A new clinical study provided evidence that green tea catechins can stimulate production of cancer-protective enzymes in people with low natural levels, reported Beveragedaily.com.

Green tea catechins have been the focus of considerable research in recent years due to the low incidence of cancer in people in countries where green tea is consumed as part of the every day diet, such as Japan and China.

Researchers from the University of Arizona, led by research associate professor H-H Sherry Chow, set out to explain the anti-cancer effect of green tea by seeing if a concentrate of catechins had any effect on levels of glutathione S-transferase (GST) enzymes. GSTs are understood to modify cancer-causing molecules so they do not damage cellular DNA.

The researchers believe their findings suggest a green tea concentrate could enable some people to strengthen their metabolic defense against carcinogens, thereby providing a new layer of evidence to support the green tea category of supplement and food ingredients.

The cocoa market is projected to exceed 4 million metric tons by 2010, according to a new report by Global Industry Analysts. Scientifically backed nutritive and cancer-fighting capabilities of cocoa-rich chocolates are fueling the demand for cocoa.

Global consumption of cocoa increased rapidly, exceeding production during the last decade primarily due to rising income levels and growth in chocolate consuming population. Global cocoa demand is projected to register a CAGR of 2.7 percent. Europe leads the global cocoa market, accounting for a share of approximately 42 percent. The Asia-Pacific market for cocoa is expected to grow at over 4 percent. Africa, which contributes approximately 70 percent of world production, is the dominant supplier of cocoa beans.

The superfood and drink market is expected to almost double by 2011, according to a new report by Datamonitor, with soy products and exotic fruits leading the charge. Datamonitor attributes the rise to consumers looking for foods deemed good for them, with more than half of the 5,413 European and U.S. consumers surveyed by the firm claiming they had taken more active steps to eat and drink healthily in 2006.

Shoppers are actively seeking nutrient-rich fresh, organic and functional food and drinks and turning their backs on foods high in fats, sugars and salts, says Michael Hughes, market analyst and author of the report. As a result, superfoods and drinks, like acai and goji berries, are seeing a surge in demand.

Datamonitor defined superfoods for the purpose of the report as foods rich in “specific nutrients and phyto-chemicals and are promoted as being able to improve health condition and/or disease prevention.”

Exotic, highly fashionable fruits such as acai berries, goji berries and pomegranates have all risen in popularity. In the period January 2005 to May 2007, there had already been a 500 percent increase in the number of products using pomegranate as an ingredient compared to the period 1999 to 2004.

On the down side, the report indicates many superfoods originate from countries away from the U.S. or European market, noting their sale is at the cost of a high carbon footprint.

Other healthy products seeing growth included soy product sales which more than tripled in Western Europe from 2001 to 2006 and doubled in the U.S. in the same time period as well as green tea sales which have grown substantially in the U.S.

With the increased focus on imported foods, several legislative proposals have been introduced or are being considered for introduction. These proposals would:

- require FDA to assess user fees of up to $50 per line item on imported food;
- require FDA to, within five years, restrict all imports of food to ports of entry located in a metropolitan area with an FDA laboratory;
- require FDA to, within 180 days, issue regulations that require the labeling of food to identify its country of origin;
- increase civil penalties for importers or manufacturers that violate the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act to $100,000 per individual and $500,000 per company;
- give FDA mandatory recall authority;
- require each foreign facility from which food is imported into the U.S. to obtain an FDA certification stating it maintains a program using reliable analytical methods to ensure compliance with all U.S. standards; and
- require FDA to, within two years, establish regulations mandating processed food undergo testing to detect substances that may render it adulterated.

Members are asked to contact the NAFFS staff via phone, fax or e-mail with any concerns or questions about these proposals.

Guar gum, extensively used as an emulsifier, thickener and stabilizer, may also have potential as a health ingredient for lowering cholesterol levels, according to a study published in the Journal LWT—Food Science and Technology.

The study looked at the effect of the gum on cholesterol levels in rats fed chapaties with high guar gum levels. LDL-cholesterol fell by about 30 percent, said the researchers.

FDA recently issued a guidance document relevant to companies exporting food, including dietary supplements, from the U.S. to foreign countries. “Guidance for Industry: Exports Under the FDA Export Reform and Enhancement Act of 1996” is available at http://www.fda.gov/oc/guidance/exportguidance.pdf

Written comments on the new guidance may be submitted to FDA at any time.

Scarinci & Hollenbeck announced that Patrick McNamara has been elected Chair of the Environmental Law Section of the New Jersey State Bar Association.

NAFFS congratulates Pat for this achievement and wishes him continued success.

October 18-21 – The 90th Annual NAFFS Convention, The Resort at Longboat Key Club, Longboat Key, Fla