Court Rules Against Quincy Bioscience
In 2015, TINA.org filed a complaint against brain supplement manufacturer, Quincy Bioscience, and its Prevagen supplement for using memory-improvement claims. Nine years later the U.S. District Court for the southern District of New York ordered Quincy to immediately withdraw all of its challenged claims including memory improvement. “Prevagen’s days of deceiving and exploiting seniors worried about memory loss and cognitive impairment has finally come to an end,” said TINA.org Executive Director Bonnie Patten. “This should serve as a warning to all supplement companies using deceptive marketing to lure in susceptible consumers.”
Since 2013, Quincy Bioscience was marketing its product as "clinically shown" to improve memory loss. Two years later, the nonprofit organization truthinadvertising.org launched an investigation and found that the product lacked credible science evidence of its claims. Currently, a month's supply of Prevagen is sold for $40 to $90 per bottle at major retail stores like CVS and Walgreens. As soon as judgment was issued, the company removed all mentions of memory improvement claims from its product packaging, website, television ads, and product listings on distributor websites like Amazon.
Kaneka Ubiquinol Wins Prestigious Award
Kaneka Ubiquinol has won its third award of the year with the Raw Material Supplier of the Year Award 2024 presented by Complementary Medicines Australia (CMA) during its annual Awards ceremony in Sydney. The company was recognized for its contributions to advancing the complementary medicines industry through innovation, scientific rigor, and an exceptional commitment to quality, while providing consumers looking for mitochondrial, cardiovascular, cognition, menopause, energy, recovery, fertility and healthy ageing support with trusted and reliable nutraceutical options. “We are deeply honored for Kaneka Ubiquinol to be named the recipient of the prestigious CMA Raw Material Supplier of the Year Award 2024,” said Tsuyoshi Takakuwa, Head of Marketing and Sales Supplement Division APAC, Kaneka Corporation, Japan.
Kaneka Ubiquinol has built its brand on advancing the science of healthy ageing through its patented formulation made from yeast fermentation for a bioidentical Ubiquinol. “Australia sets the highest benchmark in excellence in complementary medicines globally, and this award is one of the greatest industry accolades we could receive, not only for our teams but for our customers, Australia’s leading brand holders, and those in the rest of APAC, and their consumers, who vote with their pocket,” shared Takakuwa.
Nutrify Today Develops New Innovations
Nutrify Today is enhancing its flagship AI platform with the introduction of three new solutions offerings:
- NutrifyGenie DealSphere a tool to streamline product design, clinical trials, supply chain management, and market targeting, and provide a comprehensive platform for companies looking to speed up their go-to-market strategy with an "innovation shopping cart" that will enable brands to select, customize, and commercialize new products in 90 days.
- NutrifyGenie DIY a self-service option for companies that want to maintain control over their internal product development processes. By using AI platform's capabilities, firms can accelerate ideation, ingredient selection, and regulatory assessments, while maintaining full ownership of intellectual property.
- NutrifyGenie Concierge Commercialization Suite (CCS) will facilitate a rapid, end-to-end commercialization process, and bring custom nutraceutical products to market in six to nine months for companies with high-impact innovations.
All three additions were designed to help streamline the process of concept to market and reduce the time and complexity of developing nutraceutical products. “We’ve seen firsthand how NutrifyGenie can speed up the development processes, and with these new solutions, we’re making it easier for companies at every stage of innovation to bring products to market faster and more efficiently,” shared Amit Srivastav, founder of Nutrify Today and chief catalyst of Nutrify India.
CRN President Joins Company Podcast
Trade association, The Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN), hosted company President and CEO Steve Mister on episode 9 of its Supplement Source podcast. Mister discussed the company's "We Are Responsible" campaign and how their self-regulation focus sets them apart within the industry. Listen to more from the full episode here. And stay tuned for a special episode of The Natural View featuring Mister.
