Milan, Italy-based Indena obtained self-affirmed GRAS status for its olive fruit extract Opextan, at levels up to 1,062 mg per person per day. In other news, Indena achieved Kosher certification from KLBD for several products including its Meriva and Greenselect Phytosome ingredients.

The October 31 episode of The Dr. Oz Show featured Garcinia cambogia for its weight-loss benefits. Harry Preuss, M.D., was interviewed on the show, and he cited research on a branded form of the ingredient (Super CitriMax, from InterHealth of Benicia, CA).

The scientific team from Sabinsa Corp. of East Windsor, NJ published a book entitled, Tetrahydrocurcuminoids, Curcumin C3 Reduct: The Cascading Antioxidant. This text covers the chemistry, pharmacology, preclinical, clinical and safety profile of tetrahydrocurcuminoids.

Morristown, NJ-based P.L. Thomas & Co., Inc. will now distribute Mediterranean-origin botanical extracts from Nutrafur S.A. (Spain) in the United States.

Frutarom Health, USA, based in North Bergen, NJ, will now offer its HyperPure technology in the United States. This environmentally friendly technology uses a specially designed cross-flow membrane microfiltration process to separate unwanted lipophilic compounds without solvents.

Gencor Nutrients, Inc. of Anaheim, CA rebranded with a fresh look, new marketing and sales material, a redesigned Web site and more.

Parry Organic Spirulina from Valensa International of Eustis, FL received a letter of no objection from FDA regarding its Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) status. This is the first organic spirulina to achieve FDA GRAS status.

Blauvelt, NY-based RFI acquired Alta Quality Nutrition of Modesto, CA.

Aker BioMarine of Oslo, Norway received four new Australian innovation patents covering krill oil compositions sold in Australia and the extraction method of its krill oil.

A new study from the University of Nebraska shows that the DDS-1 strain of Lactobacillus acidophilus from Nebraska Cultures of Walnut Creek, CA survives through the entire digestive tract. Stated the company, “While there is clinical evidence that supports the health benefits of probiotics, there has never been a study proving that the DDS-1 strain actually reaches the colon and persists long enough to do its work—until now.” The study combined three eight-week periods (separated by three to four weeks) in which DDS-1 was compared to two other strains (Lactobacillus reuteri PTA-6475 and Lactobacillus mucosae FSL-04).

BASF SE, a chemicals company giant headquartered in Ludwigshafen, Germany, is planning to pay $654 million for Pronova BioPharma ASA of Lysaker, Norway to cement its position as a leader in the omega-3s market. The deal is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2013.

Published in WholeFoods Magazine, January 2013