DuPont gains Non-GMO certification for seaweed-based capsules

25 Jun 2020 --- DuPont Nutrition & Biosciences (DuPont N&B) has gained Non-GMO Project Verified certification for its SeaGel CAP101 and CAP203 animal-free soft capsule technologies. The company highlights that the dietary supplement market is growing rapidly, with 4,000 new products introduced each year in the US alone. Therefore, the company sought the Non-GMO Project Verified seal to boost consumer trust and drive up consumer purchasing decisions.

“The Non-GMO label, with its iconic butterfly symbol, is certainly something that consumers recognize when making product decisions in a crowded marketplace,” Michael Baumann, Global Strategic Marketing Manager of DuPont N&B, tells NutritionInsight.  

“At the time of or prior to making a purchase decision, consumers want to know what they consume, how it was made and what it is composed of. They are increasingly informed about the quality and efficacy of supplements and the ingredients used within. This third-party certification provides an unbiased and transparent assurance to consumers that DuPont’s materials for vegetarian softgel capsules are truly GMO-free,” he explains.

The Non-GMO seal is set to attract consumers with "healthy lifestyle choices," the company states. (Source: DuPont N&B)While it’s difficult to tell if it will become an industry standard, Baumann continues that the rigorous process and examinations required to obtain this label “certainly make it a significant recognition of the quality of the product and the supplier.” 

Tapping into plant-based trends
SeaGel is a plant-based alternative to traditional soft capsules. While soft capsules are one of the most common delivery formats for active ingredients, they are traditionally made with gelatin. Naturally derived from seaweed, SeaGel is animal-free and uses natural, environmentally sustainably sourced ingredients. This makes it inclusive to vegan, vegetarian, Halal and Kosher diets, DuPont N&B highlights. The company views its recent Non-GMO designation as a facilitating factor in appealing to a wider range of consumers. 

“Being Non-GMO is a key attribute that the consumers are looking for when deciding on a supplement such as a vegetarian soft capsule. For our customers, the ability to add this certification to their labels means that they can differentiate themselves and provide customers with an option that aligns with their healthy lifestyle choices,” says Baumann. 

The Non-GMO certification aligns with two of Innova Market Insights’ top ten trends for 2020. On the one hand, The Plant-Based Revolution continues to flourish as a result of consumer interest in health, sustainability and ethics, which ties into the broader consumer lifestyle trend towards cleaner living. On the other hand, The Sustain Domain projects how consumers increasingly expect companies to invest in environmental sustainability. The market researcher has indicated that on average, 85 percent of US and UK consumers expect companies to invest in sustainability in 2019, up from 64 percent in 2018. 

Looking ahead, Baumann concludes that DuPont N&B has received “very positive responses” from the market and its customers who are now in an “even better position to brand and differentiate their vegetarian soft capsule products made with SeaGel.” 

NutritionInsight recently caught up Lonza who elaborated on its vegetarian Vcaps Plus food colored capsules that create differentiation and tap into the major trend for storytelling. The company also predicts that the health and sustainability trends will become more interconnected than ever before.

By Anni Schleicher