baby food plant.(in the city of Vologda)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... Nestle is reported to have recently purchased a baby food factory in the Russian city of Vologda, although no details are currently available, according to the Interfax news agency. This would be Nestle's 12th factory in Russia, where the...