Food scientists are becoming a rare species in Britain, and things
won't change unless schools and food firms start telling young
people there is more to food than a supermarket depot.
A review of studies using the herb kava to combat anxiety has
reported some positive results and only mild adverse events, giving
a much-needed boost to the herb's record despite the need for
longer safety and efficacy trials.
German chemicals group BASF is set to expand the market for
Lactobacillus healthy bacteria derived from yoghurt, with the
introduction of a raft of products for dental health and personal
hygiene.
Consuming antioxidant-enriched foods on a regular basis could
improve immune function, and might ultimately help people live
longer, if the results of a new animal study also apply to humans.
A federal appeals court has overturned a Utah ruling that
challenged the FDA ban on products containing weight loss and
sports performance herbal ephedra, making it more unlikely than
ever that the US market for the ingredient will...
BioGaia's probiotic drops for infant gastrointestinal health are to
be available in Canada and the Middle East, as the company extends
the distribution deal that it signed this year with Ferring.
Different types of honey have similar glycaemic indexes, and
because of its potential health benefits ranging from prebiotic to
antioxidant it could be substituted for sugar, says a new study
from the US.
The science supporting the health benefits of tomatoes,
particularly processed tomato products and extracts, is much
stronger than that behind pure lycopene, says a new review.
The movement towards ensuring nutritional ingredients are suitable
for all consumers, no matter what restrictions their religion or
lifestyle may pose has been picked up by tocotrienol producer
Carotech, which has received Halal certification...
Cargill's focus at this year's Health Ingredients Europe exhibition
will be on functional ingredient solutions and the identification
of emerging market trends.
Ginseng, one of the most well known traditional herbals, may
improve survival rates and quality of life for breast cancer
patients, suggests a study based in China, but experts have urged
caution over the results.
A legal complaint filed against the nation's largest organic dairy
firm has rekindled an ongoing debate surrounding the integrity of
organic production.
Burcon Nutrisciences has been granted a European patent for its
flax oil seed-derived novel protein isolate and production, and
signalled that it will continue developing technologies from
sources besides its canola, which now forms...
Cyvex Nutrition is introducing a new cranberry extract called
CranVida, and is marketing it on the basis of its antioxidant
profile as well as the fruit's usual urinary health claim.
In contrast to their counterparts in Europe and Japan, US dairy
ingredient manufacturers are choosing dietary supplements over
functional foods as vehicles for bringing nutraceuticals to
consumers, according to a recent Landell Mills...
Leatherhead Food International is proposing to conduct major market
research into the Western European industrial fruits market, aiming
to shed light on how use of fruits in packaged foods may improve
their healthy image.
The mushroom industry's future is positive due to changing public
perceptions of the fungus, but the industry needs restructuring to
keep up with growing demands and declining profits.
Nutrition 21 has become the latest nutraceutical company seeking to
profit from the explosion of interest in omega-3, with an agreement
to purchase consumer health product provider Icelandic Health that
could also expand distribution...
Spain's Lipofoods is seeking to enter the competitive European
phytosterols market, asking the UK's Food Standards Agency for an
opinion on the equivalence of its soya-derived ingredient to that
of ADM previously authorised...
A stable intake of the carotenoids, lutein and zeaxanthin, could
reduce the risk of age related macular degeneration by 43 per cent
in women under 75, says a new cohort study.
Consumers must be able to make an informed choice about the
vitamins and minerals they consume in supplements and functional
foods, FSA stakeholders stressed at the first of two meetings to
help the agency formulate a response to...
A diet high in saturated and trans fats combined with high copper
intake could lead to an accelerated rate of decline in mental
function, suggests a study from Chicago.
A risk assessment for the "conditionally essential nutrient",
carnitine, has been authored by the CRN, providing industry and
consumers with important information on safe dosage levels.
Scientists at Cornell University have created an environmentally
friendly, non-toxic, removable, edible paint that could be used in
candy and dietary supplements.
Forbes Medi-Tech has reported an increase in sales of its Reducol
branded sterols in Q2 2006 by 32 per cent compared to last year,
but losses deepen with dearer development, marketing and sales
costs.
Last week's comment on the food industry's role in the rising
obesity epidemic has generated a flood of responses from readers
agreeing with or disputing our position that the industry deserves
a break. Some of the comments...
Ending months of speculation, NBTY has announced that has entered
into an agreement to purchase Zila Nutraceuticals, maker of Ester-C
vitamin C, for around $40m.
Conjugated linoleic acids (CLA) are showing promise improving
insulin action, and decreasing circulating glucose levels, with rat
and human studies both reporting significant benefits.
South African start-up Cape Carotene is aiming to carve out a slice
of the European astaxanthin market, after receiving R3.7m (€0.4m)
in funding to develop its technology and establish a pilot
facility.
Eating a diet rich in the omega-3 fatty acid, alpha-linolenic acid
(ALA), may positively affect 'bad' cholesterol levels in the
elderly, says a study from the Netherlands.
The anti-cancer action of compounds found in broccoli has been much
studied, but new research suggests that purer active compounds
could be obtained from woad, an ancient source of blue dye and
member of the same brassica plant family.
Dutch dairy firm Campina is aiming to reach critical mass in its
penetration of the North American functional and nutritional
ingredients sector, entering into a joint venture with Canada-based
Vitalus.
Danisco Cultures is ploughing research and innovation efforts into
studying the health promoting properties of its strains - a shrewd
move not only because of the impending EU health and nutrition
claims regulation but also since...
Eating a breakfast of omega-3 enriched eggs could improve blood
triglyceride levels, boost heart health, and help people reach
their omega-3 recommended intakes, says a study from Canada.
A small study from Greece has reported for the first time that
dietary supplementation with the olive extract, oleuropein, could
boost blood flow and reduce heart attack risk.
Canada's Technologie Biolactis is introducing a new ingredient from
pasturized fermented whey that can be used as a healthier
alternative to fat in dairy and other foods - and the same platform
is also being researched for the...
A collaboration of Norwegian and US scientists has produced the
largest ranking of antioxidant foods to date, including processed
foods, fresh fruit and vegetables.
The flesh of grapes is just as heart healthy as the skin, says a
laboratory study by Italian and US researchers, a result that may
challenge the idea that red wine offers better cardiovascular
protection than white.
The sun might still be out over much of Europe, but August is the
month when retailers start placing their orders of products to help
boost the immune system and ward off coughs and colds over the
winter months.
Riding on the overall trend to fortify foods, the US phytosterol
market will nearly double by 2012, reports Frost & Sullivan -
making room for more players in the heart-healthy ingredient niche.
Scientists in the US have received a $2 million grant from the
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease to investigate
if increased intake of antioxidants can protect against tick-borne
illnesses.
The UK herbal sector has reached an agreement with the medicines
regulator over labelling of black cohosh products with liver injury
warnings, and has asked it to review the safety data again next
year.
Laying the blame for a fatter world at the feet of the food
industry has become a convenient mistake, and until this is
recognized there is little chance of controlling the growing
obesity epidemic.
Naturex has become the latest ingredients supplier to solicit halal
approval for its production plants, in an effort to access the
potential of the market for modern foods that meet the strict
standards adhered to by Islamic communities.
Enzyme giant Novozymes has maintained a high earnings level
throughout the first half of 2006, with growth in sales and
operating profit of 8 per cent and 10 per cent respectively.
A diet rich in certain flavonoids, from eating plenty of fruit and
vegetables, could reduce the risk of colorectal cancer by over 40
per cent, says a large observational study from Italy.
