A compound with multiple health benefits that has been on the U.S. dietary supplement market for 30 years is now available for food products. Natural Health Science (NHS-Hillside, N.J.) has officially launched Pycnogenol® into the functional foods market. Pycnogenol, French maritime pine bark extract, was reviewed by a panel of independent toxicology experts and determined to be GRAS, based on scientific procedures in the self-affirmation process, in accordance with the FDA.
Wild herbs and botanicals are becoming a formalized industry in Kosovo, thanks to Uncle Sam. The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is funding a project called Kosovo Business Support (KBS), which provides a range of services to small businesses and entrepreneurs in the region. It is being executed jointly by two organizations, Chemonics International and Winrock International.
While the benefits of green tea have been well researched and are well accepted, the newest ingredient from the tea family—white tea—is less well known, but has the potential to become a blockbuster ingredient.
An August 2002 U.S. patent issued to Innovative Foods Inc. provides a method of infusing nutrients such as vitamins, phytochemicals, herbal extracts and medicinals into fruits, vegetables and other underutilized food products.
Some attribute the phenomenon of the "French Paradox" to consumption of red wine at least to a certain degree. Although the French consume a diet high in saturated fatty acids, have high cholesterol levels, high blood pressure, and smoking rates similar to other countries, their incidence of death due to coronary heart disease is relatively low.
With numerous health benefits supported by strong scientific evidence, flax lignans have much to offer manufacturers targeting specific categories of wellness seekers, including consumers in the fast-growing men's health category.