WIN Launches WIN Entrepreneurship Committee
WholeFoods Magazine's 2024 Person of the Year, Women In Nutraceuticals (WIN) is inviting all industry members to get involved with its new Entrepreneurship Committee. Formed to address WIN's strategic objective of increasing the number of women-owned ventures and increasing their funding, the new initiative will design and implement a structured entrepreneurial development path addressing various stages of business growth, build up participant preparedness for fundraising, and provide entrepreneurial management and exit strategies.
The Entrepreneurship Committee will divide its work into six subcategories:
- Development of Entrepreneurial Skills
- Focus on the Entrepreneur
- Group Coaching
- “The Ask” Prep
- Seminar and Pitch Program
- Investors Club
For more details on the project, its subcategories, and information on how to get involved, visit WIN.
Cepham Strengthens Commitment to Men's Health
The holiday season can be a stressful time for all, and there are special concerns for males, according to the American Heart Association. With winter weather and holiday activities increasing men's health risks, Cepham is expanding its commitment to the male wellness category with solutions that support mental wellbeing, stress management, heart health, and overall health:
- CogniUp, a combination of herbs to support mental health
- Cocoteanol, plant-based, chemical free, pre-workout energy booster
- Testncrease, a combination of Curculigo orchioides Gaertn (black musali) to support energy
- Trigonella foenum-graecum (fenugreek) to promote healthy testosterone levels
- Furosap, a high-purity fenugreek extract to help maintain testosterone levels and promote vitality
- Tri-Rosen, rosemary extract to support heath health, muscle strength, and balanced blood sugar levels, with natural antioxidants like ursolic acid, carnosic acid, and rosmarinic acid.
"Men’s health is often reduced to sexual performance and disease prevention, yet true vitality lies in nurturing the heart, mind, and body through balanced living, nourishing foods, movement, restful sleep, and breaking habits that no longer serve us," explained Anand Swaroop, Founder and President of Cepham.
Nammex makes testing method available to industry
Nammex is making its internal fit-for-purpose, validated HPTLC test method for identification and quality control of functional mushrooms available to the industry. The company says this testing method:
- Enhances quality control transparency and reliability by addressing industry concerns over mislabeling.
- Sets new standards for quality testing for commercially available mushroom extracts.
- Is specifically designed for the accurate identification of multiple fungi species.
In the web seminar Ensuring quality and authenticity in mushroom supplements using HPTLC, Dr. Melanie Broszat, Editor of CAMAG Scientific's CBS Magazine, and Coleton Windsor, Analytical Chemist at Nammex, explained the significance of accurate species identification in the mushroom extract food and dietary supplement industries.
“As the mushroom industry continues robust growth, it’s important that the stakeholders, suppliers, brands, and analytical testing scientists work to reach consensus on 'fit-for-purpose' test methods,” said Bill Chioffi, Nammex COO. “We will continue to share our expertise and stay in conversation with colleagues to support the legitimacy and integrity of this important product category.”
NXT USA Receives Non-GMO Project Verification
NXT USA has achieved Non-GMO Project Verification for its Digexin and TamaFlex flagship products. Digexin, a gut health supplement, was created to promote stress relief, support regularity, and support overall digestive wellness with a specialized formulation that includes ashwagandha to help balance cortisol levels and okra to provide gentle relief from constipation within roughly seven days, the company says. TamaFlex is a plant-based formula that combines turmeric and tamarind for joint discomfort, stiffness support, and inflammation relief within five days of consumers taking the first dose.
The company's new certification assures customers that both products are made without genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and fulfill the requirements of the rigorous, third-party evaluation process needed to receive verification. “Our customers count on us for products they can trust, and verification from NonGMOProject.org is one way we’re showing that we meet and exceed those expectations," shared Eric Anderson, Managing Director of NXT USA. "At NXT USA, we work to ensure our ingredients are not only effective but sourced and processed with respect for both human health and the environment."
