News
Supplement firms still unclear on regulation, consultancy warns
29.10.08
The process of launching food supplements in Europe was the focus of a recent industry workshop in Brussels.
European Advisory Consultancy (EAS) hosted the event in an attempt to advise supplements companies through the regulatory challenges required to sell food supplements.
Experts from EAS detailed product entrance strategies, regulation for nutritional and herbal ingredients, health claims and labelling along with an overview of the proposed Novel Food Regulation.
Delegates were also updated on the latest developments regarding maximum permitted levels for vitamins and mineral.
EAS Regulatory Adviser Pieter Lagae said the workshop had helped clarify issues and guide companies through the necessary procedures.
“With all of the EU legislative changes now coming to fruition we are entering a new regulatory era for food law as a whole and what we’ve found is that many companies are still unclear on which areas are harmonised and which are not,” he said.
EAS is hosting its final workshop of the year in Malaysia on November 18. For more information, visit www.eas.asia
Greenpeace ships in Suma products
29.10.08
Wholesaler Suma has won a contract to supply Greenpeace’s environmental ship, The Rainbow Warrior.
The distributor will be re-supplying the ship, which has been used for many years as part of Greenpeace’s various campaigns, with a variety of products.
Greenpeace initially contacted Suma in September to request its catalogue and the company made the delivery of goods at the end of October. Following this, the boat’s Captain, Mike Fincken, will be interviewed for an article in Suma’s next catalogue while its chef will also be working with them.
Suma’s Paul Collins said: “We are absolutely delighted to have been chosen to supply a considerable range of our ethically sourced products to Rainbow Warrior to re-stock her prior to another voyage.”
He added that the company’s environmental and ethical standards made it a good fit with Greenpeace.
“From the way we heat and light our premises to the structure of our workforce and the wages paid to our aduki bean growers in Brazil, ethical trading is a recurring theme in every aspect of the Suma brand,” he said.
“I’m sure this will have struck a chord with the Greenpeace team as there is clearly a great deal of synergy in the way we both operate. Our hope is that this represents the start of a long and successful business arrangement between Suma and Greenpeace.”
Line-up for veggie extravaganza announced
29.10.08
Heather Mills, the former wife of Sir Paul McCartney, will be hosting cookery demonstrations during a forthcoming show aimed at the vegetarian and vegan community.
Vegetarian group Viva is hosting The Incredible Veggie Show in partnership with the Vegetarian & Vegan Foundation in April and with the support of sponsors including Beanie’s Health Foods, Plamil Foods and the Redwood Wholefood Company.
The event, being held at London’s Royal Horticultural Halls, features more than 100 exhibitors, cookery demonstrations from Mills, who is a patron of Viva, and vegetarian chef Rose Elliot.
In addition, there will be three talk areas where research on the benefits of a vegetarian and vegan diet will be brought to life, free food samples and nutritional advice, along with competitions, a kid’s play area and a vegan café.
For more information, visit www.viva.org.uk/london
H&B advertising campaign hits small screen
29.10.08
Holland & Barrett has launched a series of new TV adverts as it continues to reinvent its image,
The campaign hit TV screens earlier this month featuring Mr Holland and Mr Barrett and has been created by the people behind the 118 188 duo and the Phones 4 U adverts.
Holland & Barrett is using the new adverts to push its ‘Come for the price, stay for the advice’ message and will be following up the TV campaign with press advertising and a nationwide road show.
It comes at a time when the company has just acquired the wholefood chain Julian Graves, its products are being repackaged and stores being overhauled, while Managing Director Peter Aldis has been announced as its new CEO.
HFMA members bag new service
29.10.08
A new advisory service has been launched for members of the Health Food Manufacturers’ Association.
The organisation is now able to offer member companies the expertise of the recently formed Business Advisory Group, known as BAG, whose services are offered for free.
The group benefits from a range of industry experts, including John Redman, of Lamberts and Vic Evans from William Ransom, who will be on hand to provide companies with advice on a range of areas relating to their business.
“All businesses at some point face challenges and would find a sounding board for independent and impartial advice of enormous benefit. Frequently this role falls to the non-executive director but for many companies this is not an option,” HFMA Executive Director Graham Keen commented.
“Members of the HFMA’s new Business Advisory Group have been selected because of their wealth of experience in the legal, HR, technical, sales and marketing arenas and offer HFMA members the chance to obtain sound advice to aid the smooth running of their businesses.”
To put a question to BAG or for more information, email bag@hfma.co.uk or call 020 8481 7100.
HFMA gives stamp of approval
22.10.08
The Health Food Manufacturers’ Association has introduced a new mark to member companies to demonstrate their support of the industry.
Members can use the new stamp on trade and business-to-business communications, such as advertising, leaflets and marketing material as well as company stationary and websites.
