Breaking News on Supplements & Nutrition - Europe US edition

Fortification on the up in Asia

Fortification programmes to combat nutritional deficiencies and prevention in the face of health scares are creating more opportunities for vitamin and mineral manufacturers in Asia.

Consumers know what's healthy but won't compromise, study

A new study reveals that most Americans know what they should be eating but find it difficult to stick to a healthy diet because of the product options readily available to them.

No evidence that hangover cures work

There is no compelling evidence to show that hangover cures or preventative remedies actually work, say researchers in this week's BMJ.

Neptune to market krill oil, glucosamine blend

Canada-based Neptune Technologies will develop a new glucosamine and krill oil blend through a partnership with Japan's Koyo Chemical, it revealed yesterday.

Christmas feature

Spicing up Christmas

Christmas cake, mulled wine, mince pies and Christmas pudding - all these festive specialities taste of Christmas. But why is it that the smell of spices such as cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, cloves and ginger is synonymous with yuletide?

BioSerae boosts market advantage with organic cert for cactus fibre

French firm BioSerae has gained organic certification for its cactus fibre NeOpuntia, giving it a further boost in the market for slimming products.

Christmas feature

Food: the adult love affair

Ask any child what's most important about Christmas and you're almost sure to hear it's presents, or Santa Claus, or school holidays. But certainly not food.

Christmas Feature

Does Christmas bring you out in bumps?

Not everyone is a fan of Christmas. For some the very thought of it brings them out in a cold sweat - or even an allergic reaction.

Christmas feature

The old Christmas pudding

The Puritans described its rich ingredients as "unfit for God-fearing people". The Quakers referred to it as "the invention of the scarlet whore of Babylon ". Who would have thought that the humble Christmas pudding could evoke such strong feelings?

Biogaia writes off allergy study

Disappointing results from a two-year investigation into the effects of probiotics on allergies have forced Sweden's Biogaia to end the research.

Clover looking at microalgae as new omega-3 source

Australian omega-3 producer Clover Corporation is testing whether microalgae could offer an alternative source of health fatty acids to its current raw material supply, fish.

Christmas Feature

The festive food frenzy

0600 hours, 24 December - touched down on planet earth, life force appears rounded and inert.

Christmas Feature

Evolution of the Christmas dinner

Humble pie, stuffed peacock and sugar mice have left our Christmas tables seemingly never to return. But what was it that forever pushed such dishes from our hearts and feasting?

Tesco to launch cholesterol-lowering range under own label

The UK's biggest supermarket, Tesco, is introducing its own plant sterol-containing dairy range next month, offering a cheaper alternative to the leading cholesterol-lowering brands.

Charity food endorsements under debate in UK

A senior politician is pressing for clarification on how the UK's food authority will police new restrictions on charity endorsements of health foods.

Christmas feature

The sum of chocolate

Chocoholics rejoice: 2005 was the year it became clear chocolate really is good for you. But before Christmas ushers in a race to cram the candy, reflect a moment on where the benefits truly lie, and where they don't.

More support for dark chocolate's heart benefits.

A daily treat of dark chocolate can improve overall heart health and reduce the risk of heart disease, say researchers from Zurich.

Anti-malaria herb also fights cancer in animals

The Chinese herb compound Artemisinin may prevent breast cancer, say researchers from the University of Washington.

Christmeas feature

Anyone for a reindeer roast?

All those who still believe in Santa, stop reading here. For his sledge-pulling reindeer, Dancer, Prancer, and Rudolph, have long been consumed in a tasty stew.

Christmas feature

Wassail away your Christmas

Forget the family 'bored' games this Christmas. It's time to get down to the local orchard with a slice of toast, a loaded gun and a big bowl of steaming Wassail for some real festive tradition.

Lonza buys Nutrinova DHA business

Swiss chemicals group Lonza has bought Nutrinova's DHA business, it revealed today, enhancing its nutrition portfolio with an omega-3 ingredient.

Christmas feature

The chemistry of delicious

If only they taught chemistry in schools as it happens at Christmas tables across Europe. For here lies the secret of delicious. Come next weekend, the centrepiece from north to south will be a roast. A British turkey, a German goose, a French roast beef: all amount to a grand fiesta of chemical reactions that few other methods of cooking can match.

Danisco cultures keep up good growth

Danisco's cultures are seeing strong organic growth thanks to growing demand from fresh dairy for innovative products and probiotics.

Selenium supplements needed for elderly women, say researchers

Levels of selenium and other antioxidants are low in elderly women, and could be boosted by supplements, say German researchers.

Advitech, Cothera announce Dermylex deal

Advitech's psoriasis nutraceutical is set come to market next year, as the Canadian biotech enters into its first marketing agreements: Cothera is to market and distribute Dermylex in France, and further announcements for the US and Canadian markets are expected soon.

Emmi, Kaiku to join up in fresh dairy sales

Swiss dairy group Emmi has bought a stake in Spain's Kaiku to help it expand sales of functional food brands into new markets in Latin America.

DSM sees probiotics potential in cheese

Cheese may be a better carrier of probiotic bacteria than other dairy products, suggest tests carried out by DSM Food Specialties.

