The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has released a draft of its guidance on the updated Nutrition and Supplement Facts label. This follows the organization’s May 2016 update to its Nutrition Facts panel, which now requires manufacturers to declare added sugars.
Organizations with annual revenues of over $10 million have until July 26, 2018 to implement the new labels in their packaging. Those corporations falling below this mark will have an additional year to comply.
The new draft guidance addresses issues from manufacturer compliance to the design of the labels, themselves. Once finalized, it will represent the current thoughts of the FDA. Members of the food and beverage industry will have 60 days to comment on the document before the finalization process is initiated.
These guidelines are mainly meant to increase consumer awareness of the quantity of added sugars in prepared food and drink. The new label will show the amount of added sugars per serving, the establishment of a Daily Reference Value (DRV) for added sugars, and a Daily Value (DV) declaration for added sugars.
Other proposed changes include a mandatory requirement to list vitamin D and potassium, while vitamins A and C are no longer required to be listed. The reference values for the daily value figures have also been updated, calorie values are being made more prominent, and serving sizes are being made more realistic.
These decisions are extremely similar to those made by Health Canada regarding Nutrition Labels. However, the Canadian labels do not require added sugars to be declared on the nutrition label. Rather, Canada’s labels group sugars together and list a per cent daily value for sugars in general.
These changes reflect a willingness from both governments to help increase consumers’ safety and awareness about the products they are purchasing.
Carlson Labs is now offering a form of B-12 supplement that is more easily absorbed by the body.
Methyl B-12, also known as methylcobalamin, is an active, functional form of B-12 that’s preconverted before it enters the body for optimal bioavailability and health. It is also a methyl donor, meaning it provides the methyl groups that are essential to normal health. Carlson Methyl B-12 provides 1 mg (1,000 mcg) of vitamin B-12 as methylcobalamin per lozenge, which can be dissolved in the mouth or chewed once daily. Methyl B-12 supports healthy energy metabolism, brain function, nerve function, and red blood cell formation.
Although the body can absorb the vitamin B-12 traditionally found in supplements, it must convert it to the coenzyme form, methylcobalamin, to become metabolically active and provide optimal benefits. This requires valuable energy and exertion from our body. Methyl B-12 is already in an active state, allowing our body to bypass the conversion process, resulting in enhanced absorption.
Vitamin B-12 is found in foods of animal origin, such as meat and dairy products. For this reason, vegetarians are more likely to have a B-12 deficiency. Mature adults are also often more susceptible to B-12 deficiency than younger adults because our ability to absorb vitamins as we age decreases.
For more information, visit www.carlsonlabs.com.
About Carlson Labs
Since 1965, Carlson Labs has produced fresh, pure, award-winning vitamins, minerals, fish oils, and other nutritional supplements. They launched at the forefront of the industry, offering the most complete line of natural-source vitamin E products in the world. They then paved the way for bringing fish oil and cod liver oil to the U.S. Market. In 2009, they launched calamari marine oil, and today, they’re proud to bring you a product line of more than 200 innovative formulas designed with your family’s unique nutritional needs in mind. For more information, call (888) 234-5656, check out their website at www.carlsonlabs.com, or visit your local natural food store. J.R. Carlson Laboratories, Inc. is located at 600 W. University Dr., Arlington Heights, IL 60004.
A new study out of the University of Calgary hopes to improve the quality of life for more than 110,000 Canadians living with celiac disease. The initiative, referred to as MOVE-C (Understanding the Relationship Between the MicrobiOme, Vitality and Exercise in Celiac Disease,) recently received a $50,000 grant from the university’s Faculty of Kinesiology.
The researchers are studying holistic, evidence-based approaches to help patients with this autoimmune disorder, which can cause bloating, diarrhea, constipation, and increased risk of intestinal cancers and osteoporosis. The team wants to discover treatments other than adherence to a gluten-free diet for celiac patients.
