1. Where are the health claims?
First up this week we look at the clamp down on online retailers Protein World and Amazon by the UK’s Advertising Standards Agency (ASA), which took the position last week that “weight loss” supplements or foods cannot be legally sold unless all products within the category carry an EU approved health claim.
The ASA specifically asked whether ‘Weight Loss’ and ‘Weight Loss Products’ sections on the Protein World website contained only authorized products, while issuing the same challenge to Amazon regarding its ‘Slimming Aids & Weight Loss’ section.
Despite arguments to the contrary from several industry association, the UK enforcement agency concluded that even when presented as a category heading, statements relating to weight loss would be understood as a claim about the function of the products contained within that category, “which was likely to influence a consumer’s decision to purchase those products.”
“We considered that consumers would understand food supplements placed in the “weight loss” category to have the inherent function of helping them to lose weight, as opposed to products that would enable the user to undertake other activities that would help them lose weight (for example, fitness clothing and equipment),” the ASA said – adding that medical devices and medicines included in such a category would need to be assessed under the relevant rules for each product type.
2. Algal omega-3 alliance
Next up we look at the new long-term manufacturing contract between French microalgae firm Fermentalg and Madrid-based fermentation specialist ADL BioPharma for the production of algal omega-3 oils.
The new manufacturing deal will see ADL BioPharma – a subsidury of ADL Bionatur – dedicate a part of its fermentation capacity to the supply of Fermentalg’s high-DHA algal oil known as DHA Origins-550 for several years as the company looks to ensure adequate supple in the face of growing demand.
The announcement came hot on the heels of Fermentalg signing a deal for the distribution deal with DSM for high-potency omega-3 products. That deal saw Fermentalg grant exclusive rights to DSM for selling its high-potency DHA products in certain market segments. At the time the company said the ‘ground breaking’ five-year contract will accelerate penetration of its high-potency Origins DHA ingredient.
“This long-term contract, following the signature of a major commercial partnership, secures our supply of our high value DHA Origins 550, the algal DHA with the highest natural concentration on the market,” commented Philippe Lavielle, CEO of Fermentalg – adding that ADL BioPharma’s scale, experience and capabilities match his company’s commitment “to become one of the world’s largest producers of algal DHA.”
3. Feeling good is looking good
Our final news to note of the past week comes from the recent Vitafoods Asia trade show in Singapore: Asia is leading the charge in the nutri-cosmetics and aged care sectors, driven by the notion that "feeling good is looking good".
"Consumers today do not only want to age healthily, they also want to age beautifully. They are well aware of the idea that 'feeling good is looking good',” said ExcelVite nutritionist Diyanah Roslan.
"In terms of functional food and drink, there is actually demand for oral beauty, especially in Japan — the first country to embrace beauty products beverage form. Now, the trend is also moving to Europe and Latin America."
Roslan said that EVNol SupraBio — which can be used in soft gel, capsule, tablet, sachet and gummy formats, as well as incorporated into chocolate — had been shown in human clinical studies to promote hair growth.
ExcelVite's research appears to be paying off, with numerous 'beauty from within' products launched in Japan, the rest of Asia, and North America containing EVNol SupraBio. Notably, Japanese cosmetics giant Shiseido is among the companies that use the ingredient in its products.
