High blood levels of either alpha-tocopherol or gamma-tocopherol,
both forms of vitamin E, appeared to halve the risk of prostate
cancer in a new analysis of the ATBC trial, which supports earlier
results showing that the vitamin...
The hundreds of amendments tabled by MEPs on the EU health claims
regulation shows that consensus is still a long way off but
companies should do more to influence the final outcome, says a
food industry consultancy.
Taking supplements of folate and vitamin B12 appears to reduce the
risk of hip fracture in elderly patients following a stroke,
according to Japanese research.
The sale of Chr Hansen's ingredients arm gains pace with reports
suggesting the unit could fetch nearly €1 billion ($1.31 billion),
writes Lindsey Partos.
An apple a day may help stave off breast cancer, shows an animal
study, thought to be the first to look at the effects of apples on
cancer prevention in animals, reports Dominique Patton.
Fourteen mineral sources not included on the EU food supplement
directive's original list of permitted ingredients will be allowed
to stay on the market until they are reviewed by European
officials, reducing some of the uncertainty...
A new Norwegian company is investing in new studies to support the
entry of a novel form of the K vitamin to the European market,
writes Dominique Patton.
The stream of studies demonstrating green tea's health benefits
drove UK consumption of the beverage beyond 100 million litres
during 2004, shows a new report from drinks sector analysts Zenith
International.
Ambitious Irish ingredients and flavours firm Kerry sees costs
rising for the year and sales inching up by just over 1 per cent
for 2004, the company reports today.
Diabetes prevention efforts are worth every cent, say researchers
in the first study to weigh up the costs in preventing the disease
with the future costs of treatment.
Missing breakfast has been shown to raise cholesterol levels and
reduce the body's response to insulin in a small study that raises
concern for the increasing numbers of people that skip the first
meal of the day.
Degussa is expanding its line of soy-derived phosphatidylserine
(PS) products to push for greater use of the brain health
supplement in foods, reports Dominique Patton.
Dutch clinical and infant nutrition group Royal Numico has signed
an agreement to acquire Mellin, a leading Italian baby food
company, from the Findim group, for €400 million in cash and
shares.
Poor prenatal nutrition permanently damages the function of
insulin-producing cells in the pancreas, which could explain why
babies that weigh less at birth are at higher risk of diabetes, say
researchers.
Finnish crispbread specialist Vaasan & Vaasan has revamped the
image of its flagship Finn Crisp brand to take advantage of a
growing market for high fibre and wholegrain snacks in Russia and
lure increasingly health-conscious...
Calcium could reduce body weight by binding fat in the intestine
and increasing its excretion from the body, say Danish researchers,
who have provided the first clinical evidence to support a
mechanism for the weight loss effect of...
Rats given a diet of organic food were slimmer and had a stronger
immune system than those on conventional diets, found a study
carried out by UK and Danish researchers.
US ingredients supplier SourceOne Global Partners has gained
non-GMO certification for a range of soy-based products that will
meet demand for non-GM health ingredients in Europe, writes
Dominique Patton.
A complex carbohydrate, traditionally used as a bulking agent in a
range of foods, is being offered in several European markets as a
new source of fibre.
UK speciality oils supplier Croda International said sales to
cosmetics and supplement customers rose 8 per cent last year,
helped by expanded capacity in fish oil concentrates and new
product launches.
Flavours and texturants firm Degussa will shrug off its fruit
preparation business to an American equity company in a sale that
prepares the ground for a total divesture of its remaining food
ingredients unit.
Dairy products designed to lower blood pressure are being
introduced in Spain and Portugal this month under new licensing
deals with Finnish functional dairy firm Valio.
Direct supplements marketer Herbalife has reported a net loss of
$14.3 million for full fiscal 2004 but attributes the huge drop in
income over the last 12 months, from $36.8 million for 2003, to
expenses associated with recapitalization.
Bulk vitamin C manufacturer China Pharmaceutical Group has been
named in three separate antitrust complaints filed in the US,
according to its chairman Cai Dong Chen.
UK-based Nutrinnovator, a start-up company making functional foods,
has suspended its share listing to raise £10 million for a reverse
takeover of nutraceutical developer Provexis.
Increasing consumption of meat in the developing world could be a
more effective means of reducing nutrient deficiencies than giving
children supplements, say US researchers, who called for more
attention to be paid to animal source...
Cerestar Food & Pharma Specialties Europe has launched an
excipient that it claims allows tablets to be produced using lower
compression force, which should result in reduced wear and tear on
tabletting machinery and operational...
A clear demonstration of its faith in the growing whey-based
ingredients market, DMV International will pour nearly €60 million
into upgraded processing and food ingredients operations in The
Netherlands, reports Lindsey Partos.
Andrew Ferrier, Fonterra's CEO, today reiterated calls for a united
dairy industry amid the mounting threat of cheaper soy, nut and
rice-based dairy alternatives, Tom Armitage reports.
Men with higher levels of vitamin D in their blood were almost half
as likely to develop aggressive forms of prostate cancer as those
with lower amounts, reported researchers last week.
Adding value to mature vitamin supplements by combining them with
new ingredients is driving good growth at Merck's consumer health
care business, reports Dominique Patton.
Warburtons has laid down the gauntlet to its mainstream UK rivals
by developing white bread with a low glycaemic index as both
consumers and producers become more aware of the benefits 'GI' can
have in controlling diabetes,...
Recommendations for women planning a pregnancy to take folic acid
supplements have had no impact on the number of babies born with
neural tube defects, says an international team of researchers.
Europe needs to make a major assault on the four biggest cancers if
it is to make significant progress against the burden of the
disease, say researchers today.
A diet rich in soy protein does not appear to improve calcium
absorption despite previous evidence to suggest that soy compounds,
isoflavones, could improve bone health.
Archer Daniels Midland said yesterday that it has acquired Solae's
global soy isoflavone business, including its entire portfolio of
US and foreign patents.
Green tea extract is able to target cancer cells while leaving
healthy cells alone, researchers have found for the first time,
adding further support to its potential as a cancer prevention
agent.