A Utah Federal District Court has determined that Vitacost.com has sufficient contacts with the state of Utah for the exercize of personal jurisdiction over them in a suit brought by supplement brand leader, Nutraceutical.

The University of Manitoba has officially opened the Richardson Centre for Functional Foods and Nutraceuticals (RCFFN), a $31-million facility that will enable researchers to identify and enhance health-promoting compounds and develop them into marketable food supplements and products.

According to this informative article by Greg Doherty of LA dietary supplement specialty insurance broker Poms & Associates, insurance costs for commercial general liability, including product liability, have finally leveled off for companies in the dietary supplement business.

MII Liquidation Inc., as the former Metabolife International Inc. is now known, said in a court document filed Wednesday that it had reached agreements to settle the first 21 of hundreds of injury and death lawsuits over its once best-selling ephedra-based dietary supplement.

Joseph R. Gannascoli, who played a closeted gay mobster on HBO's "The Sopranos," is being sued by the manufacturer of Stacker 2. According to this report on Forbes.com,

Justin Leonard, self-described "consumer fitness specialist" has launched a new consumer reviews and feedback website regarding supplements at www.supplementcritic.com. The site features reviews on consumer dietary supplements, ostensibly written by other consumers.

This article entitled "Preserving intellectual property before a patent is issued" provides an excellent overview of the patent protection available to neutraceutical companies. The authors, James F.

Making claims in Japan is a dangerous business if you don't do it right according to Paul Yamaguchi, author of this article at the Natural and Nutritional Products Industry Center.

The Journal News reports that PepsiCo Inc. has agreed to settle with Glaceu and change the packaging of PepsiCo's SoBe Life Water. As part of the settlement, PepsiCo agreed to change the label and cap used with SoBe Life Water.

The Miami Daily Business Review has published an article by your blog editor on intellectual property decisions of the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals from this past year.

In an action for breach of contract and trademark infringement between former allies, Darius International, Inc. and Innerlight, Inc., units of Quigley, have obtained a preliminary injunction against Dr.

FDA Drug News Daily reports that South Korea's top science official announced plans to develop at least six natural medicines in the next five years in a bid to increase its presence in the market.

Nutraingredients-USA.com reports that a new study reports that one-third of black cohosh products tested were not genuine but contained substituted products. In response, the American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) issued a statement reminding manufacturers that they have a responsibility to know what they are selling and to take adequate steps to ensure that the ingredients in their products match the product labels.

Patrick Arnold, known as the "Father of prohormones" pleaded guilty Friday to one count of conspiracy to distribute steroids. He's scheduled to be sentenced in August and will likely face three months in jail and three months of home detention.

The National Uniformity for Food Coalition this week released a legal analysis that claims the proposed National Uniformity for Food Act (NUFA) would only affect 11 state laws.

Red Bull GmbH, manufacturer of the popular Red Bull energy drink, has sued Spacefuel Corp. and the owners of Miami nightclub Club Space for trademark and trade dress infringement over the design of the club's Spacefuel energy drink.

Upon their return to Washington, D.C., The National Uniformity for Food Act (NUFA) awaits senators in the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. The Act amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) to prohibit any states from enacting laws and regulations that that are different from those contained in the FFDCA, including ones related to adulterated foods, unsafe food additives, and new animal drugs, or any notification requirement that provides for a warning concerning the food's safety that is not identical to FFDCA provisions.

Just a reminder that if you are looking for a great deal on valuable trademarks and domain names the bankruptcy sale in the case In re: Diet Depot, Inc.

Slashfood reports that Energy Brands, Inc., which does business as Glaceau, makers of the popular functional beverage Vitaminwater, has filed suit against Pepsico, owners of newbe competitor SoBe LifeWater.

In this press release issued today, the FTC reports that marketers of Pedia Loss, a children’s weight-loss product, and Fabulously Feminine, a female libido enhancement product, have agreed to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that they made false and misleading claims about their products.