The big industry and regulation stories of 2012

2012: Takeovers, health claim make overs and botanical endgames

Business consolidation, battling stalling economies and the belated activation of the dreaded (by most) EU health claims register – these are just a few issues that have defined the 2012...

Bad science: The studies we didn’t cover in 2012…

Every day FoodNavigator scans a heap of scientific journals to bring you all the latest research news relevant to your industry – but there’s a lot of dodgy research out...

Your top science stories from 2012

DMAA, resveratrol, gut health, and omega-3’s: A year of science in the nutra sector

From the scientific controversy around DMAA to a major resveratrol research fraud scandal, plus all the latest developments in gut health, omega-3 and vitamin science; 2012 has been an eventful...

Neptune hit with shareholders' rights lawsuit

Neptune Technologies and Bioressources has been hit with a shareholder rights lawsuit over the Nov. 8 explosion and fire that destroyed the company’s production facility and a resulting steep decline...

Runaway Omega-3 beverage demand ‘can be scary’ – Virun CEO

Virun CEO Philip Bromley tells Ben Bouckley about the firm’s evolution from drug delivery technology into the beverage sphere, and explains that DHA and EPA Omega-3 oils dominate functional demands...

DSM buys Swedish oat beta-glucan brand

A day after confirming the €500m acquisition of New York-based blends specialist Fortitech, Royal DSM has concluded the year by buying beta-glucan brand Oatwell from Swedish Oat Fiber (SOF).

Symrise-Probi partnership to deliver probiotic goods in 2014-15

German fragrance and flavours house Symrise has just last night inked a deal with Swedish probiotics firm Probi to develop a stand-alone R&D project with oral probiotic supplements the most...

Are all foods linked to cancer? Yes … but don’t worry, say researchers

There is evidence linking almost every food or ingredient to cancer, but don’t worry because the evidence for pretty much all of it is very weak, say researchers.

Functional chocolate bars must target a niche, says Herza

There is no end to the possibilities of functional chocolate bar development and firms must specialize to succeed in a sector dominated by big players, a Herza Schokolade product developer says....

M&A: BASF extends ProNova offer after only 67% sell; DSM confirms Fortitech buy

BASF has extended the bid period for its €650m offer to buy high-dose omega-3 specialist Pronova BioPharma, after only 67.2% of the Norwegian firm’s shareholders  agreed to sell their stakes....

‘Significant’ link between daytime sleepiness and low vitamin D

There is a significant correlation between excessive daytime sleepiness, race, and low vitamin D levels, according to new research.

Yili to invest in NZ infant formula processing

Chinese dairy giant Yili has announced plans to invest CNY 1.1bn ($176m) in the development of a New Zealand-based infant formula manufacturing plant.

5-minute festive flick

Happy holidays from William Reed Business Media!

The working year is almost done, time to pause from ‘the business’ and embrace the festive season…go on, give it a big hug. Happy holidays!

'Bad science' on soft drinks a fact of life: Coca-Cola Enterprises CEO

Coca-Cola Enterprises (CCE) CEO John Brock has taken a sideswipe at detractors of soft drink ingredients who he claims base negative comments on ‘bad science or no science’.

Cholesterol-low cheese ‘highly suited’ for hypertension sufferers - developer

Spanish researchers have created a cholesterol-low, reduced salt, fatty acid-enriched cheese, which is “highly suited” to the elderly and those that suffer from hypertension.

EFSA rejects supplement tanning claims

The European Food Safety Authority has rejected health claims that a supplement containing a combination of lycopene, vitamin E, lutein and selenium “helps to prepare and activate tanning.”

Health claims issue in Australia and New Zealand nears final chapter

Parties on both sides of table have welcomed the recent decision by Australian and New Zealand ministers responsible for food regulation on the issue of health claims in the region.

