Torrance, CA-based Paragon Laboratories will open a 25,000-ft2 packaging facility to accommodate its growing clientele. The plant will offer diverse packaging options such as fully automated bottling lines, stick packaging, powder packettes, and pouches for tablets and capsules, says the company.

Israeli supplement maker Ta’am Teva Altman now offers the No-Sterol cholesterol support formula, which was developed for them and manufactured by Soft Gel Technologies, Inc. of Los Angeles, CA.  The formula combines phytosterols, omega-3 fatty acids and coenzyme Q10.

Helios Corp., located in Santa Fe, NM, and its distribution partner, Summit Resource Group, received the National Institute of Food Technologists’ 2011 Global Top Innovation and Technology Award at the association’s annual meeting and food expo in New Orleans, LA. In addition, Helios recently revised its Web site (www.helioscorp.net) with more concise summaries of its ingredients. Michael Jeffers, president, noted, “the information presentation has a modern twist that our science partners will appreciate.”

GMP Laboratories of America, Inc. of Anaheim, CA passed a cGMP audit conducted by Silliker, Inc. GMP Labs previously completed GMP audits from NSF and NPA.

A new science-based, triple-verified gluten-free certification program is now available from Quality Assurance International and the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness.

Data are now available on the first human skin trial on the BioCell Collagen II ingredient from BioCell Technology LLC of Newport Beach, CA. Participating in the trial were several women whose skin had aged via natural and UV-intensified processes. According to the company, the ingredient helped “promote younger-looking appearance with better hydration, higher collagen content, reduced wrinkle counts and shallower line depth. As a result, a majority of the study participants experienced a remarkable improvement in skin texture, together with hydration, reduced scaling, and improved blood microcirculation.”

Robinson Pharma Inc. of Santa Ana, CA has patented a new soft gel encapsulation technique called ARTcaps, which makes enteric softgels using an “acid-resistant technology, enhanced moisture tolerance, and greater shell robustness than other existing technologies designed to provide delayed release,” says the company. The clear or colored capsules resist stomach acid using a novel gel polymer. The capsulse will soon be used for supplements like high-strength omegas.

Stepan Company has acquired several brands from Lipid Nutrition B.V. including Clarinol, Marinol and PinnoThin.

Two new supplements from Core Health Products will feature NEM (Natural Eggshell Membrane) and ESC (EggShell Calcium) from Carthage, MO-based ESM Technologies.

Published in WholeFoods Magazine, August 2011