“Our focus is on helping people to improve their quality of life,” says researcher Justine Dowd, who was diagnosed with celiac disease six years ago. “Often, people are diagnosed and start to eat gluten-free, but still have a variety of negative symptoms.”
According to Dowd, just looking for the words “gluten-free” on packaging might not be enough to manage the disease in a healthy way. “Lots of gluten-free food is very processed, low in nutrition, and high in calories, which causes this perfect storm. People are often underweight when they are diagnosed with celiac disease, and then if they are eating over processed, high-calorie foods, they can gain too much weight on a gluten-free diet and are at risk of health complications like metabolic syndrome.”
In addition to promoting a whole foods diet, Dowd’s team will be exploring the benefits regular exercise can have on patients. “Exercise is good for everyone, and we want to see how getting people with celiac disease more active can get them to a healthier weight status and healthier in general,” says Dowd. Aside from the obvious benefits, exercise may also help to promote a healthy balance of gut bacteria. “There are preliminary studies that show that exercise has led to a healthier microbiome in animals and humans,” she adds.
Currently, the MOVE-C study is seeking adults who have been diagnosed with celiac disease and do not engage in regular exercise to participate in a free exercise program at the University of Calgary. Dowd has also developed an app, MyHealthyGut, that helps educate people about which foods are safe to eat, as well as record symptoms. Other key parts of the program will include interviews with experts on everything from acupuncture to sleep.
“It’s about empowering people to manage their celiac disease,” says Dowd. “I am so happy to be able to provide people with a program that is evidence-based. I wish I had had it myself years ago.”
For inquiries about the free exercise program, please email move@ucalgary.ca
Nature’s Emporium—a fast-growing Canadian and family-run health food market celebrating 23 years in shared good health—has officially announced its forthcoming Burlington location. The freshly redesigned 20,000 square foot facility will showcase a rich selection of premium natural and organic foods, supplements, as well as sustainable whole body and home care. Set for a Winter 2017 grand opening, Nature’s Emporium Burlington— located at 2180 Itabashi Way—marks a significant leap forward for the brand, as the first expansion outside of the York Region.
Health-conscious Burlington and area shoppers will find tremendous value in the wide range of complimentary wellness services and products offered at Nature’s Emporium. Holistic nutritionist guided store-tours, healthy cooking classes and special guest lectures with leading wellness thought-leaders, as well as a caring team of wellness specialists (including on-staff Naturopaths, homeopaths and nutritionists) all work together to help customers successfully navigate the road to good health.
In-store highlights will include a 100 per cent organic fresh produce department (with seasonal emphasis on local fare), a Juice Bar and Bistro serving fresh natural and organic meals alongside Fairtrade coffee, tea, cold-pressed juices and smoothies, an artisan cheese and sustainable meat & seafood department, vegan and vegetarian-friendly options, natural and organic groceries, gluten-free, a huge selection of vitamins & supplements, as well as plant-based natural whole body care and home care products designed to simplify greener living. The store also features an expansive patio—the perfect place to enjoy a fresh juice once spring arrives!
Great effort has been made to ensure that the organization’s longstanding commitment to education, selection and service excellence, which has played such an important role in their connection with customers through the York Region, carries forward to Burlington.
A recent study has found that vitamin D deficiency can aid in the progression of metabolic syndrome, with underlying disturbances in gut bacteria.
“Based on the study, we believe that keeping vitamin D levels high, either through sun exposure, diet or supplentation, is beneficial for prevention and treatment of metabolic syndrome,” says Professor Stephen Pandol, at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, USA, who collaborate with Yuan-Ping Han’s research team at Sichuan University in China.
With nearly a quarter of the world’s adult population affected by metabolic syndrome, the research team has made important advances in understanding the causative role of vitamin D.
“A sufficient dietary vitamin D supplement can partially but significantly antagonize metabolic syndrome caused by high fat diet in mice,” Pandol says. “These are amount equivalent to the dietary recommendations for humans.”
