PartnerSlate & RangeMe Team Up for Contract Manufacturing Search
RangeMe subscribers will now have access to over 7,000 contract manufacturers, all with different capabilities and capacities, thanks to the company's new affiliation with leading tech platform, PartnerSlate. Ideal for any food and beverage or supplement brand, the PartnerSlate platform can be a vital tool for brands that urgently need to scale capacity and connect with a contract manufacturer (CM), contract packager, or private label supplier. The partnership will offer RangeMe members free or discounted access (directly from their profiles) to PartnerSlate's AI-powered Co-Manufacturer Marketplace, which will connect CPG brands with CMs that have the capabilities, capacity, and are actively interested in working on their specific projects. Once a detailed project listing is created, a PartnerSlate matching advisor will help the brand optimize and anonymize their listing before using AI to match the project to the right partners. Most projects will receive between 3-5 connection requests from interested partners within a week of the project posting. Project listings are free for RangeMe Premium and Pro subscribers (normally $199 per project) and discounted for Starter and Free subscribers.
“PartnerSlate was a huge help when we found ourselves searching for a new partner for upcoming retail distribution,” said Kristina Mallon, VP of Operations at Deux, a better for you snack company. “The platform streamlines early conversations and saved us a huge amount of time by matching us with partners that already had the capabilities we were looking for.”
XYMOGEN Debuts New Brand Identity
After more than 20 years, family-owned and -operated supplements provider, XYMOGEN, is unveiling a new brand identity. Designed with a fresh, modern perspective to reflect the company's continuously evolving commitment to their customers and their wellness journey needs, the new brand iteration will include expanded access to their formulas through an omnichannel approach and the introduction of an enhanced interactive website offering individuals looking to create a more holistic healthcare plan a user-friendly platform with insights, recommendations, and expertise from functional medicine professionals.
XYMOGEN Chief Strategy Officer, Brian Blackburn, Jr., explained the significance of the rebrand for the company, "Relationships have always been at the core of XYMOGEN. As we step into this new era, we are expanding those relationships to include all individuals seeking a healthier future. Over the past 20+ years, we have learned that every wellness journey is unique—but everyone deserves access to the tools and knowledge they need to take control of their health."
Axiom Premieres Cleanest Plant Protein
Axiom Foods is introducing Oryzatein 2.0, its first patented plant protein with no detectable levels of heavy metal, specifically lead. The rice protein is a low-cost alternative to other plant proteins, available in an Isolate and organic version, and is a response to the recent Clean Label Project "Best and Worst Protein Powder Products" report that claimed plant proteins contain the highest level of heavy metals. Tests from the ISO/IEC 17025:2017 certified Dyad Labs, a Merieux NutriSciences Company and SGS Labs, confirmed the absence of detectable levels of lead in Oryzatein 2.0.
Axiom Foods Founder and CEO, David Janow, commented on the brand's latest product, "Axiom was first to market with plant protein ingredients before this trend gained momentum, propelling the plant-based food industry to a $77 billion valuation. Through rigorous sourcing, manufacturing and clinical testing, we have worked hard to educate formulators, buyers and consumers, alike. We are immensely proud of the progress we have made in developing Oryzatein 2.0, which has successfully eliminated any trace of lead. Given the recent report by The Clean Label Project, which highlights the growing demand for transparent food labeling, we are confident that food manufacturers will be delighted to share this achievement with their consumers. In the food industry, our primary responsibility is to disclose the composition of our products. This entails comparing the levels of ingredients to appropriate serving sizes.”
Danone North America Accepting Applications for Fellowship Grant
Applications for the 2024-2025 Danone North America Gut Microbiome Yogurt and Probiotics Fellowship Grant are now being accepted. Now in its 13th year, the grant will award two graduate students $25,000 each to conduct research and better understand the role of the gut microbiome, probiotics and yogurt in supporting and maintaining human health and wellness. Candidates have until March 24th to submit an application for their investigation or study.
"There is still so much to learn about the connection between our gut microbiome and chronic disease. University labs make important discoveries in this area, which is why we are so committed to supporting graduate student researchers," said Miguel Freitas, Ph.D., Vice President of Nutrition and Scientific Affairs at Danone North America. "At Danone North America—an industry leader in the food and beverage category—we are particularly interested in this field, as we have dairy and plant-based products that are designed to help support gut health."
