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Health claims regulation hold-up Adoption of the Nutrition and Health Claims Regulation has been unexpectedly delayed after details of the legislation hit a stumbling block. The 25-member state EC Council of Ministers was expected to rubberstamp the legislation at a recent meeting, meaning it would come into force in about November and apply from around May 2007. But at the meeting, a legal technicality was discovered, meaning the council was unable to move forward. The problem stemmed from the legislation containing the wrong comitology, which is the process in which the Commission, when implementing EU law, has to consult special advisory committees made up of experts from EU countries. This committee system oversees acts implemented by the European Commission. A new comitology procedure now needs to be included in the regulation, which could end up taking some time and according to nutraingredients.com, the issue could reopen the debate about the regulation between the council and European Parliament. Speaking at the Political Policy debate at the Natural Trade Show Harrogate, Health Food Manufacturers Association director David Adams said: “There is a legal technicality and it seems like a cock-up in some of the phrasing of the legislation. It is likely to enter into force in November but it is just conceivable that it might be a few months, we don’t know at this stage.” He went on to say: “There are a whole raft of outstanding issues in terms of the phrasing of the legislation. This is a potential nightmare for national enforcement; will some countries adopt a different approach to enforcement than others.” Harrogate Trade Show goes from strength to strength The positive and uplifting atmosphere generated by the Natural Trade Show Harrogate 2006 instilled a feeling of confidence that for those that attended a better winter for sales growth is to come. Visitor numbers were up by over 7% due to a show packed full of opportunities and big industry names including Natures Aid, Solgar, This Mornings resident doctor Dr Chris Steele and Dr Gillian McKeith plus many others. The show ensured everyone was a winner thanks to a remarkable array of exhibitors, new products and amazing prizes, which boosted the appeal of exploring every inch of the show. A holiday to New Zealand, £3,500 of retail stock, organic champagne, a full Healthnotes kiosk worth £2,500 and much more up for grabs. The Health Store Pavilion achieved a new record with 37 suppliers joining together to make up an impressive stand. Their new THS Passport competition, launched at the show, rewarded five lucky retailers with thousands of pounds of retail stock! Suppliers and stores alike were held in high esteem at the glittering Gala Dinner Awards ceremony where the industry’s most prestigious retail accolades were presented. Winners from the north and Ireland received cash prizes totalling £1,500 and will appear in the industry’s leading trade magazines. Harrogate is by no means just a northern event, it is a national opportunity. Whatever your reason for attending: be it to seek out new products, new suppliers or network, learn from the best and meet industry celebrities in our thought provoking education programme, have fun, relax or have a well earned break Harrogate 2006 provided enough to fulfil your individual needs. If you were hoping to see it all it was a challenge to know where to start! Don’t miss reading the show review which is packed full of news from the show and will be landing on your doormat next week. With Harrogate in September and Brighton in March buyers and suppliers are able to attend events at the beginning of both the key trading periods of the year; just before Christmas and at the start of spring. It adds up to two distinct opportunities a year to keep up-to-date on products, deals and education that will boost trade. We hope you will be able to join us at the Natural Trade Show Brighton 2006 and if you would like to register your interest in attending please click here Retailers under attack for depression advice A leading association has criticised the Royal College of Psychiatrists for suggesting only one in 12 treatments for depression recommended by a health food store work. National Association of Health Stores chairman John McKee hit back at a study that is critical of popular remedies such as St John’s Wort, multivitamins, ginseng and gingko biloba. The survey in the October issue of the Psychiatric Bulletin, which is published by the college, aimed to assess the “appropriateness of treatments” recommended by health food shop staff for symptoms of mild-to-moderate depression. Employees from 10 health food shops offering herbal remedies within a three-mile radius of Leeds city centre took part, although were not aware they were participants. After a series of questions were asked, the researcher reported the majority of staff didn’t ask additional questions before making recommendations and only two asked if a GP had been