Weekly Roundup: US FDA proposes lowering fluoride levels in bottled water, Gnosis ingredient receives regulatory approval in India

05 Apr 2019 --- In nutrition news this week, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) proposed lowering the levels of fluoride added to water, aiming to increase the health benefits for consumers, while avoiding excessive exposure. Gnosis’ Quatrefolic ingredient received regulatory approval from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), while Tate & Lyle hosted its annual Fiber Symposium (April 1-2) at its global Innovation Center in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, US.

In brief: Revisions and updates
The US FDA has proposed lowering the levels of fluoride added to water, to increase the dental health benefits from it, while avoiding excess exposure. The move is a bid to lower the level to which fluoride is added by the manufacturers down to 0.7 mg/L to be consistent with the 2015 US recommendation. The US Public Health Service (PHS) for community water systems adds fluoride for the prevention of dental caries, which ensures that consumers receive its benefits without excess exposure. If finalized, this rule will revise the current acceptable levels of fluoride manufacturers can add to domestically packaged and imported bottled water. “Fluoride provides an important public health benefit by helping to reduce cavities and tooth decay. But too much fluoride over a long time when teeth are forming under the gums can cause changes in the appearance of tooth enamel, called dental fluorosis. Striking the right balance is especially important for children under the age of 8 as their permanent teeth are still forming,” says Susan Mayne, Ph.D., director of FDA’s Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition. 

Dr. Henrik Roager from the University of CopenhagenThe Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN) – a trade association for the dietary supplement and functional food industry – has launched a campaign to educate consumers on upcoming dietary supplement label changes and to encourage overall label literacy. Calling specific attention to the “Supplement Facts” label changes as mandated by the US FDA, the “Label Wise” campaign offers easy-to-understand information on what consumers can expect to see when shopping for dietary supplements over the next couple of years, while companies come into compliance. “The ‘Supplement Facts’ label had not been updated for many years and it was time for the labels to reflect the current science and nutrient needs of Americans,” says Brian Wommack, Senior Vice President, Communications, CRN. “With the support of its members and a creative outside agency, CRN has developed a campaign that may communicate that Supplement Facts labels are changing to better provide consumers the information they need to make informed choices about their health.” 

In brief: Awards and certifications
Gnosis has announced that its Quatrefolic ingredient, which includes (6S)-5-methyltetrahydrofolic acid and glucosamine salt, has received regulatory approval from the FSSAI. It is a novel food additive that touts health benefits due to being a rich source of folic acid. The regulatory approval has allowed the company to enter into the biological and active form of folate supplementation, which is experiencing rapid growth in the space of nutraceuticals. Further regulatory approvals are in progress in several countries around the world.

The British Nutrition Foundation (BNF) has announced the recipients of the 2019 BNF Drummond Early Career Scientist Award, which recognizes early career excellence in nutrition science. Dr. Henrik Roager from the University of Copenhagen has been named this year’s first place winner. Dr. Elaine McCarthy of University College Cork and Dr. Ruairi Robertson of Queen Mary University of London are receiving the runners-up titles. The BNF Drummond Early Career Scientist Award is run by the BNF annually and includes applicants judged on their contributions to nutrition science to date, their potential to become future leaders in the field and the scientific merit and clarity of communication in their work. The Award was established in 1954 in memory of the work and contribution of Sir Jack Drummond, who made a significant contribution to developments in the application of nutrition science for public health.

In brief: Other news
Food ingredients supplier Tate & Lyle hosted its annual Fiber Symposium (April 1-2) at its global Innovation Center in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, US. Representatives from food, beverage and nutrition health manufacturers from across the US attended the event. The Fiber Symposium began with a presentation from keynote speaker, Johanna Lampe, Full Member and Associate Division Director of the Cancer Prevention Program, Public Health Sciences Division at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. Dr. Lampe’s speech, “Human Gut Microbiome and Diet: Whose diet is it anyway?” addressed the emerging science behind the microbiome and how fiber can influence it in critical and diverse ways across the lifespan. Fiber is a trending topic in the industry and among consumer. Innova Market Insights has listed a renewed focus on fiber as one of its top ten trends for 2019. 

Frutarom is inviting its customers to “come taste the trends” at Vitafoods Europe 2019 in Geneva, Switzerland (May 6-9). The ingredients company is to showcase its range of natural, health-supporting ingredients in flavorful applications. “Frutarom Health will present natural ingredients that reflect the global provider’s commitment to science and quality,” the company says. Frutarom will also present a new clinical study supporting the positive effects of an ingredient manufactured via the proprietary EFLA HyperPure production process, on men’s health. The EFLA HyperPure production process ensures the selective removal of the fat-soluble components of extracts, providing increased stability and solubility. Additionally, at the Mental Wellness Summit, during Vitafoods’ Education Program, Itay Shafat, Ph.D., will present trends in new delivery systems of functional foods and beverages for mental wellness.

Nutritional ingredients supplier OmniActive is to sponsor the speaking session “Leveraging Macular Carotenoids to Empower Self-care Through Vision and Cognition” at this year’s Complementary Medicines Australia (CMA) Innovation Seminar & Supplier Expo (April 9, Sydney, Australia). The session will center around the global and regional market and consumer insights, as well as the latest science and health benefits surrounding macular carotenoids and how they support the growing themes in self-care. Dr. Deshanie Rai, Global Scientific, Medical and Regulatory Affairs, OmniActive Health Technologies will be presenting the seminar. According to recent data, Australians and New Zealanders are spending an average of five to six hours online daily, however, digital device users can feel the effects of digital eye strain in as little as two hours of use, the company notes. Research points to high-energy blue light, emitted from digital devices, as the culprit. “The world is getting more digitized and while we are experiencing the ease of information, we are also seeing the dark side of prolonged blue light exposure,” says Dr. Rai. “OmniActive has invested in developing nutritional solutions to help consumers fight against the negative effects on vision and sleep from prolonged digital device use.”