Vita-Tech International, Inc. of Tustin, CA now has extra manufacturing capacity, more analytical laboratory services and additional technical team members. Heavy metals testing and microbiological testing are now offered on-site as are other client services.

Aker BioMarine has been selected to receive the Professors of Pharmacy Awards for its Superba Krill Oil ingredient. According to the firm, the award is given for product efficacy and safety.

DSM N.V., with global headquarters in the Netherlands, acquired Microbia, Inc. of Lexington, MA. This biotech company has a platform for making natural carotenoids (including β-carotene and canthaxanthin), nutritional products and other materials from renewable sources.

New research conducted by Harry Preuss of Georgetown University indicates that Graminex NAX 7% Paste (from Graminex LLC, based in Saginaw, MI) has anti-microbial effects against several pathogens.

NEM (Natural Eggshell Membrane) from ESM Technologies of Carthage, MO announced that this ingredient received self-affirmed GRAS status.

D.D. Williamson based in Louisville, KY has started a competition for students. Students will develop a beverage and learn about natural food coloring for a chance to win an expense-paid trip to the 2011 IFT Annual Meeting and Food Expo in New Orleans. Students must be members of the IFT Student Association; information is available at www.naturalcolors.com/studentcompetition.

PureCircle USA’s stevia-derived ingredients will now be distributed by Premium Ingredients International of Carol Stream, IL. Polyphenolics of Madera, CA received the 2010 North American Product Differentiation Excellence of the Year Award in the Grape Seed Extracts market from Frost & Sullivan.

Polyphenolics won for the “in-depth research and evaluation” of its MegaNatural-BP grape seed extract.

St. Louis, MO-based Stratum Nutrition is planning a study of its chitin-glucan ingredient Artinia ingredients to see how it affects LDL cholesterol oxidation. The firm says the study will also “assess the effects of Artinia on other established biomarkers of glycemic control, inflammation and human safety.” The study protocol has received approval from the Institutional Review Board.

Food manufacturers can now go to STR-Registrar, LLC of Stroudsburg, PA for voluntary audits in compliance with its Safe Quality Food (SQF) Program developed by the SQF Institute. Says the group, “Comprised of the SQF 2000 Code for food manufacturing and distribution and SQF 1000 Code for primary production, the program provides independent certification that a supplier’s food safety and quality management system complies with international and domestic food safety regulations.”

Published in WholeFoods Magazine, November 2010 (published ahead of print September 24, 2010)