Safety Shot Records Notable Strides In Q3
Functional beverage company, Safety Shot, announced key highlights and accomplishments in brand development, strategic partnerships, and market expansion for the third quarter of 2024. Milestones achieved under its Rebranding and Product Innovation, Strategic Partnerships and Distribution Expansion, Foundation Strengthening, and Sharpening Focus initiatives include:
- Rebranding from Safety Shot to Sure Shot
- Improved product taste profile
- Securing major distribution partnership
- Forming a strategic alliance with Stellar Partners
- Continued on-premises presence expansion
- Expanded distribution network
- New patent grant for innovative BAC-reducing formulation
- Additional $3.4 million investment from Company President, Jordan Schur
- Further product validation from positive clinical study results
- New e-commerce partnership with VENDO
- Plans to spin-off wellness consumer products segment
Jarrett Boon, CEO of Safety Shot, spoke on the strong growth and transformation seen by the company this year: "The rebranding of 'Sure Shot,' along with the introduction of our new 4oz bottles and convenient stick packs, has revitalized our product line and strengthened our connection with consumers. These strategic initiatives, combined with our expanded distribution network and key partnerships, are driving strong performance and positioning us to deliver exceptional value to our shareholders. We look forward to continued growth with our Sure Shot brand and plan to announce more news in the near future highlighting Safety Shot’s success."
Full Q3 details are available via the company's website.
NutriLeads Expands Distribution into Taiwan
NutriLeads BV is teaming up with specialty ingredient company, Toong Yeuan Enterprise Co., Ltd., to distribute their clinically proven, low-dose precision prebiotic—Benicaros. Under the new agreement, Toong Yeuan will look to use its strong connections with leading food, beverage, and dietary supplement manufacturers in Taiwan to expand NutriLeads' presence in the region.
“We are excited about the opportunity to represent Benicaros in the Taiwan market,” said Luisa Chang, President, Toong Yeuan Enterprise Co., Ltd. “The clinical research, small daily serving requirements, and favorable formulation properties make Benicaros very attractive to both manufacturers and consumers.”
Naturally Network Launches Seattle Chapter
Naturally Network has chosen Seattle as the home of its newest chapter. In partnership with The Non-GMO Project, Davis Wright Tremaine, Naturally Seattle will be a central point for education, resources, collaboration, and relationship-building amongst established and up and coming brands, retailers, and service provides looking to unify and advance the local natural products ecosystem. "Seattle has long been home to a unique community of innovative brands and forward-thinking leaders. Naturally Seattle is committed to leveraging these local strengths to support the next generation of natural products entrepreneurs. Our goal is to create a platform where businesses can come together, access vital resources, and grow not just locally, but on a national stage. We are thrilled to launch this chapter and look forward to the incredible opportunities it will bring to our community," shared Diana Fryc, Chair of Naturally Seattle and Partner at Retail Voodoo.
To kick things off, the group and its sponsors, Moss Adams, PCC Community Markets, Taylor Shellfish, nutpods, Good Now Foods, Tony's Coffee, Parker Smith & Feek, Fidalgo Bay Coffee, and A.E. Global will host an event this month to offer members and prospective businesses the opportunity to connect, share ideas, and learn more about what the chapter can offer them.
Essential Formulas Director has Scientific Paper Published
"The Glutathione Theory of Aging" has been published in Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine. Authored by Essential Formulas' Director of Science, Ross Pelton, RPh, Ph.D., CCN, the scientific paper reviews glutathione's multiple biological functions and role as a key regulator of immune function, detoxification, and antiviral activity. Suboptimal glutathione levels are typical due to diet, lifestyle, and environmental factors contributing to glutathione depletion. “Probiotic research is rapidly transforming our understanding of human health as science discovers that specific strains can produce concrete health benefits," said Dr. Pelton. “This is truly an exciting time in probiotic science, and the ongoing discoveries of health-promoting strains will alter the entire landscape of functional health.”
Key findings from the report include:
- Lactobacillus fermentum ME-3 produces glutathione, the "Master Antioxidant” made and used by every cell in the body.
- Review of glutathione's multiple biological functions and role as a key regulator of detoxification, immune function, and antiviral activity.
