NNFA Announces "Natural Foods Day"

NNFA Announces "Natural Foods Day"

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif.--The National Nutritional Foods Association (NNFA) has set its third annual "Natural Foods Day" for April 4. The day will be marked by an NNFA lobbying effort in Washington, D.C., and encourages the industry to make contact with its legislators.

"The health of Americans depends on educating an ever-changing body of legislators and administrators about the importance of the natural products industry," said Brent Weickert, NNFA's acting executive director. "With the help of our friends in Congress, we fought hard and won some important battles in the natural foods arena. As we begin a new century and are faced with new issues and technologies, such as the genetic engineering of foods, we must all rededicate ourselves to the fight for health freedom."

Highlights of the day include a legislative seminar where members will be briefed on how to make visits to Capitol Hill successful, pre-arranged visits with lawmakers, and an evening reception on Capitol Hill to honor the industry's "Congressional Champions."

For more information on the day and how to attend, contact the NNFA at (949) 622-6272, ext. 235.

NBTY Acquired Nutrition Warehouse

BOHEMIA, N.Y.--NBTY completed its acquisition of Nutrition Warehouse and its affiliated companies. The company was purchased for $20 million in cash and 1,058,000 shares of NBTY stock. The purchase greatly expands NBTY's nutritional supplement business through the addition of Nutrition Warehouse's e-commerce and direct response business and 15 retail stores, located on Long Island.

NBTY will combine the e-commerce business with its Puritan.com operation, and the retail stores will be absorbed into its Vitamin World retail stores.

"This acquistion underlines our emphasis on being a leader in Internet nutritional supplement sales," said Scott Rudolph, chairman and chief executive officer of NBTY, "and also greatly strengthens our retail presence on Long Island."

Nature's Way Founder Passed Away

SPRINGVILLE, Utah--George Thomas ("Tom") Murdock Sr., who launched Nature's Way with his son Ken, died on Jan. 4, 2000 in Orem, Utah at the age of 83 and surrounded by his family. Murdock founded the company in 1969 after a successful search for a way to treat his wife's cancer. Funeral services were held Jan. 8 in Springville. The family requested that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made in Murdock's name to Seacology, c/o Shields International, 236 Orem Blvd., Orem, UT 84057.

Tidal Wave Hits Kava-Producing Island

SOUTH PACIFIC--Pentecost, one of the islands of the South Pacific nation of Vanuatu, was hit by a tidal wave in late November. The wave followed an earthquake that measured 7.1 on the Richter scale.

Thousands of people have been left homeless and much of the kava on the island has been devastated. A great deal of the kava brought into the United States and Europe comes from Vanuatu islands, among them, Pentecost. According to the Vanuatu consulate, there is more mature kava growing on Pentecost than any other island in the world.

The Consulate of the Republic is asking for donations to rebuild homes. Please contact Chris Kilham at (781) 259-4402 for information on how to make a contribution.

Correction

In the February issue of Health Supplement Retailer, the article "Rookies of the Year" (pages 32 to 35) contained some misinformation on the branded ingredient Aminogen® from Triarco Industries. It should have stated that Aminogen supplementation appears most effective in a ratio of 50 mg (not grams) of Aminogen to every gram of protein ingested. Also, the side effect of flatulence was in error; Aminogen has been shown to reduce gas levels, not increase them. We regret these errors.

NNFA Names Executive VP-Japan

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif.--Hiroya Furuya, a Japanese executive who has worked in the international foods and dietary supplement industries for more than 35 years, has been named executive vice president of NNFA-Japan. Furuya has served as vice president of membership and director of planning and development for NNFA-Japan since its inception in March 1999. He is currently the director of planning and development of dietary supplements for the API Co. in Tokyo and has worked at Sumitomo Corp. for 26 years in both a management and legal capacity.

AHPA Endorses American Herbal Pharmacopoeia

SILVER SPRINGS, Md.--The American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) announced it is endorsing the American Herbal Pharmacopoeia as a standard for botanicals. The American Herbal Pharmacopoeia's monographs serve as a compendium of information about botanicals, and according to AHPA, they are extremely valuable to its members.

