Hain Celestial Group Acquires Infinitea Kombucha
The Hain Celestial Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: HAIN), a leading natural and organic products company, today announced the acquisition of Infinitea Kombucha in Boulder, CO. Infinitea Kombucha is a producer of organic kombucha, a fermented probiotic tea, that is sold through natural food retailers.
The Infinitea Kombucha product line will no longer be manufactured. Celestial Seasonings® is expected to launch Celestial Seasonings® kombucha in Spring of 2010. Nicole Gervace, owner of Infinitea Kombucha, has joined the Company as Product Manager to manage the Celestial Seasonings kombucha product line.
Celestial Seasonings is a leader in the specialty tea category and has recently celebrated its 40th Anniversary. "We are excited about the opportunity to add kombucha to our Celestial Seasonings brand. Kombucha is a rapidly growing category and a natural brand extension into ready to drink tea," said Peter Burns, General Manager of Celestial Seasonings. "In addition, we are pleased that Nicole has become part of our team bringing her depth of knowledge and expertise in the kombucha category," continued Peter Burns.
Terms of the acquisition, which closed earlier this month, were not disclosed.
The Hain Celestial Group Proposes Back-to-Basics Approach to Product Labeling
The Hain Celestial Group, Inc. a leading natural and organic products company, today called upon all consumer packaged goods companies to adopt truth in labelling standards. These standards would clearly identify product benefits without masking product negatives by simply addressing actual ingredient and health benefits on packaging in a clear and consistent manner. Recent controversy over front-of-package labelling programs and practices has inspired Hain Celestial to assist consumers in making informed purchase decisions.
"We have long been troubled by packaging practices that lead consumers to believe that a product is healthful, when natural ingredients are just a very small percentage of the product and are accompanied by detrimental ones," stated Irwin D. Simon, President and Chief Executive Officer of The Hain Celestial Group, Inc. "For many years, we have advocated "A Healthy Way of Life(TM)" in which the enjoyment of food, including healthful snacking, can be managed without including harmful ingredients. It is time that the consumer packaged goods industry stops practices that create consumer confusion by front-labelling products as natural and healthful. Too often these products contain certain natural ingredients or nutrients, but then they also contain artificial flavours, colors, and preservatives as well as highly processed and refined ingredients, often only disclosed in the ingredient statement in small type on the package back. Misleading labelling also includes labelling a product as 'healthful' despite its containing high levels of sodium, fat and sugar. At Hain Celestial, our natural products contain only 100% natural ingredients, as we continuously work with our nutritionists to improve the nutritional quality of Hain Celestial products across our portfolio," he continued.
Hain Celestial has published a guide to understanding "The 'ABCs' of Natural", which is available at www.ahealthywayoflife.com. The Company calls to action all consumer packaged goods companies to adopt standards for natural and healthful products that use a similar model to the National Organic Program ("NOP") standards published by the United States Department of Agriculture ("USDA"). These standards require any product to be at least 95% organic before stating it is organic, and that the remaining ingredients to only be taken from the NOP approved list. Hain Celestial offers over 1,400 organic products that already meet these labelling requirements. Natural claims on products should follow suit.
"With 'natural' being the second most widely used claim on new products introduced in 2008 in the U.S. according to Mintel, and additional labelling programs being used to identify products with healthy attributes, it is time for companies to restrict the use of natural claims and accompany them with meaningful nutritional information that is consistent. We applaud the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's (the "FDA") efforts to review these practices. However, we urge the FDA to not only consider sugar, sodium and fat claims, but to also look at the character of the products and their ingredients. In addition to the quality of ingredients, it is the overall labelling practices themselves which require scrutiny," concluded Irwin Simon.
For more information on the ABCs of natural ingredients and nutrition, visit www.ahealthywayoflife.com. For more information on Hain Celestial, visit www.hain-celestial.com.
