Nutraceuticals International articles from May 2006

Nutraceuticals International archives from May 2006

EU parliamentarians vote for tougher rules on health claim, additions to food.
May 1, 2006... European Members of Parliament have approved tougher rules for foods claiming to provide nutritional and health benefits. They want clear definitions for claims that foods are "low energy," "low fat," "high fiber" or even "reduce cholesterol."...

German court rules that probiotic bacteria is a food, not a medicine.
May 1, 2006... Lactobact omni FOS can be lawfully marketed as a food supplement in Germany. This has just been decided by the Higher Administrative Court (Oberverwaltungsgericht) in Munster, Germany (OVG NRW 13 A 1977/02). Legal action had been taken by HLH...

EFSA invites EC to dialogue on GMOs.(European Food Safety Authority)(European Environment Commissioner)(Stavros Dimas)(genetically modified organism )
May 1, 2006... EFSA invites EC to dialog on GMOs The European Food Safety Authority last month invited European Environment Commissioner, Stavros Dimas, to a meeting to update him on the agency's scientific and procedural approach to food safety issues,...

EFSA re-confirms safety of low-calorie sweetener Aspartame.(European Food Safety Authority)
May 1, 2006... The European Food Safety Authority has announced that there is no reason to recommend any dietary change with regard to the low-calorie sweetener, aspartame. The report from EFSA's Scientific Panel on Food Additives, Flavorings,...

Denmark withdraws saw palmetto prods.(products)(Danish Ministry of Family and Consumer Affairs)(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... The Danish Ministry of Family and Consumer Affairs has withdrawn saw palmetto products from the market, citing safety concerns. The Danish authority is now carrying out a safety evaluation and says it will share its findings with the...

EU food and drinks body says members are progressing on fight against obesity.
May 1, 2006... Members of the Confederation of the Food and Drink Industries of the EU (CIAA) this month presented encouraging evidence that companies are beginning to deliver results in the fight against obesity. "The food and drink industries understand...

EU vote a "better choice," says MEP.
May 1, 2006... Commenting on this month's European Members of Parliament's vote for tougher rules on health claims for foods and dietary supplements (see page 3), rapporteur Karin Scheele, a member of the Austrian Socialist Group of MEPS (PSE), said that the...

Czechs spending on on slimming supps.(consumer spending of pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industry )(Czech Republic)(supplements)(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... Czech consumers spent more than 26.6 million euros ($29.0 million) on slimming supplements in 2005, according to pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industry sources. Jan Kejda, president of MedPharma, said that his company had achieved a 15%...

Chemical contamination of supplements - the IADSA initiate.(International Alliance of Dietary/Food Supplement Associations)
May 1, 2006... From February to April 2006 there was a major problem in Europe following the discovery of elevated levels of dioxins in fish-oil supplements (NI vol 11, no 4). Although the problem was identified in the UK it rapidly became a European...

FTC gives evidence to FDA on whole grains label statements guidance for USA.
May 1, 2006... The US Federal Trade Commission has issued its response to the Food and Drug Administration's consultation about new guidance to both the nutraceutical industry and the FDA's staff, about permissible label statements for whole grains. The...

US Consumers Union launches dietary supplement and natural medicines database.
May 1, 2006... A new database, costing a yearly subscription of $19, offering US consumers information on thousands of dietary supplements, herbs and other natural medicines, has been launched this month by the Consumers Union. Believed to be the most...

Australian fruit juice industry ever more competitive, leading to false claims.
May 1, 2006... The main players in Australia's A$1.0 billion ($743.3 million) fruit juice industry include Berri, Golden Juice, Nudie, Emma & Tom's and Boost. Berri dominates, with 49% of sales. Golden Juice is second, with a 16% market share. Nudie, launched...

Oz Egg Nutrition Advisory set up.
May 1, 2006... The Australian Egg Corp has appointed of five nutrition and medical health care experts to the newly-formed Egg Nutrition Advisory Group (the ENAG). Associate professor Karam Kostner, a cardiologist at the University of Queensland and member of...