"Endorsement of the American Herbal Pharmacopoeia by AHPA is a significant achievement for us and the industry," said Roy Upton, American Herbal Pharmacopoeia director.

The American Herbal Pharmacopoeia has completed six monographs: Astragalus Root, Hawthorn Berry, Hawthorn Leaf with Flower, St. John's Wort, Schisandra Berry and Valerian Root. Willow Bark is the latest to be released. Monographs may be purchased directly from AHPA on its website, www.ahpa.org.

Immunocorp Secures Marketing Rights for Beta 1,3/1,6 Glucan

IRVINE, Calif.--Immunocorp, based here, has secured worldwide marketing rights for Beta 1,3/1,6 Glucan from Biotec ASA, Tromso, Norway. Biotec pioneered the development of this immune system supplement and has developed a patented extraction method to ensure maximum activity. Beta 1,3/1,6 Glucan contains particle size of 2-3 microns to correspond with scientific research on its biological mode of action.

Beta 1,3/1,6 Glucan produced exclusively by Biotec ASA will be marketed under the Immunocorp "Norwegian" brand name. It will be available in 30- and 60-cap bottles with a standardized 750 mg dosage. For more information, contact Immunocorp at (949) 474-6917.

GNC, Nutri Pharma to Market Soy Products

PITTSBURGH--General Nutrition Centers (GNC) and Nutri Pharma ASA signed an exclusive co-marketing agreement that enables GNC to manufacture, market and distribute Nutri Pharma's brand Nutrilett®. Nutrilett® is a soy-based meal replacement designed to promote weight loss and lower cholesterol.

NEWS IN BRIEF

Synergy Plus Unveils New Packaging
FREEHOLD, N.J.-- As a part of its new "power partnership" marketing program, Synergy Plus has unveiled a new look for its vitamin and supplement products. Company executives called the new packaging cleaner and greener. Initially debuted at EXPO East 1999, the new packaging was rolled out to customers starting in December 1999.

Danny Wells and LivingNaturally Join Forces
ORLANDO, Fla.--LivingNaturally LLC and Danny Wells & Associates have formed a partnership and have introduced a new Web site located at www.livingnaturally.com. The Web site, launched in Orlando at the SOHO Expo, will provide independent retailers with an online ordering system, affordable turnkey Web sites for their stores, co-op advertising support and extensive in-store promotional and training materials, according to the joint venture.

Web Site To Analyze Top Products
A new Web site called Vitacost.com will utilize an independent FDA-registered laboratory to test the top products in the most popular supplement categories, including sports and seniors. The actual lab reports are posted on the site along with a ranking by a scientific advisory board comprised of board-certified physicians and registered dieticians. A schedule of which categories will be featured in tests for each month is also available on the site. The site will also sell health products at wholesale cost.

Drug-Herb-Nutrient Interactions Info on CD-ROM
BEAVERTON, Ore.--Integrative Medical Arts has published Interactions:The IBIS Guide to Drug-Herb and Drug-Nutrient Interactions, an information resource for traditional and integrative health professionals. This windows-based reference guide features "clickable" menus consisting of extensive lists of drugs, vitamins, herbs and other nutrients. Although primarily available in CD-ROM format, Interactions can also be accessed via www.IBISmedical.com/Interactions.html.

Natrol to Advertise on Planes
CHATSWORTH, Calif.--Natrol Inc. has placed ads in In Flight Magazine that will run in March, June and October. The magazine is carried on several major airlines, including United, U.S. Airways, American Airlines, Delta Airlines and Northwest Airlines. The ads are expected to reach approximately 10 million consumers and will feature Natrol's MSM product line.

Rexall Sundown
BOCA RATON, Fla.--Rexall Sundown has been named the licensee for Nintendo of America's Pokemon character. Rexall will manufacture and distribute a line of Pokemon children's vitamins. The chewable vitamins will come in three formulas to meet individual nutrition needs.

