Alkemists Pharmaceuticals, an independent quality control and natural ingredient-testing laboratory, announced that its random spot-checking of eight brands of weight-loss supplements containing the natural ingredient Hoodia, found no adulteration or contamination.

Alkemists Pharmaceuticals conducts its Premium Partner Random Analysis quarterly for companies that have volunteered for inclusion. Utilizing its Analytical Triad Analysis, Alkemists conducts tests whereby systematic identification and detection of botanicals and their marker compounds are evaluated for quality control. The most updated and sophisticated combination of technologies is employed, including digital photo-microscopy (DPM), high performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) and/or high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).

"I am excited to report the addition of two new products to the program; Hoodia Standardized by Nature's Way and Prime Plus by Nouvelle Health. The inclusion of these two brands gives the consumer more choices of products in a growing list of brands willing to be subjected to random analysis," said Elan Sudberg, chief operations officer and lab manager of Alkemists Pharmaceuticals.

“The voluntary random testing program enables companies, whose products are ready to be scrutinized under the microscope, both literally and figuratively, to showcase their quality,” Sudberg added. “Third party certification of ingredient purity shows consumers that the products they are purchasing come from a company who has a commitment to quality and performance, and the confidence to go the extra distance to prove it. These companies are leading the way in this industry and are differentiating themselves in the marketplace by their voluntary participation in this program. They are raising the bar by providing the extra assurance needed to garner trust and confidence in the purity of natural ingredients that end up in the bodies of their friends, their neighbors and their loved ones.”

derma e® Natural Bodycare (Simi Valley, CA), a natural skincare company that has pioneered the development of high-performance antioxidant skincare solutions, has appointed Melinda Rukstela to the newly created position of northeast regional sales manager.

Previously, Rukstela held various buying and management positions for Tree of Life, the nation's leading distributor of natural, organic, specialty and ethnic foods. Her most recent position as category manager included managing categories by maintaining an optimum product mix, developing and maintaining profitable vendor partnerships and creating effective tools for retailers to be competitive and successful.

As a member of derma e's management team, Rukstela will be responsible for the development, account management and execution of tactical programs to support the rapid growth and ongoing pioneer status derma e maintains. She plans on accomplishing this by utilizing her strategic, leadership and overall business management skills learned over the past seven years in the natural products industry.

“derma e is poised for growth and by adding this new management position we will be able to increase sales, build key relationships and expand our exposure in the Northeast. We are pleased to have someone of Melinda's caliber and experience on the derma e sales team,” said Gina Ferrato, North American sales manager.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued an interim final rule to amend the existing health claim regarding soluble fiber and reduced risk of heart disease, to include barley betafiber as an authorized source of soluble fiber. The patent-pending manufacturing process permits Cargill (Minneapolis, MN) to produce a high beta glucan content product that provides customers a great ability to create new products that meet the requirements for the FDA health claim.

The FDA's revision of the health claim is a result of Cargill's petition, based in large part on Cargill's proprietary clinical research with Barliv™ barley betafiber. Cargill is the only producer of barley betafiber; therefore, Barliv barley betafiber is the only barley beta-glucan concentrate that qualifies for the FDA health claim as defined.

Barliv barley betafiber is a concentrated β –glucan soluble fiber derived from whole grain barley and has been the subject of several studies. Food products containing barley betafiber can have cholesterol-lowering properties similar to oats. A six-week clinical study, conducted at the University of Minnesota by Joseph M. Keenan, MD, found that barley betafiber, when consumed as part of a heart-healthy diet, significantly improved total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol levels.

“Cargill is pleased that the FDA has extended its soluble fiber health claim to include barley betafiber,” said William Rock, Barliv barley betafiber product manager for Cargill. “This is a significant step in Cargill's drive to commercialize new products with high relevance to consumers, capitalizing on the increasing demand for heart-healthy products.”

The high purity and low viscosity of Barliv barley betafiber allow for its use in a wide variety of applications, from carbonated beverages to snacks and cereals.

Cargill is also exploring the possibility of additional clinical studies that may support broader health benefits for Barliv barley betafiber, in line with other recognized health benefits.
For more information, visit www.cargillhft.com.