FSANZ considering folate fortification.
May 1, 2006... Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is now considering mandatory fortification of flour products with folate (folic acid), which prevents serious birth defects and reduces the risk of strokes. This follows major public health...

US FTC fines weight-loss product makers $3M for false claims.
May 1, 2006... US companies making questionable weight-loss and fat-loss claims to sell skin gels and diet supplements will pay $3.0 million to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that their deceptive claims violated federal law. The settlement bars...

FDA statement on EFSA aspartame study.(Food and Drug Administration)(European Food Safety Authority)(research reports on carcinogenicity of aspartame)(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... The US Food and Drug Administration has put out a statement in response to the European Food Safety Authority press release on its review of the long-term carcinogenicity study of aspartame conducted by the European Ramazzini Foundation (ERF;...

Strong growth forecast for Japan's health foods ingredients markets.
May 1, 2006... The Japanese market for animal and plant-originated ingredients and materials, which are useful for drugs, health foods and cosmetic products, will increase 54% from 110.0 billion yen ($957.0 million) in 2005 to 169.2 billion yen in 2010,...

Pocari Sweat official sports drink for Doha.
May 1, 2006... The president of Japan's Otsuka Pharmaceutical, Tatsuo Higuchi, has officially signed a partnership agreement designating the firm's Pocari Sweat as the official sports drink for Doha 2006 with the Olympic Council of Asia and the Doha Asian...

Soy protein heart health claim allowed by Malaysian authorities.
May 1, 2006... The Malaysian authority has ruled that the nation's food manufacturers can claim foods containing soy protein help reduce a person's cholesterol. In so doing, Malaysia becomes the eight country to link soy with lower cholesterol levels. ...

FSANZ re-examining the need for trans fatty acids labeling.
May 1, 2006... Currently, in Australia, the trans fatty acids in food only have to be labeled if the manufacturer makes a nutrition claim about cholesterol, saturated, unsaturated or trans fatty acids. However, voluntary labeling is permitted and many edible...

ReGen initiates Colostrinin studies.(ReGen Therapeutics PLC)(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... UK-based ReGen Therapeutics says that it is starting formal safety studies with Colostrinin, its proline-rich polypeptide extract of bovine colostrum. While there have been no safety concerns associated with the use of Colostrinin in...

Cholestech and Flora pro.active join in UK "Test the Nation" program.
May 1, 2006... US firm Cholestech Corp announced that Flora pro.activ, the UK's leading cholesterol-lowering brand, has selected the Cholestech LD System, a leading cholesterol-monitoring tool, as part of the "Test the Nation" program. This is the second...

Health benefits of prebiotics reviewed at ORAFTI's Asian research symposium.
May 1, 2006... Recent research presented at the ORAFTI group's First Asian Research Symposium, held on March 30 at the Dusit Thani Hotel in Bangkok, Thailand, highlighted that the prebiotic ingredients of the firm's Beneo inulin and oligofructose have many...

"Not all black cohosh is the same".
May 1, 2006... Over 40 million American women are within menopause age and, in five years, the numbers will increase to over 60 million. In the search for safe ways to reduce menopausal symptoms and discomfort without hormone replacement therapy, many have...

Zila to debut new Ester-C formulation.
May 1, 2006... US firm Zila Inc says that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Zila Nutraceuticals, manufacturer of Ester-C and Ester-E, has developed a new and improved form of its Ester-C product and that the patent protection for this extends until 2019. Ester-C...

Solae/El Burrito jointly develop novel sausage.
May 1, 2006... With vegetarians and health-conscious shoppers in mind, El Burrito Foods has launched a new line of gourmet meatless sausages in the USA, that promises to rival its counterparts with superior taste and a meat- like texture. The company...

Phosphagenics and Nestle sign R&D deal.
May 1, 2006... Australian firm Phosphagenics, a developer of both pharmaceutical and nutraceutical products, and Nestle Nutrition, a business unit of Swiss food and beverage giant Nestle SA, say they have begun an R&D collaboration to develop the former's...

