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The honeybee is the world’s most popular insect. According to the USDA, one-third of our food directly or indirectly depends on honeybee pollination. Throughout history apiculture has provided [...]

If anyone still has any lingering doubts about the massive potential social media and networks hold for the food industry, consider the following data I recently received from my contacts at foodservice [...]

When confronted with the word Inflammation, it often conjures negative thoughts in individuals as it has become closely associated with many conditions that are accompanied by undesirable symptoms. [...]

 “The Wild Luxury Consumer” is en vogue this year. Industry manufacturer, Bell Flavors & Fragrance (Northbrook, IL) once again has released its predictions for the top fragrance [...]

When I was a kid, we had two choices: healthy food and treats. Healthy foods covered breakfast, lunch, dinner, fruits and vegetables. If we wanted a snack, Mom would say, “Have a peach.” [...]

At the “Base of the Pyramid,” “digestive health” issues kill 1.5 million children each year from diarrhea-induced dehydration. Electrolytes worth centimes a day--together [...]

Digestive health tends to be a favorite topic among us dietitian-types. After all, fully nourishing the body from head to toe, quite simply, demands a healthy digestive tract. Of course, nutritional [...]

Mysterious, beguiling, enchanting: The world of fragrances has lost none of its ability to fascinate. It has the power to draw us helplessly into the realm of imagination – if only for a single [...]

“I looked over their website,” my aunt told me a little after after I’d recommended a certain supplement, perhaps the most truly science-based resveratrol brand in the industry, “and [...]

When digging into prevailing trends regarding product labeling that falls outside of the realm of FDA-approved health claims (something we will address later this month), input from a market-research [...]

...Kindly refer them to this article, now available online, that will be published in the next issue of Herbalgram, the journal of the American [...]

“Ch-ch-ch-changes / Pretty soon you’re gonna get a little older.” – David Bowie, 1971 A.D. “All entities move and nothing stays still.”– Heraclitus, [...]

I want to close our discussion on indulgence with a brief look at the massive subject of the psychology of food addiction. Obesity is a serious issue in this country and around the world, and any investigation [...]

As we wrap up our conversation on color cosmetics, Trinity Ava, an Herbalist, we will highlight some of the hurdles in formulating cosmetics as well as helpful information for retailers and [...]

The overriding theme of my recent interview with Dr. Daniel Fabricant, Ph.D., director of FDA's Division of Dietary Supplement Programs, was when it comes to eliminating pharmaceutical ingredients [...]

Healthy Indulgence is just another name for food companies shoving extra vitamins into their processed food products or flavoring up “healthy” (but bland) snacks with more decadent flavor [...]

People of all sizes at one point in their lives want help in losing weight -- whether it's that pesky extra five to 10 pounds on a once-lean frame, to the morbidly obese who have been faced with [...]

Imagine you are a thirty- to fortysomething female out with your friends at a restaurant for lunch. Within minutes of being seated one of your dining partners extracts a small package from her [...]

Last fall nearly a dozen personal care companies agreed to make changes after being accused of violating the California Organic Production Act (COPA). That in itself is old news. But how the lawsuit [...]

In today’s tough economy, many dietary supplement companies are downsizing or outsourcing. Yet, resource-strapped marketers need to keep the wheels of innovation moving to develop safe, [...]

Apple turnover, banana cream pie, black forest cake—sound indulgent? These are just some of the new flavors from Yoplait yogurt, which also contain two vital nutrients, calcium and vitamin D, [...]

In marketing geared to weight loss supplements, avoidance language and strategies have been ubiquitous. These “Don’t eat this!” or “Don’t do that!” messages are [...]

There is a huge difference out there when it comes to this perennially top category of supplements for weight shedding.  On one side is the Vanity Complex, where consumers want to look as [...]

Part of my curriculum as a naturopathic medical student was to head up to the eastern Superstition Wilderness of Arizona to a place called Reevis Mountain, where I attended the “School [...]

Over the past 30 years, I have competed in almost 300 endurance events, including 150 triathlons and 97 marathons. I often think about how it all started – my insatiable appetite to be fit [...]

