Cancer Institute head named acting FDA chief

​TOP STORY
Cancer Institute head named acting FDA chief Ned Sharpless, M.D., who is the current head of the National Cancer Institute, will be the interim head of the Food and Drug Administration when Scott Gottlieb, M.D., leaves next month. Gottlieb, whose abrupt departure announcement last week caught the industry off guard, has called Sharpless a friend to FDA and recommended that he be given the job permanently. Read more→

UNPA NEWS

UNPA retreat room block ends Friday! 
The 2019 UNPA Members' Retreat room block is scheduled to end Friday, March 15. Be sure to register and book your room asap to ensure on-site lodging. Additionally, the retreat agenda has been posted. Bring additional team members and save $500 off their registration. UNPA's annual Members' Retreat, April 30 - May 2, in Charleston, S.C. The above link will provide more information and access to the registration form. See you in Charleston in late April!

SAVE THE DATE! Expert Insights webinar: "Insurance update for hemp/CBD products and companies," March 27 
UNPA's newest Expert Insights webinar, "Insurance update for hemp/CBD products and companies," will be held Wednesday, March 27, from 11am - 12 noon MST. The webinar will be led by Michael Garofalo, product development director for LlifeScienceRisk and will provide the latest, post-farm bill news on the insurance market for companies selling hemp and CBD products. Registration for this free webinar will open shortly.FINANCIALS
Nature’s Sunshine Products reports 10.3 percent Q4 net sales growth with strongmomentum for 2019Nature’s Sunshine Products reported strong momentum and improving margins for 2018 in its 4Q and full-year 2018 highlights, with net sales up 10.3 percent for the quarter to $97.4 million and full-year net sales up 6.7 percent to $364.8 million. The company says growth was driven by sustained positive sales in NSP China, its Synergy brand in Asia Pacific, and NSP Russia and Central and Eastern Europe.
 The Seven Direct Sales Giants: 2018 growth reviewWorld of Direct Selling provides its annual look at how the industry’s major players did last quarter and eventually, closed the year. The review focuses on the largest seven publicly-owned direct sellers: Avon, Herbalife, Natura, Nu Skin, Oriflame, Tupperware and USANA.
 UNFI reports second consecutive quarterly lossDistributor UNFI announced that although its 2Q net sales increased, the company's income dropped for the second consecutive quarter. UNFI’s net loss for 2Q was $341.7 million, compared with net income of $50.5 million for the same period in 2018. In Q1 of the year, UNFI had a loss of $19.3 million.M&A ACTIVITY
ADM completes acquisition of Florida Chemical CompanyArcher Daniels Midland Company has completed its acquisition of Florida Chemical Company, one of the world’s largest natural citrus oils and ingredients manufacturers. By adding citrus capabilities to its portfolio of ingredients, ADM can now provide one-stop shopping for essential flavors, as well as other food and beverage products, solutions and systems.
 Mondelez International invests in prebiotic food startupMondelez has taken a minority investment in Uplift Food, a U.S.-based, early-stage start-up focusing on prebiotic functional foods. This is the first venture investment Mondelez is making as part of SnackFutures, its innovation and venture hub aimed at unlocking snacking growth opportunities around the world.EXPO WEST RECAP
Expo West gathers 86,000 industry membersThe 39th annual Natural Products Expo West, the world's largest natural, organic and healthy products event, gathered a community of more than 86,000 attendees from 136 countries. The event brought together more than 3,600 exhibiting companies, including more than 600 first-time exhibitors, shaping the future of healthy products.
 Seven key supplement trends from Expo West 2019The Nutraingredients-USA editorial team provides a list of seven trends from last week’s Expo, including CBD, cognitive health, keto, sleep and relaxation, collagen, prebiotics and probiotics.
 Healthy turnout for naturals industry at Expo WestWhat started 39 years ago as a meeting of fringe New-Agers and hippies has grown into a mainstream gathering--Natural Products Expo West is the SXSW of the healthy products industry. What happens at Expo West is important because it represents the leading edge of food trends, with more than 700 brands debuting at the show—many of them women- or family-owned enterprises with a dream.GMOs
Gene-edited food quietly arrives in restaurant cooking oilSomewhere in the Midwest, a restaurant is frying foods with oil made from gene-edited soybeans, according to the company making the oil, which says it's the first commercial use of a gene-edited food in the U.S. The oil's transition into the food supply could signal gene editing's potential to alter foods without what Calyxt says is the controversy of GMOs as USDA doesn't require labeling of gene-edited foods.
 Quality Assurance International releases new organic certification markQuality Assurance International is launching a new certification mark to clarify organic for consumers, 80 percent of whom said in a survey that they were unaware that products with the organic seal were also non-GMO. The certification will help them understand that USDA organic certified products are required to be free of genetically modified organisms (GMOs).
Food Marketing Institute taking strong stance on gene-editing technologyCalling gene editing a powerful technology with potential to address numerous societal health needs and overcome certain global food production challenges, the Food Marketing Institute is taking a proactive approach urging food industry leadership to pay attention to developments around the technology, lest it suffer the same fate as first-generation GMOs. In a recent blog, FMI’s VP of Communications David Fikes notes resources to help FMI members understand and "tackle the complex problem."
 FDA lifts import ban on genetically modified salmonAn import ban that once prevented genetically modified salmon from reaching U.S. retailers has been lifted by FDA. Following the news, several consumer, environmental and fishing groups filed a lawsuit to overturn the lifted ban, citing concerns that the fish could escape and breed with unmodified salmon in the wild as well as possible consumer confusion over the unfamiliar “bioengineered” label.REGULATORY
Indiana lawmakers seek ban on energy drink sales to minorsLawmakers in Indiana have proposed a bill to ban the sale of energy drinks to minors, according to Tristate Homepage. If passed, Senate Bill 369, introduced in January, would make it a class C misdemeanor to “sell, give, or distribute an energy drink” to a minor.CHINA
Companies falsely labeled their products “made in the U.S.A.’ Their financial penalty? $0Four companies have been accused by the Federal Trade Commission of selling products labeled as “Made in the U.S.A.” but in reality, most of the products were manufactured entirely in China, according to the agency. At the same time, while President Trump has accused China of destroying American jobs and prioritized strengthening United States manufacturing, his appointees at FTC did little to punish the firms.CBD/HEMP
CBD sport drug testingWhile CBD isn’t prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency, other cannabinoids are, effectively banning hemp oil. CBD content is the focus of hemp oil products, but it is the urine testing threshold for THC that matters to athletes or others subject to drug testing, so they must consider how much THC they could ingest by consuming hemp oil products, as few are completely THC-free.OBITUARY
