Breaking News on Supplements & Nutrition - Europe US edition

Slimming Ingredients get serious

The first international conference on slimming ingredients kicked off in Berlin with industry and academia exploring the huge potential for potential weight managing and weight reducing ingredients.

Nestle to investigate BLIS probiotic for respiratory health

Nestle Nutrition has signed an agreement with BLIS Technologies to investigate the use of probiotics to combat upper respiratory tract infections in infants, for which there is said to be no effective prevention at present.

Sabinsa unveils LeanGuard for supplements

Sabinsa Corporation is combining the forces of three of its established patented ingredients in the unveiling of a new weight management ingredient LeanGard.

More study needed on green tea HIV link

Drinking green tea may help to prevent the spread of the HIV virus, a study suggests, but the authors have warned more research is needed.

Companies talk science of slimming ingredents

New results and breakthroughs took centre stage in Berlin at the First International Conference on Innovations and Trends in Weight Loss and Weight Management.

Fonterra innovation takes colostrum into functional beverages

Fonterra has developed a technique that allows colostrum to be added to ready-to-drink beverages with a longer shelf-life, opening up opportunities for new kinds of products and building sales of the ingredient in Asia.

EC plans legal challenge over Spanish herbal ban

The European Commission is set to challenge Spain over its ban on the import of herbal products before the European Court of Justice - a policy it says is an unjustified and disproportionate barrier to EU trade.

Zinc pills may cut infections in the elderly

A daily zinc supplement may significantly reduce infections in the elderly, says a new trial from the US that may have implications for boosting "healthy ageing".

Review supports olive oil as nature's super food for the heart

The benefits of olive oil for heart health go way beyond just reducing levels of LDL ('bad') cholesterol, says a new review that looks set to further bolster the healthy image of the oil.

Xango to launch new functional juice in Europe

A new juice containing a host of added value ingredients, including the latest superfruit, mangosteen, will be launched in Western Europe this summer to target the growing functional food sector.

Scientists cook up antioxidant-rich pizza

US scientists have produced a pizza with enhanced antioxidant content in the crust, aimed to boost antioxidant defences and protect against oxidative stress.

More support for beta-glucan against high cholesterol levels

A "practical dose" of the soluble fibre beta-glucan from oats significantly lowered cholesterol levels in high-risk patients, says a new randomised interventional trial.

GlaxoSmithKline admits vitamin C deficiency

Australian legislation on nutritional labelling has come under the spotlight with the announcement by GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) that its Ribena drinks brand may have misled consumers over the amount of vitamin C it contains.

JHCI bows out in advance of EU health claims regulation

The UK's Joint Health Claims Initiative is to close its doors at the end of this month as its core activities are supplanted by the EU regulation on nutrition and health claims.

Grape seed extract may protect against skin cancer

Proanthocyanidin-rich extracts from grape seeds may prevent skin cancer by boosting the immune system, says a new study that used hairless mice to model human sun exposure.

Organic kiwis healthier than non-organic?

The nutritional profile of kiwi fruit grown organically is healthier than conventionally grown fruit, American researchers have reported.

DSM talks vitamin quality with Quali-C brand

DSM Nutritional Products is emphasising quality as the crucial point of differentiation between the vitamin C it produces in the green hills of Scotland - now known as Quali-C - and cheaper material from Asia.

Vitamin D, calcium, dairy linked to lower colon cancer risk

High intake of vitamin D and calcium from the diet and supplements may cut the risk of colorectal cancer by over 30 per cent, suggests a new study.

Report is wake-up call for elderly nutrition issue - IADSA

Nutritionists and policy-makers have put the issue of healthy ageing way down the list of priorities, and the problem must be addressed sooner rather than later, says a new report.

Kyowa Hakko to raise European amino acid prices

Kyowa Hakko Europe is to increase prices across its range of L-amino acids by ten per cent as of April 1, in an effort to stave off margin deterioration and ensure long-term availability of the ingredients.

Weekly Comment

Swallow your tongue

Fluffy language is increasingly clogging up the information air passages, and the food and drink industry must accept blame like everyone else.

Citrus extracts get cholesterol-lowering boost

Hesperidin and naringin, compounds found in oranges and grapefruit, cut cholesterol levels by about 25 per cent in lab animals, says a study that may boost interest in these citrus flavonones.

