Weekly Roundup: Kyowa Hakko Bio announces mass energy reductions, Hofseth BioCare signs comprehensive distribution agreement with IMCD

04 Dec 2020 --- This week in nutrition news, Kyowa Hakko Bio announced major energy reduction plans for its plants in Thailand and Hofseth BioCare signed a distribution contract with IMCD to formulate products according to consumer demand. 

Meanwhile, NattoPharma renewed its research partnership with Maastricht University in the wake of novel results suggesting vitamin K may aid COVID-19 outcomes.

In brief: Business news 
Hofseth BioCare (HBC) signed a comprehensive distribution contract with IMCD, which specializes in the sales and distribution of chemicals and ingredients. IMCD’s nutra experts team will offer technical advice and formulation support to reformulate HBC products in response to consumer trends and market demands. HBC products listed in the agreement include ProGo Bioactive Peptides and OmeGo Unrefined Salmon Oil. 

Kyowa Hakko Bio will be reducing its electric energy usage by 25 percent and obtaining renewable energy certificates at its plants in Thailand. As part of far-reaching sustainability efforts, the company plans to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, in line with international agreements. It says it will also become the first company in the world to open an industrial scale human milk oligosaccharides (HMO) production facility, set to launch in 2022. 

Swiss Wellness' Ultivite range is in powdered form and contains a blend of 41 general health ingredients.In brief: Launches and releases 
Swiss Wellness added two new vitamin supplements to its portfolio. The Ultivite Men’s and Women’s Multivitamin + Superfood Blend are on-the-go powder alternatives to the company’s Ultivite range. The new products contain a blend of 41 vitamins, minerals, superfoods and antioxidants, specifically tailored to support energy production and vitality, and promote general health and well-being, said the company. 

In brief: Research and study 
NattoPharma renewed its long-standing relationship with Maastricht University, which includes an investigation of the possible benefits of vitamin K for outcomes in COVID-19 patients. A five-year commitment between the partners aims to demonstrate that vitamin K can provide a novel solution to vascular health and strengthen the body against infections such as COVID-19. K2 is thought to guide calcium in the body away from arteries and blood vessels and toward the bones and teeth. 

Researchers at St Petersburg State University discovered that functional amyloids serve biological functions in almost all living organisms. The findings could help improve seeds’ nutritional value by creating “super nourishing seeds.” Another important possibility from the findings, say the researchers, will be to reduce allergenicity. Nut products, for example, could be altered to minimize allergy threats. 

Lallemand highlighted a review of over 330 clinical and preclinical studies that was published in Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry, examining the effect of probiotics onLallemand is highlighting 330 studies showing the benefits probiotics can have on mental health issues like depression.early life stress and depression related issues later in life. The Rosell Institute for Microbiome and Probiotics, which authored the studies, encourages the scientific community to investigate further and understand the impact probiotics can have on public mental health. 

Deerland Probiotics and Enzymes released a study showing the probiotic B. subtilis DE111 can modify the composition of children’s gut microbiomes. The study, published in Beneficial Microbes, found after eight weeks of probiotic consumption, there was an increase in alpha-diversity at the phylum level, suggesting an expanded functional diversity of the microbiome compared to that of children in a placebo group. According to the researchers, the results suggest B. subtilis DE111 supports maintaining a healthy gut through subtle modulations of the microbiome with significant benefits in preschool-aged children.

In brief: Publications
Dr. Muhammed Majeed, founder and chairman of Sabi-Sabinsa Group published his fourth book on derivatives of Boswellia serrata, which focuses on long-ignored uses of the tree’s resin. Known as Salai Guggal, the gum resin exudate has been used in Ayurvedic medicine to treat rheumatism, respiratory disorders and liver conditions. In modern medicine, it is used as an anti-arthritic and anti-inflammatory pharmacological agent. Majeed says the book contains some “intriguing discoveries.”

Sabinsa's new book details the use of B. serrata in Ayurvedic medicine. The Botanical Adulterants Prevention Program (BAPP) issued a second draft on best practices and operating procedures to destroy irreparably defective articles in the dietary, herb and food industries. The BAPP is a consortium of three non-profits at the University of Mississippi and issued the draft in collaboration with Health Business Strategies, a natural products industry consulting firm. The best practices procedure will aim to prevent ingredients that are deemed contaminated from reaching the market. 

The Council for Responsible Nutrition has upgraded its online library of Supplement OWL, the dietary supplement industry’s self-regulatory product listing. Upgrades include ease of overall user experience; multi-factor authentication for participants to add more security for participating companies; a multi-version component to help companies efficiently enter product information for multiple versions of the same product in circulation; and a supplier feature for brand owners to designate their contract manufacturers as business users with administrative capabilities on their behalf.

In brief: Miscellaneous 
Wingrove Probiotics announced a collaboration with Justdiggit to regreen 5,000 acres in Tanzania. The partnership will plant 84,000 trees as part of a more comprehensive regrowing project in which 8 million mature trees are being replanted under the Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration Method. The trees are being planted to cover the carbon emissions being released by the company’s international flights. 

Persona Nutrition announced it has provided one million at-risk children with vitamin A supplements in collaboration with the public health organization Vitamin Angels. Vitamin A is essential in the process of vision, immune function and cell growth. Persona says it will continue to distribute supplements to children in need. 

By Louis Gore-Langton