Nutraceuticals International articles from February 2007

Nutraceuticals International archives from February 2007

ERNA presents the facts on carotenoids and their health benefits.
February 1, 2007... Carotenoids and the health benefits of their antioxidant properties have taken the food world by storm. The more than 600 organic pigments that occur naturally in plants, some algae and fungi are rising in popularity, and substances such as...

EFSA re-evaluates safety of bisphenol A and sets tolerable daily intake levels.(European Food Safety Authority)
February 1, 2007... The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has recently announced its opinion on dietary exposure to the chemical bisphenol A (BPA). People are exposed to BPA in food through its use in certain plastic and other materials that are used in...

Essensis hydrates French "nutras".
February 1, 2007... The launch of Danone's new yogurt Essensis, which is claimed to hydrate the body's internal skin, has sparked a fresh look at the significance of nutraceuticals in an age of increasing inactivity and sedentary habits combined with consumption...

UK's FSA consults on two novel food.
February 1, 2007... The UK Food Standards Agency's expert advisory committee on novel foods, the Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes (ACNFP), has been consulting on draft opinions on applications on the "substantial equivalence" of two novel...

EFSA fees could threaten health food industry innovation, says EHPM.
February 1, 2007... Potential fees by the European Food Safety Authority's for processing authorization files could hamper future innovation in some already financially stretched small and medium-sized enterprises, insists trade association, the European...

New European Union claims regulation and good science.
February 1, 2007... With the European Union Regulation 1924/2006 on nutrition and health claims now in force, the next urgent step for industry is to ensure that all viable health claims are notified to EU member state governments for submission to the European...

European Commission welcomes ruling on Danone and repeat offenders.
February 1, 2007... The European Commission has welcomed the judgement by the European Court of Justice (Case C-3/06 P) dismissing in its entirety the appeal by France's food giant Groupe Danone against the judgment of the Court of First Instance (CFI) of October...

European consumers want chocolate with health benefits, survey finds.
February 1, 2007... Results of European consumer survey by Switzerland-based Barry Callebaut, a maker of cocoa, chocolate and confectionery products, predicts fast-growing demand for healthy chocolate. This was conducted for the company by independent research...

US FDA releases guidance document on food labeling and health claims.
February 1, 2007... The US Food and Drug Administration is reminding manufacturers and distributors of conventional foods about the different types of labeling claims available for use on these products and how these claims are regulated by the agency. Currently,...

Scientific experts in USA call for increase in vitamin D upper levels.
February 1, 2007... Four nutrition experts, including two US Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN) scientists and two of the world's pre-eminent vitamin D researchers, are urging the Food and Nutrition Board (FNB) to raise the vitamin D tolerable upper intake...

CRN slams new book on dietary supps.(Council for Responsible Nutrition)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... A newly-released book on dietary supplements has been dismissed by the US Council for Responsible Nutrition as "not credible," because of its lack of science, historical inaccuracies and emphasis on anecdotal evidence and opinion. "The book,...

New standards being proposed by US FDA for gluten-free food labeling.
February 1, 2007... The US Food and Drug Administration is proposing to define the term "gluten-free" for voluntary use in the labeling of foods, which would allow Americans with the condition known as celiac disease - who are thought to number 1.5 to 3.0 million,...

IADSA sets agenda for 2007, expecting headway in improved regulation.
February 1, 2007... Headway is expected on improved dietary supplement regulation this year as the International Alliance and Dietary/Food Supplements Associations (IADSA) expands its plan of action regionally and globally. 2007 will be a key year in the...

Australia-New Zealand collaboration on transfats is launched this month.
February 1, 2007... Opening the inaugural meeting of the Australia New Zealand Collaboration on Transfats this month, the Assistant Minister for Health and Aging, Christopher Pyne, said that this was an important public health initiative. "Last October, I...

