Judge stays Annie's ‘natural’ suit, speculating that FDA will soon rule on term's use

​LEGAL
Judge stays Annie's ‘natural’ suit, speculating that FDA will soon rule on term's use
Foodnavigator-usa.comThe judge handling a putative class-action suit regarding natural claims on Annie’s salad dressings has put the case on hold, citing primary jurisdiction grounds and speculating that FDA is likely to address the use of the term in the near future. FDA’s silence on the issue since 2015, when it called for comments on defining natural, has prompted some judges not to stay cases. If FDA does not rule on the term by January, both parties will have to file a status on their perspectives. Read more→

UNPA NEWS
More seats added for PCQI training in Salt Lake City, Dec. 6-8
Due to demand, UNPA has added an additional instructor and 15 more seats to its 2.5-day Preventive Controls Qualified Individual (PCQI) training, Dec. 6-8, in downtown Salt Lake City. $200 discount for UNPA members. Learn more, including who must be trained, and why it's a very good idea for many other companies to have a PCQI on staff, at the UNPA website.

UNPA now offering expanded menu of onsite training
UNPA has expanded its menu of onsite training to include GMP auditing, mock facilities inspections, as well as PCQI and FSVP training. Learn why this can be a time-saving, cost-effective option for your company.

NEW! UNPA's Larisa Pavlick to conduct FSMA workshop at 2018 GOED Exchange
UNPA’s Larisa Pavlick will present a pre-conference workshop entitled “The Food Safety Modernization Act and What It Means to You," at the 2018 GOED Exchange The workshop, which is free for GOED Exchange attendees, will cover two of the key rules affecting the industry including the Preventive Controls for Human Food (PCHF) rule and the Foreign Supplier Verification Program (FSVP). The presentation will also introduce the requirements for a Food Safety Plan (FSP) specific to the omega-3 industry industry and walk through the expectations of the FDA. See "UNPA MEMBER DISCOUNTS" to the right for discounted registration information.

Recently posted at unpa.com:
NEW! FTC Update:President nominates two for FTC; third nomination likely soon (Member log in required)
NEW! About naturopathic medicine and link to frequently asked questions
Larisa Pavlick's PPT presentation at the 2017 Rocky Mountain Dietary Supplement Forum, Oct. 10, in Boulder, Colo.: "FDA Top 10 Citations & Potential Solutions" (Log in)
Loren Israelsen's PPT for his presentation at the FDA ODI meeting, Oct. 3, in College Park, Md. (Log in)
The PPT for the UNPA Members' Meeting at the 2017 SupplySide West (log in)
Larisa Pavlick's 2017 SupplySide West Center Stage presentation on FSMA, including PCQI (log in)
Nutraingredients-usa.com interview with Larisa Pavlick on FSMA issues, including FSVP
Updated PCQI FAQ
Plus, updated industry events calendar, Member Memos (log in) and UNPA educational archives (log in).REGULATORY
FDA to rule on definition of dietary fiberNPR.org
Inulin, soluble corn fiber and polydextrose—these are some of the isolated or synthetic fibers that the FDA is weighing as it considers what counts as dietary fiber in packaged products. Critics argue that companies use highly processed or synthetic ingredients to make unhealthy foods appear to be high in fiber and, thus, more appealing to health-conscious consumers. Read more→
MARKET RESEARCH
CRN supplement survey shows usage high and trust on the riseNutraceuticals World
The 2017 CRN Consumer Survey on Dietary Supplements found 76 percent of U.S. adults reported consuming dietary supplements, an all-time high and an increase of five percentage points from lastyear’s results. The survey also found that nearly nine in 10 (87 percent) of U.S. adultshave confidence in the safety, quality and effectiveness of dietary supplements overall. Read more→
LEGISLATION
Massachusetts bill seeks to hinder sales of weight-loss supplements to minorsNutraingredients-usa.com
Industry is working to derail a state bill that attacks weight loss and muscle-building supplements. Introduced by Massachusetts State Sen. Kay Khan, D-Newton, the bill seeks to prevent minors from purchasing OTC diet pills or supplements for weight loss or muscle building. Read more→
GLOBAL REGULATORY
EU sees mounting pressure to ban glyphosateFoodnavigator.com
Calls to ban glyphosate in Europe are gaining steam ahead of a vote on whetherto renew the controversial weed killers’ license this week. EU member states are expected to vote on the license renewal in December. Read more→MARKET TRENDS
CVS bets on private label to boost salesForbes.com
CVS has watched its front-of-store retail sales fall all year amid shopper-traffic declines and heightened competition from discounters, such as WalMart and Amazon. But in those quieter aisles you’ll find some of the drugstore chain’s hottest-selling fare, not available anywhere else, as the chain bets on private label brands and quirky products to revive its sales. Read more→OPINION
Supply chain pressure ushers in a new era of vigilance for manufacturersNatural Products INSIDER
Over the past 30 years, much has changed in the way products are sourced, manufactured, tested and distributed. In this article, Mark LaDoux, founder, chairman and CEO of Natural Alternatives International, notes that in just about the span of a generation, the world has completely changed for companies in the dietary supplement space. The new era, he said, reflects an adage by former President Reagan, “Trust, but verify.” LaDoux provides insights on what to question and how to verify. Read more→
MEDIA
Hearst makes deal to buy Rodale books, magazinesFolio Magazine
Aftermuch speculation about the future of magazine brands, such as Men’s Health,Women’s Health, and Prevention, Hearst announced that it has entered an agreement with Rodale to acquire its magazineand book publishing businesses, ending 87 years of family ownershipat the Emmaus, Pa.-based wellness publisher. Read more→
GMOs
USDA moves forward on directive to define, implement GMO lawNatural Products INSIDER
The growing emphasis on transparency underscores the not-yet-defined genetically modified organism (GMO) labeling disclosures that will be required under the National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standardlaw that was enacted in July 2016. USDA recently took a significant step toward accomplishing its directive to draft rules implementing the law that will force manufacturers to disclose the presence of GMO ingredients in their foods. Read more→
ORGANIC
USDA data shows 15 percent increase in organic acreageUSDA.gov
Certified-organic acreage in the U.S. grew 15 percent in 2016, while the number of organic farms jumped 11 percent, according to new data from USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. California leads the way in acreage, sales and number of farms. Behind California in certified organic sales are Pennsylvania and Washington. Read more→
MEDIA WATCH
Singapore study links birthwort to cancer mutationNewsweek
A study has found that a chemical in the herb, birthwort, may cause cancer or kidney problems. Researchers at Duke–NUS Medical School in Singapore have now found high rates of a particular, uncommon genetic mutation that scientists already knew was associated with birthwort. FDA published an alert on the herb in 2001, and ABC says most herbalists are aware of the issue. Read more→UNPA MEMBER NEWS
Nu Skin announces growth strategy, new products at annual conferenceNu Skin Enterprises Inc.
Nu Skin Enterprises concluded its sold-out Nu Skin global LIVE! event inSalt Lake Citywith the company's sales leaders and customers, along with tens of thousands of viewers from around the world, via live stream. During the event, company leaders outlined Nu Skin's growth strategy focused on engaging platforms, enabling products and empowering programs. The company also raised funds for children's causes around the world as part of the Nu Skin's Force for Good initiatives. Read more→Ortho Molecular chooses NattoPharma as exclusive vitamin K2 partnerNutraceuticals World
Nattopharma (Oslo, Norway, and Metuchen, N.J.) has been selected by Ortho Molecular Products, a producer of practitioner-specific nutraceuticals, as its exclusive vitamin K2 supplier partner. The company will transition the seven products in its line currently featuring vitamin K2 to MenaQ7 PRO, a unique line extension available only to Ortho Molecular. Read more→

