Natural health retailers are very familiar with antibiotic resistance. It's easy to grow a bit numb about how this is actually a problem that is deepening in the population. We have a great many products to address this for concerned consumers and there's nowhere else to turn
Antibiotic Drug Resistance on the Rise
by GoozNews ~ 28 Jun 2010 07:20am
(Reuters, June 21): Many such drug distribution programs may be driving drug resistance and endangering the lives they are meant to save, according to the report from the Center for Global Development.
"Drug resistance is a natural occurrence, but careless practices in drug supply and use are hastening it unnecessarily," the Center's Rachel Nugent, who led the group writing the report, said in a statement.
View Original Article Here
Monday, June 28, 2010
RESEARCH NEWS: Study Connects Vitamin D and Cogition in Seniors
Another week and another fresh vitamin D study. Both the subject - vitamin D and cognition - and the authors are of interest to natural retailers.
Medical News Today
Link Between Vitamin D And Mental Agility In Elders
28 Jun 2010
At a time when consumer interest in health-enhancing foods is high, Agricultural Research Service (ARS)-funded scientists have contributed to a limited but growing body of evidence of a link between vitamin D and cognitive function.
Cognitive function is measured by the level at which the brain is able to manage and use available information for activities of daily life. Alzheimer's disease, the most common form of age-related dementia, affects about 47 percent of adults aged 85 years or older in the United States. Identifying nutritional factors that lower cognitive dysfunction and help preserve independent living provides economic and public health benefits, according to authors.
View Original Article Here
Medical News Today
Link Between Vitamin D And Mental Agility In Elders
28 Jun 2010
At a time when consumer interest in health-enhancing foods is high, Agricultural Research Service (ARS)-funded scientists have contributed to a limited but growing body of evidence of a link between vitamin D and cognitive function.
Cognitive function is measured by the level at which the brain is able to manage and use available information for activities of daily life. Alzheimer's disease, the most common form of age-related dementia, affects about 47 percent of adults aged 85 years or older in the United States. Identifying nutritional factors that lower cognitive dysfunction and help preserve independent living provides economic and public health benefits, according to authors.
View Original Article Here
BUSINESS NEWS: Neptune Drops Private Placement
The effects of the recession means it's hard for companies to raise capital on affordable terms. Neptune opts to wait.
After being solicited by Paradigm Capital Inc. Neptune decided, while market conditions were favorable, to raise money through a brokered private placement in order to increase its treasury. However, considering current market conditions and Neptune stock performance, Neptune has decided not to proceed with the private placement.
View Original Statement Here
Neptune Announces Cancellation of Financing
Laval, Québec, CANADA –June 17, 2010 – Neptune Technologies & Bioressources Inc. (“Neptune”) (NASDAQ.NEPT - TSX.V.NTB) announces that, due to market conditions, it will not be proceeding with the private placement as announced in a news release dated May 4, 2010.After being solicited by Paradigm Capital Inc. Neptune decided, while market conditions were favorable, to raise money through a brokered private placement in order to increase its treasury. However, considering current market conditions and Neptune stock performance, Neptune has decided not to proceed with the private placement.
View Original Statement Here
INDUSTRY NEWS; Natrol and Walmart Team Up
A bit of an unusual product development here. A Natrol branded specialty line but exclusively designed for one retailer.
Walmart Stores to provide Natrol on Shelf with Vitamins in US
Walmart and Natrol, a premier marketer, manufacturer, and distributor of nationally branded nutritional products - are making it easier for women to find the health supplements they want and need via a new Natrol for women grouping at US Walmart’s in-store vitamin section.
View Original Release Here
Walmart Stores to provide Natrol on Shelf with Vitamins in US
Walmart and Natrol, a premier marketer, manufacturer, and distributor of nationally branded nutritional products - are making it easier for women to find the health supplements they want and need via a new Natrol for women grouping at US Walmart’s in-store vitamin section.
View Original Release Here
INDUSTRY NEWS; New Euromonitor Report on Natural Beverage Trends
Changes are coming fast in the natural beverage market. The whole category has widened out considerable offering retailers much more opportunity. On the supplier side new formulations are entering the market regularly. This Euromonitor trend report details this
Ingredient Trends in Beverages - Driving Towards "Natural Health"
Published by Euromonitor International on May 27, 2010 , 28 pages
Health and wellness have long been significant themes in global beverage innovation, influencing ingredient choice in a wide range of different categories. Today, however, naturalness is having just as much of an impact on product development and the provision of 'natural health' has become the number one focus for beverage formulators. This report explores trends in beverage ingredients, identifying key market drivers and sizes, and highlighting global differences.
View the Original Release Here
Ingredient Trends in Beverages - Driving Towards "Natural Health"
Published by Euromonitor International on May 27, 2010 , 28 pages
Health and wellness have long been significant themes in global beverage innovation, influencing ingredient choice in a wide range of different categories. Today, however, naturalness is having just as much of an impact on product development and the provision of 'natural health' has become the number one focus for beverage formulators. This report explores trends in beverage ingredients, identifying key market drivers and sizes, and highlighting global differences.
View the Original Release Here
Friday, June 25, 2010
RESEARCH NEWS: Pycnogenol for Allergies
The June 14, 2010 issue of Phytotherapy Research published a study demonstrating that Pycnogenol substantially improves hay fever symptoms.
Natural Products Insider
Pycnogenol Decreases Allergy Symptoms
View Original Article Here
Natural Products Insider
Pycnogenol Decreases Allergy Symptoms
HOBOKEN, N.J.—A study published in the June 14, 2010 issue of Phytotherapy Research demonstrated Pycnogenol®, an antioxidant plant extract derived from the bark of the French maritime pine tree, substantially improves the symptoms of hay fever.
In a randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled study conducted by KGK Synergize Inc.,60 subjects between the ages of 18 and 65 began treatment three to eight weeks prior to the onset of birch allergy season in Ontario, Canada. All subjects tested positive for birch pollen allergies, a seasonal trigger of hay fever, as determined by skin prick tests. Patients were assigned to a Pycnogenol group or placebo group according to a computer-generated, randomized schedule. Subjects were instructed to take either 50 mg of Pycnogenol or placebo twice daily, once in the morning and once in the evening throughout the allergy season. Patients were allowed to use non-prescription antihistamines as needed and recorded usage and dosage in treatment journals.
View Original Article Here
INDUSTRY NEWS: CRN GMP Compliance Into Effect Today
The Council for Responsible Nutrition's dietary supplement-specific GMP-compliance regulation goes into full effect today. Eyes are on the FDA to ensure that the practices will be adhered to.
Nutraceuticals World
CRN Applauds Final GMP Compliance Deadline
The Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN), Washington, D.C., noted that all dietary supplement manufacturers—from largest to smallest—are now legally bound to comply with dietary supplement-specific good manufacturing practices (GMPs) as the regulation goes into full effect today.
With the third and final phase-in of the law, small dietary supplement firms (those with less than 20 employees) now join large and mid-sized companies in the legal requirement to be GMP-compliant.
View Original Article Here
Nutraceuticals World
CRN Applauds Final GMP Compliance Deadline
The Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN), Washington, D.C., noted that all dietary supplement manufacturers—from largest to smallest—are now legally bound to comply with dietary supplement-specific good manufacturing practices (GMPs) as the regulation goes into full effect today.
With the third and final phase-in of the law, small dietary supplement firms (those with less than 20 employees) now join large and mid-sized companies in the legal requirement to be GMP-compliant.
View Original Article Here
INDUSTRY NEWS: Whole Foods Announces Guidelines for 'Organic' Personal Care
Whole Foods Market has announced new guidelines for personal care products in the Company's stores. For goods to be sold as 'organic', manufacturers will have to meet certification requirements of the USDA's NOP or the NSF ANSI standards. Another step in industry self-regulation, this is an endeavour to distinguish "real" organic products from those on the market that only claim to be natural or organic while still containing unlisted or dangerous ingredients, and may put pressure on other retailers to follow suit.
Nutrition Business Journal
Whole Foods Cracks Down on 'Organic' Personal Care Products
June 22, 2010
Whole Foods Market wants organic personal care products to actually be organic before it agrees to carry them in stores. The company announced new guidelines last week raising the marketing standard for personal care and beauty products to that of the organic food it sells. Depending on the specific product claim, manufacturers will soon be required to meet the certification requirements of USDA’s National Organic Program (NOP) or the NSF ANSI 305 standard for personal care products. In a statement, Joe Dickson, quality standards coordinator at Whole Foods, said: “We believe that the ‘organic’ claim used on personal care products should have just as strong a meaning as the ‘organic’ claim used on food products, which is currently regulated by USDA’s NOP.”
View Original Article Here
Nutrition Business Journal
Whole Foods Cracks Down on 'Organic' Personal Care Products
June 22, 2010
Whole Foods Market wants organic personal care products to actually be organic before it agrees to carry them in stores. The company announced new guidelines last week raising the marketing standard for personal care and beauty products to that of the organic food it sells. Depending on the specific product claim, manufacturers will soon be required to meet the certification requirements of USDA’s National Organic Program (NOP) or the NSF ANSI 305 standard for personal care products. In a statement, Joe Dickson, quality standards coordinator at Whole Foods, said: “We believe that the ‘organic’ claim used on personal care products should have just as strong a meaning as the ‘organic’ claim used on food products, which is currently regulated by USDA’s NOP.”
View Original Article Here
BUSINESS NEWS: Statistics Canada Retail Trade Data for April 2010
Statistics Canada has released retail trade data for April 2010, which shows that retail sales dropped in all provinces in the month of April. Food and beverage stores sales were down 0.5% in April after rising for the previous three months.
Statistics Canada
Retail Trade - April 2010
Retail sales decreased 2.0% in current dollars to $36.2 billion in April following a gain of similar magnitude in March. Sales decreased in 10 of 11 retail subsectors and in all provinces.
Statistics Canada
Retail Trade - April 2010
Retail sales decreased 2.0% in current dollars to $36.2 billion in April following a gain of similar magnitude in March. Sales decreased in 10 of 11 retail subsectors and in all provinces.
Sales in volume terms decreased 1.9% in April. Retail sales have been following an upward trend since the beginning of 2009.
View Original Article HereRESEARCH NEWS: Resveratrol for Alzheimer's
Findings recently published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry point to resveratrol's neutralizing action against the toxic effects of proteins linked to Alzehimer's.
Natural Products Insider
Resveratrol Offers Clues to Alzheimer's
TROY, N.Y.—Resveratrol, an organic compound found in red wine, has the ability to neutralize the toxic effects of proteins linked to Alzheimer’s disease, according to research led by Professor Peter M. Tessier of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. The findings, published in the May 28 edition of the Journal of Biological Chemistry, are a step toward understanding the large-scale death of brain cells seen in certain neurodegenerative diseases.
“We’ve shown how resveratrol has very interesting selectivity to target and neutralize a select set of toxic peptide isoforms,” Tessier said. “Because resveratrol picks out the clumps of peptides that are bad and leaves alone the ones that are benign, it helps us to think about the structural differences between the peptide isoforms.”
View Original Article Here
Thursday, June 24, 2010
INDUSTRY NEWS: Study Finds U.S. Health Care System is the Worst on the Planet
This study by the Commonwealth Fund couldn't put matters better. Everyone in natural health knows this generally but here is clean, blunt confirmation.
The Toronto Sun
U.S. dead last in healthcare study
By Maggie Fox, REUTERS Last Updated: June 24, 2010 1:21am
WASHINGTON - Americans spend twice as much as residents of other developed countries on healthcare, but get lower quality, less efficiency and have the least equitable system, according to a report released Wednesday.
The United States ranked last when compared to six other countries -- Britain, Canada, Germany, Netherlands, Australia and New Zealand, the Commonwealth Fund report found.
"As an American it just bothers me that with all of our know-how, all of our wealth, that we are not assuring that people who need healthcare can get it," Commonwealth Fund president Karen Davis told reporters in a telephone briefing.
