UNPA Announces New MOU Partner
Naturally Network has joined the United Natural Products Alliance (UNPA) as the newest MOU partner. Naturally Network serves more than 25,000 companies, connecting members, partners, and industry experts from the better-for-you CPG industry through events and programs. Last year, Naturally Network hosted 217 events with more than 15,000 participants.
The partnership between will create new opportunities for UNPA members to mentor and collaborate with up-and-coming companies. Members will also have access to innovative products and ideas with opportunities to license, distribute, or purchase them. "Expanding market access and creating opportunities within the natural products sector are among Naturally Network's top priorities,” said Katrina Tolentino, Executive Director, Naturally Network. "One of the ways we aim to achieve this is through strategic partnerships that uplift the entire industry. We are thrilled to partner with the United Natural Products Alliance to further this mission, providing emerging brands with an exceptional opportunity to tap into the deep, legacy expertise of seasoned professionals in the supplement category."
From the Soil Up: Latest Film in Natural Grocers Film Series
"In this film, you'll experience the powerful role that these faithful farmers play in healing the land and bringing communities together through regenerative agriculture. Their commitment to 'farming from the soil up' combines pasture-based grazing with eco-conscious practices to create products that drive positive change. We're proud to share this inspiring story—just one example of the exceptional organic dairy farmers behind our Natural Grocers Brand Organic Cheese," shared Raquel Isely, Vice President of Marketing and Natural Grocers, while discussing the latest short film addition to the company's "Meet Your Farmer" film series. "From the Soil Up" takes a look at the important role of farmers healing the land through regenerative agriculture.
The Natural Grocers film series aims to give a voice to farmers and ranchers impacting the way food is currently being produced to ensure a more livable and healthy tomorrow. Audiences will meet organic growers, grassroots farmers and regenerative ranchers strongly dedicated to the lands they work, the animals they raise, their communities, and the planet. Each film in the series shares an uplifting and positive message of hope and transformation while encouraging consumers to pause and question the status quo of food production. Natural Grocers will look to add several more files to its series in the new year. Watch "From the Soil Up" here.
JIAHERB Opens Facility in China
Global manufacturer of natural ingredients and botanical extracts, JIAHERB, has completed its two-year lab and Research & Development construction project in China. The state-of-the-art facility, which is more than 140,000 square feet with 11 floors, houses the company's QA/QC labs, accounting and purchasing, sales and marketing, logistics, dining, meeting spaces, and R&D sectors. By housing all of its departments under one roof, JIAHERB will look to cultivate collaboration across the departments and increase project management efficiency, drive innovation, and deliver superior ingredients across the globe.
"The new facility enables JIAHERB to respond swiftly to customer needs, adapt to emerging market trends, and consistently deliver high-quality products more efficiently on a global scale. This investment enhances internal operations while also reinforcing Jiaherb's reputation as a leader in herbal extract innovation, offering reliable solutions to customers worldwide," shared company President Scott Chen.
Aker BioMarine Receives GIMI Recognition
Aker BioMarine has been recognized as the World's Most Innovative Company in the private sector by the Global Innovation Management Institute (GIMI). The non-profit membership organization honored the Norwegian fishing and biotech company for its ability to drive sustainable innovation initiatives promoting health during its GIMI Innovation Awards hosted at LaSalle University in Barcelona. “This recognition is a testament to our dedication to innovation and aligns us with a global standard of excellence. We have come a long way since our first trip to Antarctica, and this award belongs to everyone who has been part of our journey – our owners, partners, and especially our employees,” shared CEO of Aker BioMarine, Matts Johansen.
Since its inception, Aker BioMarine has helped pioneered sustainable krill harvesting and established a global ecosystem of research, market expansion, and product development. This latest award adds to the company's list of accolades which includes "Norway’s Most Innovative Company" and "Europe’s Most Innovative Company."
Gnosis Holds 3rd K2 Scientific Advisory Committee Meeting
On October 31st, Gnosis by Lesaffre held its third annual Vitamin K2 Scientific Advisory Committee (K2SAC) Meeting at the Cardiovascular Research Institute of Maastricht University in The Netherlands. Chaired by Professor Leon Schurgers, the event hosted notable K2 experts and emerging researchers as they discussed current research, the role of K2 in aging and its potential benefits for cognitive health, and the priority of leading education around the safety and importance of K2 supplementation. “Under my guidance, several young researchers have embraced vitamin K2 as an exciting and novel field of study; our meeting offered these emerging scientists a platform to explore cutting-edge topics, including the role of K2 in aging and its potential benefits for cognitive health, beyond its already recognized bone and cardiovascular advantages," shared Schurgers.
