HerbTV Debuts Two Must Watch Videos

Viewers of the HerbTV channel on YouTube will now have access to two brand new videos produced by the American Herbal Products Association (AHPA). The collaboration projects between the two organizations will look to further educate viewers about AHPA's vision for the responsible and sustainable commerce of high quality herbal products. "DSHEA and the Defense of Health Freedom" discusses the 30th anniversary of the passage of the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994 (DSHEA). The 26-minute special takes a deep dive look into the historic legislation that was signed into law in October 1994 and its creation of a legal category for dietary supplements as foods—and not as drugs as the government had inappropriately been trying to do previous to its passage.

“A Pillar of the Herbal Community: A Tribute to Michael McGuffin,” is an ode to the life and work of Michael McGuffin (1951-2025), who served as president of AHPA for 25 years. McGuffin's loss still resonates amongst industry members and the video honors his legacy and his views on the role of herbs amongst natural health practices. ABC Founder and Executive Director Mark Blumenthal, shared his views on the two videos new availability, “We are grateful for the opportunity to present these AHPA videos on ABC’s HerbTV. ABC appreciates AHPA’s sharing these videos with ABC members and the general public via HerbTV, and we look forward to future collaborations with AHPA to help educate ABC members and HerbTV viewers about the many facets of the modern herbal community, including AHPA’s advocacy for herbs and botanical products.”

Pharmako Biotechnologies Turns 10

In 2015, Pharmako Biotechnologies made its debut as developers of clinically studied advanced delivery system technologies. Since then, the company has grown its portfolio to include innovative delivery technologies like LipiSperse—a customizable micro-crystalline surface coating technology, CPO (Compressible Powdered Oils)—an innovative oil-to-powder conversion technology, and PlexoZome—a scientifically proven complex liposomal technology. The last decade has seen the company operate five in-house laboratories, conduct over thirty human pharmacokinetic and clinical trials, publish over twenty papers in high-impact international scientific journals, and expand its ingredients portfolio to include AquaCelle CoQ10, AquaCelle Omega-3, HydroCurc, VeriSperse, Levagen+, Quercetin, and BioBerb.

“I am so proud of our team on this milestone,” commented CEO George Kokkinis. "We are incredibly thankful to our alliances, distributors and customers for our continued growth and success over the past ten years. Looking ahead at the next 10, 20, and 30 years, I know we will continue to be guided by curiosity, commitment to scientific excellence, and dedication to the well-being of people, community, and environment.”

To honor the milestone, Pharmako hosted a celebration at this year's Vitafoods Europe event.

SGS Nutrasource Receives GRAS Notification for Dr. Ergo

The United States Food & Drug Administration (US FDA) has issued a "no questions" letter for the Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) notification (GRN1191) to Shanghai EGT Synbio Group for Dr. Ego Ergothioneine. Produced through fermentation technology, Shanghai EGT Sybnio's ergothioneine is high purity, stable, odorless, and shares the same chemical structure as mushrooms and other fungi. With support from GRAS Associates (GA), an SGS Nutrasource company, Dr. Ergo Ergothioneine is now allowed to be used in coffee, tea, fruit drinks and carbonated soft drinks; cakes, cookies, pastries (including granola bars) and candy containing chocolate at a level of 5 mg per serving. 

“The SGS Nutrasource team (GRAS Associates) was honored to work with EGT Synbio over several years to prepare a robust dataset and comprehensive GRAS dossier for the generally recognized as safe (GRAS) status for their Dr.Ergo Ergothioneine. An independent panel of expert reviewers agreed with EGT Synbio’s conclusion that the ingredient is GRAS for the intended use. We were also pleased to assist EGT Synbio with notification of the GRAS conclusion to FDA for rigorous review," commented Vice President of GRAS Associates, Amy Mozingo.

Natural Grocers Updates "Banned List"

Natural Grocers has announced several additions to the list of ingredients prohibited from its branded household cleaning products. The list, which already included substances like phosphates, synthetic fragrances, synthetic colors, and chlorine, now includes more than 100 ingredients. The updated banned list now includes: 

• Formaldehyde donors
• Phthalates
• Parabens
• Ethanolamines
• Glycol ethers
• Quaternary ammonium compounds

"We've always believed that cleaning your home shouldn't come at the expense of your health—or the environment," shared Raquel Isely, Vice President of Marketing at Natural Grocers. "That's why we're committed to providing our customers with safe, sustainable choices, and making it easy for them to understand exactly what's in the products they use every day. These updated standards help our customers make confident, informed decisions, whether they're shopping for dish soap, fabric softener, or multi-surface cleaner."