View Original Article Here
The Toronto Sun
U.S. dead last in healthcare study
By Maggie Fox, REUTERS Last Updated: June 24, 2010 1:21am
WASHINGTON - Americans spend twice as much as residents of other developed countries on healthcare, but get lower quality, less efficiency and have the least equitable system, according to a report released Wednesday.
The United States ranked last when compared to six other countries -- Britain, Canada, Germany, Netherlands, Australia and New Zealand, the Commonwealth Fund report found.
"As an American it just bothers me that with all of our know-how, all of our wealth, that we are not assuring that people who need healthcare can get it," Commonwealth Fund president Karen Davis told reporters in a telephone briefing.
View Original Article Here
MEDICAL NEWS; Study Knocks Docs for Cervical Cancer Screening
The overuse of medical imaging has emerged as a major health policy issue. Not only do such practices burn up a lot of money, but consumers are often needlessly panicked.
Hamilton Spectator
Doctors screen for cervical cancer too often: study
June 22, 2010 Marissa Cevallos
McClatchy-Tribune Information Services
(Jun 22, 2010)
It sounds like the breast-cancer debate all over again: A new study has found that doctors have been overzealous in advising women to be screened for cervical cancer.
Although physician groups recommend that women older than 30 get a Pap test every three years, a survey of more than 1,200 doctors in a recent issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association found thatMEDICAL about two-thirds would recommend patients be screened more often.
View Original Article Here
Hamilton Spectator
Doctors screen for cervical cancer too often: study
June 22, 2010 Marissa Cevallos
McClatchy-Tribune Information Services
(Jun 22, 2010)
It sounds like the breast-cancer debate all over again: A new study has found that doctors have been overzealous in advising women to be screened for cervical cancer.
Although physician groups recommend that women older than 30 get a Pap test every three years, a survey of more than 1,200 doctors in a recent issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association found thatMEDICAL about two-thirds would recommend patients be screened more often.
View Original Article Here
MEDICAL NEWS; Vitamin D for Childhood Asthma
Another Vitamin D Study. They seem endless. The public see them and so do natural retailers, which is good for both.
Insufficient vitamin D tied to severe asthma attacks
Wed Jun 23, 2010 3:28pm EDT
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Asthmatic children with relatively low vitamin D levels in their blood may have a greater risk of suffering severe asthma attacks than those with higher levels of the vitamin, a new study suggests.
The study, which followed more than 1,000 children with asthma for four years, found those with vitamin-D "insufficiency" at the outset were more likely to have an asthma attack that required a trip to the hospital.
View the Article Here
Insufficient vitamin D tied to severe asthma attacks
Wed Jun 23, 2010 3:28pm EDT
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Asthmatic children with relatively low vitamin D levels in their blood may have a greater risk of suffering severe asthma attacks than those with higher levels of the vitamin, a new study suggests.
The study, which followed more than 1,000 children with asthma for four years, found those with vitamin-D "insufficiency" at the outset were more likely to have an asthma attack that required a trip to the hospital.
View the Article Here
INDUSTRY NEWS: Natural and Organic Consumer Trend Survey
A very nice and useful survey for natural retailers
Trend Spotting: What are Natural and Organic Food Consumers Looking For?
Mambo Sprouts Survey
When the natural food section at my local supermarket expanded from three shelves to three full aisles two years ago, I got the strong impression that I was no longer one of the “few” consumers scrutinizing labels for all-natural and special diet foods. Demand is thankfully growing, and my favorite coupon site, Mambo Sprouts, used their marketing research team to find out what drives natural and organic food consumers. The results were surprising and intriguing … for me at least. Check out the stats and see what groups your shopping habits fall into:
80% of natural and organic consumers (so we are talking a specialty group already, not the public at large) regularly read labels for ingredient and nutrition information and are interested in purchasing functional foods with added health benefits. 39% checked off that they were very interested in functional foods.
View the article here
Trend Spotting: What are Natural and Organic Food Consumers Looking For?
Mambo Sprouts Survey
When the natural food section at my local supermarket expanded from three shelves to three full aisles two years ago, I got the strong impression that I was no longer one of the “few” consumers scrutinizing labels for all-natural and special diet foods. Demand is thankfully growing, and my favorite coupon site, Mambo Sprouts, used their marketing research team to find out what drives natural and organic food consumers. The results were surprising and intriguing … for me at least. Check out the stats and see what groups your shopping habits fall into:
80% of natural and organic consumers (so we are talking a specialty group already, not the public at large) regularly read labels for ingredient and nutrition information and are interested in purchasing functional foods with added health benefits. 39% checked off that they were very interested in functional foods.
View the article here
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
RESEARCH NEWS: Pycnogenol alleviates allergy symptoms
Evidence supporting the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of Pycnogenol and related ingredients continues to pile up. The range of therapeutic applications increases as well.
Research shows Pycnogenol decreases nasal and ocular symptoms in allergic rhinitis patients
Research shows Pycnogenol decreases nasal and ocular symptoms in allergic rhinitis patients
HOBOKEN, N.J., June 23 /PRNewswire/ -- An estimated 60 million people in the U.S. are affected by allergic rhinitis, commonly known as hay fever, according to the American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology. Hay fever is an allergic inflammation of the nasal airways that causes itching, swelling, mucus production, hives and rashes. A study published in the June 14, 2010 issue of Phytotherapy Research demonstrates Pycnogenol® (pic-noj-en-all), an antioxidant plant extract derived from the bark of the French maritime pine tree, substantially improves the symptoms of hay fever.
MEDICAL NEWS; Another Vitamin D Boosts Immunity Study
I was at a hospital yesterday that was plastered with signs warning of nosocominal infections. Then I read this study, which is representative of many others. What happened to 'evidence-based' medicine?
Foodconsumer.com
New Evidence: Vitamin D Prevents Flu
Foodconsumer.com
New Evidence: Vitamin D Prevents Flu
A new study published in the peer-reviewed open access journal PloS ONE has confirmed that maintaining high levels of serum vitamin D prevents flu and other respiratory tract infections.
The study showed that men and women who had high levels of vitamin D in their blood were much less likely to acquire respiratory tract infections.
Monday, June 21, 2010
INDUSTRY NEWS; redleaf Offers to Water the G20 Summit
Very innovative! Are they sending enough to fill the Fake Lake?
Earthtimes.org (Press Release)
redleaf Water Offers To Help Curb The Canadian Government’s Cost Of Hosting G-8 And G-20 Summits By Providing Free Ultra-Premium Water
Posted on : 2010-06-21 | Author : PRWeb
Chilliwack, British Columbia (PRWEB) June 21, 2010 -- With Canadian citizens up in arms about the rising costs of their nation hosting the G-8 and G-20 summits later this month (some experts estimate that security alone will cost more than $900 million), redleaf water, Canada’s only Ultra-Premium bottled water, has offered to provide free water to all participants in both summits, the company announced today.
View Full Article Here
Earthtimes.org (Press Release)
redleaf Water Offers To Help Curb The Canadian Government’s Cost Of Hosting G-8 And G-20 Summits By Providing Free Ultra-Premium Water
Posted on : 2010-06-21 | Author : PRWeb
Chilliwack, British Columbia (PRWEB) June 21, 2010 -- With Canadian citizens up in arms about the rising costs of their nation hosting the G-8 and G-20 summits later this month (some experts estimate that security alone will cost more than $900 million), redleaf water, Canada’s only Ultra-Premium bottled water, has offered to provide free water to all participants in both summits, the company announced today.
View Full Article Here
INDUSTRY NEWS; Vitamin Price Fixing Case Settlement
This and related settlements from vitamin price fixing legal cases are now working their way through to local juridictions. The big primary vitamin manufacturers got caught with their hands in the cookie jar. Just a cost of doing business?
Vermont gets $65,000 in price-fixing case involving vitamins settled
Free Press Staff Report • Saturday, June 19, 2010
Vermont will receive more than $65,000 from a settlement with an international group of vitamin manufacturers. Vermont was one of 22 states and class-action plaintiffs that alleged vitamin manufacturers had engaged in a price-fixing conspiracy.
Under the agreement approved Friday, the Vermont Foodbank will receive nearly $50,000; the Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation will receive $10,000 for a new multi-use trail in Sharon; and the rest will cover the state's legal costs, according to the Attorney General's Office.
A separate fund has been created to compensate affected businesses.
Because there was no way to determine which consumers overpaid and by how much, the court approved distribution of settlement funds to certain not-for-profit and governmental organizations "with the express purpose of ensuring that the funds be used for the improvement of the health and/or nutrition of the citizens" of each state.
Vermont businesses that purchased any of the vitamins involved between 1988 and 2000 may make a claim to obtain money from the commercial portion of the settlement.
View the Complete Article Here
Vermont gets $65,000 in price-fixing case involving vitamins settled
Free Press Staff Report • Saturday, June 19, 2010
Vermont will receive more than $65,000 from a settlement with an international group of vitamin manufacturers. Vermont was one of 22 states and class-action plaintiffs that alleged vitamin manufacturers had engaged in a price-fixing conspiracy.
Under the agreement approved Friday, the Vermont Foodbank will receive nearly $50,000; the Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation will receive $10,000 for a new multi-use trail in Sharon; and the rest will cover the state's legal costs, according to the Attorney General's Office.
A separate fund has been created to compensate affected businesses.
Because there was no way to determine which consumers overpaid and by how much, the court approved distribution of settlement funds to certain not-for-profit and governmental organizations "with the express purpose of ensuring that the funds be used for the improvement of the health and/or nutrition of the citizens" of each state.
Vermont businesses that purchased any of the vitamins involved between 1988 and 2000 may make a claim to obtain money from the commercial portion of the settlement.
View the Complete Article Here
REGULATORY NEWS; Nurse Practitioners to the Rescue
The options keep widening for consumers who are not satisfied with conventional medicine. From midwives to homeopaths, naturopaths to nurse practitioners. This is the government's way of doing an end run around the high cost monopoly of drug and surgery physicians.
London Free Press
Nurse practitioners offer communities options for health care
By MARILYN LINTON, QMI Agency
Last Updated: June 21, 2010 9:25am
My cousin never goes to a doctor, yet she’s receiving excellent care. She sees Barbara, a nurse practitioner, who attends to most of her medical needs from ordering X-rays to diagnosing and managing her diabetes, from prescribing an antibiotic cream to referring her on to an ophthalmologist or other medical specialists.
Here I am in a big city, just minutes away from world-class hospitals, yet I regard my cousin and Barbara, both of whom live in a small Ontario town, as working on the cutting edge of medicine. In fact, some Canadians regard nurse practitioners or NPs as the solution to our crowded and underserved health system. But many others don’t even know what these front-line professionals do - or don’t do.
View the Original Article Here
London Free Press
Nurse practitioners offer communities options for health care
By MARILYN LINTON, QMI Agency
Last Updated: June 21, 2010 9:25am
My cousin never goes to a doctor, yet she’s receiving excellent care. She sees Barbara, a nurse practitioner, who attends to most of her medical needs from ordering X-rays to diagnosing and managing her diabetes, from prescribing an antibiotic cream to referring her on to an ophthalmologist or other medical specialists.
Here I am in a big city, just minutes away from world-class hospitals, yet I regard my cousin and Barbara, both of whom live in a small Ontario town, as working on the cutting edge of medicine. In fact, some Canadians regard nurse practitioners or NPs as the solution to our crowded and underserved health system. But many others don’t even know what these front-line professionals do - or don’t do.
View the Original Article Here
MEDICAL NEWS: Irish Survey Finds Large Numbers Have Food Intolernce
While food intolerances and allergies are nothing new to natural retailers, take a look at the percentages of the population so affected.
Independent.ie
Growing numbers driven nuts by food intolerance
By Eilish O'Regan
Monday June 21 2010
Peanut is the food which Irish people most commonly claim they are allergic to, according to the preliminary results of a survey.
This is followed by cereals containing gluten (35.6pc), eggs (24.1pc) and tree nuts (23.3pc), said the sample of 500 people.
