All news articles for February 2007

Marinova's fucoidan uses grow with halal/kosher certs

Australian marine fucoidan extractor Marinova has extended the applications of its products for dietary supplements by securing halal and kosher certification.

Study links antioxidant supplements to increased mortality

A meta-analysis of 68 randomised trials with antioxidant supplements has reported that vitamins A and E, and beta-carotene may increase mortality risk by up to 16 per cent, but vitamin C did not have an effect on mortality and the antioxidant mineral selenium was associated with a nine per cent decrease in all-cause mortality.

DSM and Campina take Fabuless to Germany

DSM Food Specialities' satiety ingredient Fabuless continues to garner interest from dairy companies, as Campina extends its use in Optiwell branded products to Germany.

Functional foods help Kerry through challenging year

Kerry has reported continued development of its food ingredients businesses despite 2006 being a 'difficult' year for the food industry – and its nutrition and functional food ingredient systems played no small part.

High fat dairy may boost fertility - study

Women who consume high fat dairy products like ice cream may reduce their risk of becoming infertile, new research from the US claims.

Extractors shore up processes to avoid irradiation

Finding other ways to guarantee safety and quality of extract beside irradiation is giving ingredient suppliers a new angle of differentiation, catering to customers who are unconvinced that the sterilisation technique is safe.

Study questions garlic's cholesterol-lowering powers

A new trial from the US has reported that garlic may not decrease LDL ("bad") cholesterol levels, raising questions over the cardiovascular benefits of garlic.

Healthy, ethical chocolate taps growing market

UK speciality chocolate maker Venture Foods has invested in further innovation to extend its range of Fairtrade, vegan and organic confectionery.

Synbiotics and chocolate mousse a tasty combination?

Chocolate mousse may be an excellent vehicle for probiotics and prebiotics, suggests a new study from Brazil that is in line with the trend for new ways of delivering the ingredients.

Denomega, GAT to use FlexDos for omega-3

Denomega and GAT are making their microencapsulated fish oils more readily available for use in dairy and beverage products through a co-packaging arrangement with Tetra Pak that makes use of its FlexDos dosing system.

Study points to zinc carnosine's role in gut health

Zinc carnosine could protect the gastrointestinal system according to a study conducted in the United Kingdom.

EBF proposes safety assessment model for botanicals

The European Botanical Forum has proposed a model for assessing the safety of botanicals for use in food supplements – including a 'negative list' of botanics that should not be used due to safety concerns – which it hopes will be used in the implementation of European food regulations.

Milk Link makes functional milk for Tesco

UK supermarket Tesco is expanding its range of functional milks with the addition of a new semi-skimmed product enhanced with a variety of vitamins and other added nutrients.

Black soy may offer weight management potential

Researchers from Korea have reported that peptides from black soy bean could have a role as a nutraceutical to combat obesity, after a study on rats in which they curbed weight gain.

Weekly Comment

Turning advertisers into educators

Instead of trying to hide confectionery from children by restricting advertising, chocolate-makers should be encouraging them to make the same health-conscious choices as adults when it comes to confectionery they're sure to buy anyway.

Health to figure large in Japan's food industry future, report

Health is expected to be a major theme in the future of the Japanese food industry, according to a new report from Frost and Sullivan, which emphasises the ageing population as altering industry dynamics.

Omega-3 again linked to lower colorectal cancer risk

Increased intake of omega-3 fatty acids may cut the risk of colorectal cancer in men by a whopping 66 per cent, but only in men not taking aspirin, suggests new research.

Ingredient companies take joined-up approach to heart health

Ingredients companies are no longer presenting their products as a singular approach to one aspect of cardiovascular health, but are keeping in mind other bioactives that could add to the effect or target another area of heart health in a synergistic way.

More fibre in coffee than orange juice?

Coffee, a well-established source of antioxidants, may also be a richer source of soluble dietary fibre than orange juice, researchers in Spain have reported.

Funding boost for UK polyphenol developer

The UK government has signalled that it is regarding polyphenols for functional foods as a technology priority area, with the award of a DTI grant to Coressence to identify health-giving ingredients from fruit varieties.

More evidence that vitamin D may cut falls amongst the elderly

A daily vitamin D supplement of 800IU may cut the number of falls among nursing home-dwelling elderly people by 70 per cent, says a new study.

