Traditional Medicinals Expands Herbal Literacy & Wellness
Botanical wellness company and Certified B Corp, Traditional Medicinals, is committed to increasing access to herbal education and grassroots wellness across the United States. With the introduction of Herbs for All, the company hopes to raise awareness about herbal wellness being a right, not a luxury. To help spread the message, Traditional Medicinals is launching two cornerstone programs:
- Planting Wellness: This community grant initiative builds on the tradition of herbs nourishing, healing, and strengthening communities by funding grassroots nonprofits that preserve and share herbal knowledge in underserved areas. Backed by the Traditional Medicinals Foundation, the program provides $20,000 grants to support locally tailored workshops, healing spaces, and hands-on learning. 2025 anchor partners include Oko Farms (Brooklyn, NY) and The Botanical Bus (Sonoma County, CA).
- Plant Wisdom Collective: A free digital herbal education platform. The program invites individuals to explore their curiosity of herbal wellness by engaging in a free video series that discusses the art, science, and tradition of herbal medicine. Led by Traditional Medicinals Chief Science Officer Taryn Forrelli, ND, and Senior Scientist and Herbalist Guido Masé, Principal, the four-part series explores the roots of herbalism, the value of high-quality sourcing, and how tradition and science meet in modern herbal formulations.
“For 50 years, we’ve learned from the communities who grow, use, and share plant wisdom,” said Jamie Horst, Chief Purpose Officer at Traditional Medicinals. “Herbs for All is about giving back—partnering with those who’ve carried these traditions and expanding access to high-quality herbal wellness for people who’ve too often been left out. This is how we honor our legacy: by making herbal care more accessible, more inclusive, and more rooted in the community than ever before."
The program will expand nationally in 2026, with up to 10 nonprofits selected annually to receive mini-grants.
Specnova Receives U.S. Patent for Ashwagandha Extract
NooGandha, the liposomal ashwagandha extract from Specnova, has been awarded U.S. Patent No. 12,201,641 for its composition, extraction process, and use in nutraceutical applications. The cognitive health ingredient is a non-sedating, fast-acting nootropic that has been clinically shown to improve both cognitive health and performance. With its latest achievement, nootropic customers can be confident the ingredients targeted cognitive benefits are backed by rigorous scientific research including three published clinical studies that demonstrated how a single 225 mg dose can improve picture recall, word memory, reaction time, and executive function in people of all ages. Continued use over 30 days showed further enhancements and reductions in tension and fatigue.
“This patent is a major scientific and commercial milestone,” explained medicinal chemist Sebastian Balcombe, MS, Specnova Founder and CEO. “It validates years of research and development that went into optimizing a powerful, fast-acting, and clinically proven form of ashwagandha, targeted specifically for improved cognitive health and performance.”
GenoPalate & The Vitamin Shoppe Partner on Home DNA Kit
Consumers will now be able to purchase their own At-Home DNA Collection Kit courtesy of GenoPalate and The Vitamin Shoppe. Available through Vitamin Shoppe's online marketplace, GenoPalate's kit will allow consumers to analyze over 400 genetic markers and access a deeply personal wellness nutrition report that includes:
- Tailored Nutrient Insights – A breakdown of the vitamins, minerals, and macronutrients most crucial for an individual's health.
- Optimal Foods List – A custom-ranked guide to more than 350 foods across 14 categories, identifying the best options for each person's genetic profile.
- Wellness Insights – Key genetic-based factors related to stress, eating behaviors, and metabolism to support overall well-being.
- 10x Personalized Recipes – Hand-crafted by a Registered Dietitian to align with each person's genetic dietary needs and nutritional goals.
- Personalized Supplement Formulas – A custom formula of vitamins and nutrients designed to fill specific nutritional gaps.
- Expert Guidance – A complimentary consultation with a Registered Dietitian to help users interpret their results and integrate them into their daily routine.
The launch comes at a time when consumers are seeking out more personalized health solutions. With the at home kit, consumers can optimize their health with nutrition that is specifically tailored to their unique genetic makeup. "We are excited to collaborate with The Vitamin Shoppe to bring our cutting-edge personalized nutrition solutions to more people," shared Dr. Asif Naseem, CEO of GenoPalate. "Our mission is to empower individuals with the knowledge and tools they need to take control of their health. This partnership enables us to make DNA-based nutrition more accessible than ever."