Nearly nine in 10 said they had been medically diagnosed with their particular food allergy, the online survey by the Food Safety Authority found.
Read the Full Story Here
Independent.ie
Growing numbers driven nuts by food intolerance
By Eilish O'Regan
Monday June 21 2010
Peanut is the food which Irish people most commonly claim they are allergic to, according to the preliminary results of a survey.
This is followed by cereals containing gluten (35.6pc), eggs (24.1pc) and tree nuts (23.3pc), said the sample of 500 people.
Nearly nine in 10 said they had been medically diagnosed with their particular food allergy, the online survey by the Food Safety Authority found.
Read the Full Story Here
INDUSTRY NEWS; PetSmart Moves into Natural Pet Foods
Here's a retail trend gathering steam. Natural foods and products for pets. Designed, marketed and sold like natural health products for humans.
June 16, 2010, 9:00 a.m. EDT
Natural Pet Food and Snacks Available at PetSmart this Fall
PHOENIX, Jun 16, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) –
PetSmart(R) will expand its selection of natural pet foods with the addition of Wellness(R) brand pet food and snacks available in stores and online at www.petsmart.com beginning in the fall of 2010. Soon to be the newest specialty pet food line for PetSmart, Wellness is made with only the finest natural ingredients, including lean meats, whole grains, fruits and vegetables, in wet and dry recipes for dogs and cats.
View Original Post Here
June 16, 2010, 9:00 a.m. EDT
Natural Pet Food and Snacks Available at PetSmart this Fall
PHOENIX, Jun 16, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) –
PetSmart(R) will expand its selection of natural pet foods with the addition of Wellness(R) brand pet food and snacks available in stores and online at www.petsmart.com beginning in the fall of 2010. Soon to be the newest specialty pet food line for PetSmart, Wellness is made with only the finest natural ingredients, including lean meats, whole grains, fruits and vegetables, in wet and dry recipes for dogs and cats.
View Original Post Here
BUSINESS NEWS; Immunotec Quarterly Shows Black Ink
Immunotec moves from red ink to black ink. The increase in active distributors in their network system is a sign of confidence.
June 21, 2010, 9:02 a.m. EDT
Immunotec Announces Positive Second Quarter Earnings Results
VAUDREUIL-DORION, QUEBEC, Jun 21, 2010 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) -- Immunotec Inc. /quotes/comstock/11v!imm (CA:IMM 0.37, 0.00, 0.00%)
-- Active Distributors Up 15% to 28,700 after six months
-- Second Quarter Net Earnings of $193 thousand, compared to a loss of
($618) thousand for 2009.
Immunotec Inc. /quotes/comstock/11v!imm (CA:IMM 0.37, 0.00, 0.00%) , a Canadian based company and a leader in the wellness industry (the "Company"), today reported positive results with second quarter 2010, Net Earnings of $193 thousand for the quarter ending April 30, 2010, compared to a loss of ($618) thousand for 2009. After six month, Net Earnings achieved $403 thousand compared to a loss of ($819) thousand last year.
View the complete document here
June 21, 2010, 9:02 a.m. EDT
Immunotec Announces Positive Second Quarter Earnings Results
VAUDREUIL-DORION, QUEBEC, Jun 21, 2010 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) -- Immunotec Inc. /quotes/comstock/11v!imm (CA:IMM 0.37, 0.00, 0.00%)
-- Active Distributors Up 15% to 28,700 after six months
-- Second Quarter Net Earnings of $193 thousand, compared to a loss of
($618) thousand for 2009.
Immunotec Inc. /quotes/comstock/11v!imm (CA:IMM 0.37, 0.00, 0.00%) , a Canadian based company and a leader in the wellness industry (the "Company"), today reported positive results with second quarter 2010, Net Earnings of $193 thousand for the quarter ending April 30, 2010, compared to a loss of ($618) thousand for 2009. After six month, Net Earnings achieved $403 thousand compared to a loss of ($819) thousand last year.
View the complete document here
REGULATORY NEWS; Call fot the Abolition of Dietary Guidelines
There have always been critics of official dietary guidelines. In this feature article, Cardello says they have failed outright and calls for their abolition.
The Atlantic
Why We Should Dump Dietary Guidelines
By Hank Cardello
The 2010 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee just issued its findings and recommendations to encourage healthier eating. Containing no surprises, the Committee's suggestions included four major steps required to help Americans adopt better nutrition and physical activity behaviors, namely:
• Reducing calorie intakes and increasing physical activity
• Shifting to a more plant-based diet
• Reducing the consumption of added sugars, solid fats, sodium, and refined grains, and
• Meeting the 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans.
First published in "pre-obesity" 1980, these reports are issued every five years to provide direction about how dietary intake can reduce risk for major chronic diseases. Since that time, obesity, a diet-related condition, has climbed to become our country's number-one health issue. Rates in this country have skyrocketed to the point where two-thirds of all American adults are now either overweight or obese. Hardly a successful track record.
We must face the music. It's time to drop the Guidelines.
Read the full article here
The Atlantic
Why We Should Dump Dietary Guidelines
By Hank Cardello
The 2010 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee just issued its findings and recommendations to encourage healthier eating. Containing no surprises, the Committee's suggestions included four major steps required to help Americans adopt better nutrition and physical activity behaviors, namely:
• Reducing calorie intakes and increasing physical activity
• Shifting to a more plant-based diet
• Reducing the consumption of added sugars, solid fats, sodium, and refined grains, and
• Meeting the 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans.
First published in "pre-obesity" 1980, these reports are issued every five years to provide direction about how dietary intake can reduce risk for major chronic diseases. Since that time, obesity, a diet-related condition, has climbed to become our country's number-one health issue. Rates in this country have skyrocketed to the point where two-thirds of all American adults are now either overweight or obese. Hardly a successful track record.
We must face the music. It's time to drop the Guidelines.
Read the full article here
MEDICAL NEWS: Problems with Mammogram Testing
Mammograms testing misses cancers. PSA testing finds too many. Problems with the explosion of medical testing and their costs have made this a top-level health policy issue
Mammograms miss up to a fifth of cancers
Joanna Frketich
The Hamilton Spectator
(Jun 21, 2010)
Cancer went undetected for two years in a breast cancer survivor who was under the care of an oncologist and getting yearly mammograms.
A family doctor doing a regular breast exam in April finally caught what two mammograms and a cancer specialist appear to have missed. Judy Gibson's cancer is back and likely has been since 2008, believes her current radiologist.
"I was outraged," said Gibson, a 53-year-old grandma from St. Catharines.
Read this article here
Mammograms miss up to a fifth of cancers
Joanna Frketich
The Hamilton Spectator
(Jun 21, 2010)
Cancer went undetected for two years in a breast cancer survivor who was under the care of an oncologist and getting yearly mammograms.
A family doctor doing a regular breast exam in April finally caught what two mammograms and a cancer specialist appear to have missed. Judy Gibson's cancer is back and likely has been since 2008, believes her current radiologist.
"I was outraged," said Gibson, a 53-year-old grandma from St. Catharines.
Read this article here
Friday, June 18, 2010
INDUSTRY NEWS: Siberian Ginseng Standards Proposed
Manufacturers are increasing aware that they must address concerns about product integrity. Retailers and their customers are looking for this.
| Renhuang Selected by SFDA to Set Siberian Ginseng Tablets Production Standards | | | |
| Posted by mincho2008 | |
| Friday, 18 June 2010 | |
| Renhuang Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Pink Sheets: RHGP) ("Renhuang" or the "Company"), a developer, manufacturer and distributor of botanical products, bio-pharmaceuticals and traditional Chinese medicines ("TCM"), today announced that the Company has been selected by China's State Food & Drug Administration (SFDA) to establish a set of standards that will guide the production of Siberian Ginseng (Acanthopanax) Tablets -based products in China. View Original Article Here |
REGULATORY NEWS; HANS Supports Call for End to Flouridation at Lake Cowichan
An increasing number of municipalities worldwide are ending the practice of fluoridated water. HANS action here ties this in more closely with natural health.
Group urges community to stop fluoridating its drinking water
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
LAKE COWICHAN, BRITISH COLUMBIA — The Health Action Network Society (HANS), a charitable group that focuses on natural health, has called for the community of Lake Cowichan to stop adding fluoride to its drinking water, according to CowichanNewsLeader.com.
To View the Original Article
Group urges community to stop fluoridating its drinking water
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
LAKE COWICHAN, BRITISH COLUMBIA — The Health Action Network Society (HANS), a charitable group that focuses on natural health, has called for the community of Lake Cowichan to stop adding fluoride to its drinking water, according to CowichanNewsLeader.com.
To View the Original Article
Twitter Your Time Away
An innovative marketing initiative. If this works out other companies will likely also explore using social networking tools.
Twitter Event a First for Canadian Natural Health Industry
On June 22, 2010 twenty Health-Nut Twitterholics will do something they've never done before. Each will begin a 7-Day cleanse and nutritional program AND will tweet daily about their experience.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PRLog (Press Release) – Jun 16, 2010 – On June 22, 2010 twenty Health-Nut Twitterholics will do something they've never done before. Each will begin a 7-Day cleanse and nutritional program AND will tweet daily about their experience.
The event was announced June 9 on Twitter and Facebook by Prairie Naturals, Canadian distributor for ReCleanse. It was full to capacity by the next day.
To View The Original Post
Twitter Event a First for Canadian Natural Health Industry
On June 22, 2010 twenty Health-Nut Twitterholics will do something they've never done before. Each will begin a 7-Day cleanse and nutritional program AND will tweet daily about their experience.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PRLog (Press Release) – Jun 16, 2010 – On June 22, 2010 twenty Health-Nut Twitterholics will do something they've never done before. Each will begin a 7-Day cleanse and nutritional program AND will tweet daily about their experience.
The event was announced June 9 on Twitter and Facebook by Prairie Naturals, Canadian distributor for ReCleanse. It was full to capacity by the next day.
To View The Original Post
REGULATORY NEWS; Health Canada Sets Off a Vitamin D Scare
"Health Canada has not received any reports of dosing errors." Health Canada receives lots of reports of dosing errors about pharmaceuticals, yet does nothing. What standards are being applied?
Health Canada urges caution when giving vitamin D to babies
Canwest News ServiceJune 17, 2010
Health Canada says parents and caregivers should use caution when administering vitamin D to infants.
Health Canada says parents and caregivers should use caution when administering vitamin D to infants.
Photograph by: Ted Rhodes, Canwest News Service
OTTAWA — Two days after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a warning about liquid vitamin D products for infants, Health Canada has issued a more muted advisory regarding potential dosage problems.
To View the Original Article
Health Canada urges caution when giving vitamin D to babies
Canwest News ServiceJune 17, 2010
Health Canada says parents and caregivers should use caution when administering vitamin D to infants.
Health Canada says parents and caregivers should use caution when administering vitamin D to infants.
Photograph by: Ted Rhodes, Canwest News Service
OTTAWA — Two days after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a warning about liquid vitamin D products for infants, Health Canada has issued a more muted advisory regarding potential dosage problems.
To View the Original Article
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
RESEARCH NEWS: Probiotics Improve Atopic Dermatitis
A paper recently presented at the New York Academy of Sciences symposium has shown that two probiotic strains can significantly improve atopic dermatitis. The study involved 90 preschool children with moderate to severe AD. For more on the use of probiotics for infants and newborns, see the upcoming issue of ihr magazine.
Probiotics Improve Atopic Dermatitis
EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn.—According to a paper recently presented at the New York Academy of Sciences symposium, “Probiotics: From Bench to Market”, held on June 11, 2010, two probiotic strains significantly improved atopic dermatitis, which affects 17.2 percent of the U.S. population. The clinical study evaluated the impact of a mixture of Lactobacillus acidophilus DDS-1 and Bifidobacterium lactis UABLA-12 (from UAS Labs) on 90 preschool children (ages 1 to 3 years) with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis (AD) versus a placebo demonstrated a 33.7-percent decrease in SCORAD (scoring of atopic dermatitis) versus 19.4 percent in the placebo group. Other outcome measures included a 33-percent increase in IDQOL (infant dermatitis quality of life) 19 percent in placebo and a 34.4-percent increase in DFI (dermatitis family impact) in probiotic group versus 23.8 percent in placebo.
