Omega-3s & nutritional oils

Hormel & Virun help ease omega-3 F&B fortification headaches

Think you need to pop pills to get a decent dose of omega-3? Think again, say Hormel and Virun

16-Jul-2014 By Elaine Watson

While food & beverage manufacturers have been fortifying their wares with omega-3 fatty acids EPA + DHA for years, few have been able to include anywhere close to the efficacious doses contained in many supplements without running into technical or...

Fish oil linked to structural changes in the brain: Human data

15-Jul-2014 By Stephen DANIELLS

Fish oil supplements may produce beneficial structural changes in the brain, according to a new study from Brown University and Rhode Island Hospital.

DHA omega-3 linked to ‘significantly improved periodontal outcomes’: Harvard data

14-Jul-2014 By Stephen DANIELLS

Scientists from Harvard report that supplementation with DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) omega-3 may improve periodontal outcomes in people with periodontitis.

Fish, krill win sustainability seal

10-Jul-2014 By Shane STARLING

An Israeli krill oil supplier and a Norwegian fish oil supplier have both had aspects of their omega-3 supply chain verified by fisheries sustainability NGO, Friend of the Sea (FOS).

Brain health top of mind at Milan congress

10-Jul-2014 By Anne Bruce

Mounting epidemiological evidence suggests nutrient-rich but low-calorie diets and intake of B vitamins, Vitamin D and antioxidants stave off cognitive decline, experts gathered in Milan said last week.

Chia seed, tartary buckwheat gluten-free bread ticks nutritional boxes: Research

09-Jul-2014 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Gluten-free bread made with omega-3 and flavonoid-rich chia seed and tartary buckwheat flour has 12 times greater alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) content and 75% greater total antioxidant capacity than wheat bread, according to researchers.

Chlorella supplements show cardiovascular benefits: Human data

07-Jul-2014 By Stephen Daniells

Daily supplements containing Chlorella may reduce cholesterol and triglyceride levels in people with mildly elevated cholesterol levels, says a new study from Korea.

China

After much waiting, China establishes long-chain omega 3 guidelines

01-Jul-2014 By RJ Whitehead

China has finally published official dietary reference intakes (DRIs) for EPA and DHA omega 3 fatty acids—a move that is expected to help thousands of its consumers who are at risk of poor health by not consuming enough of the substance.

EFSA adopts essential infant formula composition opinion

01-Jul-2014 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

EFSA has adopted its opinion on the essential infant formula composition following a period of public consultation which saw nearly 400 comments stream in on the likes of omega-3 form DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), probiotics, fluoride and sucrose's...

DHA-rich canola oil shows significant heart health benefits

25-Jun-2014 By Stephen DANIELLS

A diet supplemented with beverages formulated with DHA-rich omega-3 oil may significantly improve HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, and blood pressure, says a new study.

UK ASA Ruling

UK regulator turns ‘contrary’ over infant drink marketing, says campaigner

24-Jun-2014 By Nicola Cottam

Danone Nutricia’s vindication from any wrongdoing in press adverts for Aptamil with Pronutra+ follow-on milk was described as “absurd” by Baby Milk Action (BMA), which filed a complaint with the UK’s Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) following numerous...

French omega-3 player scores in Brazil

24-Jun-2014 By Shane STARLING

Ambitious French omega-3 supplier Polaris has won approval to market its branded omega-3s in South America’s biggest nutraceutical market, Brazil.

How to win or lose on the functional foods market

23-Jun-2014 By Sarah Hills

Health matters but convenience matters more, according to a report that looked at why functional foods succeeded or failed in the market place.

Special Edition: Bone & Joint Health

Dearth of convincing data retards application of omega-3s in joint health

18-Jun-2014 By Hank Schultz

A lack of convincing human data has stalled the wider application of omega-3s in the area of joint health, experts say.

Roquette opens 4-5000 tonne chlorella processing facility in France

13-Jun-2014 By Shane STARLING

French supplier Roquette has advanced its commitment to the chlorella and algae extract market by inaugurating a 4-5000 tonne a year chlorella facility at its HQ near Lille in northern France, as chlorella continues to move from the shadow of spirulina.

ASA: Chia and flax ad should be ‘super-seeded’

11-Jun-2014 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

The UK’s Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has upheld four complaints about the implied health claims of Bioglan ‘superfood’ chia and flax seeds.

Dispatches from Vitafoods Europe 2014

French supplements market set for return to 10%+ growth after a ‘not very good’ year

10-Jun-2014 By Shane STARLING

The French food supplements market is set for double digit growth this year as the sector adapts to changing EU regulations around health claims, according to the chairman of the country’s biggest trade group.

