EPAX for a study confirming the efficacy of EPAX 1050 TG (pharmaceutical grade omega-3 concentrate high in DHA) in preventing memory decline in Alzheimer's disease patients. The study was published in the October 2006 issue of the Archives of Neurology and presented at the 10th International Conference on Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders. 204 patients in an early stage of Alzheimer's disease were randomly given EPAX 1050 TG or placebo. Results confirmed that patients with early stage Alzheimer's disease given the EPAX ingredient experienced no further memory decline, while patients on placebo continued to deteriorate.
Bergstrom Nutrition for a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial of methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) for knee osteoarthritis pain. The trial, which was published in the peer-reviewed medical journal Osteoarthritis and Cartilage in March 2006, studied the efficacy and safety of MSM in 50 patients over age 40 diagnosed with knee osteoarthritis. MSM produced statistically significant decreases in WOMAC pain and physical function impairment without adverse effects. Secondary outcomes included significant reductions in serum homocysteine and urine malondialdehyde. The company described it as the largest and most thorough clinical trial of MSM to date.
Sabinsa Corp., whose patented, branded Curcumin C3 Complex, was the subject of two published studies in 2006. Results of an in vitro study published in the October 9, 2006 edition of The Journal of Alzheimer's Disease found curcuminoids from Curcumin C3 Complex (extract of turmeric standardized to 95% curcuminoids) could boost the body's ability to clear the build up of plaque in the brain that is linked to Alzheimer's disease. Another study, published in the March 2006 BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, found the tolerance and safety of Curcumin C3 Complex in high single oral doses to be excellent.
Environment & Sustainability
For making green the new red, white and blue, NBJ recognizes Garden of Life Inc. for its commitment to Living Green, a program that promotes renewable energy. The whole food supplement company not only uses wind power credits at its headquarters and distribution center. Under the Living Green initiative it is also matching the electric bills of its top 250 retailers, buying renewable energy certificates in the amount of the stores' current utility bill. Also this year, CEO Greg Horn, who is an NBJ editorial advisory board member, authored "Living Green: The Practical Guide to Simple Sustainability," which outlines basic principles of reducing toxins in the home, self and environment.
NBJ recognizes EcoFish for promoting ecologically responsible seafood consumption. EcoFish's business model partners the seafood industry with the conservation community. Its Advisory Board consists of leading marine conservation scientists who have developed sustainable selection criteria for determining what EcoFish can feature, encouraging a shift in consumer demand away from over-exploited fisheries. EcoFish's retail products can be purchased in more than 1,500 natural, gourmet and grocery stores nationwide.
Environmentally aware supplier Renaissance Herbs became one of the first bulk extract manufacturers to achieve ISO 22000:2005 certification, the newest international standard for food safety management systems. The company's Bangalore, India facility went through a rigorous ISO audit to confirm eligibility. The ISO 22000:2005 Food Safety Management System emphasizes communication, systems management, prerequisite programs and HACCP principles to assure complete food safety along the food chain. The facility's ISO 22000 has been structured to integrate with its existing ISO 9001:2000 Quality Management System to create a comprehensive quality and food safety management program that assures customers of its ability to produce high quality, safe products. Renaissance also has ISO 9001:2000, Kosher and Halal certification.
Pangea Organics for the creation of 100% compostable, biodegradable and plantable product packaging. Pangea's soaps and body oils come in a molded fiber box embedded with organic seeds from Seeds of Change. Pangea profits are also helping build the Pangea Institute, a non-profit organization dedicated to all aspects of sustainable living and business practices.
Highland Laboratories for committing significant time and financial resources to ensuring their business practices honor the environment. In June, Highland said it was the first company in the U.S. to begin packaging its supplements in Earth-friendly, corn-based bottles which use 68% less fossil fuel than petroleum-based plastics. "Highland stands firm in the knowledge that it makes sense for those providing organic and wholesome nutrition –including dietary supplements-to complete the cycle with Earth-friendly packaging," stated the nomination.
Charitable Activities
Reliance Vitamin Co. for its up-close-and-personal style of giving. In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, Reliance picked up families, brought them to New Jersey, got them apartments, clothes, transportation and education and gave them jobs. Some $80,000 was spent to help four families and a college student. This was not Reliance's first hurricane experience. When Hurricane Floyd hit the eastern seaboard in September 1999, floods damaged a number of Reliance employees' homes. The company helped them and their neighbors rebuild their houses and get back on their feet.
