Viridis BioPharma of Mumbai, India received NSF International Good Manufacturing Practices certification. The company makes MenaquinGold, distributed by Nu Science Trading, based in Phoenix, AZ.

The UC-II joint-health ingredient from Benicia, CA-based InterHealth Nutraceuticals was the subject of new findings presented by director of research and development, Zainulabedin M. Saiyed, Ph.D., FACN, at the Scripps 12th annual natural supplement conference in San Diego. Each day, 186 subjects took either 40 mg of UC-II, 1,500 mg of glucosamine hydrochloride plus 1,200 mg of chondroitin sulfate or a placebo for 180 days. In the end, UC-II was associated with a significant reduction in overall WOMAC score over the placebo. Changes included less pain, stiffness and physical function subscales. The glucosamine–chondroitin group did not see statistically significant differences versus placebo for these clinical endpoints.

Health Canada approved LactoSpore (from Sabinsa Corp., East Windsor, NJ) for sale in Canada.

Frutarom, with U.S. headquarters in North Bergen, NJ, acquired Vitiva of Slovenia for $10 million.

Glanbia of Fitchburg, WI, expanded its production capabilities for its Bioferrin brand of bovine lactoferrin.

Aker BioMarine of Oslo, Norway, received Marine Stewardship Council recertification for the sustainability and 100% traceability of its krill products.

Custom contract manufacturer Herbally Yours of Gilbert, AZ, announced it is exhibiting for the first time at Expo West/Engredea (Booth 318) in Anaheim in March. The company is planning to open another building for capsules and powder production this spring.

Published in WholeFoods Magazine, March 2015