Lysine, carotenoids hit BASF full-year fine chemicals performance

BASF's fine chemicals division has posted strong overall sales for full year 2006, but weak sales of the amino acid lysine and carotenoids continued to detract from its performance.

Healthy performance for nutrition-focused Nestlé

In a year dominated by acquisitions and changes within its operational structure, Switzerland-based food group Nestlé has still exceeded expectations with full-year organic growth boosted by the company's focus on nutrition, research and core brands.

Health claims 'will be challenge' for probiotics

The new nutrition and health claims legislation could prove challenging for marketers of probiotic products due to the different effects of different strains of bacteria, says a nutrition scientist.

Honeydew honeys top antioxidant ratings

Honey produced by bees feeding on honeydew have more than double the radical scavenging activity than honeys from nectars, says new research from Spain.

Combined ingredients may cut cholesterol levels

Combining plant stanol esters and beta-glucan reduced levels of LDL-cholesterol by almost ten per cent, says a new study from the Netherlands.

Sustainable hoodia to secure supply, lower prices

The Afriplex hoodia cultivation programme is yielding its first harvest this year and is expected to significantly increase supply of plant material available to meet growing demand from the weight management market.

FAO looks to tap coconut water potential

A simple cold preservation process could help increase sales of bottled coconut water – a product yet to fully tap the growth of health and energy drinks.

Flavonoid, lignan-rich diet linked to lower breast cancer risk

A flavonoid and lignan-rich diet may reduce the risk of developing breast cancer in postmenopausal women by about 35 per cent, suggests a new study.

Channel Islands supplements 'a threat to UK businesses'

The regulatory status of supplements sold out of the Channel Islands is under the spotlight in the UK, as a House of Commons motion urges a strategy to address unfair and illegal competition to protect consumers and responsible businesses.

Friesland Australian joint venture targets prebiotics

Friesland Foods is to enter a joint venture with Australian dairy group Warrnambool as part of plans to help meet growing demand in the country for prebiotic ingredients.

Emulsified omega-3 more bioavailable?

Emulsification of omega-3 fatty acids may boost bioavailability of nutritionally beneficial eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) by over 60 per cent, compared to non-emulsified oil, suggests new research.

Time for probiotics to attack the mass market?

Consumers with the greatest need could be missing out on the health benefits of probiotics since they are not 'streetwise' about health issues and may not be able to afford them, says a nutrition scientist.

Spearmint tea makes women hair free

Women with a condition that makes them grow hair on their breasts, faces and stomachs may find symptoms relieved by drinking a few cups of spearmint tea, new research shows.

Ireland builds marine future with Sea Change strategy

Ireland officially launched its Sea Change strategy last week, which aims to shift the sector away from the traditional food-harvest view and drive it into new market-led opportunities including functional foods.

EHPM says dossier fees would cramp innovation

EHPM has added its voice to those opposed to fees for EFSA to process dossiers submitted under EU food laws, as it could hamper innovation by already cash-strapped SMEs.

Nano iron could boost human bioavailability

Taking poorly soluble iron compounds down to the nanoscale could boost bioavailability by over 30 per cent, Swiss researchers have reported.

Weekly Comment

Coming clean in crisis management

In the area of crisis management, companies seem keen to repeat history by making the same mistakes -- over and over again.

Flavanol-rich cocoa for brain health, say experts

Flavanol-rich chocolate may boost blood flow in the brain and reduce the risk of dementia, experts have told attendees at the annual meeting for the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS).

Nestlé teams up with Barry Callebaut

Chocolate producers Nestlé and Barry Callebaut have joined forces to improve their respective positions in the competitive European market as the maker of Smarties chocolate hands over facilities and a supply contract to the Swiss processor.

Science please, says slimming expo organiser

The exhibition surrounding the first conference dedicated to entirely to slimming ingredients, taking place next month in Berlin, is open only to companies whose products are supported by clinical trials, says the organiser.

2007 a year of regulatory shake-ups in Asia

International Alliance of Dietary/Food Supplement Associations has said that it expects to make headway in smoothing improvements to dietary regulation in Asia this year – and especially in China, where the government is mulling information on other countries' models provided by the alliance.

Fish intake linked to higher IQ in offspring

Eating more than 340 grams of omega-3-rich seafood per week during pregnancy was associated with higher verbal intelligence quotient (IQ) scores in the children, says a new study.