Guest article

General Mills: We’ll only solve global food security challenge if we embrace open innovation

Can we feed nine billion people by 2050? Only if we embrace the principles of open innovation, says Jeff Bellairs, senior director of the General Mills Worldwide Innovation Network (G-WIN) ,...

Red Bull welcomes French court action to strike out energy drink tax

Red Bull has welcomed a ruling from France’s highest constitutional court striking-down the government’s plans to tax caffeine and taurine-rich energy drinks from 2013.

News in brief

Yakult plans to ‘dissolve’ Argentina business

Yakult has announced that it intends to completely dismantle its Argentinian business, citing the problems encountered establishing a “sufficient business foundation” in the country.

2012’s biggest business deals: Schiff, DSM, New Chapter, and more

As 2012 comes to a close, NutraIngredients looks back on an action packed year. In this gallery, we take a look at the biggest business deals of the year.

Two cups of milk per day maintains vit D and iron levels - child study

Two cups (500ml) of milk per day is enough to maintain adequate vitamin D and iron levels in children aged between two and five, a Canadian study has claimed.

PARNUTS changes backed in European Parliament

 Changes to European Union laws that govern specialised foods like sports, infant and gluten-free foods have been backed – as expected – by a European Parliament committee.

EFSA health claim opinions

Kuntze: EFSA rejects green tea-guarana weight loss claims (and more)

Green tea extracts (Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze) and guarana do not promote weight loss, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has found, amid a fresh batch of article 13.5 health claim...

Is the ‘red wine compound’ tag damaging to resveratrol?

Is the association between resveratrol and red wine beneficial for the compound, or could the link to alcohol be the cause of more harm than good in the long term?

editor's comment

‘Drinkifying snacks’: PepsiCo mush or master stroke?

Despite giving us object lessons in corporate word wash, can PepsiCo pull off what seems like a slightly puzzling mission, namely a long-term plan to ‘drinkify' snacks and vice versa...

Italy proposes €500 fines for prohibited health claims: “Cheaper to violate than comply”

As attention turns to the enforcement of the EU’s controversial article 13, general function health claims list after a six month waiting period, an expert on the ground in Italy...

High antioxidant cookies possible with grape seed extracts, says IFT

The Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) claims that grape seed extracts can up the antioxidant content in cookies by 10 times when microencapsulated.

Big plans for Chinese berry in Australia

New varieties of the Chinese red bayberry fruit are nearing production after successful trials were held by growers, while a deal to market the produce is in the offing. 

Food gum may slash body fat levels: RCT data

Consuming gum Arabic for six weeks may help healthy women shed up to 2.2% body fat, says a new randomized, placebo controlled, double-blind trial from Sudan – home of the gum.

Broccoli compound backed to help in leukaemia fight

A compound found in broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables could help to battle leukemia, say researchers.

EU health claims: FoodDrinkEurope welcomes “certainty and clarity”

The EU’s biggest food industry group – FoodDrinkEurope – has backed Friday’s enabling of the article 13 list of 222 approved and 1500+ rejected health claims in the European Union’s 27 member states.

It’s official! There are 222 general function approved health claims in the EU; 1500+ rejected

From today food and supplement products marketed in the EU’s 27 member states must comply with the article 13, permitted list of health claims or face prosecution for misleading marketing.

EU-backed project to investigate bioactives for heart health

A new EU funded project aims to tackle the growing burden of heart disease in Europe by building a solid science for the heart healthy properties of food bioactives.

NI exclusive

Chr Hansen claims long-life probiotic beverage breakthrough

After 20 failed starts, probiotics leader Chr Hansen says it has finally found an ingredient dispensing cap partner that can handle the demands of high speed filling utilised by the...

Comment

Greenpeace gone too far with GM Golden Rice scandal

“Human guinea pigs”, “gambling with health” and “shadowy research project”—the terms came thick and fast in Greenpeace’s revelation about Golden Rice earlier this year.

Special Edition: Fibre

From bakery to beverage: Are ‘high fibre’ claims diversifying?

