Nutraceuticals International articles from January 2008

Nutraceuticals International archives from January 2008

European Commission adopts proposal to amend novel foods regulation.
January 1, 2008... The European Commission has adopted a proposal to revise the Novel Foods Regulation with a view to improving the access of new and innovative foods to the European Union market, while still maintaining a high level of consumer protection. Under...

EFSA starts botanicals consultation.(European Food Standards Authority)
January 1, 2008... The Scientific Committee of the European Food Standards Authority has now adopted the agency's opinion on the safety model for botanicals and has launched a public consultation on the draft approach it proposes for assessing the safety of...

Positive list of plants notified in France.(Brief article)
January 1, 2008... In accordance with Article 12 of Regulation 2006/1925/ EC, France has notified a draft regulation providing a positive list of plants and of substances other than vitamins and minerals, as well as their conditions of use, to be used in food...

German guidelines on nutrition labeling.
January 1, 2008... The German government has recently produced new nutritional information guidelines for food packaging, which concentrate on calorie content as the means of informing the nation's consumer of the nutritional status of the product. The...

European Commission discussing labeling rules, simpler legislation for SMEs.
January 1, 2008... The European Commission is currently considering repealing existing Directives on food and nutrition labeling and has released an initial draft proposal which codifies existing provisions and proposes new requirements. New aspects of the...

European food supps legislation - wheels still grinding very slowly by Peter Berry Ottaway.
January 1, 2008... Towards the end of 2006, it was expected that the new year (2007), would see the culmination of a range of European Union legislation affecting supplements and nutraceuticals. These expectations included new laws on novel foods, maximum levels...

European Article 13.5 fast-track decision "will nourish competitive market".(Brief article)
January 1, 2008... The European Commission's decision to fast track health claims on foods based on newly-developed science and those requesting proprietary data protection will help companies keep ahead of the competition, said Patrick Coppens, food law manager...

UK infant formula legislation suspended.
January 1, 2008... Following a legal challenge by the Infant and Dietetic Foods Association, implementation of new European Union legislation on infant and follow-on formula for England and Wales, which was due to come into force on January 11, has been...

Novel food data sought in Norway.(Brief article)
January 1, 2008... The Norwegian supplement association, Bransjeradet for Naturmidler, is seeking data for a number of herbs to demonstrate to the Norwegian Food Authority that they are not novel foods. The data required should offer proof that the herb was sold...

AHPA questions aspects of US FDA labeling guidance on SAER Law.
January 1, 2008... On January 2, the Food and Drug Administration issued two Federal Register notices to announce the availability of draft guidance documents on labeling of dietary supplements and nonprescription drugs, respectively, as required by the Dietary...

CRN/Virgo offering supply chain webinar.
January 1, 2008... The US Council for Responsible Nutrition and Virgo Publishing hav announced plans for a new webinar -The Webinar: Ensuring the Integrity of the Supply Chain - to be held on February 19, 2:00-4:30 pm, eastern time. This is the second webinar...

USA's CRN calls proposed legislation on DHEA "a solution in search of problem".
January 1, 2008... In response to the press conference introduction by Senators Charles Grassley (Republican, Iowa) and Charles Schumer (Democrat, New York) of a bill - S 2470, the Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) Abuse Reduction Act of 2007 (DARA 2007), - which...

ADA supports USDA on WIC food packages.
January 1, 2008... The American Dietetic Association says it welcomes and supports changes announced last month by the US Department of Agriculture to the nation's Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC), adding it believes...

Americans lack multivitamin knowledge.
January 1, 2008... While the majority of Americans believe they are very or somewhat knowledgeable about multivitamins (67%), many do not know which vitamins and minerals are essential for the body or which ones are responsible for specific functions in the body,...

US FDA warns on Chinese ED supps.
January 1, 2008... The US Food and Drug Administration is advising consumers not to buy or use Super Shangai, Strong Testis, Shangai Ultra, Shangai Ultra X, Lady Shangai and Shangai Regular, also marketed as Shangai Chaojimengnan, products. These products,...

