The American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) was informed last night (June 19) that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration plans to disseminate a revised draft guidance on new dietary ingredients (NDIs) used in dietary supplements. The guidance, originally issued July 5, 2011, was widely criticized by the industry, which claimed...
Lakewood, CO—Natural and organic retail chain Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage will try to raise $115 million through the sale of common stock on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). The company filed as Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage Inc., and would like to trade on the NYSE under the...
Las Vegas, NV—The Natural Products Association (NPA) hosted its NPA MarketPlace tradeshow June 14–16 in Las Vegas, NV. The retailer education portion of the tradeshow offered several interesting and informative sessions, many of which entertained a packed crowd. The following are highlights from sessions attended by WholeFoods Magazine. In a...
Washington, D.C.—As America continues to face its worst economic situation since the Great Depression, the Obama Administration acknowledges that the organic agriculture and trade industry lends a generous hand in improving our nation. The Council of Economic Advisers, the White House Rural Council and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)...
The days may be numbered in which the disposable plastic bag sees widespread use in the retail setting. After the Los Angeles City Council voted 13-1 to phase out plastic bags in an estimated 7,500 stores over the next 12 months, the end may indeed be nigh for the...
Salem, OR—At the end of July 2012, natural and organic potato chip manufacturer Kettle Brand will have crunched its way to 30 years in business. “Kettle Brand started out in the natural products channel and we plan to honor the brand’s heritage in that channel by offering two of our...
Eagan, MN—Strenuous exercise causes stress on the body that could weaken the immune system, so two new studies have examined how a branded immune ingredient could affect athletes. In one, with data presented at the American College of Sports Medicine 59th Annual Meeting, researchers from Western Kentucky University and the...
Washington, D.C.—The Natural Products Association (NPA) has found a new leader. John Spitaleri Shaw will become the nonprofit's new Executive Director and CEO, filling the void left by former CEO John Gay. Shaw joins the natural products trade group from a strong background as an administrator, with his prior positions including: Assistant Secretary for Environment, Safety and...
Toledo, OH—The natural products industry has lost a beloved retailer and friend, Joseph M. Bassett, N.M.D., D.M., age 79. Bassett and his wife Pat were the owners and operators of Bassett’s Health Food Stores, which was founded in 1969 and now has two locations. “From their humble beginnings in a...
Zurich, Switzerland—The international peer review journal Heart printed a study from Switzerland on dietary calcium and supplement intake and the risk of heart disease and stroke. The study collected data from 23,980 participants aged 35–64 over 11 years to determine the effectiveness of calcium on decreasing the risk of heart...
