Supply Side opens during stressful times

Related tags Nutrition

A difficult economy, recent war and current SARS epidemic may see
slightly fewer visitors at this year's Supply Side East, but those
gathering in Secaucus, New Jersey today for the start of the show
have plenty of industry issues to talk about.

Health food manufacturers, marketers, suppliers, scientists and product developers will be gathering in New Jersey today for the start of Supply Side East, one of the leading events for the US industry, and increasingly important for European firms too.

The exhibition floor, open on Tuesday and Wednesday, is expected to attract around 3,000 executives from the global dietary supplement, functional food and natural products industry, with exhibitors including both suppliers of raw materials and manufacturing services and equipment.

The NutraIngredients team will be keeping an eye out for new products and innovations being introduced across the Atlantic, and the issues challenging the industry.

The SARS epidemic is likely to affect attendee numbers from China, but European companies will be there in force, with Dutch health ingredients company Loders Croklaan Lipid Nutrition sponsoring the educational event. The US units of Danish firms Chr. Hansen and Danisco will be present, as well as Glanbia Nutritionals, the new health division of the Irish dairy company, located in the US, and Roche Vitamins, still exhibiting as a Roche unit, despite near completion of its purchase by DSM.

The seminar programme includes presentations from experts such as Lesley Fair, Senior Attorney at the US Federal Trade Commission, Harvey Kamil, president and CFO of NBTY, Sebastien Bornet, purchasing director at Nutraco and trade bodies CRN and NNFA.

The hot topic at Supply Side​ is likely to be recently announced Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) for the dietary supplement industry - the Food and Drug Administration representatives were fielding questions at a special seminar yesterday evening but we hope to hear the reactions of those involved in the business over the next few days. Other buzzwords - safety and effectiveness of herbals, ephedra, weight-loss advertising, and the latest events to shake consumer confidence, such as last week's recall by Pan Pharmaceuticals.

More tomorrow.

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