Industry responds to soy health claims blow

Soy protein suppliers have reacted with disappointment to a decision by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) to reject a health claim application for soy and cholesterol reduction.

'Sunshine vitamin' helps fight respiratory diseases, Finnish study suggests

Taking a supplement of vitamin D - the so-called 'sunshine vitamin' - could help fight off colds and flu, according to a new study from Finland.

Scottish researchers to probe protein's satiety benefits

Scientists in Scotland are to investigate whether an appetite-reducing protein supplement could be the answer to the country's growing obesity problem.

Fate of nutrient profiles in doubt after MEPs reveal voting blunders

The future of nutrient profiles has been plunged into fresh uncertainty after it emerged some MEPs accidentally voted against deleting them from the EU's Nutrition & Health Claims Regulation, according to a leading expert on European regulation.

British Sugar and PureCircle to join forces

British Sugar and stevia supplier PureCircle are to form a new joint venture company to market sweetener solutions across the UK, Ireland, Spain, Portugal, China and Africa.

EFSA reveals details of claims-specific workshops

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has released more details of a series of eagerly-awaited scientific meetings designed to help companies applying for health claims approval under the EU's Nutrition & Health Claims Regulation.

Europe delays decision on rejected 13.1 health claims

Article 13.1 health claims rejected by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) have been given a stay of execution after the European Commission's Standing Committee on Food Chain and Animal Health decided against voting to make them illegal.

Give pregnant women vitamin D, say doctors

Pregnant mothers should be given vitamin D to help safeguard their babies' health, doctors in the UK have warned.

Norway launches bid to establish Omega 3 center

A new center for technical research into Omega 3s is planned in Norway, one of the world's leading producers of functional ingredients containing the essential fatty acid.

B vitamin levels linked to reduced lung cancer risk

People with high levels of B-vitamins in their blood may be at reduced risk of lung cancer, according to a new study funded by World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF).

Enhancers poised to be next big thing in sweetening, says Euromonitor

Sweetness enhancers could be the next major development in the sweeteners category, according to London-based market analysts Euromonitor.

UK's functional foods market stunted by confusion, regulation, recession

Growth in the UK's functional food and drink market has slowed dramatically and is set to remain modest in years to come, according to a new analysis by market researchers Key Note.

Hackles still raised after EFSA health claims meeting

Trade body the European Federation of Associations of Health Product Manufacturers (EHPM), claimed the meeting "did not bring any new information to light".

DSM secures global rights to health claims hero Fruitflow

DSM has finalised a deal that gives the company exclusive rights to market the world's only ingredient that is backed by a European Food Safety Authority Article 13.5 health claim.

Scientists undercover link between vitamin K and diabetes prevention

Consuming high levels of vitamin K could protect against the development of type 2 diabetes, according to a study from the Netherlands.

MEPs reject bid to delete nutrient profiles from health claims regulation

An audacious attempt to remove nutrient profiles from the European Union's Nutrition & Health Claims Regulation failed by the narrowest possible margin.

EFSA admits: 'We need to talk about health claims'

The European Food Safety Authority has promised a greater degree of dialogue with companies that submit dossiers for evaluation under the European Union's Nutrition & Health Claims Regulation.

Will Europe force a reformulation?

It is still anybody's guess what the future of the stevia market will look like, pending EU approval.

Stevia gets one step closer to European approval

On April 14, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) issued a positive opinion on the safety of stevia-based sweeteners, having evaluated dossiers submitted under the EU's food additives regulation.

Supplements boost health of mothers and their babies, study shows

Taking a multiple micronutrient supplement during pregnancy may improve the health of pregnant women and their babies.