Raisio take Benecol into olive oil

The presence of Benecol in Portugal is increasing with the announcement that the cholesterol-reducing ingredient is being introduced to olive oil, said to capture all the growth in the fats markets in Portugal by 2010.

Blueberry compounds linked to colon cancer prevention

Pterostilbene, a compound found in blueberries, may prevent the development of tumours in the colon, if results from an animal study can be translated to humans, researchers have said.

Watermelon juice may be novel amino acid source

Watermelon juice may provide a novel source of the essential amino acid arginine, says a new study that shows the juice is a rich source of its metabolic precursor.

Study boosts Biocell Collagen II safety rep

A new study has indicated the safety of Biocell's Collagen II, the dietary ingredient for boosting joint health - an important result, says the company, as it moves on to getting GRAS certification.

Provexis gains patent for plantain extract

UK-based functional foods developer Provexis has gained a US patent for its plantain-based extract, which it hopes could be used in functional foods to extend periods of remmission for Crohn's disease sufferers.

EFSA surprised at legal threat over dossier assessment

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has said that it will not bow to industry pressure over scientific assessment of vitamins and minerals submitted for the positive list of the 2002 food supplements directive.

Tate & Lyle launches 4m R&D centre

Tate & Lyle has announced a €4m investment to establish a Wellness & Nutrition Centre in Lille, France.

Are peanuts OK for pregnant women?

New scientific research suggests that most women who follow general medical precautionary advice and avoid peanuts when pregnant may be doing so unnecessarily.

EC must accelerate nutritional labelling, says Madelin

The European Commission must accelerate the push for nutritional labelling without stifling innovation, said Robert Madelin, director of the EU Platform for Action on Diet, Physical Activity & Health.

More support that lignans may cut breast cancer risk

High intake of lignans from the diet could reduce the risk of breast cancer by almost 30 per cent, suggests a new epidemiological study from France.

Berkem builds science to support anti-stress ingredient

France-based Berkem is building the science behind their ingredients, with results from a double-blind placebo-controlled study for their lemon balm extract showing efficiency for the developing anti-psychological stress market.

Folic acid fortification could be safely doubled, says study

With the impending introduction of folic acid fortification in Ireland and the UK, a new study reports that double the US level of folic acid can safely be used in flour.

Low-dose omega-3 linked to lower blood pressure

Low doses of the omega-3 fatty acids docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) successfully reduced diastolic blood pressure by 3.3 mmHg in a clinical trial, backing up previous results with higher doses.

Danisco positive over cultures role in results

The strength of Danisco Cultures is reflected in the company's financial report for the first nine months of 2006/7, in which the division helped drive organic growth for both Bioingredients and its overarching Ingredients sector.

Cocoa polyphenols may offer diabetes benefits - study

Dietary supplementation with cacao liquor proanthocyanidins (CLPr) reduced blood glucose levels in obese diabetic mice, and may offer human diabetics significant benefits, says a new study from Japan.

Enzymotec and Elder to take CardiaBeat into India

Enzymotec has taken the next step in geographical roll-out of its CardiaBeat heart health ingredient, signing an agreement with Elder Pharmaceuticals for the Indian market.

Changing consumer trends driving polyol growth

The increasing demand for low-calorie foods is expanding the application base for polyols, according to a new report.

Frutarom reports bumper year for flavours and functional ingredients

Frutarom has reported another year of progress with its fast growth strategy, as it continues to snap up acquisitions to bolster its flavours and fine ingredients divisions and develop new products to expand its portfolio.

Probiotics may protect against food poisoning

Irish scientists report that a combination of five probiotic strains may reduce food poisoning by salmonella, if results of their pig study can be translated to humans.

EFSA releases first health claims guidelines

EFSA has published its first set of guidelines on the submission of health claims dossiers under the new EU regulation, covering applications for risk reduction, children's health and development, and newly-developed scientific evidence or proprietary data (articles 14 and 18).

Vitamin D again linked to lower breast cancer risk

Increased vitamin D levels during youth, from the sun and the diet, may reduce the risk of breast cancer later in life by over 30 per cent, suggests a new epidemiological study.

Leatherhead proposes pre- and probiotic collaboration

Leatherhead Food International is proposing an industry collaboration to identify end markets where use of prebiotics and probiotics are likely to offer growth opportunities for the future.

