Breaking News on Supplements & Nutrition - Europe US edition

Cranberry extract near match for antibiotic UTI potential - study

A cranberry extract may play some role in supplementing use of the antibiotic Trimethoprim for prevention of urinary tract infections (UTIs) in older women, according to a new study.

A Nutra eye on 2009

As we wind down the online printing presses here at NutraIngredients for 2008, it seems appropriate to cast our eyes forward and locate those trends that are likely to battle for the functional foods and supplements spotlight in the coming year.

Weekly comment

Obesity: A taxing solution

Benjamin Franklin once said that nothing is certain in life but death and taxes, conveniently forgetting the human race’s desire to avoid both inconveniences at any cost.

Don’t panic over maximum VMS levels, says ERNA

The European Responsible Nutrition Alliance (ERNA) says there is little cause for concern about the European Commission’s position on maximum permitted levels (MPLs) for vitamins and minerals in food supplements and functional foods across the bloc.

2008 round-up: This year’s most accessed audiovisual podcasts

NutraIngredients is reviewing the year and recapping on which articles generated the most interest amongst you, the readers. Today we look at the video and audio podcasts that sparked the most interest.

Video season's greetings from Decision News Media

The Decision News Media team would like to bring you its seasonal greetings in person and show you around the offices.

News in brief

Benecol buys into Thailand

Finnish group Raisio has entered Thailand- its third Asian market - following a deal with a Thai-based company that will see its cholesterol-lowering, plant stanol ingredient featuring in a beverage targeting increasing numbers of obese consumers.

EC shifting against high-dose vitamins and minerals: HFMA

The UK-based Health Food Manufacturers Association (HFMA) has warned the European Commission may severely restrict maximum levels of vitamins and minerals in food supplements, after an industry meeting with the European Commission.

External team to review EFSA opinions

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) said it is to further strengthen the quality of its scientific work by means of an independent review of its opinions and outputs.

Ocean Spray builds European presence

€70+m Ocean Spray Ingredient Technology Group has signed a distribution deal that demonstrates its commitment to educating southern and eastern Europeans about the health benefits of the cranberry and cranberry-infused foods and beverages.

Proanthocyanidins battle blood vessel degradation: study

New research has shown the ability of oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPC) to protect blood vessels against degradation caused by the likes of ageing and smoking.

2008 round-up: European regulation

NutraIngredients' ongoing review of the articles that sparked most interest in you the readers continues today with the most viewed pieces in the regulatory area.

The plant-sourced fish oil files

Monsanto reports safety of SDA-rich soybean oil

Genetically modified soybeans containing stearidonic acid (SDA) could be commercially available within a couple of years, after positive safety results from Monsanto.

The plant-sourced fish oil files

BASF pursues EPA-rich rapeseed oil

German biotech giant BASF continues to progress with the development of EPA-rich vegetable oils, according to one of the company’s scientists.

EFSA questions nano silver safety in supplements

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has said there is insufficient evidence to determine the safety of nanotech, silver hydrosols in food supplements.

2008 round-up: This year’s most read articles about probiotics

NutraIngredients is reviewing the year and recapping on which articles generated the most interest amongst you, the readers. Today we look the most read articles about probiotics.

Exclusive interview

Sharing broccoli’s goodness with other plants

Everyone knows that broccoli is good for you, and advances in transgenic plant engineering by Danish researchers may soon see that goodness replicated in other plants.

Omega-3 EPA triumphs over in DHA for anti-asthma potential: Study

The omega-3 fatty acid EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) is a more potent inflammation inhibitor than DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), says a new Anglo-American study.

Calcium fluoride deemed safe in supplements in Europe

There are no safety or bioavailability concerns about calcium fluoride use in food supplements, according to a new opinion published by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).

Coke seeks sterol juice approval Down Under

Coca-Cola South Pacific has applied to the joint regulator in Australia and New Zealand to allow phytosterols to be added to fruit juice drinks in the two countries.

2008 round-up: The most read articles about omega-3

NutraIngredients is reviewing the year and recapping on which articles generated the most interest amongst you, the readers. Today we look at the most read articles about omega-3.

