CRN Spotlights Prenatal Nutrition at 2026 ACOG Meeting
From May 1-3, the 2026 American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) Annual Clinical and Scientific Meeting will be taking place in Washington, D.C. For the third year in a row, the CRN Foundation will be hosting its Prenatal Nutrition Center at booth 1133 in the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. In addition to highlighting the importance of prenatal nutrition, the CRN Foundation will be hosting “Optimizing Prenatal Nutrition and Supplementation: Evidence-Informed Strategies in Clinical Practice” on Saturday, May 2, from 12:00 to 12:45 p.m. in Room 206, a workshop session covering well-established nutrients—including folic acid, iron, calcium, iodine, and vitamin D—as well as nutrients with emerging evidence in pregnancy, such as choline, DHA omega-3s, lutein, and zeaxanthin.
Guest speakers will include:
- Danielle Christifano, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Department of Dietetics and Nutrition, University of Kansas Medical Center
- Leslie Stone, M.D., ABFM, FM/OB Fellow, IFM-CP, GrowBaby Health
“Many pregnant women in the U.S. do not meet their increased nutritional needs through diet alone,” said Andrea Wong, Ph.D., Senior Vice President and Chief Science Officer, CRN. “Our goal is to provide healthcare professionals with the latest evidence on how prenatal supplements can help close nutrient gaps and support healthier outcomes for both mothers and babies.”
Booth materials will be made available soon at: www.crnusa.org/acog2026
AHPA Briefs Congressional Dietary Supplement Caucus
American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) Sports & Active Nutrition Committee Chair, Rob Wildman, Ph.D., RD, FISSN, spoke on protein and its role in the diet on behalf of the organization at a recent Congressional Dietary Supplement Caucus educational briefing in Washington, D.C. The Dietary Supplement Caucus offers a nonpartisan platform for members of Congress and their staff to engage with scientific experts, healthcare practitioners, and industry stakeholders. Dr. Wildman, who founded the International Protein Board and currently serves as Chief Science Officer for TCI Biotech, gave a comprehensive overview of protein's function in the diet, recent beneficial reforms within the U.S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans, and the evolving challenges facing protein products in the global marketplace.
“As consumer demand continues to drive the expansion of protein in both the dietary supplement and conventional food sectors, it's vital that policymakers remain informed of the underlying science and the specific issues impacting these products,” said Dr. Wildman. “I welcomed the opportunity to represent AHPA and the broader industry in this important forum and extend my thanks to the caucus for having me.”
India Announces Second Annual Bharat Nutraverse Expo
The 2026 Bharat Nutraverse Expo will be taking place on September 7-9, in Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. Co-located with IPHEX 2026 and organized by SHEFEXIL - the Shellac and Forest Products Export Promotion Council, the event welcomes global finished goods innovators, brand leaders, and product development teams to attend the second annual gathering to meet face to face with Indian suppliers. “Bharat Nutraverse is our invitation to global nutraceutical leaders, buyers and innovators, to meet with world-class Indian suppliers whose ingredients are rooted deep in science and longstanding safety and efficacy through tradition," shared Dr Debjani Roy, Executive Director, SHEFEXIL, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India.
Global non-profit organization, Women in Nutraceuticals (WIN), will be attending this year's convention championing the causes that are reshaping the industry's agenda: gender equity across the supply chain, the advancement of women in science and leadership, equitable access to healthcare globally, and a sharper industry focus on research dedicated to women's health outcomes. “The quality, diversity, and clinical substantiation coming out of Indian ingredient manufacturers today is extraordinary," said David Foreman, "The Herbal Pharmacist", Global Nutraceuticals Educator and Media Commentator. "Bharat Nutraverse is a must-attend platform the global industry has needed - direct access to the source, at scale, with government backing."
NOW Partners with rePurpose Global
Natural products manufacturer NOW is collaborating with circular solutions platform, rePurpose Global, to tackle global plastic pollution. Experts in verified plastic recovery, rePurpose Global will lean on NOW's ongoing environmental efforts commitment to recovering over 600,000 pounds of ocean-bound plastic by the end of 2028. With roughly 90% of NOW supplements, NOW Sports, NOW Pets, and NOW Solutions carrier oil packaging made from 100% PCR (post-consumer recycled) resin, the new partnership allows NOW to continue addressing the plastic waste crises and also support social and environmental outcomes in regions heavily impacted by plastic pollution. To date, rePurpose Global efforts have resulted in over 100 million pounds of nature-bound plastic waste being recovered and the providing of fairer, safer, and more dignified opportunities for waste workers.
“Becoming a Plastic Recovery Pledge Partner with rePurpose Global is the latest example of our decades-long commitment to environmental responsibility and creating a cleaner, healthier future for generations to come,” said Amber Cerda, Director of Marketing at NOW. “Our Plastic Recovery Pledge shows we are taking action to fight plastic pollution and working with rePurpose Global allows us to have a verifiable impact on our planet's ecosystems.”
Record Attendance at 2026 PLMA Leadership Conference
A record number of store brand executives attended the PLMA 2026 Leadership Conference and Annual Meeting in Bentonville, Arkansas. From April 15-17, more than 300 conference participants gathered to discuss trending topics including; Brand Building: Value Proposition and Social Media; Emerging Technologies; Trends in Innovation; Private Brands and Consumer Behavior, and Private Brands: Purpose, Personalization and Performance. "Attendance has more than doubled from last year reflecting the momentum, energy and growth of our industry,” said PLMA President Peggy Davies during the Annual Meeting. “There’s no better time than right now to be in store brands,” she continued. “Today’s attendees represent one of the most dynamic, relevant, and fastest-moving sectors in all of consumer goods.”
