The Natural Algae Astaxanthin Association (NAXA) received analytical testing results from a leading antioxidant testing laboratory showing “artificial astaxanthin produced from petrochemicals has vastly inferior antioxidant potential than natural astaxanthin from Haematococcus microalgae.” Algae-based astaxanthin was nine times more active against peroxyl radicals and over 100 times more active against singlet oxygen compared with a synthetic form.

Sami Labs of Karnataka, India, sister company to Sabinsa Corp., was recognized for export excellence by the Visvesvaraya Trade Promotion Centre with a Gold Award in the Agricultural and Horticultural category for Medium to Large Enterprises for two years in a row.

Symrise, headquartered in Germany, acquired Diana Group for 1.3 billion Euros.

Vancouver, WA-based Bergstrom Nutrition is now registered with Informed-Sport and Informed-Choice to be free of banned substances.

Embria Health Sciences of Ankeny, IA, and B&D Nutritional Ingredients of Vista, CA, extended their distribution agreement for the marketing and sale of EpiCor throughout the United States.

NutraGenesis, LLC of Brattleboro, VT, reported Sensoril sales in the first quarter of 2014 increased significantly over the same period last year. Stated the company, “The tremendous sales growth is attributed to both new customer acquisitions as well as growth of our long-term customers’ business with Sensoril.”

Qualitas Health of Jerusalem, Israel, launched a new Web site for its Almega PL vegetarian omega-3 at www.almegapl.com.

Ganeden Biotech of Cleveland, OH, received a U.S. patent (#US 8,697,055 B2) for the use of all Bacillus coagulans in all coffee, tea and cereal.

Morristown, NJ-based OmniActive Health Technologies helped launch an educational series called Eye Health Insights, which will give the latest nutrition science and news to eye health professionals.

Valensa International of Orlando, FL, acquired Chile-based Alimtec SA, which has been a supplier of high-quality astaxanthin biomass to Valensa. This will allow Valensa to expand its natural astaxanthin offerings.

Published in WholeFoods Magazine, June 2014