News in brief

Japanese question EFSA lycopene levels

The Japanese Tomato Processors Council (JTPC) has challenged the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) Average Daily Intake for lycopene.

EFSA releases draft on scientific transparency

EFSA has released new draft guidance on transparency in the scientific aspects of risk assessment, building on previous guidance on the purely procedural side.

News in brief

Symrise CEO to stand down next year

Symrise has started the search for a new CEO to take the helm from October 2009, following CEO Gerold Linzbach’s decision not to renew his contract.

Dairy industry committed to research in trans fat odyssey

With ongoing debate over the health impacts of naturally occurring trans fatty acid (TFA) consumption, European dairy representatives say they remained committed to pushing ahead with research in the field.

D for diabetes: Study says vitamin D may be needed for diabetics

Over 75 per cent of young type-1 diabetics may require vitamin D supplements, after a US study reported ‘surprisingly’ high levels of insufficiency.

2008 round-up: This year's top five comments

NutraIngredients is reviewing the year and recapping on which articles generated the most interest amongst you, the readers. Today we look at the comment pieces that sparked the most interest.

Probiotic strain passes yoghurt culture test: Study

Canada-based scientists report the successful incorporation of Lactobacillus reuteri RC-14 and Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1, potentially offering a new probiotic product.

2008 round-up: Ingredient innovation

As NutraIngredients continues a series of annual re-caps, we look at the ingredient launches and developments that made the biggest splash in 2008.

Mutual recognition to benefit herbal players

A workshop hosted by the European Botanical Forum has highlighted European Union mutual recognition principles that are due to become law in May, 2009, as a way to benefit the herbal sector.

Weekly comment

Why is food science the ‘baddie' for consumers?

It sometimes seems as if life is a pantomime, and food science is the baddie, complete with boos and hisses from the audience.

2008 round-up: This year’s top five science

As the year draws to a close, NutraIngredients thought you functional food and supplements industries. First up is the science.

DSM cuts 1000 jobs in economic rough patch

DSM is introducing stringent cost-saving measures to withstand the economic slump despite a good performance from nutrition, including slashing 1000 jobs from across its businesses.

Herbal product registration concerns remain

European botanicals group the Herbal Forum remains concerned about aspects of the process that is due to bring herbal products under the remit of the Traditional Herbal Medicinal Products Directive (THMPD) by 2011.

News in brief

Denomega creates omega-3 foods website

Norwegian omega-3 specialist, Denomega Nutritional Oils, has launched a website designed to assist consumers “in the search for concise and updated information about omega-3”.

Berry extracts may ease age-related mental decline: Study

Old lab rats fed a diet supplemented with a compound from berries and grapes called pterostilbene performed better in mental challenges than their un-supplemented counterparts, says a new study.

Mintel highlights CoQ10 food and drink launches

Launches of foods and beverages containing CoQ10 are on the upturn, after a slight dip in product introductions last year, according to figures provided by Mintel.

Low-carb diets may reduce cognitive ability: Study

Researchers at Tufts University have reported that low-carbohydrate diets may impair cognitive performance, following a study comparing an Atkins-type diet with a reduced-calorie regime.

EFSA rejects five probiotic health claims

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has issued negative opinions on a further five health claims – this time in the area of probiotics.

Dutch collaboration could lead to enhanced protein production

ProteoNic and Wageningen University have formalized their collaboration on the development and expression of enzymes in fungal host systems.

Special Comment

Are clinical trials short-changing us?

Yet again major randomised clinical trials report that vitamin and mineral supplements don’t work to prevent disease, so should we give up and just eat chips and chocolate?

Beneo Group turns one

One year ago, the Sudzucker Group united its inulin (Orafti), starch (Remy) and sweetener (Palatinat) companies to form the Beneo Group. Shane Starling spoke with executive board member, Yves Servotte, about the group's performance a year on.

Pine bark extract may help joints and hearts: Study

An extract from the bark of the French maritime pine tree may reduce markers of inflammation in people with osteoarthritis, suggests a new study.

Inulin gains Malaysian gut health approval

Dutch inulin specialist, Sensus, has won approval for an inulin gut health claim in Malaysia, with other south east Asian countries in its sights.

