Is the House trying to sneak controversial changes into the Farm Bill?; Industry optimistic on hemp provisions

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Is the House trying to sneak controversial changes into the Farm Bill?; Industry optimistic on hemp provisions
The differences between the Senate and House versions of the 2018 Farm Bill may be insurmountable: The House wants SNAP (formerly food stamps) recipients to work for their food; the Senate’s Democrats refuse. The House also wants to prevent local governments from restricting pesticide use; let wealthy farmers continue to receive crop subsidies; and wipe out a major conservation program. Meanwhile, passage of the “game changing” hemp provisions in the Farm Bill is expected to go smoothly, according to a panel of attorneys at the Natural Products Hemp & CBD Summit. While it will be a landmark action, some ambiguities will remain because states will still have regulatory authority. Read coverage:
The House is trying to sneak these controversial changes into the Farm Bill→
Optimism high on 'game changing' hemp farming act→

UNPA NEWS
UNPA/Eurofins CBD and Dietary Supplement SymposiumJoin the UNPA and Eurofins staffs on Oct. 4 at Eurofins' Lafayette, Colo., facility for this one-day symposium discussing the regulatory and legislative status of hemp/CBD products and a deep dive into testing and analytical methods issues.TRADE
The implications of a trade war with China on the direct selling industryIn an escalation of trade tensions, the U.S. has expand tariffs on $200 billion of other imports. In a direct-sales model, a tariff of 25 percent would significantly reduce the cost multiple on products, which would cause many sellers of hard goods to raise prices to consumers by a like amount.LEGISLATION
Warren and colleagues unveil bill to require every public company to disclose climate-related risksSen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., announced the Climate Risk Disclosure Act to require public companies to disclose critical information about their exposure to climate-related risks. The legislation is said to help investors assess climate-related risks, accelerate the transition from fossil fuels to cleaner and more efficient energy sources and reduce the risks of both environmental and financial catastrophe.M&A ACTIVITY
Feds OK GNC’s partnership with Chinese pharmaceutical companyGNC Holdings Inc. has received federal approval to proceed with an investment deal involving Harbin Pharmaceutical Group, a Chinese company. Harbin plans to invest $300 million, but it’s not clear when the deal will close.
 Aspen sells nutritional business to LactalisAspen Pharmacare Holdings Limited, a global pharmaceutical company based in South Africa, has announced, in conjunction with its annual results, that it has concluded an agreement to divest of its global nutritional business to the Lactalis Group.BOTANICALS
Botanical Adulterants Prevention Program publishes maca root and root extract bulletinThe ABC-AHP-NCNPR Botanical Adulterants Prevention Program has released a Botanical Adulterants Prevention Bulletin on maca (Lepidium meyenii, syn. L. peruvianum, Brassicaceae) root and root extract. Originally an Andean crop, maca’s popularity in the past few years, especially in Asian countries as a means to enhance sexual stamina, has led to large amounts being grown in China from roots smuggled out of Peru, leading to much uncertainty about supply volume and pricing.
Metabolomics analysis confirms identity for most top-selling goldenseal supplements--but not allAnalysis of 35 commercial dietary supplements of goldenseal (Hydrastis canendensis L.) showed that only three did not contain what they claimed to contain. Goldenseal adulteration is well documented, and one expert says it is difficult to believe that manufacturers are not aware of the problem.MARKET
New Chapter founder unveils plan for new line of topical productsNew Chapter founder Paul Schulick plans to launch a line of topical products aimed at the skin microbiome with a plan to reenter the ingestibles field in 2020.REGULATORY COMPLIANCE
Audits: Three steps to eliminate blind spots and ensure complianceA “blind spot” has multiple meanings, from clinical to instrument-related, psychological and practical. Own-label distributors performing contract-supplier and/or contract-manufacturer audits often have critical blind spots that may result in missed specifications or quality and safety issues, which can lead to product recalls or serious consumer adverse events. Three key steps to auditing a contract manufacturer will help eliminate blind spots, including the most evident and common ones.MLMs
India’s direct selling industry to be worth almost $9 billion by 2025, but Amway pushes ahead with digital firstDirect selling is on the rise in India, with analysts predicting the industry will reach a value of US$8.96 billion and create almost 20 million jobs in the country by 2025.PROBIOTICS
Rice processing by-products could aid probiotic production--may offer symbiotic potentialFractions of rice bran, a by-product from rice production, could be useful in the production of commercial probiotics and may offer potential for symbiotic formulations, according to researchers writing in Innovative Food Science and Emerging Technologies.
 Multi-strain probiotics supplementation may improve cardiometabolic measures in diabeticsA combination of eight probiotic strains may help improve measures of cardiometabolic health including insulin resistance, blood sugar levels, and cholesterol levels, according to a new study from Saudi Arabia.HEMP/CANNABIS/CBD
