OTA Applauds USDA, Issues Statement
The Organic Trade Association (OTA) has long been an advocate for clear practice standards to support consistency in production, a fair playing field in the marketplace, and a commonly understood definition of organic by the consumer. Because of that, OTA is praising the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Organic Program (NOP) for completing the Market Development for Mushrooms and Pet Food rule. The rule, which amends the USDA organic regulations to clarify standards for organic mushrooms and organic pet food, aligns with the OTA's mission to grow the industry and support the development of market opportunities for organic producers.
A compliance date of February 2027 has been set, giving industry members a little over two years to adjust and implement the requirements. OTA will use the next 24 months to provide support and resources to its members to help ensure successful compliance with the rule.
ISSN Publishes Update on HMB
The International Society of Sports Nutrition (ISSN) has updated its Position Stand on HMB (β-Hydroxy-β-Methylbutyrate). A trusted resource for consumers, sport nutritionists, dietitians and anyone wanting help understanding the science behind ingredients, ISSN first published its objective, comprehensive review of the research behind HMB in 2013. Eleven years later, an expert author group reviewed a database of over 750 scientific references, including research studies, original articles and reviews maintained through PubMed, Google Scholar and ResearchGate. “A lot of data has emerged over the last 10 years demonstrating HMB’s synergies with other ingredients including creatine, vitamin D, protein and certain amino acids to both help address muscle loss and improve overall muscle health," explained author John A. Rathmacher, Ph.D., Director of Clinical Research and Laboratory Services at MTI BioTech, Inc.
12 points on HMB were approved by the ISSN Research Committee:
- HMB is a metabolite of the amino acid leucine that is naturally produced in both humans and animals. Two forms of HMB have been studied: Calcium HMB (HMB-Ca) and a free acid form of HMB (HMB-FA). HMB-FA appears to lead to increased appearance of HMB in the bloodstream when compared to HMB-Ca, though recent results are mixed.
- Available safety and toxicity data suggest that chronic HMB-Ca and HMB-FA consumption are safe for oral HMB supplementation in humans up to at least one year.
- There are no negative effects of HMB-Ca and HMB-FA on glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity in humans. Younger adults might experience improvements in glucose metabolism.
- Primary mode of action of HMB appears to be through its dual mechanism to enhance muscle protein synthesis and suppress muscle protein breakdown. HMB's activation of mTORC1 is independent of the leucine-sensing pathway (Sestrin2-GATOR2 complex).
- HMB might help reduce muscle damage and promote muscle recovery, which can promote muscle growth and repair. HMB may also have anti-inflammatory effects, which could contribute to reducing muscle damage and soreness.
- HMB consumption in close proximity to an exercise bout may be beneficial to increase muscle protein synthesis and attenuate the inflammatory response. HMB can provide a beneficial physiological effect when consumed both acutely and chronically by humans.
- Daily HMB supplementation at 38 mg/kg body weight in combination with exercise training may potentially improve body composition through increasing lean mass and/or decreasing fat mass with benefits in participants across age, biological sex, and baseline training status. The most pronounced improvements in body composition with HMB have been observed in studies with robust resistance training programs and dietary control.
- HMB may improve strength and power in untrained individuals, however, its performance benefits in trained athletes are mixed and increase with an increase in study duration (> 6 weeks). Furthermore, HMB's beneficial effects on athletic performance are thought to be driven by improved recovery.
- HMB supplementation appears to likely have a positive impact on aerobic performance, especially in trained athletes. The proposed mechanisms of the effects are unknown.
- HMB supplementation may be important in a non-exercising sedentary and aging population to improve muscle strength, functionality, and muscle quality. The effects of HMB supplementation with exercise are mixed, but the combination may have a beneficial effect on the treatment of age-associated sarcopenia under select conditions.
- HMB may be effective in offsetting muscle disuse atrophy during periods of inactivity due to illness or injury. The modulation of mitochondrial dynamics and lipid metabolism by HMB may be a potential mechanism for preventing disuse atrophy and aiding rehabilitation beyond HMB's effects on rates of muscle protein synthesis and degradation.
- The efficacy of HMB combined with certain nutrients may be enhanced under select conditions.
PEAK ATP Receives Health Canada Approval
The Health Canada Natural and Non-Prescription Health Products Directorate (NNHPD) has issued TSI Group's PEAK ATP a Natural Product Number, confirming it can be sold in the Canadian market with a variety of scientifically backed health claims including:
- Increases strength and power when combined with regular weight/resistance training and a balanced diet.
- Improves physical performance during weight/resistance training.
- Increases muscle thickness when used with regular training and a healthy diet.
