Juice Gives You Something to Chew On

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February 26, 2015

First-Ever USDA Organic Line of Chewable Juices Receives PO From United Natural Foods, Inc. in Preparation for Whole Foods Markets Launch

Fresh Promise Foods, Inc. (a Georgia-based natural and organic health and wellness company), announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, Harvest Soul, Inc., maker of organic chewable juices, has received its first major purchase order from United Natural Foods, Inc. – a leading independent national distributor of natural, organic and specialty foods and related products, including nutritional supplements, personal care items and organic produce.

This is a significant step in preparation for Harvest Soul’s launch into Whole Foods Markets South Region, where Harvest Soul Chewable Juices will be available in Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, Alabama and Mississippi before the end of the month, marking a sizable launch in the Southern Region of the United States.

In addition to distribution services, United Natural Foods provides a range of innovative, value-added services for their partners and suppliers in efforts to foster mutual success and growth. These impactful services include marketing and promotional tools, merchandising, category management and store support services.

Kevin P. Quirk, Fresh Promise Foods CEO and Harvest Soul President, said, “It’s always nice to have people interested in buying what you are selling. Working with partners like Whole Foods Markets and United Natural Foods makes it even more exciting.”

Harvest Soul Chewable Juices will be on Whole Foods Markets shelves launching their “Chewtrition Revolution” messaging.

Harvest Soul Organic Chewable Juices, available in Green Fusion and Tropical Fusion, are superfood blends of fruits and vegetables, mixed in with perfectly sized bits of seeds, nuts and berries. They are packed with fiber and protein, are never made from concentrates, and have no added flavors or sugar.

United Natural Foods, Inc. carries and distributes more than 80,000 products to more than 40,000 customer locations throughout the United States and Canada. The Company serves a wide variety of retail formats including conventional supermarket chains, natural product superstores, independent retail operators and the food service channel.

Dangers Posed by Counterfeit Veterinary Drugs in Canada and Around the World

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February 26, 2015

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Dangers Posed by Counterfeit Veterinary Drugs in Canada and Around the World

A recent story by Susan Mann in Better Farming points out that non-regulated drug imports currently make up 13 per cent of the veterinary drugs used in Canada.

She quotes Canadian Animal Health Institute president, Jean Szkotnicki as warning that veterinary drug importation programs enable Canadian livestock farmers to directly import drugs that may be counterfeit and that do not have Health Canada approval.

“The importation and use of (bulk) active pharmaceutical ingredients is being done by both veterinarians and pharmacists who are directing the product into veterinary medicine both at the food and companion animal level,” she says.

While it’s true that counterfeit drugs create much bigger problems in developing countries, Szkotnicki says she wants to see stricter border controls as the industry removes growth promotion claims from labeling on licensed antimicrobial products that are considered important in human medicine. It is part of the process of addressing overuse of antibiotics in food animals and how that may contribute to antimicrobial resistance in humans.

The World Health Organization for Animal Health (OIE), issued a press release in January stating that counterfeit veterinary drugs play “a dangerous role in global antimicrobial resistance.”

Counterfeit drugs constitute as much as 80 per cent of the veterinary drugs used in some countries.

British Columbia and Ontario Pharmacists to Provide New Cardiovascular Program to Patients

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February 26, 2015

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British Columbia and Ontario Pharmacists to Provide New Cardiovascular Program to Patients

Green Shield Canada, in partnership with the Ontario Pharmacists Association and the British Columbia Pharmacy Association, launched a pharmacist counselling service focused on cardiovascular health. The Pharmacist Health Coaching program is designed to improve the health outcomes of patients with hypertension and high cholesterol, and reduce health benefits costs. It is now available to plan members of Green Shield Canada’s health benefits plans in Ontario and British Columbia. Green Shield Canada will be actively engaging additional provinces in the program as the year progresses.

Under the program, pharmacists offer eligible patients support and counselling on managing high blood pressure and high cholesterol through one-on-one sessions. The program’s objective is to empower participants to take responsibility for their overall health – it will focus on diet, exercise, smoking cessation, drug therapy adherence and personal health monitoring. Training has been developed for pharmacists delivering the program, and remuneration will be made available for the counselling services provided.

The Pharmacist Health Coaching program is based on a study sponsored by Green Shield Canada, in partnership with the Ontario Pharmacists Association and other organizations (including the Heart and Stroke Foundation) that tested the effectiveness of pharmacists’ hypertension management services. Patients with uncontrolled hypertension met regularly with their pharmacists, who provided medication and lifestyle counselling and monitored blood pressure. The results of the study provided clear evidence that a significant percentage of patients who received a pharmacist’s support had lower blood pressure, lower body mass index, improved medication compliance and reduced drug costs compared to a control group of patients who did not receive pharmacist support.

“Our experience shows that a key element of managing overall health benefits costs for our clients is helping their employees better manage their personal health. And pharmacists have a natural point of interaction with them,” said Steve Bradie, president and CEO of Green Shield Canada. “Through this investment in health management, our goal is to not only improve health outcomes and influence drug therapy adherence, but also lower overall plan costs and, in the end, deliver savings to the Canadian health care system.”

