Gut/digestive health

Rejected prebiotic player: EFSA didn’t follow own guidelines; eyeing EU Ombudsman

25-Sep-2012 By Shane Starling

UK start-up Clasado Limited says the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) failed to follow its own prebiotic guidelines in rejecting the firm’s gut health claims.

Buckwheat benefits linked to d-fagomine content

25-Sep-2012 By Stephen Daniells

A diet rich in buckwheat products would provide a daily dose of the sugar d-fagomine linked to benefits in the range of the active dose seen in supplemental studies, says a new study.

Probiotic chocolate biscuits may aid bowel function in the elderly – study

24-Sep-2012 By Oliver Nieburg

Chocolate biscuits containing probiotics could help to preserve microorganisms in the gut that decline with age and cause constipation and diarrhea, according to a study.

Gut bacteria play key role in fat absorption: Study

13-Sep-2012 By Nathan Gray

The presence of certain gut microbes is linked with better digestion and absorption of dietary fats, according to new research that suggests modifying gut bacteria could help to battle malnutrition and obesity.

Heat treated: Arla targets €3.6bn clinical drink market with whey offering

03-Sep-2012

Danish firm Arla Food Ingredients says a version of its Lacprodan whey can withstand heat treatments typically used in clinical drinks consumed by the elderly.

Symrise adds probiotics to portfolio with Probi stake

31-Aug-2012 By Shane Starling

The CEO of Swedish probiotics specialist Probi says the 11.8% stake taken by German flavours, fragrances and nutrients house Symrise will give it, “more marketing and R&D muscle”.

Synbiotic shows constipation relief potential

30-Aug-2012 By Stephen Daniells

Daily supplements of a symbiotic mix of prebiotic fibers and probiotic bacteria may provide relief for constipation without affecting abdominal symptoms, suggests a new study.

Probiotics in India to grow 11% yearly: Report

27-Aug-2012 By Ankush Chibber

India’s nascent probiotic market is expected to grow at 11% till 2016, but only if manufacturers are able to increase the awareness about these products locally.

EFSA rebuffs prebiotic appeal hopes

27-Aug-2012 By Shane Starling

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) health claims panel has given short shrift to an appeal by a Malta-based start-up urging it to revise a 2009 rejection of the prebiotic potential of the company’s proprietary Bimuno formulation.

Profits dip 11% at Swedish probiotic firm (sans Nestlé deal)

21-Aug-2012

Pre-tax,half-year profits fell 11% to €4.54m at Swedish probiotics player BioGaia as distribution deals were modified or terminated.

Gut microbiota opens locked prebiotic research doors

16-Aug-2012 By Shane Starling

Evolving gut microbiota knowledge is being leveraged to drive prebiotic research forward and providing new insights into older prebiotics, according to a leading researcher.

Shun dangerous clay-based 'detox' drinks: FSA warns UK consumers

14-Aug-2012 By Ben Bouckley

The UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) has warned consumers about the dangers of drinking clay-based ‘detox’ drinks after finding dangerously high arsenic and lead levels in supplements sold online.

Clinical trials needed to fulfill prebiotics obesity promise: Professor

13-Aug-2012 By Shane Starling

Battling obesity is not the first port of call for prebiotics – they are much more commonly known for their role in promoting gut health and boosting immune systems. But a growing number of studies is showing different prebiotic forms can influence weight...

Probiotics ban leads to marketing revolution

10-Aug-2012 By Rick Pendrous

Probiotic yogurt brands and supermarket own-label equivalents are leading a revolution in marketing of these products in advance of a ban, which comes into effect in December.

EFSA beats off more Lactobacillus probiotic claims

08-Aug-2012 By Shane Starling

The most researched group of probiotic strains – Lactobacillus – has been delivered yet another blow by the EU’s central science agency, which rejected digestive and vaginal health claims for nine individual strains.

Probiotics show anti-diarrhea potential in kids: RCT data

02-Aug-2012 By Stephen Daniells

Daily supplements of probiotic bacterial strain Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938 may reduce the frequency and duration of diarrhea for children, says new data from Italy.

‘Girly men’ could opt for alcoholic beauty beverages – Mintel

30-Jul-2012 By Ben Bouckley

Beauty beverages are big business in Japan and looking beyond regulatory hurdles preventing alcohol launches in the EU, could find a market with men, according to Mintel.