The Hain Celestial Group
The Hain Celestial Group, headquartered in Melville, NY, is a leading natural and organic products company in North America and Europe. Hain Celestial participates in most natural categories with well-known brands that include Celestial Seasonings(R), Earth's Best(R), Terra(R), Garden of Eatin'(R), Health Valley(R), Arrowhead Mills(R), MaraNatha(R), SunSpire(R), DeBoles(R), Gluten Free Cafe(TM), Hain Pure Foods(R), Hollywood(R), Spectrum Naturals(R), Spectrum Essentials(R), Walnut Acres Organic(R), Imagine(R), Rice Dream(R), Soy Dream(R), Rosetto(R), Ethnic Gourmet(R), WestSoy(R), Yves Veggie Cuisine(R), Granose(R), Realeat(R), Linda McCartney(R), Daily Bread(TM), Lima(R), Natumi(R), JASON(R), Zia(R) Natural Skincare, Avalon Organics(R), Alba Botanica(R), Tushies(R) and TenderCare(R). Hain Celestial has been providing "A Healthy Way of Life(TM)" since 1993. For more information, visit www.hain-celestial.com.
Neptune Technologies & Bioressources Inc. Announces Grant For Method of Use Patent for Cardiovascular Disease Applications in Europe
Neptune Technologies & Bioressources Inc. ("Neptune") is pleased to announce that the patent entitled "KRILL EXTRACTS FOR PREVENTION AND/OR TREATMENT OF CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASES" was issued in Europe successfully without opposition. "This new Method of Use patent is a critical achievement eliminating competition from the European cardiovascular market with any krill extract, such as krill oils other than Neptune Krill Oil," said Dr. Tina Sampalis, Chief Scientific Officer of Neptune.
Furthermore, as of October 12th, 2009, EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) officially signed its approval of Neptune Krill Oil (NKO(R)) as a NOVEL FOOD and PARNUTS for immediate commercialization in the European Union. The EFSA Novel Food decision is specifically addressed to Neptune and is hence, under Regulation 258/97, applicant-linked. "Being patent protected and the pioneer at penetrating the European market is a strategically significant accomplishment, allowing Neptune to pursue this market in an open field," said Dr. Wael Massrieh, Director of R&D of Neptune.
"The placing in the EU market of novel food or novel food ingredients which have not been authorized or notified within the framework of Regulation 258/97 will have as a consequence the immediate withdrawal of the non-compliant products from the EU market by the competent national authorities of the Member States by notification of the Commission through the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF). This is in addition to any other liabilities that can be deducted from the Member States' national legislation. Moreover, violating Neptune's rights by infringing on any of its patents by any players in the krill oil market is also considered a legal offence," added Dr. Sampalis.
"Recently, we observed players cheating on the market and misleading consumers by selling krill oil in Europe without any regulatory approval. We also noticed that they advertise unproven health benefits with their products as well as infringe on our patents. This was surprising until we realized who were involved. These situations will be addressed as required," said Henri Harland, Chief Executive Officer and President of Neptune.
About Neptune
Neptune is an industry-recognized leader in the innovation, production and formulation of science-based and clinically proven novel phospholipid products for the nutraceutical and pharmaceutical markets. The Company focuses on growing consumer health markets including cardiovascular, inflammatory and neurological diseases driven by consumers taking a more proactive approach to managing health and preventing disease. The Company sponsors clinical trials aimed to demonstrate its product health benefits and to obtain regulatory approval for label health claims. Neptune is continuously expanding its intellectual property portfolio as well as clinical studies and regulatory approvals. Neptune's products are marketed and distributed in over 20 countries worldwide.
About Acasti Pharma Inc.
Acasti Pharma is developing a product portfolio of proprietary novel long-chain omega-3 phospholipids. Phospholipids are the major component of cell membranes and are essential for all vital cell processes. They are one of the principal constituents of High Density Lipoprotein (good cholesterol) and, as such, play an important role in modulating cholesterol efflux. Acasti Pharma's proprietary novel phospholipids carry and functionalize the polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA, which have been shown to have substantial health benefits and which are stabilized by potent antioxidants. Acasti Pharma is focusing initially on treatments for chronic cardiovascular conditions within the over-the-counter, medical food and prescription drug markets.