EXPO BRIEFS

Nature's Answer Promotes Special Events
HAUPPAUGE, N.Y.--Nature's Answer will sponsor two special events at Natural Products Expo West this month. Dr. Ellen Kamhi will be at the Nature's Answer booth (#4151) on Saturday, March 25 from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. signing copies of her book Arthritis: The Alternative Medicine Definitive Guide. Dr. Kamhi will also be available from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. on March 25 and from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday, March 26, for a special event: Ask The Natural Nurse™. For more information, contact Dorrie Greenblatt at Nature's Answer, (800) 439-2324, or see the website www.naturesanswer.com.

Health Plus To Unveil New Products
CHINO, Calif.--Health Plus, the makers of Colon Cleanse, will introduce seven new cleansing products this month at Expo West. According to the company, its new Total Body Cleansing System™ has been under development and testing for more than two years. Products in the system include Adrenal Cleanse, Prostate Cleanse, Kidney Cleanse, Blood Cleanse, Heart Cleanse, Joint Cleanse and Liver Cleanse. Each product is packaged with color-keyed labels to define the part of the body affected by each formula. The line will be on display at the Health Plus booth #3677.

Nutritional Science and Medicine Symposium
FAIRFIELD, N.J.--Nutratech will host the First Annual Nutritional Science and Medicine Symposium (NSMS) on Mar. 25 at 8 a.m. in the Laguna Room of the Anaheim Hilton during the EXPO West trade show in Anaheim, Calif. A panel consisting of five medical doctors, will speak about their experience and expertise. Supplement ingredients covered will be chondroitin sulfate, novel phytonutrients, ipriflavone and ribose.

What's Happening Online?

MotherNature.com Has Record 4Q
CONCORD, Mass.--Online natural products retailer MotherNature.com reported record results for its fourth quarter ended Dec. 31, 1999. Net sales soared to $3.2 million from $.1 million recorded for the same period last year. The record fourth quarter sales were 95 percent higher than the $1.6 million sold in the company's third quarter ended Sept. 30, 1999. For the fiscal 1999, revenues reached $5.8 million, a large gain over $.5 million sold the previous year.

"Our broad assortment of products and high level of customer service, coupled with our solid infrastructure and fulfillment capabilities, contributed to these results," said Michael Barach, president and chief executive officer. "We plan to leverage the MotherNature.com brand into new channels of distribution by forging strategic alliances similar to the recently announced partnerships with Landmark Healthcare and the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians."

Wild Oats, eNutrition Partner
BOULDER, Colo.--Wild Oats Markets, based here, and Woodland Hills, Calif.-based eNutrition.com have joined to create an online store at www.wildoats.com. The site will include products from Wild Oats stores and all of eNutrition's SKUs. The site will be developed and maintained by eNutrition, which will also take responsibility for filling and delivering customer orders. Wild Oats provides eNutrition with a large customer base and an expanded selection of product offerings. The strategic alliance was created through a $1.5 million equity investment in eNutrition by Wild Oats. Wild Oats may earn additional equity through online sales, which will be tracked by eNutrition, and through other programs including customer conversion and creating new marketing strategies.

VitaminShoppe.com Inks Deal with AOL
NEW YORK--Online retailer VitaminShoppe.com has formed a two-year multi-million dollar alliance with Internet giant America OnLine (AOL), which recently merged with Time Warner. Under the agreement, VitaminShoppe.com will become an anchor tenant in AOL's Diet & Nutrition department and will also gain gold tenant positions in other AOL Shop@AOL marketplace departments. Key to this move is exposure to AOL's more than 19 million members as well as to the tens of millions of customers who shop on AOL.com.

ClickWell.com Offers Consumer Info
DALLAS--The new Web site www.ClickWell.com was launched recently to provide consumers with advice on how to maintain a healthy lifestyle in the form of nutrition, fitness and personal wellness information. Among other features, visitors may also fill out a questionnaire that will help them create personal workout programs and custom nutritional supplement blends.

Share this article: Email, Slashdot, Digg, Del.icio.us, Yahoo!MyWeb, Windows Live Favorites, Furl
Add this article feed to: RSS, My Yahoo, Newsgator, Bloglines

Read Comments [0]