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Editorial: Dr. Joshua Sharfstein at the Annual CRN Conference: Between the Lines
[2009/11/02]
One of the predictable takeaways of last week's annual CRN conference was the opportunity to interact with regulatory leaders to gauge their priorities related to the industry, and to assess, what, if anything, industry should specifically and immediately do to prevent legislative catastrophe.
Ever since Congressman Waxman published his book, "The Waxman Report: How Congress Really Works," (actually even before it) rumor has abounded that a new attack on DSHEA was imminent. With several key associates in prominent positions, it was argued, it was only a matter of time before an outright attack would occur, likely with pressure from a number of places, and the appointment of Dr. Joshua Sharfstein, as Principal Deputy Commissioner of the US Food and Drug Administration was one such potential trigger. So it was with a lot of interest that I awaited Dr. Sharfstein's CRN presentation at Terranea Resort in Southern California last week.
| Editorial: Stevia Category Entries Proliferate - How Sweet Is It?
[2009/10/19]
In late 2008, the North American food and beverage industry received news that would alter the (caloric) balance of its world forever. The first stevia-derived sweetener, a product standardized to a compound called Rebaudioside-A or Reb-A had received FDA GRAS approval, and could be included in food and beverage formulations...
| Editorial: Natural Products Industry on the Move – to Boston
[2009/09/21]
Industry is on the move. This time it's literal. Later this week thousands will descend on Boston for Natural Products Expo East, an event that officially kicks of the fall show schedule and provides an opportunity for industry to gather, socialize, remember, commiserate and so much more.
| Editorial: Fiber Revisited: New Tricks for an Old Dog?
[2009/09/08]
Industry often finds itself in the great position of being able to clarify what consumers have known for decades, putting this knowledge in a current 'context' of 'health information' so that consumers can benefit from emerging science and product news...
| Editorial: A Political Front Row Seat
[2009/08/10]
This past week, I had the opportunity to listen from the ‘front row’ to Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) address an event here in Colorado, supporting freshmen members of Congress and talking about various subjects. I made a note to myself on a couple points relating to healthcare, and a set of circumstances that, at very least, frustrate logic.
| Editorial: View from the Summit - a Look Around the Supplement Sector
[2009/07/27]
I've always found the NBJ Summit one of the most interesting experiences of the year, and last week was no exception...
| Editorial: A Half Year in Perspective – Navigating Challenging Times
[2009/07/06]
A week ago, the official date for compliance with supplement GMPs passed for US mid-sized companies. A couple weeks earlier, Natural Products Association CEO David Seckman announced his resignation to assume responsibilities with the Food Processing Suppliers Association, which even earlier, had announced its intention to partner with IFT for an upcoming event in Chicago next year.
| Editorial: Musings on Anaheim – Reflections on IFT 2009
[2009/06/22]
Like returning to the scene of a crime (or in this case a great industry event), the recent trip to Anaheim for the 2010 IFT Conference and Expo provided an opportunity to reflect on a year half gone, opportunities ahead, and a chance to participate in an Anaheim event that frankly lacked any of the energy and vibe of Expo West and SupplyExpo held three months earlier. While I must admit that I didn't expect to see the exuberance of Expo reflected in IFT, even I was surprised.
| Editorial: Supplements in the Crosshairs
[2009/06/01]
Amidst the calls for more supplement regulation, industry detractors must be watching with glee. We now see signs that stevia is being deliberately adulterated, the sports nutrition/weight loss category is reeling with the Hydroxycut recall (apparently the specific ingredient culprit may never be found), there is obviously a new sheriff in town, and there will soon be fallout from inspection results as FDA inspectors begin setting their sights on the mid-size companies which become bound by the supplement GMP regulations for the first time at the end of this month.
| Editorial: A Case of Catch Up
[2009/05/20]
It's been a few busy weeks since I've last weighed in and analyzed the state of the industry. In that time, some have travelled to Secaucus, New Jersey, others to VitaFoods in Geneva, Switzerland, while others, in some cases mired in the slowing economic cycle, have been buffeted by repeated negative headlines.
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