- Enhances strength and performance in brief, intense physical activity.
- Increases lean mass with regular training and a healthy diet.
PEAK ATP, a clinically validated form of ATP, is a non-stimulant energy source aimed at fueling the body's movement and enhancing muscle performance. Its use in sports nutrition products allows companies to provide safe, effective, and scientifically proven products.
Sami-Sabinsa Welcome President of the Republic of Maldives
His excellency, Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, President of the Republic of Maldives, was welcomed by Dr. Anju Majeed, Executive Chairperson, Sami-Sabinsa Group, and Co-Chair, Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) Karnataka State Development Council, at this year's India-Maldives Business Forum held in Bangalore. Led by H.E. Dr. Muizzu, the gathering welcomed business leaders, Corporate heads from the State of Karnataka and representatives of leading industry bodies in India, including ASSOCHAM, CII, and FICCI, and Mr. Mohamed Saeed, Honorable Minister of Economic Development and Trade, Government of the Republic of Maldives; Mr. Moosa Zameer, Honorable Minister of Finance, Government of the Republic of Maldives; and Mr. Munu Mahawar, High Commissioner of India to the Republic of Maldives and other senior delegation from the Maldives as they highlighted key sectors for potential investments and opportunities to strengthen the long-standing ties and enhance regional cooperation.
Dr. Anju Majeed shared her interest in working alongside the Maldives and stated that the Sami-Sabinsa Group will investigate ways to collaborate in the domains of academia and business that would yield mutually beneficial outcomes during a separate “Select Industry Business Roundtable” meeting with H.E. Dr. Muizzu and delegates from the Maldives. “ASSOCHAM remains deeply committed to solidifying bilateral economic relations between India and the Maldives. Through platforms like this, we continue to work closely with government and industry leaders and create new opportunities for trade, investment, and business collaboration. ASSOCHAM will focus on fostering partnerships that will drive growth and contribute to the shared prosperity of both nations," shared Dr. Majeed.
Nutraland USA's Somato is Alkemist Assured
Nutraland USA's whole-food derived phytomelatonin, Somato, has received the Alkemist Assured seal from Alkemist Labs. The program, which verifies the identity and purity of raw materials and finished products, awards its seal exclusively to products that show exceptional quality standards through a rigorous verification process . “Transparency and quality are at the heart of everything we do, and this certification reinforces our dedication to providing our customers with products they can trust. Somato’s innovative formula is the first of its kind, and we are excited to bring it to a broader audience with the confidence that it meets the highest industry standards," shared Gene Bruno, CSO of Nutraland USA.
Because Somato contains naturally occurring phytomelatonin and beneficial entourage compounds like Lycopene and GABA derived from tomatoes, it is able to be presented as a completely plant-based alternative to synthetic melatonin found in a lot of the sleep supplements currently available on the market.
Lief Labs Recognized by ACG 101
The Association for Corporate Growth (ACG) 101 Corridor chapter has honored Lief Labs with its Stars of the 101 Innovation Award. Presented during its 9th annual dinner celebration, which recognizes the achievements of companies and individuals within the ACG 101 community, the acknowledgment is the just the latest decoration for the company this year. “In a year we proudly kicked off with a celebration of Lief’s 15th anniversary at our Valencia headquarters, Lief is truly honored to receive the Stars of the 101 Innovation Award recognizing the efforts of our highly talented team to consistently deliver innovative ideas to drive growth for Lief, our brand partners and the broader dietary supplement industry, and to continually create new and beneficial nutritional supplement products to help support healthier lifestyles,” said Adel Villalobos, CEO & Founder of Lief Labs.
Shandong Invests in New Facility
Manufacturer of HPMC empty capsules, Shandong Head Group Co., LTD., is investing $80 million USD to enhance services and supply chain efficiency for its North American client base with a new US based manufacturing facility. The state-of-the-art facility will create 200 full-time jobs over the next few years and increase the company's production capacity by more than 20 billion HPMC capsules per year. "Our customers are at the heart of everything we do. This facility will allow us to serve our North American partners more effectively while helping them reduce lead times and ensure a more robust and reliable supply chain," shared Johnnie Chen, Chief Operating Officer of SD Head USA. "We’re proud to demonstrate our long-term business commitment to our customers in the U.S. and Canada, the world’s number one market for plant-based capsules."
