This October, more than 580 natural food stores nationwide will take part in the first ever Non-GMO Month, celebrating consumers’ right to choose food and products that do not contain genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Organized by the non-profit Non-GMO Project, the event coincides with the launch of the “Non-GMO Project Verified” seal on retail products.

Manufacturers earn the seal through compliance with rigorous GMO avoidance standards, including ingredient testing, as part of the nation’s first third party non-GMO verification program. Nearly 900 products have been verified to date, with thousands more in the process of becoming verified and new products joining the program every day. Non-GMO Month celebrations will draw consumer attention to Non-GMO Project products, as well as educate them about the GMO issue, said the organization.

Close to 300 independent retailers and co-ops are participating in Non-GMO Month, in addition to Whole Foods Market. “Retailers started the Non-GMO Project because of consumer concern and requests for non-GMO foods,” said Corinne Shindelar, CEO of the Independent Natural Food Retailers Association (INFRA). “We have a responsibility to consumers to ensure the integrity of our food system, and among shoppers who value safe, healthy food, there is a strong desire to avoid GMOs. Non-GMO Month is a fantastic opportunity to give people the information and non-GMO choices they are looking for.”

For more information, call (909) 626-0809 or visit www.nongmoproject.org.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced August 25, 2010 that it will potentially approve AquAdvantage transgenic salmon as the first genetically engineered (GE) animal intended for human consumption. Many consumer and environmental groups have expressed their opposition to GE salmon and raised concerns about the unknown human health effects of consuming GE salmon as well as the threat to an already declining native salmon population.
 
National Cooperative Grocers Association (NCGA), a business services cooperative for 114 natural food co-op grocers nationwide, has urged consumers and retailers to voice their concerns to the FDA before the group’s next hearing on GE salmon September 19.

While the human health effects of eating GE fish are unknown, some scientists have asserted, for example, that foreign growth hormones in transgenic fish may increase production of other compounds, such as insulin, in the fish, said NCGA. Some scientists also think transgenic salmon may be more disease prone than fish currently grown in aquaculture. Farmed salmon are already given more antibiotics than any other livestock by weight and scientists are concerned that GE salmon would require even more antibiotic use, leading to increased human consumption of antibiotics, the cooperative added.
 
FDA officials are undecided as to whether they would require product labeling for GE fish.
 
“Consumers have a right to know what they’re eating, but it appears consumers may be left in the dark,” said Robynn Shrader, CEO for NCGA.
 
Compounding the lack of transparency is that the FDA is considering using the approval process intended for drugs in this case, since the DNA introduced into the salmon is intended to affect the animal's structure or function, said NCGA. The process for drug approval does not need to be made public.
 
GE salmon would also present a threat to native salmon populations, the cooperative continued, since containing GE salmon to prevent cross contamination or competition is a near impossibility. Currently, millions of farmed salmon escape from open-water net pens, out-competing wild populations for resources and straining ecosystems. GE salmon could represent a serious threat to native salmon populations already suffering severe declines.

NCGA urges consumers to learn more about the issue and voice their concern about GE salmon by September 19 by visiting the Center for Food Safety's information overview and action alert here.

Trygg Pharma AS, a company jointly owned by Aker BioMarine ASA, a Norwegian biotechnology company, and Lindsay Goldberg, a New York-based investment fund, have acquired 100 percent of the shares in Norwegian-based EPAX AS from Austevoll Seafood ASA.

“EPAX is fortunate to get an owner that will invest significantly in people, products, processes and technology in Aalesund,” said Bjørn Refsum, managing director of EPAX. “This ownership change will be a great benefit to our customers and ensure further progress in the omega-3 field.”

Refsum noted that throughout EPAX’s 170-year corporate history, ownership changes have naturally occurred and that the company’s experiences from these processes have always been positive. “Trygg Pharma’s ownership will open up new opportunities and markets. Combining resources with such a highly regarded company that places major emphasis on research and development will benefit our customers, employees and partners and is making EPAX even stronger,” added Refsum.

As part of the agreement between Trygg Pharma AS and Austevoll Seafood, EPAX has entered into a long-term supply agreement with Austral S.A., a subsidiary of Austevoll Seafood. The agreement will ensure continued cooperation between EPAX and Austral, and secure supply of the highest quality crude fish oil from sustainable and traceable sources.

Under its new ownership, EPAX will immediately invest significantly in expanding the capacity of the factory in Aalesund, Norway. “The planned capacity expansion means that our customers can rest assured that EPAX will be able to grow with them in the future,” said Refsum.

For more information, visit www.epax.com.

The Congressional Dietary Supplement Caucus (DSC), in cooperation with the Natural Products Association (NPA) and the Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN), held a briefing on Capitol Hill earlier this month to debunk some of the untruths and misconceptions about the dietary supplement industry and its role in Americans’ wellness regimens.

“It’s all about prevention. Prevention is the new mantra among consumers,” said guest speaker Patrick Rea, publisher and editorial director of Nutrition Business Journal (NBJ), a market research, publishing and consulting firm serving the nutrition, natural products and alternative health care industries. Speaking to an audience of staff members from the US House and Senate, Rea said that even during tough economic times, consumers turn to dietary supplements as an important part of their immunity and prevention plan. “Consumers looked at supplements as one way through the recession to help take care of themselves. Health is recession resilient, and the sales over time support this fact,” said Rea.

Rea cut through some of the misconceptions and rhetoric too frequently reported as fact, and offered a true view of the state of the industry. He directly addressed several of what he called “industry myths:” that dietary supplements are unnecessary because people get what they need from food; that people really do not want to take supplements; that the pharmaceutical industry will destroy the dietary supplement industry; and that the industry is unregulated.

Rea shared solid sales and product trend data that refuted each myth, and explained in depth how an aging but influential population is changing the way Americans use and rely on dietary supplements. Dietary supplements are part of a nearly $27 billion industry that has demonstrated steady sales and product growth over time. “Our numbers show that somewhere between 60-80 percent of Americans take supplements, and 48 percent of them consider themselves regular users,” said Rea.

Rea also mentioned the growing acceptance of dietary supplements among conventional health practitioners, and the growing trend among pharmaceutical companies to develop their own versions of products usually sold as supplements. “In a study of healthcare professionals, 72 percent of physicians and 89 percent of nurses are dietary supplement consumers, and 79 percent of physicians and 82 percent of nurses recommend dietary supplements to their patients,” said Rea.

Rea concluded by disputing the myth that the industry is unregulated. “The supplement industry is one of the more highly regulated industries. Many of the companies say the regulatory challenges they face today are the threat of increased FDA and FTC regulation over the industry, and the recent GMP rollout. A lot of the companies are rallying behind the GMP regulations. They want it to be known that they are a GMP-compliant company. And, the Dietary Supplement Health Education Act [DSHEA] made claims rules clear and has really helped the industry focus and develop,” said Rea.

“What is the truth about the dietary supplement industry? There is a lot of investment in science, and a lot of movement by companies to ensure they’re up to speed on the regulatory front,” said Rea.