TIC Gums, White Marsh, MD, has introduced an organic yogurt stabilizer called TICorganic. Two varieties of the product are available: YG Cup Set is for organic yogurt in cup packaging, while YG Vat Set is for stirred yogurt. Derived from red seaweed and said to increase yogurt’s smoothness, both products are certified 100% organic.

Valensa International of Eustis, FL agreed to provide Mercola Health Resources, LLC of Hoffman Estates, IL with a new astaxanthin-perilla seed extract formulation that is “designed to provide maximum astaxanthin antioxidant benefits to support health in a broad range of areas.” The new product is called Mercola Astaxanthin with ALA, which include Valensa’s Zanthin astaxanthin.

Morristown, NJ based P.L. Thomas and BIOSECUR LAB. Inc. of Canada, announced that the BIOSECUR ingredient was self-affirmed GRAS in a process led by AIBMR Life Sciences.

Nutraceuticals International LLC received a U.S. patent for the manufacturing of its FucoPure fucoxanthin extract.

Synergy Flavors, Inc. will establish a new flavor innovation and manufacturing site in Wauconda, IL. The new site will be a 125,000-ft2, LEED-certified facility.

Eagan, MN-based Biothera announced its Wellmune WGP immune-support ingredient has been approved for use in food products in China.

Ajinomoto Co. of Fort Lee, NJ, announced its Capsiate Natura ingredient can now bear the federal trademark registration symbol.

Aker BioMarine Antarctic US, based in Seattle, WA, is now responsible for all customer service and product fulfillment in North America. The company previously worked with a distributor for its Superba krill products, but the North American operations will now distribute it directly. This ingredient was recently self-affirmed GRAS by an independent panel.

Canadian firm Burcon NutraScience Corporation entered into a license agreement with Decatur, IL-based Archer Daniels Midland Company for the production, distribution and sale of its Clarisoy soy protein.

Nutrition Formulators, Inc. of Miramar, FL announced that its manufacturing facility was GMP certified by NSF International.

Danisco, with headquarters in Copenhagen, Denmark, will expand production of its Litesse functional fiber “in response to the strength of demand for polydextrose globally.”

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issue a Letter of No Objection with regard to the GRAS status of an arachidonic acid-rich oil from Cargill of Minneapolis, MN. This ingredient is often used in infant formula.

St. Louis, MO-based Novus International donated 345,000 zinc tablets to Vitamin Angels for distribution to needy children worldwide affected by diarrheal episodes.

BI Nutraceuticals of Long Beach, CA received a SQF 2000 (Safe Quality Food) certificate from NSF.

Published in WholeFoods Magazine, May 2011 (online 3/23/11)