This year's guests enjoyed from a keynote address from Walmart SVP of Private Brands Food, Consumables, and Manufacturing, Scott Morris at a standing room only breakfast session. Prior to the Conference, Walmart announced it would be updating the logo and packaging of its Great Value private label SKU, news that resonated with the events organizers and participants. "This isn’t your mama’s private brand anymore, today’s shopper is more engaged than ever before," Morris told his audience. “We want to give the customer powerful choices they can trade into – not down.
The upcoming 2027 Leadership Conference event will be held in Cincinnati, Ohio.
GOED Celebrates Anniversary & Award Winners
March 3rd (03-03) was a celebration of Global Omega-3 Day and marked the 20th anniversary of the Global Organization for EPA and DHA Omega-3s (GOED). For two decades, the company been dedicated to improving public health through the consumption of the important fatty acids. Throughout its history, GOED has achieved many milestones including:
- The GOED Voluntary Monograph: This has served as the quality standard for the omega-3 category.
- Global Advocacy: A proven track record of successfully petitioning for international standards and intake recommendations.
- Consumer Education Campaigns: In 2015, GOED organized a consumer education campaign in the U.S. that increased omega-3 supplement sales and changed the tone of the consumer media conversation about omega-3s.
- Scientific and Technical Leadership: GOED has developed tools to assist members in navigating the global scientific and technical landscape including: Clinical Study Database, Global Omega-3 Navigator.
"Our 20th anniversary is a time to celebrate how far we’ve come, but it’s also a call to action," said Ellen Schutt, Managing Director of GOED. "The scientific basis for EPA and DHA for overall health is overwhelmingly positive, but the intake gap remains. Our mission for the next 20 years is to move from awareness to action, ensuring that every person understands that EPA and DHA intake is foundational to human health."
The association continued its celebration during its biennial conference, GOED Exchange, by honoring members of the omega-3 industry. The event was held in Singapore and celebrated outstanding member contributions and spotlighted individuals who have significantly influenced the industry. Two of the night's key awards were presented to:
- Lifetime Achievement Award; Bill Barclay and Joar Opheim
- GOED Member Award; Arnar Halldórsson and Jay Oh
Bill Barclay was honored for the technology he pioneered, microbial systems to produce omega-3s from microalgae, which remains the foundational platform for the microbial omega-3s available on the market today, while Opheim, founder of Nordic Naturals, was commended for his dedication to improving health health through his omega-3 nutrition company. Award recipient Halldórsson played a key role in supporting the development and harmonization of omega-3 monographs across major pharmacopeias, including the European Pharmacopoeia, Japanese Pharmacopoeia and the USP. Oh has also supported GOED in organizing a successful influencer and media engagement event in Korea, helping connect omega-3 companies with healthcare professionals and online influencers to promote consumer awareness and understanding of omega-3 benefits.
The entire award ceremony is available to watch here.
Jiaherb Debuts Analytical Insight Program
JiaSure Analytical Insight Program is the newest initiative from botanical ingredient manufacturer, Jiaherb, dedicated to advancing the industry's understanding of botanical testing. Committed to scientific rigor, transparency, and customer education, Jiaherb has built its new tool to share real product case studies, analytical data, and firsthand testing experiences, offering a clear view into the complexities of botanical analysis. Designed to educate and promote greater consistency and reliability across the industry, the program will aim to provide customers and partners with practical insights into proper testing methodologies, common pitfalls, and real-world analytical challenges.
“Among all ingredient categories, botanicals are the most complicated to test,” said Corey Shaw, Vice President of Jiaherb. “We have encountered many cases where incorrect testing methods or inappropriate reference standards led to confusion and even misleading conclusions. Through this program, we want to help our customers better understand how to interpret the testing reports and approach botanical testing correctly.
American BioSciences Undergoes Leadership Change
Saida Lehiany has been presented as the new owner of research-driven nutraceutical company, American BioSciences. Founded in 1999 by David Wales and Rick Jahnke, the company has established itself as providers of science-backed dietary supplements, serving both consumers and healthcare professionals. “American BioSciences has a strong scientific foundation, a respected product portfolio, and a long history of serving customers with integrity,” said Lehiany. “I’m honored to build on the legacy David and Rick created and to support the company’s next phase of growth.”
A global executive with leadership experience across e-commerce, operations, and regulated industries, Lehiany will continue to drive the company's focus towards product quality, scientific rigor, and customer relationships while pursuing opportunities in innovation, digital commerce, practitioner partnerships, and selective international expansion. Founder David Wales will retire from the business while co-founder Rick Jahnke will settle into a new Business Advisor role with the company. “We are proud of what American BioSciences has built since we founded the company in 1999” shared the founders. “We’re grateful to the employees, customers, and partners who have supported the business over the years, and we believe the company is well positioned for continued success under Saida’s leadership.”
Kaizen Launches Company Rebrand
Low-carb pasta, rice, and flour brand, Kaizen, has recently launched a product-wide vibrant rebrand designed to better reflect its mission: bringing comfort and function together, without compromise. Each Kaizen product is powered by lupini beans, a nutrient-dense super legume, naturally high in protein, fiber. Made in the U.S. and certified Gluten Free, Kosher, and Non-GMO Project Verified, Kaizen products contain up to 85% fewer carbs, over 10 grams of fiber, and up to three times more protein than traditional pasta and rice.
The full lineup includes Low Carb Pasta (available in Fusilli, Cavatappi, Radiatori, Lumache, and Ziti), Low Carb Rice (available in Classic, Spanish, and Mediterranean), Low Carb Mac and Cheese (available in Cheddar, White Cheddar, and Spicy Buffalo Ranch), and Lupin Flour.
For more on the brand its products, visit kaizenfoodcompany.com.