IADSA keeps up its fight to retain key additives in food supplements.
February 1, 2007... The International Alliance of Dietary/Food Supplement Associations (IADSA) has pledged to continue fighting to retain key additives used in food supplements in the Codex General Standard for Food Additives list this year. Last year the...

Canada's new government launches updated Food Guide to help Canadians live healthier.
February 1, 2007... Canadian Health Minister Tony Clement has launched the new 2007 version of Canada's Food Guide - "Eating Well with Canada's Food Guide" - at the Real Canadian Superstore in Orleans, Ontario. Christian Paradis, Member of Parliament for...

Australian government debuts "% daily intake" scheme for food and beverages.
February 1, 2007... Australia's federal government has launched a new percentage daily intake food labeling (%DI) scheme to permit consumers to make informed choices about their food and beverage intake, which has been generally welcomed by the grocery industry...

Asian committee agreement on ginseng.(Codex Committee for Asia)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... At its last meeting in November 2006, the Codex Committee for Asia discussed the proposed draft standard for ginseng products and agreed to forward the text to the Codex Commission, the decision-making body in Codex, for its adoption at Step 5...

Colombia and New Zealand join IADSA.
February 1, 2007... Two new national associations have joined the International Alliance of Dietary/Food Supplements Associations (IADSA): the newly-established Colombian Association on Dietary Supplements (ACSDA); and Natural Products New Zealand Inc, an...

As Australians drink ever more health juices, health claims problems arise.
February 1, 2007... Drinking health juices has become a rapidly-growing fad in Australia, especially in its major cities, supplied by the growing number of squeeze bars which also sell higher priced pre-packed juices, and on- line multi-level distributors...

Thailand proposing tax on supplements.
February 1, 2007... The Thai authorities are currently considering introducing an excise tax of 50% on food supplements. This tax rate is normally only applied to luxury goods. In an attempt to counteract this, the Thai dietary supplement association, the HFSA,...

First reading for Trans-Tasman bill.
February 1, 2007... Trans-Tasman Harmonization arrangements are continuing on schedule, despite protests, with the first reading of the New Zealand government's Therapeutic Products and Medicine Bill, which will bring within its scope the regulation of natural...

New study challanges policosanol's LDL benefit.
February 1, 2007... Policosanol, a dietary supplement said to cut levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, may not live up to its advertising claims, according to a recent study published in the December 2006 issue of the American Journal of Clinical...

UHT processed soy loses ability to lower LDL.(Clinical report)
February 1, 2007... A placebo-controlled, randomized, double-blind clinical study found that soy protein products which have been ultra-high temperature treated lose their ability to reduce serum cholesterol, and can significantly increase the levels of harmful...

New data supports Svetol weight loss claim.(Clinical report)
February 1, 2007... Berkem, a French herbal extracts supplier to the pharmaceutical, nutrition and dietary supplement industries, says that recent clinical findings support the health benefits of Svetol, its water-soluble decaffeinated green coffee extract that...

Glyceollin effective in cancer animal model.
February 1, 2007... A compound produced by specially grown soy beans may prove to be successful in fighting the growth of breast and ovarian cancers, according to research conducted by Matthew Burow at Tulane University, New Orleans, USA. Dr Burow tested the...

Latest NIEHS findings show that folic acid may prevent cleft lip and palate.
February 1, 2007... A new study finds that women who take folic acid supplements early in their pregnancy can substantially reduce their baby's chances of being born with a facial cleft. Researchers at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences...

Neptune to study NKO in dyslipedemia.(Neptune Technologies & Bioressources)(Neptune Krill Oil)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... Quebec, Canada-based Neptune Technologies & Bioressources has initiated a population-based risk-benefit analysis study for Neptune Krill Oil (trade name NKO) in the management of dyslipidemia. The study will be conducted by a team of...

ReGen's Colostrinin raises life span in mice.(ReGen Therapeutics PLC)
February 1, 2007... UK-headquartered ReGen Therapeutics says that the results of an in vivo study showing that its Colostrinin increases the lifespan and improves the neurological performance of inbred mice predisposed to premature aging have been accepted for...