Yakult ups production in ‘promising’ China

30-Jul-2012 By Kacey Culliney

Japanese probiotics hulk Yakult is driving up production of its iconic fermented milk drink at its Tianjin facility in China amid ‘promising’ growth opportunities.

Researchers explore molecular mechanisms of malnutrition

27-Jul-2012 By Nathan Gray

Researchers have uncovered new molecular mechanisms involved in malnutrition, which may one day mean those with poor nourishment do not suffer from ill health.

French cranberry claim winner “convinced” new EFSA submission can win

23-Jul-2012 By Shane Starling

Gunter Haesaerts, the man who in 2004 convinced French authorities that cranberries could be beneficial for the urinary tract and won an associated health claim, has submitted a proprietary claim to the EU’s food safety agency via his high-dose cranberry...

Women and children first? Benefits of cranberry may be better for certain population groups

17-Jul-2012 By Stephen DANIELLS

Consuming cranberry products may reduce the risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs) by about 40%, says a new meta-analysis that also indicates that certain groups may benefit more than others.

Probiotic sales defeat EFSA's blow

16-Jul-2012 By Lorraine Mullaney

Consumer demand is sustaining probiotics sales, despite the blow of the European Food Safety Authority's (EFSA's) health claims rejections, say some of industry's main players.

Global Alliance for Probiotics takes new tack to win first EU health claim

13-Jul-2012 By Shane STARLING

The Global Alliance for Probiotics (GAP) that includes Chr Hansen, DuPont-Danisco, Yakult, Valio and Danone, is working with academics and experts with a view to producing systematic reviews of “clusters of probiotics” in its ongoing effort to win the...

Prebiotic breakfast cereal gets gold standard RCT support

10-Jul-2012 By Stephen Daniells

Fortifying ready-to-eat breakfast cereal with prebiotic wheat bran extracts can selectively enhance the growth of beneficial bacteria, say results from a double-blind, randomized, controlled, crossover trial.

Do probiotics work in outer space? Yakult launches mission to find out...

09-Jul-2012 By Elaine Watson

How do our gut bacteria handle a prolonged stint in space? And do probiotics work in the same way up there vs down here on earth?

Common dietary fibres may alter gut bacteria composition: Study

28-Jun-2012 By Nathan Gray

Consumption of common dietary fibres may promote beneficial shifts in gut bacteria that may lead to better intestinal health, suggesting the fibres may have prebiotic applications, say researchers.

Probiotics begin to flex their muscle in the sports nutrition market

21-Jun-2012 By Stephen DANIELLS

The potential benefits of probiotic ingredients in sports nutrition products may extend beyond immune support, as emerging evidence suggests a potential to enhance protein utilization.

EFSA will complete final “50+” second-chance claims at next plenary

19-Jun-2012 By Shane Starling

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) health claims panel will issue opinions on more than 50 health claim dossiers re-submitted to it in 2011.

UK university backed to locate probiotic mechanisms of action

15-Jun-2012

UK researchers have begun a project investigating probitoic mechanisms in the gut and have been joined by a consortium called Food and Drink iNet.

"will most certainly advance further research into probiotics and prebiotics”

€138m, 5-year Human Microbiome Project completion excites probiotic community

14-Jun-2012 By Shane Starling

The 5-year, $173m (€138m) Human Microbiome Project has completed with a 14-article publication blitz in journals like Nature that spells out some of its pioneering findings into the make-up and behavior of the human microbiota.

EFSA health claim opinion

Prunes can help bowel movement after all, says EFSA in about face

12-Jun-2012 By Shane Starling

The re-evaluation of studies dating back to 1991 for a rejected health claim dossier has convinced the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) that prunes can aid bowel movement after all.

Pomegranate peel extract shows prebiotic potential

08-Jun-2012 By Stephen DANIELLS

Polyphenol-rich extracts from pomegranate peel may selectively enhance the growth of potentially beneficial gut bacteria, suggesting prebiotic activity for the extract, says a new study.

EFSA rejects Lactobacillus casei probiotic gut health claim

07-Jun-2012

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) this week rejected 74 probiotic health claim dossiers it had been sent for a second reading after many of them were initially turned down for reasons such as inadequate strain characterisation. Its rejection logic...

