NaturaYuva spotlights botanical ingredients sustainably sourced by Indian farmers

26 Apr 2023 --- India-based NaturaYuva will debut its botanical ingredients, grown using traditional and sustainable agroforestry practices that enhance soil health, reduce water consumption, sequester carbon, increase biodiversity and improve the livelihoods of smallholder farmers across India, at Vitafoods 2023 in Geneva, Switzerland (May 9-11).

“It’s hugely important that we work together as an industry to create sustainable solutions, so we can protect the environment and continue to provide nutrition to the world for years to come,” Arko Chatterjee, founder and CEO of NaturaYuva, tells NutritionInsight.

NaturaYuva offers its botanicals to various aromatic and medicinal ingredients for the F&B, dietary supplements, pharmaceutical and personal care industries.

Sustainable growing methods
The company details it will showcase its sustainably farmed specialty botanicals, including curcuma, ashwagandha, moringa, bacopa monnieri, boswellia and ginger ingredients.

“We’re excited to highlight these ingredients because of the traditional and sustainable growing methods, which result in high-quality, organic ingredients designed for the supplements and nutrition industries,” says Chatterjee.

“Looking at ashwagandha as an example of just one of our over 200 plant species, this well-known herb has been shown to reduce stress and anxiety and improve self-reported well-being.”

The company strives to provide pure ashwagandha ingredients while supporting smallholder farmer livelihoods.But not all ashwagandha roots are grown to the same quality standards, he underscores. 

“Our quality-by-design approach and complete traceability from farm gate ensure our ashwagandha ingredients are pure, efficacious and grown to improve biodiversity while supporting smallholder farmer livelihoods.”

NaturaYuva’s raw materials are sourced from a network of approved smallholder farmers. Ingredients are then analyzed during development and manufacturing to ensure stringent quality parameters of consistency and purity are met and that all ingredients are free from pesticides, solvents and heavy metals. 

On top of this, strict quality guidelines are maintained and monitored in real-time – from seed to delivery.

Botanicals on the rise
Chatterjee further details that the use of botanical extracts in new product lines is growing and exemplifies baked goods and snacks. He has also spotted an increased demand for organically and sustainably sourced ingredients. 

He highlights that 51% of consumers now consider sustainability when making food choices. 

“As such, there’s a huge opportunity for brands to create natural, organic and sustainable F&B and nutraceutical applications to meet this demand.”

Recently, NutritionInsight reported that the interest in botanicals is driven by consumers seeking more natural health products, especially those locally and sustainability sourced.

“Our main focus will be to connect with visitors and highlight our diverse portfolio of specialty, organic and botanical ingredients – all of which have been grown by our network of over 500 smallholder farmers in agroforests across India,” notes Chatterjee.

By Beatrice Wihlander with additional reporting by William Bradford Nichols