TOP STORY CSPI warns consumers, asks for FDA action on adulterated ginkgo products The Center for Science in the Public Interest has warned consumers to avoid ginkgo products and called for FDA enforcement because of what it characterized as widespread adulteration. The warning was based, in part, on a recent Botanical Adulteration Prevention Program memo outlining ginkgo adulteration issues. Yet, BAPP executives say CSPI ignored solid research on efficacy and overstated safety and adulteration issues. Read coverage. UNPA NEWS
Announcing FSVPtraining in Sandy, Utah, Sept. 20-21 It's the last scheduled UNPA FSMA training of 2018! Sept. 20-21 Foreign Supplier Verification Programs training in Sandy, Utah, meets FDA's FSVP training requirements. Learn who must comply, course agenda and additional information at the UNPA website. Waiting list for PCQI training in Lehi, Utah, June 5-7UNPA's PCQI training in Lehi, Utah, June 5-7, is sold out! You can join the waiting list at the UNPA website. UNPA Asia Report: The evolving U.S. omega-3 market–and what it means for China This recent article from the UNPA Asia Report offers insights from former GOED Executive Direct Adam Ismail on the similarities between the two markets and the growth drivers that will make the market in China unique. Recently posted at unpa.com:
M&A ACTIVITY Vitamin Shoppe Announces Sale of Nutri-Force Vitamin Shoppe announced it had completed the sale of Nutri-Force, its manufacturing business, for approximately $15 million, during its 1Q18 earnings call. The buyer is UNPA member Arizona Nutritional Supplements, a contract and private label manufacturer of vitamins, minerals and supplements located in Chandler, Ariz. IFF to acquire Frutarom in $7.1bn deal to create global flavors and natural ingredients empire New York-based flavors and fragrances company IFF is to acquire Israeli flavors and natural ingredients firm Frutarom in a $7.1 billion deal that it says will propel it into the #2 spot in the global flavors market behind Givaudan. Astxanthin firms BGG, Solix join forces on new, Colorado-based company Two players in the astaxanthin realm, Chinese company BGG and US firm Solix Algredients, will combine to form a new ingredient supplier based in Ft. Collins, Colo. ADVERSE EVENT REPORTING Observers question adverse event reporting compliance for products sold on Amazon Some industry observers are starting to question how many of the thousands of supplements sold on Amazon and other high-volume online platforms comply with adverse event reporting requirements and other rules pertaining to the sales of these products. GMOs First wave of stakeholders weighs in on ‘bioengineered’ labels: 'Exemptions make the useless rule even more useless ...' If the first wave of comments to its proposed rule on GMO labeling is anything to go by, USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service faces a daunting task as it seeks to nail down its national bioengineered food disclosure standard, with early feedback revealing significant disagreement over every issue from the interpretation of ‘bioengineered,’ to the merits of the term itself. PERSONNEL United Natural Foods announces organizational changes National distributor United Natural Foods announced organizational changes to take effect Aug. 1, 2018, including a new president, as part of the company's succession plan. CANNABIS/HEMP/CBD Huge win for hemp in Wisconsin Wisconsin has rolled back its previous announcement on the illegality of selling and possessing cannabidiol (CBD) oil. Wisconsin AG Brad Schimel announced that Wisconsin’s industrial hemp program allows Wisconsin farmers to grow and sell industrial hemp, as long as they obtain a permit and abide by state requirements, and that products made from industrial hemp, including CBD, are lawful. Marijuana growers turning to hemp as CBD extract explodes A glut of legal marijuana is driving Oregon pot prices to rock-bottom levels, prompting some nervous growers to start pivoting to another type of cannabis to make ends meet—one that doesn't come with a high. UNPA MEMBER NEWS Nature’s Sunshine Products commences CEO transition plan following retirement announcement of CEO Gregory L. Probert will assist in transitioning his role as CEO to a successor and, following his retirement, Probert will continue as chairman of the board. Usana to leverage social media success in China to revive sales in North America Usana Health Sciences is planning to use social media platforms to energize its direct-selling model in sluggish markets, such as North America and Europe. Umar Jan Named Sabinsa Europe resident director Sabinsa has appointed Dr. Umar Jan as resident director of Sabinsa Europe GmbH. Jan previously served as procurist and technical sales manager for Sabina Europe, where he handled the scientific aspects of sales. NOW Celebrating 50 Years of Sustainability Hear from Reginald Alston, NOW’s manager of EHS & sustainability, about how the company makes sure its footprint is as small as possible, including comprehensive recycling programs for manufacturing and employees, use of solar panels, community cleanup activities and more. CAMAG: Qualitative and quantitative HPTLC analysis of licorice root An HPTLC method was developed for the differentiation of licorice roots of the species Glycyrrhiza glabra and Glycyrrhiza uralensis, which is also suitable for the quantitative determination of the minimum content of 18β-glycyrrhizic acid. Austrian Ski Federation asks NSF to test supplements for banned substances NSF International has concluded an agreement with the Austrian Ski Federation to test supplements used by the country’s national team skiers. OMEGA-3s AHA issues seafood fatty-acid guidance The American Heart Association has issued its long-awaited guidance on seafood long-chain fatty acids and cardiovascular disease that summarizes evidence to support the beneficial effects of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC n-3 PUFAs) from seafood on cardiovascular disease and stroke and follows the AHA Advisory issued in March 2017 that addressed the specific effect of n-3 PUFA supplementation on clinical cardiovascular events. INNOVATION DSM and Prenexus Health market sugar cane-derived prebiotic developed to selectively feed ‘friendly’ microbes What makes a prebiotic a ‘prebiotic’? According to Dr. Brad Saville, chief science officer at Prenexus Health, it’s the fact that they can ‘selectively feed’ beneficial bacteria. MARKETING Gen Z puts brands on notice Gen Z is bypassing the traditional political system and focusing on consumerism as a channel for change, according to a study. RESEARCH NIH-funded study suggests fish oil, blueberry supplementation linked to improved cognitive performance in older adults Researchers found that, when participants were given blueberry powder or fish oil capsules, both may boost cognitive performance. Supplementing the two as a combo, however, did not provide an additive benefit as they had expected. Routine vitamin A and D evaluation may be useful for children with coeliac disease Children with coeliac disease may benefit from routine evaluation of their vitamin A and D levels as they tend to lack both, say researchers in Turkey. Krill oil shown to boost signaling pathway associated with muscle growth in study A new pilot study has found that krill oil supplementation stimulates mTOR signaling in resistance-trained subjects, boosting its potential application as a sports nutrition ingredient. Walnut consumption alters gastrointestinal microbiota, possible underlying mechanism of its health benefits, says study Walnut consumption altered the gastrointestinal microbiota of study participants, leading the researchers to postulate that this interaction is the underlying mechanism behind walnuts’ health benefits. Folic acid supplements may reduce stroke risk in hypertensive patients Folic acid supplements may reduce stroke risk by almost 75% in people with high blood pressure, say a Chinese research team, who suggest its use could be “a simple, safe and inexpensive treatment.” Glyphosate study shows adverse health effects at 'safe' doses A recent pilot study to be published in Environmental Health found that the main ingredient in Monsanto’s Roundup herbicide changes certain biological parameters relating to sexual development, genotoxicity and the alteration of the intestinal microbiome. FDA WARNING LETTERS & GUIDANCES Current FDA enforcement actions and guidances Keep 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. Comments are closed.
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