Robin Arzon Partners with Jarrow Formulas
Two-time New York Times Best Selling Author and Vice President of Fitness Programming and Head Peloton Instructor, Robin Arzon, has joined Jarrow Formulas as its first-ever brand ambassador in almost 50 years. In this new role, Arzon will use her years of wellness experience to serve as the brand's "Chief of Superior Starts" and accountability partner to help customers achieve their fitness goals with the help of high-quality, science-backed dietary supplements. "I am thrilled to take on this role as Chief of Superior Starts and work with Jarrow Formulas as we empower people to level up and become the best version of themselves," said Arzon of the new role.
Carlson Receives WBENC Certification
High-quality nutritional supplements manufacturer, Carlson, has received Women's Business Enterprise certification by the WBDC-Midwest (Women's Business Development Center-Midwest). In order to receive the certification, businesses must undergo a thorough review of their business, pass a site inspection, and confirm that they are at least 51% owned, operated, and controlled by a woman or women with appropriate structure and strategic planning and implementation in place.
“Earning our WBENC Certification was extremely important to us,” said Carlson President Carilyn Anderson. “It’s the ultimate seal for women-owned businesses in the United States and provides an outstanding network of female business leaders. Being part of this community means we’re devoted to not just delivering high-quality nutritional supplements but also promoting the professional advancement of women.”
Lief Labs Donates to Valley Oasis Shelter
Lief Cares, the non-profit donation program from Lief Labs, has donated 400 jars of Lief Cares Protein Powder to the Valley Oasis Shelter. Staff members stopped by the domestic violence survivors shelter in Lancaster, CA, to provide an overview of the program and personally deliver the supplements made with collagen, a healthy bled of greens, and probiotics. Quinesha Lambert, Program Manager at Valley Oasis, expressed the shelter's gratitude for the company's donation: “I would like to thank Lief Labs for their Lief Cares Protein Powder donation and for coming to Valley Oasis to do a presentation about the program and the health benefits of protein to our survivors of domestic violence, we can’t wait to try it.”
Specnova Launches TruLiposome Seal
Specnova is introducing the TruLiposome Verified seal— a symbol to help consumers identify products using true liposomes that have undergone meticulous testing standards. The testing process for this liposomes uses the latest technology, research, and manufacturing techniques to validate their quality. “In an age where consumer skepticism is high and loyalty is hard-earned, the TruLiposome Verified seal stands as an important tool to build and maintain that trust. We value transparency and are committed to providing you with the best ingredients delivered through cutting-edge science and technology," said Medicinal Chemist Sebastian Balcombe, Specnova's founder and CEO.
Specnova says the criteria of a true liposome includes:
- The liposome needs to be between 100 and 200 nanometers. This is tested through Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) analysis and Cryo Transmission Electron Microscope (cryo TEM).
- The strength of the liposomal sphere is confirmed by measuring its Zeta potential. This measures the encapsulation efficiency of the liposome to keep the active ingredient inside and prevent leakage while passing through the acidic environment of the stomach.
- The liposome must be spherical and well dispersed, which is tested using a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). SEM is used to see the outside of the liposome.
- The liposome must be free of ingredient leakage. This factor is tested through CryoTEM. CryoTEM is also used to confirm what type of liposome was created. This technology looks inside the liposome.
- Powder X-ray Diffraction (XRD) is used to confirm the presence of the various components of the formulation, which will be further confirmed via SEM.
- Optical microscope technology reveals how easily the formulation disperses.
ADM Global Regenerative Agriculture Program Receives Recognition
Fast Company's 2024 World Changing Ideas Awards has listed ADM's global regenerative agriculture program as one of its 127 finalist for developing creative solutions to today's crucial issues. Judges of the annual award, which is centered around social good and promoting finished products and creative concepts that positively impact the world, select winners, finalist, and honorable mentions based on the achievability and affect of the idea.
In 2023, ADM's regenerative agriculture program partnered with more than 28,000 corn, soybean, wheat, peanut, cotton, sorghum, canola and barely growers to deliver more than 2.8 million acres. In April 2024, ADM announced plans to target 3.5 million regenerative acres in 2024 and 5 million acres in 2025, globally. “This recognition is a testament to our global teams as well as the incredible producer and brand partners who understand the urgent need for greater adoption of regenerative agriculture practices to build a more resilient food system,” said Greg Morris, President of ADM’s Ag Services and Oilseeds business, about the company's nomination.
In other company news, ADMbuydirect.com has just been launched for large and small scale U.S. customers looking to purchase foundational ingredients. Users will be able to look up product information and make purchases regardless of their requirements. Currently, the company's sweetening and texturizing solutions are available for purchase with access to other ingredients becoming available very soon.