Bluebonnet Nutrition founder, CFO, dies at 83Joyce M. Barrows, 83, founder and chief financial officer of Bluebonnet Nutrition Corp., died of prolonged complications from surgery on Feb. 10. Since the company’s inception in 1991, Barrows put her indelible stamp on the Bluebonnet brand, grooming her sons, grandchildren and great-grandchildren to nurture the brand’s success for generations to come.ORGANICS
Organic Trade Association launches Organic Fraud Prevention Solutions programIn a major step by the organic industry to fight against fraud in the global organic system, the Organic Trade Association has announced the official launch of its groundbreaking Organic Fraud Prevention Solutions program.PACKAGING
Can the supplement industry move past single-use plastic? Expo West exhibitors weigh inAwareness of the detrimental effects of single-use plastic has spiked, and bans on straws and plastic bags are the first steps in what could be a seismic shift in the world of packaging. Expo West exhibitors weigh in on whether the plastic-bottle-based supplement industry can make the shift to entirely new packaging.
GLOBAL REGULATORY
Ireland’s plans to introduce a food supplement VAT postponed until NovemberIreland’s revenue commissioner has postponed plans to tax food supplements until November after industry groups and consumers petitioned the government not to approve the planned increase.
 Synthetic micronutrient the first to receive EU Novel Food approvalA synthetic micronutrient, L-ergothioneine, (a naturally occurring amino acid) that may prevent oxidative stress, has become the first to receive novel food approval for the general population.
 Marijuana cultivation in India permitted for research and medicine, but nutraceuticals remain left outMedical marijuana may soon make some progress in India, but any hope of more relaxed regulations on CBD or hemp for nutraceuticals has gone up in smoke, according to one industry expert.E-COMMERCE
Amazon purges suppliers in push to boost its profitsAmazon has begun encouraging vendors to sell directly to consumers on its platform in place of buying, storing and shipping products from wholesalers. This move marks an effort to boost the company’s core e-commerce profits, but vendors are becoming increasingly frustrated with Amazon’s abrupt cessation of routine orders and lack of communication.PARTNERSHIPS
DSM and Phynova reach agreement for global distribution of ReducoseDSM and Phynova have signed a global distribution and collaboration agreement for Reducose, a patented, natural ingredient for healthy blood glucose levels. Reducose is backed by several clinical studies, and it has regulatory approvals in multiple regions across the world.OMEGA-3s
The optimal, elusive omega-3 levelConsumers are confused by omega-3 types and dosages, which could be why so many don’t achieve recommended Omega-3 Index levels, according to a preliminary study conducted by Grassroots Health. The study also provides insight on purchasing habits, variability in the daily supplemental dosages of study participants and price sensitivity.
 Measuring omega-3 product quality: How reliable testing methods can preserve industry's reputationUsing the correct methods and engaging laboratories with the right expertise are needed when measuring omega-3 product quality, in order to help safeguard the sector's reputation, according to Gerard Bannenberg, Ph.D., director of compliance and scientific outreach at GOED.UNPA MEMBER COMPANY NEWS
Bifodan announces Probiotic Research Initiative with Aalborg UniversityBifodan A/S together with Aalborg University in Copenhagen, Denmark, is pleased to announce the foundation of the Probiotic Research Initiative, a collaboration between Bifodan and the Biomedicine Group at Aalborg University, to enhance the effectiveness of research across academia and industry related to the application of probiotics in health and disease.
 Lonza realigns business structure, names newexecutive committeeLonza unveiled an internal realignment of its business structure to accelerate growth and strengthen its microbial control business. Stefan Stoffel has been appointed to a new role on the executive committee as COO, Lonza Pharma Biotech & Nutrition, responsible for operations. The company says the new structure will nurture synergies and increase operational efficiency, which will create customer benefits.
 Vitamin Shoppe to co-host 10th annual benefit golf outing for Vitamin AngelsCo-Hosted by the UNPA member Vitamin Shoppe and Nature’s Value, the 10th Annual Golf Benefit for Vitamin Angels will take place on May 20 at Crystal Springs Resort In New Jersey. The event not only provides participants with an enjoyable day of golf and dining, but it’s all for a great cause, helping the group to reach 12 million children over the years.
 Nutraingredients-USA named regional and national finalist in Azbee awardsThe American Society of Business Publication Editors has announced that articles and editorials from NutraIngredients-USA are finalists in their annual Azbee Awards.PERSONALIZED NUTRITION
EASO on board in AI-powered personalized nutrition projectThe European Association for the Study of Obesity (EASO) has become the latest member of an EU-funded project that looks to harness artificial intelligence to develop personalized nutrition concepts.COMMENTARY
Proliferation of faux seals threatens to dilute true certificationsDo certifications within the supplement industry provide meaningful information to consumers? Or are they just a way to make a confusing market more impenetrable?PERSONAL CARE
Whole Foods Market unveils first-ever top beauty and wellness trendsIn celebration of Beauty Week 2019, Whole Foods Market’s global beauty buyers and experts have unveiled their inaugural list of top beauty and wellness trends for the year: Superfoods for beauty, beauty-oriented supplements, vegan cosmetics, sleep supporters and microbiome-friendly beauty products are stealing the spotlight in 2019.MARKET RESEARCH
Aker Biomarine consumer study offers insights on label claimsAker BioMarine recently completed a 677-subject U.S.-based survey that examines consumer attitudes about packaging and claims in regards to nutritional supplements. The study specifically looked at what information consumers find most important and suggested there is a correlation between product packaging and how it affects consumer purchasing decisions.
 Women’s health gaining importance in probioticsSweden and China are leading the way in terms of availability and engagement with probiotic products specifically geared to women's health, said Ewa Hudson of Lumina Intelligence.
 Stats revealed: Women’s sports nutrition fails to pack a punchWomen's sports nutrition products lack transparency and received poor reviews, according to Lumina Intelligence.
 Vegans and vegetarians are very different consumers, says new surveyAccording to a new survey of 1,000 consumers in the U.K. and U.S., including vegetarians, vegans, pescatarians and meat-eaters, commissioned by Ingredient Communications, the question of whether plant-based products should have meat-related names is more complex than one might think. One in four respondents supported a ban on using meat-related names on plant-based products.EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

