The UK government is coming under fire from the Conservative party
for failing to have recommendations for a two-tier system of upper
levels for vitamins and minerals heard by the EC.
Excellent though it could have been for sales, the UK's Food
Standards Agency will not be recommending omega-3 and vitamin and
mineral supplements for all school children as a result of a review
of studies investigating the effect...
Eating a Mediterranean diet with extra nuts or olive oil is
significantly better for heart health than a low-fat diet, says a
"landmark" clinical trial from Spain.
Europe's savoury snacks industry last week pledged its commitment
to nutrition and health and tackling obesity - but switching off
advertising is not seen as an effective solution to driving change
in the market.
The health and wellness trend in foods has moved well beyond the
niche sector to become a major driving force in mainstream foods,
according to Chr Hanson, but a recent survey showed that a quarter
of companies are missing out for...
Polyphenols from cereals could restore the immune system function
and could potentially extend lifespan, suggests an animal study
from French and Spanish researchers.
Unless the UK supplements industry makes an effort to add advisory
statements to high dose vitamins and minerals, it may jeopardise
efforts to have the EU Commission adopt the proposed two-tier
structure for maximum levels legislation,...
Mention vitamins A to E, and most people will know why they need
them and what foods to find them. Not so vitamin K, a comparatively
little known vitamin that has been the subject of several recent
scientific investigations for its...
Chocolate has a nice feeling to it - tasty, fun, luxurious and
slightly sinful. This is comfort food, accessible to all and
epitomised in the recent film, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
Researchers in India have identified green colonial microalgae with
extractable carotenoids, especially lutein - the first time that
the antioxidant activity of the algae has been reported.
Nutrition has been identified as one of the six priorities of new
EFSA executive director Catherine Geslain-Lanéelle, as Europe
prepares for forthcoming legislation on health claims and
fortification that the agency looks likely to...
The food regulator for Australia and New Zealand is calling for
public comment on a proposal that would require all bread-making
flour to be fortified with the B vitamin folic acid.
Satiety has been called the 'Holy Grail of nutrition'. Although
there are still relatively few food and supplement products
claiming to enhance fullness or suppress appetite on the market,
that may well change as the present...
The flavonoids quercetin and myricetin found in cranberries can
stop the formation of dental plaques and tooth decay, as scientists
report yet more benefits for this super fruit.
Germany's Mikro-Technik is set to expand distribution of its
functional wheat and bamboo fibres and powdered cellulose products
in the North American market, thanks to an exclusive agreement with
SunOpta.
A newly identified enzyme can break down gluten molecules before
they reach the small intestine, Dutch researchers have shown, and
may offer hope for the management of coeliac disease using oral
supplements.
Swedish researchers have identified a compound found in green
leaves that suppresses appetites and boosts weight loss in lab
animals, and could one day be used as a functional ingredient to
help tackle obesity.
Tate and Lyle has announced the launch of Meritab - a new direct
compressible dextrose that can be used in confectionary,
nutraceutical and pharmaceutical applications.
Cyanotech Corporation, a Hawaiian-based company specialising in
ingredients from microalgae, is to take its astaxanthin-rich algae
extract into the European supplements market and has sought novel
foods approval from the UK's...
A new initiate launched today aims to help Europe remain a global
player in life sciences by coordinating interaction between
researchers and funders, and may facilitate more research in the
area of food and health.
Daily supplements of B vitamins for people with high homocysteine
levels do not affect cognitive performance compared to placebo,
says a new study from New Zealand.
Ingredient suppliers have been quick to tap fruits and vegetables
shown to have a high antioxidant content, like tomatoes and
broccoli. Now new research suggests that mushrooms deserve a place
in the antioxidant hall of fame, with...
The obesity issue is not going to solve itself, concluded
participants in a CIAA debate this month who advocated an EU-wide
approach to tackling the problem, with the food and drink industry
forming part of the solution.
BASF has announced a price increase for proprionic acid, one of the
building blocks of vitamin E production, which may have a knock-on
effect for vitamin prices and other areas of the food industry
where the chemical is used.
Chinese ingredients supplier Fenchem is introducing a vegetarian
form of hyaluronic acid (HA) called Hymax for use in dietary
supplements, helping to expand use of the ingredient in oral joint
health products.
An extract from the flower of the hibiscus plant prevented
oxidation of LDL-cholesterol that contributes to hardening of blood
vessels and heart disease, says research from Taiwan.
Increased intake of vitamin K, both from diet and supplements, has
a significant impact on bone health and "striking" reductions in
hip fractions, says a new meta-analysis.
Unilever has developed a new genetically modified protein that it
says will serve up low-fat ice cream without compromising on taste,
as ice cream firms step up the race to please health conscious
consumers.
Puleva Biotech has signed an agreement with US-based The Wright
Group for its Eupoly fish oils to be used in a new line of
microencapsulated powders, becoming the latest supplier to shore up
its presence in an ever more crowded market.
The UK's Advertising Standards Agency seems to be tightening its
grip on health claims, with Unilever reportedly told to change
adverts for Flora pro.activ to remove claims that it can help keep
blood vessels healthy as well...
The health-enhancing properties of hemp have come under the
spotlight this month with the launch of a drink containing
hemp-blossom syrup (Cannabis sativa) in the UK, which is
also being tested by multiple sclerosis sufferers for...
Naturex is ready to implement the next step in its plan to make
more strategic acquisitions in the food and nutraceuticals sector
plan after raising €13.2m by issuing more than a quarter of a
million new shares.
France-based Laboratoires Pierre Fabre has announced an agreement
with Canadian bioresearcher Millenia Hope Biopharma (MHB), which
may yield new plant-based products for use by the nutraceuticals
industry.
Sticking to a low-carbohydrate diet with some limits of calories
has long-term benefits on body weight and blood sugar levels, says
a new study from Sweden, but a leading diabetes charity advises
against following such a diet.
The olive polyphenol, oleuropein, reduces bone loss in a rat model
of osteoporosis, say researchers at France's INRA, as science
continues to accumulate linking the olive extract with bone health.
Fresh air, agricultural expertise, research resources… and NZ$100m
(€48m) funding: BioPacificVentures is proposing an attractive
package to European and American functional food start-ups that are
prepared to relocate all or part...
Increasing levels of daidzein, an isoflavone found in soy, have
been linked to significant improvements in cholesterol levels and
could boost heart health, says a new study.
Glanbia is continuing its drive towards sharpening its nutritional
focus with the acquisition of UK-based Pro-Fibe Nutrition, a bar
and beverage innovator to be henceforth known as Glanbia
Nutritionals UK Ltd.
European functional food makers have another source of phytosterols
to choose from, now that Procter & Gamble's Nutraphyl branded
sterols and sterol-esters have been given the green light for use
in the EU under novel foods...
Supplements of omega-3 and omega-6 improved the attention span and
hyperactivity scores of young Australians, and was rated better
than the common medication Ritalin.
As the World Cup football tournament in Germany reaches half-time,
more voices are raised questioning McDonalds, Budweiser and Coca
Cola's presence amongst the sponsors of an event that, at some
level, is intended to encourage...