Weekly Roundup: ASA rules against Unilever’s microbiome ad, Researchers develop blood glucose-reducing pulse ingredient

15 Jan 2021 --- In nutrition news this week, a range of new NPD targeting gut and immune health hit the market. The British Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) ruled that Unilever’s Dove commercial for its baby skin lotion was misleading. Meanwhile, researchers at the Quadram Institute created a blood glucose-reducing ingredient for refined carbohydrate products. Also, YourZooki introduced the UK’s first liposomal collagen supplement and Star Nutra released its first owned-brand range of vitamin supplements.

In brief: Business news
Natural ingredients manufacturer Sensus rebranded with a new “corporate style” represented by chicory root in a new company logo containing a leaf and a sun. Sensus says this reflects the “power of inulin.” Sensus, a part of Royal Cosun agro-industrial group in the Netherlands, specializes in using inulin in food products as a source of fiber and as a source of prebiotic in supplements. 

Sports nutrition brand HealthSpan Elite formed a partnership with British Cycling and the Great British Cycling Team, becoming the brand’s new official nutrition, vitamin and supplement partner. British Cycling’s 147,000 members will now be entitled to an exclusive discount on all Healthspan and Healthspan Elite products. Healthspan will provide the team with top-quality, Informed-Sport accredited and batch tested supplements under the agreement.

BDF Nutrition & Cosmetics new line of collagen supplements.In brief: Collagen updates
The UK Advertising Standards Agency (ASA) ruled that a 2019 Facebook advert run by Unilever for its Dove skin brand was misleading. The ad had stated that its Baby Dove wash could “nourish” a baby’s skin microbiome. The ASA said that consumers were likely to misinterpret this word to believe the product could lend added protection to the skin or perform a function other than moisturizing. 

UK-based YourZooki released a liposomal collagen supplement, branded Collagen Zooki. Flavored with citrus lime, it contains 5,000 mL of collagen per serving. Collagen is the main protein found in the body’s connective tissues and serves a wide range of medical functions as a supplement. According to the European Food Standards Agency, collagen supports the normal function of the skin, cartilage, tendons, bones, teeth and gums to support the maintenance of muscles. 

BDF Nutrition and Cosmetics launched a new hydrolyzed marine collagen supplement brand OceanRoll. Aimed at improving consumers’ “health, mobility and beauty,” the brand includes four separate products: a hydrolyzed version with vitamin C; an immune edition containing vitamins B6, B12, C, D3 and zinc; a beauty edition with vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, biotin and zinc; and mobility and sports version with vitamin C and magnesium.

In brief: Launches and releases 
US-based natural products company Now switched from animal-based gelatin to vegetarian capsules for 97 percent of its capsule products. The company is also phasing out most common flow agents, such as magnesium stearate, to accommodate consumer preference. The new cellulose capsules are derived from pine trees and are certified GMO-free. 

De La Calle brings a traditional Mexican pineapple cocktail mixer into the growing fermented probiotics market.Californian health food manufacturers Here Studio and Red Decimal released a probiotic drink marketed as a modern take on Tepache – a classic Mexican pineapple drink traditionally used in cocktails. Branded De La Calle, the drink is fermented and therefore sold as containing probiotics, which are associated with gut health benefits. 

Nutraceutical manufacturer Star Nutra launched its first owned-brand line of products, Unmarked Wellness. Marketed to vitamin-deficient US adults during the COVID-19 virus, three vitamin supplement gummy products are now available containing ingredients such as melatonin, vitamin D, l-theanine and elderberry. 

TriNutra, the supplier of the first cold-pressed black seed oil standardized to 3 percent thymoquinone, unveiled B’utyQuin black seed oil for cosmetic formulations. Research into B’utyQuin revealed positive effects on mitochondrial functions expressed in ATP production, says the company. It has also been linked to efficient energy production and improved respiration and metabolism of sugars and fat. Further research also revealed that B’utyQuin helps to significantly soothe and relieve scalp scaling, redness and itch, leading to a reduction in scaling (dandruff) and excessive skin oils.

In brief: Research and studies 
Researchers from the Quadram Institute and King’s College London developed a new pulse ingredient to reduce refined carbohydrate products’ blood glucose response. Branded PulseOn, the ingredient was created using an alternative milling and drying process, which preserves the cellular structure, making its starch more resistant to digestion. Derived from chickpeas, the researchers say it can lower glycemic response by 40 percent compared to conventional white bread. 

BGG World obtained a patent from the United States Patent and Trademark Office for the use of astaxanthin to support heart function during exercise. The patent was based on an innovative clinical trial sponsored by BGG in amateur athletes preparing for a half marathon. Results found that subjects in the treatment group taking BGG’s AstaZine Natural Astaxanthin experienced heart rates average 10 percent lower during endurance training than the placebo group.  

By Louis Gore-Langton