The UK herbal sector has reached an agreement with the medicines
regulator over labelling of black cohosh products with liver injury
warnings, and has asked it to review the safety data again next
year.
Laying the blame for a fatter world at the feet of the food
industry has become a convenient mistake, and until this is
recognized there is little chance of controlling the growing
obesity epidemic.
Naturex has become the latest ingredients supplier to solicit halal
approval for its production plants, in an effort to access the
potential of the market for modern foods that meet the strict
standards adhered to by Islamic communities.
Enzyme giant Novozymes has maintained a high earnings level
throughout the first half of 2006, with growth in sales and
operating profit of 8 per cent and 10 per cent respectively.
A diet rich in certain flavonoids, from eating plenty of fruit and
vegetables, could reduce the risk of colorectal cancer by over 40
per cent, says a large observational study from Italy.
A daily supplement of chromium picolinate, in combination with a
common anti-diabetic medication, could improve blood sugar levels
as well as cutting weight gain by 60 per cent, says a US clinical
trial.
Researchers investigating the interplay between nutrition, genetic
variation and birth defects have reported their first positive
results on copper metabolism, stoking hopes that their approach may
eventually enable every expectant...
The North American market for lignan-containing dietary supplements
is streets ahead of Europe's, indicates data from Mintel,
suggesting that there is scope for more educational efforts aimed
at formulators and consumers on this...
Finland's recent introduction of mandatory fortification of certain
foods with vitamin D is boosting intake of the vitamin and offers
encouragement for other countries considering similar measures.
Two apples a day, or a glass of apple juice, could keep Alzheimer's
at bay by boosting levels of a neurotransmitter, according to
results from an animal study.
Research into the ways in which crops derive micronutrients from
the soil could make it possibly to engineer higher-yield,
nutrient-rich crops in poor quality soils and increase biomass in
soils currently under cultivations, claim...
Coverage of the New Scientist article questioning the benefits of
antioxidant supplements has generated a flurry of feedback from
industry and health care practioners, in agreement with and
disputing the arguments.
Dutch biotech group Pharming has played a successful balancing act
with its finances in first half 2006, with both costs and expenses
and losses totalling €8.1mm as awaits the US FDA's review of its
GRAS filing for its human...
Over 70 per cent of seemingly healthy teenage girls may be vitamin
D deficient, says a British study, and are at increased risk of
osteoporosis and other health problems later in life.
Milk produced by transgenic goats is seen to shore up protective
intestinal bacteria against illness, thanks to the antibacterial
action of an enzyme found in human breast milk; if the findings
hold true for humans it could help prevent...
The Indian nutraceutical, supplement and functional foods market
looks set to open up new opportunities international companies,
with a new bill that will regulate these products under a discrete
food category.
Supplements of a folic acid derivative result in higher blood
folate levels than straight folic acid, and could be an alternative
for the prevention of neural tube defects, says a study from
Germany.
Cognis has refused to confirm reports in the German press that it
is in advanced discussions with three potential purchasers, but the
outcome of a strategic review will be made public before the end of
the year.
Plans are already afoot to ensure input from all concerned at the
next stage of setting maximum vitamin and mineral levels in
supplements and fortified foods under EU law, with a conference
planned by EHPM in November.
BASF's fine chemicals division reported a huge rise in operating
profits in second quarter 2006 - no thanks to vitamins. Rather,
credit is given to a swift trade in aroma chemicals and gains from
contract manufacturing and personal...
Spraying grapes with a safe anti-bacterial agent could triple the
nutraceutical content, says a study from Italy, but the effects are
not carried over into wine.
The heart health of the baby-boom generation could benefit from
flavanol-rich cocoa, reports a study co-funded by Mars, but
independent experts warn against confusion with commercial
chocolate snacks.
Canadian softgels supplier Accucaps is prepared to introduce its
encapsulation products across the high-potential EU after being
added to the bloc's consolidated list of approved suppliers.
India poses a unique set of challenges and opportunities for
fortified food and supplement makers, as consumers have unique
requirements and view traditional foods as a healthy option,
according to Frost and Sullivan.
Natraceutical Group is purchasing French supplement maker
Laboratoires Forté Pharma - a move that propels it into the
lucrative finished production section and that is expected to boost
its turnover by more than 50 per cent.
Quercetin and curcumin, compounds found naturally in onions and
curry, could reduce the risk of colon cancer, suggests a small
clinical trial from the US.
Increased intake of vitamin B6, from diet and supplements, could
cut the risk of Parkinson's disease by half suggests a prospective
study from the Netherlands.
In the past 18 months, consumer awareness of plant lignans and
their human metabolites has grown with media coverage of studies
proposing health benefits. But where does the science stand at
present?
Industry giants are locked in a "fish oil arms race" to develop genetically modified crops that could challenge the supremacy of fish as the best source of omega-3 fatty acid, with both BASF and DuPont reporting progress in the field.
Supplement associations across ASEAN countries have joined forces
with the formation of the ASEAN Alliance of Heath Supplement
Associations (AAHSA), which aims to facilitate industry input into
harmonized regulation currently in the...
Increasing omega-3 fatty acid levels, and decreasing levels of
omega-6, could reduce the risk of prostate cancer, if results from
an animal study also apply to humans.
UK scientists are mid-way through a project in collaboration with
Ribena maker GlaxoSmithKline to boost vitamin C levels in
blackcurrants, and results to date indicate it will yield benefits
for consumer health, as well as the country's...
The short sighted failure of greedy WTO trading partners to achieve
any sort of meaningful agreement on global agricultural tariffs is
bad for Europe's food industry.
Confectionary giant Mars has lauded recently published research as
further evidence of the benefits of flavanols from cocoa for a wide
range of health conditions, and looks set to lead to a new wave of
cocoa flavanol-enriched products...
A new study underscores the importance of eating well during
pregnancy, reporting a link between the calorie intake of pregnant
women and the thickness of their children's artery walls.
A daily supplement of folic acid could reduce inflammatory markers
and therefore offer protection from heart disease for overweight
and obese people, suggests a short study from Italy.
The only way to convince European governments on the safety and
efficacy of kava kava and to restore the industry in the South
Pacific is to conduct clinical studies and look further into the
mechanism, says expert on herbal safety...
Lard, the animal fat with a poor health image, could be stabilised
by adding antioxidants from olive oil milling waste, boosting the
shelf-life and adding nutritional value, says a study from Italy.
A daily magnesium supplement could reduce the levels of a
inflammation that could lead to heart disease in people with low
dietary intake of the mineral, says a US study.
The herb kava kava is to remain banned in both medicinal and food
products in the UK, following a review of the latest scientific
evidence weighing its reputed benefits for alleviating anxiety and
inducing sleep against the risk of...
DSM has said that it will not pass on rising costs to end markets
straight away, despite an otherwise excellent Q2 blighted across
the board by yet more increases in raw material and energy prices
stemming from political tensions.
Eating omega-3-rich fish like tuna has beneficial effects on heart
rhythms, and may offer protection against fatal arrhythmias,
suggests a cohort study lead by Harvard researchers.
UK nutraceutical shell company NeutraHealth has reported a profit
from its first two acquisitions in the first quarter of 2006,
indicating that integration has been swift and that its model of
snapping established but growing companies...
Provexis has entered into a 12 month exclusivity agreement with a
major food company to take its Fruitflow heart health bioactive
into food and dairy products.