BASF unveils Coenzyme Q10 formulations.
May 1, 2006... German chemicals company BASF has announced the launch of two new grades of Coenzyme Q10 that specifically target chronic disease prevention and aging. The products, which are available as a 10% stable, fast-acting powder and a 5% solubilizate...

Carbery launches its Optipep nutrient range.(Carbery Milk Products Ltd.)(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... Irish nutrition supplier Carbery has announced the launch of the Optipep range of whey protein hydrolysates for use in the fields of clinical, infant and sports nutrition. The firm says that the product is more easily absorbed by the body than...

Nouveau Dietetique launches Chocolite.
May 1, 2006... Indian food producer Nouveau Dietetique, a specialist producer of diet foodstuffs, says it has launched Chocolite, a diet chocolate alternative, primarily designed for the country's diabetic population. The product, which is free of milk-based...

New flavored Viactiv product announced.
May 1, 2006... USA-based McNeil Nutritionals has announced the launch of an addition to its Viactiv range of multivitamins. Products in the line combine vitamins A, B6, B12, C, D, E and Biotin. The new range is available as a soft, chewable chocolate cherry...

Policosanol ineffective as cholesterol lowerer.
May 1, 2006... Data from a recent study of the popular nutritional supplement policosanol call into question previous claims for the compound's efficacy in the reduction of total cholesterol levels, and particularly its ability to decrease the amount of...

Nordic Naturals launch EPX Xtra supplement.(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... California, USA-based supplement producer Nordic Naturals has announced the launch of EPA Xtra, an omega-3 fatty acid that delivers a high concentration of eicosapentaenoicacid, which has been linked to heart and joint health. The product is...

Nutrifab president ends HEPI consultancy.
May 1, 2006... Nutrifab, an Arizona, USA-based nutritional food and beverage product development consultancy, says that its president, Steve Rittmanic, has taken the decision to terminate direct managerial and advisory involvement with fellow Arizona-based...

Hansen Beverage Co launchs Green Tea Soda.
May 1, 2006... The California, USA-based Hansen Beverage Co says it has launched a new product range called Hansen's Green Tea Sodas, which it describes as combining the taste of luxury soda with the health benefits and unique natural flavors of green tea....

Kibun to sell Soy milk with hyaluronic acid.
May 1, 2006... Kibun Food Chemifa, a subsidiary of Japan's soy sauce giant Kikkoman, says it has recently launched three soy milk products and one health drink which contain hyaluronic acid, manufactured in-house. The company specializes in the production of...

Imagenetix' Lepitrim to enter Chinese market.(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... San Diego, USA-based Imagenetix, a developer of drugs for the treatment of inflammatory diseases, has introduced its weight loss compound, Lepitrim, to the Peoples Republic of China. The firm says that its initial order, of five thousand...

Fortitech targets BB's with healthy choc.
May 1, 2006... USA-based Fortitech, a world-leader in the development of custom nutrient premixes for the food, beverage and pharmaceutical industries, is focusing its marketing drive on baby boomers, those born roughly during the 20 years after the second...

Ocean Spray debuts diet beverage in USA.
May 1, 2006... North American cranberry juice cooperative Ocean Spray has launched a diet beverage in the USA that boasts five calories per eight ounce serving. The firm's Cranberry Spray and Orange Citrus Spray varietie, entered stores throughout the...

Jelly beans to be studied as sport endurance aids.
May 1, 2006... Researchers from the Sports Medicine Program and Nutrition Department of the California, USA-based UC Davis academic medicine center will use competitive endurance athletes in a study to compare the effectiveness of three different forms of...

Omega Pharma to buy Bional group to boost position in the Netherlands.
May 1, 2006... Nazareth, Belgium-based Omega Pharma has announced its intention to acquire the Dutch Bional group. Subject to the results of consultation and of due diligence, Bional may be included in the consolidation results of the Omega Pharma group as of...

