TOP STORY House fails to pass farm bill; Fortunes of CBD, multivitamins may be tied to its passage Opposition from Democrats and the conservative House Freedom Caucus led to a defeat of the farm bill in a House vote last week. However, milestones regarding multivitamins, via the SNAP Vitamin and Mineral Improvement Act, and the Hemp Farming Act, moved forward. Both acts could lift the fortunes of supplements, but they have a long way to go before they are enacted into law. And Plan B for both efforts, in case the individual pieces of legislation fail, is the same: The must-pass farm bill. Read coverage: In blow to GOP, House fails to pass massive farm bill in face of conservative Republican showdown→ Multivitamins, CBD chart the same course through Congress→ UNPA NEWS
UNPA Asia Report: New 1Q18 issue now available! The 1Q18 issue of the UNPA Asia Report as well as the 1Q18 issue of Asiaceutical Insights is now avail able at the UNPA website. UAR articles include a look at analytical testing for Chinese botanicals, a "clean label" update, a profile of the China Chamber of Commerce for the Import and Export of Medicines and Health Products, "green" packaging and much more! FSVPtraining in Sandy, Utah, Sept. 20-21 It's the last scheduled UNPA FSMA training of 2018! Sept. 20-21 in Sandy, Utah. Waiting list for PCQI training in Lehi, Utah, June 5-7 UNPA's PCQI training in Lehi, Utah, June 5-7, is sold out, but you can join a waiting list at the UNPA website. Recently posted at unpa.com:
REGULATORY FDA dings company on claims to prevent Lyme disease Another season-specific, disease-claim warning has hit the airwaves, with FDA admonishing a Utah company over its claims connected to Lyme’s Disease. FDA warns companies selling illegal, unapproved kratom products marketed for opioid cessation, pain treatment and other medical uses FDA has issued warning letters to three marketers and distributors of kratom products: Front Range Kratom of Aurora, Colo.; Kratom Spot of Irvine, Calif.; and Revibe Inc., of Kansas City, Mo.; for illegally selling what the agency says are unapproved, kratom-containing drug products with unproven claims about their ability to help in the treatment of opioid addiction and withdrawal. FDA warns nutricosmetic brands making sun protecting health claims FDA announced that it sent warning letters to four makers of “sun-protecting,” nutricosmetic ingestible supplements for making illegal drug claims related to UV protection and skin cancer. ORGANIC Maturing U.S. organic sector grows 6.4 percent in 2017 Growth of organic slowed last year as market penetration reached 5.5 percent, according to the Organic Trade Association. Sen. Tammy Baldwin introduces legislation to fight fraudulent organic imports Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., introduced legislation to combat imports of fraudulent organic products that undercut American farmers, in response to media reports and recommendations from the USDA inspector general. Why did the organic check-off program die an untimely death? The Organic Research and Promotion Program or "Check-Off" devised in 2010 would have provided an estimated $30 million annually for the organic community. But in May, USDA unexpectedly announced its intention to terminate the rule-making process that would have established the program. 2018 farm bill: A sneak attack on the organic standards? Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kan., appears to be ready to change the USDA’s organic standards to allow GMOs and toxic pesticides, essentially abolishing organic agriculture as American consumers understand it. He also appears to be remaking the National Organic Standards Board in favor of allowing more representatives from large-scale farms and companies. GLOBAL REGULATORY EFSA approves Marealis shrimp concentrate for hypotensive supplement The European Food Safety Authority has approved the use of shrimp peptides in food supplements, opening up an opportunity to develop a nutritional approach to blood-pressure control. Pukka banned from advertising tea as ‘detox’ but why is the label problematic? Following an investigation into the detoxifying properties that Pukka tea claims to have, the U.K.’s Advertising Standards Authority says the tea company can no longer make those claims. Probiotic strain DE111 can now be used in Canada in foods without novel food pre-approval Health Canada’s letter of no objection means that Deerland Enzymes & Probiotics’ DE111 strain is no longer a novel food and can now be sold as a food ingredient without the need for pre-market notification. INNOVATION HP Ingredients granted EU patent for NeuroActin The company has been granted a patent in the European Union for NeuroActin, a specific extract of Andrographis paniculata that targets cognitive support and Alzheimer’s disease. New Zealand’s calocurb ingredient featuring hop extract enters the U.S. market A supplement containing a proprietary hop flower extract from New Zealand is entering the U.S. market, positioned for weight management through appetite control. CONTRACTS Creating supply chain contracts for partnership and transparency Meeting requirements set forth in supply and quality agreements creates a strong foundation and a necessary partnership between owner and manufacturer. OMEGA-3s Major breakthrough: Omega-3 discovery could revolutionize understanding of production The discovery of new, "natural" omega-3 sources could herald a significant contribution to omega-3 production, after researchers discovered that certain invertebrates are able to produce the fatty acids. GOED’s Ellen Schutt discusses omega-3 market challenges, opportunities Nutritional Outlook recently spoke with Ellen Schutt, GOED’s new executive director, about how, under her leadership, the organization plans to identify market opportunities to move the omega-3 category forward. BOTANICALS What role should DNA barcoding play in identifying botanical ingredients today? How has the technology progressed? Even when DNA barcoding functions in concert with other methods in a comprehensive testing toolbox, it still faces hurdles to optimal utility. Cultural factors restrict growth of Amazonian ingredients, experts say While botanical ingredients from the Amazon are key elements of international trade, their growth has been stunted by cultural and environmental factors peculiar to the region, experts say. CERTIFICATIONS Valensa to use state seal to help shine light on saw palmetto quality issues Valensa International has fixed on a certification from the Florida Department of Agriculture as a way to highlight the special properties of saw palmetto and the quality issues that surround the botanical. NOOTROPICS Some shady ingredients find home in nootropics category Nootropics is an area of the dietary supplement industry burgeoning with new