CRN Announces New Members
The board of directors for the Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN) has approved the following new members:
New Voting Members:
- Biohm Technologies developers of targeted microbiome products, including science-based ingredients and at-home gut testing solutions, alongside a consumer brand of probiotic supplements.
- Needed women's health supplements supplier fighting nutritional depletion across The Motherspan—from preconception through perimenopause.
- ReCellience15 creators of C15:0 (pentadecanoic acid)—backed by 100+ peer-reviewed studies, 60+ patents. C15:0 strengthens cells to help defend against age-related breakdown and slow cellular aging rates.
- RIBUS, Inc., founded in 1992, suppliers of plant-based clean-label functional ingredients such as Nu-FLOW, Nu-RICE, Nu-MAG, and Nu-BIND, offering alternatives to synthetic excipients and fillers for food and dietary supplements.
New Associate Member:
- Food SMART Strategies Inc. helps companies across the world achieve and maintain compliance with global food safety standards through audit preparation, gap assessments, tailored strategies, and e-learning programs.
The vetted applications are reviewed each quarter by CRN's board of directors prior to confirming membership. Once approved, the new members are welcomed and encouraged to drive the association's mission to protect and advance a climate that develops, sources, manufactures, and markets science-backed dietary supplements, functional food, and their ingredients, for better health and nutrition. “CRN welcomes these companies into our member community of dietary supplement and functional food industry leaders,” shared CRN President & CEO, Steve Mister. “Their teams’ expert perspectives in areas such as the microbiome, cutting-edge fatty acids, advancing perinatal nutrition, clean-label functional ingredients, and global compliance, will contribute to CRN initiatives that advance our industry.”
NSF Acquires Cambium Analytica
NSF has announced its acquisition of innovative analytical testing and development company, Cambium Analytica. Its addition creates a significant team of experts who will address the needs of the company's food, beverage, nutrition, wellness, cosmetic and personal care clients globally and work with them to stay ahead of market trends and an evolving regulatory environment fueled by digitalization and increased demand. “By integrating Cambium Analytica’s cutting-edge operations with NSF’s eight decades of leadership in safety and testing, we continue to strengthen our position as the partner of choice for clients across the food and nutrition industries,” said Pedro Sancha, President and CEO, NSF. “Together, we anticipate accelerated growth, expanded capabilities and the addition of exceptional talent to our team.”
The addition to NSF's portfolio addresses gaps in the natural products market, by combining Cambiums timely in-process QA and batch release testing, contract research, and product development services with NSF’s audit-focused certification programs, clients will benefit from complete support—from concept through market compliance. “Cambium Analytica stands out for its unwavering commitment to agility, innovation and a deep understanding of the specific needs of natural product brands,” said Sarah Krol, VP, Food and Nutrition, NSF. “These qualities distinguish them in the marketplace and make them an ideal fit for our food and nutrition service portfolio.”
SPINS Launches New Commercial Platforms
SPINS has announced it will be debuting two new commercial platforms: SPINS Journey and SPINS Foundry. Designed to keep pace with the changing needs of their audience, the new tools will extend the company's proficiency into digital marketing and AI enablement. SPINS will be able to help brands and retailers better anticipate disruption, pivot quickly, and excel in a rapidly changing marketplace by offering:
- SPINS Intelligence: Decode performance and market dynamics. An AI insights platform using leading market data and deep analytics to uncover opportunities, sell with excellence, and innovate the next generation of products
- SPINS Journey: Engage with shoppers. Anywhere. A modern marketing platform designed to orchestrate shopper journeys from discovery to purchase on physical, digital, and agentic shelves.
- SPINS Foundry: Power the digital and agentic shelf. A data platform for applications and agents, powering the way products are surfaced, adapted, and optimized across channels.
"SPINS has long been the trusted language of our industry, giving brands and retailers clarity and confidence," said Jay Margolis, CEO of SPINS. "As the CPG industry adapts to the realities of anywhere commerce, purpose-driven consumption, and AI-powered engagement, our new framework, anchored in Foundry, Intelligence, and Journey, provides the tools and insights to navigate disruption and shape the next era of growth."
ANH-USA Looks to Protect Access to NDT
A new position paper from the Alliance for Natural Health USA (ANH-USA) is looking to protect patient's access to Natural Desiccated Thyroid (NDT). Many American's with hypothyroidism depend on NDT drugs, especially patients who do not respond well to synthetic thyroid drugs, which goes against the recent U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) decision to classify NDT as a biologic—effectively banning compounded forms of the medicine. The paper offers an opposing stance to the ruling, highlighting three key steps to protect NDT access:
- Short-term: Reclassify NDT as a drug, rather than a biologic, to allow pharmacy compounding of NDT products.
- Medium-term: Secure FDA enforcement discretion for GMP-manufactured NDT products to ensure continued patient access during the approval process.
- Long-term: Pass federal legislation to create a durable legal carveout for NDT, safeguarding compounded and commercial versions alike from shifting FDA priorities.