The update reflects the latest available research as well as the company's continued commitment to its customers to only provide the most human and environmentally healthy products available. For more on Natural Grocers' position on ingredient transparency, visit the company's expanded product standards page.

ACG & Art of You Debut Personalized Capsule Technology

Fully integrated manufacturing solutions provider, ACG, has created the Personalized Capsule Machine (PCM), a patented technology that creates custom-formulated supplement capsules specific to individual needs on demand for the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries. Through its exclusive partnership with Art of You (AoY), PCM will deliver:

• Precision-engineered dosing
• Clinically backed, science-driven formulations
• Personalized supplement accuracy
• Advanced bioavailability and absorption
• Controlled-release coating
• Vegan, tasteless, and microplastic-free materials
• Pharmaceutical-grade, sustainable manufacturing

“After five years in development, we are thrilled to launch the PCM and collaborate with Art of You on this groundbreaking initiative. It represents a true leap forward in personalized nutrition,” explained Aaron Quinn, Senior Manager for Europe at Vantage Nutrition. “This partnership underscores our commitment to growth through innovation and focus on advancing health solutions globally. With over 1,500 PCM machines planned for deployment across Europe in the next five years and projected revenue of more than €500 million over the next three, this initiative highlights ACG’s leadership in delivering cutting-edge capsule and beadlet technologies to the market.”

BGG Expands Manufacturing Facilities in China

BGG is increasing its astaxanthin production with the expansion of its manufacturing facilities in China. The 100% glass-tube photobioreactor microalgae platform in Yunnan Province will be home to a new, cutting-edge research lab for its on-site R&D team who will focus on microalgae innovation and advances in ingredient quality. The new site will support greater operational efficiency and productivity through increased tech transfer times and incorporation of the entire value chain—farming, extraction, drying, packaging, and R&D. On June 20th, industry partners and representatives from the Chinese government will join the company at the facility's inauguration event.

Chunhua Li, Founder and principal shareholder of BGG, spoke on the company's facility expansion: “We are proud to unveil our latest investment in our state-of-the-art microalgae platform, spanning the entire value chain. The enhanced synergy between manufacture and R&D will sharpen our innovation pipeline and accelerate speed to market.”

CitraPeak Now Available in Europe

Clinically supported pre-workout ingredient, CitraPeak, is now available in Europe. Sourced from citrus peels, CitraPeak is a clean, almost colorless, tasteless, and odorless 100% soluble form of hesperidin—a flavonoid that occurs naturally in citrus fruits. Ideal for pre-work-out applications, Prinova's CitraPeak offers:

• Increase in physical output: Research shows that CitraPeak helps increase, energy and physical output
• Rapid release: Over 100,000 times more soluble and 347 times more bioavailable than standard hesperidin, CitraPeak activates in just 30 minutes.
• Increase in thermogenic effect: In a cold condition test, surface temperatures were 5.4 °F higher among a CitraPeak group than a control, with users reporting increased sweating at room temperature.
• Nitric oxide pump effect: CitraPeak is broken down in the body into hesperetin (of which hesperidin is a glycoside), which has been linked to increased release of nitric oxide and related pump effects.
• Increase in blood flow: In another clinical study, CitraPeak was found to increase blood flow by 18% compared to a control.

James Street, Global Marketing Director at Prinova, spoke on the product's new availability: “CitraPeak is a one-of-a-kind ingredient for pre-workout applications. It offers all the clinically proven benefits of standard hesperidin – like increase in thermogenic effect and release of nitric oxide. However, for the first time it delivers them in a completely soluble form, so that the vasodilatory and pump effects of hesperidin are noticeable extremely rapidly. CitraPeak is a game-changing pre-workout ingredient, and we’re delighted that its benefits are now available to active consumers in Europe.”

Prinova will be exhibiting CitraPeak during Vitafoods Europe at Stand CC.BB38.

OmniActive Receives Regulatory Clearance and Launches New Product

While preparing to display its portfolio of validated, IP-protected, branded Specialty Actives at Vitafoods Europe, OmniActive shared that its flagship ingredient, Lutemax 2020, has received formal recognition from the European Union's Novel Food Regulation (EU) 2015/2283 as non-novel for use in food supplements. The acknowledgment confirms the ingredient's safe use and creates opportunities for commercialization throughout the European market. Sourced from marigold flowers, Lutemax 2020 is patented ingredient that supports visual performance, blue light protection, cognitive health, and delivers all three macular carotenoids—lutein, RR-zeaxanthin, and RS (meso)-zeaxanthin—in a similar 5:1 ratio as found in the diet according to the company. “This achievement reflects our commitment to rigorous compliance and scientific integrity,” shared Arpita Tamhankar, Director of Regulatory Affairs at OmniActive. “The non-novel status reaffirms Lutemax 2020’s established safety profile and reinforces its position a leading macular carotenoid ingredient for European markets.”