It’s not often that consumers enjoy a food that tastes great and is also good for them. With more than 30 vitamins and minerals, peanuts and peanut butter fit the bill. Moreover, the average [...]

There are many causes of hair loss including disease and genetic predisposition. Yet, the most common reason men and women experience hair loss is due to poor cosmetic grooming practices.  Below [...]

The passing of the holidays and the introduction of a new year lead to soul searching and a mindset geared toward self-improvement. The supplement industry is no different. Below, some members share [...]

When approaching the market for allergen-free foods, it's wise to factor in multiple perspectives. In order to gain insight from the folks who work as advocates for the consumers who suffer from [...]

Vitamins are controversial. Even for me, a supplement scientist. I love plants. I love eating them. But are they good for me? Are plants good for me because they have antioxidant action in my body, [...]

Despite my belief that certain segments of the allergen-focused market are overinflated—such as gluten-free, which is currently exaggerated thanks to faddish aspects (see the weight-loss example [...]

To say that women love their hair is an understatement. As a black woman, I am tied to my hair in the same way I am connected to all of the limbs on my body. We need each other, so it’s a relationship [...]

I want to get this out there right off the bat. I think gluten-free—as anything other than a niche concern—is a passing fad, and it could be a mistake to invest too much long-term R&D [...]

The Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Education Act of 2004 (FALCPA) amended the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to impose special labeling for ingredients that are major food allergens or contain [...]

Attention to the impact of gluten on the digestive system originally stemmed from rising numbers of consumers diagnosed with celiac’s disease. Commonly known as the “gluten allergy,” [...]

Does the bouillabaisse contain any shellfish? Make sure you buy gluten-free oatmeal. Is it safe to eat the turkey deep-fried in peanut oil? Do you think there is any gluten in the mayonnaise? Live [...]

The U.S. Department of Commerce says that while 95 percent of all global consumers are found outside of the United States, only about 1 percent of U.S. companies export.  Of that 1 percent, less [...]

The holidays are typically a barren period for news, because most publications are in shutdown mode or understaffed. So, it was odd that the FDA dropped a headline as most of us had one foot out [...]

The California dried plum, i.e., pruneaux La Petite d'Agen plum variety, is considered by many to be a superfruit. Many fruits labeled "superfruits" owe their reputation to their antioxidant [...]

We spent the last month talking about sports nutrition supplements and honestly there were two things that I couldn't get around to. So, allow me to open the notebook. --One thing [...]

Sports nutrition is a hot growth area for omega-3s, driven by demand for science-based solutions to improve performance. Established supplement brands, such as Pure Encapsulations and Nordic Naturals, [...]

Last week over on the Food Product Design website, we published a story on how green tea can provide some notable benefits in the realm of weight management. The researchers, from Penn State, [...]

Lather, rinse, repeat. It’s no doubt that shampoo is a necessity for consumers, but if you formulate it, will they come? Shampoos that simply clean hair are a dime a dozen. To truly stand out [...]

LAS VEGAS -- SupplySide West's NDI Town Hall on NDI Guidance was epic, clocking in a three-plus hours of opinion, analysis, and uncertainty. For those seeking closure on a thorny issue, well, [...]

I don’t know about you, but when it comes to packaged processed foods, I am all about the numbers. I already have taken the first step to food simplicity by purchasing a packaged item to begin [...]

Fortification is most logical when used to deliver necessary and/or missing nutrients to a specific, targeted segment of the population. For instance, folic acid (along with other nutrients) has been [...]

A downturn in the economy, increasing healthcare costs, an aging population, and mounting interest in attaining good health through diet are all helping to drive consumers’ desire for more functionality [...]

Advertising is everywhere these days.  On an airport escalator last week, I saw an illustrated gecko urging me to save on car insurance.  There’s advertising on the moving escalator [...]

Once upon a time, getting a product on Oprah was the holy grail of product PR. More recently, Dr. Oz has emerged as a strong influence on consumers; manufacturers see a sales spike when he features [...]