‘High fibre’ claims are traditionally the realm of bakery products, but has recent growing demand for fibre by consumers resulted in a shift away from bread-based products?

Beetroot shows blood pressure benefits for healthy adults

Adding a glass of beetroot juice to the daily diet may help reduce blood pressure in healthy men, suggests new research from Australia.

Adulteration issues highlighted 2012, Blumenthal says

The year 2012 might not mark the end of the world.  But in future years as people look back, it might mark the beginning of the end for the adulteration...

Exclusive interview

BASF nutrition president on high-end omega-3, Equateq and the phood “white space”

BASF is moving en masse into omega-3 - especially if its bid for Norwegian player Pronova is approved - but it is technology gained from its May acquisition of a high-dose omega-3...

Special edition: Fibre

Italy leads world in fibre food supplements

Industry experts are predicting rock star status for fibre – if a global tour was planned most of the stops would be fortified and whole foods, although there might be...

December 14 EU health claims deadline

Stakeholder vox pop: December 14 EU health claim deadline

With the December 14 enforcement of the EU's article 13 general function health claim list that includes 200+ approved claims and about 1500 rejections just two days away (after a...

CoQ10 and omega-3 show prostate benefits: RCT data

Daily supplements of coenzyme Q10 and omega-3 may offer potential prostate benefits by reducing levels of a PSA, linked to prostate cancer risk, says a new study.

The French secret to anti-ageing? It’s a bit cheesy…

A new generation of anti-ageing products could be developed after researchers stumbled upon the anti-inflammatory properties of cheese whilst trying to discover the secret behind the French paradox puzzle.

Guest article

Solgar on EU health claims: “The last 6-12 months have not been much fun”

Food supplements multinational Solgar reveals the sweeping marketing and formulation changes provoked by Friday’s belated confirmation of a massive list of approved and non-approved claims under the 2006 European Union...

New EFSA health claims chief: “I prefer pedagogic behavior”; offers 2013 hope

As the formlisation of the main organ (article 13.1 list) of the nutrition and health claims regulation (NHCR) kicks in this week, Professor Ambroise Martin, the new chair of the...

Special edition: Fiber

Can fiber continue its upward trajectory to rock star status?

Consumer demand for fiber-rich products is predicted to continue to sky rocket, with some industry observers claiming fiber will have ‘rock star’ status for the food and nutrition industries.

Fish oil, glucosamine and chondroitin lead the way for anti-inflammatory potential: Study

Regular use of dietary supplements containing fish oil, or glucosamine and chondroitin may reduce markers of inflammation by up to 22%, says a new study.

Special Edition: Fiber

Prebiotics boost gut health while adding functionality

Prebiotics are the thin end of the wedge in the new era of beneficial functional fibers.  Gone are the days where mere ‘regularity’ was the goal;  now fiber is understood...

Resveratrol and cancer: The study behind the headlines

Last week saw widespread media coverage of research suggesting resveratrol – often referred to as ‘the red wine compound’ – could help to cut cancer risk by half. NutraIngredients caught...

Formula ‘may contribute’ to intestinal condition in premature infants – study

Premature infants fed formula are more likely to develop necrotising enterocolitis (NEC) - a severe, often fatal intestinal condition – than those who are breast-fed, a US study has found.

Barley bread has great potential but there are formulation challenges, say researchers

Barley has great potential to leach the charge in a new era or functional bread products, but more needs to be done in understanding the key formulation challenges, warn researchers.

News in brief

Coca-Cola reformulates Glacéau vitaminwater with stevia in GB

Coca-Cola has reformulated Glacéau vitaminwater for the British market by revamping packaging and reformulating its eight-strong range with a stevia-based sweetener that cuts sugar levels by 30% and cuts the calorie...

Guest article

Eight winners: Are EU diabetes-metabolic syndrome health claims set to explode?

