Doctor’s Best brand moves to Chinese firm

Chinese nutrition firm Xiamen Kingdomway Group Co. makes a brand play in the US, acquiring nutritional supplementsmarketer Doctor’s Best Inc. from private equity firm North Castle Partners. Financial details of the transaction announced June 15 were not disclosed. Xiamen, China-based Xiamen Kingdomway, launched in 1997 in a government-backed initiative, says it manufactures five product lines, coenzyme Q10, microalgea DHA, ARA, vitamin A and vitamin D3 that "are extensively used for pharmaceutical, nutraceuticals, food, cosmetics and feed and exported to a dozen countries and regions throughout the world." North Castle, of Greenwich, Conn., said its expertise has helped develop San Clemente, Calif.-based Doctor’s Best lineup since it purchased the brand in 2014. Doctor’s Best in 2015 expanded its supplements line with products for menopause symptom relief, heart health, fitness and gluten protein digestion ([A#05150803004]).

Delaware bans DMX sales to minors

Delaware becomes the 12th state to age-restrict sales of OTC cough suppressants containing dextromethorphan, requiring minors to have a prescription. Legislation Gov. Jack Markell, D, signed June 16 requires warning letters from the state Office of Controlled Substances for businesses' first violation and $150 fines for second violations. Legislation also has been introduced in both chambers of Congress to establish a nationwide age-restriction on sales of DXM, a change the drug industry supports ([A#05160530004]).

UK firm responsible for distributors' social media claims

The UK Advertising Standards Authority says Forever Living Products Ltd. is responsible for claims including “increases sperm volume and count up to 200%" that independent distributors make on social media for its food supplement Multi-Maca. In a June 15 decision, ASA reported that a consumer who sells Forever Living product said she was unaware the claim viewed on her Facebook page on Jan. 25 could be considered advertising. She said she copied and pasted the ad from the firm's Facebook page onto her own. Forever Living responded that it expects independent distributors to comply with its social media code of conduct and since December its distributors have been told to use only company-created ads to promote products. ASA said the ad claims do not appear on the list of authorized health claims in the European Union Register, which the UK recognizes for approved supplement and food claims.

Juice Garden blooms UK bogus claims

Scotland firm The Juice Garden's claims of “cancer deterrent,” “relieves respiratory problems,” “cures throat infections,” “reduces fever” for various products implied the juices prevented, treated or cured human disease, the UK Advertising Standards Authority says. Claims for the firm's juices and shakes featured on its website in October also implied a relationship between the products, their ingredients and health, including “boost testosterone levels in males,” “cleanse the liver,” “kidney cleanser” and many others, according to ASA's June 15 decision. None of the claims are authorized in European Union Register, the UK source for approved supplement and food claims. The independent regulator additionally found that claims on the website including “bromelain boost,” “iron rich” and “more calcium than milk,” implied a nutritional benefit of the drinks or their ingredients, but were not authorized in the UK. And for allowable claims, Juice Garden did not provide evidence the products or ingredients were compliant with UK regulations. ASA noted that the firm acknowledged its complaint, but did not provide a substantive response to the inquiry.

FDA trashes macular degeneration medical food

Focus Laboratories Inc.'s Tozal Complete Eye Health Formula is falsely labeled as a medical food for age-related macular degeneration and is indicated for a use that renders the product a drug, FDA's Office of Regulatory Affairs says in a June 5 warning letter. ORA officials in February and April reviewed the North Little Rock, Ark., firm's websites and also found Focus Labs promoted its FreshKote product OTC monograph drug even though it does not meet all the requirements of the final monograph for Ophthalmic Drug Products. The letter states FDA is not aware of any distinctive nutritional requirements or unique nutrient needs for individuals with age related macular degeneration and Tozal does not meet the agency's regulatory criterion for medical foods. Additionally, FreshKote is intended for uses that go beyond the labeled indication of lubricant eye drop, which renders its labeling as well as its formulation noncompliant with the monograph.

Omega Protein stockholder information stays confidential

[Omega Protein Corp.] says a Nevada state court ruled June 14 against Wynnefield Capital Management LLC's petition to gain access to the “vast majority” of the firm's confidential stockholder information. A long-time shareholder of Houston-based Omega with a 7.9% stake, Wynnefield filed a complaint June 3 attempting to gain access to company data while accusing Omega of misallocating approximately $168m into the human nutrition business ([A#05160613001]). The court required Omega to provide email and mailing addresses of its stockholders to the extent they are in Omega’s possession, but that “was only a portion of one of the nine categories of additional information Wynnefield demanded,” the firm stated.

CRN day on Capitol Hill

Executives from more than 60 dietary supplement manufacturers in the Council for Responsible Nutrition on June 8 encouraged members of Congress to provide adequate funding and support for FDA”s Office of Dietary Supplement Programs. The stakeholders participating in the trade group's “Day on the Hill” also shared information about CRN dietary supplement product registry launched as part of industry's efforts to ramp-up self-regulatory initiatives ([A#05151116002]). CRN stated on June 10 that the participants encouraged legislators to support including multivitamins in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and the Women, Infant, Children special supplemental program. CRN members had more than 60 meetings with House and Senator offices, heard presentations by speakers including Reps. Jason Chaffetz, R-UT, Markwayne Mullin, R-OK, and Jared Polis, D-CO, and sat in on a supplement industry congressional caucus briefing as a researcher presented scientific developments in the essential nutrient category and highlighted supplements' role in health and wellness. In conjunction with the meeting, CRN launched its economic analysis, “2016 Economic Impact of the Dietary Supplement Industry,” demonstrating that the industry contributes $121.6bn annually to the US economy ([A#05160613008]).

Global sports supplement sales growth

The global sports supplement market is anticipated to grow at a compounded annual growth rate of 8.8% through 2022 with the protein supplements segment contributing the largest share, according to P&S Market Research. In a June 13 release summarizing findings of its research on included protein and non-protein supplements and herbal supplements, the New York firm said “surging urbanization and growing numbers of fitness centers and health clubs are the key growth drivers for the global sports supplement market.” Key trends identified in the research include growing demand for caffeine-free products and increasing investment in product development.

Industry Roundup: UK Ad Claims, Doctor's Best Sold, Delaware DXM Bill

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