ADM Releases Second Regenerative Agriculture Report
ADM's second annual regenerative agriculture practices report has been released. In it, the company outlines its principles, definition, and approach to regenerative agriculture, in addition to:
- Detailed updates on the company’s regenerative agriculture programs in four regions: North America, Latin America, Europe and Asia Pacific.
- Details and examples of how ADM’s work stretches across the value chain by connecting thousands of farmers, globally, with technical assistance partners such as Farmers Business Network, Map of Ag, Ceres Rural, American Farmland Trust, Bayer S.A., and product merchants like Ooni Pizza Ovens and The J.M. Smucker Co.
- Accomplishments and outcomes from 2023, including reducing Scope 3 footprint by 310,000 metric tons of CO2e and sequestering 263,700 metric tons of CO2 – equivalent to removing more than 135,000 cars from the road for a year.
- A recap of the company’s new, expanded goal of 5 million acres by 2025, which would have the potential of reducing and isolating CO2 equivalent to what would be emitted by powering 125,000 homes for a full year.
“Regenerative agriculture is a great example of how we are partnering with growers to support agriculture, strengthen our global food system and meet growing and evolving commercial demand while living up to our purpose and building a brighter tomorrow. This report is an important element of that work: We believe it’s critical to share our progress in this area, show our data, and be specific about our goals so our stakeholders can see what our commitment means and how it translates to real progress," shared Greg Morris, president of ADM's Ag Services and Oilseeds business regarding the reports significance.
In 2023, ADM's farmer focused program lead to more than 2.8 million acres of regenerative agriculture. This milestone led to the company setting a goal of 3.5 million regenerative acres for 2024 and 5 million for 2025.
A full copy of the report can be found here.
Tocotrienols for Cardiovascular Health
A new study from the National University of Medical Sciences in Pakistan has reviewed the efficacy of tocopherol and tocotrienols, two forms of vitamin E, for the management of atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases (ASCVD). The finding: Tocotrienol reduces cholesterol and serum inflammatory biomarkers more effectively than tocopherol, primarily due to its antioxidant capabilities.
The study, published in the Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association, included data from human clinical trials on tocotrienols or tocopherol and their efficacy in patients with atherosclerosis and dyslipidaemia leading to cardiovascular diseases as well as research from 2002 to 2023 from multiple sources including PubMed, Google Scholar, and the Cochrane Library. ASCVD has grown into a leading cause of death for millions of individuals across the world. This rise has led supplement manufacturers to find safe and effective preventive method options for consumers. Like PhytoGaia's TocoGaia, a sustainably sourced full spectrum tocotrienols/tocopherol complex that can be combined with other cardio protective ingredients like omega-3, CoQ10, and Phytosterols.
"Like omega-3 DHA and EPA, which are superior to saturated fatty acids in promoting a healthy heart and mind, tocotrienols, the unsaturated form of vitamin E is more potent and superior for cardiovascular and brain health, particularly the gamma-tocotrienol for hearth health and alpha-tocotrienol for brain-protection." shared Dr. Ariati Aris, Scientific Affairs Specialist at PhytoGaia.
CHPA Celebrates New Members and Milestones
The Consumer Healthcare Products Association (CHPA) has added four new manufacturer members:
- Aphena Pharma Solutions, makers of EverClear
- Biocodex, makers of Florastor
- MV.Health, makers of sexual health devices
- Purple Tree Labs, makers of its own brand of "post-celebration" dietary supplements
CHPA also added 11 associate members from its last quarter:
- Clinical research and testing: MMS Holdings Inc. and ToxStrategies LLC
- Data and analysis: Global Overview
- Ingredient supplier: dsm-firmenich and Symrise
- Marketing and communications: /prompt. and NetElixir
- Private equity/venture capital: Wellvest Capital
- Regulatory and scientific consulting: Concordia Integrated Solutions and Touchpoint Regulatory Affairs Consulting, LLC
- Sales & marketing: JOH
In addition, CHPA is congratulating the following member companies for reaching milestone membership anniversaries this year:
- The Procter & Gamble Company: 110 Years
- Bausch + Lomb: 40 years
- B.F. Ascher & Co, Inc: 40 Years
- Nestle Health Science: 30 years
- Lornamead: 20 Years
The addition of the new members continues the overall growth of diverse self-care companies for the CHPA. "We're thrilled to welcome these new member companies to CHPA... Their innovation, dedication, and passion for self-care will be valuable additions that will drive our industry forward across the rapidly evolving consumer healthcare landscape," said President & CEO Scott Melville.
Nufarm Enters Joint Agreement and Partnership
Yield10 Bioscience has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”) and License Agreement with Nuseed Nutritional US Inc. (the seed technologies platform of Nufarm Limited), giving Nufarm commercial license to certain omega-3 intellectual property assets, materials and know-how for producing oil in Camelina. "Yield10 camelina assets and know-how in both omega 3 and bioenergy sectors have a unique fit with Nufarm’s Value Beyond Yield and platform strategies,” explained Greg Hunt, CEO and Group Executive of Nufarm.