SV Gerasimov, M.D., Ph.D., from the Department of Pediatrics, Lviv National Medical University, Lviv, Ukraine, conducted the study on children with AD, which often occurs in early childhood and persists into adult life (more 60 percent of patients). Current treatments include skin hydration, emollients, avoidance of allergens and irritants, use of antihistamines or topical corticosteroids. The therapeutic use of probiotics has attracted considerable attention after publication of the hygiene hypothesis (BMJ 1989;299:1259-60). Several clinical studies have demonstrated mild to complete resolution of AD following treatment with probiotics while others have suggested the effect is limited to select children with atopy.
This study was designed to determine the clinical efficacy of a new probiotic preparation and to determine the impact on peripheral lymphocytes. A total of 90 preschool children were randomly divided into two groups to receive either the probiotic or the placebo. Parents administered the doses twice per day to provide a total of 10 billion CFU/g of a combination of L. acidophilus DDS-1 and B. lactis UABLA-12 with fructooligosaccharides (FOS). The primary outcome measure was percent change in SCORAD index at week eight. Secondary outcomes were changes in IDQOL, DFI at weeks 2, 4 and 8 frequency, and amount of topical corticosterioid used and absolute number and percent of peripheral blood lymphocyte subsets at week eight. Patients displayed a progressive decline in SCORAD indexes reaching significant difference at week four in both groups; however children receiving probiotics experienced a more rapid decline.
Patients with active AD had a reduced percentage of CD3 and CD8 peripheral lymphocytes and increased CD4 and CD25 counts. Hypothetically, the recovery from AD due to use of probiotics may be accompanied by normalization of CD3, CD4, CD8 and CD25 numbers. The study showed a correlation between reduction in CD4 and CD25 percent/absolute number and SCORAD values at week eight in the probiotic group.
The researchers concluded, the use of a probiotic mixture containing L. acidophilus DDS-1, B. lactis UABLA-12 and fructooligosaccharide was associated with significant clinical improvement in children with AD, and corresponding lymphocyte subset changes in peripheral blood. The efficacy of probiotic therapy in adults with AD will need more investigation.
Sources:
REGULATORY NEWS: Unauthorized Health Products Labelled in Russian, Ukrainian or Kazakh Removed from the Montréal Market
Health Canada has issued an advisory regarding unauthorized health products found on the Montreal market with packaging in Russian, Ukrainian or Kazakh languages only.
Advisory
2010-101
June 15, 2010
For immediate release
Unauthorized health products that may pose a serious health risk were found on the Montréal market with packaging in Russian, Ukrainian or Kazakh languages only. As a result, important information about the proper use and potential side effects of these products may not be understood by consumers.
What Health Canada is doing
The retailers in Montréal have provided these unauthorized products to Health Canada following our inspections. Health Canada has been advised by these retailers that they are no longer distributing these products.
The ingredients listed on the labels of the eight products can cause serious health problems. If you have taken products containing these ingredients without the supervision of a health care practitioner or without a prescription, you may face additional risks. You may be misdiagnosed, the treatment might not be appropriate for your illness or you may miss the opportunity to obtain appropriate medical treatment. You may also put yourself at risk for drug interactions, or harmful side effects.
The labels of these eight of products (listed below) indicate the products contain ingredients that legally require the products to be sold with a prescription because they are used to treat serious diseases or may have side effects that require monitoring by a health care practitioner.Additional unauthorized health products were also removed from the Montréal market.
What consumers should do:
- Consult your healthcare practitioner if you have used any of these products and are concerned about your health.
- Read the labelling of the products you buy to verify that they have been assessed by Health Canada for safety, effectiveness and quality. Health products that have been authorized for sale by Health Canada will have an eight-digit Drug Identification Number (DIN), a Natural Product Number (NPN) or a Homeopathic Medicine Number (DIN-HM) on the label.
- Report any adverse reaction potentially related to these products to Health Canada (see below).
What Health Canada is doing
The retailers in Montréal have provided these unauthorized products to Health Canada following our inspections. Health Canada has been advised by these retailers that they are no longer distributing these products.
The ingredients listed on the labels of the eight products can cause serious health problems. If you have taken products containing these ingredients without the supervision of a health care practitioner or without a prescription, you may face additional risks. You may be misdiagnosed, the treatment might not be appropriate for your illness or you may miss the opportunity to obtain appropriate medical treatment. You may also put yourself at risk for drug interactions, or harmful side effects.
Consumers should note that there may be authorized alternatives for these products in Canada and any authorized products would be labelled in English and/or French. Consumers are reminded that the names of the unauthorized products that are on the actual labelling of the products are written in Russian, Ukrainian or Kazakh languages only. This labelling can be seen on the photos of the products found below.
Consumers and health professionals wanting more information about this advisory from Health Canada can contact the Public Enquiries Line at 613-957-2991, or toll free at 1-866-225-0709.
Media enquiries related to this Advisory should be directed to Health Canada Media Relations at 613-957-2983.
How to report side effects to health products
To report suspected adverse reaction to these or other health products, please contact the Canada Vigilance Program of Health Canada toll-free at 1-866-234-2345, or complete a Canada Vigilance Reporting Form and send to us using one of these methods:
- Fax: 1-866-678-6789
- E-mail: CanadaVigilance@hc-sc.gc.ca
- Internet: www.healthcanada.gc.ca/medeffect
- Mail:
Canada Vigilance Program
Marketed Health Products Directorate
Ottawa, ON, Address Locator 0701C
K1A 0K9
INDUSTRY NEWS: Julia Sabin Re-Elected as OTA’s President
Julia Sabin was re-elected by the Organic Trade Association's Board of Directors to continue as its president for the coming year.
In the recent OTA Board of Directors election, OTA trade member companies re-elected Julia Sabin to the Board. Elected to the Board for the first time were Chris Ely (co-founder, Applegate Farms), Kristin Holt (president, Quality Assurance International) and Gunta Vitins (director, Public Relations, SunOpta, Inc.). The election elicited a record number of votes, with more than 30 percent of eligible trade member companies casting ballots.
The Board also selected Leslie Zuck, executive director and co-founder of Pennsylvania Certified Organic, to fill an appointed seat on the Board.
BUSINESS NEWS: Dean Foods Evaluating Amendment and Extension to Existing Senior Secured Credit Facilities
Dean Foods is evaluating alternatives to provide flexibility in its capital structure.
DALLAS,, June 14, 2010 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ --Dean Foods Company (NYSE: DF) today announced that consistent with the Company's previously announced intentions, it is actively evaluating alternatives to provide longer-term flexibility in its capital structure. To that end, the Company is seeking an amendment and extension to its existing senior secured credit facilities. The Company will provide additional details as appropriate.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
INDUSTRY NEWS; U.S. Health Store Sales Increase to $143 billion in 2009
The recession has not stopped the public demand for more natural health products at the retail level.
Health Food Retail Sales Grows in U.S.
Health Food Sales in Step with Total Food Market
Health Food Retail Sales Grows in U.S.
Health Food Sales in Step with Total Food Market
BOULDER, Colo.—Health food sales grew 1.8 percent to reach $143 billion in sales in 2009, which is in step with the total U.S. food market, which grew 1.6 percent, reaching $628 billion in sales, according to Nutrition Business Journal’s 2010 Healthy Foods Report.
The Nutrition Business Journal noted staying at an equal pace with overall food industry grown is not good news for this market segment, as sales have been much better in previous years. They said the industry “may have hit the bottom,” but added data suggests growth within the next few years. They expect health foods should increase its share of the total foods market to reach 23-percent penetration by 2017.
In the report, Nutrition Business Journal includes four product categories in the healthy foods market—organic, natural, functional and lesser-evil foods. Market-standard and conventional foods make up an additional, catch-all category for the total foods results. The report contains detailed analysis of each healthy foods category, and the food and beverage product lines they include.
They report natural and organic foods are expected to grow the most within the health foods categories in the next eight years—with growth of organic reaching nearly 10 percent in 2012. They believe functional and lesser-evil foods will lose market share to the natural and organic categories in the future, but expect functional products to retain about a quarter of healthy food sales over the next eight years. Additionally, organic foods is expected to be the biggest competitor in healthy foods for the future with a forecast compound growth rate of nearly 9 percent, while they expect compound annual growth for the total health foods industry to be about 5 percent for the next eight years.
INDUSTRY NEWS; Probiotics for Gut and Heart
Research is increasingly showing that probiotics have profound and systemic benefits
Institut Rosell-Lallemand Features Promising Probiotics
Research backs probiotic and heart benefits
Institut Rosell-Lallemand Features Promising Probiotics
Research backs probiotic and heart benefits
Related topics: Probiotics and prebiotics, Cardiovascular health, Gut health
Canadian supplier Institut Rosell-Lallemand is promoting two probiotic strains that are the result of collaborations with Estonian and French researchers.
Lactobacillus farciminis CIP 103136 has been the subject of research of research at the French National Institute of Agricultural Research and is being marketed for, “the prevention or treatment of digestive pathologies”.
Lactobacillus fermentum ME-3 has been isolated and documented by researchers at Tartu University in Estonia, where preliminary studies have indicated its abilities to reduce oxidative stress, the company said.
“Based on the work that has been done by INRA and Tartu’s teams to study and document the modes of action and unique benefits of these novel strains, we are looking forward to bring them one step further by combining our industrial and scientific expertise of probiotics with a partner having an expertise in the given therapeutic area and in clinical studies,” said Valerie Delahaye, deputy manager at Institut Rosell-Lallemand.
“Both health segments targeted, namely gastrointestinal and cardiovascular, have a great market potential.”
Institut Rosell-Lallemand has committed to forming partnerships with academia, and holds an exclusive license option for L. fermentum ME-3 from Tartu University for its use in dietary supplements.
“Lactobacillus fermentum ME-3] has also shown the ability to positively modulate the lipoprotein as well as lipid profile in the blood (HDL level, LDL/HDL ratio, postprandial triglyceride level) and body overall oxidative stress-load, indicating an antiatherogenic potential,” the company said.
ECONOMIC NEWS; U.S. Health Costs to Increase in 2011
The percentage of U.S. GDP/GNP dedicated to health care is enormous. Many health economists openly state this is unsustainable especially given the stagnant outcomes provided.
U.S. Health Care Costs Projected to Rise in 2011
Health care costs to rise 9% in 20011
U.S. Health Care Costs Projected to Rise in 2011
Health care costs to rise 9% in 20011
Health care cost growth is expected to slow in 2011, though costs are still expected to rise 9 percent, according to PricewaterhouseCoopers Health Research Institute.
The accounting firm surveyed more than 700 employers and interviewed health plan actuaries to determine the expected rate of increase for 2011.
The survey showed health care costs are expected to grow 9 percent in 2011, down from the 9.5 percent growth rate in the 2010 report. At the same time, the majority of health insurance deductibles will be $400 or more for the first time.
Factors that are driving costs are the shifting of Medicare costs on insured patients, implementation of electronic medical records and consolidation among medical providers.
The federal government continues to cut reimbursement rates for Medicare services, forcing health care providers to raise costs for insured patients to make up for the payment gaps.
While electronic medical records are intended to reduce costs, the upfront installation and implementation costs are likely to boost health care costs in the short run.
And consolidation among hospitals and physician groups is boosting their bargaining power, giving them better reimbursement rates from insurers. Such higher reimbursements result in larger premiums.
