A peer-reviewed analysis of more than 60 studies assessing the
safety of chromium picolinate suggests that there is no risk to
human health from the product being used as a nutrient supplement
in food.
DSM Food Specialties has launched a new gelatin-free version of its
CaroCare beta-carotene supplement - a move prompted by increasing
consumer concern about beef-derived products following the BSE
scare.
Burcon NutraScience, the Canada-based producer of rapeseed protein
products, has contracted Germany's Fraunhofer Institute to carry
out tests on its Supertein and Puratein products with a view to
finding new added-value opportunities...
Probiotics could play an important role in helping autistic
children by tackling the neurotoxins and bacteria in the gut which
can cause the condition, according to new research in the UK.
Omega-3 fatty acids have been associated with numerous health
benefits, from brain development and preventing memory loss to
suppressing tumours and cutting heart disease. But according to new
findings in the US, one particular fatty...
Raisio Nutrition, the health food division of Finland's Raisio
Group, ended the first quarter with a drop in sales compared to the
previous year. But the company remained confident that its decision
to focus on its nutrition...
Migros, the Swiss food retailer, has launched a range of
gluten-free products aimed specifically at coeliacs, the first time
the co-operative group has catered for sufferers of the digestive
disease.
Taking supplements of soy isoflavones, thought to help women fight
menopause symptoms and offer other health benefits, may not be
equally beneficial for men, suggests new animal research.
Human milk has long been thought to have an effect on reducing the
likelihood of obesity among adults, but scientists have struggled
to say exactly why this is the case - until now.
Ongoing growth in cultures sales to the dairy industry and health
markets helped the Danish ingredients firm Chr Hansen post a modest
rise in revenue for the food ingredients division in the first six
months. Organic growth for the...
In the same month that the Scottish food agency launches a
nutrition strategy to combat poor health, a new study reveals that
21st century Britain is experiencing a serious north-south health
divide between social classes.
Diets rich in lean beef can help teenagers maintain their levels of
useable iron and contribute to balanced eating habits, say
researchers at the University of Iowa College of Public Health.
Most British mothers say they know enough about nutrition to give
their children a balanced diet, but most of them are unable to
identify what foods make up such a diet, claims British baker
Warburtons, making a stand for starchy...
Food supplement makers and regulators from new EU member states are
being invited to a conference in Prague next month, designed to
help companies from accession states bring their products in line
with European legislation.
Health food manufacturers using soy ingredients may face new price
rises if soybean supply continues to be hit by unprecedented demand
in China and drought in major producer countries.
Leading cultures firm Chr Hansen has entered a strategic alliance
with a Canadian research company to offer probiotic bacteria
specifically targeted to the substantial women's health market.
Merck KgaA, owner of the UK's leading supplement brand Seven Seas,
reported a strong rise in sales at its consumer healthcare
division, driven by its omega-3 products and probiotic
multivitamins.
Rhodia Food has launched a range of probiotic-containing cultures
for fermented milks, such as kefir, which are increasing in
popularity as a result of their health benefits.
The new vitamins business is already having a marked effect on
performance at chemicals group DSM, which has beaten analysts'
expectations with an 8 per cent rise in income for the first
quarter.
The dairy industry has been eagerly promoting trials showing that
the calcium in milk products can prevent obesity but several gaps
in the evidence mean that dietary guidelines based on this effect
are a long way off, say scientists.
Tomatoes could hold the key to preventing the onset of age-related
diseases as UK scientists find the gene responsible for producing
the CGA antioxidant protects the celebrated Mediterranean food
against bacterial disease.
People may need to eat more beta-carotene to get enough vitamin A,
say US researchers, who discovered that the nutrient is less
absorbable than thought.
Japanese firm Nippon Suisan Kaisha is expanding capacity for
functional oils, including the fatty acids DHA and EPA, by 70 per
cent, to meet growing demand both on the home market and overseas.
