January 28th, 2009
Members of Congress are already seeking an investigation into the Peanut Corporation of America’s handling of salmonella contamination at its Blakely, GA, plant.
The Washington Post, NY Times, and other media outlets reported today that the operators of the Blakely plant detected the presence of salmonella in product samples at least 12 times between 2007 and 2008 but shipped the ingredients anyway after obtaining negative results on subsequent tests.
At a January 27 press conference, FDA and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention officials noted that while previous inspections had uncovered problems at the plant, inspectors were unaware of the salmonella contamination because the company was not legally required to share the test results.
On January 28, Representative Rosa DeLauro (D–CT) said she plans to ask the Department of Justice to look into the matter.
“Not only did this company knowingly sell tainted products, it shopped for a laboratory that would provide the acceptable results they were seeking. This behavior represents the worst of our current food safety regulatory system,” DeLauro said.
The calls for an investigation are warranted. But they could sidetrack discussion of another pressing issue: How can Congress provide FDA with the resources it needs to inspect the nation’s food processing facilities? It’s unlikely that FDA would have enough inspectors to examine every facility in the country on a regular basis even if Congress massively overhauled funding, or even if manufacturers paid for all the inspections themselves. Hopefully, someone’s working on an answer.
You can read FDA’s most recent report on the plant here.
Posted in GMPs, Regulation, Safety, Uncategorized | No Comments »
January 27th, 2009
Mention the phrase “mercury exposure” and most people think of seafood. New data suggest, however, that mercury may reside in an even more ubiquitous source: high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS). According to a preliminary study published in the journal Environmental Health, a team of researchers found detectable levels of mercury in 9 out of 20 samples of commercial HFCS obtained from several manufacturers.
The researchers acknowledged the small trial size, noting that they were unable to obtain additional samples. But they added that since 45% of the samples contained mercury, “it would be prudent and perhaps essential for public health that additional research be conducted by FDA or some other public health agency to determine if products containing HFCS also contain mercury.”
Assuming an average daily consumption of 49.8 g of HFCS, the researchers estimated that the potential average daily total mercury exposure from HFCS could range from 0–28.4 μg.
How widespread is the exposure? An additional study by the same team found mercury in one-third of 55 well-known brand-name foods and beverages that listed HFCS as the first or second ingredient.
The Corn Refiners Association (CRA) responded with a statement describing the study as “outdated” and “based on discontinued technology.”
More information about the two studies can be found on the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy’s Web site. To read CRA’s statement, click here.
—DS
Posted in HFCS | No Comments »
January 27th, 2009
Will the new Congress be good or bad for the dietary supplement industry? Find out yourself at this year’s Natural Products Day on March 24 in Washington, DC. Hosted by the Natural Products Association, the event gives concerned stakeholders a chance to meet and exchange their views with legislators. With more than 65 first-time senators and representatives this year, it’s the perfect time to make a good first impression.
Natural Products Day begins with a morning briefing by government relations experts. Following afternoon appointments with legislators, attendees are invited to an evening reception at the new Capitol Visitor’s Center.
“Natural products day is a fun and effective way for industry members to establish and strengthen personal relationships with members of Congress,” says David Seckman, NPA executive director and CEO.
I agree. I attended Natural Products Day several years ago and can say it was well worth the visit, even if I did almost get knocked over by a legislator who was in a hurry to shake someone’s hand. All I can say is, when you see one of them running, get out of the way.
To register, visit http://www.naturalproductsassoc.org/npd09.
—DS
Posted in Associations, Events, Regulation | No Comments »
January 23rd, 2009
USA Track and Field CEO Doug Logan offered a frank assessment yesterday of the impact of performance-enhancers on his sport. Speaking at the Focus on the Future conference in Scottsdale, AZ, Logan warned that steroids and other illegal substances were threatening to “choke the life” out of track and field. But then he added that the “supplement industry was braiding the noose.”
Reading his speech, I couldn’t help but notice some similarities between track and field and the supplement industry. Logan noted that USATF has been forced to move closer to a zero-tolerance policy because when one athlete breaks the rules, it taints all athletes. Even if 99% of athletes were clean, it wouldn’t matter, he said. “Without drugs, our sport is all but invisible to the press. They have no interest without scandal.”
While Logan repeated a few of the usual broadsides about the industry lobbying against “any federal regulation whatsoever,” (AERs, anyone?) he did make some good points. “By looking the other way” when athletes broke the rules, he said, the sport “created a permissive culture that provided a catalyst for more cheating.” He added that he is personally committed to doing his part to “reverse this cultural perversion.” As an example, he cited a letter he wrote to President Bush asking him not to show leniency to former Olympian Marion Jones.
The industry would do well to consider adopting a similar attitude toward companies that knowingly skirt the rules. Many of the marketers that sell adulterated or illegal products that masquerade as legal supplements are small operations that require contract manufacturers, ingredient suppliers, fulfillment centers, and other sources of assistance. Isn’t it time these helpful companies stopped looking the other way as well?— DS
Posted in Regulation, Sports Supplements, Uncategorized | No Comments »
January 12th, 2009
Hi there. Welcome to Seed Money, a blog for the business of natural products. We’re pretty sure we know what you’re thinking: “Great! Another blog. Why should I read it?”
There are lots of blogs on the Internet. Some of them talk about health, some of them talk about the healthcare industry, and some of them even talk about natural products. But very view are dedicated to exploring the business of natural products.
At Seed Money, we’re going to try to limit our discussions to how recent events could affect the market for dietary supplements and functional foods. Here, you’ll find timely posts about how new regulations, research data, and retail product launches could shape the industry. To borrow a catchphrase from politics, we plan to post early—and often.
So check back in the days, months, and perhaps years ahead. We think it’s going to be worth your while.
The editors of Nutritional Outlook
Posted in Seed Money, Welcome | No Comments »
