Omega-3s & nutritional oils

FARE: "It is just shockingly absurd!"

EU court answers the ‘burning question’: Yes, the claims regulation can be applied to B2B

11-Mar-2016 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

The European Court of Justice (ECJ) says the nutrition and health claims regulation (NHCR) could be applied to “commercial communications” intended for professionals but with the goal of indirectly reaching consumers.

Small fish oil doses enough to lower blood pressure: RCT

10-Mar-2016 By Will Chu

Even the smallest amounts of fish oil can reduce blood pressure (BP), but only in those who have a history of hypertension, a study has determined. 

#NIAgeing16. Free. Online. March 29

Finding hidden wealth in healthy ageing

09-Mar-2016

The world’s population is ageing and people want to be healthy, longer – but can foods, drinks and supplements help? Our free online event tackles this multi-billion question from multiple angles, tapping key markets like Japan and gathering experts across...

Omega-3 helps kids behave better: RCT

08-Mar-2016 By Will Chu

Vitamin, mineral and omega-3 fatty acid supplementation positively affects the behaviour of normal school children, a pioneering clinical trial has discovered.

Nutrigenomics nudge closer to the mainstream ‘but we are not there yet’

02-Mar-2016 By Shane STARLING

As gene-based nutrition research builds and apps launch utilising said research, nutrigenomics appears to be morphing from concept to reality, but more research is required says a leading professor in the area.

Omega-3 supplements in pregnancy reduces baby's anaemia risk, study finds

25-Feb-2016 By Will Chu

Taking omega-3 supplements while pregnant may help prevent or reduce the risk of anaemia in newborns, a study has concluded.

Europe fish oil market worth €630m in 2014

23-Feb-2016 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

The European fish oil market accounted for $0.69bn (€0.63bn) of the global $2.25bn (€2.04bn) market in 2014, according to a market report from Grand View Research.

‘Brown fat’ wins pharma backers seeking food partners to beat drugs in battle of the bulge

23-Feb-2016 By Shane STARLING

France’s 3rd biggest drug company and a UK stem cell biotech firm have united to develop plant extracts that can promote bodily lipid-burning ‘brown fat’.

Scientists unravel bioavailability of brown seaweed

18-Feb-2016 By Louisa Richards

Phlorotannins in brown seaweed are metabolised and absorbed in the large intestine and may have anti-inflammatory potential, an EU-funded study suggests.

Nutraceuticals and regulation: 'Please sir, can we have some more', say consumers

18-Feb-2016 By David Burrows

Consumers want more regulation on food and further limits on the use of additives and preservatives, but are keen to embrace functional products and nutraceuticals, according to extensive research carried out by the UK’s Food Safety Agency (FSA).

FrieslandCampina Domo and Glycosyn partner for new infant nutrition ingredients

16-Feb-2016 By Jim Cornall

FrieslandCampina Domo and US-based Glycosyn are entering into a global partnership to develop new infant nutrition ingredients.

Omega-3 may lead to “clinically meaningful” blood pressure reductions: Study

15-Feb-2016 By Stephen Daniells

Consuming EPA and DHA omega-3s at doses as low as 0.7 grams per day may produce clinically meaningful reductions in systolic blood pressure, says a new study from the UK.

Breastfeeding exclusively may not be best strategy for bone health: Study

15-Feb-2016 By Louisa Richards

Breastfeeding exclusively may not be the best strategy for bone health, results from the 5000-strong Generation R study have suggested. 

A handful of walnuts a day may help reduce cardiovascular risk whilst losing weight

11-Feb-2016 By Louisa Richards

A walnut-rich, higher-fat diet results in favourable changes to lipid levels associated with the risk of cardiovascular disease in overweight women, a study supported by the California Walnut Commission has suggested. 

GOED EXCHANGE 2016

NMR test method could revolutionize verification of omega-3 oils

10-Feb-2016 By Hank Schultz

Transparency in the supply chain rests on reliable tests to verify the provenance of ingredients, but proving beyond doubt where an oil came from has been a problem in the omega-3s space. A new test method being brought to market by the company OmegaVeritas...

Big, fat and deficient: The UK’s double diet burden

10-Feb-2016 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Micronutrient deficiencies have been overshadowed by the so-called ‘war on sugar’, science director for British Nutrition Foundation (BNF) warns following the publication of a report.

