Gut/digestive health

‘Second generation’ prebiotic shows potential against metabolic syndrome

18-Feb-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

Daily supplements of a novel mixture of prebiotic galacto-oligosaccharides may boost gut health and immune function and help reduce the risk of metabolic syndrome, UK researchers report.

More rigour required: Leatherhead on latest EFSA health claim rejections

15-Feb-2013 By Roberta Re

Leatherhead Food Research nutrition research manager Roberta Re calls for more rigorous science after pouring over the latest serving of article 13.5 opinions from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) in this guest article. All were ultimately refused,...

Editor’s blog

Which 2 global health brands grew by $1bn in 2012?

15-Feb-2013 By Shane STARLING

Something probiotic? Omega-3? A diet cola? Nope. 

NHCR article 13.5 shakedown

Latest EFSA article 13.5 rejections down to “lousy science”: Consultant

14-Feb-2013 By Shane Starling

There is no surprise in the latest batch of European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) article 13.5 health claim rejections as the science presented in six dossiers was “lousy”, a consultant told us today.

Global Alliance for Probiotics: “EFSA has not contemplated the cluster method”

11-Feb-2013 By Shane Starling

The European probiotic sector is moving forward with research around probiotic strain clusters it is hopeful can win the sector’s first health claim in the European Union.

New technologies and academic collaborations will drive evidence and market growth for probiotics

08-Feb-2013 By Nathan Gray

Greater collaboration from both within the industry, and between industry and academics, will help to drive forward promising scientific developments in probiotics, according to experts at Probiotech and Microbiota 2013.

Nestlé deal saves day as core profits drop 30% at Swedish probiotics supplier

08-Feb-2013 By Shane Starling

Core activity profit fell 30% in 2012 at Swedish probiotics supplier BioGaia – although a cash-rich, five-year licensing deal with Nestlé kept overall figures high even as that very deal simultaneously destroyed margins in its cultures business.

Global digestive breakdown: Pre-probiotic yoghurt still number 2 in functional food

08-Feb-2013 By Diana Cowland

The probiotic and prebiotic sectors are tackling some serious issues around claim restrictions in the EU, but the global digestive health picture remains upbeat with yoghurts alone putting on $1.7bn this year, says Euromonitor analyst Diana Cowland in...

a2 Milk UK aiming to reproduce Australian success

08-Feb-2013 By Mark Astley

a2 Milk UK is confident that it will mirror the achievements of its Australian counterpart by claiming a share of the UK mainstream fresh milk market – despite only launching its first products in the country three months ago.

Probiotech and Microbiota 2013

Law veteran on EU health claim laws: “There is something quite wrong here.”

07-Feb-2013 By Shane Starling from Brussels

One of the EU’s most venerated food law experts stated the EU nutrition and health claims regulation (NHCR) has become so convoluted as to be unworkable, at a Brussels congress yesterday.

Live from Probiotech and Microbiota 2013

Ciao ciao? Italy’s rogue probiotic health claim stance may have limited shelf life

06-Feb-2013 By Shane Starling in Brussels

Italian food supplement manufacturers continue to make probiotic health claims under a “soft law” governmental decree, although the country’s stance could be challenged by EU organs, a lawyer said this morning at congress.

Live from Probiotech and Microbiota 2013

EU food marketing expert: Consumers don't understand probiotic health claims ban

05-Feb-2013 By Shane Starling in Brussels

Most consumers know little to nothing about the EU health claim system, the European Food Safety Authority nor why a blanket ban has been imposed on probiotic marketing across the bloc, a functional food marketing expert told a conference this morning.

Editor’s blog

Probiotics sector forced to swallow the EU’s bitter health claims pill

05-Feb-2013 By Shane STARLING

On a train to Brussels to cover NutraIngredients’ Probiotech and Microbiota two-day probiotic congress, had me wondering of the sector mood now it has had its claims ripped up by the EU’s hardline health claim process.

EU probiotic and antioxidant health claim ban called “absurd”

31-Jan-2013

EU health claim laws that have banned the use of terms like probiotics and antioxidants because they are deemed to be implied claims, are “absurd”, a pressure group has said.

Euromonitor “shocked” by EU probiotic decline

28-Jan-2013 By Shane Starling

After years and even decades of healthy to rampant growth in the European Union, the probiotics sector has entered decline, with a flat economy and health claim ban seen as the likely culprits.