Good results for RZN Nutra's products.(RZN Nutraceuticals )
February 1, 2007... Miami, USA-based RZN Nutraceuticals has released results of two randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trials showing its products - Arthri-Zen Relief and Migra-Zen Relief PLUS - provide natural, effective relief from arthritis and migraine...

Folic acid could delay mental decline of aging.(Clinical report)
February 1, 2007... A team of researchers from the Wageningen University in the Netherlands published findings from a double-blind, placebo controlled study in the January 20 edition of The Lancet, showing that three-year folic acid supplementation improves...

New study defends Cr picolinate in diabetes.
February 1, 2007... According to US supplements firm Nutrition 21, a recent peer-reviewed analysis of clinical data, published in the January 31 edition of Diabetes Technology & Therapeutics, confirms that chromium picolinate is effective in improving glycemic...

Cherry Reports asserts new health benefits.
February 1, 2007... The US cherry industry has launched a consumer education campaign and unveiled a paper entitled, The Cherry Nutrition Report, which is the first compendium of peer-reviewed cherry-related studies, and attests to the surprisingly high levels of...

New study supports painkiller glucosamine.(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... The natural supplement glucosamine is just as effective as the non- steroidal anti-inflammatory painkiller paracetamol in the treatment of osteoathritis, according to trial data published in Arthritis and Rheumatism. The double-blind,...

Next's Citrofen supp impresses in OA study.
February 1, 2007... California-based dietary supplements developer Next Pharmaceuticals says that the results of a new clinical trial of its patented ingredient Citrofen, under assessment as a treatment for osteoarthritis of the knee, demonstrate that it brings...

Cocoa flavanols may help cognitive health.
February 1, 2007... According to data presented at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, a specially developed cocoa, designed to retain naturallyoccurring compounds called flavanols, may have a role in preventing cognitive...

Study shows Life'sDHA lowers triglycerides.(docosahexaenoic acid)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... USA-based omega-3 specialist Martek Biosciences says that its vegetarian docosahexaenoic acid product Life'sDHA, which is extracted from microalgae, is effective in helping to reduce triglyceride levels in patients with coronary artery disease....

Integrated Genomics and Arla in R&D deal.
February 1, 2007... Chicago, USA-based Integrated Genomics, a specialist in research in microbial genomics, biochemistry and gene expression, says that it has entered into an collaboration agreement with Arla Foods, co-owned by milk producers in Denmark and...

Arkopharma expands 4.3.2.1 range.
February 1, 2007... French plant-based drugmaker Arkopharma says that it has made an addition to its "phytofluid" 4.3.2.1 range, namely 4.3.2.1 Performance Detox, a green tea and lemon juice flavored nutritional drink. The firm explained that the product,...

Kalbim Benecol leads the field in Turkey.(Ulker )(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... Turkish food group Ulker says that, since its launch July 2006, Kalbim Benecol has become the leading cholesterol-lowering food in the country. The firm added that its product has a 64% share of the total market, based upon its dominance in the...

Selenomax slows HIV progression boost CD4.(Clinical report)
February 1, 2007... The USA's Nutrition 21 says that daily supplementation with its high selenium yeast product, Selenomax, suppressed progression of HIV-1 and improved immune cell CD4 counts in HIV-1 seropositive men and women. The benefits were reported in a...

Mixed results from animal studies of CLA.
February 1, 2007... Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), a supplement taken to promote weight loss, may cause insulin resistance, according to recent data from rodent studies led by Martha Belury, associate professor of Human Nutrition at the USA's Ohio State...

Spearmint tea: remedy for female body hair.(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... Data just published in the February edition of Phytotherapy Research shows that drinking two cups of spearmint tea (Mentha spicata) a day for five days could reduce the level of androgens in women with hirsutism. This is a distressing disorder...