A high intake of calcium-rich foods may reduce young women's risk
of developing kidney stones, report US scientists this week, but
taking calcium supplements is unlikely to offer any benefit.
Europe's first pasteurized milk enriched with omega-3 fatty acids
has launched in Ireland, thanks to new technology that allows a
fish oil emulsion to be added to milk just before it goes into
cartons, writes Dominique Patton.
Speciality chemicals firm Degussa is investing €10 million in a new
research and development centre in Shanghai, where its numerous
business units, including food ingredients, will seek to develop
products targeted for the Chinese...
Israeli firm Enzymotec has developed a novel product line marketed
under the brand carDiabeat, designed to fight the major risks for
cardiovascular disorders of diabetes patients.
A New Zealand biotech firm is entering its first foreign market,
China, with a product containing a proprietary bacterial strain
said to fight off sore throats.
Sales of soft drinks in the Czech Republic are rapidly catching up
with western Europe markets, being boosted by increasing consumer
interest in health, shows a new report from market analysts
Euromonitor.
A fat hormone that causes weight loss could open up new routes to
tackling the rising tide of obesity currently affecting 200 million
people worldwide, say researchers in the US, following
investigations into the hormone adiponectin.
A compound in the curry spice turmeric appears to correct the
cystic fibrosis defect in mice, report Canadian scientists today,
demonstrating the potential for treating the disease in humans.
Dairy leaders are reaping the benefits of increasing consumer
interest in functional foods, with both Danone and Nestlé this week
reporting strong growth in probiotic and other healthy products,
report Danny Vincent and Dominique...
Complaints about supplements and food and drink products in the UK
fell by more than half during 2003, following pro-active action by
the UK's Advertising Standards Authority.
The campaign to protect the UK's supplement industry from the
impact of new EU regulations is getting new attention from
consumers and looks set to become the biggest issue to hit the
sector in years.
A high-fat, high-carbohydrate meal causes a rush of inflammatory
factors into the bloodstream, overwhelming the body's natural
inflammation-fighting mechanisms, report US researchers in a
medical journal this month.
Valio is to launch its probiotic cheese in Belgium, the first
country outside its home market, where cheese is a fast-growing new
application area for the health-promoting bacteria, writes
Dominique Patton.
Flavours and extracts firm Frutarom has gained the worldwide
marketing rights to a range of natural antioxidants made by
Israel's RAD Natural Technologies, boosting its offering to health
and functional food makers.
Lycopene, the tomato-derived antioxidant thought to fight prostate
cancer, may also help to inhibit benign tumours of the uterus,
which cause painful symptoms for millions of women, say
researchers.
Manufacturers of sports supplements may need to reduce sugar levels
in certain products as new research from Japan shows that
preference for sweetness decreases after exercise.
UK food watchdog will inject thousands of pounds into a new study
seeking to investigate the role diet plays in our formative years.
The findings could open up new opportunities for food and beverage
manufacturers targeting the younger...
US agribusiness Cargill is expanding sales of its bone health
supplement glucosamine to Japan, after approval from the country's
health and welfare labor ministry.
Three different polyphenols, compounds found in wine, beer and tea,
appear to significantly decrease breast cancer cells, according to
new research from Portugal, which goes against previous findings
showing that alcohol raises the...
US water-soluble films company MonoSol has bought the UK division
of Aquafilm, giving it access to substantial manufacturing
capabilities in Europe and its range of edible films.
US-funded research could prove whether soy isoflavone supplements
can help to prevent osteoporosis, the thinning of the bones that
leads to increased risk of bone fracture.
The European Commission this week granted approval for several new
foods with added phytosterols, set to significantly expand the
number of cholesterol-lowering foods available in Europe.
The fatty acid CLA, currently marketed for weight management, could
soon enter the fast-growing segment for immune-boosting
supplements, suggests a new human trial carried out for Loders
Croklaan Lipid Nutrition.