Of mice and men: Experts challenge omega-6, omega-3 mouse gut health study

28-Jan-2013 By Stephen Daniells

Leading omega-3 experts have challenged results of a study with mice that found that a diet rich in omega-6 fatty acids may disrupt gut microbiota, and that supplemental fish oil may make things worse.

Danone juice JV with Chiquita dogged by ‘mismanagement’: Industry source

25-Jan-2013 By Ben BOUCKLEY

With rumors emerging that Danone is selling its 51% stake in its fruit juice JV with Chuiquita Brands International, one industry source told BeverageDaily.com that the French firm was likely ‘glad to be rid’ of a business blighted by mismanagement.

Probi 2012 sales up 6%, but ProViva royalties set for dive

25-Jan-2013 By Shane Starling

The European probiotic sector is bracing itself for tough times ahead in the wake of December’s  EU health claim ban for the sector, but the effects are yet to be felt at Swedish supplier Probi which notched 6% sales growth in 2012.

EDITOR'S OPINION: DEAR DAIRY....

Chobani’s global ambitions: Too much, too young?

24-Jan-2013 By Mark Astley

At just seven years old, Chobani is a poster boy in the eyes of some, a market-devouring monster in the eyes of others. The New York-based Greek yogurt giant’s expansion plans in North America, Europe and Australasia are ambitious. But is it taking on...

Special edition: Innovations in minerals

Selenium breakthrough foreseen with trial results coming in 2013

24-Jan-2013 By Hank Schultz

 Looking back, 2013 could well become known as selenium’s breakthrough year, two major suppliers of the ingredient say.

Sweden: Ban rejected NHCR nutrients in supplements?; Legal experts: Don’t be silly

22-Jan-2013 By Shane Starling in Brussels

Lycopene, lutein, CoQ10, probiotics and any other nutrients rejected under the EU nutrition and health claims regulation (NHCR) could be banned in food supplements, a Swedish government official told a congress in Brussels this morning. But legal hounds...

Gut microbes may have role in autoimmune protection: Study

22-Jan-2013 By Nathan Gray

Early exposure to normal gut microbes could help to protect against the later development of autoimmune diseases, according to new research in mice.

Global probiotics market to grow 6.8% annually until 2018

17-Jan-2013 By Shane Starling

A new market analysis says the global probiotics market will surge by 6.8% a year for the next five years, driven by an Asia-Pacific, “expected to be the most prominent market in the future.”

Guernsey firm slapped for ‘miracle enzyme’ health claim abuse

17-Jan-2013 By Shane Starling

The UK advertising watchdog has told a Guernsey-based supplements retailer-maufacturer to amend advertisements around enzyme supplements claiming joint, digestive, heart and other benefits.

NHCR article 13 health claims fallout

Valio: How a probiotic firm exists in the “red ocean” of EU health claims

14-Jan-2013 By Shane Starling

Finnish dairy and probiotics firm Valio says EU health claim laws are forcing it to add approved vitamins and minerals to products like probiotics that have failed to win EU health claims.

Probiotics show allergy, immune system benefits: Nestlé study

11-Jan-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

A daily dose of Nestlé’s Bifidobacterium lactis NCC2818 probiotic strain may help manage allergic responses during pollen season, says a new study from the Nestlé Research Center.

‘We’ve launched world’s first probiotic coffee’: Tipton Mills

10-Jan-2013 By Ben BOUCKLEY

Tipton Mills claims to have launched the world’s first probiotic coffee, which uses a new probiotic developed by Ganeden Biotech, and says one serving contains 10 times as many cultures as a standard probiotic yogurt.

POSITIVE HEALTH NEWS FOR CARBONATES

Not gettin’ far with that gastric bezoar? Grab a Coke…

08-Jan-2013 By Ben BOUCKLEY

Coke drinking is an effective first-line treatment to dissolve ‘gastric bezoars’ or indigestible masses that form in the stomach after foreign material accumulates there, according to a new Greek study.

Probiotic society disputes research bias accusations

07-Jan-2013 By Shane STARLING

The International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP) has refuted accusations that probiotic researchers under-report negative or neutral results due to corporate interest.

