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TOP STORY FDA warns biotin may interfere with lab testing CBS Baltimore High doses of vitamin B7, or biotin, frequently an ingredient in multivitamins and supplements for hair and nails, can influence the results of lab tests that emergency room doctors use to diagnose heart attacks, according to FDA. The agency says it has seen an increase in the number of reported adverse events, including one death, related to biotin interference with lab tests. Read more→ UNPA NEWS
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FTC to consumers: Dietary supplements don’t treat diseasesFTC Consumer Education Specialist Colleen Tressler, in a recent blog, reminded consumers that dietary supplements aren’t intended to treat diseases, despite products that promote supplements for various serious conditions, including arthritis, Alzheimer’s, cancer and obesity. ODI docket comments:Make the list big or don’t make it at allWill compiling a list of Old Dietary Ingredients ultimately be worth the effort? Maybe, but the resulting list must be expansive rather than restrictive to be of much use, most stakeholders agree. Commentary: The role of GMPs in contract manufacturing of dietary supplementsFew industries have done as much to improve regulations and seek oversight. The majority of deficiencies are centered on the basics. Dealing with GMPs can appear to be an insurmountable task for smaller entities, so these few guiding principles, based on common sense, should be helpful as brands attempt to efficiently adopt these minimal standards.LEGAL Amarin files appeal and technical writ to try and force ITC to consider fish oils complaintAppealing the decision by the U.S. International Trade Commission to not hear its case, the company has filed a technical writ to try and force ITC to action. .Repeat offender gets $3.7 million FTC fine over disease claimA dietary supplement company that has received a previous warning letter has agreed to a $3.7 million fine to settle a case brought by FTC and the state of Maine for making over-the-top disease claims. Cardax refutes NAXA claims, says its synthetic astaxanthin comes from DSMCardax, a Hawaiian company that makes a synthetic astaxanthin supplement, has refuted claims by the Natural Algae Astaxanthin Association that the safety of its ingredient is unclear by publicly stating it is using material from DSM and is GRAS. Hi-Tech DMAA appeal: ‘Usable quantities’ theory contrary to DSHEAIn the ongoing battle, the Georgia-based company and its owner, Jared Wheat, identified two distinct issues in their brief, including whether the judge erred when he held “DMAA is not a ‘constituent’ of a ‘botanical,’ and that DMAA is not generally recognized as safe, or GRAS.M&A ACTIVITY Nestlé buying Atrium Innovations in $2.3 billion dealThe purchase of a supplement company by a giant CPG corporation is another sign of a tipping point for natural products, but the impact will be felt differently across the different channels Atrium serves.CVS agrees to buy Aetna in $69 billion deal that oculd shake up healthcare industryThe blockbuster deal could rein in health-care costs and transform CVS' 9,700 pharmacy storefronts into community medical hubs for primary care and basic procedures. Nellson Nutraceutical acquires Genysis Brand SolutionsThe deal strengthens Nellson’s powder production capabilities, expands product lines and diversifies customer mix. Genysis' lab and flavors divisions were spun off as part of the deal. Milwaukee-based private equity firm invests in NutriScience InnovationsLakeview Equity Partners, the private equity firm that acquired probiotic manufacturer UAS Labs in 2013, is expanding its reach in the nutraceutical space with an investment in NutriScience Innovations, a global supplier of nutritional and functional ingredients.FINANCIALS Nature’s Sunshine starting to capitalize on Chinese market entryNetwork marketing company Nature’s Sunshine posted strong revenue growth in its 3Q by starting to capitalize on its long-awaited entry into the Chinese market and putting a software problem to bed. The company posted 3Q net sales of $89.3 million compared to $85.4 last year.SELF REGULATION AHPA publishes guidance on foreign matter limits in herbal ingredientsLimits of Foreign Matter in Herbal Ingredients, a new industry guidance, outlines maximum quantities of foreign matter acceptable in selected herbal raw materials.GLOBAL REGULATORY French authorities issue spirulina supplement contamination warningAuthorities in France are urging consumers to only trust spirulina supplements from manufacturers where there is a trusted and controlled supply chain, after reports of contamination in supplements containing the microalgae. EREN: Consumer trends driving emerging risksRisks associated with seaweed, use of green tea extracts in supplements and aloe in food have been flagged as emerging issues by EFSA network, the Emergency Risk Exchange Network (EREN).MARKET TRENDS Top takeaways on the 2017 global supplements marketNutrition Business Journal's senior industry analyst highlights where supplements sales are growing and what categories are strongest. Natural Grocers’ identifies 10 natural food trends for 2018Natural Grocers’ manager of scientific affairs and nutrition education breaks down why collagen, detox diets, drinking vinegars and more are expected to make waves in the new year. Chaga mushroom, green banana flour and cascara: The ingredients to watch in 2018A look at six up-and coming ingredients for 2018 that also includes blue algae, kola nuts and hemp.CANNABIS/HEMP/CBD Indiana attorney general declares war on CBDIn what has become ground zero in the battle for CBD legitimacy, the Indiana state attorney general issued an opinion declaring that CBD is not a legal ingredient and could be seized by state authorities at any time.OMEGA-3s Omega-3 trendsNearly one-third of consumers said they feel deficient in omega-3s, which has increased 34 percent since 2010. While probiotics and protein show stronger growth over the same time period, omega-3s have consistently been on top as a nutrient consumers feel they need, according to research from the Natural Marketing Institute.Fishing in advances for marine oilsGlobal awareness of the importance of omega-3 fatty acids was stated as the primary driver for the growth in this market. However, as consumers become more knowledgeable about the supplements they buy and where they come from, sustainability and transparency have also grown to become