Folate supplements could improve immune system in the elderly

A diet rich in folic acid could boost the immune system in the old people,suggest the results from a new Canadian study with rats.

Dementia set to soar

The number of people with dementia around the world will double every 20 years, predicts a new report.

UK food body testing for contaminants in supplements

A small number of supplements on the UK market have been found by authorities to contain amounts of iron, manganese or zinc above levels recommended by experts, said the Food Standards Agency yesterday.

Energy drinks sector gaining momentum

New concepts and strong marketing have driven the global energy drinks market into the mainstream.

Probiotics set for explosive growth in China

Probiotics, unheard of a year ago, are now being added to more and more products in China, and look set to see rapid growth in demand, according to key supplier Chr Hansen.

Omega-3 fatty acids can improve COPD symptoms

A diet rich in omega-3 and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) could improve lung function for COPD sufferers, reports a study from Japan.

'Natural' foods on the rise in health-conscious Europe

Foods labelled as 'natural' are steadily growing in Europe, say market researchers Mintel, thanks to a hazy understanding of the term that is often associated with health.

BASF to close down vitamin C production

World number two vitamin maker BASF said today it will shut down its vitamin C plant in Denmark by the year-end, bringing to a halt all of its production of the vitamin.

Dietary fibre not yet proven to reduce colorectal cancer risk, says study

Dietary fibre intake may not be associated with reduced risk of colorectal cancer, according to a study in today's issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association (vol 294, pp2849-2857).

Iodine in milk linked to teenage acne

Iodine in milk may be a main cause of teenagers' acne outbreaks, says a US dermatologist, though hard evidence of a link remains scarce and disputed.

Japan issues safety data on isoflavone intake

Japan's food safety authorities have agreed on a safe daily intake for soy isoflavones, after applications to register the supplements as food for specified health use (FOSHU).

Malnutrition costs the UK twice as much as obesity

People that are undernourished, or losing weight unintentionally, cost UK health services more than twice as much as obese people, suggests a new report, yet they receive less attention from the government.

LycoRed intent on bigger share of carotenoids market

Fresh from the acquisition of Buckton Scott in the US, Israel's LycoRed is reorganizing its subsidiaries to position itself as a major supplier of natural carotenoids.

Zila expands Ester-C sales in Europe

Zila Nutraceuticals, the US firm that makes enhanced absorption vitamin C and E, is expanding its sales in Europe with two separate agreements in the Scandinavian region.

Health ingredients stand out at chemicals awards

Health ingredient firms Lipid Nutrition, Probi, Flavex and Allied Biotech all received awards from industry consultants Frost & Sullivan last night for their innovative products and strategies.

More vitamin D linked to better lung health

High levels of vitamin D may help our lungs stay healthy, according toresearchers from New Zealand.

Tea drinkers have lower ovarian cancer risk

Drinking more than two cups of tea daily can reduce the risk of ovariancancer by half, according to results from a large Swedish study.

Micronutrients boost life quality for elderly with heart failure

Supplements containing vitamins and other micronutrients can improve heart function and quality of life in elderly patients with chronic heart failure, claims a joint British-German study.

Pistachios and sesame seeds richest source of phytosterols

Pistachios and sesame seeds contain more cholesterol-reducing compounds than most other nuts and seeds, according to an extensive study.

Weekly Comment

The shimmer of patent valuation

Complex webs of assumptions are spinning a lie about the real value of today's companies, lulling directors and shareholders alike into a false sense of value creation.

Genome health clinics not far away, says Australian scientist

Clinics that can test for consumers' genotypes and give out dietary advice accordingly could be set up in the near future, said one scientist speaking at Asia's first major nutrigenomics conference last week.

Omega oils could improve child's behaviour, learning

Supplements of omega-3 and omega-6 oils can improve the behaviour of rowdykids and help language skills, researchers from England have found.

Age-related disease to surge, new forecast figures

The number of over-65s in the UK will increase more than 50 per cent in the next 25 years, putting a huge strain on healthcare services dealing with age-related disease.

Different fibres impact different heart disease risk factors

Most kinds of fibre are related to lower risk of various heart disease risk factors, finds new research on a French population.

BioGaia licenses full range to Austrian firm

Swedish probiotics developer BioGaia has signed a five-year agreement with HSO Pharma in its first deal for a whole range of its products.

Russia warned on poor diet, lifestyle

Russia could provide supplement and health food makers with attractive opportunities, particularly in the light of a recent warning from the World Bank.

Toxic ingredients in African herbal medicines

The UK's medicines regulator is warning consumers not to purchase or use certain African herbal remedies which may contain toxic herbal ingredients that could cause life threatening conditions.

Calorie control weight-loss may depend on genes

Dieters who fail to lose weight on a calorie-controlled diet may take heart at new research from Tufts University, which indicates that it may be down to their genes.

Magnesium could reduce osteoporosis risk

Increasing magnesium intake could increase bone density in the elderly andreduce the risk of osteoporosis, suggests a large American study.