They have specifically found that a high fat diet affects the balance between good and bad bacteria in the gut. Vitamin D deficiency decreases the production of defensins, while a high fat diet induces modest fatty liver, and slightly raises blood sugar levels. A supplement can supply a synthetic defensin to recover the gut bacteria balance, decreases blood sugar and improves fatty liver.
Dr. Edward Gorak to lead comprehensive, integrated team of cancer experts at Baptist MD Anderson Cancer Center
He followed in his father’s footsteps and joined the U.S. Army and found his passion in oncology and research while in medical school. That commitment to service lasted 12 years as he significantly grew and led hematology-oncology and bone marrow/stem cell transplant programs at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C.
But he didn’t stop there. After a highly decorated military service, he joined Geisinger Medical Center in Pennsylvania where he not only grew and implemented high-quality research trials for underserved populations but expanded hematology-oncology services and received national accreditation for the bone marrow transplant program.
Dr. Gorak is now taking his passion and extensive experience to form and grow similar programs in Jacksonville after recently being named Head of the Division of Cancer Medicine at Baptist MD Anderson Cancer Center. Dr. Gorak has been at Baptist MD Anderson since August 2015 as one of the founding medical oncologists who helped start Baptist MD Anderson Cancer Center, which opened in October 2015.
“I’m looking forward to being part of the team who will bring comprehensive, quality cancer care to northeast Florida,” said Dr. Gorak, DO, MBA, MS, FACP. “We plan to strengthen existing programs such as our breast cancer program and continue to expand high-quality research. Our partnership with MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston is going to be critical in utilizing some shared research and new technologies.”
Making cancer history
While he will continue with his clinical practice at Baptist MD Anderson, Dr. Gorak now takes on administrative responsibilities and serves as physician-in-chief for medical oncologists and other physicians who work at the cancer center.
“We appreciate Dr. Gorak’s earlier work on helping to build the Baptist MD Anderson Cancer program,” said Darin Roark, vice president of oncology services for Baptist Health. “We are grateful to have him step up into the leadership role as we continue advancing our efforts to grow and support the needs of our patients.”
And with a new nine-story building set to open in 2018, Baptist MD Anderson will be recruiting additional national leaders in medical oncology and other medical oncology specialties in areas such as lung cancer, colorectal cancer and gastrointestinal (GI)/genitourinary (GU) cancer, among others.
Dr. Gorak will lead in building new programs in cancer treatment and quality improvement.
“Dr. Gorak can bring people together to create even more effective teams and integrative care with surgery, radiation oncology, and cancer medicine to better meet the needs of our patients closer to where they live,” said Bill Putnam, MD, medical director for Baptist MD Anderson.
“He has a very nice way about him and is aligned with our broad mission of integrated and coordinated cancer care,” Dr. Putnam added. “I think Dr. Gorak will be an individual who will help us accomplish our goals of making cancer history.”
Extensive experience
Dr. Gorak brings a wide-range of interests and experience to his new role. He is board certified in hematology, medical oncology and internal medicine.
With a master’s in business administration and a master’s of science in epidemiology, Dr. Gorak served as director of the hematology malignancy program and principal investigator for oncology research at the Geisinger Cancer Institute in Pennsylvania before coming to Baptist MD Anderson. He also was co-director of The Center for Bone Marrow Transplantation for seven years and led national cancer trials.
“The health care industry is changing rapidly and Geisinger is one of the health systems that is leading that change,” Dr. Gorak said. “My experiences at Geisinger were one of a kind and I look forward to bringing those insights to Baptist MD Anderson.”
In addition to significant growth of the hematology program at Geisinger, Dr. Gorak and his team maintained continuous grant funding through the National Cancer Institute’s Community Clinical Oncology Program and secured additional funding as one of only a few selected sites for the cancer institute’s competitive Community Cancer Clinical Program and Community Oncology Research Program. As a recognized leader, he was selected as a fellow of Geisinger’s Strategic High Potential Program.