Prince of Peace Enterprises Inc., a manufacturer and marketer of nutritional products, for founding and funding the Prince of Peace Children's Home (POPCH) and Children's Rehabilitation Center in the Wuqing District of Tianjin, China. POPCH is funded by the POP's Foundation and the Civil Affairs Bureau of Wuqing, Tianjin. Daily operations are managed by World Vision China (an international children's relief organization). The three partners invested more than RMB 6.55 million to construct the facility, which can accommodate 100 children under six and provide rehabilitation services. POPCH sets a precedent: For the first time, the Chinese government has allowed a foreign organization to build, staff and manage an orphanage.
Endangered Species Chocolate, which in February 2006 sent four team members to Nigeria where its all-natural cacao is harvested. While observing ethical trade in action, ESC sponsored the provision of school supplies for children and the installation of water pumps for two local villages. Fair prices are paid for all harvested products used in making the mission-driven chocolate, and a fair wage and humane working conditions are ensured for all workers. Additionally, 10% of net profits are donated to conservation organizations, the 2006 beneficiaries being Chimp Haven and National Wildlife Federation. Also in line with its mission, ESC is a LEED registered facility.
Organic Excellence
Organic To Go(Seattle), the nation's first quick service food outlet to be certified as an organic retailer, ended 2006 with $10 million in sales. "Our rate of growth has been amazing," said Jason Brown, CEO and founder of Organic To Go, which in the fourth quarter saw same-store retail sales up 17%, delivery and casual catering up 226% and wholesale sales up 67%. The company finished the year with 11 retail stores and 10 wholesale locations at office buildings, universities, hospitals and airports in Southern California and western Washington. In January 2007 Organic To Go food will be available at 13 new locations.
Organically Grown Co., the largest distributor of organic produce in the Northwest, for nearly doubling the volume of produce shipped over the past three years from 23 million pounds in 2003 to 50 million pounds in 2006. Sales in the first eight months of 2006 increased 35% over the same period in 2005, when annual sales were $26 million. The company now has 135 employees, 21 grower-shareholders and 26 employee-shareholders.
Go Organic! for Earth Day for uniting the organic community to raise awareness and increase sales of organic products among mainstream consumers. The 2006 Go Organic! campaign had the participation of 60 leading organic brands and 30 retailer banners with 3,350 store-fronts. According to SPINS, in April 2006, Platinum sponsors experienced a 43% higher rate of growth at participating Go Organic! retailers than at non-participating retailers. In 2006 more than 3,300 stores distributed 2.7 million coupon books and displayed 550,000 POS materials. Through national public relations efforts, the campaign garnered more than 70 million media impressions, and according to NMI, raised national awareness of organic products by 3%. GO is a partnership between OTA, Earth Day Network and MusicMatters.
Efforts On Behalf of the Industry
Ocean Nutrition Canada (ONC), which in October 2006 played a crucial part in creating a new trade association, the Global Organizational of EPA and DHA Omega-3 (GOED Omega-3), a group of international companies in the omega-3 industry. GOED Omega-3 is a not-for-profit trade association committed to increasing the market and regulatory approvals for EPA- and DHA-based products, developing EPA and DHA consumer awareness and education strategies, and implementing quality standards and other measures that will protect the category. Robert Orr, president and CEO of ONC, was elected chairman of the GOED Omega-3 Board of Directors.
Jarrow Rogovin, founder of Jarrow Formulas, for national lobbying and providing insight for the industry's political allies on Capitol Hill, such as Senators Orrin Hatch and Tom Harkin. Jarrow has championed a campaign to make dietary supplement industry manufacturers, distributors, marketers and retailers aware of whether the pending adverse event reporting (AER) legislation would be deleterious to the industry. A handful of individuals, organizations and supplement marketers have been urging retailers to oppose the legislation and involve their customers in this protest to Congress, but Rogovin is convinced that opposition to the bill makes the industry appear to be unconcerned for the consumer and unwilling to be accountable.
NOW Foods for unflagging efforts on behalf of industry, from its early days when NOW founder El Richard and his brother Lou Richard worked hard to launch the NNFA Standards Committee to today's leadership and financial support of a number of industry and consumer organizations. NOW sponsors organizations such as ABC, DSEA, Citizens for Health and the Socially Responsible Business Awards. Their staff serves on the boards of AHPA, MAHO and Natural Products Assn. China. The company expends tremendous effort to set the record straight on negative media reports about clinical studies. It founded and funds the Natural Health Research Institute, an independent, pro-active center that aggregates, generates and communicates quality research and educational information. NOW has most recently underwritten and worked on an industry program to regain consumer confidence in the supplements industry.