Watercress may protect against DNA damage, cancer

A regular intake of watercress may protect against DNA damage in blood cells, considered an important trigger in cancer development, by 23 per cent, new research suggests.

Raisio reaches out to doctors with plant stanol education

Foods containing cholesterol-lowering plant stanols and sterols could have a big impact on public health, says a medical advisor at Raisio Benecol, which is launching a new campaign to make the latest research easily accessible for health care professionals.

Consultant calls for more research on plant extracts

Companies should invest in R&D for plant extracts in preparation for health claims regulations and to boost consumer confidence, urges Frost & Sullivan.

Vitamin A-rich diet may halve stomach cancer risk

A diet rich in vitamin A (retinol) may cut the risk of stomach cancer by 44 per cent, suggests a prospective study from Sweden.

BioGaia moves into the black

BioGaia has reported significant gains in full year 2006 that tip it into profit, thanks largely to deals for finished probiotic products in a widening geographical sphere.

Vitamin K2 may maintain bone strength - study

Daily supplements of vitamin K2 maintained hipbone strength in postmenopausal women, while placebo led to weakening, says a study from the Netherlands.

Krill oil market to hot up with Enzymotec entry

Enzymotec has announced its entry into the krill oil market, going head to head with market leader Neptune Krill Oil and planning clinical research into the health benefits of its ingredient.

Vitiva expands European rosemary extracts operation

Vitiva has expanded its sales operations into Cannes, France in order to better tap Europe's food ingredients market.

DSM adopts dual track strategy for Nutritional Products

DSM is taking a two-pronged approach to sustaining profitability and spurring growth for its Nutritional Products division, as it reports volume growth for the Nutrition cluster as a whole but sales on a par with last year due to lower selling prices and higher energy and raw material costs.

Jury's out on omega-3 for depression?

For those not joining in the Valentine's Day festivities, boosting omega-3 intake to ward off the possibilities of depression may be slightly premature, suggests a review.

New pre-, probiotic index may boost synbiotic research

Quantification of a prebiotic's ability to boost the growth of probiotics could enhance the identification of effective synbiotic combinations, researchers have said.

Scientists expand probiotic soy yoghurt potential

Canadian scientists have reported that two strains of probiotic Lactobacillus bacteria grow well in soy yoghurt cultures, opening up opportunities for an ever growing field.

Soft Gel forms partnership to take on Europe

Soft Gel Technologies has entered into a partnership with Italy's Sochim International, which will allow it to offer a full service to its European clients - from encapsulation through to finished product labelling.

Omega-3: Can you believe its not lard?

Consumers concerned about the quality of fish oil in their omega-3 supplements should quiz the brand marketer over the source, says chairman of GOED omega-3, a trade association that aims to maintain standards of the ingredient.

Lifelong selenium intake may slow age-related cognitive decline

Low levels of selenium throughout life have been linked to lower cognitive function, says an epidemiological study based in China.

DSM develops natural 20 per cent beta-carotene

DSM Nutritional Products is expanding its beta-carotene offering to the supplements industry with the addition of a high-potency natural beadlet form to its animal- and allergen-free portfolio.

Vitamin B12 linked to slower mental decline

Increased levels of vitamin B12, but not folate, may reduce the rate of age-related cognitive decline and dementia, suggests a new study.

Mintel data shows UK goji launches

European consumption of goji berry products appears to be centered on the UK, suggests Mintel's Global New Products Database, which lists four new launches in the market in 2006.

Calcium, vitamin D may reduce stress fracture risk

Daily supplements of calcium and vitamin D, long linked to improving bone health, may also reduce the risk of stress fractures during exercise, scientists have reported.

Untapped potential for functional foods in Europe, says Datamonitor

The value of the European functional foods market is a mere fraction of the US market, according to a new report from Datamonitor that highlights untapped potential in the continent.

Weekly Comment

Allergens: no room for mistakes

It would be a mistake for governments and industry to misinterpret the recent progress in food allergen labeling as a final solution: there is much that yet remains to be done, for the well-being of both consumers and manufacturers.

Caffeinated drinks may protect elderly against heart disease

Over-65s who drink four or more caffeinated beverages every day may reduce their risk of heart disease by a whopping 53 per cent, suggests research from the US.

Folic acid on the EU agenda

Debate over fortification of certain foods with folic acid has been initiated at EU-level, as various member states mull public health strategies for reducing pregnancies affected by neural tube defects.