US NPA supports Mitchell rep findings.
January 1, 2008... In response to the "Mitchell report," released last month regarding the illegal use of steroids and other performance enhancing substances in US Major League Baseball, the Natural Products Association, the USA's oldest and largest trade...

AHPA questions FDA on AER guidance.
January 1, 2008... The American Herbal Products Association has submitted comments to the Food and Drug Administration that seek to improve and clarify the agency's guidance on submitting serious adverse event reports associated with dietary supplements and...

Canadian govt releases encouraging results on trans fat levels in foods.
January 1, 2008... Canadian Health Minister Tony Clement has announced that the first set of data from its trans fat monitoring program has been posted, and the results are encouraging. In June 2007, the government of Canada called on industry to voluntarily...

Supplement regs changes in NZ.
January 1, 2008... The New Zealand Food Safety Authority and Medsafe are planning changes to regulation of dietary supplements in New Zealand. The existing Dietary Supplements Regulations 1985 (DSR) administered by the NZFSA will be divided into two areas of...

Nutrition trends for 2008; the hype can be confusing, says expert Clive Spray.
January 1, 2008... With 2008 here, people are looking for that magic pill that will make us look and feel better. However, it will be found that the magic pill is no longer a pill, and nutrition trends of 2008 will put people on the right path. "Nutrition can be...

Swedish Rhodiola rosea extract in depression.(Clinical report)
January 1, 2008... A new clinical trial has found that an extract of Rhodiola rosea roots and rhizomes demonstrated anti-depressive activity in patients with mild-to-moderate depression. This is the first double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study of...

Vitamin B12 function may be diminished by excessive folate, Tufts study finds.
January 1, 2008... In a study of adults aged 20 and over, researchers at the USA-based Tufts University showed that homocysteine and methylmalonic acid are at much higher levels in individuals who have a combination of vitamin B12 deficiency and high blood folate...

Regulatory changes a boost for emerging supplements markets, says IADSA.
January 1, 2008... Changing regulations for dietary supplements across the globe has led to increased consumer demand in emerging markets, the International Alliance of Dietary/Food Supplements (IADSA) has said. IADSA global market analyst Peter Zambetti said...

Outcome of Codex Nutrition Committee meeting broadly positive, says IADSA.(International Alliance on Dietary/Food Supplements)(Conference notes)
January 1, 2008... The results of the recent Codex Nutrition Committee meeting in Bad Neuenahr, Germany, were broadly positive, says the International Alliance on Dietary/Food Supplements (IADSA), whose delegates attended, and can be summarized as follows: -...

Too much fructose could leave dieters sugar shocked, says researchers.
January 1, 2008... The sugary cookies and fat-laden fruitcakes the mythical North Pole resident eats are a no-no. But people do not have to go no-carb to stay fit at the holidays, either, University of Florida, USA, researchers say, reported by EurekAlert. ...

Milk does body and waistline good.
January 1, 2008... The everyday nutrients found in milk may be the key to helping people size down this year, according to new research by Loyola Marymount University, USA, professor of natural science Hawley Almstedt and her student Alexandra Hybki. People on...

Lycopene helps block prostate enlargement.
January 1, 2008... Taking lycopene capsules (LycoVit) prevents age-related prostate growth in men, concludes a clinical trial published in the January 2008 edition of The Journal of Nutrition," reports the German chemicals and nutritional ingredients supplements...

Wholegrain helps cut breast cancer risk.
January 1, 2008... Eating Wholegrain Krisprolls could help young women halve their risk of breast cancer, claims Pagen AB, the Swedish manufacturers of the product. Researchers writing in the International Journal of Epidemiology said that dietary fiber,...

Heart health certification for Glory Foods product.
January 1, 2008... Ohio, USA-based Glory Foods' Sensibly Seasoned side dishes, which are lower in sodium, low fat and meatless, were the first product line of its kind to be offered, while still maintaining a savory taste. Now, says the firm, they also bear the...

Consumers are "being misled over bioavailability of resveratrol".
January 1, 2008... In response to consumer inquiries emanating from an allegedly misleading press release issued by a competing dietary supplement company, Biotivia, which claims that quercetin inhibits the bioavailability of resveratrol, US firm Resveratrol...