“FDA action to remove natural desiccated thyroid from the market denies critical, life-saving care to millions who have safely relied on NDT for years,” said Jonathan Emord, ANH-USA’s General Counsel. “Synthetic substitutes are wholly inadequate replacements,” he continued. “There is no sound justification for declaring NDT a biologic drug unavailable for compounding. The action is motivated by drug company interests that seek to force individuals who have safely relied upon NDT to shift to drug company synthetics that are not comparable and carry with them significant side effects. ANH is acting to keep NDT available through state compounding pharmacies.”
A complete version of the paper can be found here.
SIRIO Pharma Expands with Soft Chews Capabilities
Global nutraceutical contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO), Sirio Pharma (Sirio), has announced it will begin offering its clients soft chews manufacturing options. Clients looking to get into the soft chews market will be able to take advantage of the CDMO's wide range of development options which will now include soft chew products with superior texture control properties providing a simplified path to exemplary mouthfeel; favorable heat stability and shelf life free of melting, sweating or clumping issues; the elimination of starch molding; and expanded packaging options that combine cost effectiveness with extensive branding opportunities. The formulation-specific benefits and confectionary-style makeup of soft chews has made them popular amongst supplement brands and consumers alike who prefer their viscoelastic texture and sustained flavor release.
“In addition to gaining impressive inroads with consumers due to their satisfying taste and mouthfeel, soft chews offer exceptional versatility and robustness concerning the types and amounts of active ingredients they can deliver,” said General Manager, Sirio Americas Business Unit, Mark Dewis. “Combined with their relative ease in manufacturing, these attributes make soft chews an ideal addition to our wide array of product formats. We’re excited to bring our decades of development expertise to this rapidly emerging segment.”
Nature Made Celebrates National Pharmacy Week
Vitamin and supplement brand, Nature Made, is celebrating National Pharmacy Week by giving back to pharmacist through its popular Fuel for Pharmacists Powered by Nature Made campaign. First debuted in January 2025, the project gave away $50,000 worth of free lunches to pharmacists through individual $25 Uber Eats vouchers. This year, the company is looking to double its contribution by donating $100,000 in free lunches.
To participate, licensed pharmacists and pharmacy technicians must fill out a form by 11:59 PM PT on October 14, 2025 for a chance to receive a $25 Uber Eats Voucher. Winners will be able to claim their prize starting October 15, in time for National Pharmacy Week which takes place from Sunday, October 19 - Saturday, October 25. For more on the campaign including registration information, please visit fuelforpharmacists.com.
Dole Receives Sustainability in the Food Industry Award
The Shelby and Griffin Report has recognized Dole plc for its efforts in reducing its environmental footprints, supporting communities, and shaping a more sustainable food industry in the country of Honduras. The award was presented to the organization for its Watershed Management Project in the Uchapa–Pimienta and Andaluz Stream micro-watershed of Olanchito, Yoro, Honduras. Using a participatory, multi-stakeholder governance model, based on inclusivity and shared responsibility, the program was a partnership with the Zamorano Pan-American Agricultural School that lasted from March 2023 through February 2025. Key points from the initiative included:
- Engaging 551 local high school students and 45 children in education and environmental protection, restoring 480 m² of a municipal nursery with the capacity to produce 50,000 plants annually, and creating school gardens for 103 children and youth under Zamorano’s Learning by Doing methodology.
- Securing the official declaration of 569 hectares of the Quebrada Andaluz micro-basin as a protected Forest Zone, restoring 29 hectares with native flora species, and safeguarding an additional 672 hectares under conservation.
- Three community fire protection brigades were equipped, and two Forest Protection Plans implemented to reduce wildfires to less than 5% of the total area.
- Expanding clean water access by connecting 230 families to improved distribution systems.
- Promoting sustainable livelihoods by planting 2,000 fruit trees on farmers’ plots, enriching 40 production units through agroforestry systems, supporting two beekeeping organizations of 50 members (17 women and 33 men), and producing 30,000 ornamental, fruit, and timber plants.
“The Watershed Management Project in Honduras exemplifies how we combine science-based approaches, local partnerships, and community engagement to protect natural resources, promote sustainable farming, and deliver long-term value for people and the planet,” shared Rudy Amador, Vice President, Corporate Responsibility, Sustainability & Communication for Dole Tropical Products Latin America. “Receiving this award underscores Dole’s commitment to building resilience and opportunity and further reinforces our mission to reduce environmental impact, support communities, and lead the food industry toward a greener future.”
Study Shows Adults Struggle with Pill Supplements
At least 40% of adults have trouble swallowing pills—according to a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine. "Dysphagia" as it is medically known, is the term for difficulty swallowing and it most affects individuals aged 65 and older. This creates issues when it comes to swallowing pills including essential medications and supplements.
To help address the issue, board certified internist Jacob Teitelbaum, MD, has developed powdered multivitamins and minerals that can be easily mixed into drinks like smoothies, juice, or yogurts. “The problem is that many multivitamins, which do contain valuable nutrients, are the size of ‘horse pills,’ making them tough for comfortable consumption by humans,” says Dr. Teitelbaum.
Visit vitality101.com for more on the solutions available.
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