State CBD Violations, AHA Omega-3 Seafood Advisory

Editor’s Note: Below is a weekly roundup of health and nutrition news.

Oregon Commissioners Pins Modern Medicinals with CBD Oil Violations

During the Oregon Liquor Control Commission’s monthly meeting for April, CBD oil product maker Modern Medicinals accepted a letter of reprimand, allowed its cannabis processor license to expire and withdrew its request for a hearing over four violations related to delivering “marijuana products” to unlicensed retailers. OLCC said the company sold and delivered cannabinoid extract to mandala medicine & Wellness, a Portland acupuncture/massage business, and Salem hypnosis Solutions, a Salem weight-loss, pain and smoking cessation center.

According to a press release, OLCC further alleged Modern Medicinals intentionally failed to enter data into the cannabis tracking system in order to divert product out of the licensed system and elude seed-to-sale tracking.

Lastly, the company was handed a violation for curative or therapeutic claims made for its CBD oil, including anti-cancer and anti-seizure benefits.

AHA Guidance: Seafood Beneficial to Cardio Health

The American Heart Association (AHA) issued guidance (Circulation. 2018, May 15; 127(20)) highlighting the role of seafood, specifically omega-3 content, in secondary prevention of CVD and discusses various beneficial effects of seafood-derived LC n-3 PUFA on heart failure, CHD, stroke, blood pressure and intermediate CV risk markers. This followed soon after an AHA Advisory addressed the specific effect of n-3 PUFA supplementation.

According to the guidance, evidence from observational and experimental studies along with on-going randomized controlled trials shows the beneficial effects of long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) from seafood on cardiovascular disease.

Although there are many suchPUFA-enriched foods being brought to market—eggs, peanut butter, orange juice, bread, yogurt and milk—seafood remains the primary dietary source of these fatty acids and the only food with substantial research and hard clinical endpoints.

Currently, AHA recommends the consumption of at least two 3.5 ounce servings of fatty fish, such as salmon. For example, eating a 4-ounce serving of salmon per week provides approximately 250 mg/day of these beneficial omega-3 PUFAs. To achieve recommended intake, the group advised adding multiple servings of lean fish per week, such as cod.

In a press release, AHA said the guidance is consistent with AHA’s 2020 impact goals including the role of seafood as part of a healthy dietary pattern and the 2015 AHA Diet.

FitLife Brands Salvages 1Q Earnings Despite Revenues Drop Tied to GNC Struggles

For FitLife Brands Inc.—NDS Nutrition Products™, PMD®, SirenLabs®, CoreActive®, Metis Nutrition™, iSatori™, Energize and BioGenetic Laboratories—first quarter (ended March 31, 2018) revenues fell to US$4.6 million from $5.6 million earned in the same quarter last year.  The company tied the $1 million drop to declining retail store foot traffic and lower unit sales from distribution channels, namely GNC, the company’s biggest distributor.

In a press release, Dayton Judd, interim chief executive officer, FitLife Brands, acknowledged the company has a long way to go, but is optimistic that recent improvements and a commitment to a strong partnership with their largest customer will have a positive impact throughout 2018 and beyond.

Judd also highlighted FitLife Brands first storefront launched on Amazon during the first quarter as emphasizing a major element of the company’s new omni-channel strategy. “If successful, this will enable us to better support and protect all our brands while providing opportunities for revenue growth and margin expansion for the business,” he said.

CRN Welcomes New Member Companies

Six new companies have joined the Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN) as either voting or associate members.

New Voting members include:

Matrixx Initiatives Inc., manufacturer and marketer of Zicam brand homeopathic and allopathic, over-the-counter (OTC) products;
NattoPharma ASA, researcher and developer of vitamin K2;
SolMic Research GmbH, a private company focused on the development of a range of nutraceuticals, cosmeceutical and pharmaceuticals; and
Swisse Wellness, manufacturer of vitamin, herbal and mineral supplements, skincare and sports nutrition products.
New Associate members are:

Carter Regulatory Group, an international regulatory consulting firm specializing comprehensive regulatory solutions for all sized companies; and
M. Vicinanzo Consulting LLC, provider of regulatory direction and solutions to corporate clients on developing and promoting dietary supplements, food products and more.