FDA Extends Call For GMP Comments
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration extended until August 11 the comment period for its proposed rule covering current good manufacturing practices for dietary supplements. The rule would establish standards for manufacturing, packaging, labeling, testing, quality control, distribution, and holding of dietary ingredients and supplements. The agency says it seeks to ensure that products are unadulterated and labeled accurately.

The National Nutritional Foods Association surveyed its supplier members about the rule's impact on costs, bottom line and retail pricing. NNFA officials predict as many as 250 manufacturers could fail if the rule is implemented as written. "The FDA has said that what is most compelling to them is very specific, hard data, so that's what we're looking to provide them," said Tracy Taylor, director of communications for the NNFA. To file comments, go to the FDA's Web site at www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/supplmnt.html.

New Ephedra Bans In N.Y., Ill., Fla.
Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich signed legislation May 25 to ban the sale of dietary supplements containing ephedrine alkaloids, making Illinois the first state to outlaw the herb. Blagojevich signed the bill flanked by the parents of a 16-year-old football player who died of a heart attack after he took "yellow jackets" bought at a gas station. Four days earlier, Florida Gov. Jeb Bush signed a bill outlawing the sale to minors of over-the-counter weight loss products, whether or not they contain ephedra. Legislators in Westchester County, N.Y., voted June 3 to prohibit the sale of ephedra outright, expanding a previous ban on sales to minors. Similar measures are pending in California and New York.

Yogurt on the Rise in Dairy Category
New packaging and product formulations caused yogurt sales to grow faster than any other dairy product in the last five years, according to Euromonitor, which attributes 13 percent of global dairy sales to the cultured concoction. While not abandoning the breakfast consumer, companies like Danone, Yoplait and Horizon Organic position their product as an all-day snack, adding convenience and kid appeal with drinkable and squeezable versions. Health markets have responded well to probiotic products, while "custard-style" offerings and flavors like Key Lime Pie suggest yogurt as a dessert.

Natural Foods Merchandiser volume XXIV/number 7/p. 10