About NeuroBioPharm
NeuroBioPharm is pursuing pharmaceutical neurological applications, and a clinical study for a medical food product with a multinational partner is already initiated. The development of a prescription drug candidate is currently in progress. Advanced clinical development and commercialization is planned to be carried out with multinational partners.
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Statements in this press release that are not statements of historical or current fact constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and Canadian securities laws. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other unknown factors that could cause the actual results of the Company to be materially different from historical results or from any future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. In addition to statements which explicitly describe such risks and uncertainties, readers are urged to consider statements labelled with the terms "believes," "belief," "expects," "intends," "anticipates," "will," or "plans" to be uncertain and forward-looking. The forward-looking statements contained herein are also subject generally to other risks and uncertainties that are described from time to time in the Company's reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Canadian securities commissions.
New Grade of Pure Krill Oil by Enzymotec
Enzymotec announced the launch of its new grade of Pure Krill Oil+™ 4014F. In response to popular demand from the U.S Nutraceutical market, Enzymotec has developed a new Pure Krill Oil grade which yields higher levels of Astaxanthin than any comparable product available in the market. “As part of our strategy to provide the widest selection of Krill products to our customers, Enzymotec launched this innovative Pure Krill Oil grade,” states Mr. Gai Ben Dror, Director of Process Development at Enzymotec Ltd.
The announcement of Pure Krill Oil+™ 4014F launch became public a few days after Enzymotec announced its pledge for strict self-inspection of its suppliers Krill Harvesting process, in accordance to its Eco-Harvesting strategy and full commitment of compliance with CCAMLR (Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources) regulations.
Pure Krill Oil+™ 4014F is produced by using a proprietary process, developed by scientists at Enzymotec's headquarters in Israel. This ingredient provides 40% Krill Phospholipids and 14% Omega 3 Fatty Acids with 200ppm Astaxanthin. “ 4014F has the benefits of Pure Krill Oil with an excellent cost structure. We have made it available to the market both in bulk and soft gel forms. I am confident that our customers remember Enzymotec Krill Oil was the first to attain US-FDA GRAS approval and that our competitive pricing policy along side quality have always been the basis for Enzymotec’s market strategy," states Elzaphan Hotam, CEO of Enzymotec USA.
Enzymotec is a developer and leading manufacturer of innovative, lipid-based products for Orthomolecular Medicine, Active Pharmaceutical and Bio-Functional markets and advanced infant nutrition. Key products are: Sharp-PS® line of products - Phosphatidylserine based ingredients for cognitive improvement, high grade PC (from soy and egg sources) as APIs, InFat® - structured fat for infant formulas, Crill™, and Sharp-GPC™ .
To find out more about Enzymotec products please make an appointment to meet at Supply Side West in Vegas on Nov 11-13, 2009 at booth # 24065
Total Nutraceutical Solutions To Launch Natural Organic Whole Food Mushroom Vitamin D Supplement
Total Nutraceutical Solutions, Inc. (TNS), announced today that the company has formulated and will launch a unique natural whole food mushroom-based Vitamin D supplement. This supplement is plant-based and not animal-based and provides a new approach to Vitamin D supplementation in health-conscious individuals. A proprietary grown mushroom, Agaricus blazei Murill (AbM) by Sylvan Bio, Inc. and Creekside Mushrooms Limited will be stimulated with UV light to produce natural organic Vitamin D2 within the mushroom. The need for this product is underscored by the following statement in the October 26, 2009 issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine: "The worldwide prevalence of Vitamin D deficiency is striking and more than 40% of the population may be Vitamin D deficient." (Vol.169 No.19, pp.1806-1808).The importance of the timing of this product launch and the need for a natural whole food form of Vitamin D is further evidenced by a recent statement by the Office of Dietary Supplements, National Institutes of Health, that the second-best source of Vitamin D is 3 ounces of mushrooms enriched with Vitamin D. Many medical organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatricians, have advocated increased intake of Vitamin D, especially in children. Children's Hospital Boston reports that 62% of children taking multivitamins had below normal levels of vitamin D (USA Today, October 26, 2009). TNS has developed technologic capability that will allow production of a daily oral encapsulated natural supplement that contains enough Vitamin D equal to or greater than ten 8-ounce servings of Vitamin D fortified milk, at a cost that is affordable by most people.