critical points with shoppers.CHINA MARKET China's TCM industry grows by 20 percent to top $130 billionAccording to the State Administration of TCM, the sector accounted for one-third of the country's total medical industrial output. The Chinese government passed it first law this year on TCM to increase investment, training and growth. Exploring natural ingredients in ChinaAmong the discussions at the recent China Natural Ingredients Conference were Chinese and U.S. regulatory changes that could impact the industry; new technologies for extraction of nutritional ingredients; and science related to the health effects of probiotics, prebiotics, medicinal mushrooms and more. UNPA President Loren Israelsen discussed the changing U.S. regulatory paradigm. Chinese manufacturer Rong Yu wants to be first Australian Securities Exchange- listed TCM companyThe company intends to raise $15 million to $20 million in an IPO and then register its products with the Therapeutic Goods Administration.NUTRITION There’s drama on dietitian Twitter, and it’s exposing deep rifts in nutrition doctrineIncreasing hostility between dietitians online illustrates a growing ideological divide in the field of nutrition that encompasses divisive issues such as GMOs, the importance (or lack thereof) of organic growing methods, natural and artificial flavors, food processing and corporate influence.PERSONAL MEDICINE FDA opens a door for consumer genetic testsOn Feb. 19, 2015, FDA granted de novo authorization to 23andMe for genetic tests for autosomal recessive traits that are offered directly to consumers. Nearly three years later, FDA has proposed a pathway that opens this avenue further.MEDIA WATCH Consumer Reportssays supplements work for cold and flu--but you shouldn’t take themIn “The Truth About Cold and Flu Supplements,” Consumer Report suses small risks to overshadow proven benefits. Is it an abundance of caution to negate an abundance of benefit? Does kratom really kill? Officials aren’t telling us the whole storyAuthorities claim the popular herbal drug poses potentially deadly risks, but there are big problems with their evidence.UNPA MEMBER NEWS Investment to help Thorne expand business in JapanThe practitioner-channel specialist is expanding its manufacturing capabilities and concluded an investment partnership to expand its business in Japan. NOW launches astaxanthin capsules with Astazine natural astaxanthinAstaxanthin acts as a free radical scavenger, supports healthy immune function and healthy aging. An interview with Sherry Wang of ingredientsonline.comThe California entrepreneur is also a leading expert in FDA regulations of nutritional products and ingredients. Nutraingredientsand ESSNA announce strategic partnership, including new flagship Sports Nutrition congressA new collaboration between the European Specialist Sports Nutrition Alliance and William Reed, the publisher of Nutraingredients, will bring benefit to the sports nutrition sector and provide the platform for a new annual Sports Nutrition congress that bridges the gaps in science, business and regulation.MARKETING How digital marketing is becoming the new pharma sales repAn annual study from CMI/Compas showed that primary care physicians are more likely to turn down in-person sales meetings than ever before — with more than 48 percent now limiting sales rep visits.MARKET RESEARCH What savvy consumers want from ‘natural’Shoppers increasingly understand that natural itself may not mean very much and are looking for attributes to back up those claims, according to a new survey of more than 5,000 people. Branding survey shows advocacy mattersSeven in 10 consumers think brands should advocate on environmental issues, according to a new survey by advertising agency Meyocks. What supplements are Australians taking? Study findings revealedAustralians tend to favor multivitamins and multiminerals when it comes to dietary supplements, a Curtin University study has found.RESEARCH Enriched linseed oil increased dietary fat oxidation, study findsJapanese scientists have found that study participants, who consumed linseed oil enriched with diacylglycerol, experienced higher fat oxidation than after consuming regular linseed oil, suggesting that the modified linseed oil may be beneficial to combat obesity. Multiple health benefits of moringa leaves underlined in new reviewThe leaves of the moringa oleifera plant may have protective effects against a plethora of chronic diseases, researchers have detailed in a new review. Early onset psychosis associated with key vitamin deficiencies: New researchThe discovery that early psychosis is associated with nutritional deficiencies, specifically in folate and vitamin D, reveals new avenues for improving the health of millions of people affected worldwide. Omega-3 may keep your gut bacteria in balance: Mouse dataMice deprived of omega-3 in their diet experience significant disruption to their gut bacteria makeup, according to the APC Microbiome Institute. Ashwagandha, ginseng found to mimic off-label anti-aging effect of two drugsA computer-modeling study has identified the two herbs as among the top dietary ingredients candidates that mimic the anti-aging benefits of two drugs. Study finds Aquamin increases calcium metabolism in premenopausal womenThe seaweed-derived ingredient was found to be more bioavailable compared to calcium carbonate in a study published in the Journal of Medicinal Food.A 'vaccine' for vision? DHA metabolites may offer vision protectionThe omega-3 fatty acid DHA and its metabolites, known as docosanoids, could help to pre-condition vision cells to survive when injured, suggest researchers, who liken the effect to a form of vaccine or immunity.DHA may combat acute pancreatitis, but hyperlipidaemia patients should avoid high dosesSupplementation with docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) could alleviate acute pancreatitis via its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, but higher doses could have the opposite effect among people with hyperlipidaemia, say researchers in South Korea.ETC. How can you tell if someone has true leadership skills? This famous study narrows it down to one rare traitIn 2001, best-selling management consultant Jim Collins, in his landmark book "Good to Great," identified one leadership behavior found in the most successful CEOs. Some things just don't change over time.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. Comments are closed.
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