Pine bark extract shows promise for slowing sugar uptake

Extracts from French maritime pine bark may inhibit an enzyme linked to glucose absorption 190 times more than a synthetic medication, says new research from Germany that could offer significant benefits for diabetics if the results can be translated from the lab to humans.

FSA asks: When was your first goji?

The UK's Food Standards agency is seeking evidence of whether goji berries were consumed in the European Union before May 1997 - a factor that which will determine their novel foods status and could impact availability of the superfruit.

China's BioGin introduces 40 per cent SDG flax lignans

BioGin Biochemicals says it is raising the bar on SDG concentration of flax lignans, after developing a lignan ingredient standardized to 40 per cent.

Frutarom investigates FenuLife for heartburn

Frutarom is initiating new research on the use of its FenuLife fenugreek extract for the prevention of heartburn, signalling a new direction for the ingredient alongside blood sugar control.

FreshCan finds first Euro use in creatine drink

A can system developed by Ball Packaging Europe to protect sensitive ingredients for use in beverages has found its first use in Europe in a German creatine drink, and could help spur development of new sports and wellness products.

Synbiotics effective at reducing colon cancer markers

A synbiotic supplement comprising the prebiotics inulin and oligofructose, and a mixture of two probiotics, successfully reduced several markers of colon cancer, say results of a major Europe-wide study.

Olive oil may protect against stomach ulcers and cancer

Polyphenols found in olive oil, a mainstay of the Mediterranean diet, may prevent infection with the Helicobacter pylori bacteria, said to be the cause of millions of cases of gastritis and peptic ulcer disease each year.

Consumers for Health Choice strikes out at fees-for-dossiers plan

Consumers for Health Choice has called the EC consultation paper on the payment of fees to EFSA by the food industry for the processing of dossiers 'fundamentally flawed', and is calling for a formal review of existing food legislation.

DHA alone can lower triglycerides, says study

A study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition concluded that the American Heart Association's recommended cardioprotective dose of omega-3 fatty acids can lower triglycerides in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) - whether the lipids come in the form of DHA combined with EPA or just DHA alone.

Codex additive levels up for debate once more, warns IADSA

The International Alliance of Dietary/Food Supplement Associations (IADSA) is highlighting the need for industry to engage in debate over levels of additives in supplements under Codex guidelines to prevent the setting of levels too low for technical demands and posing a barrier to trade.

ADM launches functional wheat protein isolates

Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) has launched a range of functional wheat protein isolates designed to enhance the taste, texture and appearance of cereal products.

LycoRed flags Materna Big formulation

LycoRed is flagging its expertise in formulating products for youngsters, after developing a vitamin-fortified product for Materna Laboratories to meet the sensory demands of child consumers and the nutrition stipulations of their parents.

Omega-3-rich flaxseed oil may lower blood pressure

A diet rich in the plant omega-3 alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) reduced blood pressure by up to six per cent, says new research from Greece.

Tate & Lyle targets dairy drink boom

A range of functional ingredients solutions has been launched by Tate & Lyle, as it looks to capitalise on consumer demand for healthy yoghurts and dairy drinks.

Raising vitamin D intake could lower breast, colorectal cancer risk

Increasing the daily intake of vitamin D to 2000 International Units could halve the risk of developing breast and colorectal cancer, two studies have reported.

ReGen raises funds for further Colostrinin development

ReGen Therapeutics is today issuing over 150m new shares to raise £1.1m, in part to fund ongoing development of its Colostrinin nutraceutical that is expected to be commercialised this year.

Report gives ingredient insight by health indication

A new report from Business Insights is turning the spotlight on science to support the efficacy of healthy ingredients, a preoccupation for food and drink manufacturers in the present climate of shifting health claims regulations.

Marigot adapts Aquamin for broader beverage uses

Marigot is introducing a new version of its Aquamin ingredient, intended to facilitate calcium fortification in the burgeoning beverage market without impairing taste or colour.

Inulin recommendations match efficacy, shows study

The ability of the prebiotic fibre inulin to boost the population of 'friendly' bifidobacteria in the gut works at both low and high doses without side effects, says new research.

Omega-3 for pregnancy captures formulators' attention, Mintel

Supplement makers are hearing the news about the benefits of omega-3 during pregnancy, suggest data from Mintel, which lists more pregnancy-specific product launches in 2006 than in previous years.

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