Weekly Roundup: CSA adds Bioiberica, Mibelle and Stratum Nutrition as supporters, FDA warnings for illegal fertility drugs

28 May 2021 --- In nutrition news this week, the Ingredient Transparency Center’s Collagen Stewardship Alliance (CSA) added three major companies to its supporters list. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued warnings to five supplement distributors for selling unapproved fertility drugs. Meanwhile, the British Nutrition Foundation (BNF) launched online educational advice for nutrition for children with disabilities such as autism.

In brief: Business news
The CSA announced the addition of Bioiberica, Mibelle Group Biochemistry and Stratum Nutrition to its list of supporters. CSA stewards the global collagen category, aiming to bring transparency to the source and origin of products, mitigate marketplace confusion, identify and promote product quality parameters, protect ingredient and product integrity and engage on issues such as sustainability, sourcing and transparency.

The US FDA and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) issued warning letters to five companies for illegally selling dietary supplements that claim to cure, treat, mitigate, or prevent infertility and other reproductive health conditions. The dietary supplements discussed in the letters are unapproved new drugs and have not been evaluated by the FDA to be safe and effective for their intended use, says the organization. The five companies that were issued warnings were: LeRoche Bencouer, EU Natural, Fertility Neutraceuticals, SAL Nature and NS Products.

Lief Labs has received the Export Achievement Award from the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce to recognize Lief’s demonstrated success in internationally exporting its manufacturing services over the past two years. The Export Achievement Award was presented during the World Trade Week Southern California Kickoff Conference, which brought together over 430 virtual attendees, including representatives from over 30 nations, to support and celebrate global trade in Los Angeles, US. 

Golden Ratio’s Ayurvedic coffee, Golden Milk.In brief: Guidance and education
The BNF launched a “first-of-its-kind” guide to support teachers in delivering food and nutrition education to pupils with additional needs, titled Characteristics of good practice in teaching food and nutrition education to pupils with additional needs. Catering for the needs of pupils with a wide range of disabilities – from Autism spectrum disorder and social, emotional and mental health issues to physical disabilities – the 76-page guide is designed for all teachers who teach food and nutrition to pupils with additional needs, whether they are in mainstream schools or special educational needs schools.

The American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) updated its guidance document “Good Agricultural and Collection Practices and Good Manufacturing Practices for Botanical Materials” (GACP-GMP) to include a new appendix addressing the prevention of pyrrolizidine alkaloid contamination. The appendix provides information and identifies resources to support specific actions that can be taken by crop growers, botanical material suppliers and finished product manufacturers. Information is intended to help prevent the inadvertent presence of pyrrolizidine alkaloids in botanical crops intended for use in human food and dietary supplements.

In brief: Launches and releases
Golden Ratio launched a new flavor, Golden Milk, to provide a “detoxifying, anti-inflammatory and nourishing morning beverage” with caffeine and lower acidity levels. Inspired by traditional Ayurvedic recipes, the coffee includes turmeric, cardamom, black pepper and monk fruit extract.

Zhou Nutrition revealed its plans to debut five gummy supplements to support mind and body at Target.com. Curated specifically for Target customers, the line features science-backed formulations in chews designed to support people’s health and wellness as they shift gears from pandemic lockdowns to post-pandemic routines. The line includes: Hairfluence Gummies – crafted with biotin, vitamin C and vitamin E. Screen Eyes Gummies – lutein and marigold extract designed to support retinal health using blue light formula. Collagen Peptides Gummies – to support skin and bone health with 19 essential amino acids. D3 + K2 Gummies – get more D3, including vitamin K2. Apple Cider Vinegar Gummies – containing probiotics and enzymes that can support digestive health. 

ESSIAC from Canada International launched ESSIAC Gold, which consists of four whole plant ingredients: burdock root, sheep sorrel, slippery elm and Indian rhubarb, as well as active hexose correlated DouleuRx brand’s CapsiClear eye health product.compound (AHCC). AHCC, a medicinal mushroom extract, possesses immune-modulating properties shown through 30 human clinical trials to stimulate white blood cell production, crucial for the immune system. 

Franco Harris, former NFL champion, announced that Unibar’s CapsiClear ingredient has been added to the DouleuRx portfolio of products. It is standardized to 50 percent capsanthin, a carotenoid that was recently discovered to have powerful eye health benefits. CapsiClear delivers holistic vision care, helping to improve macular pigment optical density for improved protection against digital screens and better visual performance and acuity, as well as provide support to the functions that regulate intraocular pressure (IOP). Managing IOP reduces the risk of long-term eye debilitations and damage and is normally reduced via prescription eye drops. 

In brief: Research and studies
A study found that consuming higher rates of docosohexanoic acid (DHA) – a prominent omega 3 fatty acid – during pregnancy lowers the early preterm birth rate. Women taking 1,000 mg of DHA as opposed to 200 mg in the last half of their pregnancy had 1.7 percent delivered early preterm compared to 2.4 percent, respectively. The research was funded by the National Institutes of Health. 

A research article published in BMJ Open found that over two-thirds of US adults and 95 percent of US children do not consume enough omega 3s in their daily diet to meet their nutritional needs based on the US Dietary Guidelines. The study also found that despite the large body of research indicating the benefits of omega 3s, especially EPA and DHA, regular dietary intake of omega 3s remains low in the US population across all life stages. Low serum concentrations of EPA, DHA and the sum of all omega 3 fatty acids were seen across all life stages. Based on life stages, gender and demographic factors, the populations found to have particularly low EPA and/or DHA serum concentrations include children ages two to five years old, adult males, and Mexican American/Hispanic and non-Hispanic Black individuals.

People who eat too many refined carbs and fatty meats for dinner have a higher risk of heart disease than those who eat a similar diet for breakfast, according to a nationwide study published in the Endocrine Society’s Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. Researchers studied 27,911 US adults’ data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) and analyzed dietary information collected during interviews with the participants over two non-consecutive days. They examined the association between eating different fats, carbohydrates and proteins at breakfast or dinner with participants’ rates of heart disease. The analysis found eating a plant-based dinner reduced heart disease risk by ten percent.

By Louis Gore-Langton