Weekly Roundup: New US bill could help market hemp-derived CBD, Robertet gains health claim for anti-stress ingredient in Japan

17 Jan 2020 --- This week in nutrition news, the US Chair of the House Agriculture Committee introduced legislation that could provide the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) with the flexibility to allow hemp-derived cannabidiol (CBD) to be marketed in dietary supplements. The Consumer Affairs Agency of Japan granted Robertet with a health claim for its anti-stress ingredient Extramel. Purity Organic aims to expand its product portfolio following its acquisition of Dunn’s River Brands. In dairy launches, Stonyfield Organic released a probiotic yogurt drink line called Daily Probiotics, while dairy protein ingredients company Milk Specialities Global unveiled its new rumen-inert choline supplement coined VitaChol DX, which can improve cow health during the transition phase.

In brief: Regulations
US Representative Collin Peterson, Chair of the House Agriculture Committee, introduced legislation designed to facilitate the marketing of hemp-derived CBD in dietary supplements. The new bill would also require a study and report from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) on the regulatory and market barriers for farmers engaged in hemp production. “This bill will provide a pathway forward for hemp-derived products. It would also identify barriers to success for hemp farmers, informing growers and policymakers of the challenges facing this new industry,” Peterson says.

In brief: Business and claims
Organic food company Purity Organic acquired Dunn’s River Brands, whose consumer brands include Sweet Leaf Tea and Tradewinds Beverage Co. With Mary Page Platerink as Purity Organic’s CEO and a team with 40 years of beverage experience, the company states it will focus on refreshing the Sweet Leaf Brand and increasing market share across all its portfolio brands. “We have an aggressive roadmap in 2020 and look forward to continuing to serve our key markets and expanding into new areas for all our brands,” says Platerink.

Stoneyfield Organic's probiotic yogurt drink.Having twice received clinical proof its effects, Robertet’s anti-stress ingredient Extramel received a health claim recognition from the Consumer Affairs Agency of Japan. In partnership with Robertet, Zeria Healthway – a major player in the health field in Japan – received the approval for the final product Yasuragi Life – Peaceful Life, which is largely based on the active ingredient Extramel. Manufacturers using Extramel to formulate Food with Function Claims (FFC) with Zeria will be able to obtain the claim “reduces the perceived stress of everyday life, and physical and mental fatigue” from the Japanese authority on their final product in Japan.

In brief: Launches
Organic yogurt maker Stonyfield Organic launched a probiotic yogurt drink called Daily Probiotics, arriving in 3 oz on-the-go bottles in six-packs, designed to support immune and digestive health when incorporated regularly into a healthy diet, the company says. Made with real fruit and organic low-fat milk, Daily Probiotics are available the two flavors of Blueberry Pomegranate and Strawberry Acai, with just 60 calories. This latest innovation addresses the increasing consumer interest in preventive daily healthcare and fuels the demand for convenient products made with probiotics, the company highlights. Daily Probiotics shots are USDA organic, non-GMO Project Verified and gluten-free. 

Milk Specialities Global debuted VitaChol DX, a new rumen-inert choline supplement designed to optimize cow health during the transition phase – the weeks before and after calving. When fed through the transition phase, choline has shown to reduce metabolic disorders incidences, increase milk and milk component yield, as well as increase colostrum quality. The proprietary Duracoat Technology encapsulates the choline core of VitalChol DX to improve digestibility and stability to the supplement market. 

Catalent, a US-based clinical supply services company, unveiled FlexDirect, its new direct-to-patient service for clinical trials. The FlexDirect service provides sponsors with the choice of site-to-patient distribution or a new pharmacy-to-patient service. Both services can be combined with clinical supplies’ standard distribution to offer a customized hybrid approach as needed, the company affirms. These direct-to-patient kits help deliver patients’ treatments straight to their homes, removing barriers such as transportation challenges and addressing the constraints of underlying health conditions that may hinder patients’ visits to clinical sites. The service also makes trials more patient-centric by improving convenience, supporting busy lifestyles and reducing the number of clinical visits that are necessary.

The study found that eating leafy greens did not significantly reduce prostate cancer progression.In brief: Research
The B6 vitamin may be used to attack cancer without harming healthy cells, which need B6 to survive. While Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) grows by taking advantage of B6 to accelerate cell division, research from Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center suggests that the cancer’s growth could be halted by limiting its ability to manipulate the enzyme that pushes B6 to make proteins essential for cell division. This research comes as a particular discovery, as currently, only one-third of AML patients will survive five years after diagnosis, the research highlights.

A study published in JAMA found that increased vegetable consumption in men with early-stage prostate cancer did not significantly reduce the risk of prostate cancer progression. In this randomized clinical trial, the research team had 478 male patients participate in a counseling program that encouraged the consumption of leafy greens, carotenoids and cruciferous vegetables. Compared with control study participants, the study found no significant difference in prostate cancer progression over the two years of study among the study participants.

Kaleido Biosciences initiated a research partnership with Janssen’s World Without Disease Accelerator, part of the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson. The collaboration will explore the potential for Kaleido’s Microbiome Metabolic Therapies (MMT) to prevent the onset of childhood allergy and other atopic, immune and metabolic conditions. A primary focus of the research will be to utilize Kaleido’s proprietary ex vivo screening platform to identify MMTs candidates that support the growth of specific beneficial microbes. Kaleido states that these MMTs will then be further evaluated for their ability to prevent atopic conditions, such as infant allergy.

By Anni Schleicher