The idea behind the stamp was to allow companies within the industry to demonstrate excellence through their membership of the association.
“The stamp is the first in a series of great new services that the HFMA will be launching for the benefit of our members,” Executive Director Graham Keen said. “It offers a great way for member companies to demonstrate their support of the industry and affiliation to the HFMA.”
The organisation is asking companies wishing to use the stamp to send copies to the HFMA’s LAPAD division for prior approval.
Members can obtain the HFMA stamp from Linda Phillips on 0208 481 7100 or by emailing hfma@hfma.co.uk
Hard drive to get consumers into stores
22.10.08
Power Health overhauled its website in an effort to encourage customers in to stores.
The supplier’s new site now offers information about individual products as well as a database of stockists. This allows consumers to search for their local shop, with many listings including photos of the store.
In addition, the website features a suggestion page, where Power Health offers supplement recommendations for different health areas.
“We wanted to set up a site which would encourage visitors to check out their local store, rather than just purchasing online and we have plans to develop this idea further as the site gets more established,” Marketing Manager Jenny Baillie said.
Stores wishing to add a photo to their listing should contact Jenny on 01759 302595.
American body doubles vitamin D recommendation
22.10.08
The American Academy of Pediatrics has doubled the amount of vitamin D it recommends for children and babies.
A new clinical report, Prevention of Rickets and Vitamin D Deficiency in Infants, Children and Adolescents, has suggested youngsters receive 400 IU a day of vitamin D from the first few days of life.
The recommendation comes after new clinical trials on the safety of 400 IU a day. The date revealed that such a dosage will not only prevent rickets but treat it.
Frank Greer, Chairman of the AAP Committee on Nutrition, said: “We are doubling the recommended amount of vitamin D children need each day because evidence has shown this could have life-long health benefits.
“Supplementation is important because most children will not get enough vitamin D through diet alone.”
Carol Wagner, member of the AAP Section on Breastfeeding Executive Committee, who co-authored the report, added: “Until it is determined what the vitamin D requirements of the lactating mother-infant dyad are, we must ensure that the breastfeeding infant receives an adequate supply of vitamin D through a supplement 400 IU per day.”
Government pledge on supplements legislation
15.10.08
The minister responsible for public health has sought to reassure industry the Government is listening to its concerns.
Dawn Primarolo MP was guest speaker at Consumers for Health Choice’s annual Parliamentary Reception, attended by retailers and suppliers.
During the event, the MP was challenged by CHC’s Michael Peet to be forthright when setting the Government’s proposals.
Peet raised the organisation’s concerns surrounding both the Food Supplements Directive and the Traditional Herbal Medicinal Products Directive.
“Despite two years of campaigning, the problems that concerns CHC supporters have not gone away,” he said, adding that it was now moving into the end game with the setting of maximum and minimum permitted levels under the Food Supplements Directive.
Primarolo responded, saying the Government would always be forthright in its proposals, adding that a continued collaboration between industry and agencies such as the Food Standards Agency was important.
“Let me make it absolutely clear I don’t want either directive to stifle consumer choice and I don’t believe if implemented correctly it necessary will,” she told the audience.
“Food supplements that are safe and properly labelled should be freely marketed and we intend to pursue energetically that view.”
She said consumer choice was of paramount importance, adding: “It is important that the industry should have and will have and does have robust controls in place to safeguard the consumer but I don’t believe those proposals have to be a threat to the industry.
“We will continue to push for a measured and proportionate approach. Quite simply the stronger the evidence, the stronger our position in future negotiations.”
Turning her attention to the THMPD, Primarolo added: “I know some of you are worried about the registration scheme, though others actually support it. The concern is that this will restrict choice as there won’t be enough products on offer for consumers.”
She believed the directive offered benefits, such as giving “people reassurance the products they have are safe, high quality and come in the right information for safe usage”.
Primarolo added she was confident a competitive market will develop and explained that the MHRA had been asked to explore ways to aid companies to meet the challenges of registration.
“I want to give you my assurance I will be keeping my eyes peeled in this area and looking around this room I know I will be very robustly supported in that challenge. I don’t underestimate the concerns you are expressing and we will continue to do our very best.”
Two more herbal products approved by MHRA
15.10.08
Nelsons has become the latest company to win approval for its herbal products.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has awarded the company two Traditional Herbal Registrations (THRs)
The registrations are for Echina-Relief Tincture, to be used for the relief of symptoms of the common cold and influenza type infections, and Hyperi-lift Tincture, traditionally used to relieve symptoms of slightly low mood and mild anxiety.
So far, the MHRA has received 45 applications for THRs, with 21 being granted so far.
Vitamin-deficient orphans given a helping hand
15.10.08
Lifeplan has been showing its charitable side by donating vitamins to orphaned children in Kenya.