A full list of previous grant winners and an overview of their projects as well as additional details for this year's application process can be found here.
Arrabina Receives Certification
COMET's prebiotic dietary fiber, Arrabina, has received FODMAP Friendly certification. The achievement formalizes its classification as a low FODMAP ingredient and customers who include the product in their formulations would standout amongst consumers interested in low FODMAP diets. Research out of Melbourne, Australia claims adhering to a Low FODMAP Diet is an effective way of reducing symptoms of IBS and improving digestive comfort for people living with IBS.
Hannah Ackermann, VP of Marketing & Nutrition Affairs with COMET explained why the FODMAP Friendly credential matters to consumers. "As both a nutrition expert and MONASH certified Registered Dietitian, I am keenly familiar with the digestive distress that one in seven people around the world experience. The simple presence of the FODMAP Friendly logo lends a helping hand for these people to easily identify foods that are free from potentially triggering ingredients. It means they can spend less time reading labels and more time enjoying foods that are free from FODMAPs."
TopGum Industries Acquires Island Abbey Nutritionals
TopGum has announced its acquisition of Island Abbey Nutritionals, a CDMO specializing in supplement gummies and lozenges out of Prince Edward Island, Canada. The strategic alliance marks a major milestone for TopGum by strengthening their manufacturing and technological capabilities which now includes access to Island Abbey's state-of-the-art 65,000 ft facility, propelling their annual revenue run-rate beyond USD 100 million. “Island Abbey brings a unique combination of strategic customers, advanced technologies, and a professional, experienced team,” shared Eyal Shohat, CEO of TopGum. “Together with TopGum’s longstanding expertise, this partnership opens new horizons for innovation and growth. Our combined teams will continue to develop advanced solutions that deliver a wellness experience that is fun, easy, and tasty. We are reinforcing our commitment to our business partners and customers worldwide as we embark on this exciting new chapter in TopGum’s global growth story.”
Under the new agreement, Island Abbey will continue to be led by CEO Dean Williams, maintain its operational independence, and keep employing its entire 95 member team. “I’m honored to be part of this pivotal moment for Island Abbey,” said Williams. “This acquisition reflects our success in advancing supplement solutions across Canada and the US. The combination of these two entities is poised to redefine the gummy supplement market.”
Scott's Protein Balls Collaborating with Oakberry
100% plant-based, gluten free, non-GMO protein snack manufacturer, Scott's Protein Balls, is joining forces with Oakberry açaí bowls to offer health-conscious consumers a new range of convenient and nutritious plant-based snack options. Their new co-branded bags of Scott's Protein Balls in Peanut Butter Cacao and Brownie Batter flavors will be available at select Oakberry locations, offering clients a new plant-based product that caters to modern dietary preferences. The new joint venture will look to broaden the distribution of Scott's Protein Balls to a wider audience and also enhance Oakberry's current menu offerings of signature açaí bowls and smoothies with grab-and-go protein snacks. With both companies focused on promoting sustainability and wellness within the growing market, the combination of both brands will create a more diverse and satisfying range of options for busy lifestyle customers.
Europe Embraces Revyve Yeast Protein
Consumers in France, Germany, and the UK are feeling enthusiastic about yeast protein egg-replacers—according to a new consumer study by FoodTech innovator Revyve, B.V. Explained through AI-moderated individual interviews, survey participants expressed positive feedback towards functional brewers and baker's yeast ingredients as substitutes to egg proteins and synthetic texturizers. With all consumers agreeing on eggs importance as a source of protein and an effective binder, Revyve's yeast protein is seen as a key player in the alternative protein market due to its protein, fiber, and B vitamin offering.
Jordania Valentim, CCO of Revyve, attributed changes in consumer lifestyle choices as a key driver in protein alternatives acceptance. “Around the world, we can see consumer choices increasingly shifting towards flexitarianism...This survey was designed not only to assess awareness and openness among Europeans to yeast proteins as a viable alternative to animal protein, but also to understand what drives various populations when it comes to choosing clean label, more sustainable protein options. Previous market analysis we conducted identified these countries as the primary European markets where our ingredients are most relevant.”