A North Atlantic first: Pharma Marine wins MSC omega-3 source backing

05-Jun-2014 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Supplements firm Pharma Marine has won Marine Steward Council (MSC) Chain of Custody standard for its by-product ingredient line CodMarine, but it’s critical other supplement players follow suit in addressing their sizable marine footprint, says the certification...

“It is very old. It survived 2-3 mass extinctions on Earth.”

Portuguese player enters chlorella space

02-Jun-2014 By Shane STARLING

The increasingly busy nutra-algae space has a new player in Portuguese firm Allma which has already bagged ice cream and food concept contracts but is targeting all foods, supplements, cosmetics and feed with a premium version of chlorella.

‘The best way we can earn consumer trust is to give consumers more information’: IFOS expands services, launches new website

30-May-2014 By Stephen DANIELLS

Consumer demands for more information and greater transparency are being met by a growing number of certifications in the dietary supplement and natural products industry. One such standard - the International Fish Oil Standards (IFOS) Program – has expanded...

New study ‘strengthens krill oil's position in the market’: Aker

23-May-2014 By Stephen Daniells

Krill oil supplementation to a high-fat (Western) diet was effective in reducing plasma lipid levels, with the effects via a different mechanism to fish oil, says a new study with lab mice.

Omega-3s & heart health: Fish and supplements may slash venous thromboembolism risk, says new study

22-May-2014 By Stephen Daniells

A combination of fish and fish oil supplements may reduce the risk of venous thromboembolism by almost 50%, according to a new study from Norway.

Olive oil and salad mixture is ‘key’ to Med diet mechanism

22-May-2014 By Nathan Gray

The combination of unsaturated fats in olive oil and nitrite-rich leafy salad or vegetables may be what gives the Mediterranean diet its healthy edge, according to new research in mice.

EFSA gives Monsanto the green light on SDA-rich GM soy

22-May-2014 By Nathan Gray

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has delivered a positive scientific opinion on Monsanto’s MON 87769 soybean crop, which has been genetically modified to contain stearidonic acid.

ADM enters into omega-3 market with partnership on algal DHA ingredient

21-May-2014 By Hank Schultz

Archer Daniels Midland Company has announced a move into the omega-3s space with a deal with privately-held Synthetic Genomics to develop and commercialize an algal DHA ingredient. The deal will make itself felt first in the animal feed markets, but will...

Dispatches from Vitafoods Europe 2014

End of krill wars is good news for entire omega-3s sector, Aker VP says

20-May-2014 By Hank Schultz

The end of the krill wars is the begining of a new chapter in the history of the omega 3s market, said Tim De Haas, of krill supplier Aker Biomarine.  It’s good news not just for the krill oil suppliers themselves, but for the category as a whole.

Singapore

Scientists make brain breakthrough with long-term omega-3 potential

20-May-2014 By RJ Whitehead

While research suggests the DHA omega-3 fatty acid is good for the brain, little has been understood about how it is absorbed. But now a new study by researchers in Singapore seems to have identified a transporter protein that is used to carry DHA from...

DSM enters olive polyphenol market; hard launches high-dose algae omega-3

16-May-2014 By Shane STARLING

Swiss-based DSM Nutritional Products (DNP) has entered the olive-sourced hydroxytyrosol market that has been hot since the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) issued a rare plant polyphenol health claim approval in 2011.

Dispatches from Vitafoods Europe 2014

Omega-3’s newest big fish reveals sector ambitions

15-May-2014 By Shane STARLING

Mid-last year the chief of Norwegian omega-3 player EPAX told us, “We are the last of the big omega-3 independents.” Soon after US agri-food company FMC had snapped it up for $350m. Here FMC Nutraceuticals general manager Daniel H. Rosenbaum talks through...

UK data shows most people do not meet healthy eating targets

15-May-2014 By Nathan Gray

The UK population is still consuming too much saturated fat, added sugars and salt and not enough fruit, vegetables, oily fish and fibre, says a new report.

DISPATCHES FROM VITAFOODS EUROPE 2014

Ingredia: Chia oil to boil bigger storm in Europe thanks to claims

14-May-2014 By Kacey Culliney

Europe's rubber stamp on Ingredia’s Benexia chia oil, expected in June, will heat up appeal even more, claims its global director.

DISPATCHES FROM VITAFOODS EUROPE 2014

Meso-zeaxanthin’s road to EU novel approval – blindsided by commercial interests?

14-May-2014 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

The discourse around eye health carotenoid meso-zeaxanthin (MZ) has been marred by commercial interests, according to supplement firm OmniActive Health Technologies.

DISPATCHES FROM VITAFOODS EUROPE 2014

EU chia oil approval will open up 'limited' dairy use: Ingredia

13-May-2014 By Mark ASTLEY

The passing of European legislation on the use of omega-3 rich chia oil will open up the use of trendy chia in dairy products, Ingredia Nutritional believes.

