Articles by Eric Munson
HHS and FDA Take New Approach on “No Artificial Colors” Claims
On Feb. 5, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced additional steps to transition the nation’s food supply from the use of artificial petroleum-based colors to alternatives derived from natural sources. In April 2025, HHS and FDA officially announced its plans to phase out petroleum-based synthetic ...
Colorado State University Creates Julie and Barney Feinblum Herb Garden
On Feb. 11, Colorado State University (CSU) announced the creation of the Julie and Barney Feinblum Herb Garden. The groundbreaking ceremonies are scheduled for April 2026 at CSU’s main campus in Fort Collins, CO. Endowed through a gift from longtime natural products industry leader Barney Feinblum and his wife Julie, the herb garden will feature ...
Age Restriction Bills Introduced in Alaska and Hawaii
In January 2026, Alaska and Hawaii became the latest states to introduce age restriction bills on weight-loss and muscle-building dietary supplements. The bills would restrict the sale of these products to those under 18 years of age. Other states that have introduced and/or passed similar bills consist of Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Texas, New ...
U.S. Representative Introduces Dietary Supplement Regulatory Uniformity Act
On Feb. 4, U.S. Representative Nick Langworthy (R-NY) introduced the Dietary Supplement Regulatory Uniformity Act, legislation aimed at protecting consumer health while restoring common sense to dietary supplement regulation by reaffirming a single, science-based national standard overseen by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). According to Langworthy, dietary supplements including vitamins, protein powders, creatine ...
FDA and CDC Investigate Salmonella Contamination in Moringa Leaf Powder
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are investigating a multi-state outbreak of salmonella infections linked to products containing moringa leaf powder. As of Jan. 29, CDC reported a total of 65 people across 28 states have been infected with one of the two outbreak strains ...
Higher Blood Omega-3 Levels Linked to Lower Risk of Early-Onset Dementia
Higher blood levels of omega-3 fatty acids are associated with a significantly lower risk of developing early-onset dementia, according to a large-scale analysis of more than 217,000 adults from the UK Biobank. The study was published in the journal Clinical Nutrition. The study followed adults aged 40-64 for an average of 8.3 years and identified ...
Oliver’s Market Raises More Than $68,000 for Redwood Empire Food Bank
With strong support from the community and a generous company match, California-based Oliver’s Market’s Annual Holiday Bell Campaign brought a total of $68,714 for the Redwood Empire Food Bank (REFB). Now in its 10th year, the annual holiday campaign raised the highest amount ever to support REFB’s ongoing work to provide food to more than ...
Real Mushrooms To Acquire Mushroom Science
On Jan. 20, Real Mushrooms (Calgary, AB, Canada), a 100 percent organic mushroom extracts brand founded by father-son team, Jeff and Skye Chilton, announced it is acquiring the legacy brand Mushroom Science. Both companies have a long history of advocating for transparency in mushroom product labeling—including potency and proper extraction for health benefits delivery. Founded ...
iHerb Acquires Vitacost From Kroger
On Jan. 9, iHerb Holdings LLC (Irvine, CA) announced it completed its acquisition of Vitacost from The Kroger Co (Cincinnati, OH). Vitacost is an e-commerce brand specializing in a curated assortment of more than 40,000 health-conscious products such as vitamins, minerals, supplements and natural, organic and eco-friendly consumer goods. According to iHerb, the transaction is ...
Federal Appeals Court Sides With Natural Grocers in GMO Labeling Case
A federal appeals court ruled in favor of Natural Grocers (Lakewood, CO), the Center for Food Safety (CFS) and other plaintiffs challenging U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) rules under the Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard Act. Natural Grocers led the lawsuit to “uphold consumers’ right to clear, accurate and easily accessible information about their food.” According ...
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