Aleocorp Acquires New Aloe Vera Division
Grower and processor of Aloe vera ingredients, Aloecorp Inc., has entered into a strategic acquisition agreement with Pharmachem Innovations, LLC for its Aloe vera division. Aloecorp is a vertically integrated Aloe vera manufacturer with operations in both Mexico and the US. This latest addition increases its state-of-the-art processing facility count to three production locations across Mexico. “Increasing our production capacity to deliver high-quality Aloe vera ingredients has always been a cornerstone of our mission,” said Kyeong Soo (KS) Yoon, CEO of Aloecorp Inc. “A few years ago, we doubled our production capabilities with the launch of our second processing facility. This latest addition marks another significant step forward, enabling us to meet growing demand while maintaining our unwavering commitment to excellence. Now with this new addition, we have increased our capacity further as we continue to provide the highest quality Aloe vera ingredients to bring the best of nature to humankind.”
TriNutra Receives Approval from Health Canada
TriNutra has received Structure Function Claims approval from Health Canada for its OmegaQuin dietary supplement. This latest compliance marks the company's second Health Canada approval in 2024. “We are incredibly proud to receive the approved structure-function health claims from Health Canada for our OmegaQuin product,” said Morris Zelkah, CEO of TriNutra. “We believe in this product and its benefits and continually invest in clinical research to demonstrate its potential to support health and wellbeing.”
OmegaQuin is a combination of the company's full spectrum, cold-pressed, UPS-compliant extra virgin black seed (Nigella sativa) oil ThymoQuin and omega-3 fish oil. A recent study showed its enhanced effect at modulating inflammation, positive impact on fat storage, fatty liver, energy production, insulin resistance, metabolic syndromes, inflammation, and blood sugar levels. Health Canada's product license allows OmegaQuin, as an oral supplement (capsule or soft gel), to be used for:
- Support/maintenance of normal heart function & health
- Support/maintenance of normal brain function
- Support/maintenance of cognitive health
- Moderation of general feelings of stress
- Support of healthy gut microbiota
- Support/maintenance of normal triglycerides levels
- Support of healthy liver function
- Support of healthy glucose levels
B&D Nutritional Ingredients and Kelker Pharma Launch New Product
With distribution from B&D Nutritional Ingredients, Inc., Kelker Pharma is launching NUTRILINQ Genesis, a nutritional support system for GLP-1 medication users. The company developed its easy-to-use system to fill the nutritional gaps caused by the extreme caloric deprivation associated with GLP-1 treatments. With consumer demand continuing to rise, Kelker Pharma developed the product to help GLP-1 users embark on a healthier weight loss journey by addressing the temporary and long-term side effects form the rapid weight loss method which include gas, bloating, nausea, constipation, diarrhea, dehydration, sagging skin (commonly referred to as “Ozempic Face”), muscle loss, hair loss, and lack of energy.
Bill Van Dyke, B&D President, spoke on the markets need for a solution to negative GLP-1 related effects, "My team and I are thrilled to see the imminent launch of this new solution for those challenged by GLP-1-induced muscle loss and nutritional deficiencies. It is essential to address the potential side effects and NUTRILINQ Genesis fills that gap with science-backed ingredients like TriBsyn, which offers a comprehensive solution for GLP-1 users for muscle preservation and strength, muscle fatigue reduction, and cognitive support.”
Oterra Answers Call for More Natural Colors
Natural colors manufacturer, for the food and beverage industry, Oterra, is establishing a state-of-the-art innovation, collaboration, and production site in Mt. Pleasant, WI to meet the growing demand from the North American market for natural colors. In May, The Natural Colors Association (NATCOL) reported on U.S. consumer perceptions on natural food colors. The study shared details on the extent of which consumers were accepting different food colorings and how it influenced their purchasing decisions. 7 out of 10 consumers accepted natural coloring in their food and beverage and expressed positive connotations like ‘healthy’, ‘safe’, ‘good’, ‘sustainable’ and ‘appealing’ in products containing them.
With its new facility, Oterra will look to cater to the growing number of consumers becoming more aware and intentional about their purchasing decisions. The 155,000 sq ft (14,400 m2) US Headquarter includes a 40,000 sq ft area of expansion space available for new color products and partner pilot production lines while equipping the company's innovation and application labs with a brand new manufacturing and logistics facility. “The new facility is a direct commitment to the US market,” says Oterra CEO Martin Sonntag. “Oterra already has a strong foothold in the North American market, catering to the demands of an environmentally conscious and health-focused consumer base. This puts Oterra in a great position to further support our customers in the conversion towards natural colors.”
