Leading probiotics supplier, Chr Hansen, has inked a deal with Australian start-up, Probiomics, that will see it distribute a strain initial trials indicate has immunity benefits.
US researchers have successfully transferred gut bacteria from obese humans to germ-free mice, a breakthrough that will allow a more detailed study of the link between gut microflora and obesity.
Ka-CHING! Hear that? No it’s not the sound of overflowing cash registers as consumers throw endless wads of euros at scientifically-backed, healthy foods in greater numbers than ever before.
Three of Europe’s largest food supplement and healthy product trade groups have issued a 17-page paper that lays out its many concerns with the scientific approach being taken by EFSA in regard to health claims.
Pooling nutrient information is becoming an important and time efficient way for companies seeking scientific data about nutrients – especially those seeking to back health claims under the European Union’s tough claims system.
A new partnership with chemical group Solvay will enable the distribution of a low dosage prebiotic food ingredient with multiple food and drink applications within Europe, the Middle East and Africa, claims Tate & Lyle.
Genetic typing, internationally recognised naming protocols and evidence of consistency in the final product have been highlighted by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) as critical factors for probiotic health claim submissions.
There is not enough evidence to support the claim that probiotics can remedy or prevent bacterial vaginosis (BV), according to a new study conducted jointly by scientists in the United Arab Emirates, Belgium and Italy.
Pan-European better nutrition advocate, the Alliance for Natural Health (ANH), says the European Union health claims system is going way beyond its remit to protect consumer interests and curtailing freedom of speech.
The European Commission has set itself the goal of processing the 94 generic article 13.1 health claim opinions issued by EFSA recently by the end of January, meaning claim rulings could be enforceable at retail level by July, 2010.
The voluntary UK advertising watchdog has told Danone to cease broadcasting TV adverts that stated its one-shot probiotic drinking yoghurt, Actimel, could boost the immune system of children.
Immune health from gut health is not too obscure for consumers, but work needs to be done on identifying the mechanisms involved, said the conclusions from a two-day meeting in Toulouse.
Three University of Reading scientists wrote to the European Commission in July expressing concern about EFSA’s approach to evaluating probiotic article 13.1 dossiers.
The European Food Safety Authority’s mass rejection of probiotic dossiers is not the disaster it appears if ‘technical’ obstacles can be overcome, according to a group that represents the biggest yoghurt players in the world.
Last week’s European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) health claim opinions have received a lot of mainstream media attention in the UK national consumer press, with the probiotic claim rejections gaining the most attention.
A daily shot of a probiotic milk drink may reduce inflammation and bleeding in the mouth linked to gingivitis and gum disease, says a new study from Germany.
Danone’s newly submitted article 14 probiotic, diarrhoea health claim, is a product of the ongoing learning process that is occurring as companies come to grips with the reality of the European Union’s new health claim regime, according to the French...
Get your pitchforks ready! There are evil-doers out there! We’ve been conned: Probiotics don’t work. Dannon’s settling out of court, EFSA’s rejecting health claims, and the media is starting a witch hunt.
In HG Wells’ The War of the Worlds it is not the almighty weapons of humanity that defeated the invading Martians. It is a lack of immunity to the earth’s tiny pathogenic bacteria.
Danone will resubmit withdrawn article 13.5 European Union probiotic health claims by year’s end with additional trials added to the dossiers to strengthen their claims, according to a health claims expert working with the company.
The US FDA is being sued over its health claims regime – actions that are unlikely to succeed according to most pundits – but they raise serious questions about healthy food messaging and free speech that are being felt globally.
Applying probiotic bacteria to fresh-cut apple wedges may offer an alternative way for a daily boost to gut health, and offer a dairy-free alternative, suggests new research from Ireland.
Global probiotics leader, Danone, has submitted a new disease reduction article 14 health claim linking consumption of its probiotic drinking yoghurt, Actimel, and diarrhoea, after withdrawing three article 13.5 immunity and digestive health claims in...
By this time next year, one of the central ambitions of Europe’s brand-spanking new nutrition and health claims system may well be in place – a centralised list of approved claims available for all to use across the European Union bloc.
Swedish dairy pioneer, Skånemejerier, has extended its Scandinavian-leading juice range, Bravo, to incorporate probiotic strains, believed to be the first in the world to do so in a fresh 100 per cent juice product with a cold-fighting claim.
Daily consumption of a probiotic fermented milk product may improve gut health and well-being in women with everyday digestive problems, says a new study from Danone.
A look into the probiotic crystal ball reveals that genetically engineered "friendly" bacteria could be switched on by specific prebiotic sugar, possibly leading to a new generation of pre- and probiotic products.
The gut health boosting effects of probiotics may also extend to preventing and eradicating parasitic infections, according to ‘early data’ from the US.
Swedish probiotics player, BioGaia, has notched a 55 per cent increase in sales for the first half of 2009, with emerging markets in central and eastern Europe driving the recession-bucking result.
Danisco is using major trade shows in Europe and Asia to boost exposure of the probiotic straws it launched last year in conjunction Australian firm, Unistraw.
A daily supplement of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium strains may reduce the incidence of cold and 'flu-like symptoms in children by 50 per cent, says a new study from Danisco.
Despite low levels of public awareness compared to western markets, functional foods and ingredients are finding growth in areas of India, as consumers switch on to the promise of healthier foods, beverages and supplements.
Danone, the French dairy giant, will resubmit withdrawn gut and immunity probiotic health claims to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), after receiving guidance from the European Union’s head science body.
The Italian arm of Wyeth Consumer Healthcare is employing the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) logo on newly-launched probiotic products without authorisation of the Parma-based body.
The string of probiotic health claim rejections has continued with the European Food Safety Authority rejecting another emerging science dossier for failing to demonstrate its proposed health benefit.
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has rejected three article 13.5 probiotic and prebiotic health claims and one article 14 claim linking prebiotics with a range of benefits from immunity to diarrhoea for failing to demonstrate causality.
A supplement combining a prebiotic fibre and a probiotic strain may reduce allergic responses to cow’s milk, when used in conjunction with small amounts of whey, says a new study.
The European Food Safety Authority is unlikely to consider setting guidance for probiotic health claims, despite mounting pressure from industry and the scientific community stressing the need for a clear regulatory framework.
Brits are responding to successful marketing from the likes of Danone and Yakult and embracing digestive health products such as probiotic yoghurts and drinks, but the market has plenty of room for further growth, according to a Datamonitor report.
Most Australian consumers are still not ready to believe the claims made by probiotic products, despite a steady and growing interest in their value for improving digestive health, according to Datamonitor.
Increasing knowledge of how the gut and brain is opening up the possibilities for probiotics. At the 5th International Yakult Symposium in Amsterdam, Stephen Daniells met Professor John Bienenstock from McMaster University to find out where the current...
When shopping, consumers very quickly decide on a brand’s worth and unless they are making positive ticks in their minds to an array of factors, it is likely they will pass your functional food by, according to a leading consultant.
Yesterday’s lead story on NutraIngredients.com reported comments made about probiotics by Michael Wilson, a London-based microbiology professor, when speaking at the Cheltenham Science Festival in the UK last week.
Probiotic foods and supplements don’t help the healthy and can cause problems for those unfortunate enough to be sick, a UK microbiology professor has said at a science event.
DG Sanco, the European Commission’s health and consumer protection arm, has published comments made to it by concerned parties about varying health claim opinions as they have come in from the European Food safety Authority (EFSA).
Many consumers remain confused about just what prebiotics are and what they do, but they are responding to the general gut health messaging surrounding various prebiotic forms, and seeking prebiotic products, according to Frost and Sullivan.