consulted. One explained she was not medically trained, and that it would be wise to see the GP first. Twelve different remedies were recommended, with multivitamins the most popular. In response to the report, McKee warned: “This type of research is easy to do and can often make health food stores look foolish, disjointed, and ill-informed. As well as this ‘ring-around’ on depression we understand that another organisation may be doing a similar thing for cancer claims. This line of attack is easy to do and always seems to yield the desired affect for those who want to damage us. Health stores need to be on their guard. “It was also flagged up by the 'researchers' that the one store that actually did recommend St John's Wort did not mention the possible effects on the pill even after the researcher said she was taking it. We know that the links between the pill and SJW are poorly understood and come from a small handful of case studies and hypothesis rather than proven research. Failure to mention it does rather show that we don't have all the facts at our fingertips.” He also pointed out that staff having difficulty answering a query should refer to a more knowledgeable member of staff. “We should also exercise caution, particularly when dealing with people we are not familiar with, and we should grasp every training opportunity by the horns,” he added. THMPD in spotlight at conference The Health Food Manufacturers Association is offering an invaluable opportunity for companies to stay on top of the with key legislation updates affecting their business. The one-day conference, called The THMPD and Herbals – Planning the Future, is to be held on November 29. Visitors to the conference will hear an update on regulatory developments surrounding the Traditional Herbal Medicinal Products Directive from a number of experts. This includes MHRA managers Dr Linda Anderson, a pharmaceutical assessor, and head of borderline section David Carter. In addition, experts in legislative, technical and advertising issues will address the conference. For more information on the conference, call 020 8398 4066 or email office@hfma.co.uk Fish oils study in children appalling, blasts charity Education chiefs in Durham have been accused of causing potential harm to children by conducting a study on fish oils. The Vegetarian and Vegan Foundation is furious that Durham County Council has announced plans to give 5,000 Year 11 pupils a daily supplement of Omega 3 oils to assess whether they can boost attainment. In response to the announcement by Durham County Council, the foundation’s health campaigner Dr Justine Butler said: “The fish oil supplement companies insist that these pollutants are removed during processing,” says Dr Butler “but do you want your children to take the risk? She highlighted incidences of fish oils being recalled due to dioxins being present and added: “This experiment could lead to an environmental and health catastrophe! Instead of looking for a magic bullet to improve our kids brain power, we should be encouraging them to eat better foods – less junk and more whole grains and fresh fruit and vegetables.” Pioneer Community Foods is now owned by 12,000 farmers Community Foods, one of the most highly respected pioneer companies in organic products and wholefoods, has been bought by a surprising new owner in an unusual business deal. It has been acquired by Milk Marque, the successor company to the Milk Marketing Board of England and Wales and is now owned by12,000 dairy farmers and former dairy farmers in England and Wales. They are shareholders in what Milk Marque describes as one of the most exciting growth companies in the UK health food sector. The deal was made possible by the conversion of Milk Marque from a co-operative constituted under the Industrial and Provident Societies Act to a conventional company – a move approved by Milk Marque’s farmer members last year. For Community Foods, founded 35 years ago, the purchase secures its future, something which MD Bill Henry had realised had to be addressed over the next few years as the current 13 shareholders grew older. Henry has been with the company for 29 years and his fellow director Tim Powell for 30 years. There was not an obvious succession as there would be with a family business and having so many shareholders did not lend itself to a management buyout. “I have had many offers to buy before and they have all gone in the bin,” said Bill Henry, “ but this appealed because it was so unusual. It means that instead of being part of a plc we are owned by British farmers. Milk Marque Chairman, Roger Evans said that the unique background and ethos of Community fitted well with Milk Marque’s own co-operative origins. “Community Foods represents an excellent investment for Milk Marque shareholders. It is growing rapidly, operating very profitably in an attractive sector and has the scale Milk Marque is seeking.” “Its growth and profitability are truly impressive. For the year ended 31 March 2006 the company generated