Previously, he served at Walter Reed Army Medical Center as assistant chief for hematology-oncology and director/medical director of the Stem Cell Transplantation Program. He also was attending physician for the bone marrow transplant program and chief of the hematology-oncology clinic.
He rose to the rank of lieutenant colonel and received numerous honors for his service including Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal (bronze star), Global War on Terrorism Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon and Overseas Ribbon.
Early in his military career, he used immunotherapy and vaccine therapy for malaria and the development of vaccines against smallpox and other diseases, for which he received the Army’s Meritorious Service Medal. Dr. Gorak also spent a significant amount of time at the National Institute of Health where his research focused on complications of bone marrow transplants.
“The military taught me life skills such as the importance of teamwork and taking pride in your work and your organization,” Dr. Gorak said. “I also learned how fragile life is after caring for soldiers who had their worlds turned upside down through conflict. It was very satisfying to me to be involved with the rehabilitation process of our soldiers and veterans so that they can go back to “standing on the wall” and protect the rest of us.”
With numerous journals and abstracts on a variety of cancers and treatments, Dr. Gorak serves on several key national committees such as the National Cancer Institute Myeloma Steering Committee and the National MDS (Myelodysplastic Syndromes) Natural History Study Steering Committee.
But his biggest rewards come from his patients, he said.
“I enjoy the long-term aspect of caring for my patients and taking care of their families too,” Dr. Gorak said. “There is a lot of gratification seeing them overcome their cancer and come out on the other end in good shape.”
For more information on Baptist MD Anderson Cancer Center, go to baptistmdanderson.com.
—————-
About Baptist Health
Baptist Health is a faith-based, mission-driven system in Northeast Florida comprised of Baptist Medical Center Jacksonville; Baptist Medical Center Beaches; Baptist Medical Center Nassau; Baptist Medical Center South; Baptist Clay Medical Campus and Wolfson Children’s Hospital – the region’s only children’s hospital. All Baptist Health hospitals, along with Baptist Home Health Care, have achieved Magnet™ status for excellence in patient care. Baptist Health is part of Coastal Community Health, a regional affiliation between Baptist Health, Flagler Hospital and Southeast Georgia Health System forming a highly integrated hospital network focused on significant initiatives designed to enhance the quality and value of care provided to our contiguous communities. Baptist Health has the area’s only dedicated heart hospital; orthopedic institute; women’s services; neurological institute, including comprehensive neurosurgical services, a comprehensive stroke center and three primary stroke centers; a Bariatric Center of Excellence; a full range of psychology and psychiatry services; urgent care services; and primary and specialty care physicians’ offices throughout Northeast Florida. Baptist MD Anderson Cancer Center is a regional destination for multidisciplinary cancer care which is clinically integrated with MD Anderson Cancer Center, the internationally renowned cancer treatment and research institution in Houston. For more details, visit baptistjax.com.
—————-
Cindy Hamilton
Director, Public Relations
Cindy.Hamilton@bmcjax.com
Phone: 904.202.4907
A petition with over 150,000 signatures is calling to close all retail shops on December 26. However, the government has responded saying it is not for them to tell businesses how to run.
Labour MP Helen Jones has stated that the current Boxing Day system is exploiting lower paid workers, and deprives them time with their families over the holidays. Jones felt that recent evidence submitted to her committee has convinced her that the government should take action.
“I went from feeling quite indifferent about Boxing Day openings to believing it does exploit very low paid workers, who often have to work late on Christmas Eve to get the shops ready and then have to go in very early on Boxing Day morning,” she says.
Along with public transport and childcare running on holiday hours, making it difficult just to be at work, the additional pay has all but disappeared across the sector.
“What I’ve not seen is anything to convince me that Boxing Day generates extra trade, as opposed to just moving it from another day. No one died because a shop was shut, and I think we are exercising our freedom to shop whenever we want on the backs of some very low-paid workers, who are being exploited and being denied the freedom to expect to have time with their families.”