- Suboptimal glutathione levels are typical due to diet, lifestyle, and environmental factors contributing to glutathione depletion.
- Supplementing optimal glutathione levels has been challenging.
- Oral intake of glutathione results in its breakdown during digestion, and levels naturally decline with age.
- There is a need for effective solutions to boost glutathione levels.
A full version of the research paper can be accessed here.
ISOPURE Teams Up with Tiffani Thiessen for the Holidays
High-quality protein provider, ISOPURE, is collaborating with actress and author Tiffani Thiessen to help consumers celebrate the holidays with "Five Ingredients or Less Protein Boosted Holiday Recipes" that deliver flavor and provide a nutritional boost during the festive season. "I love to get creative with recipes and this year, I'm sneaking protein into all my favorite dishes! I can easily blend in one scoop of ISOPURE Zero Carb Unflavored Protein Powder to add 25 grams of protein to any recipe. And the best part is, you can't taste it!" shared Thiessen.
The recipes are all part of ISOPURE's "Holiday Eats" Recipe Book (available online)—a collection of quick, flavorful, five ingredients or less recipes that are all boosted with protein. The featured recipes include:
- Savory Holiday Tarts
- Creamy Mashed Potatoes
- Protein Pumpkin Pie
- Peppermint Hot Chocolate
- Garlic Rosemary Buns
With more inspirations and culinary creations available through the company's Instagram page and their culinary partners, Chef Kelly Scott and Chef Bayan, consumers are encouraged to try out the dishes and show off their food inspo with the #ISOPUREProteinHacks hashtag.
The Organic Center is Ready for Expo West 2025
The second annual "An Organic Night Out with Sprouts and Friends" event will be taking place next year during Expo West. Cohosted by The Organic Center and Organic Voices, the event will bring together organic leaders, champions and stakeholders from across the industry to share the latest research and education in advancing organic in the areas of crop production, soil health, food safety, climate, and sustainability and recognize the achievements of organic retailers, brand and companies, researches and others in communicating and promoting the benefits of organic. “We are honored to again be recognizing and celebrating the exemplary work of individuals, brands and companies to educate consumers about organic...The response we received to our inaugural Organic Night Out was incredibly enthusiastic, and we look forward to another evening to highlight the outstanding successes of an extraordinary and inspiring group of organic visionaries," shared the ceremony's emcee, Gary Hirshberg, advocate and cofounder of Stonyfield Farm.
Sponsored by Alexandre Family Farm, Ciranda, Dr. Bronner’s, Driscoll’s, Eat the Change, Forager Project, General Mills, Good Earth Natural Foods, Handsome Brook Farms, INFRA, Naturepedic, New Hope Network, Nixie, Once Upon a Farm, Pete and Gerry’s, Sprouts, Stonyfield, Thrive, Uncle Matt’s, and WearPact, the ceremony will present awards to winners of nine separate categories: Best New Organic Food Product; Best Organic Beverage Product; Best New Organic Non-food Product; Best Organic Messaging (Social Media or PR); Best Organic Retailer; Best Organic Supplier; Most Impactful Organic Research Result or Finding; Emerging Organic Brand of the Year; and Organic Company of the Year.
Nomination details and sponsorship details are available on the event's website.
ofi Publishes Sustainability Report
ofi has released its annual Nut Trails impact report, a look at how their sustainability initiatives impacted global almond, cashew, and hazelnut operations in 2023. Highlights from the report include:
- Expanding the deployment of AI-powered Beehome Technology to protect pollinators in California
- Empowering cashew farmers across Africa and Asia
- The KIND Almond Acres initiative
- Testing regenerative agriculture practices across 500 acres in California
- Over 7,000 Turkish hazelnut farmers received training in advanced crop residue management and composting practice
- Premium payments to cashew farmers in sustainability programs nearly doubled to $2 million USD in 2023 and nutrition and health support programs reached over 116,500 people in cashew-growing regions
Ashok Krishen, CEO of ofi's nuts platform, commented on the reports findings, "Behind every nut are differing and varied sustainability challenges, requiring specific approaches, investments and partnerships. The progress we’re sharing today was made possible through our 13 impactful partnerships with customers, NGOs, and industry bodies, bringing a joint funding commitment of US $2 million to our sustainability programs last year."