UNPA member companies have posted the following employment opportunities. To include a job posting, email editor@unpa.com.

NEW!
Clinical Product & Program Manager, Lake Barrington, Ill., posted by Ortho Molecular Products
 RESEARCH
Vitamin D may protect against pollution-associated asthma symptoms in obese childrenA new study finds vitamin D may be protective among asthmatic obese children living in urban environments with high indoor air pollution. The study out of Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, funded by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, part of the National Institutes of Health, was published in The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice.
 Consuming pre-sleep protein could boost muscle performanceA casein-rich protein shake just before bedtime may increase muscle mass and strength gains in response to resistance exercise, according to a review that takes into account the timing of nutrient intake, from researchers at Maastricht University in the Netherlands.
 Study supports oak wood extract's fatigue-fighting potentialResults of a study on standardized oak extract suggest that the ingredient may improve fatigue and other symptoms related to infectious mononucleosis, according to researchers from Italy.
 Two recent studies demonstrate jointprotective effects of AmLexinTwo recently published studies demonstrate the potential benefits of Unigen’s AmLexin, a standardized blend of heartwood of Acacia catechu and the root bark of Morus alba. In a study published in the Journal of Exercise Nutrition & Biochemistry, the supplement was shown to reduce delayed onset muscle soreness; a different pre-clinical study published in Nutrients explored the effects of AmLexin on inflammation and cartilage protection in rats with collagen-induced arthritis.
 Indian gooseberry supplementation may improve coronary healthStudy participants who ingested an extract of Indian gooseberry, or amla, had lower total cholesterol and triglyceride levels after 12 weeks, compared to the group of participants who ingested a placebo, according to researchers at Baylor University Medical Center.
 Scientists reveal anti-cancer mechanism of Marinova’s proprietary fucoidan extractsResearchers at the University of Tasmania have discovered the anti-cancer effect of fucoidan, a unique, naturally occurring bioactive compound in brown microalgae.FDA WARNING LETTERS & GUIDANCES
Current FDA enforcement actions and guidancesKeep up to date on FDA’s current enforcement actions, including general warning letters, recall information and GMP compliance issues, with this link to FDA's website. 

Search and sign up for a variety of FDA Guidances.