Eight ingredients have won EU health claims that can be used to back messaging around metabolic syndrome – although the take-up to date has been lacklustre, says Euromonitor analyst, Diana Cowland....

BASF commits €22m as it expands Scottish omega-3 venture 1000%

Groupe Caravelle to acquire equity stake in Naturex

French industrial business Groupe Caravelle has said it intends to acquire an equity stake in Naturex, following Spanish group Natraceutical’s sale of its 15.35% stake in the company earlier this...

Much work to do in battle against global under nutrition: Report

Efforts to ease the epidemic of under nutrition that affects about 2 billion people globally have made some progress, but only 58 of 118 tracked countries are on course to...

Red Bull rival claims to have dealt ‘significant blow’ against monopoly rights abuse

Red Bull rival Sun Mark claims to have dealt a “very significant blow” to the abuse of monopoly rights in the soft drinks industry, after the EU body let the UK firm...

Does CLA boost bone health for men?

Long-term intakes of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) may be associated with bone strength in men, says a new study from Canada and Australia, but the conclusions have been questioned by...

Tests turn up adulterated green coffee bean extracts

Research conducted by ingredient developer Futureceuticals has demonstrated the existence of adulterated green coffee bean extract in the marketplace and has also teased out the probable adulterants.

Multi-nutrient supplement shows big benefits for lung function in asthmatics

A supplement containing a combination of fish oil, probiotics, and extracts from fruit and vegetables may improve lung function in young asthmatics, says a new study from Taiwan.

High levels of carotenoids backed for breast cancer risk reduction

Women with higher circulating levels carotenoids are at a significantly lower risk of breast cancer, according to new research.

DSM completes €85m acquisition of Cargill's cultures and enzymes business

DSM has successfully completed its €85m acquisition of Cargill’s cultures and enzymes business – increasing its “critical mass” in the €1bn market for dairy industry cultures and enzymes.

Chr. Hansen initiates camel cheese development project

Chr. Hansen has teamed up with Kenyan firm Oleleshwa Enterprises Ltd to increase its knowledge of camel cheese production - knowledge it intends to pass on to camel owners in...

Calls for global resveratrol council gain pace at international conference

A new international council for resveratrol could soon help to co-ordinate and communicate global research projects involving both industry and leading academic experts in the area, according to experts at...

CoQ10 can boost heart function in heart failure patients: Meta-analysis

Data from randomized trials support the ability of co-enzyme Q10 (CoQ10) to improve heart function in people with congestive heart failure (CHF), say scientists from Tulane University in New Orleans.

News in brief

Shareholder rights law firm investigates Neptune

Zeldes & Haeggquist, a San Diego based shareholders rights law firm, has announced an investigation into possible securities violations by Neptune Technologies & Bioressources following the destruction by fire of...

Kraft develops new formulation for tooth-whitening gum

Kraft Foods has filed a patent for tooth-whitening chewing gum that uses encapsulated solid peroxide within the base.

Russia ponders food supplement marketing restrictions

Russian legislators have proposed restricting food supplement marketing to the medical profession.

News in brief

French firm launches high-dose omega-3 for capsules

French supplier Polaris has entered the high-dose omega-3 sector with a fish oil capable of delivering 500mg of DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) in one capsule.

Guest article

December 14 EU health claims crack down: Are B2B comms affected?

December 14 brings the long awaited and widely disputed EU crack down on health claims. That means 222 general function claims are good to go, another 1500 or so prohibited....

NASA food science: We’re 20 years away from foods with extended shelf-lives

The quest to have food to survive a five-year mission to Mars is at least two decades away, but ‘we’ll get there’, says Dr Michele Perchonok, advanced food technology project...

FrieslandCampina lactoferrin ingredient granted EC novel foods approval

The European Commission (EC) has given Dutch dairy giant FrieslandCampina the go-ahead to market bovine lactoferrin as a novel food ingredient.