With a new states side location, Shandong will be able to provide customers with:
- Reduced exposure to global supply volatility and international trade uncertainties
- Improved supply chain management with faster and more reliable delivery
- Cost savings and lower carbon footprint resulting from reduced transportation
- Enhanced flexibility to meet regional market demands
- Contributions to regional economy and local job creation
Nuritas Closes Series C Investment Round
Nuritas has closed an oversubscribed $42 million Series C funding round. Led by M&G Investments, participants included McWin Capital Partners, Grosvenor, and ECBF. “Our mission is to improve the lives of billions by creating ingredients that address pressing global health challenges,” said Dr. Nora Khaldi, Founder and CEO of Nuritas. “Through our science-first approach, we are fundamentally shifting the paradigm of ingredient discovery, enabling our customers to deliver healthier, differentiated products that meet the needs of today’s consumers.”
The company has built the largest peptide knowledge base and produced the cutting-edge AI platform, Magnifier, which identifies peptides 10-50 times faster than traditional methods with an industry-leading clinical success rate of over 80%. With patented flagship products like PeptiStrong—a peptide derived from fava beans for muscle generation and repair, the company's list of ingredients help empower its partners to:
- Increase market penetration and differentiation with innovative, evidence-based products.
- Truly address end-consumer needs with solutions validated through rigorous science and clinical trials.
In addition to the new $42 million funding, which will allow the company to scale its operations, expand its global customer base, and reach more consumers across the world, Nuritas has welcomed Alex Seddon, Head of Impact & Private Equity at M&G Investments and Henry McGovern, co-founder of McWin Capital Partners, to its board of Directors.
PETA Confirms Organic Coconut Products are "Monkey Labor Free"
PETA visited and conducted an extensive audit of Edward & Sons Trading company's organic coconut supplier in Thailand and concluded that the Native Forest and Let's Do Organic brands are "monkey labor-free following PETA investigations." With demand for food products made from coconuts—coconut water, coconut milk and plant-based coconut yogurt—increasing year over year amongst consumers, PETA created a Shoppers Guide to inform consumers on the issue of monkey abuse by some Thai farmers, who use enslaved, forced monkey labor to harvest their coconuts.
Their updated October 2024 list featured a small number of coconut milk brands including Edward & Sons’ Native Forest brand of organic coconut milk products, and its Let’s Do Organic line of organic coconut products, that have been investigated and are confirmed to be monkey labor-free. “Edward & Sons is dedicated to upholding our values by ensuring that all of our coconut products are ethically produced using no monkey labor,” shared President Russell Parker. “Further, we actively support the Wildlife Friends Foundation of Thailand, providing care and shelter for monkeys affected by this cruel practice. We encourage everyone to support a humane coconut supply chain that respects animals and keeps the wild truly wild."
PepsiCo Acquires Sabra and Obela
PepsiCo, Inc. has agreed to purchase the remaining 50% interest in Sabra Dipping Company, LLC (Sabra) and PepsiCo-Strauss Fresh Dips & Spreads International GmbH (Obela). Currently, Sabra and Obela are 50/50 joint ventures formed between PepsiCo and Strauss Group to manufacture, distribute, and sell refrigerated dips and spreads. While still subject to customary closing conditions, the deal for the leading hummus brand, with nearly $400MM in retail sales in the U.S., is expected to close over the next couple of days.
The deals finalization will enable PepsiCo to expand its Positive Choice product portfolio and drive accelerated innovation in refrigerated fresh dips and spreads and the development of healthier snack alternatives to help satisfy the growing North American consumer demand. "As we evolve our food portfolio and bring people more choices for more occasions, our aim is to meet the growing demand for positive choices and on-the-go options," shared Steven Williams, Chief Executive Officer, PepsiCo Foods North America. "Nutritious, simple foods like refrigerated dips and spreads represent a space we have long desired to expand in the U.S. and Canada. We are grateful to the Strauss Group for our long and successful partnership and look forward to this next chapter for the Sabra and Obela brands, as well as the PepsiCo food portfolio."
GNT Launches Independent Investment Firm
GNT Ventures is the debut independent investment firm from EXBERRY color supplier, GNT, to further innovation and boost sustainability. Created to invest in start-up companies exhibiting the potential to help pioneer new and improved plant-based coloring solutions, the firm will focus on four key areas: processing, raw materials and fermentation, food ingredients, and upcycling. “We’re looking to build mutually beneficial relationships with start-ups that dare to dream big and have the drive to shape tomorrow’s planet. We can provide financial, technical, commercial, and regulatory support, using our expertise to not only help bring bold new visions to life but successfully market them worldwide," commented Finn Rieken, Managing Director of GNT Ventures.
With a state-of-the-art food grade pilot plant to test and optimize processes, GNT Ventures will look to provide its start-up collaborators with research and development know-how, processing expertise to help with their idea development, provide comprehensive financial and commercial support including innovation exposure to a wide range of customers within the food and beverage industry as well as connecting start-ups with partners across the entire value chain.