GoodSAM Releases Impact Report
GoodSAM published its 2023 Impact Report disclosing the progress of its regenerative agriculture initiative as well as the direct impact of its operations on the environment of the communities where it operates. In the report, the company states it experienced 156% growth in 2022 and projects a 1,215% growth in farmer partnerships by 2025. In 2023, partnerships with cocoa farmers grew from 68 to 166, 368 of its macadamia farmers began exploring mango cultivation, and the company's purchasing volume for both cocoa and coffee saw significant increases. Other key takeaways from the report:
- Social Impact Projects: Solar Panel Installation and Community Empowerment, Disinfection Kits, Cultivating Clean Water
- Company Principal: Empowering farmers, regenerative agriculture and climate resilience, transparent supply network
- Additions to its supply network: Introducing organically grown pecan nuts by end of 2024, 2023 NEXTY Award-winning Brave Day Coffee, Organic Chia Seeds
Tate & Lyle Makes Europe Climate Leaders List 2024
Tate & Lyle has been named as one of Europe's Climate Leaders by the Financial Times. Due in large part to its actions towards tackling the impacts of climate change, Tate & Lyle was one of 600 European companies selected by Financial Times and Statista showing the substantial reduction in their Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions intensity from 2017-2022. Nick Hampton, Chief Executive for Tate & Lyle commented on the recognition, “We are proud to be named as a European Climate Leader and to be recognized for the actions we are taking to accelerate the decarbonization of our business and supply chain."
CRN Celebrates GRMA
The Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN) shared the news that the Global Retailer and Manufacturer Alliance (GRMA) has been recognized by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) for its dietary supplement good manufacturing practice (GMP) certification program meeting all of the benchmark requirements. CRN said the program, which verifies that supplement manufacturing facilities are adhering to the legal and regulatory requirements needed to produce safe dietary supplements in the U.S. market, helps establish retailers as quality dietary supplement providers and build consumer safety and trust within the industry. CRN President & CEO Steve Mister shared his thoughts on the recent recognition: "GRMA's efforts to create one coordinated GMP audit standard help reduce costs, avoid inconsistencies, and ensure better protection for consumers."
UNFI Extends Partnership with Whole Foods Market
North American health and specialty food wholesale distributor, United Natural Foods, Inc., announced an eight-year extension agreement with its wholesale grocery distribution partner, Whole Foods Market. The prior deal between the two companies was only until September 2027, but will now run through May 2032. “We are proud to extend our longstanding partnership with Whole Foods Market to provide high-quality foods and other valuable items to consumers all across the country,” said David Matthews, President of National Sales for UNFI.
Sabinsa Showcasing Events
Sustainable natural, researched ingredients provider, Sabinsa, exhibited at the International Food Ingredients & Additives (IFIA) expo in Tokyo. The event spotlights functional foods, dietary supplements, and natural ingredient categories. Sabinsa hosted several education sessions discussing its popular nootropic and weight management category ingredients while displaying some of its top-selling and trending products:
- Curcumin C3 Complex
- BioPerine
- C3 Reduct
- LactoSpore
- Saberry
- Salaretin
- Boswellin
The company also spotlighted LactoSpore Weizmannia coagulans at the Expanding the Lineup: Next Probiotics and Supplement Spring Symposium hosted by the Korean Society for Lactic Acid Bacteria and Probiotics in Seoul, Korea. Previously known as Bacillus coagulans, Sabinsa’s LactoSpore Weizmannia coagulans, MTCC 5856 has been available since the early 1990's and is a popular probiotic amongst manufacturers due to its room temperature stability and ability to withstand challenging manufacturing conditions.
Maypro is a USDA Organic Handler Certified
Natural Food Certifiers has approved Maypro as a USDA organic handler. Maypro's services now include manufacturer auditing, GMP documentation, international registrations, liability insurance, and repacking of ingredients. The certification is in line with the USDA's guideline requiring organic handler certification under the SOE Program for organizations dealing with the handling of unpackaged organic goods or the repacking of organic goods. Applicants must be 7 CFR Part 205 of the USDA's National Organic Program compliant in order to become certified.
HTBA Teams Up with Abolis Biotechnologies
HealthTech Bioactives (HTBA) will be partnering with Abolis Biotechnologies on a new project for a sustainable valuable polyphenols for human and animal health. This most recent work will look to develop two high-value molecules that are currently suffering from limited sourcing availability. The second phase of the project will apply the protocols to up to eight additional molecules with the mission of similarly optimizing their development pipeline. Overall, the two companies will try to increase and secure polyphenol manufacturing capacities and enable reduced costs compared to traditional extraction methods. “Our companies have been working successfully together since 2021 and we are still amazed by the Abolis team, whose values align with our own,” said Alexandre Valls-Coma, CEO of HTBA.
FoodChain ID Launching New Service
Food supply chain sustainability services provider, FoodChain ID, is helping members of the food supply chain comply with EU Regulation 2023/1115 (EUDR) with the launch of its new Deforestation-free Services. The regulation was created to reduce the European Union's contribution to greenhouse gas emissions and biodiversity loss and meet the demand from brands and retailers to only want to source from deforestation-free supply chains. FoodChain ID will offer due diligence of supply chains—supply chain documentation review, geolocation data acquisition, deforestation risk assessments using remote sensing technology and identification of risk mitigation needs, and verification for claims submitted during due diligence, assessments of high-risk suppliers and audits.
IGY Life Science Achieves GRAS Status
IGY Life Sciences Inc. has received Self-Affirmed GRAS status for Muno-IgY— an inclusive IgY for dietary supplement applications produced in Alberta, Canada. A panel of international members unanimously confirmed Muno-Igy's composition, toxicology, safety, and clinical studies are within the terms of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. "Achieving Self-Affirmed GRAS status also verifies the regulatory compliance and quality of Muno-IgYTM, and reaching this milestone is a significant achievement for us,” said Dr. Navneet Sharma, IGY Immune Technologies & Life Sciences Chief of Quality and Regulatory Compliance of the achievement.