Currently, the main source of EPA and DHA is ocean-caught fish with anchovy harvests, providing the industry benchmark for omega-3 oil production. However, pressure continues to mount on the industry to find an alternative source due to over-fishing concerns. Producing omega-3 fatty acids in Camelina may create a pathway to predictable, land-based supply of high quality oils to meet the growing demand for EPA and DHA.
Nufarm and Yield10 have also agreed to negotiate exclusively on the sale of Yield10’s remaining assets. The agreement will be confirmed pending an affirmative vote from the shareholders of Yield10.
KD Nutra is also partnering with Nuseed to amplify its offerings of plant-based long-chain omega-3 ingredients. Both companies will look to offer consumers new sources of omega-3 beyond marine sources. "Nufarm’s innovation in plant-based nutrition together with KD Nutra’s technology platform and leadership in omega-3 will allow us to bring unique and renewable solutions to the industry," said Kimberly Smith, CEO of KD Nutra.
Dr. Bronner's Celebrates Philanthropy Program Anniversary
Dr. Bronner's is celebrating the fifth year anniversary of its international philanthropy program. The All-One International Initiative donates a minimum of 1% of Dr. Bronner's participating international market sales to local advocacy endeavors supporting social justice, environmental sustainability, and animal advocacy.
Michael Bronner, President of Dr. Bronner’s, spoke on the company's core belief in giving back: “It is our mission to use our company to fight for and financially support our core causes, not only in the United States, but across the globe. We are proud to have been able to provide over one million dollars of support over the past five years to effective and dynamic organizations around the world working to make progress for animals, people, and the planet."
In the last five years, the All-One program has donated over one million dollars to 70 organizations focused on addressing racial justice, gender equality, LGBTQ equality, homelessness, food security, criminal justice reform, and more.
MegaFood Gets a New Look
MegaFood has unveiled a new modern and distinctive rebranding initiative—embracing its long standing planet-first, plant-powered heritage. Created with the help of female-founded, independently owned, Portland, ME-based design firm, Pulp+Wire, the brand remodeling focus was on customer's individual health and wellness experiences, including modern packaging to help their products stand out more on shelves, an updated website, social media, and marketing campaigns promoting their revamped approach. Consumers will have their first look at the changes with the brand's Omega 3-6-9, a plant-powered, plant-first supplement made with algae and organic Ahi-Flower.
The update also includes an expansion and strengthening of Brand Standards to provide additional transparency for product formulation, sourcing, brand operations, packaging and shipping practices. "Building on our rich history of creating efficacious, plant-powered vitamins and supplements for more than 50 years, this next chapter for MegaFood brings to life our new brand identity and purpose: to harness the power of plants to nurture the health of people and planet," shared Andy Dahlen, CEO of MegaFood.
Clasado Biosciences Makes Market Prediction
Clasado Biosciences is forecasting the promising future of immune health lies in sports health products and functional beverages offering immune health benefits. According to Polaris Market Research, the immune health product market is expected to see an 11.4% CAGR growth rate. Dr. Frederic Narbel, VP of Sales at Clasado, shared his view on the reasons for the growth, “Consumer interest in immune health grew at speed in recent years, and we now see more interest in the consistent management of immune health than ever before. Now, it’s about where the category can go next."
With so much crossover existing between immune health and sports nutrition, Clasado will look to continue its research and support of brands harnessing the benefits of prebiotics. "We believe that the next wave of immune health innovations will be driven by a deeper understanding of the gut microbiome. By leveraging the latest gut health science, which of course includes prebiotics, brands can develop products that support overall immune function and are built around the latest scientific understanding," shared Dr. Narbel.
Califia Farms Acquires Uproot
Plant-based beverage brand, Califia Farms, has acquired Uproot Inc., a leading plant milk dispenser system for food service. With its signature convenient and sustainable solution for delivering healthy plant-based milk, Uproot's dispensers can be found at colleges and university campuses across the United States as well as other dining locations. The unification of the Uproot team, including its founders, and Califia will expand the brand's Away From Home portfolio of products and services. Dave Ritterbush, CEO of Califia Farms, expressed his enthusiasm for the future of the brands, “We look forward to building on this foundation, connecting with consumers in new ways and providing our plant milks to more people.”
Women In Nutraceuticals Honored
Women In Nutraceuticals (WIN) is this year's recipient of NutraIngredients-USA Editors' Award for Industry Initiative of the Year. The award, which honors the best industry initiative demonstrating deep and significant improvements for the industry was accepted by WIN Founding President and Founder and President of Nutrachievement, Heather Granato at IFT FIRST in Chicago. “The NutraIngredients-USA awards are not bestowed lightly, which makes it all the more meaningful to receive this recognition," Granato said. "Collectively, we can all drive positive change toward societal and economic equality. Innovation and inclusion go hand in hand; by empowering women, we offer greater opportunities to benefit industry growth and consumer health."