A full version of the Nut Trails 2023 Impact Report is available here.
GNT Receives Gold Medal for Sustainability
GNT has been recognized by EcoVadis for its sustainability efforts. After receiving a silver medal in 2023 for its environmental and ethical activities, the creators of EXBERRY, were awarded the gold medal this year placing them amongst the top 3% in the food manufacturing industry. “We are delighted to have earned our first EcoVadis gold medal. This is an important industry benchmark that is used by many of the world’s leading companies to assess their suppliers’ sustainability credentials. Securing gold is a powerful statement as only 5% of assessed companies achieve this status and our score puts us in the top 3%. This will help us demonstrate to manufacturers that our plant-based EXBERRY colors meet the very highest sustainability standards," shared Rutger de Kort, Sustainability Manager at GNT Group.
EcoVadis is a globally recognized provider of business sustainability ratings. Their assessment evaluates three key areas to determine a gold ranking:
- Transparent reporting, including an independent Greenhouse Gas Verification Statement
- New initiatives to support employee training, health and safety, and working conditions throughout the value chain
- A new Code of Conduct and policy to support whistleblowers
This year, their evaluation awarded GNT with 78 out of 100 points, giving them high scores for Environment and Labor & Human Rights and also increasing their ratings on Ethics and Sustainable Procurement placing them in the 97th percentile among evaluated food manufacturing businesses.
NutriFusion Earns Selection as Supplier of Choice
UMMY Kids Superfood Shakes has selected NutriFusion, creator of concentrated micronutrient and phytonutrient-rich food ingredient blends sourced from fruits and vegetables, as its supplier of choice in supporting the development of their child-approved products. The partnership between the companies will give UMMY products a boosted nutritional profile of essential vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients but will not alter its kid-approved taste. “The partnership with UMMY is a natural fit for NutriFusion as we are seamlessly aligned in our mutual dedication to delivering the highest quality and nutritional products,” said William Grand, co-founder and CEO of NutriFusion. “We want to be part of UMMY’s journey to deliver the best-of-the-best nutrition for children. Not only will children be healthier but, ideally, will carry a nutrition-first mindset into the future.”
Consumers will have access to the improved UMMY shakes starting this month.
Burcon Partners with Puratos on New Protein Applications
Plant-based protein developer, Buron NutraScience Corporation, is teaming up with innovative bakery, patisserie, and chocolate ingredients and services provider, Puratos, to create new and innovative ingredients using Burcon’s Puratein canola protein. Together, the companies will look to develop canola protein-enhanced solutions created specifically to meet the needs of their bakery, patisserie, and chocolate customers. Their creations will serve to meet the demand for innovative and high-quality products, promote sustainability and health, and offer consumers more nutritious and environmentally friendly options while exceeding their expectations for taste, health, and sustainability.
The new joint partnership will look to blend Burcon’s plant protein expertise with Puratos knowledge of food ingredients and their global network of R&D facilities to develop the canola protein's potential. “We are thrilled to partner with Puratos for our best-in-class canola protein,” shared Kip Underwood, Burcon’s chief executive officer. “Their deep understanding of the bakery and patisserie industries complements our go-to-market strategy. Burcon’s canola protein offers exceptional functionalities and can deliver significant cost-in-use savings when replacing eggs in formulations. Together, we’re aiming to redefine what’s possible with canola protein.”
Sprouts Farmers Market Participates in Annual Nasdaq Conference
On December 10th, Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc. will be participating in the Nasdaq 51st Annual Investor Conference in London. Chief Executive Officer Jack Sinclair and Chief Financial Officer Curtis Valentine will host a fireside chat conversation at 9:30 am Eastern Daylight Time/2:30 p.m. Greenwich Mean Time. A livestream of the fireside talk can be accessed here or through the company's Investor Relations Section on their website.