Attendees of this year's event were able to review clinical updates showing K2's application for kidney health and migraine relief as well as unpublished clinical research data and emerging trends in vitamin K2 applications. “We are proud to be at the forefront of vitamin K2 research, both basic and clinical, while actively supporting young researchers. Moreover, our involvement in collaborative, non-competitive initiatives, such as ILSI Europe's new task force on vitamin K2, reflects our commitment to advancing health understanding and economic insights," commented Jean Francois Jeanne, Industrial Coordinator of the K2SAC and Manager of the Gnosis Substantiation Team.
ADM Debuts Sweet Insights Tool
ADM is helping food and beverage manufacturers understand how consumers around the world are cutting back on their sugar consumption with the launch of its new Sweet Insights Tool. The interactive tool compiles the sugar preference, statistics, and consumption trends from consumers across the world including Mexico, Spain, Romania, Brazil, amongst many others. "Our research delivers valuable insights for product development. It serves as a roadmap for formulation strategies, highlighting the most important elements on nutrition labels and ingredient declarations that resonate with shoppers from one category to the next. Furthermore, we leverage this data when partnering with brands as they enter new global markets," shared Sarah Diedrich, Senior Marketing Director, Global Sweetening & Texturizing Solutions, ADM.
ADM's Outside Voice surveyed the purchasing behaviors of 13,900 people in 15 countries across four regions. Its findings:
- 83% of consumers are limiting or avoiding sugars in their diets
- The specific products causing concern vary
- 69% of North American shoppers are concerned with the sugar content of pancake syrup bottles
- Sugar content of non-alcoholic beverages is a global priority
- North Americans prioritize milk alternatives, Europeans focus on the quality of chocolates and pastries
- In Latin America and Asia Pacific, snacks and specialized nutrition are main areas for product evaluation
Check out more information from ADM's latest tool here.
TamaFlex Receives FFC Registration
The Japanese Consumer Affairs Agency (CAA) has given TamaFlex Food with Function Claim (FFC) registration. TamaFlex is the result of a collaboration between NXT USA and Octroll. With this latest achievement, TamaFlex has passed a thorough evaluation that required submitting robust scientific evidence to support its joint health benefits and is now positioned as a premier joint health solution within the Japanese market. "We are honored to have TamaFlex recognized as an FFC ingredient in Japan. This approval places TamaFlex in an exclusive category of natural ingredients, scientifically validated for specific health benefits. Japanese consumers can trust in its proven efficacy, knowing it meets the rigorous standards set by the CAA. Our three double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical studies have provided the scientific foundation for this recognition, demonstrating the product’s reliability," commented Hiroyuki Tanaka, CEO of Octroll Inc.
Japan's Food with Function Claims (FFC) system is overseen by their Consumer Affairs Agency (CAA), a crucial entity for the protection of consumers that ensures products marketed under the label are safe, effective, and meet stringent quality standards. Receiving FFC registration confirms TamaFlex's clinical study findings of showing significant improvements in joint health at a daily dosage of 250 mg and reaffirms NXT USA's dedication to meeting the rigorous scientific validation and compliance regulatory standards of Japan.
Los Roast Expands Distribution
Los Roast is now available at over 600 new stores including four Western Divisions of Albertson’s Companies Inc, Northwest based QFC, a division of Kroger & Co, as well as Northern California based Raley’s Supermarkets which includes Raley’s, Nob Hill and Bell Air retail banners. The brands award-winning products with both red and green chiles will be available in stores for the holiday season. “Our never frozen process gives us the best possible flavor. We carefully control every step from farm to jar," shared Owner Marshall Berg.
Los Roast works directly with its farmers to ensure each harvest provides the best flavors and do not contain allergens or potential GMO ingredients. Its chile products include roasted New Mexico green chile, roasted New Mexico red chile, New Mexico green chile sauce, New Mexico red chile sauce as well as Green Chile Salsa, and use chiles grown in New Mexico, mostly on fifth-generation farms.
Miura Partners Becomes HTBA Majority Shareholder
Miura Partners is the new majority shareholder of science-based, global manufacturer of citrus flavonoids and active forms of vitamin B12, HealthTech BioActives (HTBA). Under the new development, HTBA will enter its next phase with an annual revenue of 80 million Euros, up 66% since 2019. Alexandre Valls-Coma, Chief Executive Officer of HTBA spoke on the importance of the new financial move for the company, “The agreement of our new shareholder structure with Miura Partners is an important milestone for HTBA, reinforcing our position as a rising star in the health and nutrition industry...We remain fully focused on our mission of unlocking the power of nature through our proprietary processes and high-purity ingredients, with a genuine commitment to sustainability. Staying true to these principles has enabled us to enhance the health and well-being of both people and animals for over 40 years, and made us a global leader in the manufacturing and distribution of flavonoids and active forms of vitamin B12. Now, as we begin our partnership with Miura, we can’t wait to take our ambitious growth plans to the next level.”
