Weekly Roundup: Evonik and DSM’s joint venture wins fish oil challenge, TV commercials increase children’s snack food consumption, research finds

25 Oct 2019 --- In industry news this week, Evonik and DSM’s joint venture (JV) Veramaris was named the world’s best-selling algae-based omega-3 supplier to aquaculture. Research conducted by the Obesity Health Alliance has found that exposing children to several minutes of junk food commercials during television programs is linked to them eating 60 more calories than needed a day. Both Farlong Pharmaceutical and Chinova Bioworks received Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) recognition for their respective ingredients, while Quicksilver Scientific appointed a new company president.

In brief: Titles and awards
Evonik and DSM won the “F3 Fish Oil Challenge” with their JV Veramaris for selling the most substantial amount of omega 3 EPA & DHA and omega 6 fatty acid ARA (arachidonic acid) from natural marine algae over the one-year challenge. Their combined efforts have led to the conservation of the equivalent of two billion fish from use in fishmeal and fish oil. F3 contestants were required to develop a non-fish alternative to fish oil that contains the essential fatty acids EPA, DHA and ARA. The JV is now named the world’s best-selling algae-based omega 3 supplier to aquaculture.

The dietary supplement sector is booming with botanical extract usage.Plant-based ingredient and supplement company Farlong Pharmaceutical has received Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) self-affirmation status for its ingredients Lifeflower Breviscapine and Ginseng Plus Panax Notoginseng extract. The former is an active flavonoid component extracted from Erigeron Breviscapus, a Chinese species of flowering plants in the daisy family. Lifeflower Breviscapine contains more than 90 percent of scutellarin, which has been shown to enhance memory, cognitive function and brain health. Ginseng Plus Panax Notoginseng extract, extracted from Panax Notoginseng roots, contains more than 75 percent of total saponins, which are known to be useful for the development of cosmetics and drugs due to their amphipathic qualities. Ginseng Plus Panax Notoginseng extract is suitable as an ingredient in sports beverages, yogurt, nutritional bars, smoothies, chocolates and dietary supplements at 200 mg per person per day.

Chinova Bioworks has also received GRAS status for its natural mushroom chitosan preservative ingredient Chiber. This antimicrobial food and beverage preservative is made from a fiber extracted from mushrooms, called chitosan. It has the advantages of broad-spectrum antimicrobial effectiveness while being a healthy natural fiber. Chinova Bioworks notes that this GRAS recognition allows it to commercialize the natural solution in the US market for the first time.

In brief: Research
Research from the Obesity Health Alliance has shown that just one TV show can lead to children eating more calories than they need. Children watching a single episode of Britain’s Got Talent saw over four and a half minutes of adverts for unhealthy food and drinks, including pizza, burgers, ice cream, cake and chocolate cookies. Its analysis concluded that seeing 4.4 minutes of food advertising is associated with children eating 60 more calories a day. Eating as few as 46 extra calories each day can lead to excess weight in children.

Just as the plant-based trend rich within the healthy nutrition space.In brief: Launches
Glanbia Nutritionals is set to launch its new beverage solution CreaBev to European audiences for the first time at this year’s Food ingredients Europe (FiE) 2019. Glanbia will also highlight its extensive experience in bar formulation with two bars featuring Crunchie Milk Protein Crisps and plant-based ingredients. “With hot topics such as plant-based and clean label ingredients, innovative formulation and healthy nutrition all on the agenda, Glanbia is well placed to showcase its superior ingredients, expertise and know-how at FiE 2019,” says Tara Bane, European Marketing Manager at Glanbia Nutritionals. 

Innovation in the veterinary sector and rising consumer demand for companion animals is creating future growth opportunities within the pet nutrition space. Australian biotechnology company Marinova is incorporating Fucus vesiculosus fucoidan seaweed in its MariVet blends, which has been shown to exert potent bioactivities towards gut health, cancer and immune function in animal models. Meanwhile, the polyphenolic content provides an excellent antioxidant capacity to protect against free radical damage.

In brief: Miscellaneous 
Quicksilver Scientific, a nutritional systems innovating company, has recently appointed Jason Dyer as President. In his new position, Dyer is responsible for budgetary oversight, orchestrating the development and execution of corporate strategy and establishing a progressive approach toward developing and nurturing team and talent. “Throughout my career, I’ve largely found expansion in the health and wellness industry to be driven by clever marketing rather than true innovation. Quicksilver Scientific is moving the industry toward more effective solutions that promote quality of life unhindered by poor health and misinformation,” Dyer says.

By Anni Schleicher