Canadian marijuana imports OK’d by U.S. for California studyThe University of California San Diego’s Center for Medicinal Cannabis Research has received approval from the DEA to import marijuana extracts from Canada for a medical study. The center will import capsules of CBD and THC from a British Columbia company to see if they effectively treat essential tremors.
 Coca-Cola eyes cannabis market in push beyond sluggish sodasCoca-Cola may be the next industry giant to jump into the cannabis drinks business. Coca-Cola is talking to Canadian marijuana producer Aurora Cannabis about the possibility of developing drinks infused with CBD.ORGANICS
Can an investment firm help increase U.S. organic farmland?Investment firm Iroquois Valley Farms is determined to increase the acreage of organic farmland and ranges in the United States. The Evanston, Ill.-based B Corporation leases property to 53 farms but wants to reach 500 farms in the next five years.
 ExpoEast: Surviving as a postmodern organic companyDuring last week’s Natural Products Expo East, leaders in the organic space came together to discuss how they are navigating this marketplace shift and evolution. All spoke to the audience about how to keep organic brands out in front on shelves.APAC MARKET
The latest APAC consumer and market insights for the supplement and functional food industriesThe first of a monthly roundup of need-to-know market and consumer trend developments from Nutraingredients-Asia.com reveals a huge market for probiotics in China; Japanese and French nutricosmetics are top performers on the annual Tmall Super Brand Day; and tips for growth in India’s functional food and supplements market.PARTNERSHIPS
Nature’s Way and Natural Products Canada unveil a co-investment partnershipNature’s Way and Natural Products Canada have signed an agreement to co-invest in innovative natural health product opportunities in Canada. The output of this partnership will continue to feed consumers’ needs for natural product solutions, a category that is already growing 5+-percent in Canada.FLAVOR TRENDS
Flavor: The new frontierIn today’s dietary supplement industry, flavor can no longer be an afterthought. It is often one of the top factors affecting purchase decisions, if not the top consideration. It is even more important for influencing continued use or compliance of products.COMMENTARY
Are dietary supplements getting better?As the industry nears the 25th anniversary of DSHEA, this is a fair question, says NI’s Hank Schultz. Are dietary supplements getting any better, or are the new products that come on to the market a matter of churn, replacing tired packaging and marketing concepts with updated versions?SPORTS NUTRITION
Non-compliance in sports nutrition: Why firms must get on board for the greater goodLike all emerging industries, sports nutrition thrives on innovation and a degree of risk-taking that has seen the likes of ketone-based drinks, probiotics and human milk oligosaccharides emerge as credible mainstream products. But now there is fear that the impending regulatory landscape will stifle new ideas and directions, citing a duty to ensure consumer safety.UNPA MEMBER NEWS
DigeZyme demonstrates efficacy in management of dyspeptic symptomsA randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study published in the peer reviewed Journal of Medicinal Foods provided clinical evidence supporting the safety and efficacy of Sabinsa's multi-enzyme complex DigeZyme, a proprietary blend of non-animal sourced enzymes, in the management of dyspeptic symptoms in patients with functional dyspepsia.
 Sabinsa video showcases contract manufacturing expertiseContract manufacturing is a critical component of the dietary supplement industry, and marketers are always seeking the best possible partner to deliver innovative formulations to market. Sabinsa’s Shaheen Majeed, president-worldwide, offers his insight on how the company developed its contract manufacturing operation and continues to raise the bar on quality.
 OmniActive adds new CFO and VP of global marketingOmniActive Health Technologies continues to expand and solidify its capabilities by hiring Vikas Jalan as chief financial officer and Arti Shah as VP of global marketing. Jalan is a seasoned professional with diverse experience with global companies in India, the U.S., China and the Philippines. Shah will be responsible for all marketing initiatives for both the Nutritional Innovations and Solutions and Specialty Botanicals & Extracts segments of OmniActive.MOU PARTNER NEWS
GOED: Reaching the omega-3 consumer—strategies for successLearning how to talk to consumers is vital to success in today’s omega-3 marketplace. The article offers three things to consider when undertaking a consumer education program.SUPPLY CHAIN SUSTAINABILITY
Demand for sustainable products transforming supply chainTo support sustainability and transparency, industry is working toward common goals, such as securing the supply chain, reversing the effects of climate change and improving collaboration among players.INNOVATION
MycoTech brings mushroom-based bitter blocker to EuropeAs U.S. supplier MycoTechnology turns it attention to the European market, its CEO explained how fermented mushrooms can reduce sugar, block bitterness and improve the nutritional content of plant proteins.
 As protein category crowds, start-up Vade Nutrition shakes things up with dissolvable scoop podsA Michigan-based, family start up wants to shake up protein shakes with dissolveable scoop pods. The rise of these ready-to-drink protein products is market confirmation that the idea may have legs.EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