“We are very pleased to be able to provide this service to patients in British Columbia,” said Geraldine Vance, CEO of the British Columbia Pharmacy Association. “Pharmacists are easily accessible to most British Columbians and can meet frequently with patients. That means better adherence to medications and healthy behaviours.”

“We are excited to be able to build on the success of the pilot program and to offer this important pharmacy service to all eligible patients in this province,” said Dennis Darby, CEO of the Ontario Pharmacists Association. “As medication experts and trusted health care providers, pharmacists are ideally placed to help raise awareness of the risk factors leading to heart disease and stroke, to play a key role in early detection, and to help patients manage their various medication therapies.”

“High blood pressure and high cholesterol are primary risk factors for cardiovascular disease – we applaud the pharmacy associations and Green Shield Canada for implementing a program that will go a long way in helping those living with these risks to control their blood pressure and cholesterol levels, make lifestyle changes and improve their medication regimens,” said Dr. Gavin Arthur, director, Promote Recovery, Heart and Stroke Foundation.

About Green Shield Canada
Green Shield Canada (GSC) is a benefits specialist. It’s what they do. But as Canada’s only national not-for-profit health and dental specialist, their reason for being is the enhancement of the common good. GSC seeks out innovative ways to improve access to better health for Canadians. From coast-to-coast, their service delivery includes drug, dental, extended health care, vision, hospital and travel benefits for groups and individuals, as well as administration services. Supported by cost containment strategies, advanced technology and exceptional customer service, they create customized programs for over one and a half million plan participants nationwide.

At Some Gyms, “Pumped” is taking on a Whole New Meaning

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February 26, 2015

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Health and bodybuilding supplements come in all sorts of interesting formulations, but according to Nick Eagland, a reporter for The Province, the worlds oldest and most natural formulation seems to be undergoing a resurgence.

In an article that has been reprinted across Canada and is trending on Social Media, the reporter presents an astonishing (and some say gut-churning) update on what he claims is a new fad among the body-building intelligensia.

Citing the case of Jennifer Rowse, a Langley based nutritionist who has sold her breast milk on Craigslist, Eagland tracks down an array of bodybuilders, milk-donors, medical health officers and even the odd retailer whose comments range from “I heard of it but never thought it was true!” to “It’s a urban myth,” to opinions about its safety and nutritional value.

Apparently, buyers search for it on “milk-sharing” sites like Only the Breast and on classified sites like Craigslist. And prices range from about two dollars to 20 dollars an ounce for freshly pumped breast milk.

Even if it sounds to you like a viable source of carbs, fat and protein, there are definitely dangers in buying it from unregulated sources, because frankly you don’t know what you’re getting – and it could contain anything from parasites to HIV or Hep C. And if you approach someone privately to buy it, there’s definitely a danger of coming off more than a little bit kinky. Even the most upright and prim of breast milk “producers” has had to turn down offers from people actually interested in the act of breastfeeding.

But from a pure health food stand-point, one can’t help but wonder if this truly qualified as a performance enhancing supplement.

By the way, the sale and distribution of human milk for consumption is regulated under the Food and Drugs Act and Regulations, which is enforced by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.

A Vancouver Police Department spokesperson stated that there’s “no criminal offence for selling” breast milk online.

Omega-3 DHA and EPA named 2015 Ingredients to Watch

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February 26, 2015

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Omega-3 DHA and EPA named 2015 Ingredients to Watch

After a significant drop in sales in the US over the past year and a half, 2015 should bring some positive news for omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA, according to the Global Organization for EPA and DHA (GOED).

“For 2015, GOED anticipates a flurry of domestic as well as international industry-shaping regulatory activity associated with EPA and DHA,” says Harry Rice, PhD, GOED’s vice president of regulatory and scientific affairs and a Nutritional Outlook editorial advisory board member. Rice points to key regulatory developments that will, if they pan out, reinforce to consumers the importance of EPA and DHA intake.

On the international front, the Codex Alimentarius Commission, part of the FAO/WHO that develops international food standards, continues its work to devise a final draft for the first-ever Codex Alimentarius standard for fish oils. Although Codex does not have regulatory power, some countries do adopt Codex standards as their own. The goal now is fine-tuning and reaching a final draft, which the Codex Committee for Fats and Oils has been working to achieve for years. At its 24th session this February, the committee was scheduled to continue discussions on the proposed draft of the standard, including addressing new comments and revisions suggested by omega-3 stakeholders. At its Malaysia meeting earlier this month, Codex decided to include krill, salmon, and menhaden oils in the draft standard.

Meanwhile, last November, the Codex Committee on Nutrition and Foods for Special Dietary Uses approved a proposal to eventually establish a Nutrient Reference Value (NRV) for EPA and DHA omega-3s. A NRV would represent a global recommended intake for these fatty acids, much like a dietary reference intake (DRI) value in the United States. It would, says GOED, underline the importance of EPA and DHA intake to the entire global community.