Earnings plunge at Finland's Raisio.
May 1, 2006... Finland's Raisio has reported a sharp fall in first-quarter 2006 operating profit, which plunged to a loss of 1.5 million euros ($1.9 million) from a profit of 4.1 million euros in the like, year-earlier period. Turnover for the period edged up...

Synutra's new plant doubles capacity.(Synutra International)(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... Synutra International, a manufacturer of dairy-based nutritional products for infants, children and adults in China, has put in service a new facility that nearly doubles the company's total annual milk drying capacity to about 32,000 metric...

Lonza acquires assets from Larex.(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... The Swiss Lonza Group has announced the acquisition of assets which comprise Larex Inc's Larch Arabinogalactan business. This strategic acquisition, financial terms of which were not disclosed, includes inter alia, intellectual property,...

China Health Holding to buy 51% of Shannxi.
May 1, 2006... China Health Holding, a developer, marketer and manufacturer of natural herbal supplement products based on traditional Chinese medicine, says that the it entered into a letter of intent with Shannxi Meichen Pharmaceuticals for the proposed...

Martek in supply deal with Mead Johnson.
May 1, 2006... Martek Biosciences Corp says that it has entered into a long-term supply agreement with Mead Johnson Nutritionals, a leading worldwide infant formula producer and the largest manufacturer of such products in the USA. Martek will serve as the...

Strong first quarter for Swiss major Nestle.
May 1, 2006... In the first quarter of 2006, the Nestle Group, one of the world's largest food and beverages companies, recorded consolidated sales of 22.8 billion Swiss francs ($18.56 billion), up 14.1% over the same period last year. Reported turnover...

Acquisitions boost Spain's Natraceutical.(increase in earnings)(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... Natraceutical, the Spanish functional foods company, said it doubled its first quarter net profits to 1.9 million euros ($11.5 million), boosted by the integration of recently-acquired peers Obipektin and Overseal into its business (NIs...

Cognis to acquire Napro Pharma.(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... Germany-headquartered Cognis says that it will acquire Napro Pharma AS, a Norwegian manufacturer of high-quality omega-3 fish oils for the nutrition industry. Financial terms of the deal are not disclosed. Napro's product portfolio further...

Numico's 1st-qtr turnover leaps 43%.(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... Recent acquisitions have helped Dutch baby food and clinical nutrition firm Numico boost first-quarter 2006 sales 43% to 633.0 million euros ($805.4 million), and operating earnings rise 9% to 121.0 million euros. Integration of the...

Nutracea and Pronaca expand marketing deal.(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... The USA's NutraCea, a world leader in stabilized rice bran research and technology, has broadened the scope of its letter of intent with Ecuador's largest commercial food producer, Pronaca. The firms' supply and marketing agreement calls...

Merck KGaA's vitamins drive 1st-qtr sales rise.
May 1, 2006... German pharmaceutical firm Merck KGaA has posted strong results for its consumer health care division for the first quarter of 2006, driven by sales of its vitamin products. During the period, the unit saw turnover of 99.0 million euros...

Herbalife expansion: opens four new offices.
May 1, 2006... USA-based Herbalife, a network marketer of nutritional supplements, has expanded the spread of its corporate facilities in response to distributor demand by opening new offices in Guadalajara, Mexico; Barcelona, Spain; Utrecht, Holland; and...

Naturex 1st-qtr 2006 sales rise 120%.
May 1, 2006... Naturex, the French company producing natural extracts for the nutraceutical and food industries, has posted 120% growth in the first- quarter 2006 sales to 18.3 million euros ($23.3 million), due to its acquisition of Pure World brand and...

DSM 1st-qtr nutra sales up 5% to 82M euros.(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... Dutch life science, nutritional products and industrial chemicals group DSM says that its net sales for the first quarter of 2005 were up 11% on the like, year-ago period to 2.06 billion euros ($2.61 billion). The firm noted that its...

