FDA Reopens Comment Period On “Gluten-Free” Food Labeling

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has reopened the comment period for a four-year-old  proposal related to “gluten-free” food labeling. The 60-day period opened on August 3.  The FDA is also asking for comments on the results of a safety assessment of exposure to gluten for people with celiac disease, an intolerance to the protein that is found in wheat, rye, and barley. The agency proposed that foods labeled gluten-free must should contain less than 20 parts per million (ppm) gluten. Validated methods of gluten detection cannot reliably detect gluten in food when there is less than 20 ppm. The threshold of less than 20 ppm also is similar to gluten-free labeling standards used by many countries, the agency said.

"FDA reopens comment period on proposed ‘gluten-free’ food labeling rule", Press release, FDA, August 02, 2011

Portion Control Is Growing In Importance Among American Consumers

U.K. market research firm NPD Group reports that American consumers are becoming increasingly aware of portion control as a way to ensure a healthier diet. “Eating smaller portions” was one of 30 diet and lifestyle characteristics consumers of different age groups were asked to associate with good health. Eating smaller portions ranked 11th among all adult consumers as a healthy eating characteristic. Adults consistently rated five eating/lifestyle habits as most important: exercising regularly, eating well-balanced meals, eating all things in moderation, limiting or avoiding saturated fats/cholesterol/trans fats and drinking at least eight glasses of water daily. Generation X consumers (ages 35 to 45) ranked eating smaller portions seventh in importance.

"Portion Control of Growing Interest to U.S. Consumers, Reports NPD", Press release, NPD, July 26, 2011

Nestlé Targets Small Ethnic Stores, Consumers In Europe

Nestlé launched Taste of Home, a marketing campaign that targets ethnic mom-and-pop stores in Europe by providing them with Nestlé products imported from markets served by the company worldwide. Nestrade launched the Retailer Development Programme as part of the campaign and the company's efforts to reach out to small retail outlets in Austria, Belgium, and other parts of Europe. Nestlé hopes to enlist some 2,000 stores under the program that also aims to meet demand for ethnic foods and flavors, as well as for halal foods, among ethnic populations and other consumers in Europe.

"Nestlé reaches out to small business entrepreneurs in Europe", Nestlé , August 05, 2011

FDA Tells HBB It Is Breaking The Law With Its Melatonin-Laced Brownies

"F.D.A. warns Lazy Larry brownies are unsafe", BakingBusiness.com, August 02, 2011

Gemoscan Adds Vitamin And Supplement Advice To Its Food Allergy Detection System

"Personalized Supplements for Food Intolerances", Nutraceutical World, August 08, 2011

Baby Boomers Turn To Functional Foods, Beverages To Maintain Health

Consumer demand for foods with functional health benefits is on the rise, especially among baby boomers who are putting their trust in foods and beverages to prevent or manage health conditions. The trend is driven by several forces, including the economic downturn, increasingly expensive health care, and a growing awareness that a healthy diet is strongly associated with good health. According to Steve French, managing partner at Natural Marketing Institute, about 70 percent of baby boomers say they want to take more responsibility for their health – particularly by eating a healthy diet – because of uncertainties regarding America’s health care system. The result is increased sales of food products that address digestive, heart and joint issues, and of functional products believed to have medicinal qualities.

"Consumers Don’t Buy Ingredients; They Buy Product Benefits", Natural Product Insider, August 08, 2011

High Levels Of Fish Oil Omega-3s Reduce Inflammation, Anxiety In Clinical Trial

Ohio State University researchers have found that consuming high levels of omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil significantly reduced inflammation biomarkers and anxiety among  a group of medical students. For the clinical trial, 68 first- and second-year medical students were randomly divided into six groups, interviewed, and tested to gauge levels of stress, anxiety and depression. The students also completed questionnaires about their recent diets. Half received daily omega-3 supplements – about five times the amount of fish oil in a serving of salmon – and the other half consumed placebo pills. The omega-3 group showed a 20 percent reduction in anxiety compared to the placebo group, as well as a 14 percent reduction in cytokines that are inflammation biomarkers.

"Omega-3 supplementation lowers inflammation and anxiety in medical students: A randomized controlled trial", Brain, Behavior, and Immunity, July 19, 2011

Omega-3s From Plants And Marine Animals Seem To Reduce Risk Of Type 2 Diabetes

Studies conducted in China and the U.S. comparing the benefits of omega-3 fatty acids derived from different sources have found that increased levels of any form of omega-3 were associated with a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes. Scientists compared omega-3s from plants (alpha-linoleic acid, or ALA) and marine animals. The two Chinese studies came to different conclusions: one said only plant-derived omega-3s reduced diabetes risk, and the other said only marine-derived omega-3s reduced the risk. The U.S. study, however, found that both forms reduced diabetes risk. The researchers said that evidence suggests that both forms are protective, but more studies are needed to draw definitive conclusions.

"Plasma omega-3 fatty acids and incident diabetes in older adults", American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, May 18, 2011

Magnesium Intake Among Young Korean Women Is Inadequate For Healthy Bones – Study

A study by Korean researchers who assessed magnesium intake in young women has found that consumption levels of the mineral were inadequate to support bone health. For the study, the dietary habits of 484 healthy women in their early twenties were monitored and analyzed. The average intake of magnesium was about 186 mg/day – mainly from cereals, vegetables, milk, legumes and fish – only 63 percent of the recommended daily intake. The researchers concluded that “the magnesium intake status of young Korean women …is unsatisfactory.” Raising dietary intake levels of magnesium “may positively impact bone quality in this population,” they wrote.

"Evaluation of magnesium intake and its relation with bone quality in healthy young Korean women", Biological Trace Element Research, April 05, 2011