ANH pledges scrutiny and pressure over EC positive list

The Alliance for Natural Health has informed the European Commission that it is scrutinising its procedures on food supplements and those of EFSA, and may launch a legal challenge if any of its 15 'test' submissions to the positive list for vitamins and minerals are denied.

Weekly Comment

Rise and shine: the GM wake-up call

News that a variety of GM corn produced signs of liver and kidney toxicity in rats should be a wake-up call for better testing and more transparency from biotechs, if GMOs are to be accepted by increasingly sceptical consumers.

Scientists explain luteins anti-inflammatory role

Scientists in the US have identified a mechanism that may explain how lutein acts against inflammation, research that deepens understanding of the nutrient's benefits.

Vitamin C linked to lower mouth cancer risk

Increased intake of vitamin C from the diet, but not supplements, may slash the risk of mouth cancer by 48 per cent, says a epidemiological study.

Danisco launches Howaru for colds and flu

Danisco has developed a new formulation of probiotics called Howaru Protect, specifically targeted to reducing cold and 'flu symptoms, and is exploring its use by the food, supplements and pharmaceutical industries.

Zinc supplements may cut deaths among low-income kids

Daily zinc supplements reduced the risk of death among children aged 12 to 48 months by 18 per cent, says a clinical trial set in Zanzibar.

Does seawater improve a tomato's antioxidant punch?

Growing tomatoes in diluted seawater significantly increased the levels of antioxidant vitamins C and E, says new research from Italy.

Scientists rank UK juices by antioxidant action

A study at the University of Glasgow that evaluated fruit juices commercially available in the UK according to their antioxidant content could act as a spur to the category, as consumers seek dietary ways to remain in rude health.

Provexis placement to fund Fruitflow, plantain research

Provexis is planning to raise £2.15m (c €3.14) to fund further development of its Fruitflow heart-health technology and start trials on its plantain-based technology for Crohn's disease by placing 143.32m new shares at £0.015 each.

Wanted: Food business journalists

As it continues to expand, Decision News Media is currently seeking two new journalists to join its Food, Beverage, Nutrition and Cosmetics News Group in Montpellier, France.

Coke-L'Oreal rumours show beauty beverage potential

Beauty foods are hotting up as an area of interest for multinationals, if rumours about a Coca Cola-L'Oréal collaboration for a tea-based skin care drink prove founded.

HMRLignan may offer cardiovascular protection

Linnea's HMRLignan, the plant lignan isolated and purified from the Norway spruce (picea abies), reduced markers of inflammation linked to heart disease, says new research from Italy.

China Yingxia gains rights to low albumin rice

China Yingxia International has entered into two new research agreements that will help drive its new product pipeline - particularly with a breed of rice targeted to sufferers of kidney disease and diabetes.

Probiotech conference focuses on industrial implications of probiotics

The final programme for the European conference, Probiotech 2007 has been announced - with the main focus on the industrial implications of incorporating probiotics into products - including nutraceutical and cosmeceutical products.

Soy in diet may improve metabolic syndrome symptoms

Replacing red meat with soy in the diet improved several features of the metabolic syndrome in postmenopausal women, says a joint Iranian-American study that offers insights into managing this growing condition.

Sciona gains license to explore Asian nutrigenomics potential

Australia's Genetic Technologies (GTG) has bestowed a license to its non-coding DNA patents to personalised nutrition company Sciona, which is expected to be the start of a long relationship in the lifestyle and life-extension arena.

SOD supplement may protect against atherosclerosis

A superoxide dismutase (SOD) supplement, GliSODin, in combination with diet and lifestyle changes can significantly reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, French researchers have reported.

Enzymotec's CardiaBeat to enter Australia

Enzymotec's all-round heart ingredient CardiaBeat is set to make its debut on the Australian supplements market, with the signing of an agreement with Probiotec.

Chr Hansen, Valio to build probiotic supplement category

Chr Hansen and Valio are strengthening their relationship over the popular probiotic LGG, giving Chr Hansen manufacturing and selling rights to the strain for its use in food supplement products.

Dairy calcium may reduce fat absorption from meals

Calcium from dairy sources, but not supplements, decreased excess levels of fat in the blood after eating, says research from Denmark that is yet another twist to the calcium-dairy weight loss debate.

UK blocks breast-similar claims on infant formulas

A crackdown by the Food Standards Agency will bar infant formula makers from making claims on products sold in the UK that draw on their similarity to breast milk, to avoid misleading mothers.