Korean pine nut oil shows metabolic benefits: Mouse data

Weight gain from eating a high fat food may be less when the diet is supplemented with pine nut oil, says a new study from Korea and Japan.

Using athletes as study subjects helps clear regulatory hurdles

Working with athletes can provide a way to circumvent some of the challenges of dietary supplement research by offering up a ‘prestressed’ population, experts say.

Nutricia wins follow-on milk TV ad battle over ‘2x’ nutrient claims

Infant and medical food specialist Nutricia has had a UK TV campaign claiming toddlers needed twice the nutrients of adults backed by the watchdog there.

News in brief

Vitafoods Europe 2013 calls for conference speakers

Vitafoods Europe wants speakers to get in touch for its annual scientific an commercial conference which runs in conjunction with the trade fair to be held in Geneva, Switzerland on...

Cholesterol lowering bread: Researcher reveals method using whole grain oats

A new way to produce heart healthy bread from whole grain oats could help industry create a new area of functional bread products backed by EU health claims, according to...

Daily dose of red wine compound backed for cancer fight

Daily consumption of a relatively low amount of the red wine compound resveratrol could cut the rate of certain cancers by half, according to ‘groundbreaking’ new data.

Cargill sights ‘red hot’ energy sector following sucromalt fatigue study

Cargill is exploring opportunities in the energy sector after an ‘exciting’ study suggested that its novel carbohydrate Xtend sucromalt  reduced and delayed mental fatigue in adults when formulated within a...

The shelling of PARNUTS

EU sports food group on PARNUTS: “We need resolution and closure"

A pan-European sports nutrition group that counts Volac, Carbery and Abbott Laboratories (EAS) as members says it is time the lengthy debate over European Union sports food regulation ended –...

China will continue to drive global infant formula sales – Euromonitor

Chinese consumer demand for infant formula products looks set to continue to drive global sales, according to Euromonitor.

Aged garlic ‘effective and tolerable’ for blood pressure benefits

Daily supplements containing aged garlic extracts may reduce blood pressure in people with uncontrollable hypertension, says a new study from Australia.

Ajinomoto wins EU chilli extract approval

Japanese supplier Ajinomoto’s chilli extract has won European Union Novel Foods status at various levels in 22 foodstuffs including flavoured waters, meal replacements, baked goods and sugar-free gum.

Artificial sweeteners backed for weight management in functional food products

Functional food and drink products should utilise non-nutritive artificial sweeteners as a means to help consumers aid weight management and reduce the risk of diabetes, say scientists.

Comment

Don’t take the fun out of advertising, just the fraud from food ads

“We make a lie, we invent want,” said Don Draper, the lead character in Mad Men, the hugely successful TV show about the ad industry in the Sixties.

Guest article

Provexis winner: EU health claims enforcement may dish rotten tomatoes

Steve Morrision was the COO at Provexis when the UK start-up won the EU‘s first ever article 13.5 health claim for its blood circulation-boosting tomato extract called Fruitflow in 2009....

DMAA: Only found in select geranium, says new USPLabs-funded study

Controversial ingredient DMAA has been detected in geranium from select regions of China, but not all, according to a new study from the University of Memphis and funded by USPLabs.

World first: Breast milk probiotic launched in Australia

Spanish supplier Biosearch Life is finding success with its patented, immune system-boosting and mastitis battling probiotic isolated from human breast milk in a world-first product launched in Australia this year.

Omega-3 may delay metabolic malady and block mental declines: Study

Supplementation with omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) could postpone the onset of metabolic disorders and associated declines in cognitive functioning, according to new research.

Nestlé completes Pfizer Nutrition acquisition after ‘majority’ approval

Nestlé has completed its $11.85bn (€9bn) acquisition of Pfizer Nutrition after the deal was approved by the “majority of markets involved.”

Danone eyeing Southern European dairy demand restoration

French dairy giant Danone has pinpointed the restoration of Southern European dairy product consumption and demand as one of its main short term strategic priorities.