The prostate cancer trials: SELECT, PHSII

No effects of selenium and vitamins in prostate cancer clinical trials

Daily supplements of vitamin E, vitamin C, or selenium, alone or in combination, may not lower the risk of prostate cancer, according to two new high-profile studies.

The prostate cancer trials: SELECT, PHSII

Industry reacts to selenium, vitamin trials

Two high-profile clinical trials have reported that selenium and the vitamins C and E are ineffective against prostate cancer. But questions are being asked over the study design.

EU dairy groups look to generic health claims future

A number of recent studies have continued to suggest links between dairy consumption and certain nutrition benefits, though their impact on helping on securing industry-wide European health claim approvals looks uncertain.

Omega-3, probiotics, plant extracts not ruled by Supplements Directive, says EC

Adding nutrients such as some herbal extracts, omega-3s, probiotics, glucosamine and more to the Food Supplements Directive (FSD) is impractical and unworkable, the European Commission has stated.

Omega-3 supplements told to amend brain boosting claim

A UK supplements manufacturer has been rapped by the voluntary advertising watchdog over the name of its omega-3 product, ‘Brain Boosters’.

Vitamin B1 may help diabetic kidney health: Study

High-dose vitamin B1 supplements may protect against kidney damage, a condition said to threaten one in three diabetics, according to a new study from England and Pakistan.

Med diet may help manage metabolic syndrome: Study

Consuming a Mediterranean-style diet may help managed some of the metabolic abnormalities in older adults at high risk for heart disease, says a new study.

Purple tomatoes may make UK hungry for GM, says USDA

A successful trial of biotech tomatoes with high anthocyanin that saw them increase the life-span of cancer-prone rats could help strengthen the positive side of the GM debate in the UK, says the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service.

Carbery boosts whey response

Irish dairy and ingredients group, Carbery, is promoting research employing its hydrolysed whey protein ingredient, Optipep, that it says demonstrates its superiority to regular whey protein in terms of insulin response.

News in brief

Plant sterols win Australian approval

Cognis has won hard-to-come-by approval from the Australian Thepareutic Goods Administration (TGA) to use its anti-cholesterol, plant sterol ester ingredient, Vegepure, in food supplements.

Naturex earns organic certification

Herbal extracts supplier, Naturex, has had its French plant certified organic as it seeks to build its global organics presence to meet rising demand.

Roquette plans for an open, sustainable future

Marc Roquette shares his vision of a future where the glucose molecule, microalgae, and sustainability will figure large.

Selenium may prevent female bladder cancer: Study

Increased levels of selenium may reduce a woman’s risk of bladder cancer by 34 per cent, according to a new study from the US.

Broccoli compound may inhibit lung cancer from tobacco smoke: Study

A compound found in broccoli may help protect against lung cancer in smokers, according to results of a study with mice.

Weekly comment

Coping with health claim hurt

One of the most fiercely debated and amended pieces of European Union food law history is playing out before our eyes, and its effects are beginning to be felt.

Functional drinks show greatest global growth

UK-based Market researcher Zenith International reports regular carbonated drinks are no longer the world’s biggest beverage category as they were surpassed by bottled waters in volume terms in 2007.

News in brief

BioGaia and Ferring extend licensing arrangement

Swedish probiotics specialist BioGaia has strengthened its relationship with biopharma group, Ferring Pharmaceuticals, via new licensing agreements that will see the Swiss firm distributing BioGaia products in European and Middle East countries.

Industry defends weight loss products against academic attack

In response to a recent BMJ editorial claiming that only drugs are effective for weight loss, members of the global food and supplements industries have defended the efficacy of their products, calling the article the “latest misinformed campaign”.

Arla aims for cost and taste ice cream protein potential

The ingredients arm of Scandinavia-based cooperative Arla Foods predicts there is further potential ahead for ice-cream innovation as it launches a new range of proteins it claims can reduce processor reliance on skim milk.

Three parties, one project: the probiotic straw

A drinking straw innovator, a leading probiotics supplier and the world’s biggest aseptic beverage packager have teamed up to deliver a probiotic drink that has attracted the interest of the world’s biggest beverage companies. Shane Starling met with them at HIE recently.