Personal Service Awards
Gillian Christie, founder of Christie Communications, for demonstrating that people do matter and that ethical business practices can prevail. In addition to extensive pro-bono work over the years, in 2006 Gillian established the Global Betterment Sector of Christie Communications, dedicated to identifying and supporting humanitarian causes including those of the American Botanical Council, Vitamin Angels, the Sri Lanka Foundation and Safe Harbor. Christie Communications reflects the qualities of its leader by being dedicated to working with ethical companies that share the goal of building dreams that will benefit society. The firm has continued to expand with teams now in Los Angeles, Santa Barbara and New York.
In 2006, Jeff Hilton, president of Integrated Marketing Group (IMG), a marketing and branding agency, championed the industry through multiple outreach efforts, including editorial contributions, pro-bono work for industry non-profits such as Vitamin Angels, a free webinar in November to raise awareness amongst industry stakeholders on ways to improve marketing, and numerous speaking engagements at conferences promoting responsible marketing for the industry. IMG reported 19% growth in revenue over 2005 and increased personnel by 45% over the past 18 months. New clients include American Bioceuticals, Enzymedica, Pure Fruit Technologies and TSI Health Sciences.
Karen Davison, RD, CNS, for advocacy of nutrition services in mental health care. She recently led a research study investigating the determinants of food choices in individuals with mood disorders. She also has led a national project examining the role of the dietitian in collaborative mental health programs in primary health care. Karen has authored several scientific articles and professional reports on nutrition and mental health, is national co-chair of the Dietitians of Canada (DC) Mental Health Network, as well as the DC representative for the Canadian Collaborative Mental Health Initiative. She is currently assisting in the development of the mental health pathway for the DC Practice-based Evidence in Nutrition online professional resource and recently wrote resources about the role of nutrition in Alzheimer's disease. Karen is owner/operator of Viva Health Education and Research.
Product Merit Awards
Sabinsa for GarliSelect, a selenium-enriched garlic product manufactured by a patent-pending, soil-less culture process. Garlic bulbs are naturally enriched with a unique composition of organic selenium compounds for nutritional supplementation using a proprietary hydroponics method. The selenium-enriched bulbs are dried, powdered and standardized to yield GarliSelect. The ingredient contains 1,000 ppm selenium in bioavailable, organic form and a minimum of 200 ppm Alliin in a base of natural garlic powder. Sabinsa currently holds U.S. Patent #7,014,874 B1 for "Compositions and methods containing Allium sativum linn (garlic) naturally enriched with organic selenium compounds for nutritional supplementation."
Pure Fruit Technologies for adding three new products to its line of exotic fruit juice supplements: Seabuck-7 Rejuvenation Formula (seabuckthorn berry), Gac-Chi Heart & Vision Formula (gac fruit), and Goji-Zen Longevity Formula (goji berry). Gac-Chi is a natural source of beta-carotene and lycopene. Goji-Zen is one of the only goji supplements that uses the whole berry, peel and pulp. One ounce of Seabuck-7 delivers more than 190 bioactive compounds and contains 71% more lutein and 24% more quercetin than other brands, according to the company.
Pharmavite for Nature's Resource CranAssure in the cranberry supplement segment. CranAssure combines Ocean Spray's high potency cranberry extract with vitamin C, beta carotene and selenium in a softgel format. Recent data cited by the company show cranberry supplements are number four in growth and number five in dollar sales in the herbal supplement category. CranAssure's combination formula and exclusive use of the Ocean Spray logo position it to drive category growth, the company believes.
Nelsons, the maker of Rescue Remedy, for Rescue Sleep, its first new formulation in over four decades. Rescue Sleep contains six flower essences including White Chestnut to calm a racing mind, in addition to the same stress-relieving essences found in Rescue Remedy. 250 retailers at Expo East voted it Best New Product. Nelsons is running a broadcast media campaign to support the product.
Ventana Health Inc. for launching Zsweet, an all-natural sugar alternative. Zsweet is made with a blend of erythritol, a natural sugar alcohol, and food extracts commonly found in fruits and vegetables. It is zero calorie, has zero glycemic impact, and is easily digested. A recent clinical study by the Toronto-based Glycemic Index Laboratories Inc. found no elevation or reduction in blood sugar from a 15-gm. serving, confirming that Zsweet can help control obesity and maintain normal blood sugar levels.
The Healthy Beverage Company for Steaz Energy, the first USDA Organic and Fair Trade Certified energy drink. Most energy drinks contain high fructose corn syrup, artificial sweeteners, and artificial colors, flavors and preservatives, which leaves out an entire category of consumers, the company said. With roughly 80 mg. of organically occurring caffeine per can, Steaz contains organic, Fair Trade Certified Ceylon green tea and organic Guayaki yerba mate. Boosting the Steaz Energy antioxidant profile is acai from the importer Sambazon. Unlike other energy drinks, Steaz Energy is completely food based and contains no dietary supplement or herbal ingredients.