GOED EXCHANGE 2016

Omega-3s suffering from believability gap, GOED's Ismail tell attendees

09-Feb-2016 By Hank Schultz

The omega-3 sector is in the midst of a believability crisis, GOED executive director told conference attendees last week in the Canary Islands.

GOED EXCHANGE 2016

Judging data choice, extraction methods can help mark a meta-analysis as good or suspect, GOED attendees told

09-Feb-2016 By Hank Schultz

Not all meta-analyses are created equal. Trying to figure out which ones hold water and which are riven with holes was the subject of one of the most gripping sessions as the recent GOED Exchange meeting in the Canary Islands.

GOED EXCHANGE 2016

'Noisy,' 'anxious' language dilutes message of omega-3s, analysts say

03-Feb-2016 By Hank Schultz

Omega-3s messages are “noisy” and “anxious” according to consumer insights shared during the GOED Exchange meeting taking place this week in Tenerife, Spain.

Higher omega-3 content in fresh cow's milk reduces asthma risk, study finds

02-Feb-2016 By Will Chu

Fresh, unprocessed cow’s milk has a higher content of omega-3 fatty acids than pasteurised, homogenised or low-fat milk, say German researchers. 

How do different dietary fatty acids influence body fat?

28-Jan-2016 By Louisa Richards

The way in which the body 'distributes' fat may be different depending on the dietary fatty acids consumed as well as genetic factors, Canadian researchers have found. 

Health claim watch

French firm files claim for omega-3 & age-related cognitive decline

22-Jan-2016 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

French pharmaceutical firm Pierre Fabre Medicament has filed a health claim for an omega-3 product and the reduction of age-related cognitive decline.

Don't ignore different flavour preferences of older consumers: Study

21-Jan-2016 By Niamh Michail

Certain flavours, such as ginger or mint, appeal to older consumers more than younger ones, and should be considered along with texture when targetting seniors in new product development (NPD).

EFSA approves sweetener sucralose for infant medical foods

20-Jan-2016 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

It is safe to include the sugar-derived sweetener sucralose in special medical foods for young children, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has concluded.

EC study reveals carcinogenic PAHs in supplements

19-Jan-2016 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Levels of carcinogenic PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) in EU supplements vary widely from under safe limits to way over, according to a European Commission study ahead of new regulation on the issue.

Norwegian researchers catch herring's hidden health benefits

18-Jan-2016 By Louisa Richards

A fatty acid present in herring could boost conversion of omega-3, food scientists have discovered. 

Sesame oil reduces TAG, but not cholesterol: Review

18-Jan-2016 By Louisa Richards

Sesame significantly reduces triacylglycerol (TAG) levels, but does not affect cholesterol, according to a review.  

European Parliament committee to vote on three objections

MEP urges rethink on ‘outrageous’ new formula marketing rules

14-Jan-2016 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

A member of the European Parliament (MEP) has urged fellow politicians to support his objections to new rules on the marketing of baby foods, formulas and foods for special medical purposes in a vote today, which he says fails to safeguard the practice...

Higher Omega-3 Index linked to better processing speeds in teenagers

13-Jan-2016 By Stephen Daniells

Teenagers with higher blood levels of omega-3s may have better information processing speeds, compared with those with lower levels, says a new study.

Study supports safety & omega-3 boosting efficacy of Ahiflower oil

11-Jan-2016 By Stephen Daniells

Ahiflower oil may accrue omega-3 EPA up to four times higher than flaxseed oil, says the first human clinical trial performed with the ingredient that also supports the safety and tolerability of the oil.

Omega-3 not omega-6 linked with lower depressive symptoms: 2000-strong Japanese study

05-Jan-2016 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Even in countries with higher fish intakes, omega-3 may lower depressive symptoms, according to Japanese research in over 2000 people.

South Asia radius

Lipid-based prenatal supplement found to boost infant birth outcomes

05-Jan-2016 By RJ Whitehead

Women given a lipid-based supplement during pregnancy have been shown to be 25% more likely to give birth to infants with healthy birth measurements in a country where one in every five babies is born stunted.

Omega-3 levels in older adults linked to better blood lipids levels: Study

05-Jan-2016 By Stephen Daniells

A higher omega-3 index – a quantification of the fatty acid status of a person – is linked to lower triglyceride levels in older adults, says a new study from Australia.

