Weekly Roundup: Glanbia and Evolva release 2020 financial reports, Taiyo’s guar gum supplement may aid fertility

26 Feb 2021 --- In nutrition news this week, Glanbia’s performance nutrition unit revealed a decline in its 2020 revenue compared to last year, but says it is optimistic for the future. Evolva also reported a drop in earnings incurred by expansion in manufacturing. Meanwhile, a connection between the gut microbiome and fertility is indicating Taiyo’s supplement Sunfiber PHGG could help women conceive.

In brief: Business news
Global nutrition group Glanbia released its full-year results for 2020, showing a 13.3 percent decline in like-for-like revenue in its performance nutrition unit. Glanbia’s profits fell by €36.4 million (US$44 million) to €143.8 million (US$174 million) after tax, and its adjusted earnings per share were down 14.9 percent. The company points to issues caused by the COVID-19 pandemic for this drop. However, overall it claimed a “robust” performance, with Glanbia Nutritionals rising 10 percent in revenue over 2019. The group says its outlook is “positive,” expecting to deliver 6 to 12 percent growth in adjusted earnings per share (EPS) this year.

Swiss biotech company Evolva also released its 2020 results, with organic sales growth of 18 percent over the prior year, which is “significantly behind potential” due to delays in manufacturing and low demand in its Flavors and Fragrances segment, says the company. Its earnings also dropped by CHF 4.3 million (US$4.75 million), which is also due to scaling up in manufacturing and delays in investments. 

Kyowa Hakko’s “Breathe” campaign is targeting aging populations by promoting immune health.ACG launched a new division, ACG Laboratories, by opening a processing lab in India. The new facility is set to provide ACG’s customers and partners with an R&D,  testing and training environment. This will be dedicated to the “collaborative exploration of all aspects of oral solid dosage manufacturing,” says the company. The lab houses a dedicated R&D space for small-scale development and a pilot area for scale-up and process optimization studies. It is equipped to accommodate multiple projects at a time.

In brief: Launches and releases 
Nutritional supplement company Aclivia launched in the US to answer the rising demand for immunity and overall health supplements following the COVID-19 pandemic. Its products, including probiotics, fish oils and digestive enzymes, are targeted at digestive health, immune health and weight management. The company has an FDA and GMP-certified production facility, and its products are third-party tested to ensure purity and potency. 

Kyowa Hakko unveiled its “Breathe” brand campaign featuring Setria Glutathione, a patented glutathione ingredient that supports respiratory and immune health. Setria Glutathione has been clinically researched to support immune health, detoxification and overall healthy-aging properties, says the company. Daily consumption of Setria can help maintain optimal glutathione levels and overall good health,also recommended as a dietary supplement for its antioxidative action. 

JRF Technology, a producer of water-soluble and edible films, launched a “first-of-its-kind” edible film with BerryShield Elderberry from INS Farms, the largest grower, producer and supplier in North America of black elderberry Sambucus nigra. The elderberry aids immune health, and the new formulation is aimed at the 40 percent of US adults who have trouble swallowing pills, says JRF. 

In brief: Approvals and regulations 
ACG’s new lab is located in Shirwal, India.Portugal-based Allmicroalgae received a good manufacturing (GMP+) standard certification for its algae-based ingredients. The quality certification proves that the company’s processing complies with the legal regulations and requirements necessary to ensure safety throughout all feed chain stages. Allmicroalgae produces its own microalgae using what it says is a unique process. Its feed products, high in fatty acids, proteins, natural vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, are marketed under the Allvitae brand. 

The French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety (ANSES) introduced a streamlined online tool for reporting adverse effects of supplements. Named the Nutrivigilance scheme, it allows users to report unwanted effects of products in six steps anonymously. The process has been speeded up, says ANSES, by allowing details submitted online to be assessed by relevant authorities. Where needed, action can be taken to withhold a product or warn the producers and consumers. 

Chilean omega 3 producer Golden Omega obtained the international Green-e certification to use clean and renewable energy. One hundred percent of its energy is sourced from solar power, wind or hydropower. The company says the certification should reassure consumers of its fish oil products that all its produce comes from environmentally sustainable practices. 

Specialty Enzymes & Probiotics announced its probiotic product Sebiotic received a No Objections Letter from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) submission. Sebiotic has been shown to promote microflora balance, supports immunomodulation and intestinal homeostasis, and promotes digestive and abdominal health. It also previously received a certification as a natural health product from Health Canada. 

In brief: Research and studies 
A study showing the connection between the gut microbiome and women’s fertility suggested that Taiyo’s gut microbiome supplement Sunfiber PHGG (partially hydrolyzed guar gum), could help women conceive. The study found different gut microbiome composition differences between two female participants, half infertile and half fertile, published in the Journal of Chemical Biochemistry Nutrition. Notably, the fertile group had higher amounts of Bifidobacterium. 

By Louis Gore-Langton