China seeks advice on regs
China is set to introduce new dietary supplements regulations before the end of the year and is gathering information on regulatory models in other regions of the world.

At a workshop held in Beijing this summer, the State Food and Drug Administration of China, and its affiliated organisation, the China Center for Pharmaceutical International Exchange, welcomed the guidance given by the International Alliance of Dietary Supplement Associations. China is now seeking further consultations with global industry experts.

Kava talks set for Pacific
Scientists, government officials and producers of kava from around the world are to meet in Suva, Fiji, Nov. 30-Dec. 2, to exchange knowledge about the herb that has been controversially banned in many countries since 2002. The conference is being organised by the International Kava Executive Council in conjunction with the Pacific Island Forum Secretariat, the Fiji School of Medicine, the University of the South Pacific and the Fijian government. Abstracts are being called for. Visit www.ikec.org for more information.

Whey ahead in the mideast
Two of the Middle East?s most advanced food markets—Saudi Arabia and Egypt—are seeing a whey boom in end products such as ice cream, processed cheese, biscuits, chocolate and processed meat, according to analysts Proteus Insight. First-generation whey products such as sweet whey powder and lactose are most popular, but second- and third-generation products such as whey protein concentrate and other fractionations are finding increased favour.