Herbally Yours, Gilbert, AZ, manufactured and distributed SupplySide West Survival Kits, featuring eight formulas sponsored by ingredient suppliers like Aker BioMarine (Superba Krill for inflammation relief), Nexira (Fibregum for digestive support) and Taiyo (Suntheanine for relaxation).

Embria, Ankeny, IA, showed off its new, airy Epicor-themed booth.

The third annual SupplySide CPG Editor’s Choice Awards were given out in numerous categories during an evening reception at House of Blues. Winners included KeVita sparkling probiotic drinks in the digestive health category, youtheory Men’s Line in the hair care/nutricosmetics category, and JOINThealth Soft Chews by Redd Remedies (received by company founder and CEO Dan Chapman, pictured here).

Neptune Technologies & Bioressources, Laval, QC, Canada, showed off its new logo (emphasizing NKO as the original krill oil and the company’s commitment to sustainability with a rolling wave for the “O” in NKO) and condition-specific ingredients while treating booth visitors to a game of Football Frenzy for a chance to win a round-trip for two to Denver, CO, to watch the Denver Broncos in a VIP suite. Runner-up prizes included John Elway autographed footballs
and a jersey.

Kaneka Nutrients, Pasadena, TX, sponsored The INSIDER CoQ10 Formulation Experience workshop at which the company discussed important aspects of the CoQ10 market. John Jarmul, marketing manager, offered some statistics about who buys CoQ10: 68% are women (though actual takers probably represent a 50/50 split), older than 60 and tend to be more affluent. Ingredient quality is considered a “very important” factor in their supplement choice. Robert Barry, Ph.D., executive director of scientific affairs, reviewed the differences between ubiquinone and ubiquinol and Sid Shastri discussed key formulation considerations, including water dispersibility and nutrient absorption enhancers.

Fitchburg, WI-based Glanbia Nutritionals showcased some unique product prototypes including a Simple Probiotic Bar with BarPro milk protein, and Ganeden BC30.

The Natural Products Association of Washington, D.C., hosted a fundraising breakfast in honor of Senator Dean Heller (R-NV), who has a strong interest in the natural products industry.

OmniActive Health Technologies of Morristown, NJ, expanded its Lutein For Every Age program with the launch of LuteinForEveryAge.org, which is designed to educate consumers on how to maintain eye health through lifestyle, diet and supplementation with an emphasis on lutein.

See wholefoodsmagazine.com/suppliers for additional coverage of the suppliers category and the expanded briefs.

Published in WholeFoods Magazine, December 2014