The AHPA is sponsoring what looks like a great seminar on the new food allergen labeling requirements we previously discussed on Nutrisuplaw here. It looks like a great lineup.

Well, they say that if it appears in the NY Times, it has officially "arrived." And so it appears that nutritional supplement use by athletes has, on this day in history, found its place in the pages of the paper of record.

Are government regulators surfing the internet in their spare time looking for supplement makers and marketers violating federal advertising and labeling laws? The answer is yes.

The FDA has denied a petition by supplement maker American Longevity for approval of qualified health claims concerning cancer fighting properties of lycopene, an antioxydant found in red fruits like tomatoes and watermelon.

In a case of first impression under the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (FDCA), the Third Circuit Court of Appeals in Philadelphia has held that restitution is available as a remedy and may be ordered against companies that violate the Act.

Excellent article in the NY Times on the entry of large food companies into the organic foods business. The article mentions the First Circuit's decision in Harvey v.

The Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS) at the NIH has released the Annual Bibliography of Significant Advances in Dietary Supplement Research. The press release summarizes this resource: This sixth issue of the Bibliography includes abstracts of the 25 most noteworthy dietary supplement research papers published in 2004, as judged by an international team of reviewers.

We previously reported here about the USDA's decision to back down from its ill conceived policy to refuse organic certification to non-food products. It appears that the NY Times has caught up to our news cycle here at nutrisuplaw.com

This article titled Big problem for BioStratum describes how the active ingredient in this company's drug (now in Phase II trials) is available for purchase on the Internet as a nutritional supplement.

The FTC reports it has obtained a preliminary injunction against several nutritional supplement companies and marketers of oral sprays that supposedly contain human growth hormone (HGH) to stop them from making alleged false and deceptive claims and from sending illegal spam.

A segment on the Today Show this morning saw Katy Couric questioning two women about the new Brazilian diet pills they had been taking. Apparently, the women tested positive for amphetamines on a pre-employment drug test.

Effective Jan. 1, 2006, all food companies, including dietary and nutritional supplement manufacturers, must include warnings if they contain "major allergens." For article, click here. The new requirements are part of the 2004 Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act.

This article from Sunday's New York Times is a must read for attorneys involved in defending ephedra supplement manufacturers and other dietary supplement lawsuits. The article describes how defense lawyers were able to take apart the class action against silica manufacturers through ingenuity and downright good lawyering.

A battle is raging between supplement marketer ITV Direct, Inc. and the FTC. The FTC previously sued ITV for FTC act violations. FTC v. ITV here.

This from the 10/10/05 edition of the NNFA Supplement email newsletter: In an effort to draw attention to adverse event reporting (AER) for dietary supplements, Sen.

An article in yesterday's New York Times discusses the release of a state task force report recommending that NY take a role in overseeing the dietary supplement industry.

CNN article here. The FTC has previously investigated the company who made Dr. Phil's supplements, CSA Neutraceuticals, LP, but closed the investigation after the company agreed to stop making certain claims.

"Federal agents raided the laboratory and home of Patrick Arnold, a Champaign chemist who authorities believe created one of the steroids at the heart of the BALCO sports doping scandal, the San Francisco Chronicle reported Friday.

This just in from the FDA: September 2005 (#10) IN THIS ISSUE: 1. FDA's Letter to Food Manufacturers on "and/or" Ingredient Labeling of Nutritive Sweeteners in Soft Drink Products.

For the article, click here. The FTC case file is here. Update: Utah Daily Chronicle, "Former nutrition professor pays for not supporting claims."