China gives hard-earned thumbs up to Benecol

Finnish group Raisio has won a hard-to-come-by approval for its Benecol cholesterol lowering plant stanol ester ingredients in China, as it continues its push to develop new markets.

Prebiotic potential of enzyme-converted durum wheat

Treating insoluble durum wheat fibre with an enzyme could produce a soluble fibre with potential prebiotics activity, according to a new study.

Fruit and veg may boost bone health: study

Increasing the alkali content of the diet by eating food such as fruit and vegetables may reduce calcium excretion and boost bone health, says a new study.

Roquette may bring more microalgae plants into the family

Roquette has plans to acquire more microalgae plants as part of its long-term strategy to become an important player in this emerging and interesting area of nutrition and health.

Bridging the benefit-ingredient knowledge gap

Companies need to do more to link health benefits and those particular ingredients that deliver them to capitalise on consumer interest, according to research commissioned by Beneo-Orafti.

Indena provides new head for natural products journal

The R&D director of the natural products company Indena has been awarded the top job at the journal Fitoterapia.

News in brief

Martek wins customer focus award

Market researcher Frost & Sullivan has handed DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) specialist, Martek Biosciences Corporation, an award for its “innovative marketing and branding initiatives” and “long-standing, successful customer relationships”.

Folic acid in early pregnancy linked to wheezing in baby: Study

Would-be mothers taking folic acid supplements during the first three months of their pregnancy may increase the risk of their babies being hospitalised with respiratory infections, says a new study from Norway.

Valio responds to EFSA negative probiotic claim opinion

Finnish dairy and ingredients supplier, Valio, will submit data it believes may alter the negative opinion for a probiotic-related, gastro-intestinal health claim delivered by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) recently.

Roquette splits open pea cells for new insoluble fibre

Roquette is extending its pea-derived ingredient offering with a new insoluble fibre from the interior of the legume, which can be used both as a fibre-content booster and for its emulsifying and gelling properties.

Separation system targets whey protein purity

A new chromatography development used to isolate whey-based proteins like alpha-lactalbumin can ensure higher quality, cost efficient ingredients for dairy formulation, according to its manufacturer.

Norway debuts high-dose lycopene and omega-3 fizzy drink

Norwegian omega-3 specialist, Pharmalogica is teaming up with Italian carotenoid specialist, Vitatene, to launch a high-dose omega-3/lycopene carbonated beverage.

Vitamin D may protect against placental infection: Study

Supplementing the diet of pregnant women with vitamin D may enhance the placental innate immunity and protect it from infection, according to new study.

Solae raises soy ingredients prices across the globe

Soy ingredients supplier Solae is passing on its rising input costs by announcing a global price increases, effective immediately, for all of its ingredients.

UK regulator urges herbal product registration

A UK medicines regulator committee has agreed proposals to encourage 100s of herbal products in the UK to be registered under the European Union Traditional Herbal Medicinal Products Directive (THMPD).

Czechs feel liberalising effect of EU food laws

The implementation of European Union food regulations into Czech law is benefiting the country’s food supplements and functional foods markets, according to a Czech trade association.

Weekly comment

Why farm support puts food on plates

“Four legs good, two legs bad.” When the pigs take over the land in George Orwell’s Animal Farm, they have no hesitation; any creature with four legs is beyond reproach and any human is bad, mad and dangerous to know.

World AIDS Day

The role of nutrition in living with HIV/ AIDS

Nutrition and HIV/AIDS are intricately linked. To mark World AIDS Day, NutraIngredients.com looks at the science behind the role of nutrition and nutrients for people living with HIV and/or AIDS.

Astaxanthin supply readies for increase

 The world’s leading human nutrition astaxanthin supplier, Algatechnologies, has set aside land for increasing capacity at its southern Israel base, as global demand for the carotenoid continues to rise.

French probiotics find success in China

Canadian probiotics supplier, Lallemand, has responded to the growing wealth and interest in healthy foods in China by formalising an existing probiotics-based partnership with a Chinese nutrition company.

Codex agrees nutrient risk analysis principles

Codex Alimentarius, the World Health Organization’s food supplements regulations advisory body, has handed in nutrient analysis recommendations that have pleased the world’s biggest global dietary supplements trade group.