Kerry Publishes BC30 Probiotic Consumer Perception Study
Kerry Group has published the results of its open-label, consumer perception survey on BC30 Probiotic. The four-week, uncontrolled consumer perception study, tested BC30 among GLP-1 medication users and examined its perceived benefits in real-world context including supporting digestive health and enhancing overall quality of life. After the trial period, participants in the study self-reported improvements across key, known GLP-1 medication use issues, including:
- 77% of participants perceived a moderate to significant improvement in their overall daily quality of life, previously impacted by GI symptoms.
- 60% of participants found BC30 to be moderately to very useful in improving their digestive health, while 12% perceived it as even a “game changer.”
- Over 80% of participants noticed an improvement in their GI symptoms compared to baseline, with symptoms either completely disappearing or at least feeling better.
- 69% of participants indicated they would continue using GLP-1 medications due to BC30’s positive effect on GI discomfort and overall health.
- 66% indicated they would purchase BC30, 91% indicated they would recommend it to other GLP-1 medication users, and 41% rated it as “fantastic.”
“Gastrointestinal issues are among the main drivers of a reduced quality of life and one of the key reasons consumers abandon weight management treatment with GLP-1 medications,” said Alexandra Boelrijik, Global RD&A Vice President at Kerry. “Although several products in the marketplace claim to support digestive issues, few have necessarily been evaluated and tested by a consumer population of GLP-1 medication users. This population reported enhanced GI comfort and improved quality of life after consuming BC30 for 4 weeks. BC30 is a highly stable, science-backed formulation, that can be used in a variety of enhanced food and beverages which can fit seamlessly into consumer routines and changing eating habits.”
Kerry will be discussing the potential of BC30 to support GLP-1 users and its recent study findings in greater detail during their upcoming “Adapting Appetites: Keep Your GLP-1 Journey On Track ” webinar on June 25. For registration details, visit the event page.
Meala & dsm-firmenich Launch New Meat Alternative
Vertis PB Pea is the latest texturized pea protein from Meala FoodTech Ltd. and dsm-firmenich. Available in Europe through dsm-firmenich, Vertis PB Pea was created as a replacement to modified binders like hydrocolloids and meet the growing consumer demand for enjoyable, tasty, clean, simple ingredient, plant-based products. Produced using biotechnology and protected by two patents, Vertis PB offers unique binding, gelation, and emulsifying properties and has produced successful results when tested in burgers, sausages, and nuggets. Other key benefits include:
- Clean label and allergen-free: Clearly labeled as “pea protein.”
- Thermostability: Maintains performance under heat and low temperature for versatile applications.
- Excellent texture and water retention: Provides juiciness and structure in meat alternatives.
- Nutrient-Enriched Solution: Increases protein content.
- Short ingredient list: Enables producers to shorten and clean up the ingredient list.
“We are grateful to our partners at dsm-firmenich, who offer decades of experience as industry leaders in bringing innovative products to market,” commented Hadar Ekhoiz Razmovich, CEO and co-founder of Meala FoodTech. “Their application support, regulatory expertise, and ability to drive global commercial rollouts are unprecedented. We’re impressed by their innovation- driven approach and deep understanding of the food industry. dsm-firmenich believed in us from the very beginning—not only as investors, but as true partners—offering guidance, trust, and strategic support that helped lay the foundation for this powerful collaboration.”
Circana Acquires NCSolutions
Circana, LLC has expanded its media measurement capabilities with the completion of its NCSolutions (NCS) acquisition. The joint venture will grant clients of both organizations access to greater audience targeting, media measurement, in-flight optimization, and clean room solutions. Through the new partnership NCS will join Circana's Media team, led by Cara Pratt, President of Global Retail & Media for Circana, and work with their established advertisers and their respective agencies as they plan, target, activate, measure, and optimize media spend.
“We are thrilled to welcome the talented NCS team to Circana and meaningfully enhance our media capabilities,” said Stuart Aitken, President and Chief Executive Officer of Circana. “Allocating finite marketing resources is one of the most critical and challenging decisions organizations face today – and there is no substitute for comprehensive, real-time data and actionable insights to optimize outcomes. Bringing together Circana and NCS data, technology assets, and industry-leading expertise will deliver more value for our clients as we work with them to maximize every media and marketing dollar they spend.”