INDUSTRY NEWS; Health Retailer Bans Bottled Water
A live example of the challenge all natural retailers live with
Organic Retailer Cans Bottled Water
Mom's Organic Stops Selling Bottle Water
Organic Retailer Cans Bottled Water
Mom's Organic Stops Selling Bottle Water
BOWIE, Md.—MOM's Organic Market, a Washington/Baltimore metro area organic grocery chain launched the Battle the Bottle initiative, designed to substantially reduce plastic use by eliminating all bottled water. Battle the Bottle was inspired by the movie "Addicted to Plastic" and addresses the alarming rate by which our oceans are being contaminated by plastic.
"Societies are truly addicted to plastic, much in the way we are addicted to oil,” said Scott Nash, the founder and CEO of MOM's. “There are now five swirling masses of plastic in our oceans, each roughly the size of Texas. Plastic never goes away and the problem will only get worse— and the sooner we take action, the better. Not only does plastic damage our environment, but it increases our dependence on oil. The tragic part of our addiction is that by and large, petroleum-based plastics are not necessary for consumer products and packaging as we have the technology and innovation to use plastic products that biodegrade."
MOM's new policy reduces plastic by: eliminating all bottled water; installing water filtration machines in each store so customers can use reusable containers for water— and offering first gallon free every visit; giving employees free counter-top home water filters and reusable water containers; eliminating bagged potatoes, onions, oranges, salad mixes (will use biodegradable clamshells instead), and other unnecessarily bagged items from the produce department; enabling through our POS system customers to bring in reusable containers for bulk purchases; replacing plastic with either bio-plastic or cellophane in the pre-packaged bulk food section, bulk department, bread, bagels and produce department; and eliminating petroleum-based wax paper in place of biodegradable wax paper for bagels.
To reduce plastic, MOM's previously eliminated plastic grocery bags in 2005; recycles bottles, bags, shrink-wrap, and plastic containers; gives styrofoam packing peanuts to UPS and Mailbox stores; uses bio-plastic packaging and utensils; factors in packaging when choosing which products to sell; applies pressure to manufacturers to use biodegradable plastic or less plastic/Styrofoam; uses wood coffee stirrers; eliminated the use of VCT floor tiles for the most recent three store openings (and all future openings); and uses bio-plastic for gift certificate cards.
Monday, June 14, 2010
REGULATORY NEWS; Health Canada Allows Sterol Claim
Pressure on Health Canada to Recognize Functional Foods and Nutraceuticals is behind this move
Plant Sterol Health Claim Allowed By Health Canada
Health Canada ruling: Food products can claim to be cholesterol busters
Carly Weeks
Globe and Mail Update Published on Thursday, Jun. 10, 2010 5:07PM EDT Last updated on Thursday, Jun. 10, 2010 6:08PM EDT
For the first time in Canada, food companies have been given authority to promote products as having cholesterol-lowering abilities.
Health Canada recently released a decision that food products fortified with plant sterols will be allowed to carry labels telling consumers they can help reduce cholesterol. Plant sterols occur naturally, in small amounts, in nuts, vegetable oils, whole grains and fruits and vegetables and seem to block absorption of cholesterol by the body.
It’s considered a landmark conclusion in the realm of food health claims, a tightly regulated and much sought after designation under Health Canada’s control. Some industry observers say it signals an important shift that could clear the way for a major increase in approval of new health claims.
“It does open the floodgates for other products,” said Peter Jones, director of the Richardson Centre for Functional Foods and Nutraceuticals at the University of Manitoba. “I think we’re heralding a new era now in Canada.”
And it means Canadians will likely soon see a variety of foods boasting the inclusion of plant sterols pop up on store shelves, in addition to products fortified with omega-3 fatty acids, probiotic cultures or vitamin D and calcium.
In fact, the first sterol-fortified food has already hit grocery stores. Unilever Canada announced Thursday its Becel pro.activ calorie-reduced margarine is available in Canada, making it the first food product to make a health claim about plant sterols.
Health claims are considered lucrative by the food industry because it allows companies to explicitly point out a product’s nutritional benefits to consumers. That distinction has become increasingly important as society shifts toward greater health consciousness.
In Canada, food companies are permitted to make health claims pointing out the relationship between a low-sodium, high-potassium diet and reduced risk of high blood pressure; a healthy diet with adequate calcium and vitamin D and reduced risk of osteoporosis; a diet rich in fruits and vegetables and the reduced risk of certain types of cancer, as well as others.
While other countries, notably the United States, allow food companies to make a wide variety of health claims about various food products, Health Canada has traditionally been more conservative, allowing only a few health claims to be made and being judicious with granting approval to companies who want to make such claims.
The food industry has for years complained about the restrictive nature of the health claims process and argues that Canada lags far behind other countries where companies have more freedom to woo consumers with claims their products can help prevent cancer or reduce the risk of heart disease.
But the growing importance of health claims has also created a greater need to protect consumers from misleading or inaccurate statements that could wrongly persuade a consumer to believe a food that’s high in fat or sodium is good for them simply because it has a health claim on the label.
Last month, the Institute of Medicine, a U.S.-based organization that provides scientific advice used to form policy, called for greater scrutiny of health claims used on food. The institute said food agencies should apply the same level of scrutiny to health claims as it does to drug products, the report said.
Dr. Jones, who works as a paid consultant to food companies, including Unilever, which sells Becel, said the food industry’s exploding interest in health claims does call for scrutiny, but that it shouldn’t squelch the ability of companies to make such claims.
“Just because there’s a possibility that some bad guys would enter the market doesn’t mean you don’t go there,” he said. “I think we do need to police the whole category and ensure we don’t see snake oil appear.”
View Original Article Here
Plant Sterol Health Claim Allowed By Health Canada
Health Canada ruling: Food products can claim to be cholesterol busters
Carly Weeks
Globe and Mail Update Published on Thursday, Jun. 10, 2010 5:07PM EDT Last updated on Thursday, Jun. 10, 2010 6:08PM EDT
For the first time in Canada, food companies have been given authority to promote products as having cholesterol-lowering abilities.
Health Canada recently released a decision that food products fortified with plant sterols will be allowed to carry labels telling consumers they can help reduce cholesterol. Plant sterols occur naturally, in small amounts, in nuts, vegetable oils, whole grains and fruits and vegetables and seem to block absorption of cholesterol by the body.
It’s considered a landmark conclusion in the realm of food health claims, a tightly regulated and much sought after designation under Health Canada’s control. Some industry observers say it signals an important shift that could clear the way for a major increase in approval of new health claims.
“It does open the floodgates for other products,” said Peter Jones, director of the Richardson Centre for Functional Foods and Nutraceuticals at the University of Manitoba. “I think we’re heralding a new era now in Canada.”
And it means Canadians will likely soon see a variety of foods boasting the inclusion of plant sterols pop up on store shelves, in addition to products fortified with omega-3 fatty acids, probiotic cultures or vitamin D and calcium.
In fact, the first sterol-fortified food has already hit grocery stores. Unilever Canada announced Thursday its Becel pro.activ calorie-reduced margarine is available in Canada, making it the first food product to make a health claim about plant sterols.
Health claims are considered lucrative by the food industry because it allows companies to explicitly point out a product’s nutritional benefits to consumers. That distinction has become increasingly important as society shifts toward greater health consciousness.
In Canada, food companies are permitted to make health claims pointing out the relationship between a low-sodium, high-potassium diet and reduced risk of high blood pressure; a healthy diet with adequate calcium and vitamin D and reduced risk of osteoporosis; a diet rich in fruits and vegetables and the reduced risk of certain types of cancer, as well as others.
While other countries, notably the United States, allow food companies to make a wide variety of health claims about various food products, Health Canada has traditionally been more conservative, allowing only a few health claims to be made and being judicious with granting approval to companies who want to make such claims.
The food industry has for years complained about the restrictive nature of the health claims process and argues that Canada lags far behind other countries where companies have more freedom to woo consumers with claims their products can help prevent cancer or reduce the risk of heart disease.
But the growing importance of health claims has also created a greater need to protect consumers from misleading or inaccurate statements that could wrongly persuade a consumer to believe a food that’s high in fat or sodium is good for them simply because it has a health claim on the label.
Last month, the Institute of Medicine, a U.S.-based organization that provides scientific advice used to form policy, called for greater scrutiny of health claims used on food. The institute said food agencies should apply the same level of scrutiny to health claims as it does to drug products, the report said.
Dr. Jones, who works as a paid consultant to food companies, including Unilever, which sells Becel, said the food industry’s exploding interest in health claims does call for scrutiny, but that it shouldn’t squelch the ability of companies to make such claims.
“Just because there’s a possibility that some bad guys would enter the market doesn’t mean you don’t go there,” he said. “I think we do need to police the whole category and ensure we don’t see snake oil appear.”
View Original Article Here
REGULATORY NEWS; Larry Dossey, MD Trashes "Disease Mongering"
This theme is attracting a lot of support, much of it from academia and health economists. Dossey is representative of practicing clinicians who are similarly concerned.
Dr. Larry Dossey Denounces Medicine's "Inventing of Diseases"
Disease Mongering and Big Pharma: Enough Already!
Posted on June 12, 2010 by Explore: The Journal of Science and Healing
by Larry Dossey, MD
You may think there is enough disease in the world already, and that no one would want to add to the diseases that we humans must deal with. But there is a powerful industry in our society that is working overtime to invent illnesses and to convince us we are suffering from them.
This effort is known as “disease mongering,” a term introduced by health-science writer Lynn Payer in her 1992 book Disease-Mongers: How Doctors, Drug Companies, and Insurers Are Making You Feel Sick. Payer defined disease mongering as “trying to convince essentially well people that they are sick, or slightly sick people that they are very ill.” This strategy has also been called “the corporate construction of disease” by Ray Moynihan, Iona Heath, and David Henry in the British Medical Journal. “There’s a lot of money to be made from telling healthy people they’re sick,” they say.
“Pharmaceutical companies are actively involved in sponsoring the definition of diseases and promoting them to both prescribers and consumers.”
Disease mongering got rolling in 1879 with the invention of Listerine, which was originally considered a surgical antiseptic. It was named for the famous English surgeon Joseph Lister, who performed the first antiseptic surgical procedure. Soon, however, Listerine’s inventors, Dr. Joseph Lawrence and Jordan W. Lambert, were selling it in concentrated form as a floor cleaner and as a treatment for gonorrhea. In 1895 they began to market it to dentists for oral care, and in 1914 it became the first over-the-counter mouthwash marketed in the United States. By the 1920s, the Lambert Pharmacal Company, Listerine’s maker, was confident they had found a cure; now all they needed was a disease. So they made one up: “halitosis.” Before that time, halitosis was an obscure medical term that almost no one had heard of. Advertisers began to promote Listerine as a cure for this condition, which, they said, could blight anyone’s chances of succeeding in romance, marriage, and work. Soon, people all over America were suffering from halitosis.
The trick was to inflate a common, everyday condition to the level of pathology, which, if not attended to, could blight one’s prospects for personal happiness and success. The ads the Listerine marketers crafted were mini-soap operas, in which people risked social shame and failure unless they used the product.
The Listerine marketers refined the marketing techniques that were pioneered by the patent-medicine makers of the 19th century. Novelist Henry James was so vexed by these hucksters he called them “nostrum-mongers.” His brother, Harvard psychologist William James, who is considered the father of American psychology, was also exasperated by them, saying that “the authors of these advertisements should be treated as public enemies and have no mercy shown.”
Payer identified several disease-mongering tactics. Among them:
• taking a normal function and implying that there’s something wrong with it and that it should be treated
• describing suffering that isn’t necessarily there
• defining as large a proportion of the population as possible as suffering from the “disease”
• defining a condition as a deficiency disease or as a disease of hormonal imbalance
• recruiting doctors to spin the message
• using statistics selectively to exaggerate the benefits of treatment
• promoting the treatment as risk free
• taking a common symptom that could mean anything and making it sound as if it is a sign of a serious disease
Healthcare watchdogs are now blowing the whistle on the major pharmaceutical companies who are engaged in this activity, and they have identified several “illnesses” as current examples of disease mongering. They are not saying these conditions don’t exist — they are indeed problematic for some people — but that their incidence and relevance is wildly exaggerated in the pursuit of corporate profits. Among these “illnesses” are erectile dysfunction, female sexual dysfunction, bipolar disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), restless legs syndrome, osteoporosis, social shyness (also called social anxiety disorder and social phobia), irritable bowel syndrome, and balding.