SAI certification for Amerta Indah Otsuka.(Standards Australia International)(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... The producer of Pocari Sweat isotonic water, Amerta Indah Otsuka, has become the first soft drink company in Indonesia to simultaneously earn two certificates from Standards Australia International (SAI) Global, according to its president...

New products and markets push INS Bioscience sales higher.
May 1, 2006... Malaysian health food products group INS Bioscience's sales are rising strongly due to development of new products and markets, according to its chief executive David Yeat, who said the company's latest foray is into Middle Eastern markets...

Marketing company Vietnam Yakult set up.
May 1, 2006... Yakult Honsha and its major shareholder, the French Groupe Danone, have established Vietnam Yakult, a $2.5 million production and sales company to market Yakult brand lactic acid beverages throughout Vietnam. It expects to begin operations...

Herbalife India 12th sales center in Chennai.
May 1, 2006... A global network marketing company offering a range of science-based nutrition management products and nutritional supplements, Herbalife International India, has inaugurated in Chennai its 12th sales center in India. Opening the center,...

India's Plethico to build plant in Kenya.
May 1, 2006... A leading Indian drug company, which also specializes in herbal medicines, Plethico Pharmaceutical, which exports to over 45 countries and claims to be one of the fastest-growing global health care enterprises, is to build 1.4 billion Kenyan...

Danone raises stake in Danone Djurdjura.(DANONE Group)
May 1, 2006... France-headquartered Groupe Danone has signed a letter of intent to raise its interest in Danone Djurdjura from 51% to 95%. This agreement reflects Danone's strategy of strengthening its position in North Africa and the Middle East, the firm...

PacificHealth Laboratories' strategic shift pushes company onto a steady course.
May 1, 2006... US nutrition firm PacificHealth Laboratories has posted a 20% decrease in revenues to $6.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2005, while net loss was just over $652,000, or $0.06 per share, compared to a loss of $2.5 million, or $0.25 per...

Vital Living enjoys a more productive 2005.(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... Vital Living of Phoenix, Arizona, USA, which develops and markets nutraceuticals distributed through health care professionals, has reported its financials for 2005 which show that revenues increased 17% to $4.9 million, while net loss was...

USANA posts record result for first quarter.(USANA Health Sciences Inc.)(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... USANA Health Sciences, a Salt Lake City, USA-based firm which specializes in nutritional and weight-management products, has posted a strong set of results with sales for its fiscal first quarter ended April 1 reaching $89.7 million, a rise of...

Natrol stays upbeat despite rising losses.
May 1, 2006... US dietary supplements firm Natrol has posted financials for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2005, which show that sales fell 14% to $14.9 million, while net loss was $1.6 million, or $0.12 per share, compared to earnings of $265,000, or...

Schiff Nutrition's net income soars.
May 1, 2006... Vitamin and supplement maker Schiff Nutrition International, the US firm formerly known as Weider Nutrition (NI vol 10, no 11), has announced results for the fiscal third quarter ended February 28, 2006, which show that net sales rose to $49.6...

NutraCea revenues hit record levels.(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... California-based NutraCea, which produces nutritional supplements and related products derived from stabilized rice bran, says that revenues for the fourth quarter ended December 31 soared over 700% to $4.5 million, while its net loss was...

NPR revels in its best-ever quarter.
May 1, 2006... Nutri Pharmaceuticals Research of Las Vegas, USA, which specializes in powdered oils for functional foods and dietary supplements, has reported first-quarter 2006 results which show sales of $421,000, a rise of 45.2% compared with the like,...

Forthcoming meetings/events.
May 1, 2006... Functional & Specialty Beverages: Market Regulations, Processing, Formulations and Health Benefits, organized by Filtration & Membrane World, For further information, visit the group's web site at: www.membraneworld.com. The Association of...

People on the move.(Raisio Group PLC, European Food Safety Authority, Nutrition 21)(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... - In order to improve its performance (see also page 21), Finland's Raisio group has announced some streamlining, with the dissolution of its Raisio Nutrition and Raisio Life Sciences units, and management changes, includes the appointment of...