In the US and Canada, EPA and DHA are being considered for a DRI of their very own. Before deciding on which nutrients will next undergo official DRI review—there are several in contention, in addition to EPA and DHA—a U.S. and Canadian nutrient assessment group is meeting this March to first discuss the use of chronic disease endpoints when setting DRI nutrient values. Because current science on many of the nutrients nominated for DRI reviews includes links to chronic disease, the committees believe they must first decide on how to approach these disease endpoints.

This May should also bring final word on GOED’s long-awaited FDA petition for a health claim linking EPA and DHA with the reduction of blood pressure in the general population. After reviewing the science submitted, FDA decided it will now approach this health claim as a qualified health claim. (As opposed to an authorized health claim, a qualified claim must be accompanied by a disclaimer communicating to consumers the level of scientific evidence supporting the claim.)

Hain Celestial Announces Accretive Strategic Acquisition

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February 26, 2015

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Hain Celestial Announces Accretive Strategic Acquisition

Acquires Live Clean® Personal Care Brand in Canada

Expands Health and Beauty Care Offerings with Diversified Line of Baby, Body and Hair Care Products

The Hain Celestial Group, Inc., a leading organic and natural products company with operations in North America, Europe and India providing consumers with A Healthier Way of Life™, today announced the acquisition of Belvedere International, Inc., (“Belvedere”) a leader in health and beauty care products including the Live Clean® brand with approximately 200 baby, body and hair care products as well as several mass market brands sold primarily in Canada and manufactured in a company facility in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada.

“We are excited by the acquisition of the Live Clean brand, which expands our presence in the personal care category and complements our Avalon Organics®, Alba Botanica® and JASON® brands that we sell into Canada. This acquisition increases the scale of our Canadian operations to over $150 million in net sales and provides us with opportunities for sales expansion and cost efficiencies as we leverage our existing infrastructure in Canada and our manufacturing and research and development expertise in personal care,” said Irwin D. Simon, Founder, President and Chief Executive Officer of Hain Celestial.

“It is with great pride that I see my family’s business become part of the esteemed Hain Celestial Group. I believe under their stewardship the Live Clean brand will reach great heights,” said Sandra Belvedere.

The Live Clean brand is the leading natural hair care and baby care brand in Canada. In calendar year 2014 Belvedere had approximately $25 million in net sales and is expected to be accretive to Hain Celestial’s earnings in fiscal year 2016. Belvedere, which was founded by Rocco Donald Belvedere in 1981, was a family-owned company led by Larry Romagnuolo, President and Chief Executive Officer.

“The Live Clean brand establishes a personal care base of operations in Canada for Hain Celestial, which can serve as the foundation for the continued growth of all our personal care brands and provide us with an opportunity to expand the brand beyond the Canadian mass channel,” commented Beena Goldenberg, President of Hain Celestial Canada.

“I am pleased the employees of Belvedere are joining Hain Celestial Canada, who can ensure the next level of growth for the personal care business established by my family 34 years ago, and I look forward to working with Beena Goldenberg and the Hain Celestial team in pursuing new opportunities as part of a leading organic and natural products company,” said Larry Romagnuolo, who is himself joining Hain Celestial Canada as General Manager, Personal Care where he will be responsible for the Live Clean brand as well as Avalon Organics®, Alba Botanica® and JASON brands in Canada.

Coffee Fruit Extract May Provide Cognitive Health Benefits

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February 25, 2015

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KonaRed Corporation, manufacturers of Antioxidant Juices and nutritional supplements from the exclusive and highly effective Hawaiian CoffeeBerry®, coffee fruit from Kona, Hawaii, announced that its partner FutureCeuticals, was featured in the article, “Cognitive health appeals to all demographics”, published in the February 16, 2015 edition of Beverage Industry. The article cites that the coffee fruit extract that is used in KonaRed’s beverages and supplement powders has been reported to increase serum levels of certain proteins linked to mood and memory, and may provide cognitive health benefits that appeal to all demographics.

An excerpt from the article states:

“In the case of CoffeeBerry® coffee fruit extract, we discovered that it has a unique capacity to increase serum levels of brain-derived neurotropic factor (BDNF), which is a key neuro-protein involved in cognition, mood and other key neuro-processes. We chose to focus on cognition and mood, given the enormous public interest in cognitive and mental health at all age levels. Baby boomers frequently cite cognitive health as their No. 1 concern, and younger people are motivated to take action now to help ensure a higher quality of life as they age.”

KonaRed’s CEO Shaun Roberts stated, “In addition to supporting healthy cognition, clarity, mood, focus that are crucial to everyone regardless of age, CoffeeBerry® coffee fruit also delivers beneficial antioxidative qualities and phytonutrients that may promote other wellness qualities such as increased energy and healthy immune response. This superfruit forms a key component of our functional beverages and wellness products and provides exciting value to the consumer.”