a pre-tax profit of £3.4m on turnover of £54.4m continuing a trend of increasing turnover and profitability, stretching back over a number of years.” Founded in 1971, Community Foods sources, wholesales and markets organic, health, and fair-trade food products. It stocks over 2,800 product lines including nuts, seeds, pulses, grains, dried fruit and branded health products. The business is a key supplier to Tesco, Sainsbury, and Holland & Barrett, as well as a range of independent health food chains, food manufacturers, and wholesalers. The business sells its own branded product range, including the “Crazy Jack” Organic dried fruit, nuts and snack range, and the “Sanchi” range of Japanese food products. The company is also the exclusive UK distributor for the “Orgran” range of gluten-free products, and the “Nature’s Path” range of organic cereals. At Community, it is business as usual with all the staff and shareholders staying with the company. The three directors of Community Foods will also be appointed to the Board of Milk Marque. Bumper grape harvest in East Sussex An outstanding harvest at the largest English organic vineyard, Sedlescombe, is one of the compensations of a warming climate. Following the hottest July on record, organic vineyard owner and winemaker Roy Cook is predicting his highest quality grape harvest ever, when picking begins this month. “I am confident that the 2006 harvest will be our best ever, both for grape quality and volume,” said Cook. Roy Cook’s workforce, swelled by recruits from his local area of East Sussex, will be gathering grape varieties such as Bacchus, Reichensteiner, Solaris, Pinot Noir and Regent, before too many cold nights set in, so they retain adequate fruit acid levels, and produce the fruity wine style for which English Wines are gaining an ever improving reputation. The prospect of increased wine production comes at time of significant growth in sales for Sedlescombe Vineyard, which is benefiting from the recent upturn of interest both in English and organic wines. Six more acres of the vineyard are in conversion to organic production. Sedlescombe has consistently produced wines that gain the top EU “Quality “ appellation and has won a series of prestigious awards; most recently a Bronze for its 2005 Dry White. Low levels of selenium in English wheat may be harming health A scientist at the University of Surrey suspects that the increased use of English and European wheat in the UK diet could be one of the factors in the increased numbers of cancers. Whereas we used to buy the majority of breadmaking wheat from Canada, the UK now sources mainly from the UK and Europe The researchers say that UK and European soils contain a considerably lower level of the essential mineral, selenium, long known to have vital cancer prevention properties, than those in North America. Deaths from cancer in the UK now outnumber deaths from heart disease and stroke and UK scientists have been prompted to investigate the link between low selenium intakes and cancer mortality. Dr Margaret Rayman from the University of Surrey’s School of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences is one of several European scientists trying to raise money to fund studies in the depth that are needed to prove that selenium really does have a beneficial effect in reducing cancer risk. “It is in the public interest to finance more research on the apparent relationship between selenium and cancer risk,” said Rayman. Since as early as the 1960s, geographical studies have shown a consistent trend for populations with low selenium intakes to have higher cancer mortality rates, says Rayman, who has been involved in the development of functional foods with a higher selenium content that can be readily absorbed by the body. She recommends that consumers boost their selenium intake by eating a daily portion of brazil nuts. Aspall helps save East Anglian orchards Vinegar and apple juice maker Aspall has been at the forefront of a campaign to save East Anglian apple orchards from destruction and has secured its own future supplies in the process. It has helped a dozen local farmers to convert to organic fruit production, rather than grubbing up their trees with the support of an £80,000 investment programme and a price guarantee, "Ensuring supplies of high quality fruit is fundamental to our business, both for our organic and non-organic products," said Aspall Director, Henry Chevallier Guild. "The five year conversion initiative was started in response to the needs of our growing business.” Brothers Henry and Barry, the eighth generation of the Chevallier family to run Aspall, realised that fruit from their own 90-acre organic orchards would be insufficient to meet the increasing demand for their award winning cyder and cyder vinegar, and have now secured a sustainable supply for the future without resorting to sourcing fruit from abroad. Aspall is in talks with other local farmers to plant organic apple orchards and also considering extending its own.