The company teamed up with health food store Health-Wise, of Bristol to offer a six-month supply of Lifeplan vitamin B12 supplements to the Watoto Wa Kenya Children’s Home.
Local baker Clive Wells and his daughter Harriet took the vitamins to the home, following an earlier trip Harriet had made to the area where she discovered how basic the children’s nutrition was.
“When we received the details of the situation we were only too happy to pull out the stops to help,” Lifeplan MD Jamie Christie said.
“Vitamin B12, predominantly found in animal foods, is such an essential vitamin as it helps with so many functions in our body and a long-term lack of which can seriously affect our overall health.”
H&B owner acquires Julian Graves
8.10.08
NBTY, the company which owns Holland & Barrett, has bought the Julian Graves chain of shops for $25m.
The firm has acquired the company from the Icelandic retail investor Baugur and with it the 345 Julian Graves outlets. They will now sit under the Holland & Barrett group, along with the 544 Holland & Barrett stores, 31 GNC shops and 71 De Tuinen stores in the Netherlands, taking it to just under 1,000 within the group.
NBTY Chairman and CEO, Scott Rudolph, said: “The acquisition of Julian Graves is an integral part of NBTY’s strategic plan to enhance its position as the number one supplement retailer in the UK and gain greater market share. We continue to seek acquisitions which generate growth and further entrench NBTY as the worldwide leader in the nutritional supplement industry.”
Holland & Barrett MD, Peter Aldis, described the news as exciting, adding that Julian Graves had always been a key competitor, and therefore a target for acquisition.
“The acquisition delivers synergies to the Holland & Barrett group and ensures that through all of its brands the group continues to be at the forefront of healthy retailing in Europe. This will now give us more opportunities to achieve our expansion plans within the UK and Europe.”
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MEP warns Irish retailers of danger to health store survival
8.10.08
An Irish MEP has expressed concern at the future of the health food trade if proposed legislation on food supplements is not amended.
Independent MEP Kathy Sinnott addressed the trade at the Rude Health Show, in Dublin, recently, where she spoke of her fears at the risk management models and scientific assessments when it came to maximum permitted levels in vitamins and minerals.
In her presentation to the Irish Association of Health Stores’ (IAHS) annual dinner, Sinnott said: “You are the ones who remind people that there is another way and that that way will be found in nature. It is you who have committed to alleviate suffering, heal and prevent sickness with nature respecting remedies and techniques.
“Once again consumers will be the real losers, along with SMEs, including health stores who will be unable to survive.”
Sinnott has already taken action over by presenting a submission from the IAHS to the EU Petitions Committee. The petition has been accepted as admissible, reopening the EU’s deliberations on maximum permitted levels.
Also speaking at the dinner was Dr Robert Verkerk, Executive Director at the Alliance for Natural Health and Scientific Adviser to the IAHS, who criticised the risk management models being used to assess levels in supplements and called for them to be altered substantially.
“If implemented in place of the draconian measures currently mooted, they would not only ensure consumers are properly protected but annihilation of the SMEs representing the leading edge of the natural products industry could be avoided,” he said.
“Governments should be aware that survival and growth of this sector is vital if disease prevention strategies are to be prioritised.”
IAHS spokeswoman Jill Bell added: “We are delighted the door is still open regarding the EU’s deliberations on food supplements and we look forward to meeting shortly with the Commissioner for Health to pursue our discussions.”
Businesses urged to take Fairtrade to the next level
1.10.08
A Government minister has called on businesses to help expand the country and product coverage of Fairtrade goods.
Douglas Alexander, Secretary of State for International Development, addressed an audience of 250 at the Fairtrade Foundation’s Tipping the Balance conference.
Alexander explained that in order to achieve the desired four-fold growth in sales by 2012, more needed to be done.
“Companies and retailers are critical to achieving the ambitious goal, in the choices about where they buy from, the terms of trade and how they share this information with customers,” Alexander commented.
“We congratulate all the businesses who have helped put Fairtrade on the shelf and call upon the business community to take Fairtrade to the next level, making it more mainstream still. The retail industry can open doors to more farmers in developing countries and play their part towards the MDGs by enabling shoppers to support Fairtrade every day.”
Other speakers at the conference included the foundation’s Executive Director Harriet Lamb, Olympic rower Sir Steve Redgrave, along with the Rwandan Ambassador H.E Claver Gatete.
During the event, it was revealed that sales of Fairtrade products were continuing to rise, growing by an estimated 55 per cent between April to June from £113m to £176m.
Next year’s Fairtrade Fortnight was also highlighted at the conference when it was announced that February 23-March 8 would be the dates for the campaign, along with the theme of ‘make it happen, choose Fairtrade’.