Following its recent classification, OmniActive is also introducing major EU markets to its clinically backed, natural solutions for stress, sleep, and mood support—Sleeproot and Zenroot. Sleeproot, a plant-based, low-dose valerian extract, does not contain melatonin and has been shown to increase sleep during after just one day of supplementation. Standardized to 2% valerenic acid—significantly higher than typical valerian products, which range from 0.4% to 0.8%. The products high potency allows for lower dosing and greater formulation flexibility and is well-suited for both tablets and capsules as well as gummies and RTM powders. 

Similarly, the brand's Zenroot product, offers formulation flexibility at 125 mg daily dose for products like gummies and beverages. The low-dose, root-only ashwagandha extract standardized to 1.5% with anolides uses a USP method for consistent quality and reliability—addressing concerns over quality within the ashwagandha market. “Bringing high-quality, clinically supported ingredients like Sleeproot and Zenroot to Europe is a key priority and further deepens our presence within this market,” commented Kratika Gupta, Sr. Vice President of Global Marketing at OmniActive. “These launches will allow us to meet consumer demand for holistic mental wellness while enabling our business partners to innovate confidently in one of the world’s most forward-looking markets.”

Pitaya Foods Develops First-of-its-Kind Regeneratively Raised Line

Pitaya Foods' has launched a first ever regenerative & organic frozen fruit line, which will be available at Whole Foods Market stores across the country. The Regenified Certified products are USDA Organic, made with 100% premium fruit, synthetic pesticides free, non-GMO, and available in Regenerative & Organic Strawberries, Regenerative & Organic Blueberries, and Regenerative & Organic Mangoes options. Sourced from over 277 acres of Certified Regenified land, the new frozen fruit line goods offer consumers a first-of-its kind product that is both good for them and supports farmers who are focused on enriching the soil for a healthier future.

“At Pitaya Foods, we spend a lot of time trying to understand the initiatives and goals of our retailers so we can create and cultivate valuable collaborative relationships,” said Chuck Casano, CEO and co-founder of Pitaya Foods. “It was serendipitous that after developing regenerative products behind the scenes for over a year that Whole Foods Market mentioned it would be an upcoming focus for them. Working closely with their team, we developed this first-of-its-kind regeneratively raised line to provide high-quality, wholesome, and delicious fruits for our customers that sets a new benchmark for sustainability and quality in our category. Regenerative farming goes beyond organic—it’s a movement transforming the food industry. Every time a consumer purchases a regeneratively raised product, they’re supporting farmers who enrich the soil for a healthier future. As a supplier it’s very exciting that even after working with Whole Foods Market for over 10 years, we can still find ways to strengthen the collaboration and drive innovation that is better for the wellbeing of the customer and planet.”

Burcon NutraScience Exhibiting at IFT

Attendees of this year's IFT FIRST show will have the opportunity to stop by Booth S4066 and learn about the many offerings from Burcon NutraScience, developer of innovative, plant-based proteins for the foods and beverage industry. Burcon's patent portfolio includes novel plant proteins sourced from pea, canola, hemp, sunflower seeds, and other crops. Visitors will have the opportunity to sample their pea and sunflower beverage blend while discovering:

• Peazazz C pea protein (90%+ purity)
• Puratein C canola protein (90%+ purity – PDCAAS score of 1)
• Hemp protein 95%
• Solatein sunflower protein isolate (90%+ purity)
• Solatein sunflower protein concentrate
• Fava bean protein (new ingredient announcement)

“IFT 2025 presents an excellent opportunity for Burcon to showcase its industry-leading family of high-purity and great-tasting plant proteins made from pea, canola, hemp, sunflower seeds, and other crops. During the show, we’ll update our industry friends on our commercial progress, introduce a new protein made from fava bean and highlight our new Solatein sunflower seed protein isolates and concentrates. We’ll also sample the excellent flavor and nutrition profile of our proteins by providing a pea and sunflower blend in a beverage format exclusively for IFT attendees. Tasting is believing and we stand behind the high quality of the Burcon family of plant proteins for food and beverage makers.”