Health claims regulation hold-up

Adoption of the Nutrition and Health Claims Regulation has been unexpectedly delayed after details of the legislation hit a stumbling block.

The 25-member state EC Council of Ministers was expected to rubberstamp the legislation at a recent meeting, meaning it would come into force in about November and apply from around May 2007.
But at the meeting, a legal technicality was discovered, meaning the council was unable to move forward.

The problem stemmed from the legislation containing the wrong comitology, which is the process in which the Commission, when implementing EU law, has to consult special advisory committees made up of experts from EU countries. This committee system oversees acts implemented by the European Commission.

A new comitology procedure now needs to be included in the regulation, which could end up taking some time and according to nutraingredients.com, the issue could reopen the debate about the regulation between the council and European Parliament.

Speaking at the Political Policy debate at the Natural Trade Show Harrogate, Health Food Manufacturers Association director David Adams said: “There is a legal technicality and it seems like a cock-up in some of the phrasing of the legislation. It is likely to enter into force in November but it is just conceivable that it might be a few months, we don’t know at this stage.”

He went on to say: “There are a whole raft of outstanding issues in terms of the phrasing of the legislation. This is a potential nightmare for national enforcement; will some countries adopt a different approach to enforcement than others.”

Harrogate Trade Show goes from strength to strength

The positive and uplifting atmosphere generated by the Natural Trade Show Harrogate 2006 instilled a feeling of confidence that for those that attended a better winter for sales growth is to come.

Visitor numbers were up by over 7% due to a show packed full of opportunities and big industry names including Natures Aid, Solgar, This Mornings resident doctor Dr Chris Steele and Dr Gillian McKeith plus many others. The show ensured everyone was a winner thanks to a remarkable array of exhibitors, new products and amazing prizes, which boosted the appeal of exploring every inch of the show. A holiday to New Zealand, £3,500 of retail stock, organic champagne, a full Healthnotes kiosk worth £2,500 and much more up for grabs.

The Health Store Pavilion achieved a new record with 37 suppliers joining together to make up an impressive stand. Their new THS Passport competition, launched at the show, rewarded five lucky retailers with thousands of pounds of retail stock!

Suppliers and stores alike were held in high esteem at the glittering Gala Dinner Awards ceremony where the industry’s most prestigious retail accolades were presented. Winners from the north and Ireland received cash prizes totalling £1,500 and will appear in the industry’s leading trade magazines.

Harrogate is by no means just a northern event, it is a national opportunity. Whatever your reason for attending: be it to seek out new products, new suppliers or network, learn from the best and meet industry celebrities in our thought provoking education programme, have fun, relax or have a well earned break Harrogate 2006 provided enough to fulfil your individual needs. If you were hoping to see it all it was a challenge to know where to start!

Don’t miss reading the show review which is packed full of news from the show and will be landing on your doormat next week.

With Harrogate in September and Brighton in March buyers and suppliers are able to attend events at the beginning of both the key trading periods of the year; just before Christmas and at the start of spring. It adds up to two distinct opportunities a year to keep up-to-date on products, deals and education that will boost trade.

We hope you will be able to join us at the Natural Trade Show Brighton 2006 and if you would like to register your interest in attending please click here

Retailers under attack for depression advice

A leading association has criticised the Royal College of Psychiatrists for suggesting only one in 12 treatments for depression recommended by a health food store work.

National Association of Health Stores chairman John McKee hit back at a study that is critical of popular remedies such as St John’s Wort, multivitamins, ginseng and gingko biloba.

The survey in the October issue of the Psychiatric Bulletin, which is published by the college, aimed to assess the “appropriateness of treatments” recommended by health food shop staff for symptoms of mild-to-moderate depression.

Employees from 10 health food shops offering herbal remedies within a three-mile radius of Leeds city centre took part, although were not aware they were participants.

After a series of questions were asked, the researcher reported the majority of staff didn’t ask additional questions before making recommendations and only two asked if a GP had been consulted. One explained she was not medically trained, and that it would be wise to see the GP first.

Twelve different remedies were recommended, with multivitamins the most popular.