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

Clinical Brand Manager (N.D., D.C., nutritionist), posted by Ortho Molecular Products

Asian Field Manager in Toronto, posted by USANA Health Sciences  
Research Scientist, posted by Eurofins Scientific Inc.

Consulting Services:  Kyle Griffiths, formerly division president of Global Health Industries, is now an independent consultant and can be reached on 801.540.2966, kylejgriffiths61@gmail.com.INDUSTRY AWARDS
Informa names 7th annual Supplyside CPG Editor’s Choice Award finalistsInforma Exhibitions announced the finalists for its seventh annual SupplySide CPG Editor’s Choice Awards. Five consumer packaged goods products were selected per category by the SupplySide editorial team for achievements in innovation and market impact in 28 categories. UNPA member NOW is among the finalists.MARKETING
Getting social: Compliant marketing via social mediaAdvertising on the internet is not a license to make claims with reckless abandon. Lately, FDA and FTC have stepped up their enforcement of certain advertising practices used by companies on social media.MARKET RESEARCH
Probiotics in Brazil: Women’s health the second most observed benefit in online probiotics spaceDigestive health is the most observed health benefit in Brazil’s fledgling probiotic space, but it may come as a surprise to many that women’s health is second, according to data from Lumina Intelligence.
 Digestive enzyme opportunities: High protein, plant sources, pet health and moreDigestive health is a growing market with ample opportunities for manufacturer and brand expansion. Take digestive enzyme supplements. While sports nutrition products remain the top market category for digestive enzymes, accounting for 82 percent of all product launches, data from Innova Market Research shows that digestive enzymes are branching into more categories.RESEARCH
High casein intake before sleep may benefit metabolic rate in active women, study suggestsConsumption of casein before sleep was linked to improved resting metabolic rate the next morning and “trivial” changes in resistance-exercise performance, say researchers from Elon University in North Carolina.
 First-of-its-kind trial in India to test maternal DHA supplementation’s effect on offspring’s neurodevelopmentAn ongoing multi-country study led by the Public Health Foundation of India is trying to determine if maternal DHA supplementation may have beneficial effects on neurodevelopment of the offspring during its first 1,000 days of life.
 Boysenberry useful against endothelial dysfunction in both mice and humans: Japanese studyBoysenberry polyphenols and anthocyanins may be able to inhibit blood and lymphatic vessel dysfunction and to help maintain vascular stability, according to a study from Japan’s Niigata University.
 Omega-3 supplementation improved immune function in GI cancer patients post-surgery, says meta-analysisShort-term omega-3 supplementation in post-surgical gastrointestinal cancer patients improved post-operative indicators of immune function, inflammation, and other post-operative outcomes, according to meta-analysis of 16 randomized controlled trials published in the journal Medicine.
 Folic acid supplementation does not reduce pre-eclampsia in high risk women, study findsThe elusive search for pre-eclampsia prevention rumbles on as researchers find not even a high dose of folic acid is enough to ward off the condition in high-risk women, according to a study at the Ottawa Research Institute in Canada.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.