Zevia LLC (Seattle, WA) announced that its carbonated Zevia® product containing the natural herb stevia has reached nationwide distribution. With four flavors in stores now, Zevia beat the major beverage brands to grocery store shelves across the nation, offering the first all-natural, zero-calorie alternative to artificially sweetened diet sodas.

Citing the Coca-Cola Company's partnership with food giant Cargill to develop Truvia, a stevia derived sweetener intended for use in beverages and food, the mainstream beverage industry has awakened to consumer anxiety about artificial sweeteners targeting stevia as the answer. Zevia is a finished product readily available nationwide offering consumers a carbonated product utilizing the well-known benefits of pure stevia.
 
Some of the current retailers include Los Angeles' Bristol Farms, Washington state’s QFC (a Kroger division), PCC and Metropolitan Markets, San Francisco's Mollie Stone’s Markets and Dallas's Central Markets to name a few. Retail doors carrying Zevia will increase to well over 1,500 in June when committed retailer accounts come online, especially on the East Coast.
 
Zevia is an all-natural zero-calorie alternative to diet sodas available in four flavors (Natural Cola, Natural Lemon-Lime Twist, Natural Orange and new Natural Ginger Root Beer) and packaged in 100 percent recycled aluminum cans.

For more information visit www.zevia.com.

BGLife™ Barley recently joined in Nourish America's effort with a contribution of 3,600 packages of BGLife's Whole-Control Cereal from Phoenix Agri Research.

Barley is a high-fiber and low-fat whole grain, naturally effective in protecting against type 2 diabetes, weight management, satiation, blood pressure control, certain cancers and protection against cardiovascular disease. Through Nourish America, the residents of the American Housing Foundation projects in Arizona, Florida, Oklahoma and Texas as well as clients of the Center for People in Need in Lincoln, Nebraska received the many benefits of this product.

“The risk of diabetes in America is alarming,” said Ron Ueland, president of Phoenix Agri Research. “We support Nourish America's mission to improve the health status at risk of malnutrition. We are pleased to donate a wholesome, healthy food product to those who need it most.”

The barley cereal will directly benefit families and individuals in need in over 50 communities in five states. “These people would most likely not ever be able to afford such a high quality, organic product for their families,” said Suzanne Wendt, resident services regional director. “American Housing Foundation is grateful for the opportunity to be part of this collaboration in order to enhance the quality of life of our residents.” Families at American Housing Foundation also receive daily multivitamins for children from Nourish America.

For more information visit www.nourishamerica.org.

American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) President Michael McGuffin has been appointed to a workgroup California’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) has formed to assist in the development of regulatory language intended to help businesses provide necessary warning for exposures to Proposition 65 listed chemicals in food.

The Prop 65 Food Warning Workgroup is composed of 15 representatives from stakeholder groups affected by Proposition 65 regulatory language. Other participants include representatives of food retailers, food manufactures, environmental and consumer organizations, food growers and enforcement agencies.
 
“AHPA has established itself as a leader in representing and addressing Prop 65 issues for the herbal products industry,” said McGuffin. “I look forward to contributing to the efforts of this group.”
 
For more information visit www.ahpa.org.

InterHealth Nutraceuticals’ Super CitriMax® has been granted a patent for its ability to promote fat oxidation (fat burning). No other (–)-hydroxycitric acid (HCA) can make that claim, according to the company. Patent No. 7,335,651 B2 was issued February 26, 2008 by the US Patent and Trademark Office.

The ability of Super CitriMax to increase fat burning is one of its most important mechanisms of action. In recent human clinical studies, Super CitriMax significantly increased fat burning, which was demonstrated by the excretion of urinary fat metabolites such as malondialdehyde, formaldehyde, acetaldehyde and acetone.

Super CitriMax is an all-natural, weight-loss ingredient that contains standardized levels of (–)-hydroxycitric acid (HCA), an extract from the South Asian fruit Garcinia cambogia, which is bound to essential minerals calcium and potassium. Research has shown that Super CitriMax is also highly effective in reducing excess body weight and maintaining healthy body weight. In addition to burning fat, Super CitriMax promotes healthy serum serotonin levels, neuropeptide Y levels, cholesterol levels and body mass index (BMI). Super CitriMax also suppresses appetite and inhibits fat production, without stimulating the central nervous system.

For more information, call (800) 783-4636 or visit www.interhealthusa.com.

The US Senate voted Thursday to override President George W. Bush's veto of the $307 billion farm bill, with most Republicans joining Democrats, according to United Press International (UPI).

Republican leaders were among those breaking with the president. Minority leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky and conference chairman Lamar Alexander of Tennessee joined the majority.

“By overturning the president's veto, we are making substantial investments in nutrition programs to help millions of families afford healthy food, in help for farmers hit by disaster and to protect our nation's natural resources,” said majority leader Harry Reid (D-NV).

The House voted Wednesday to override the veto, so with the Senate voting to override the bill becomes law.

Some House Republicans claimed a technical glitch would deprive the House override vote of its legitimacy. A section of the bill was dropped from the version of the bill sent to the White House, which Bush vetoed.

However, a congressional parliamentarian ruled that the House override vote was proper.

Among its agricultural subsidies, the Farm Bill will provide funding and direction for key organic priorities including organic research, data collection, transition to organic production, as well as eliminating the crop insurance premium for organic producers.

The Farm Bill also includes anti-poverty programs such as food stamps and major environmental policy provisions.

A recent market research survey released by Mambo Sprouts Marketing showed that consumers are placing a priority on buying green and two in three or more are using coupons, stocking up on sales and cooking meals at home to stretch their grocery dollars.

Even with the faltering economy and rising food and energy prices, about nine in 10 (88 percent) consumers reported buying the same (52 percent) or more (36 percent) green environmentally friendly products versus six months ago. About seven in 10 consumers are still willing to spend up to 20 percent more for "green" sustainable products. Only one in six (17 percent) respondents reported buying fewer natural and organic foods, as individual comments suggested that short-term savings would have long-term costs to their family's health and the environment.

Results showed fuel prices are driving dual aspects of consumer behavior. Respondents are shopping closer to home and combining trips to reduce gas expense as well as buying more local and seasonal produce for lower prices and to reduce food miles and their carbon footprint.

Natural and organic consumers are using a variety of money saving strategies to offset higher food and energy prices, including: 1) increased reliance on coupons and sales; 2) preparing more meals at home; 3) wasting less of their purchases; 4) preparing more meatless, vegetarian meals; and 5) buying less bottled water and using filtered and tap instead.

Money saving topics of interest to two in three consumers included: finding healthy coupons and offers online (77 percent), saving money on organics (74 percent) and healthy kid's meals and snacks (65 percent of families). According to Mambo Sprouts, consumer commitment to green and organic products reflects the increased media attention and awareness of the health and environmental benefits of buying organic, locally produced, sustainable food.

For more information visit www.mambosprouts.com.