Frutarom invests €2.25m in algae start-up

04-Jan-2016 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Swiss-Israeli flavours and ingredients house Frutarom Industries has invested 10 million Israeli Shekel (€2.25m) for a 50% stake in the biotech start-up Algalo.

Dear Santa…Nutrition industry writes its wish list for 2016

23-Dec-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the bloc not a firm was stirring, not even the Brussels flock. Nutrition industry stakeholders have hung up their stockings by the chimney with care, in hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there… but...

Step away from the buffet: The recipe to eating a healthy festive dinner

23-Dec-2015 By Will Chu

It’s no secret that people eat more than usual during the festive season, but the buffet holds nutritional promise too. We visited a few...

An Update on the Quality of Australian and New Zealand Products

Omega-3 fish oil products and responding to a flawed research study

22-Dec-2015 By Terri Albert, Kevin Krail, Lalen Dogan, Peter D Nichols and Andrew Sinclair

How does the industry respond when a scientific study comes out that is critical of quality and label claim for an omega-3 fish oil supplement, and, in the opinion of many experts, the research is flawed?

Marketing to the ‘elderly’: Overcoming the taboo of getting old

21-Dec-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

There is a need for public health strategies and products to address Europe's rapidly ageing population – but how easy is it to market such products when nobody wants to admit that they’re getting old?

Study: High dose omega-3 protein juice shows muscle wasting benefits

21-Dec-2015 By Lynda Searby

An omega-3, protein and vitamin juice formulated by Norwegian biotech firm Smartfish has become the first nutrition product to demonstrate a positive effect on the disease related wasting syndrome cachexia.

GOED updates monograph to keep up with rapidly changing omega-3 industry

18-Dec-2015 By Hank Schultz

In an effort to keep up with a changing industry, GOED has published an updated version of the GOED Voluntary Monograph, which sets specifications for omega-3 oils.

Holland & Barrett profits up: We’ll be a £1bn business by 2020

18-Dec-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

UK-based but expanding supplements and healthy foods retailer Holland & Barrett International has posted an annual sales increase of 11.7% and profit growth of 12.2% in its full year results - something it says puts it in good stead to become a £1bn...

Platform launched to push digestive health beyond probiotics

15-Dec-2015 By Lynda Searby

DSM is ramping up its focus on digestive health with the launch of a new ‘platform’ to help manufacturers develop products that target specific gastro-intestinal health concerns.

dispatches from fie 2015

The 4 biggest mistakes in healthy marketing

14-Dec-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

The Healthy Marketing Team tells us what NOT to do when marketing a healthy food product, based on work by their colleagues at New Nutrition Business.   

Shell do well!: Kiwi mussel extract company hopes for boom in Asia

09-Dec-2015 By RJ Whitehead

A Kiwi mussel extract company is planning further expansion into Asia in an industry that contributes NZ$400m (US$268m) to New Zealand’s economy. 

dispatches from fie 2015

Will 'Peru-perfood' sacha inchi be the next quinoa?

04-Dec-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

High in protein and omega-3, Peruvian sacha inchi has ‘superfood’ potential, according to a supplier of its oil and protein powder.

This week Down Under

Start-up’s superfood extract proves effective in killing superbug

02-Dec-2015 By RJ Whitehead

An Australian start-up has developed the world's first healthcare range which uses a superfood to fight a superbug.

Analysis reveals big costs savings for DHA supplements during pregnancy

30-Nov-2015 By Stephen Daniells

Supplementing pregnant mothers with DHA omega-3 could lead to significant costs savings for patients and healthcare systems, according to a new analysis from Australia.

Norway publishes 12/44 ‘other substance’ risk assessments

27-Nov-2015 By Annie-Rose Harrison-Dunn and Shane Starling

Norwegian authorities have published risk assessments for 12 so-called unregulated ‘other substances’ in food supplements and energy drinks, including caffeine, taurine and omega-3 forms EPA, DHA and EPA.

Add seaweed to food to improve heart health, Danish researchers urge industry

25-Nov-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Food manufacturers should add seaweed to help combat cardiovascular disease and related conditions, according to researchers.

Olive oil may protect against damages of air pollution: EPA study

25-Nov-2015 By Stephen Daniells

Dietary supplementation with olive oil may protect blood vessels from the deleterious effects of air pollution, suggests a new study from the US Environment Protection Agency.