Nutrient profiling here to stay

Nutrient profiling, one of the most controversial elements of Europe's proposed health claims law, looks set to remain in the future legislation, according to experts, and some firms have already signalled their acceptance.

Study backs dairy weight loss claims

Young women can burn more calories from meals if they eat three or four servings of dairy per day, suggests a new study in another twist to the dairy weight loss debate.

Brussels gets involved in fight on obesity

The European Commission today released a green paper outlining ways to promote healthy diets and physical activity in Europe, a further attempt to tackle rising rates of childhood obesity and obesity-related disease in the region.

Leucine supplements could help prevent muscle loss

A leucine-rich diet could reduce age-related muscle loss, say French researchers who have reported positive results on rats.

Charity approvals help health foods stand out on the shelf

Food companies are using charity endorsements to alert British consumers to the health benefits of their products in the absence of clearly defined health claims regulations.

Danone research taps new probiotics

Danone, France's iconic dairy group, is working with a prestigious French research institute to find new probiotic strains for dairy products and understand more about how the 'friendly bacteria' work.

'Super Broccoli' offers anti-cancer hope

A team of British researchers is breeding a type of 'super broccoli' containing over three times the normal levels of an anti-cancer compound.

EC withdraws proposals on creatine

EU proposals to change the status of creatine have been withdrawn after lobbying from an industry trade organisation.

Will olive oil health benefits outweigh surging prices?

Olive oil prices will drop slightly for a short period in December before stabilizing at their highest level in years as a result of the shortfall in Spain's production.

Rice protein concentrate has advantages for food makers

UK-based AMC Chemicals says a new rice protein concentrate can offer food makers a non-allergenic alternative to soy and whey that is better absorbed by the body than other vegetable-derived proteins.

Vitiva launches concentrated rosmarinic acid

Slovenian rosemary extracts producer Vitiva has developed a highly concentrated form of the water-soluble antioxidant rosmarinic acid targeting dietary supplements, cosmeceuticals and food products.

Coffee and tea might reduce liver disease risks

Drinking more than two cups of coffee or tea daily appears to cut the risk of chronic liver disease by half, reports new research from America.

Consumer scepticism of healthy food claims - another report

Food marketers face a major challenge in convincing consumers of the credibility of their products, as the second report in a month highlights a lack of trust in the health benefits of functional foods amongst both European and North American consumers.

Iron, calcium linked to lung cancer

Iron and calcium are linked to a higher risk of lung cancer in new research from the Harvard School of Public Health.

Weekly Comment

The reach of lobbying

The oft-said adage that there are two things people don't want to see being made - sausage and legislation - falls apart at the doors of the EU's parliament.

New rice boosts iron levels but no match for fortified food

Rice bred to contain high levels of iron has been shown to improve the iron status of Filippino women but it is unlikely to be a substitute for the growing number of fortified foods coming onto the market.

Not enough safety data to support clinoptilolite supplements

A UK firm looking to market the naturally occurring mineral clinoptilolite as a food supplement for smokers or people in contact with high levels of heavy metals has been told it does not have enough safety data.

Roquette invests in pea protein potential

French ingredient supplier Roquette believes that its new pea protein product, Nutralys, can help manufacturers tap into current health concerns and cut manufacturing costs.

Studies clash over alcohol health benefits

Drinking alcohol in moderation may help people to stave off obesity, says US study, as researchers from New Zealand cast doubt on alcohol's heart health benefits.

Tea waste rich with extractable antioxidants

Tea waste is almost as rich in potent antioxidants, such as catechins, as the new and expensive green tea leaves used by the supplements industry, according to Iranian research to be published later this month in peer-reviewed journal Food Chemistry.

Vitamin use to counter poor diet

One in three Britons takes vitamins and minerals to make up for poor eating habits, suggests a new report.

Skimmed milk cuts hypertension risk

Drinking skimmed milk can cut the risk of high blood pressure by half, according to a large new study from Spain.

Asian trends rich pickings for European health foods makers

European food makers that want to catch the next health trend early should keep an eye on Asia, the region that brought us green tea, ginseng and soy, analysts from Mintel told a packed seminar at FiE this week.

Inulin gaining in health benefits

Inulin, a soluble fibre extracted from chicory roots, is accumulating value in the functional food market, as ongoing research finds the ingredient has several different health benefits.

Caffeine delivers visible boost to brain activity

An Austrian research team has unveiled good news for the makers of energy and stimulant drinks, with evidence that caffeine delivers visibly increased brain activity that stimulates short-term memory.

Wood sterols gaining interest in GM-sensitive markets

Companies extracting sterols from pine trees are looking for a greater share of Europe's cholesterol-lowering foods market, exploiting the challenges faced by producers of vegetable oil-derived sterols.

Supplements heal pressure ulcers faster

Bed sores, which afflict up to one-tenth of hospital patients, heal more quickly when key supplements are added to a standard hospital diet, reports new research from Australia.

Cognis offers rooibos tea extract, expands plant line

Health ingredients firm Cognis has introduced two African plant extracts that it claims can offer real antioxidant benefits to iced tea and other drinks looking for a healthy positioning.