Weekly Roundup: Fiber-fortification for select Tesco own-label foods, Lonza gains investment grade rating

18 Jan 2019 --- In nutrition news this week, Stratum Nutrition has been accepted as a “Preferred Supplier” by the National Animal Supplement Council (NASC) for its eggshell and curcumin brands, while the Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN) has appointed a new chair to the board of directors. Lonza has received an investment grade rating from US financial services company Standard & Poor's. In research updates, a new study suggests that tart cherry juice may help reduce the risk of inflammation associated with many chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease. Increasing customer interest in fortified foods has prompted Tesco to begin boosting the fiber content in some of its most popular snacks.

In brief: Partnerships and appointments
Stratum Nutrition has been accepted as a “Preferred Supplier” by the NASC for its NEM brand eggshell membrane, nuclear ESC brand eggshell calcium, Curcumin 95 and eggshell collagen ingredients. Products that feature the NASC Preferred Supplier Seal must adhere to NASC quality standards and have multiple batches of the ingredients tested by a NASC-approved laboratory. The NASC is a non-profit industry organization geared towards protecting and enhancing the health of companion animals and horses in the US. 

A new study suggests that tart cherry juice may help reduce the risk of inflammation associated with many chronic diseases.The CRN, a trade association for the dietary supplement and functional food industry, has appointed David Campbell, Vice President, NA Regulatory Affairs and Policy, RB Health, to chair the association’s Board of Directors. Campbell has served on CRN’s Executive Committee for the past two years. He will hold the chairman position through 2020, succeeding Jim Hyde, Vice President and General Manager at Balchem Human Nutrition and Pharma. Hyde will continue to serve on the Board as immediate past chair. 

NutriScience Innovations, a supplier of nutritional and functional ingredients to the nutrition industry, has appointed Dr. Michael Lelah as its Chief Science Officer. Dr. Lelah will lead the company’s scientific and innovation initiatives, as well as quality and regulatory functions. He comes to NutriScience with strong experience in the dietary supplement and nutraceutical industries.  

In brief: Research Studies
A new study suggests that tart cherry juice may help reduce the risk of inflammation associated with many chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes and obesity. Previous studies have shown that the cherries can ease pain from arthritis and gout. Published in Food & Function, the study found that 8 ounces of 100 percent tart cherry juice, consumed daily for four weeks, significantly reduced certain biomarkers of inflammation that are associated with chronic disease among overweight and obese adults. 

In brief: Miscellaneous
Lonza has received a BBB+ credit rating with a stable outlook from Standard & Poor's (S&P). Lonza considers this investment grade rating a positive outcome of the recent initiation of the rating process, which will support Lonza's financing strategy. “This credit rating validates Lonza’s successful growth strategy, leadership positions in its Pharma & Biotech and Specialty Ingredients segments, and the Group’s attractive financial profile,” says Rodolfo Savitzky, Lonza’s Chief Financial Officer. The S&P rating should increase transparency and comparability for debt investors and other capital market participants, according to the company.

Increasing customer interest in fortified foods has prompted UK supermarket Tesco to begin boosting the fiber content in some of its most popular snacks. Tesco has begun fortifying its own-label foods with fiber, starting with pies, pasties, sausage rolls and chilled breads. It follows UK Government guidelines which recommended that the average daily intake of fiber needed to nearly double for UK citizens to lead a healthier lifestyle. 

By Laxmi Haigh