According to the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, "nutrient needs should be met primarily through consuming foods. Foods provide an array of nutrients and other compounds that may have beneficial effects on health." (http://www.health.gov/dietaryguidlines/dga2005/document/default.htm) This statement was recently supported by a TNS experiment that revealed that ingestion of a natural organic edible whole food could increase biologic survival in a nutritionally deprived organism. Unaltered and Vitamin D2 enriched dried powders of the mushroom Agaricus blazei Murill by Sylvan significantly increased survival above controls, 4% and 15% respectively (TNUS.OB; September 30, 2009).
Vitamin D, also called the "sunshine vitamin," has recently received much attention as a needed nutritional supplement to improve human health. Decreased levels of Vitamin D have been associated with a range of diseases, such as osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, cancer of the breast, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and many others.
TNS has purchased a Steripulse(R) - XL 3000 Pulsed UVB light system from Xenon Corporation, Wilmington, MA, and the system is being installed at Columbia Nutritional Services, Vancouver, WA, the TNS contract manufacturer. TNS has acquired from The Penn State Research Foundation (PSRF) an option to license an invention entitled "Rapid Generation of Vitamin D2 from Mushrooms and Fungi Using Pulsed UV-light" (The Invention). A U.S. Provisional Patent Application was filed on April 23, 2008 and names Professor Robert B. Beelman, and Graduate Student Michael Kalaras as co-inventors, Department of Food Science, Pennsylvania State University (PSU).
"As a doctor, I receive no greater pleasure than having the opportunity to create products that can help people live longer and healthier lives," stated Marvin S. Hausman MD, CEO, Total Nutraceutical Solutions, Inc. "Vitamin D deficiency is worldwide, is implicated in many diseases, and this product has the potential to provide a needed nutritional answer to this problem."
"I am very excited that our new process is being commercially utilized to produce Vitamin D--rich dietary supplements made from the highly nutritious Agaricus blazei mushroom," stated Robert B. Beelman Ph.D., Professor of Food Science, Pennsylvania State University. "I believe this product will be the first of its kind made from a whole food that will appeal to health conscious individuals that desire to consume a plant-based diet."
Sylvan Bio, Inc. is an emerging leader in providing innovative fungal products to a variety of industries. Based in Kittanning, Pennsylvania, it is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sylvan Inc., also based in Kittanning. Sylvan Inc. serves mushroom, agricultural and nutraceutical markets through its prominence in fungal technology and solid-substrate fermentation.
Creekside Mushrooms Limited is the largest single site fully integrated and highly technological "underground" mushroom growing farm in the world. Creekside's unique underground farm is scientifically monitored to provide ideal year-round growing conditions to consistently produce the highest quality mushrooms, which are 100% organic.
About Total Nutraceutical Solutions, Inc.:
Total Nutraceutical Solutions, Inc. (TNS), is an emerging nutraceutical company with a focus on discovering, formulating and marketing products composed primarily of organic natural mushroom compounds that contain bioactive nutrients for potential health benefits. TNS develops production and analytic technologies for food and nutritional supplements composed primarily of mushrooms and their mycelial biomasses. Novel clinical models and biomarkers are used to show nutritional and clinical efficacy of our products. In addition to preventative healthcare formulations and nutritional approaches to a wide variety of human conditions and illnesses, TNS also develops and acquires breakthrough nutritional tools and products in the fields of animal husbandry and livestock feeds.
Any statements contained in this press release that relate to future plans, events or performance are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, the risks associated with the transaction described in this press release, and other risks identified in the filings by Total Nutraceutical Solutions (TNS), Inc., with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Further information on risks faced by TNS are detailed in the Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, and in its subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. These filings are or will become available on a website maintained by the Securities and Exchange Commission at http://www.sec.gov. The information contained in this press release is accurate as of the date indicated. Actual results, events or performance may differ materially. TNS does not undertake any obligation to publicly release the result of any revision to these forward-looking statements that may be made to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