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

20-Dec-2012 By Shane Starling

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 likely product out of the pipeline in 2014-2015.

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

17-Dec-2012 By Shane Starling

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 says the country’s policies will encourage law breaking.

NI exclusive

Chr Hansen claims long-life probiotic beverage breakthrough

14-Dec-2012 By Shane Starling

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 world’s biggest beverage manufacturers.

Special edition: Fibre

Italy leads world in fibre food supplements

13-Dec-2012 By Shane Starling

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 a few more ‘gigs’ for fibre supplements as the tour progresses with Italy stop numero...

December 14 EU health claims deadline

Stakeholder vox pop: December 14 EU health claim deadline

12-Dec-2012 By Shane Starling

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 six month lay-period), we polled key players for core reactions.

Special edition: Fiber

Can fiber continue its upward trajectory to rock star status?

11-Dec-2012 By Stephen DANIELLS

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.

Special Edition: Fiber

Prebiotics boost gut health while adding functionality

11-Dec-2012 By Hank Schultz

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 to provide biochemical benefits in addition to just plain bulk, and prebiotic fibers...

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

11-Dec-2012 By Shane STARLING

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 European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) health claims panel, tells NutraIngredients...

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

11-Dec-2012 By Mark Astley

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.

Russia ponders food supplement marketing restrictions

06-Dec-2012 By Shane Starling

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

CLA shows anti-inflammatory potential for Crohn’s patients

30-Nov-2012 By Stephen Daniells

Daily supplements of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) may benefit intestinal health, suggests new data from a study with Crohn’s disease.

New models hold promise for probiotic claim substantiation

29-Nov-2012 By Nathan Gray

Exposing healthy people to modified pathogens in a controlled clinical trial setting could be an exciting new way for industry to overcome the challenges of health claim substantiation, says Nizo Food Research expert.

Dearth of science limits aloe's potential, expert says

28-Nov-2012 By Hank Schultz

Aloe vera is a popular botanical in beverages and functional foods, but a dearth of credible science keeps the ingredient from achieving superstar status, according to a consultant.

Nestlé eyes herbal sector with Hong Kong JV; 2013 clinical trials planned

28-Nov-2012 By Shane Starling

Nestlé has amplified its nutrition presence by forming a joint venture to develop Traditional Chinese Medicines (TCM). Orally consumed gastro products will be first off the rank based on an extract from the andrographis paniculata plant grown in Indian...

DuPont on EU probiotic health claim ban: “Mention specific strains”

21-Nov-2012 By Shane Starling

Giant of probiotic supply, DuPont, is not afraid to admit its European business has been altered by the rejection of probiotic health claims under the EU nutrition and health claims regulation (NHCR).

Probiotics may help cut body fat levels: RCT data

14-Nov-2012 By Stephen DANIELLS

Daily probiotic yogurt consumption may improve energy metabolism and reduce body fat levels by up to 4%, say results of a placebo-controlled, double-blind cross-over clinical trial in Canada.

December 14, 2012: EU health claims doomsday? Er, not really…

14-Nov-2012 By Shane Starling in Frankfurt

For years, probiotics and other sections of the food industry have supposedly been dreading the implementation of despised EU health claims laws.

‘Probiotics’ term to go after December 14, 2012?

05-Nov-2012 By Shane Starling

The probiotics sector is at different stages of readiness, and embracing different approaches, to EU health claim laws that appear to rule the very word ‘probiotic’ a non-authorised, implied health claim from next month.

Ganeden BC30 strain shows potential against C. diff: Mouse study

02-Nov-2012 By Stephen Daniells

Supplements containing the GanedenBC30 ingredient may reduce the recurrence of C. difficile-induced infection, according to a study with lab mice.

Chr Hansen profits up despite Eurozone slowdown

31-Oct-2012 By Shane Starling

Shares jumped more than 3% to just over €24.05 this morning in Danish enzymes, colours and cultures company Chr Hansen as its yearly revenue hit €699m. Profits improved 10.7% to €131.3m for the 12 month period ended August 31.

Spruce extract could be ‘untapped’ prebiotic

26-Oct-2012 By Stephen Daniells

An extract from spruce (Picea abies) may selectively enhance the growth of beneficial gut bacteria and offer a novel prebiotic for the nutritional products, says a new study.