Geni Herbs, a division of Verdure Sciences, for Pomella pomegranate extract, the first commercial extract standardized to punicalagins (parent compound of ellagic acid) and the first to show in published clinical studies to absorb into the body. Pomella is the only commercial pomegranate product (including juice) to show an increase of antioxidant capacity of plasma (32%) after consumption, according to the company, which noted patent-pending Pomella has a broad profile of efficacy, mechanistic and safety data. In the midst of a multi-study, long-term research plan, Verdure Sciences said it will continue to invest in pomegranate research.
OrderDog Inc. for iPocket, a compact, handheld scanner weighing less than 4 oz., to facilitate natural product retailers' and distributors' need for barcode scanning, inventory counting, shelf tag creation and uploading orders to OrderDog's online ordering system. The iPocket was created for small- to mid-sized natural products businesses that don't need the advanced power of a full-sized scanner. OrderDog provides neutral, secure, third-party business-to-business services to increase supply chain efficiencies in the natural products industry.
Herbotanix LLC for StopFlash, an herbal/essential oil oral spray for menopause symptoms. Created by Theresa Sehi, D.C., a chiropractic doctor, StopFlash is a formulation of eight premium-grade herbs and three therapeutic-grade essential oils. The herbs are prepared using a slow, multiphase process and include black cohosh root, chaste berry, dong quai root and eleuthero root.
Pharm East Inc. for a new line of supplements, called HiQi Health, including products for blood pressure support, healthy bowel function, sleep and general health. Pharm East also has a physicians' line of supplements, NRX, with specialized formulas marketed directly to physicians and doctors.
JLM Marketing Inc. for bringing two new branded ingredients to the U.S. market. Decursinol is an analgesic and anti-inflammatory agent derived from the root of the Korean Angelica plant. Double blind human clinical studies of Decursinol conducted by the Mapo Pain Clinic in South Korea showed a reduction in joint pain and blunt trauma pain with no adverse side affects, JLM said. EstroG-100, a natural phytoestrogen derivative, reduces frequency and magnitude of hot flashes and related symptoms. Studies at Samsung Cheil Hospital in South Korea found that after three months of use, the improvement of menopausal symptoms was five times greater than that of the placebo group.
Enzymotec for SharpPS GOLD, a non-bovine PS-DHA-Conjugate for cognitive performance. Bovine phosphatidylserine (PS) was banned after Mad Cow disease hit, and today PS is produced from soy-lecithin which lacks conjugated DHA to the PS's backbone. Animal studies showed PS-DHA conjugation significantly increases DHA's brain availability and enables a combined action to improve cognitive performance, the company said. Enzymotec is a leader in the PS category, marketing both soy-PS and PS-DHA. Enzymotec also tested and launched a PS-Omega 3 conjugate for treating ADHD in children.
Enzymedica Inc., a manufacturer of indication-specific enzyme-based finished products, for the launch of GlutenEase, an enzyme therapy formula designed for people suffering from gluten/casein intolerance or celiac disease. GlutenEase acts as a 'safety net' for the 2 million Americans currently suffering from gluten intolerance and the 30 million experiencing some form of dairy intolerance who mistakenly intake small amounts of gluten and casein which are commonly found in wheat and dairy products, the company said. Enzymedica also launched Kids Digest, an effervescent powder drink mix.
Gadot Biochemical Industries Ltd. for the development of the INOLENS line of natural rosemary extracts with greatly reduced odor and bitterness. Gadot said INOLENS opens the door for rosemary extract to be used in many new applications, including food and pet products. Nano technology also allows INOLENS to be water soluble and used in clear drinks. Gadot also introduced AquaROX a higher concentration of Rosmarinic acid known for antimicrobial activity and inhibition of bacteria, yeasts and molds.
Jarrow Formulas for Fem-Dophilus, an oral probiotic clinically documented to restore and maintain healthy vaginal flora and reduce the risk of urogenital infections. Through extensive study Drs. Gregor Reid and Andrew Bruce of Urex Biotech analyzed ways to colonize the vaginal tract and discovered and developed Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1 and Lactobacillus reuteri RC-14. The probiotic strains are in a proprietary polysaccharide matrix, which protects the bacteria from stomach acid and enhances probiotic bacteria survival to the lower intestine. Jarrow also introduced PomGuard from dried and fermented pomegranate juice with validated claims to support healthy cardiovascular function, brain tissue, bone mass and prostate health, as well as enhancing the immune system, the company said.
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