Why should we be concerned about disease mongering? There is a huge psychological burden in thinking of ourselves as diseased when we are not. Beyond the psychological cost, there are financial costs, both personal and social. Treating these “illnesses” with pharmaceuticals is not cheap. Moreover, no tax-funded healthcare system can sustain the cost of drug treatment for all the risks for which the drug companies would like to treat the population. That’s why London physician Iona Heath urges politicians to wake up to “the increasing capacity of this industry to bankrupt [tax-funded] health-care systems.”
Reversing disease mongering won’t be easy. There is a near-limitless amount of money to be made from marketing pharmaceutical remedies for diseases that exist mainly in the imagination, and there are powerful economic, political, and professional interests who desperately want this process to continue.
The way forward may be in immunizing ourselves psychologically against the messages from Big Pharma that invade our lives on every hand. We have to learn to stop being suckers.
How? Heath believes our fear of suffering and death make us susceptible to disease mongering. Today, because the comforts of religion are no longer real for many people, death seems more final, resulting in a panicky rush to use anything that offers better health and increased longevity. So it may be that the best way to resist disease mongering is not to beat our heads against the fortress of Big Pharma, but to develop the psychological and spiritual maturity that makes us resistant to their efforts to instill fear and dread in our lives.
It’s been said that one of the main ways we humans differ from other creatures is in our desire to take a pill. The pharmaceutical companies know that. Yet our health is determined mainly not by the pills we choose to swallow, but how we choose to live our lives — the ways we eat, exercise, work, play, love, and relate to others. Realizing that, we can outsmart the efforts of the disease mongerers to pathologize every moment of our existence.
Reference Liist:
L. Dossey. Listerine’s long shadow: disease mongering and the selling of sickness. Explore. September 2006; 2(5): 379-385.
R. Moynihan, I. Heath I, D. Henry. Selling sickness: the pharmaceutical industry and disease mongering. British Medical Journal. 2002;324:886–891. Available at: http://bmj.bmjjournals.com/cgi/content/full/324/7342/886 .
L. Payer. Disease-Mongers: How Doctors, Drug Companies, and Insurers Are Making You Feel Sick. New York, NY: Wiley & Sons; 1992.
Listerine. Wikipedia. Available at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Listerine .
View Original article Here
Dr. Larry Dossey Denounces Medicine's "Inventing of Diseases"
Disease Mongering and Big Pharma: Enough Already!
Posted on June 12, 2010 by Explore: The Journal of Science and Healing
by Larry Dossey, MD
You may think there is enough disease in the world already, and that no one would want to add to the diseases that we humans must deal with. But there is a powerful industry in our society that is working overtime to invent illnesses and to convince us we are suffering from them.
This effort is known as “disease mongering,” a term introduced by health-science writer Lynn Payer in her 1992 book Disease-Mongers: How Doctors, Drug Companies, and Insurers Are Making You Feel Sick. Payer defined disease mongering as “trying to convince essentially well people that they are sick, or slightly sick people that they are very ill.” This strategy has also been called “the corporate construction of disease” by Ray Moynihan, Iona Heath, and David Henry in the British Medical Journal. “There’s a lot of money to be made from telling healthy people they’re sick,” they say.
“Pharmaceutical companies are actively involved in sponsoring the definition of diseases and promoting them to both prescribers and consumers.”
Disease mongering got rolling in 1879 with the invention of Listerine, which was originally considered a surgical antiseptic. It was named for the famous English surgeon Joseph Lister, who performed the first antiseptic surgical procedure. Soon, however, Listerine’s inventors, Dr. Joseph Lawrence and Jordan W. Lambert, were selling it in concentrated form as a floor cleaner and as a treatment for gonorrhea. In 1895 they began to market it to dentists for oral care, and in 1914 it became the first over-the-counter mouthwash marketed in the United States. By the 1920s, the Lambert Pharmacal Company, Listerine’s maker, was confident they had found a cure; now all they needed was a disease. So they made one up: “halitosis.” Before that time, halitosis was an obscure medical term that almost no one had heard of. Advertisers began to promote Listerine as a cure for this condition, which, they said, could blight anyone’s chances of succeeding in romance, marriage, and work. Soon, people all over America were suffering from halitosis.
The trick was to inflate a common, everyday condition to the level of pathology, which, if not attended to, could blight one’s prospects for personal happiness and success. The ads the Listerine marketers crafted were mini-soap operas, in which people risked social shame and failure unless they used the product.
The Listerine marketers refined the marketing techniques that were pioneered by the patent-medicine makers of the 19th century. Novelist Henry James was so vexed by these hucksters he called them “nostrum-mongers.” His brother, Harvard psychologist William James, who is considered the father of American psychology, was also exasperated by them, saying that “the authors of these advertisements should be treated as public enemies and have no mercy shown.”
Payer identified several disease-mongering tactics. Among them:
• taking a normal function and implying that there’s something wrong with it and that it should be treated
• describing suffering that isn’t necessarily there
• defining as large a proportion of the population as possible as suffering from the “disease”
• defining a condition as a deficiency disease or as a disease of hormonal imbalance
• recruiting doctors to spin the message
• using statistics selectively to exaggerate the benefits of treatment
• promoting the treatment as risk free
• taking a common symptom that could mean anything and making it sound as if it is a sign of a serious disease
Healthcare watchdogs are now blowing the whistle on the major pharmaceutical companies who are engaged in this activity, and they have identified several “illnesses” as current examples of disease mongering. They are not saying these conditions don’t exist — they are indeed problematic for some people — but that their incidence and relevance is wildly exaggerated in the pursuit of corporate profits. Among these “illnesses” are erectile dysfunction, female sexual dysfunction, bipolar disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), restless legs syndrome, osteoporosis, social shyness (also called social anxiety disorder and social phobia), irritable bowel syndrome, and balding.
Why should we be concerned about disease mongering? There is a huge psychological burden in thinking of ourselves as diseased when we are not. Beyond the psychological cost, there are financial costs, both personal and social. Treating these “illnesses” with pharmaceuticals is not cheap. Moreover, no tax-funded healthcare system can sustain the cost of drug treatment for all the risks for which the drug companies would like to treat the population. That’s why London physician Iona Heath urges politicians to wake up to “the increasing capacity of this industry to bankrupt [tax-funded] health-care systems.”
Reversing disease mongering won’t be easy. There is a near-limitless amount of money to be made from marketing pharmaceutical remedies for diseases that exist mainly in the imagination, and there are powerful economic, political, and professional interests who desperately want this process to continue.
The way forward may be in immunizing ourselves psychologically against the messages from Big Pharma that invade our lives on every hand. We have to learn to stop being suckers.
How? Heath believes our fear of suffering and death make us susceptible to disease mongering. Today, because the comforts of religion are no longer real for many people, death seems more final, resulting in a panicky rush to use anything that offers better health and increased longevity. So it may be that the best way to resist disease mongering is not to beat our heads against the fortress of Big Pharma, but to develop the psychological and spiritual maturity that makes us resistant to their efforts to instill fear and dread in our lives.
It’s been said that one of the main ways we humans differ from other creatures is in our desire to take a pill. The pharmaceutical companies know that. Yet our health is determined mainly not by the pills we choose to swallow, but how we choose to live our lives — the ways we eat, exercise, work, play, love, and relate to others. Realizing that, we can outsmart the efforts of the disease mongerers to pathologize every moment of our existence.
Reference Liist:
L. Dossey. Listerine’s long shadow: disease mongering and the selling of sickness. Explore. September 2006; 2(5): 379-385.
R. Moynihan, I. Heath I, D. Henry. Selling sickness: the pharmaceutical industry and disease mongering. British Medical Journal. 2002;324:886–891. Available at: http://bmj.bmjjournals.com/cgi/content/full/324/7342/886
L. Payer. Disease-Mongers: How Doctors, Drug Companies, and Insurers Are Making You Feel Sick. New York, NY: Wiley & Sons; 1992.
Listerine. Wikipedia. Available at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Listerine
View Original article Here
INDUSTRY NEWS: Marion Nestle Calls for Boycott of Baby Formula Supplements
Marion Nestle is very respected and generally has not made demands such as this. Will she attract supporters? Will a campaign develop? How will the broader natural health community and industry react?
Who Will Second this Boycott Call?
Why to Boycott Supplements in Baby Formula
By Marion Nestle
If you don't have a small baby, or if your baby is breastfed (and see note at the end of this post), you no doubt are missing the furor over "functional" ingredients that companies have been adding to infant formulas.
DHA (an omega-3 fatty acid) came first. As I discuss in my book What to Eat, infant formula companies could not wait to add it. They knew they could market it on the basis of preliminary evidence associating DHA with visual and cognitive benefits in young infants. Although evidence for long-term benefits is scanty, the companies also knew that they could charge higher prices for formulas containing DHA.
The FDA approved the use of DHA in infant formulas on the grounds that it is safe, but did not require the companies to establish that DHA makes any difference to infant health after the first year. Because of its marketing advantage, virtually all infant formulas now contain DHA. Surprise! They also cost more.
Companies now want to add other ingredients, such as prebiotics, probiotics, lutein, lycopene, and betacarotene, which also can be marketed as healthier and at higher prices.
In response, the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP) has issued a report (PDF) on the lack of evidence for the benefits of functional ingredients and the substantial harm they will cause to the economic viability of the WIC program, the USDA's assistance program for low-income mothers and children.
WIC buys about half the infant formula sold in the United States each year. WIC is not an entitlement program, meaning that the number of participants is limited by available funding (a GAO report explains how this works—click here for a PDF).
The CBPP report says:
As pressure mounts to limit federal discretionary spending, it is critical to ensure that WIC not spend funds on foods with functional ingredients that do not deliver clinically significant benefits. WIC spent approximately $850 million on infant formula last year, and a recent USDA study found that more than ten percent of that spending ($91 million annually) is attributable to higher-priced formulas with functional ingredients. Under current law, the additional cost to WIC of providing foods with these ingredients is likely to grow substantially as such foods proliferate.
As the report explains, formula companies do not have to demonstrate that the added—and more expensive—ingredients do any good:
There is no mechanism within the national WIC program that requires USDA to review the research evidence on the claimed benefits of these functional ingredients or to base decisions about whether to offer foods containing such ingredients on their benefits and the specific needs of WIC participants. Currently, instead, infant formula manufacturers themselves decide whether WIC offers infant formulas with new functional ingredients, while state WIC programs decide whether WIC should offer other foods with such ingredients.
As I keep saying, functional foods (and ingredients) are about marketing, not health. If companies are going to add functional ingredients—and charge higher prices—they need to have some convincing scientific evidence to back up their claims.
Postscript: Laurie True of the California WIC program writes:
Congressman George Miller, chair of the House Education and Labor Committee, is writing the bill that reauthorizes the WIC Program this week. He should include a provision requiring independent scientific review of the efficacy of these "functional ingredients" before USDA allows them in WIC foods and infant formula.
Note: Lori Dorfman sends a Berkeley Media Studies Group issue paper (PDF) on how to advocate for hospitals and workplaces to make it easier for moms to breastfeed.
This article available online at:
Who Will Second this Boycott Call?
Why to Boycott Supplements in Baby Formula
By Marion Nestle
If you don't have a small baby, or if your baby is breastfed (and see note at the end of this post), you no doubt are missing the furor over "functional" ingredients that companies have been adding to infant formulas.
DHA (an omega-3 fatty acid) came first. As I discuss in my book What to Eat, infant formula companies could not wait to add it. They knew they could market it on the basis of preliminary evidence associating DHA with visual and cognitive benefits in young infants. Although evidence for long-term benefits is scanty, the companies also knew that they could charge higher prices for formulas containing DHA.