OmniActive Health receives product leadership awardFrost & Sullivan
Based on its recent analysis of the eye health ingredient market, Frost & Sullivan has recognized OmniActive Health Technologies with the 2017 North American Product Leadership Award. OmniActive’s strong R&D culture, vertically integrated manufacturingand quality control systems (cGMP and HACCP systems) in all of its FDA CFR110 cGMP-audited facilities, has positioned the company as a market leader with Lutemax2020. Read more→
Vitamin Shoppe platform fosters buyer, vendor relationshipsDrug Store News
Vitamin Shoppe is using a new platform called RangeMe to allow category managers to find new products and brands and foster vendor relationships.RangeMe’s platform is created to put innovative products in front of the right buyers by offering broad exposure for vendors to a variety of retailers. The Vitamin Shoppe said it hoped to enhance its sourcing capabilities by using the platform. Read more→
CONSUMER EDUCATION
Center for integrative health launches program to make science accessibleNIH.gov
The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, part ofthe National Institutes of Health, has launched "Know the Science," an initiative aiming to clarify and explain scientific topics related to health research. This effort features a variety of materials, including interactive modules, quizzes, and videos to provide engaging, straightforward content for consumers to dive in and get to know the science. Read more→
OMEGA-3s
GOED’s Rice provides advice on navigating global omega-3 regulationsNatural Products INSIDER
The U.S. government is currently reviewing health claims for omega-3s and selected omega-3s as a priority to review for possible dietary reference intakes. In Japan, most of the omega-3 products submitted for approved claims under the foods with function claims category are for triglyceride-lowering or cognition. Harry Rice, VP, regulatory and scientific affairs for GOED, discusses the upcoming changes and complicated regulatory landscape for omega-3s. Read more→

RESEARCH
Sea buckthorn, whey for sports; curcumin boosts gut diversity; study reveals vitamin D mechanisms; rose hips lowers UTIs; krill supports arteriesNutraingredients.com, Nutraingredients-usa.com, Nutritional Outlook
Sea buckthorn extract microencapsulated in whey protein isolate demonstrates an antioxidant activity that suggests a role in sports nutrition and other various nutraceutical applications, according to a study from researchers in Romania.Curcumin may help reverse decreases in gut bacteria diversity after ovariectomy, according to a recent rodent study from China published in Nutrients. Evidence of distinct separate mechanisms regulating vitamin D activation is revealed by a recent mouse study from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and published in the Journalof Biological Chemistry. Capsules containing 500 mg of R. caninarose hips fared better than a placebo in reducing urinary tract infectionincidences in mothers following a cesarean section birth, according to a new study from the University of Medical Sciences in Tabriz, Iran. Biotechnology company Rimfrost announced the online publication of a study in the Journal of Molecular Nutrition and Food Research showing that krill-derived ingredients reduce atherosclerosis in mice. Read coverage:
Sea buckthorn, whey protein encapsulation: A boon for sports nutrition?→
Could curcumin benefit gut diversity and prevent post-menopausal weight gain?→
New insights into vitamin D activation mechanisms revealed: Study→
Rose hip supplementation significantly lowered UTI incidences in women, post C section, study finds→
Krill-derived ingredients may reduce atherosclerosis, animal study→
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. Read more→