However, boxing day has been a tradition for many families. In Canada, over 120,000 made their way to Yorkdale Shopping Centre on December 26 this year—compared to an average 75,000 weekend turnout. Many consumers prefer boxing day over Black Friday or Cyber Monday. In fact, one in three consumers were estimated to go shopping and to spend an average of $244 across all retail sectors. While Canada does extend their sales for a full week after Christmas, one has to wonder how shutting down on the most popular shopping day of the year would affect sales.
Old-school values and modern practices make Boiron a true industry leader
By Corrina Mosca
While the old adage suggests that the past is something to be put behind us, an understanding of history is often what drives us forward. This is especially true in the world of business; although it is essential for corporations to look ahead whilst navigating their growth plans, some forget the importance of where they came from.
For Boiron, the largest manufacturer of homeopathic medicines in the world, personal history is a catalyst for progress: rather than hindering its success, an appreciation for the past has helped the business to evolve. Filled with immense success, lasting values, and its fair share of obstacles, Boiron’s rich history is a core facet of its current operations.
PAST TENSE
Daniel Dereser, CEO of Boiron Canada
Boiron’s story begins in 1932 in Lyon, France. At this time, twin brothers Jean and Henri Boiron were working for René Baudry, a highly respected homeopathic pharmacist. As this partnership progressed, the brothers noticed an increasing demand in the market for high-quality and reliable homeopathic medicines: something they had the expertise and willpower to provide.
From there, the pair founded Boiron, seeking to manufacture and develop high-quality, homeopathic solutions for health-care practitioners and consumers alike. By the late 1970s, the business had already grown drastically: with several regional French establishments and a facility in Italy, the company had established itself both on the national and international stage.
Then, in 1988, Boiron Canada was opened in Saint-Bruno-de-Montarville, Quebec. Just like its European forefathers, this brand-new centre sought to offer an ever-growing line of homeopathic health-care products to the market.
Now, with eighty years of experience under its belt, the company has become the top player in its industry: with 20 subsidiaries across the globe, four production sites, 3600 dedicated employees and a presence in more than 50 countries, Boiron has become nothing short of an empire. However, although the company has grown tremendously since its inception, it still maintains the feeling of a family business—something that few multinational companies are able to accomplish.
“Since its inception, Boiron has remained an independent, family-based pharmaceutical laboratory,” says Daniel Dereser, CEO of Boiron Canada. “Collectively, our team is dedicated to a public health mission through the development of homeopathy around the world.”
OLD IDEALS, MODERN METHODS
Today, Boiron is focused on maintaining its past values, whilst also tailoring them to the modern market. With the birth of a new eco-friendly era, the company has found a need to embrace environmental sustainability in its procedures—without sacrificing product quality.
In order to manage this, Boiron has enacted an extensive manufacturing process. This involves a comprehensive market analysis as well as scientific investigation, which is run through the company’s active research programs.
“The development of new products is research-driven,” notes Dereser. “As such, we utilize the talents of university research teams, homeopathic practitioners, physicians and veterinarians from around the world.”
Once this is complete, the company sources the bulk of its ingredients from local suppliers who share their core value: excellence. When gathering these raw materials, Boiron surrounds itself with qualified, regional professionals and promotes re-supplying wild or organically-farmed plants when possible.
“These standards not only help to ensure the traceability of our ingredients, but are also meant to ensure safe and high-quality products,” explains Dereser. “Furthermore, when collecting plant species for our homeopathic medicines, we work with suppliers who share our objective in optimizing the traceability and sustainability of plant substances.”
This respect for the environment is “at the heart of Boiron’s procurement practices,” adds Dereser. This is evidenced by the company’s compliance with the practices of plant harvesting laid out by the World Health Organization (WHO). Moreover, to maintain these environmental standards across the board, Boiron’s partners and suppliers are also regularly audited for compliance.