DISPATCHES FROM VITAFOODS Europe 2014

Sustainability? Not so focal for supplements, says palm oil firm

13-May-2014 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Sustainability is not such an important issue for the supplements industry, because of the relatively low ingredient volumes involved and a difference in industry priorities, Malaysia-based Carotech has said.

Vitafoods Live! debates to take aim at key industry issues

02-May-2014 By Nathan Gray

From infant formula, to additives, protein, medical foods and omega-3 issues, our team of expert journalists will be taking aim at the most important and topical issues for the global food and nutrition industry at the Vitafoods Live! debate theatre next...

Neptune and Enzymotec finalize patent settlement and license agreement

28-Apr-2014 By Stephen DANIELLS

The long-running krill oil patent dispute between Canada’s Neptune Technologies & Bioressources and Israel-based Enzymotec Ltd. has come to an end, with the firms signing a final and binding patent infringement settlement and license agreement.

BASF Nutrition to hone omega-3, sell Norwegian factory and cut 260 jobs

28-Apr-2014 By Shane STARLING

BASF says it is honing in on its omega-3 business but will sell a recently acquired low-concentration omega-3 facility in Norway as it aims high-end.

EU-backed metabolic syndrome project has health claim wins in sight

28-Apr-2014 By Shane STARLING

Nick Henson is the Reading-based associate director at the International Food Network (IFN), a key player in the EU’s new multi-million euro, multi-partner Metabolic Syndrome-battling project, PATHWAY-27, that has health claim victories trained in its...

Krill oil (plus B vitamins, soy and rosemary) relieves PMS: Pilot study

25-Apr-2014 By Nicola Cottam

Krill oil supplementation can relieve pre-menstrual stress disorder (PMS), according to a small pilot study.

Can industry-backed academic inventions spur increased innovation?

23-Apr-2014 By Nathan Gray

Industry-sponsored academic research leads to innovative patents and licenses, and may not skew science towards inventions that are less accessible and less useful to others, according to a new analysis.

Advancing nutritional epidemiology to a whole new level? NIH scientists publish metabolomics biomarkers to study diet-disease associations

21-Apr-2014 By Stephen DANIELLS

Scientists from the National Cancer Institute at the NIU have reported metabolomic biomarkers for a variety of foods and vitamins, which, if validated, could become biomarkers in large cohorts to study diet-disease associations.

Danes back food supplements (even if their government does not)

17-Apr-2014 By Shane STARLING

Despite healthy diets and a lack of government support, food supplement use in Denmark is among the highest in Europe, the Danish Food Institute (NFI) has concluded after a survey.

DEFRA gives GM camelina omega-3 project go-ahead

17-Apr-2014 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

The UK government’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has granted permission for field trials of genetically modified (GM) camelina plants that accumulate omega-3s in their seeds.

Israeli firm targets military ration packs: 'We’ll sell to anybody'

14-Apr-2014 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Israeli company Easy Line says its products hold military ration pack potential, and it will be angling for export to any national military.

UK ASA: "Court action is a last resort but we will issue such action if other measures fail"

Snubbed: Dutch firm smokes UK joint health claim ban

10-Apr-2014 By Shane STARLING

Joint health claims made by a Dutch-made collagen, glucosamine and omega-3 based food supplement, have been kyboshed by the UK advertising watchdog. But Finitri, the Dutch firm, has gone underground and the disputed claims remain on its website.

Lost in translation: Parlez-vous health claims?

09-Apr-2014 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Cross-border communication must be provided to combat the confusion caused by the 24 subtly different language versions of EU-approved health claims, as well as countless other cultural nuances, according to an EU food law expert. 

Responsible supply: IFFO changes fish oil and fishmeal sourcing rules

04-Apr-2014 By Shane STARLING

Non-members of the International Fishmeal and Fish Oil Organization (IFFO) are able to apply for ‘responsible supply’ (RS) certification, after the body altered its criteria recently.

Krill wars redux: Enzymotec ends settlement negotiations with Neptune, ITC case to go forward

02-Apr-2014 By Hank Schultz

In a new phase of a long-standing krill oil patent dispute, Israel-based Enzymotec Ltd. has backed out of a settlement negotiation with Canada’s Neptune Technologies & Bioressources, both companies confirm. Enzymotec said it halted negotiations after...

Omega-3s science is rock solid, but you don't win every game, expert says

01-Apr-2014 By Hank Schultz

When scientists seek to counteract bad press for omega-3s it is a matter of taking two steps forward while taking one back, said Bruce Holub, professor emeritus at the University of Guelph in Ontario.

NICE to update heart health guidance; omega-3s and sterols-stanols considered

01-Apr-2014 By Sarah Hills

Guidance on the prevention of cardiovascular disease relating to sugar, salt and fats – including omega-3s – should be updated, the UK's National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has concluded. Plant sterols and stanols were also considered.