Nu Life Market Receives Excellence Award
The Kansas Department of Commerce has awarded Nu Life Market with the 2024 Governor's Award of Excellence. The Kansas-based producer of high quality, food-grade sorghum, was recognized for its assistance in the growth of the gluten free market. "Nu Life Market… is a large contributor to our state’s growing economic success in the agribusiness and food processing industries,” said Kansas Governor Laura Kelly. “By honoring and showcasing their accomplishments, we aim to inspire other businesses to keep reaching for new opportunities across our state.”
In 2024, Nu Life Market was also recognized as the top stand out company from within the agribusiness industry when they were presented with the Kansas’ 2024 Statewide Agribusiness Award. "With the growth in consumer demand for gluten free foods and foods that are sustainable, we’ve grown from processing a few hundred pounds of sorghum to millions of pounds annually. We’re now responsible for many of the food products you see that have grain sorghum as an ingredient,” shared Nu Life Market founder and President Earl Roemer.
IFT Gives Thanks
This holiday season, the Institute of Food Technologists is thankful for its outstanding food science volunteers. As a token of their appreciation, IFT presented five (out of its 47 Sections across the US, Mexico, Japan, England, and Canada) of its IFT regional sections with an IFT Section Impact Award. The honor recognizes the impact sections are having on their local and food science communities with:
- Innovative Section Programming
- Grants and Scholarships
- Student Engagement
- Section Outreach
- Advocacy and Public Policy
“Sections are integral to the success of IFT’s global community, providing both virtual and in-person networking opportunities throughout the year where professionals working in the science of food can learn from one another and build their careers,” said IFT CEO Christie Tarantino-Dean. “Over the years, IFT Sections have had a tremendous impact on their local communities, and we are proud to recognize those contributions with the launch of the IFT Section Impact Awards.” This year's winners, sections in New York, San Antonio, Oregon Kansas City, and Washington, D.C., were honored at IFT's global event celebrating Food Improved by Research, Science, and Technology (FIRST) and received a monetary prize to be used for continued local programming.
Center for Human Nutrition Studies Publishes New Analysis
The Center for Human Nutrition Studies conducted a new analysis of the impact regenerative farming practices has on the health of Diestel turkeys. On behalf of Regenified and Diestel Family Ranch, the project took place at Utah State University and confirmed that Diestel turkeys grown with regenerative farming practices helped improve fatty acid ratios and phytochemicals in the turkeys. “We’ve always known that our farming practices are better for the land, but now we have initial data to confirm that our practices directly impact the health of our birds too,” said Heidi Diestel, fourth generation farmer at Diestel Family Farms. “Even as a small family-owned business, we’ve aspired to always do the right thing for our birds and the planet.”
Regenerative agriculture eliminates industrial farming practices that have been known to negatively impact the planet while prioritizing the health of soil. Diestel's regenerative birds have access to open land designed to mimic their natural shaded forest habitat and were the first to be fed 650-tons of U.S.-grown Certified Regenerative feed directly improving bird and soil health. Lead researcher, Stephan van Vliet, Ph.D., oversaw the research at his lab using mass spectrometry-based techniques to determine if Diestel's regenerative practices resulted in improved vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants levels. “Our analysis found that turkeys raised on pasture using regenerative farming practices have improved omega-3 and phytochemicals profiles compared to conventionally-raised birds,” said Doctor van Vliet.
Nature's Yoke Partners with September Farm Cheese
Nature's Yoke and September Farm Cheese are bringing locally produced cheese products under its brand umbrella to retailers in the region. Under the partnership, local Pennsylvania farmers will be supported with:
- Market penetration assistance.
- An expansion of the product offerings under the Nature’s Yoke brand.
- A strong distribution network for September Farm Cheese products.
- A significant boost to local dairies.
- Ability to align the vision of two family-owned companies and better support retailers.
- Bring more locally sourced food to consumers under a brand they know and trust.
The initial product offering of Creamy Cheddar, Chives & Dill Jack, Tomato & Basil Jack, and Harvest Jack, all produced at the September Farm main location, will be distributed through Four Seasons Produce—a major grocery supplier for the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast Regions. As production capacity grows, the companies will aim to increase the number of retailers carrying their products and pursue regional expansion.