Garlic plus vitamin C may reduce blood pressure

A combination of garlic supplements and vitamin C reduced blood pressure back to normal levels in people with mildly elevated levels, says a pilot study.

Healthy dairy drinks target UK school children

A new range of reduced sugar and probiotic dairy drinks will target UK school children as health trends continue to help the market expand.

Hydrolysed casein formula may slash eczema in infants

Infant formula containing hydrolysed casein proteins reduced the development of eczema by 33 per cent, says a three-year study from Germany.

DSM partners with WFP to combat malnutrition

Dutch chemical group DSM has announced a global partnership with the United Nations' World Food Programme (WFP) that aims to improve and increase nutritious food for people in poor countries and during humanitarian crises.

Weekly comment

GM: A healthy debate

The development of genetically modified crops to improve human health could be the golden ticket for advocates to persuade the wary public that GM is not a wholly nefarious idea after all. But will a new, healthy spin be enough to counter deep-rooted fears that genetic modification, by its very nature, poses an equal and opposite threat to human health?

Science stacks up for flavonoids for heart health

A diet rich in flavonoids, compounds in fruit, vegetables, coffee, tea and chocolate, could slash the risk associated to cardiovascular disease, says a joint Norwegian-US study.

LycoRed signs deal with Eurochem for Germany

Israeli ingredients firm LycoRed is poised to increase its presence in Germany through a new distribution with Eurochem Feinchemie.

Should cocoa flavanol be classed as a 'vitamin'?

Epicatechin, a flavanol found in cocoa, tea and wine, could be so important to the diet that it should be classified as a vitamin, says a Harvard researcher.

New rival to take on world dairy market

One of New Zealand's leading meat processors plans to build a dairy business capable of supplying markets around the world, offering new competition to the established elite.

More evidence for Pycnogenol endometriosis benefit

A new study examining the potential of Pycnogenol to reduce endometriosis has yielded positive results, building the data to support the antioxidant pine extract's use in addressing the condition.

Vitamin D level reassessment high priority, say experts

International agencies should reassess as a matter of high priority dietary recommendations for vitamin D, experts have said, because current advice is outdated and puts the public at risk of deficiency.

Omega-3 may build grey matter, study

A study presented this week proposes a mechanism by which omega-3 intake could have a bearing on a person's mood and outlook.

Formulators ignore calcium+D+K bone health recipe

Supplements aimed at promoting bone health are not offering the best combination of ingredients, indicates data from Mintel, with the majority containing just calcium, without vitamins D and K.

Danisco fears effects of proposed corporate tax

Danisco believes that a bill to change the Danish Corporation Tax Act would significantly affect the company's expansion strategy.

International Women's Day

Women: a force for supplement marketers to reckon with

Women are an important consumer group for the supplements market - not only because of their own, specific health needs, but also because they tend to make most of the purchasing decisions for the household.

Soy isoflavones linked to lower prostate cancer risk

Increased intake of soy isoflavones significantly reduced the risk of prostate cancer amongst Japanese men by as much as 50 per cent, says a new study.

Omega-3s boost bone mass in young men - study

Increased intake of omega-3 fatty acids, particularly docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), are linked to increased bone build up in young men, says a new study.

Nutritionals a bright spark beside Glanbia's dull dairy ingredients

Glanbia's nutritionals activities were a positive force in 2006, driving gains in operating profits for its ingredients division and staving off the impact of another challenging year for dairy.

Raisio enhances production for continued Asian invasion

Raisio has announced an expansion of its Finnish production facility to meet growing demand in Asia of its cholesterol lowering Benecol ingredient - as part of a bid to turn around declining profits in the sector.

Breakthrough technology

Probiotic encapsulation: Body armour for the bugs

From double coating with soy peptides, to protection with whey proteins, encapsulation of sensitive gut-friendly bacteria is breaking new ground for probiotic food applications.

Jalna extends Australian functional yoghurts range

Australian dairy foods company is introducing a raft of new yoghurt products aimed at addressing health concerns of consumers.

Atkins diet best of the bunch for weight loss, suggests study

Women following the Atkins diet, the once bright star in the galaxy of diets, lost more weight than women following other diets, with no concerns expressed over cardiovascular risk factors.

Trehalose best for improving aroma in dried fruit products?

Trehalose, a sugar found naturally in mushrooms, honey, lobster and shrimp, improves the aroma and quality of dried fruit ingredients, suggests a new study.

