Botanicals

'I see this as kind of like inventing the syringe in a time when people are only using capsules,' says company launching a nicotine-free botanical vape. ©iStock/Goodluz

Vaping: A smoking hot nutrition opp?

By Annie Harrison-Dunn

The opportunity for ‘vaping’ devices goes far beyond smoking, according to the company launching the nicotine-free botanical AfriVape.

Fenugreek extracts have been linked to reports of reproductive toxicity in some animals studies. ©iStock/Ezergil

Study confirms reproductive safety of fenugreek seed extract

By Lynda Searby

A study funded by Indus Biotech provides further evidence that the company’s Fenu-FG supplement is safe to take during pregnancy, following previous reports linking fenugreek seeds to potentially toxic effects. 

Astaxanthin powder ©iStock

Chinese astaxanthin wins EU novel foods approval

By Lynda Searby

Competition is hotting up in the astaxanthin space, as Novel Food authorisation for BGG’s AstaZine line of natural astaxanthin ingredients marks the entry of a new player into the European carotenoid market.

© iStock

Special Edition: Pre & Probiotics

Time is ripe for polyphenols as prebiotics, expert says

By Hank Schultz

Could the idea of prebiotics be extended to include polyphenolic ingredients?  An expert in the field says there is a growing body of evidence to support the notion.

'We encourage others to deposit their own supporting evidence and tools for the benefit of the wider risk assessment community,' says EFSA head. ©iStock/boygovideo

EFSA models transparency with open source ‘Knowledge Junction’

By Annie Harrison-Dunn

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has made all its models from the last 15 years available on an open source platform called the Knowledge Junction, which also encourages external submissions of data, images and videos that could go on to be used...

At 80ºC with 20 litres per minute air flow, the oxidation induction time was 42 hours. ©iStock

Is new DHA oil the ultimate in omega-3 stability?

By Lynda Searby

French marine lipid specialist Polaris claims its new generation algal source DHA oil takes fish-free omega-3 “to a new level” by offering “unmatched” stability.

EU food innovation is under threat from EU regulations, find researchers, but does the real problem lie elsewhere? ©iStock/klenger

Analyst: 'The fact is we have a lot of food marketers in Europe who are just not very good at their job...'

German impact study finds EU health claim laws blocking innovation; no excuse for lame marketing, says analyst

By Shane STARLING

A German study – one of three analysing the impact of the EU’s strict health claim laws in place since 2008 – has concluded they are having severe innovation crimping effects. But a functional foods expert says marketeers need to drop engrained ‘can’t...

CEO Exclusive: Naturex goes back to start-up roots to drive growth

'Naturex was a start-up 20 years ago.'

CEO Exclusive: Naturex goes back to start-up roots to drive growth

By Niamh Michail from Avignon, France

The world’s biggest supplier of botanical extracts, Naturex, is on track to meet the targets of its growth strategy Bright2020 which aims to see 10% of sales coming from new products, according to CEO Olivier Rigaud.

Tossed Sal-ad: Leon has had to rename its 'superfood' salads but has the ASA gone too far?

Trademark/brand name defence rejected

Supermoan: UK bans superfood claim

By Lynda Searby

'Natural fast food' restaurant chain Leon has been ordered to remove the term ‘Original Superfood Salad’ from its menu after the UK Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) found it did not qualify as a brand name exemption under the EU nutrition...

©iStock

Indian carotenoid player enters Europe

Bangalore-based lutein and carotenoid specialist Katra Phyto has enlisted UK-based ingredient player and distributor Gee Lawson as its European partner.

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