In response to the report, McKee warned: “This type of research is easy to do and can often make health food stores look foolish, disjointed, and ill-informed. As well as this ‘ring-around’ on depression we understand that another organisation may be doing a similar thing for cancer claims. This line of attack is easy to do and always seems to yield the desired affect for those who want to damage us. Health stores need to be on their guard.

“It was also flagged up by the 'researchers' that the one store that actually did recommend St John's Wort did not mention the possible effects on the pill even after the researcher said she was taking it. We know that the links between the pill and SJW are poorly understood and come from a small handful of case studies and hypothesis rather than proven research. Failure to mention it does rather show that we don't have all the facts at our fingertips.”

He also pointed out that staff having difficulty answering a query should refer to a more knowledgeable member of staff.

“We should also exercise caution, particularly when dealing with people we are not familiar with, and we should grasp every training opportunity by the horns,” he added.

THMPD in spotlight at conference

The Health Food Manufacturers Association is offering an invaluable opportunity for companies to stay on top of the with key legislation updates affecting their business.

The one-day conference, called The THMPD and Herbals – Planning the Future, is to be held on November 29.

Visitors to the conference will hear an update on regulatory developments surrounding the Traditional Herbal Medicinal Products Directive from a number of experts. This includes MHRA managers Dr Linda Anderson, a pharmaceutical assessor, and head of borderline section David Carter.

In addition, experts in legislative, technical and advertising issues will address the conference.

For more information on the conference, call 020 8398 4066 or email office@hfma.co.uk

Fish oils study in children appalling, blasts charity

Education chiefs in Durham have been accused of causing potential harm to children by conducting a study on fish oils.

The Vegetarian and Vegan Foundation is furious that Durham County Council has announced plans to give 5,000 Year 11 pupils a daily supplement of Omega 3 oils to assess whether they can boost attainment.

In response to the announcement by Durham County Council, the foundation’s health campaigner Dr Justine Butler said: “The fish oil supplement companies insist that these pollutants are removed during processing,” says Dr Butler “but do you want your children to take the risk?

She highlighted incidences of fish oils being recalled due to dioxins being present and added: “This experiment could lead to an environmental and health catastrophe! Instead of looking for a magic bullet to improve our kids brain power, we should be encouraging them to eat better foods – less junk and more whole grains and fresh fruit and vegetables.”

Pioneer Community Foods is now owned by 12,000 farmers

Community Foods, one of the most highly respected pioneer companies in organic products and wholefoods, has been bought by a surprising new owner in an unusual business deal.

It has been acquired by Milk Marque, the successor company to the Milk Marketing Board of England and Wales and is now owned by12,000 dairy farmers and former dairy farmers in England and Wales. They are shareholders in what Milk Marque describes as one of the most exciting growth companies in the UK health food sector.

The deal was made possible by the conversion of Milk Marque from a co-operative constituted under the Industrial and Provident Societies Act to a conventional company – a move approved by Milk Marque’s farmer members last year.

For Community Foods, founded 35 years ago, the purchase secures its future, something which MD Bill Henry had realised had to be addressed over the next few years as the current 13 shareholders grew older. Henry has been with the company for 29 years and his fellow director Tim Powell for 30 years. There was not an obvious succession as there would be with a family business and having so many shareholders did not lend itself to a management buyout.

“I have had many offers to buy before and they have all gone in the bin,” said Bill Henry, “ but this appealed because it was so unusual. It means that instead of being part of a plc we are owned by British farmers.

Milk Marque Chairman, Roger Evans said that the unique background and ethos of Community fitted well with Milk Marque’s own co-operative origins. “Community Foods represents an excellent investment for Milk Marque shareholders. It is growing rapidly, operating very profitably in an attractive sector and has the scale Milk Marque is seeking.”

“Its growth and profitability are truly impressive. For the year ended 31 March 2006 the company generated a pre-tax profit of £3.4m on turnover of £54.4m continuing a trend of increasing turnover and profitability, stretching back over a number of years.”