Watercress the latest anti-cancer superfood.
February 1, 2007... Watercress could be promoted to the rank of a superfood alongside broccoli, blueberries, dark chocolate and baked beans, with new research suggesting it can help reduce the risk of cancer. Findings published in the American Journal of...

Plant-based omega-3s may aid bone health.
February 1, 2007... Plant-based omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) may have a protective effect on bone health, according to a team of Penn State, USA, researchers who carried out the first controlled diet study of these fatty acids contained in such foods...

Herbalife's board ponders takeover bid.
February 1, 2007... Bosses at USA-based Herbalife, a developer of nutritional supplements, have called in financial advisors to help it consider an approach from a private equity group, led by its own chairman Peter Castleman, which is looking to buy the firm. ...

Martek ends Europe DHA patent appeal.
February 1, 2007... The USA's Martek Biosciences Corp, which develops omega-3 docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and arachidonic acid (ARA)-based products used in infant formulas, says that it is dropping a patent appeal in Europe. The company has withdrawn its...

Forbes cuts 20% of Canadian workforce.
February 1, 2007... Forbes Medi-Tech's bid to break into pharmaceuticals is proving to be difficult and is leading to the loss of 20% of its workforce in Canada as the company tries to keep afloat financially. Forbes, which has achieved success in the...

China Health Holdings takes majority stake in Beijing BoranPharma.
February 1, 2007... China Health Holdings takes majority stake in Beijing Boran Pharma China Health Holding, a development stage company with the goal of becoming a leading developer, manufacturer, marketer and distributor of dietary supplements and...

Danone sets up subsid in Thailand.(DANONE Group creates Danone Dairy Thailand and enters partnership with Dutch Mill Co.)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... The French Groupe DANONE has announced the creation of a business producing fresh dairy products in Thailand, Danone Dairy Thailand, and a strategic partnership with Dutch Mill Co. The objective is to offer innovative products with high...

Biostime introduces Probi's Lp299v probiotics to China's market.
February 1, 2007... Dietary supplements with the Swedish company Probi's healthy bacteria Lp299v will be launched in China during the spring of this year. Probi's partner, the Franco-Canadian Institut Rosell-Lallemand, has signed an exclusive agreement for launch...

NBTY profits double due to US recovery.(Financial report)
February 1, 2007... Having already announced its sales last month (NI vol 12, no 1), NBTY has now revealed its earnings and further details about its individual units for the fiscal first quarter ended December 31, 2006. Net income climbed 122% to $51 million,...

Natural Alternatives enjoys sales increase.(Natural Alternatives International Inc.)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... California, USA-based Natural Alternatives International, which specializes in customized supplements, says that revenues for the second quarter of fiscal 2007 ended December 31, 2006, reached $24.0 million, a rise of 20.6% compared with the...

NIC putting its faith in newly-acquired brands.
February 1, 2007... Nutraceutical International Corp has posted a 2.5% decline in sales to $35.8 million, while its net income was $3.4 million, or $0.30 per share, down 2.9% compared to the same quarter last year. Chief executive Bill Gay said sales were...

USANA Health results impress yet again.(USANA Health Sciences Inc.)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... USANA Health Sciences, a Salt Lake City, USA-based firm which specializes in nutritional and weight-management products, posted record results for the fiscal fourth quarter and full-year 2006, ended December 30. Sales in the fourth quarter...

Forthcoming meetings/events.
February 1, 2007... The International Perspective on Dietary Supplements Regulation Workshop will take place April 17, 2007 in Yokohama, Japan. This is being organized by the International Alliance of Dietary/Food Supplements Associations (IADSA), in cooperation...

People on the move.
February 1, 2007... - New Sun Nutrition, a US developer and distributor of nutritional supplements has recruited former VeriSign and Pepsi-Cola veteran Maigread Eichten as chief operating officer. In this position, Ms Eichten will oversee all day-to-day operations...