KEY INTERVIEW: New Ganeden President Sheds Light on the Beauty of Probiotics
23 May 2016 --- NutritionInsight caught up with Mike Bush – well known throughout the probiotic industry as executive board president for the International Probiotics Association – in his new role as Ganeden President.
Bush has been part of Cleveland-based Ganeden, international supplier of probiotic ingredients since 1997, for over a decade – and has been part of many changes during that time:
“I originally started with Ganeden as a consultant in early 2006 to develop a strategic plan for monetizing the large number of patents the company held. At the time that I came on board, the main focus of the company was selling our consumer products at retail, but we saw a massive opportunity in the functional food, beverage and animal nutrition space. So we began the process to launch the business unit that ultimately became our ingredient business.”
“We then started down the regulatory and clinical paths that we knew were required to enter the food and beverage space. After several years of safety, efficacy, regulatory and related work and thousands of hours of work on the part of our growing team, we had our first food launches in May 2008.”
“In the 10+ years since I started at Ganeden, we have sold our OTC business and put total focus on our functional foods and beverages business, which has grown immensely. Again, we launched our first probiotic food in 2008, and in 2015, products with GanedenBC30 (Bacillus coagulans GBI-30, 6086) probiotics exceeded more than US$1 billion in sales. We’re currently in more than 500 foods and beverages and approved for use in over 46 countries internationally. The demand and awareness of GanedenBC30 probiotics continues to grow in both the manufacturing industry as well as with consumers and media.”
“During my time here, we received FDA GRAS approval and published more than 22 clinical studies showing the benefits and efficacy of GanedenBC30 and have been recognized as leaders in developing innovative probiotic and probiotic related ingredient solutions.”
“We also launched Bonicel, our probiotic-derived anti-aging ingredient that is science-backed with its benefits shown in 
clinical trials. Bonicel is naturally derived from GanedenBC30. It’s the first science-backed, probiotic-derived skincare ingredient shown to significantly improve the appearance of seven common signs of aging. The ingredient is being pushed out to top beauty companies, and has already been included in products from Murad, Gundry MD, Healthy Directions and others.”
clinical trials. Bonicel is naturally derived from GanedenBC30. It’s the first science-backed, probiotic-derived skincare ingredient shown to significantly improve the appearance of seven common signs of aging. The ingredient is being pushed out to top beauty companies, and has already been included in products from Murad, Gundry MD, Healthy Directions and others.”Now, Bush is taking on extended leadership at Ganeden as President by managing the company’s new growth and strategic business development: “So far in 2016, we have already partnered with a variety of food, beverage and companion animal companies to launch more than 100+ new probiotic product SKUs. The launches include products from a variety of categories, and each one helps expand the massive probiotic offerings available to consumers.”
“In my new role I will be focusing on Ganeden’s strategic business development, while also managing Ganeden’s extensive growth domestically and internationally. I will also continue with many of my current opportunities and responsibilities, including managing sales and marketing activities, providing information and quotes for media inquiries and speaking at industry engagements.”
“In my new role I will be focusing on Ganeden’s strategic business development, while also managing Ganeden’s extensive growth domestically and internationally. I will also continue with many of my current opportunities and responsibilities, including managing sales and marketing activities, providing information and quotes for media inquiries and speaking at industry engagements.”
“The culture at Ganeden fully supports my passion for probiotics, science and innovation, and I couldn’t be more honored to take on the responsibilities of president as we innovate and delve deeper into the probiotic space.”
Bush explained how he feels about the changes in the probiotic industry: “The probiotic industry is continuing to grow and there have become endless opportunities inside of the space. Consumers are no longer stuck with refrigerated dairy or pills to get their daily probiotics — they can now consume them through a variety of foods and beverages.”
Bush explained how he feels about the changes in the probiotic industry: “The probiotic industry is continuing to grow and there have become endless opportunities inside of the space. Consumers are no longer stuck with refrigerated dairy or pills to get their daily probiotics — they can now consume them through a variety of foods and beverages.”
However, there is still a need for improved knowledge: “It’s important for consumers and the industry as a whole to have an education on probiotic topics. There are many myths around probiotics and misconceptions being spread, such as fermented foods being probiotics (they’re not always), probiotics not surviving in foods/beverages (GanedenBC30 does) or the ‘Live & Active Culture’ seal meaning the yogurt provides probiotic benefits (it doesn’t). As additional products and probiotic strains are announced, there needs to be an understanding of what to look for in these food and beverages—probiotic strains that are science-backed with research showing their efficacy.”
So what does the future hold for Ganeden?
So what does the future hold for Ganeden?
“Our plan is to continue to help as many people as possible by providing a high-quality, science-backed probiotic strain for foods and beverages and animal health products. We’ll continue to provide best of class service and help companies add GanedenBC30 to their products with the end goal being to provide consumers around the globe with the benefits GanedenBC30 offers. We also have plans to add new ingredients to our portfolio in the coming year that will continue to grow our focus on digestive and immune health.”
“I look forward to sharing Ganeden’s mission with the industry, while helping to support the probiotic industry by continuing to work with the media, CPG companies and consumers.”
“I look forward to sharing Ganeden’s mission with the industry, while helping to support the probiotic industry by continuing to work with the media, CPG companies and consumers.”
by Kerina Tull
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