Sports drinks. Nutrition bars. Meal replacement beverages. Regardless of brand, these products—which only emerged in the later decades of the 20th century—are now second nature for millions [...]

We’ve all noticed that mainstream media coverage of dietary supplements is largely negative, misinformed, and slanted.  It was not always like this. As someone handling public relations [...]

Years ago, I wrote an obituary for Phyllis Balch, the author of Prescription for Nutritional Healing. Anyone in the industry knows the influence of Balch's book, how she was a figurehead in the [...]

Gone are the days of consumers slapping zinc oxide on their noses to protect themselves from the sun’s rays. Consumers are demanding elegant sunscreen formulations that do more than just defend [...]

Despite protests from pie-in-the-sky dreamers like Marion Nestle (often the “poster child” for the back nature über-local—aka, mandated progressive dystopia—movement), [...]

Suncare can be a confusing subject for consumers. They oftentimes end up roaming the drugstore aisles, trying to determine if they need SPF 30 or SPF 70 (and is there really a difference?), distinguishing [...]

One thing that's pretty cool about the supplement industry, not to mention the natural products universe, is how cozy it is. Stick around long enough, and you're bound to run into the same [...]

Greetings readers and please excuse my hiatus from posting. While I was busy welcoming a new miracle of life into my home, my recovery was anything but miraculous. I’m finally getting back in [...]

In my mad dash to complete an array of assignments before heading off for vacation—Hurricane Irene has extended my stay a few days—there were a few nuggets that I forgot to include in my [...]

There's no denying that social media has had a major impact on many different industries, particularly personal care. Bloggers have clout and can drive sales, wannabe makeup artists are posting [...]

While I generally look forward to sitting down on Sunday morning, relaxing with my breakfast and The New York Times, yesterday morning was not quite as relaxing. Yes, the front cover of the Sunday [...]

“I market a line of products, but I don’t make the products myself.  How can I judge or control the quality and value of the products I purchase from my contract manufacturer?” With [...]

Gaining recent publicity are articles related to the top 10 lists of “super foods”—those foods everyone should incorporate into their daily diets. Ever wonder which will mesh with [...]

It’s the oldest debate of the decade. Whose fault is it that Americans are getting really fat and sick? Is it the food scientist’s fault for being part of the problem and not part of the [...]

As you've heard by now, the Dow Jones tumbled about 500 points yesterday, sparking talk of more economic misery.  Things are still looking shaky, though as I write this at 3:32 p.m. EST, [...]

Obesity is an international concern. With obesity levels in U.S. children increasing over 300% since 1980 (NHANES data), there is a very large and looming concern as to the health of the U.S. population [...]

Section 4(b)(2) of FDA’s NDI Draft Guidance says a company is not required to submit an NDI notification for a generally recognized as safe (GRAS) dietary ingredient as long as that ingredient [...]

As FDA begins implementation of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), the Weston A. Price Foundation and the Farm and Ranch Freedom Alliance are urging the agency to focus its resources on the [...]

While most of us feel the economic pinch from time to time, you would think those in the upper income category feel it a little less. Not quite, say the analysts at Mintel, who say that shoppers in [...]

It was announced earlier this month that the Safe Cosmetics Act of 2011 was introduced to the U.S. House of Representatives as an amendment to title VI of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. According [...]

The first three jobs in my food science career were at prestigious companies like Dannon Yogurt, Unilever and Kagome. These were all companies that owned their own manufacturing plants (didn’t [...]

Chances are your safety program revolves around scary issues like pathogen prevention, metal detection and allergen control but everything else like particulate size, Brix, viscosity and flavor are [...]

A few days ago, I emailed FDA asking if Daniel Fabricant, the director of FDA's division of dietary supplement programs, would write a blog post about NDI draft guidance. [...]

Having spent over 30 years in botanical and botanical extracts activity, NDIs, to me, always seemed like the most elusive piece of DSHEA. For quite some time industry seemed comfortable with the efforts [...]

