In the first in a series of articles on the potential and dangers of health claims, NutraIngredients-USA.com examines the different types of claims that can be used on food, beverage and dietary supplement products in the US.
A consumer awareness website set up by the US dietary supplement
industry has been deemed the best online portal for health
awareness in an annual communications contest.
Four Capitol Hill parliamentarians are calling on the FDA to
abandon funding for conventional food qualified health claims
such as those relating to eggs and nuts.
The typical North American diet consisting of large amounts of meat
and little fish is deficient in omega-3 fatty acids, posing
possible risks to infant neurological development, says new
research.
Omega-3 supplier Martek Biosciences has reported "record"
revenues and increased sales for its first quarter of 2008, boosted
by strong international demand for its ingredient in infant
formulas.
Antioxidant supplements may not help children with Down's syndrome,
says a new study that challenges previous reports of benefits to
language and psychomotor development.
Foods and drinks developed to address the specific health needs of
consumers are expected to exceed category growth in the US
functional food segment, according to a new report.
The UK government is advising pregnant and breastfeeding women to
boost their intake of vitamin D during the winter, and is
initiating a campaign to spread the word amongst health care
practitioners as well as consumers.
Increased intake of the omega-3 DHA during pregnancy could produce
improved motor function in the offspring in later life, suggests a
new study from the Netherlands.
Campaigners at Baby Milk Action have threatened a judicial review
over a ruling that a television advert on SMA formula was not
misleading and did not discourage mothers from breastfeeding.
Two scientific papers which have raised question marks over the
safety of fortifying flour with folic acid to prevent neural tube
defects in pregnancies provide no concern, UK doctors have said.
A report has listed some 3,000 violations by a dozen infant
nutrition companies who it says are breaking rules on marketing set
by the World Health Assembly.
Following World AIDS Day, the food industry should reflect on its
own potential to advance the fight against a disease that continues
to sweep a devastating toll.
Nutricia has teamed up with child obesity group Mend in the UK to
help improve the health of toddlers and boost infant diet by
educating parents, but the move has been criticised as a conflict
of interests.
It all started with a trip to Greenland in 1970. Three Danes, a couple of dogsleds, and several years of study later and the omega-3 was born. Since then, awareness and understanding of marine omega-3 has sky-rocketed.
Friesland Foods Domo has invested €6M in its whey protein plant in
Workum, The Netherlands, allowing it to increase production of
infant formula ingredients and produce its new low-fat ingredient
for dairy applications.
Experts at a Nestle-sponsored symposium on probiotics and
children's health have urged paediatricians to pay attention to
emerging research on so-called good bacteria, although more
research is needed on the mechanisms behind...
Strain stability and further development of new health benefits are
the two main drivers which will push probiotics further into the
food industry, the president of Danisco Cultures has said.
Nestlé officially completed its acquisition of baby food brand
Gerber, bringing the company one step closer to achieving its
evolving aspiration to be the world's leading nutrition, health and
wellness company.
Probiotics, friendly bacteria with known benefits for intestinal
health, may boost the number of bowel movements and relieve
constipation, suggests a new pilot study from the Netherlands.
High levels of vitamin B6 prior to falling pregnant may boost
conception rates and reduce the odds of losing the baby during
early pregnancy, suggests new research.
Orafti has announced the launch of a new long-term study into the
potential effects of prebiotic infant formulae on the development
of the infants immune system and the incidence of allergy in
infants.
The board of the UK's Food Standards Agency yesterday gave the
go-ahead for the recommendation on mandatory folic acid
fortification be made to health ministers, but it remains unclear
whether the nutrient will be added to flour...
Probiotic supplementation during pregnancy and then for the infants
after birth could reduce the incidence of eczema, suggests a new
clinical trial from Sweden.
Folic acid does not decrease the risk of benign colorectal tumours
and may increase the likelihood of contracting some types
of tumours, say researchers - but the supplements industry urges
caution in light of documented benefits.
In the interest of global public health the world's cereals should
be fortified with iron, says the senior nutritionist of a US-based
non-profit health organisation.
The results of the EU Childhood Obesity Programme indicate that
low-protein content in infant formula may have metabolic,
endocrinal and developmental benefits for babies - which may also
have an impact on obesity at a later age.
Martek has added a new patent to its store of European intellectual
property on ARA from Mortierella alpine microorganisms for
infant formulas, reinforcing its position after an opposition
hearing in 2005 narrowed the scope of the...
A new study examining the potential of Pycnogenol to reduce
endometriosis has yielded positive results, building the data to
support the antioxidant pine extract's use in addressing the
condition.
Tomatoes, genetically engineered to contain high levels of folate,
could provide the recommended daily amount in one standard serving,
says new research.
Friesland Foods is to enter a joint venture with Australian dairy
group Warrnambool as part of plans to help meet growing demand in
the country for prebiotic ingredients.
BioGaia has reported significant gains in full year 2006 that tip
it into profit, thanks largely to deals for finished probiotic
products in a widening geographical sphere.
Debate over fortification of certain foods with folic acid has been
initiated at EU-level, as various member states mull public health
strategies for reducing pregnancies affected by neural tube
defects.
Supplement makers are hearing the news about the benefits of
omega-3 during pregnancy, suggest data from Mintel, which lists
more pregnancy-specific product launches in 2006 than in previous
years.
The effects of increased folic acid intake amongst the elderly may
be a double-edged sword, with benefits and harm dependent on the
person's vitamin B12 levels, says a new study.
Young children may be at risk of iron and zinc deficiencies as they
are weaned off milk or formula, according to two reports that may
highlight opportunities in products formulated to meet the
nutritional needs of older infants.
The nutrition supplement industry has received formal support from
the National Foundation for Women Legislators (NFWL) in the form of
a resolution recommending local governments to provide dietary
supplements to children.
Simple apple pieces may be a simple and inexpensive method of
supporting probiotics, as well as expanding the range of
applications, suggests new research from Greece.
Formula containing both pro- and prebiotics is well tolerated and
may have added benefits on weight gain in infants, says a new study
sponsored by Nestlé.
In this white paper, Dr Anu Turpeinen discusses the ample scientific evidence showing why milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) is essential for children’s...
Many infants who are born with nutritional defects often need specifically developed infant formulas to maintain their growth and development. Amino acids-based...