Breakthrough technology

It's all about me! Nutrition gets personal

Imagine if I could purchase a product that is exactly suited to disease prevention for my own, individual genetic make-up. Sounds like something from science fiction, but with the twin areas of nutrigenomics and personalised nutrition developing apace, the mass availability of tailored foods and supplements may not be too far in the future.

GM tomatoes to provide daily folate needs?

Tomatoes, genetically engineered to contain high levels of folate, could provide the recommended daily amount in one standard serving, says new research.

Lentils are the new dahl-ing of healthy consumers, Waitrose

Lentils are enjoying a surge in popularity in the UK, according to retailer Waitrose - a further sign that foods can shrug off an unappetising image when the importance of making healthy choices is drummed home.

Cyanotech gains novel foods go-ahead for astaxanthin

Hawaiian microalgae specialist Cyanotech has received the green light to sell its astaxanthin in the EU under novel foods regulations, opening up a new market that it says has great potential for the antioxidant ingredient.

New review may demand flavonoid rethink

Flavonoids from fruits and vegetables are not potent antioxidants when eaten but may still have significant benefits by other mechanisms, says a new review of the science.

Berkem's Powergrape to take on sports nutrition, anti-ageing

Berkem is introducing a new grape extract called Powergrape with specific ratios of different polyphenol families, which has yielded positive results in a prospective study on antioxidant status in sportsmen.

New Zealand proposes interim regulation on food-type supplements

New Zealand is proposing to update its dietary supplement regulations to take into account new food-like delivery formats that have emerged in the 20 years since they were drawn up.

More support for prebiotic, probiotics for colon health

Daily intake of prebiotics and probiotics may reduce the production of potentially toxic or carcinogenic compounds by suppressing the activity of certain enzymes, says new research from Belgium.

Wholegrain breakfasts linked to lower heart failure risk

Eating a bowl of wholegrain cereals every day could reduce the risk of heart failure by 27 per cent, researchers from Harvard have reported.

'Swing' generation is just the start of ageing consumer boom, Euromonitor

Consumer industries are only just seeing the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the purchasing power of older consumers, says Euromonitor International, which advises them to make age-aware adaptations to products in the coming years.

Weekly Comment

No excuses for illegal labour

There is no legitimate defence as to why some companies continue to use illegal labour. This isn't the vice trade, this is the food industry: no excuses.

Pomegranate leaf extract may be novel appetite suppressant

An extract from pomegranate leaves may offer promise for weight control after an animal study showed the extract suppressed appetite and reduced food intake for high-fat diets.

CNI launches functional, nutritional texturiser

A new 'nutritional texturiser' combining Acacia gum fibres and wheat fibres has been launched on both sides of the Atlantic.

Flavonoid-rich GM rice to boost antioxidant levels?

Rice genetically modified to have high flavonoid content has a 22 per cent higher antioxidant activity than untransformed rice, says a joint German-Indian study.

NutraCea enters Italy with Giulio Gross

NutraCea has taken the next step in extending use of its proprietary stablised rice bran technology in Europe with a distribution arrangement with Giulio Gross for the distribution of its products in Italy.

FSA consults on voluntary fortification implementation

The UK's Food Standards Agency has launched a consultation on its draft guidance for compliance with the new EU regulation on voluntary fortification of foods with vitamins and minerals, asking for input from industry on interpretation.

Chilli extract may stop fat cell growth

Capsaicin, the compound that gives red pepper its heat, could inhibit the growth of fat cells, says a new laboratory study.

Report slams Filipino infant milk campaigns

A UN expert has slammed a Filipino advertising campaign for breast milk substitutes as "misleading, deceptive, and malicious in intent."

Oats and soya drive healthy non-dairy market in Nordic countries

The Nordic region is a hotbed of development for dairy alternatives using healthy ingredients like oats and soya, says Organic Monitor, and marketers are responding to consumer health awareness by repositioning products as functional foods.

BioSerae investigates NeOpuntia for food uses

BioSerae is researching the use of its cactus-derived lipophilic fibre NeOpuntia in food matrices, and has received interest from food companies that are also keen to explore its potential outside of supplements.

Science builds behind pomegranate extracts for health

Standardised pomegranate extracts lead to increased levels of bioactive compounds in the blood and boost antioxidant levels, says new research that could see the extracts start to rival the juice for boosting health.