EFSA health claim opinions

EFSA slams door on probiotic health claims (again); Prunes pass

06-Jun-2012 By Shane Starling

Hopes that the resubmission of 74 probiotic health dossiers would win a sector-first claim in the EU have been dashed after the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) held its earlier line and unanimously rejected them all.

Cereal fibers show prebiotic potential in bread: Puratos study

04-Jun-2012 By Stephen Daniells

Bread enriched with specific cereal fibers may beneficially modify bacterial populations in the gut without any adverse effects, says a new study by scientists from the University of Reading, UK and Puratos.

Probiotic health claims find an EU lifeline

04-Jun-2012 By Shane Starling

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) may have rejected 100% of the probiotic health claim applications that have in recent years appeared in its inbox, leading some to suggest the end of claim-making in the sector, but member state actions are demonstrating...

Probiotic-fibre blend delivers IBS benefits: King’s College

30-May-2012 By Shane Starling

Clinical data from King’s College in the UK has shown significant Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) reduction for a proprietary probiotic-fibre blend offered by UK start-up, Symprove.

DISPATCHES FROM VITAFOODS EUROPE 2012

EndoSeaRch: A new way to modify gut health?

30-May-2012 By Nathan GRAY

A new approach to modifying gut bacteria via orally delivered minerals has been gaining a lot of interest from probiotics players, says Aquapharm.

Vitafoods: EU nutra space wriggles into new health claims clothes

15-May-2012 By Shane Starling

Vitafoods celebrates its 15th birthday next week. It’ll be my 11th consecutive May visit to Geneva for the jamboree and promises to be one of the most intriguing chapters with the (partial and belated) resolution of years of ambiguity regarding health...

Red wine polyphenols show prebiotic potential: Study

09-May-2012 By Stephen Daniells

Polyphenol compounds in red wine may selectively boost the growth of certain bacteria in the gut, says a new study from Spain.

Prebiotics may reduce severity of colitis, say researchers

04-May-2012 By Nathan Gray

Prebiotic supplements could help to reduce bacterial infection and inflammation so reducing the severity of colitis, according to new research.

Gut bacteria could hold key in obesity fight

26-Apr-2012 By Nathan Gray

Modifying the bacterial profile of the gut could help to alter our risk becoming obese, according to new research in rats.

Probiotic research must better combine technology and functionality, argue researchers

25-Apr-2012 By Nathan Gray

Probiotic research needs to change in its basic paradigm, so that it takes an over-arching approach to addressing issues with both technology and functionality, according to new research.

Cocoa products may offer fiber source for consumers

24-Apr-2012 By Stephen Daniells

Fiber-rich cocoa products may help consumers hit recommended levels and improve their bowel habits, says a new study.

Chr Hansen shares jump 9% on strong H1 profits

19-Apr-2012 By Shane Starling

First half EBIT profits for 2011-12 surged 19% to €83m at Chr Hansen as it shrugged off the effects of severe fluctuations in the price of red colorant carmine, and ongoing probiotic health claim uncertainty in Europe – its biggest yet most stagnant market.

Mint extract targets gut health (via the brain)

18-Apr-2012 By Shane Starling

German firm Vital Solutions has debuted an “IP protected” mint family extract that in-vitro and ex-vivo testing has shown to reduce gastrointestinal discomfort.

Food manufacturers ditch health claims for nutrition

05-Apr-2012 By Rick Pendrous

Many food and drink manufacturers are set to abandon health claims approval under new EU legislation and go, instead, for nutrition claims, for which the approvals hurdle is much lower, according to experts.

Israeli firm launches lactose-free probiotic chewables in Finland

04-Apr-2012 By Shane Starling

Israeli omega-3 and probiotic supplements manufacturer Anlit has teamed up with Finnish supplements marketer Axellus Group on a lactose-free probiotic chew aimed primarily at children.

Scandinavian CROs merge; eye health claim success

27-Mar-2012 By Lynda Searby

The key to submitting a successful health claims dossier under the EU Heath and Nutrition Claims Regulation (NHCR) lies in focusing on one single risk factor, and is the main reason why probiotic claim applications have been knocked back, advises Essi...

Indian market shows Eastern promise for probiotics

26-Mar-2012 By Lynda Searby

Indians are dosing up on probiotics to counter gastrointestinal health problems, reports Swedish biotech company Probi, as it announces a deal that will see its Probi Digestis probiotic formulation dispensed to millions of Indian consumers.