Omega-3s linked to PD prevention.
January 1, 2008... A milestone report links long-chain (marine) omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) with the prevention of Parkinson's disease, according to the December 2007 Fats of Life and PUFA Newsletter electronic publications, which summarize the...

Soy isoflavones may help menopause.(Medical condition overview)(Clinical report)
January 1, 2008... Baby boomer women account for around 25% of the total female population in the USA and, as the youngest members of this generation enter their early forties, an unprecedented number of women will experience symptoms of menopause over the next...

Calcium supps double chances of heart attack.(Medical condition overview)
January 1, 2008... Women aged over 55 years given calcium supplements to combat osteoporosis raised their chances of a heart attack by almost 50% and increased risk of stroke by one third, according to data published in the British Medical Journal on January 15....

Probiotics could affect fat absorption in gut.
January 1, 2008... Probiotics have a tangible effect on the metabolism, according to the results of a new study published on January 15 in the journal Molecular Systems Biology. Researchers from Imperial College London and the Nestle Research Center in...

BENEO's Palatinose promotes fat burn.(Brief article)
January 1, 2008... Mannheim, Germany-based BENEO-Palatin says that its ingredient Palatinose has been shown to promote fat burning, which it says makes the low glycemic carbohydrate the only one to provide a sustained supply of energy in the form of glucose with...

Vit D deficiency linked to increased CV risk.
January 1, 2008... According to a study conducted by scientists at the Harvard Medical School in Boston, USA, people with low vitamin D levels are at an increased risk of heart attack, heart failure and stroke. The research also showed this risk is particularly...

Resveratrol may help counter diabetes.
January 1, 2008... Arizona, USA-based nutraceutical company Baywood International says that data from a new study indicates that the antioxidant resveratrol, found in red wine, may counter diabetes and insulin resistance. The work, which was conducted by...

Inaugural Honey and Human Health meeting.(Medical condition overview)
January 1, 2008... Scientists gathered at the first International Symposium on Honey and Human Health in California, USA, to discuss current research examining the benefits of honey in the diet. One of the focuses of the meeting was new study data which suggests...

France's Naturex acquires Berkem's "Actifs Innovants" division.(Clinical report)
January 1, 2008... Making a second acquisition within three weeks (Chart of the USA, see also page 24) Avignon-headquartered Naturex has bought fellow French firm Berkem's "Actifs Innovants" division for a consideration of 9.5 million euros ($14.0 million). This...

NutraCea forms JVs with HerbalScience to develop nutra extracts from stabilized rice bran.
January 1, 2008... NutraCea, a world leader in stabilized rice bran (SRB), nutrient research and technology, says that it has formed two joint ventures with HerbalScience Singapore Ltd Pte, which produces standardized botanical extracts for functional food and...

FCOM developing coQ10 infused currants.
January 1, 2008... Tokyo, Japan-based venture firm Fresh Functional Food Composite Co (FCOM) has created currants infused with chocolate and coenzyme Q10 to make it more palatable for people to take the vitamin-like nutrient, according to a report The Japan Times...

Heart healthy potato chips launched in USA.
January 1, 2008... USA-based Corazonas Foods has launched a range of Heart-Healthy Potato Chips. According to the firm, patented technology infusing plant sterols into the chips makes its product the first and only potato chip clinically proven to reduce...

US FDA: no questions on Sharp-PS GRAS.
January 1, 2008... Enzymotec said that it had received a notice fom the US Food and Drug Administration that it has no questions regarding the Israeli biotechnology firm's request for Generally Recognized as Safe notification for its brain health supplement...

Datamonitor's review of 2007's functional foods.
January 1, 2008... Datamonitor's Productscan Online review of 2007's offering identified a number of strong innovations in the functional foods area. According to the business intelligence firm, one of the products which is "new to the world" benefits with the...

USANA feels vindicated as SEC inquiry says no action needs to be taken.
January 1, 2008... USANA Health Sciences is celebrating after receiving a letter from the US Securities & Exchange Commission which has cleared the firm of any wrongdoing in its business dealings. USANA, a Salt Lake City-based company which specializes in...