The FDA approved the use of DHA in infant formulas on the grounds that it is safe, but did not require the companies to establish that DHA makes any difference to infant health after the first year. Because of its marketing advantage, virtually all infant formulas now contain DHA. Surprise! They also cost more.
Companies now want to add other ingredients, such as prebiotics, probiotics, lutein, lycopene, and betacarotene, which also can be marketed as healthier and at higher prices.
In response, the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP) has issued a report (PDF) on the lack of evidence for the benefits of functional ingredients and the substantial harm they will cause to the economic viability of the WIC program, the USDA's assistance program for low-income mothers and children.
WIC buys about half the infant formula sold in the United States each year. WIC is not an entitlement program, meaning that the number of participants is limited by available funding (a GAO report explains how this works—click here for a PDF).
The CBPP report says:
As pressure mounts to limit federal discretionary spending, it is critical to ensure that WIC not spend funds on foods with functional ingredients that do not deliver clinically significant benefits. WIC spent approximately $850 million on infant formula last year, and a recent USDA study found that more than ten percent of that spending ($91 million annually) is attributable to higher-priced formulas with functional ingredients. Under current law, the additional cost to WIC of providing foods with these ingredients is likely to grow substantially as such foods proliferate.
As the report explains, formula companies do not have to demonstrate that the added—and more expensive—ingredients do any good:
There is no mechanism within the national WIC program that requires USDA to review the research evidence on the claimed benefits of these functional ingredients or to base decisions about whether to offer foods containing such ingredients on their benefits and the specific needs of WIC participants. Currently, instead, infant formula manufacturers themselves decide whether WIC offers infant formulas with new functional ingredients, while state WIC programs decide whether WIC should offer other foods with such ingredients.
As I keep saying, functional foods (and ingredients) are about marketing, not health. If companies are going to add functional ingredients—and charge higher prices—they need to have some convincing scientific evidence to back up their claims.
Postscript: Laurie True of the California WIC program writes:
Congressman George Miller, chair of the House Education and Labor Committee, is writing the bill that reauthorizes the WIC Program this week. He should include a provision requiring independent scientific review of the efficacy of these "functional ingredients" before USDA allows them in WIC foods and infant formula.
Note: Lori Dorfman sends a Berkeley Media Studies Group issue paper (PDF) on how to advocate for hospitals and workplaces to make it easier for moms to breastfeed.
This article available online at:
INDUSTRY NEWS: Omega-3 Products in Demand; Sales Grow
Hard economic times are not deterring demand for many categories of natural health products but Omega-3 leads the pack
No Stopping Public Demand for Omega-3 Products
Omega-3 Foods Continue to Grow
Global sales of omega-3 remain strong, despite recession
By Food in Canada staff June 11, 2010
Omega-3 is one of the most successful function ingredients ever introduced. That’s the opinion of researcher Euromonitor, which notes that sales of omega-3 fatty acid ingredients for processed foods have remained unchanged by the global economic downturn.
Sales of omega-3 ingredients grew 10 per cent from 2008 to 2009, with raw volumes growing from 12,054 tonnes to 13,218 tonnes in 2009. The biggest jump was in Asia, where volumes grew by 30 per cent to 850 tonnes. In the U.S. volumes grew 22 per cent. Approximately half of global omega-3s for food products are currently consumed in Europe, where there is a large market for dietary supplements.
Euromonitor predicts the market for omega-3 will grow 24 per cent between 2009 and 2014, with expected volumes peaking at 16,332 tonnes. The researcher also notes that growth will be strongest in emerging markets such as Saudi Arabia, India, Mexico and China, by 182 per cent, 170 per cent, 126 per cent and 98 per cent respectively.
View original article here
No Stopping Public Demand for Omega-3 Products
Omega-3 Foods Continue to Grow
Global sales of omega-3 remain strong, despite recession
By Food in Canada staff June 11, 2010
Omega-3 is one of the most successful function ingredients ever introduced. That’s the opinion of researcher Euromonitor, which notes that sales of omega-3 fatty acid ingredients for processed foods have remained unchanged by the global economic downturn.
Sales of omega-3 ingredients grew 10 per cent from 2008 to 2009, with raw volumes growing from 12,054 tonnes to 13,218 tonnes in 2009. The biggest jump was in Asia, where volumes grew by 30 per cent to 850 tonnes. In the U.S. volumes grew 22 per cent. Approximately half of global omega-3s for food products are currently consumed in Europe, where there is a large market for dietary supplements.
Euromonitor predicts the market for omega-3 will grow 24 per cent between 2009 and 2014, with expected volumes peaking at 16,332 tonnes. The researcher also notes that growth will be strongest in emerging markets such as Saudi Arabia, India, Mexico and China, by 182 per cent, 170 per cent, 126 per cent and 98 per cent respectively.
View original article here
Thursday, June 10, 2010
REGULATORY NEWS: Health Canada Tells Canadians Bisphenol A is Good For Them
Health Canada ignores the accumulating mountain of scientific evidence and action by legislators and regulators in many jurisdictions. Your tax dollar at work.
Health Canada vs The World on Bisphenol Dangers
No risk from bisphenol A in canned food - Health Canada
Health Canada vs The World on Bisphenol Dangers
No risk from bisphenol A in canned food - Health Canada
By Rory Harrington, 04-Jun-2010
Related topics: Packaging Materials
Exposure to bisphenol A from canned food poses no health risk to the general population, Health Canada has said after conducting a survey into levels of the chemical in 78 products.
However, the agency also pointed out that its results were “exploratory and should not be used to indicate the distribution of BPA in canned food products”. It added that its overall aim was to “limit human exposure to BPA to the greatest extent possible” by working with the food packaging sector to find out how the chemical migrates into food o food.
The body said its study of a range of canned tuna, soups, vegetable and tomato-based products from such companies as Campbell Canada, Loblaws, ConAgra and General Mills revealed only a low-level presence of BPA in the foodstuffs.
“The results of this survey confirm that exposure to BPA from canned food products is very low and poses no health or safety concerns to the general population,” said Health Canada.
BPA is used to make epoxy resins, which are used as protective linings on the inside of metal lids and containers.
Survey findings
Health Canada said it found BPA in almost all the 78 canned products tested. Canned tuna products had highest levels – with average and maximum BPA levels of 137 and 534 ng/g respectively. Canned soups had the second highest levels, with condensed soups exhibiting much higher levels that ready-to-eat varieties. Condensed soups had average and maximum BPA levels of 52 and 94 ng/g compared to 15 and 34 ng/g for RTE products.
Levels of the chemical in canned tomato paste products were found to be considerably lower. The average and maximum BPA levels for the tomato paste products were 1.1 and 2.1 ng/g, while they were 9.3 and 23 ng/g for the pure tomato products.
The body concluded that the average findings of BPA in the canned food products were consistent with those of past surveys and were not “considered to represent a human health concern”.
Industry response
The North American Metal Packaging Alliance (NAMPA) welcomed the survey results and said the findings confirmed industry research that BPA levels in metal-packaged foods are “negligible”.
“What is important about this latest survey from Health Canada is that once again, research conducted by a well respected international body has shown that the minute levels of BPA in canned foods do not represent any risk to consumers,” said NAMPA chairman Dr John M. Rost.
The industry group added that BPA-based epoxy linings are a vital food safety tool and no fully tested alternative had yet been found.
Last month, a report from National Working Group for Safe Markets (NWGSM) found an average level of 77 parts per billion (ppb) of BPA in canned food after testing 50 products. The highest level of the chemical - at 1,140 ppb - was detected in Del Monte French Style Green beans.
NAMPA dismissed the study on the grounds that the sample numbers were too small to be statistically significant and that the consumer group had failed to provide a complete picture to consumers.
First Plant Sterol Product With A Health Claim Hits the Canadian Market
Now that Health Canada has approve the cholesterol claim for sterols, many food and supplement manufacturers will move quickly to take advantage
Plant Sterols With Approved Health Claims Entering the Market
Plant Sterols With Approved Health Claims Entering the Market
First Food with Cholesterol-lowering Claim Now Available in Canada
Health Canada allows claim typically associated with pharmaceutical products to be added to certain foods
TORONTO, June 10 /CNW/ - Canadian adults with elevated cholesterol can now go to their grocery store to purchase a food product shown to help lower cholesterol. For the first time, Health Canada has approved the sale of foods fortified with plant sterols and allowed claims to assist consumers to understand the role and function of sterols in their diet. With more than 40 per cent of Canadians aged 20 to 79 having an unhealthy level of total cholesterol, this provides a new option to support overall cholesterol management.
Every seven minutes in Canada, someone dies from heart disease or stroke. High cholesterol is a main risk factor for heart disease, and according to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, a one point reduction in total cholesterol can reduce the risk of coronary heart disease by 25 per cent.
The first of a number of expected plant sterol-fortified food products, Becel pro.activ calorie-reduced margarine with plant sterols recently became available in major retailers, enabling the millions of Canadian adults with elevated cholesterol to take immediate steps to help lower their cholesterol. Becel pro.activ contains plant sterols which help to lower cholesterol in adults up to 15 per cent starting within three weeks when combined with a move to a healthy diet.
"Canadians are now more empowered than ever to help lower their cholesterol through an everyday food product, in the hopes of reducing their overall risk for heart disease," said Dr. Peter Jones, a nutrition researcher from the University of Manitoba who has studied plant sterols for 15 years. "Costs associated with managing chronic diseases like heart disease are among the biggest challenges facing this country. We need to be aggressive in bringing options to Canadians that will enable personal health decisions associated with significant public health implications."
About Plant Sterols
Plant sterols occur naturally in a variety of everyday foods like vegetable oils, nuts, grain products, fruits and vegetables, and have always been part of the human diet. Plant sterols exert their effect by partly blocking the absorption of cholesterol in the intestine, thereby lowering blood cholesterol levels.
Experts agree that just two grams of plant sterols is the daily amount shown to help lower cholesterol in adults, and the cholesterol-lowering benefits are sustained with regular daily consumption.
Foods fortified with plant sterols are available in countries around the world, including the United States, members of the European Union, Australia, Switzerland, New Zealand, South Africa, Brazil, Israel, Iceland and Japan.
About Becel
Becel margarine was created in the 1960's as a response to the call from Dutch physicians for a heart healthier alternative to butter and animal fats. Since then, Becel has remained dedicated to educating Canadians about the importance of heart healthy living, including launching the first food fortified with plant sterols in Canada. Unilever, one of the world's largest consumer products companies, adds vitality to life by meeting everyday needs for nutrition, hygiene and personal care. Every day, 160 million people choose Unilever brands to feed their families and to clean themselves and their families.
To view the Social Media Release please enter the following web address in your browser:
http://smr.newswire.ca/en/becel-unilever/first-food-with-cholesterol-lowering-claim-now-available
For further information: Margaret McKellar, Unilever, (416) 963-4027; Sarah Bannoff, Edelman, (416) 979-1120 ext. 318
Wegman's Organic Research Growing
It might surprise readers to learn that Wegmans' is so deeply involved in organic growing but they have clearly made a serious committment
The Dirt on Wegmans' Organic Research Farm
Wegmans Learns By Doing, Down on the Farm
By George Anderson
Wegmans' Jim Heberle is excited. "We aimed for ripe tomatoes before Memorial Day, and we made it," he told Syracuse's Post-Standard newspaper.
The we Mr. Heberle referred to are all of the people working on Wegmans' Organic Research Farm in Canandaigua, N.Y. The why behind his excitement? -- "because one of our goals is to find ways to extend the growing season in the Northeast."
According to The Post-Standard report, Wegmans was able to move up the date for picking its tomatoes because of changes it made to the compost it uses and by placing a hoop house over the soil to protect plants from the cold. The discovery is a positive for the grocer, along with its consumers who will be able to enjoy the locally-grown produce earlier than usual. Other farmers who supply the chain will also benefit.
"We set aside time each year to meet with local growers, have them tour our farm, and exchange information about what we've all learned during the most recent growing season," said Jamie Robinson, a team leader along with Mr. Heberle at the farm. "It's a two-way street that helps everybody."