ALL IN THE FAMILY
While Boiron has modernized its standards when it comes to its ingredients, some aspects of the business certainly haven’t changed. Although it is now a multinational company, it still maintains close relationships with its employees, consumers, and peers.
Despite its colossal staff of almost 4000 individuals, Boiron still manages to create a close-knit atmosphere in its offices—a sentiment that hearkens back to its roots as a family business.
“It is Boiron’s deep conviction that the key to the performance and the growth of the company depends on the creativity and motivation of its employees,” notes Dereser. “We are keen on developing specific benefits for our employees to enrich their well-being.”
For Dereser, this is well reflected in the company’s Quebec location, where each employee is treated with the utmost respect, individuality and care.
“We strive to create an enjoyable work environment for every employee, and our building in Saint-Bruno is a reflection of that,” he continues. “Its inspiration was derived from the very values we call our own: innovation and professionalism, rigour and passion, as well as performance and pleasure.”
However, Boiron’s care for the individual doesn’t stop at its employees: through its educational initiatives, the company extends unparalleled attention to its clients and industry peers.
“At the heart of our marketing program lies a grassroots strategy to educate health-care practitioners and consumers about homeopathic medicine,” says Dereser. “Additionally, we have developed different training programs for health-care practitioners that are very well received. We also reach out to individuals directly and invite them to discover our products.”
Boiron’s strong web presence absolutely supports this desire to educate others. Through its comprehensive company website and frequent activity on social media, Boiron ensures that both practitioners and consumers have up-to-date information about the organization, its values, and homeopathic medicine in general. Last summer, the company further enhanced its site with a blog called “Healthy Together,” which shares various health and wellness tips with the general public.
ONWARD AND UPWARD
Moving forward, the company will continue to keep these old-school values in mind—while also leading the market in innovation.
“We are always looking to innovate, and we are continually working on the development of new products,” says Dereser. “Boiron strives to match the needs of health care practitioners and consumers, as well as to stay on top of market trends.”
Besides creating groundbreaking products, Boiron has also embraced the needs of its contemporary consumers with a foray into the digital market.
“E-commerce is a reflection of the change in the consumer’s behaviour over the last several years,” he continues. “We have adapted to this change, and forged some terrific partnerships with online retailers.”
Boiron has thus carved itself a unique niche in the market—one that other brands simply are unable to fill. With its juxtaposition of classic values and novel ways of conducting business, it has become a brand that consumers past, present, and future may know and trust.
Costco says it will open seven locations in Canada next year after opening its first business centre this fall.
The Washington State-based big-box retailer currently operates 91 stores across the country and 715 around the world.
The first Canadian store geared to business customers is slated to open soon near Toronto, raising the total number of international business centres to 15.
Business centres are about two-thirds the size of a regular Costco and offer a wider selection of business-oriented merchandise and services — but no consumer products like apparel, toys and bakery items.
Meanwhile, Costco said it hasn’t yet decided whether to increase membership fees in Canada and the United States despite raising annual charges in September in Taiwan, Korea, Japan, Mexico and the U.K.
Costco normally increases membership fees every five or six years. The last increase, equal to 10 per cent, took place in November 2011.
Hain Celestial announced a number of new team members, including new Chief Operating Officer Gary W. Tickle, who previously served in a variety of executive roles at Nestlé Group. Most recently, Tickle was President and CEO of Nestle Infant Nutrition North America, overseeing Gerber and Nestlé brands.
Former Kraft Foods Inc. manufacturing and procurement manager Jerome Erskin joins Hain as Chief Supply Chain Officer. James Fay, former senior vice president of global sales for Nature’s Path Foods, joins Hain as Chief Customer Officer.
As well, Leah Dunmore joins Hain as Vice President of Marketing for Better-for-You Pantry, bringing experience from her tenure as vice president of U.S. soup at Campbell Soup Company and as marketing director for M&M’s Business at Mars Chocolate, North America.