ingredients. But at the ragged fringe of the category are drug-like substances that just won’t go away. Data supporting nootropics in sports nutrition still in beginning stages, expert says Sports nutrition has been one area of increasing interest for the marketers of nootropics ingredients. But Tim Avila, of UNPA member Systems Biosciences, says that is based more on extrapolation than solid science. GMOs Whole Foods delays GMO labeling rollout Whole Foods Market announced that the company will delay the rollout of its planned GMO labeling policy due to concerns from suppliers as well as uncertainty about USDA's proposed and ongoing GMO labeling regulations. USDA unveils prototypes for GMO food labels and they’re confusing The labels that USDA has proposed to meet requirements for a GMO-labeling standard that was mandated by legislation passed in2016 are brightly colored, depicting sunshine and smiley faces, with the letters, B-E—for "bioengineered"—rather than GMO. Critics, such as George Kimbrell from the Center for Food Safety, say they’re pro-biotech and use a term that isn’t broadly familiar to U.S. consumers. National Bioengineered Food disclosure standard webinar The Agricultural Marketing Service announced the availability of an informational webinar regarding the proposed National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard. The pre-recorded webinar will provide an overview of the background, provisions and potential impacts of the proposed standard. Comments on the proposed rule must be submitted by July 3, 2018, through regulations.gov. APAC MARKET Kaneka Corporation invests in AB-Biotics, concludes licensing agreement Tokyo-based Kaneka Corporation acquired a 34.8 percent share of AB-Biotics, a Barcelona-based biotech company focusing on research, development and distribution of its own products using lactic acid bacteria. Kaneka has also established a license agreement with AB-Biotics to grant Kaneka exclusive rights for production and sales of ABB’s products in North America and Japan. Pharma deal could prove among sector's biggest consolidations yet CR Pharma agrees to take a controlling stake in state-owned rival Jiangzhong, as China seeks to slash medicine costs and improve quality assurance. Don’t get too comfortable: Australian supplement firm urged not to rest on laurels amid Asia sales success Australia’s supplement suppliers and manufacturers have been told not to fall into the complacency trap after enjoying several years of rapidly growing sales in Asia, especially China. GLOBAL MARKETS Holland & Barrett confirms plans for vegan superstores U.K.-based health and nutrition retailer Holland & Barrett has confirmed to Nutraingredients that it plans to open a fully vegan store as demand for veganism continues to grow. Columbia’s growth prospects, lenient regulations fuel opportunities Colombia represents one of the more attractive market opportunities for dietary supplements in Latin America because of favorable growth projections as well as familiar and fairly lenient regulations, experts say. UNPA MEMBER NEWS Lonza expands U.S. manufacturing facility for specialty ingredients Lonza Consumer Nutrition & Health is opening a new manufacturing facility in the U.S. The new Greenwood, S.C., facility will add 50,000 square feet of manufacturing space to Lonza’s existing specialty-ingredients production. LifeVantage Vitality Stack Packets drive double-digit growth in order rates LifeVantage is seeing strong acceptance of its single-serve Vitality Stack Packets that provide a personalized dietary supplement experience. Natural Factors proves commitment to transparency, integrity With more than 55 years in business, the independent, family-owned company has created a vertically integrated operation that delivers true “farm-to-supplement” quality. For Roland Gahler, executive chairman and owner, it all comes down to integrity and quality. PerkinElmer acquires Shanghai Spectrum Instruments Shanghai Spectrum Instruments manufacturers a range of analytical instruments for research, academic, government, pharmaceutical, life sciences and chemical analysis labs and has customers in 10 countries. Sabinsa discusses Ayurvedic ingredients market adulteration, research in dietary supplements Shaheen Majeed, Sabinsa president, spoke to Nutritional Outlook about how Sabinsa has navigated 30 years of regulatory change and how the company plans to continue to deliver science-backed, innovative ingredients for a growing range of health categories. MARKET RESEARCH The cautious shopper: More than half of Americans are concerned about the safety of products bought online While online shopping is almost universal in the U.S., 53 percent of Americans are concerned about the safety of products bought online, according to new research from Mintel. And although young Americans have been brought up as digital natives, Mintel reveals that these consumers are exercising the greatest caution when shopping online. In many Latin American countries, direct selling brands take lead in dietary supplements sales Direct selling companies have a relatively large share of dietary supplement sales in Latin American countries compared to others around the globe, according to data from market research firm Euromonitor. RESEARCH Rhubarb a potential treatment for gastrointestinal dysfunction: China trial Rhubarb may relieve gastrointestinal dysfunction in critically ill patients without causing any adverse effects, say researchers in China. Tea extracts form nanoparticle starting point in tackling lung cancer Nanoparticles made from tea leaves appear to halt the growth of up to 80 percent of lung cancer cells, a U.K. study shows, opening up possibilities for a non-toxic, plant-based alternative method of production. Pregnant women: High folate, low vitamin B12 linked to diabetes risk Researchers in Singapore say insufficient vitamin B12 coupled with higher folate may lead to higher gestational diabetes risk, holding “potential implications for antenatal supplement recommendations.” Echinacea ingredients boost immune function in stress-induced mice, study suggests In the animal study published in the Journal of Medical Food, Echishield, an Echinacea purpurea ingredient from Frutarom in Herzliya, Israel, helped protect against stress-induced changes in immunological function. Research shows tocotrienols in palm reduces oxidative stress and neural cell damage New research conducted by a group of scientists from the faculty of Medicine, International Islamic University Malaysia and Menoufia Medical School, Egypt, demonstrates the potential of palm-based tocotrienols as a neuroprotective and antioxidant agent in chronic cerebral hypoperfusion-induced neurodegeneration. 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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