The Wegmans' farm grows 14 varieties of cherry and grape tomatoes, which are sold in the chain's stores in Pittsford and Canandaigua, NY as well as its Next Door Bar and Grill restaurant.
View Original Article Here (subscription)
The Dirt on Wegmans' Organic Research Farm
Wegmans Learns By Doing, Down on the Farm
By George Anderson
Wegmans' Jim Heberle is excited. "We aimed for ripe tomatoes before Memorial Day, and we made it," he told Syracuse's Post-Standard newspaper.
The we Mr. Heberle referred to are all of the people working on Wegmans' Organic Research Farm in Canandaigua, N.Y. The why behind his excitement? -- "because one of our goals is to find ways to extend the growing season in the Northeast."
According to The Post-Standard report, Wegmans was able to move up the date for picking its tomatoes because of changes it made to the compost it uses and by placing a hoop house over the soil to protect plants from the cold. The discovery is a positive for the grocer, along with its consumers who will be able to enjoy the locally-grown produce earlier than usual. Other farmers who supply the chain will also benefit.
"We set aside time each year to meet with local growers, have them tour our farm, and exchange information about what we've all learned during the most recent growing season," said Jamie Robinson, a team leader along with Mr. Heberle at the farm. "It's a two-way street that helps everybody."
The Wegmans' farm grows 14 varieties of cherry and grape tomatoes, which are sold in the chain's stores in Pittsford and Canandaigua, NY as well as its Next Door Bar and Grill restaurant.
View Original Article Here (subscription)
RETAILING NEWS: Consumer Packaged Goods Manufacturers Failing to Orient to Large Stores Like Costco
Seems hard to imagine consumer product manufacturers regarding an operation as large as Costco to be a mere "alternative" channel or an afterthought.
Repackaging Big Box Consumer Packaged Goods
Costco's Challenge for CPG Vendors
By Tom Ryan
While the market potential for Costco is large, its SKU-constrained environment, margin requirements, private label acumen, and regional buying prowess place numerous challenges on CPG companies versus other channels, according to a recent report from L.E.K. Consulting.
L.E.K. said many CPG companies focus their marketing and innovation planning process around mass retail and grocery chains "with 'alternative channels' such as Costco addressed as afterthoughts. This orientation rarely leads to success." Among the challenges for CPG vendors mentioned in the report:
1) Limited Selection: Costco's focused SKU selection reduces operational costs by streamlining its supply chain and simplifying in-store management but this "limits the freedom available to CPG companies - many of which are accustomed to owning prominent real estate in store aisles."
2) Price Conscious: While most other channels mark-up merchandise, Costco can sell merchandise at close to break-even levels and gain a majority of its profits through membership fees. L.E.K. said this results in Costco placing relentless price pressure on CPG vendors to sell products at low profit margins.
3) Private Label Power. Since Kirkland Signature was launched in 1995, private label has grown to around 20 percent of its sales and its goal is to reach 37 percent. In some cases, Kirkland Signature can command a premium in specific categories through quality product. Wrote L.E.K, "If Kirkland Signature leapfrogs a CPG company in perceived quality and associated premium pricing, it becomes extremely difficult for the CPG vendor to reestablish category momentum at Costco."
4) Distributed Purchasing. Costco puts a strong emphasis on addressing regional preferences, such as a greater demand for salsa in the Southwest. It also procures goods on a local basis and provides managers at each warehouse with some discretion over what goods they carry. L.E.K. wrote that this "requires CPG companies to sell to a myriad of Costco buyers across multiple levels, which makes national clearance challenging for vendors."
L.E.K. then offered three tips to overcome common missteps. First, it advised CPG makers to develop a "Costco-Specific Business Plan." L.E.K. wrote, "Costco is a unique retailing environment and is probably among the most challenging that CPG companies will face."
Second, CPG companies should focus on "margin dollars" over the "margin percent" guideline it typically uses. Wrote L.E.K., "Costco will never deliver the same gross margin as grocery or mass retailers, but it can deliver large sales figures."
Finally, CPG companies should consider engaging club retailers early in the product development phase and elicit feedback from them. More than other channels, opportunities exist to be part of sampling programs. Wrote L.E.K. "Working in conjunction with receptive warehouse club buyers, savvy CPG companies can develop and trial warehouse products before launch to traditional channels - the reverse of the common pattern between club retailers and CPGs."
View Original Article Here
Repackaging Big Box Consumer Packaged Goods
Costco's Challenge for CPG Vendors
By Tom Ryan
While the market potential for Costco is large, its SKU-constrained environment, margin requirements, private label acumen, and regional buying prowess place numerous challenges on CPG companies versus other channels, according to a recent report from L.E.K. Consulting.
L.E.K. said many CPG companies focus their marketing and innovation planning process around mass retail and grocery chains "with 'alternative channels' such as Costco addressed as afterthoughts. This orientation rarely leads to success." Among the challenges for CPG vendors mentioned in the report:
1) Limited Selection: Costco's focused SKU selection reduces operational costs by streamlining its supply chain and simplifying in-store management but this "limits the freedom available to CPG companies - many of which are accustomed to owning prominent real estate in store aisles."
2) Price Conscious: While most other channels mark-up merchandise, Costco can sell merchandise at close to break-even levels and gain a majority of its profits through membership fees. L.E.K. said this results in Costco placing relentless price pressure on CPG vendors to sell products at low profit margins.
3) Private Label Power. Since Kirkland Signature was launched in 1995, private label has grown to around 20 percent of its sales and its goal is to reach 37 percent. In some cases, Kirkland Signature can command a premium in specific categories through quality product. Wrote L.E.K, "If Kirkland Signature leapfrogs a CPG company in perceived quality and associated premium pricing, it becomes extremely difficult for the CPG vendor to reestablish category momentum at Costco."
4) Distributed Purchasing. Costco puts a strong emphasis on addressing regional preferences, such as a greater demand for salsa in the Southwest. It also procures goods on a local basis and provides managers at each warehouse with some discretion over what goods they carry. L.E.K. wrote that this "requires CPG companies to sell to a myriad of Costco buyers across multiple levels, which makes national clearance challenging for vendors."
L.E.K. then offered three tips to overcome common missteps. First, it advised CPG makers to develop a "Costco-Specific Business Plan." L.E.K. wrote, "Costco is a unique retailing environment and is probably among the most challenging that CPG companies will face."
Second, CPG companies should focus on "margin dollars" over the "margin percent" guideline it typically uses. Wrote L.E.K., "Costco will never deliver the same gross margin as grocery or mass retailers, but it can deliver large sales figures."
Finally, CPG companies should consider engaging club retailers early in the product development phase and elicit feedback from them. More than other channels, opportunities exist to be part of sampling programs. Wrote L.E.K. "Working in conjunction with receptive warehouse club buyers, savvy CPG companies can develop and trial warehouse products before launch to traditional channels - the reverse of the common pattern between club retailers and CPGs."
View Original Article Here
Open Letter to the Natural Health Trade from Integrated Health Retailer (ihr)
In Defense of Natural Health Retailing -
A Rebuttal to the CBC Attack on Health Retailers
On Tuesday, June 8, 2010 CBC news published an article entitled “Health food store advice not scientific: study.” This reported on an article from the December 2009 edition of the Journal of the American College of Nutrition (JACN), which is the house organ of the American College of Nutrition (ACN) representing professional nutritionists. Though the JACN is supposed to be a bi-monthly publication, there has not been another issue since the December 2009 edition. The ACN is heavily supported by funding supplied by pharmaceutical and mega-food processors. In 2006, Integrity in Science cited the JACN for failing to reveal “that its editor and several authors had long standing ties to the food industry.”1 The ACN and nutritionists associated with it have long been outspoken and persistent critics of the natural health industry, which they view as a threat to their business interests.
The JACN article reported on by the CBC is “Advice on Dietary Supplements: A Comparison of Health Food Stores and Pharmacies in Canada,” the lead author being Norman Temple, PhD, a professor of nutrition at Athabasca University, Alberta. Between 2002 and 2008, thirty-nine undergraduate nutrition course students visited 192 health retailers and 56 pharmacies across Canada and asked questions on themes such as “lecithin (for improved memory), n=25” or “how to improve memory, n=19.” Instruction to students is not disclosed; only sample questions are disclosed in the article. If forms were employed to record answers, they are not supplied in the final publication. No profiles of the stores are given, nor their locations. No controls for subjectivity or bias are reported. Answers to questions were “graded for accuracy” according to “reliable Web sites” such as MEDLINE2 or the American Dietetic Association3. Again, no specifics at all are given, so there is no way of knowing objectively what the standards were. In pharmacies, no distinction is recorded between those questions posed to and answers given by pharmacists and non-pharmacists. Yet, the study concludes that health food stores gave 88% poor answers, while pharmacies gave 68% good answers.
Even though the authors caution that “we cannot be certain that all reporting was done accurately” and that “another possible source of error is in the interpretation of results” none of this is reflected in the unattributed CBC article that quotes Dr. Temple as dismissing health store staff as being “no more qualified than somebody pouring coffee in Tim Hortons.”
Until yesterday this article has failed to achieve a single professional citation and zero media coverage. When something like this suddenly makes CBC headlines with author’s quotes this suspicious. Both the original article and the CBC report were and are synchronized bias dressed up as “objective” and “scientific.”
If this is the level and style that enemies of natural health must resort to then we should actually be encouraged. If they had solid evidence, they would lead with it. If it was real and honest news reporting, we would have seen it months ago, and with an author’s name on it. Integrated Health Retailer condemns this as a choreographed stunt. We express our solidarity with all natural retailers and all staff whom we respect and have confidence in. Take heart.
Citations upon request
For further information: Robert McMaster, editor, Telephone 416.203.7900 ext 6102, email: Robert@rivegauchemedia.com
Planet Organic Is Bankrupt
The creditors take over. How will they manage the business and the stores? Stay tuned!
End of the Road For Planet Organic
End of the Road For Planet Organic
EDMONTON — An Ontario court has approved the acquisition of Planet Organic Health Corp.'s assets by its principal creditor, the Edmonton-based natural and organic-products retailer said Tuesday.
While Planet Organic stores will continue to operate, the publicly traded company that was launched in 2001 to expand the chain is left with no assets and ceased trading on Tuesday.
"It is sad for the shareholders -- and I am one of the shareholders -- that there is no value left in the public company," Darren Krissie, executive vice-president for Planet Organic, said in an interview.
But he said the acquisition by Toronto-based Catalyst Capital Group Inc. of its assets, including the name Planet Organic, is good news for customers, employees and suppliers.
"We have a strong financial backer that wants to grow the business," he said.
All but one of the stores in Canada and the U.S. will continue to operate, he said.
Planet Organic received bankruptcy protection under the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act in April, when more than $31.1 million in debt was called in by Catalyst Capital. The private-equity firm, which invests in distressed companies, had bought the debt from Ares Capital Corp.
The chain got its start in 1993 when Diane Shaskin and her husband, Mark Craft, opened a single health-food store on Whyte Avenue.
Planet Organic currently operates nine natural food supermarkets in Canada and 11 in the U.S.
At its peak in 2008 it also owned 50 Sangsters Health Centre stores, seven Healthy's Nutrition shops and manufactured natural supplements at its Trophic Canada division.
It expanded as demand for organic food grew and moved into the U.S. by acquiring the 11-store Mrs. Green's Natural Market Inc. chain in 2007. But the company ran into financial difficulties during the recession as it expanded in Toronto.
In its recent third-quarter statement, Planet reported a $16.7-million loss after writedowns and revenues of $28.3 million
Partnership Capital Growth acted as Planet's financial adviser for the sale of assets to Catalyst and will be paid a transaction fee of $1.1 million. Brent Knudsen, a principal with Partnership Capital, has resigned from the Planet board along with director Ian Newton.
Krissie will continue as the sole director but is expected to resign soon, Planet said in a news release.
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