Kyowa Hakko USA (New York, NY) introduced its latest breakthrough in ingredient technology Sustamine Alanyl Glutamine at Informex, in New Orleans. Charlie Kotani, president of Kyowa Hakko USA, stated, “We are excited about our new dipeptide technology and know that it will bring value and savings to our customers.”

Sustamine is a dipeptide of the two amino acids L-alanine and L-glutamine, L-Alanyl-L-Glutamine (Ala-Gln). Compared to L-glutamine (Gln), Sustamine improves viable cell growth and increases product yield in media applications. Furthermore, Sustamine itself dramatically reduces the level of ammonia, which is a byproduct of L-Glutamine dedegration. Sustamine is very soluble in water and stable in solution, therefore it can be utilized to deliver the benefits of glutamine in a variety of applications.

Through its manufacturing process, Kyowa's scientists can create dipeptides like Sustamine without the necessity of synthetic or chemical modifications. Kyowa produces Sustamine, L-alanyl-L-glutamine directly from glucose through its proprietary fermentation process, which enables an economical benefit in terms of cost structure. This proprietary process has unlocked the potential for dramatically improving productivity in cell cultures, particularly of value in antibody production, but with promising applications that span the healthcare industry.

Sustamine can be utilized in many liquid products, including IV, enteral drugs, cell culture media, nutraceutical health, sports nutrition and more and is available for worldwide distribution.

Kyowa Hakko produces over 50 amino acids and related compounds, including D-Amino acids and branch-chain amino acids, as well as nucleic acids, bio-products and fine chemicals.

For more information visit www.kyowa-usa.com or call (212) 319-5353.

To help fund its research and education objectives and meet its 2008 fundraising goals, The Organic Center is hosting its Fifth Annual VIP Dinner on Friday, March 14, 7:30-9:30 p.m., at Natural Products Expo West in Anaheim, CA. The dinner will be held at the Anaheim Marriott Hotel immediately following the Organic Trade Association's Organic Industry Reception.

Andrew Weil, MD, will give the welcoming presentation. Weil is a board member of The Organic Center, a world-renowned leader in the field of integrative medicine, best-selling author and an internationally recognized expert for his views on leading a healthy lifestyle, his philosophy of healthy aging, and the future of medicine and health care. He is the founder and director of the Program in Integrative Medicine at the College of Medicine, University of Arizona, where he also serves as a clinical professor of medicine and professor of public health.

To sign up for tickets, tables, sponsorships and/or donations, contact Seleyn DeYarus, development director, The Organic Center, (303) 499-1840 or visit www.organic-center.org.

Natural Marketing Institute (NMI), a market research and strategic consulting firm specializing in health, wellness and sustainability, and The Nielsen Company announced an agreement to provide in-depth insights into NMI's Lifestyles Of Health And Sustainability (LOHAS) consumer segmentation model and expertise. The relationship provides consumer packaged goods (CPG) manufacturers and retailers with a better and enhanced understanding into the $209 billion LOHAS market and the ability to make smarter “eco-decisions” about product development, positioning, pricing, communication and distribution to meet LOHAS consumers' needs.

Nielsen will incorporate NMI's proprietary segmentation model into its Homescan® Consumer Panel and Spectra BehaviorScape Framework, enabling NMI and Nielsen to quantify LOHAS consumers' attitudes, psychographics and behavioral patterns into their actual purchase behavior.

“Together, NMI and Nielsen offer an unparalleled level of ongoing insight into the LOHAS marketplace that no other company is able to provide,” said Patti Marshman-Goldblatt, senior vice president, NMI. “For manufacturers and retailers, a key benefit of this relationship is the prospect of attaining and tracking greater ROI by identifying and targeting shoppers across the whole spectrum of LOHAS consumers and their varying degrees of eco-engagement.”

NMI and Nielsen's relationship enables companies to identify opportunities for new brands and existing products, as well as understand which categories and brands are most relevant to the LOHAS consumer and measure the effectiveness of LOHAS-targeted products and promotions. Combined data is available for analysis now.

“Our collaboration provides CPG manufacturers and retailers with actionable insights, enabling them to intimately understand the LOHAS consumer, including where they live, where they shop and what they buy,” said Tim Kregor, segmentation and targeting product leader for Nielsen Consumer Panel Services. “By working together, we can help companies develop meaningful eco-consumer strategies.”

For more information, visit www.nmisolutions.com or www.nielsen.com.