Makers Nutrition Takes Home Stevie Awards
On June 10, The American Business Awards held its 23rd annual gala ceremony to present the winners of the 2025 Stevie Awards at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in NYC. Over 250 professionals from across the world casted their votes for the 2025 winners in categories including Startup of the Year, Executive of the Year, Best New Product or Service of the Year, Marketing Campaign of the Year, Thought Leader of the Year, and App of the Year. During the ceremony, Makers Nutrition and its Founder and CEO, Jason Provenzano, were presented with the Company of the Year - Manufacturing (Gold) and Best Entrepreneur - Manufacturing (Gold) awards, respectively.
"Winning in the 2025 American Business Awards is a proud moment for our entire team," commented Executive Vice President, Stephen Finnegan. "This recognition reflects our relentless commitment to excellence and our mission to deliver unmatched service and innovation in the nutraceutical industry. We're especially thrilled to celebrate Jason Provenzano being named Best Entrepreneur of the Year—his visionary leadership continues to drive our success."
A full list of this year's winners can be found here.
NutriLeads Highlights New Research at Vitafoods Europe
Last month, NutriLeads BV participated in the record-breaking 2025 Vitafoods Europe event in Barcelona, Spain. The company treated guests to the latest clinical research highlighting the health benefits of its award-winning precision prebiotic, Benicaros. A finalist for the first ever Vitafoods Europe Innovation Award, the next-generation precision prebiotic is sourced from upcycled carrot pomace and has been clinically validated to show benefits for gut and immune health. Nutrition & Health Manager Sue McKay, Ph.D., was at the NutriLeads BV booth explaining the latest scientific advancements driving the innovative ingredient.
“Our latest research reinforces Benicaros’ unique and critical ability to deliver consistent gut health benefits across diverse populations,” said Joana Carneiro-Wakefield, Ph.D., NutriLeads Chief Executive Officer. “In a crowded marketplace, Benicaros offers food, beverage and dietary supplement manufacturers an innovative, science-backed ingredient that drives differentiation and builds lasting consumer trust.”
Check out our Highlights from 2025 Vitafoods Europe story for more takeaways from the event.
Ingredion Receives FSA Silver Performance Level
Specialty ingredients provider, Ingredion, announced it has achieved Farm Sustainability Assessment (FSA) Silver performance level for 100% of its stevia supply chain. Developed by the Sustainable Agriculture Initiative (SAI) platform, the FSA is an external audit verification used in 32 countries to evaluate on-farm sustainability levels and benchmark existing standards. Participants are evaluated on 109 questions covering ten sustainability topic areas including soil management, biodiversity and labor conditions. Assessment questions progress in difficulty and are linked to the performance levels of: not yet bronze, bronze, silver and gold. An external verification component was added in 2023, Ingredion has continued to make substantial progress in developing innovative solutions that positively impact both people and the environment.
“Our customers and their consumers prioritize quality when making food choices and value transparency – especially about sustainable sourcing practices,” explained Brian Nash, Vice President of corporate sustainability at Ingredion. “The FSA gives a comprehensive view of how farms and food companies are doing in terms of environmental, social and economic performance. Achieving FSA Silver level is part of a larger effort from Ingredion that includes regenerative agriculture, measuring customer impact, and leveraging our partnership with How Good to better meet our customers’ sustainable sourcing requirements.”
Eagle Diagnostics Launches New Gold Standard Program in Banned Substances - TruShield Certified
TruShield Certified is the new certification program from Eagle Diagnostics that tests for the presence of over 400 banned substances including compounds of concern that are critical for anti-doping compliance and those on the Amazon adulterated list, setting a new standard in banned substance testing. The initiative was designed to complement, not duplicate, existing GMP, label claim, and contaminant testing while protecting athletes and consumers’ performance as well as safeguarding manufacturers’ brands. "With over 20 years of banned substance testing and program development, I built TruShield Certified to meet the real-world needs of sports organizations and supplements brands who can’t afford to take chances,” shared Lori Bestervelt, Sr. VP of Certification Services. “Our proven track record in anti-doping and banned substance detection has fueled our expansion into finished product testing. It’s not just about testing—it’s about trust. Delivered by scientists with deep anti-doping expertise and the most current and relevant list of banned substances.”
Backed by a U.S.-based laboratory with experience in substances banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), TruShield focuses specifically on the most current list of banned substances. The program's use of ISO17025-accredied methods to test blood and urine for brands, athletes, professionals, and consumers results in faster turnaround times and cost-effective testing, without sacrificing accuracy.