Founded in 1971, Community Foods sources, wholesales and markets organic, health, and fair-trade food products. It stocks over 2,800 product lines including nuts, seeds, pulses, grains, dried fruit and branded health products. The business is a key supplier to Tesco, Sainsbury, and Holland & Barrett, as well as a range of independent health food chains, food manufacturers, and wholesalers.

The business sells its own branded product range, including the “Crazy Jack” Organic dried fruit, nuts and snack range, and the “Sanchi” range of Japanese food products. The company is also the exclusive UK distributor for the “Orgran” range of gluten-free products, and the “Nature’s Path” range of organic cereals.

At Community, it is business as usual with all the staff and shareholders staying with the company. The three directors of Community Foods will also be appointed to the Board of Milk Marque.

Bumper grape harvest in East Sussex

An outstanding harvest at the largest English organic vineyard, Sedlescombe, is one of the compensations of a warming climate.
Following the hottest July on record, organic vineyard owner and winemaker Roy Cook is predicting his highest quality grape harvest ever, when picking begins this month.

“I am confident that the 2006 harvest will be our best ever, both for grape quality and volume,” said Cook.

Roy Cook’s workforce, swelled by recruits from his local area of East Sussex, will be gathering grape varieties such as Bacchus, Reichensteiner, Solaris, Pinot Noir and Regent, before too many cold nights set in, so they retain adequate fruit acid levels, and produce the fruity wine style for which English Wines are gaining an ever improving reputation.

The prospect of increased wine production comes at time of significant growth in sales for Sedlescombe Vineyard, which is benefiting from the recent upturn of interest both in English and organic wines. Six more acres of the vineyard are in conversion to organic production.

Sedlescombe has consistently produced wines that gain the top EU “Quality “ appellation and has won a series of prestigious awards; most recently a Bronze for its 2005 Dry White.

Low levels of selenium in English wheat may be harming health

A scientist at the University of Surrey suspects that the increased use of English and European wheat in the UK diet could be one of the factors in the increased numbers of cancers.

Whereas we used to buy the majority of breadmaking wheat from Canada, the UK now sources mainly from the UK and Europe
The researchers say that UK and European soils contain a considerably lower level of the essential mineral, selenium, long known to have vital cancer prevention properties, than those in North America.

Deaths from cancer in the UK now outnumber deaths from heart disease and stroke and UK scientists have been prompted to investigate the link between low selenium intakes and cancer mortality.

Dr Margaret Rayman from the University of Surrey’s School of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences is one of several European scientists trying to raise money to fund studies in the depth that are needed to prove that selenium really does have a beneficial effect in reducing cancer risk.

“It is in the public interest to finance more research on the apparent relationship between selenium and cancer risk,” said Rayman.

Since as early as the 1960s, geographical studies have shown a consistent trend for populations with low selenium intakes to have higher cancer mortality rates, says Rayman, who has been involved in the development of functional foods with a higher selenium content that can be readily absorbed by the body. She recommends that consumers boost their selenium intake by eating a daily portion of brazil nuts.

Aspall helps save East Anglian orchards

Vinegar and apple juice maker Aspall has been at the forefront of a campaign to save East Anglian apple orchards from destruction and has secured its own future supplies in the process.

It has helped a dozen local farmers to convert to organic fruit production, rather than grubbing up their trees with the support of an £80,000 investment programme and a price guarantee,

"Ensuring supplies of high quality fruit is fundamental to our business, both for our organic and non-organic products," said Aspall Director, Henry Chevallier Guild. "The five year conversion initiative was started in response to the needs of our growing business.”

Brothers Henry and Barry, the eighth generation of the Chevallier family to run Aspall, realised that fruit from their own 90-acre organic orchards would be insufficient to meet the increasing demand for their award winning cyder and cyder vinegar, and have now secured a sustainable supply for the future without resorting to sourcing fruit from abroad.

Aspall is in talks with other local farmers to plant organic apple orchards and also considering extending its own.