Weekly Roundup: Lallemand Bio-Ingredients’ Gastro-AD receives health claim, Anpario targets omega 3 enriched animal products

08 Oct 2021 --- This week in nutrition news, Lallemand Bio-Ingredients obtained a health claim for Gastro-AD from Health Canada, recognizing its benefit for support of gastrointestinal health. Anpario launched Optomega Algae – a sustainable supplement for animals that can boost omega 3 levels in the resulting products. Meanwhile, a lawsuit directed at the self-affirmed GRAS process was dismissed by the US District Court.

In brief: Business news
Health Canada confirmed Lallemand Bio-Ingredients’ health claims for Gastro-AD. It is soy fermented by Lactobacillus delbrueckii, ssp. delbrueckii also known as Rosell-187 or R-187. This newly granted Canadian health claim is supported by previous research results that have shown Gastro-AD to be capable of soothing symptoms of occasional heartburn and acid reflux and maintaining the quality of life in people experiencing occasional heartburn symptoms. Lallemand recommends Gastro-AD to be consumed in powder form, by the teaspoon or a sachet. It can be formulated with various flavors and sweeteners.

The US District Court entered judgment in favor of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in a suit filed in 2017 that sought to overturn FDA’s allowance for the GRAS self-affirmation process commonly used to document the safety of new food ingredients. Referred to in the lawsuit as “the GRAS Rule,” this regulation lays out the procedure under which parties may notify the FDA of their conclusion through self-affirmation that a substance is GRAS approved under the conditions of its intended use. The suit was filed by advocacy organizations, the Center for Food Safety and the Environmental Defense Fund. The plaintiffs made allegations that the rule unlawfully sub-delegated FDA’s statutory authority to private parties.Gastro-AD improves heartburn, gastrointestinal symptoms and heartburn-related quality of life indicators.

Global clinical supply services provider Catalent opened its new clinical supply facility in response to increased demand for end-to-end services, including primary packaging and white glove services. The 6,000 sq m facility, one of the largest in Japan, will play an essential role in Catalent’s expanding Asia-Pacific network, working alongside two sites in China and one in Singapore to ensure customers’ clinical trials are well-served across the region.

In brief: Partnerships and collaborations
Indena, an Italian company that develops plant-derived active ingredients, collaborated with Alvinesa Natural Ingredients to develop Enovita Organic. Alvinesa is a Spanish-based extractor of grapes, and Enovita Organic is an extract derived from Vitis vinifera seeds. The product is pegged as a stress reliever and cardiovascular health supporter. A study by Indena found Enovita Organic can modulate blood pressure and improve mood. Grape seeds contain a high concentration of oligomeric proanthocyanidins, which are effective antioxidants, blood glucose positive modulators, cardiovascular-friendly substances and neuroprotective agents.

Personalized vitamin company Vous Vitamin entered a partnership with Pops, an AI digital coaching platform. Pops ensures that information about the role of vitamins in diabetes management is available through Mina, the cellphone-based AI virtual health assistant that connects to Pops’ Rebel glucometer via Bluetooth for blood glucose monitoring. The partnership marks the first time a personalized vitamin offering has been integrated into a chronic disease management tool. Users will also access Vous Vitamin’s five-minute health and lifestyle survey to determine the single-table vitamin blend that matches their individual needs.

In brief: Launches and releases
A manufacturer and distributor of natural animal feed additives, Anpario, unveiled Optomega Algae, a microalgae-derived omega 3 fatty acid supplement. Optomega Algae is a dry, free-flowing powder composed of algae oil from a specific microalgae species and is formulated on a carrier system and packaged in foil-lined bags for optimum shelf life and product freshness. The product has been developed for use in all species and is specifically targeted at breeding animals and producers supplying omega 3 enriched meat, milk and eggs.Catalent’s new facility in Japan will provide flexible clinical supply solutions, serving local and global biotech and pharmaceutical companies.

Health and wellness brand 305-Life launched a ready-to-mix supplement line. The creators of the portfolio, known as the 30V-Collective, are a group of industry veterans, marketing specialists, trainers and entrepreneurs known for their business approach and presence in Miami, US. 305-Life comes in individual packs that can be mixed into water or beverages. The line will include a daily supplement and two boosters.

Global specialty chemicals company, Grace, unveiled its Syloid XDP F silica at Vitafoods Europe 2021, which took place this week in Geneva, Switzerland. Syloid XDP F silica is patented food-grade silica that supports the formulation of liquid, waxy or oily active ingredients like omega 3s and botanical extracts into free-flowing powders. This new product enables manufacturers to achieve improved blend uniformity compared to traditional mixing methods; handling and downstream processing are facilitated without solvents.

In brief: Announcements and certification
Dairy ingredients specialist Ingredia received the New Dietary Ingredient (NDI) registration for Pep2Dia by the US FDA, therefore validating the product’s safety. Pep2Dia is a patented whey protein hydrolysate containing an active dipeptide AP, designed for people willing to maintain healthy blood sugar levels. Pep2Dia’s toxicity was also evaluated, both acutely and sub chronically. In both studies, no toxicological effects were observed. A clinical study proved Pep2Dia’s efficacy at a dose of 700 mg before meals on glucose intolerant people. Pep2Dia was also shown to lower the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.

NSF International will offer in-person training to dietary supplement industry professionals at the upcoming SupplySide West and Food Ingredients North America event. The classroom-based courses, which will focus on dietary supplement good manufacturing practices and regulatory compliance, are available from October 25 to 26 at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas. The training will focus on start-ups and individuals new to the dietary supplement industry.

In brief: Research and studies
A study conducted by researchers at the University of Barcelona, Spain, revealed that daily intake of products containing peanuts could benefit cognitive function and stress response. The study was carried out on 63 healthy people aged between 19 and 33 years old, who included a regular portion of peanut products in their daily intake. The results revealed an increase in the fecal short-chain fatty acids – from the microbiota – long-chain saturated fatty acids and certain polyphenols, all of which are bioactive compounds related to many health benefits. The study was published in the journal Clinical Nutrition.

By Nicole Kerr