Beauty and fashion legend Coco Chanel once famously said, “Wear makeup. It is so conceited not to.” There’s more to the topic of cosmetics than just lip gloss and lashes, however. [...]

A couple of days ago, we learned the FTC's perspective on product claims in advertising. Now, it's time for FDA, which examines product claims on labels, to have its say. Readers, how [...]

As most of us are wrapping up our extended weekends and settling back into the business groove, it’s also time to switch gears from natural personal care to cosmetics. Makeup by nature is a topic [...]

What is a natural ingredient? On the surface, it seems like a pretty easy question to answer, yet finding a universally acceptable or already agreed upon response for ourselves and our customers was [...]

While the focus for this month has been discussing natural personal care, label claims and regulatory issues are often a hot button issue not just within the natural personal care space, but mainstream [...]

The just-released New Dietary Ingredient draft guidance from FDAwill likely cause a lot of heartburn for ingredient suppliers and dietary supplement manufacturers and marketers, and it should. Of course, [...]

  The big news this week was Senator Richard Durbin (D. IL) introducing legislation targeting dietary supplements. By now, we've all read his press release and the trade association [...]

As a chef, we use the term “natural ingredients” a lot when it comes to cooking. Although “all natural ingredients” may mean different things to different people, in my role [...]

If anyone has a doubt about the importance of the “natural” claim in the food and beverage market, there is no shortage of numbers to erase it. But understanding what the term actually [...]

It was first announced in February that NSF International, a U.S. testing and certification organization committed to protecting the environment and public health, and NATRUE, the International Natural [...]

Let's get down to it:  Here's what troubles me about yesterday's announcement of Senator Richard Durbin's soon-to-be introduced bill. 1.) How reactionary it is: Look [...]

Sodium Lauryl/Laureth Sulfates have come under fire in recent years, especially when included in natural personal care products. The cleanser has been blamed for everything from stripping hair color [...]

Most of us know that the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) requires a company's supplements health claims to be authorized via application. Claims fall under three categories: EFSA [...]

Let’s face it: Green is the new black.  Whether it’s what we eat, what we put on our bodies or what we use in our homes, people everywhere are making the choice to go natural.  [...]

Generally speaking, natural colours are derived from natural sources, and synthetic/artificial colours are manufactured from petroleum-based raw materials. For example, FD&C Red 40 is typically [...]

Parabens have become labeled as public enemy number one over the past few years, especially when used in natural products. Read on for commentary from cosmetic chemist and founder of Chemists Corner, [...]

If you follow the FDA’s warning letters and the action they have been increasingly taking against dietary supplement companies and faux “dietary supplement” companies, they generally [...]

If I had to pick two words to encapsulate my recent marathon around the IFT show floor, it would be “healthy” and “natural”—and, quite frequently, both were tied at the [...]

What was once a radical concept that catered to a niche crowd, it seems natural personal care products are on a shelf near you. The category has experienced tremendous growth over the past few years, [...]

On May 26, the FDA announced the first in a series of proposals to “increase public understanding of the public health impact of FDA’s enforcement efforts,” etc., all part of the [...]

I’m currently immersed in all things IFT here in New Orleans, walking the floor and meeting with companies all in the name of discovery. Health is clearly top of mind for a great proportion of [...]

There's no denying the green trend is on the rise and companies are trying to cater to consumers' desires for more natural products. But, consumers can become confused by too many green claims. [...]

The term “natural” is probably one of the most confusing to both the food industry and the consumer. While many think the term is synonymous with organic, there are actually significant [...]

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) along with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), has been cracking down on dietary supplement companies for allegedly overselling the health benefits of their products. Since [...]

Simply declaring that a food or drink is “natural” is no longer enough to make it stand out on the shelf as other consumer trends, such as using functional ingredients, are becoming more [...]

After a month of talking about economic adulteration, it's fitting that June's topic is product claims. Like economic adulteration, releasing a supplement with false, inappropriate product [...]

It was once not easy being green, but now with the influx of natural, organic and environmentally friendly personal care products, it’s simpler than ever to add a dash of green into your beauty [...]