Canada's Forbes Medi-Tech converts to a new company in a bid to get additional funding.(Brief article)
January 1, 2008... Canada's Forbes Medi-Tech, which is best-known for its cholesterol-lowering phytosterol-based ingredient Reducol, has announced plans to restructure the group which will lead to the establishment of a new company, thus opening up new avenues...

Danone pulls out of Mengniu JV in China.(Groupe Danone signed a series of joint venture contracts with China's Mengniu Dairy Group)(Brief article)
January 1, 2008... France's Groupe Danone signed a series of joint venture contracts with China's Mengniu Dairy Group in December 2006 under which some cooperation as outlined in these contracts has currently begun. However, since some conditions for this...

France's Naturex acquires Chart of USA.
January 1, 2008... France-based Naturex SA has announced the acquisition of Chart Corp, a US company specializing in the production of natural flavoring ingredients for the beverage and flavor industries. Chart is located in New Jersey, in Paterson, near the US...

Danone to settle dispute with Wahaha.
January 1, 2008... France-headquartered food major Groupe Danone and Chinese beverage giant Wahaha Group said they would end confrontations (NIs passim) and prepare negotiations for peace, said a spokeswoman for Danone, reported by the Xinhau news agency. The...

Mannatech opens office in Switzerland.(Brief article)
January 1, 2008... USA-based nutritional supplement developer Mannatech says it is to open a management office in Switzerland in an attempt to "assist in maximizing international growth initiatives." The move will help the company strengthen its competitive...

BI Nutra looks to expand in Turkey.
January 1, 2008... The USA's BI Nutraceuticals, a supplier of dietary supplements and functional food ingredients, has teamed up with the Safir Group which will be the exclusive distributor for its line of products in Turkey. BI has more than 700 ingredient...

NBTY first-quarter sales sneak up 1%.(Financial report)
January 1, 2008... US nutritional supplements firm NBTY has posted preliminary figures for the fiscal first quarter ended December 31, 2007, that reveal a 1.0% rise in sales on the like, year-earlier period to $496.4 million. Growth was driven by its US...

Schiff posts a solid set of financials.
January 1, 2008... Vitamin and supplement maker Schiff Nutrition International has announced results for the fiscal 2008 second quarter ended November 30, which show that net sales were up 1.8% compared to a same period a year ago, at $39.5 million. Net income...

Chr Hansen acquires Arla's Medipharm AB.
January 1, 2008... Denmark's Chr Hansen has agreed to acquire, for an undisclosed sum, the Swedish Arla Foods' subsidiary Medipharm AB, which specializes in probiotic bacterial solutions for the agricultural and food industries and has subsidiaries in the USA,...

TyraTech earns first milestone from Kraft.
January 1, 2008... USA-based TyraTech, a specialist in natural pesticide products, has completed the first stage of its development accord with the world's second largest food and beverages producer, Kraft Foods, and received its first milestone. The payment is...

Hi-Tech agrees to buy Midlothian Labs for $5M.(Hi-Tech Pharmacal Company Inc.)(Brief article)
January 1, 2008... Hi-Tech Pharmacal has signed a definitive agreement to acquire the assets of fellow USA-based drugmaker Midlothian Laboratories for $5.0 million in an all-cash transaction. Additionally, Hi-Tech will pay $900,000 for inventory and potentially...

Danisco's fiscal 2nd-qtr profit rises to 328 DKK.(Financial report)
January 1, 2008... Danish sugar and ingredients firm Danisco says that, in the second quarter of its 2007/08 fiscal year, which was the three months ended October 31, 2007, its revenue fell to 4.64 billion Danish kronor ($918.8 million) from 4.75 billion kronor...

Forthcoming meetings/events.(Brief article)(Calendar)
January 1, 2008... l Nutracon 2008 takes place on March 12-13 at the Anaheim Marriott Hotel, Anaheim, California, USA. For further details, full program and registration, visit: www.nutraconference.com. l Natural Products Expo West/SupplyExpo will be held in...

People on the move.
January 1, 2008... - The US Food and Drug Administration has named Stephen Sundlof as Director of its Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition. Dr Sundlof moves from the post of Director of the FDA's Center for Veterinary Medicine. - Emmanuel Faber is to...