Weekly Roundup: Lonza to unveil colored, clean label supplements, Prenexus gains FDA green light for XOS prebiotic

16 Aug 2019 --- In nutrition news this week, Lonza will be revealing the industry’s first clean label colored capsules for dietary supplement manufacturers at Food Ingredients (Fi) South America. Prenexus Health received a “no questions” letter from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on its Generally Recognized as Safe notification for its xylooligosaccharide (XOS) prebiotic. Meanwhile, Kerry will present its better-for-you portfolio at Vitafoods Asia. Moreover, ChromaDex Corp. received a positive opinion from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) on Nicotinamide Riboside (NR) as a novel food ingredient for use in a supplement.

In brief: Launches and releases
In this year’s Fi South America, Lonza will introduce the industry’s first clean label colored capsules now available to dietary supplement manufacturers in Brazil. Thanks to the latest innovations in coloring foods, the Vcaps Plus Purple Carrot and Blue Spirulina capsules open new possibilities for Lonza’s customers to create bright, vibrant products without compromising on a natural positioning. Lonza will also present its portfolio of scientifically-backed ingredients for sports nutrition and other high growth market segments, including the healthy living trend which continues to gain traction in Brazil. “The dietary supplements market in Brazil is predicted to reach annual sales of an estimated US$1 billion by 2023. Now, lifestyle choices such as the decision to follow a vegetarian or vegan diet, as well as the rising popularity of gluten-free products are shaping the future of the industry,” says Alessandro Hinrichsen, Latin America Business Unit Lead, Lonza Consumer Health & Nutrition.

Kerry is fueling innovation through taste and nutrition. Its portfolio of better-for-you solutions solve the challenges of creating products with the benefits consumers seek, the company says. At Vitafoods Asia, Kerry will highlight its science-backed functional ingredients and products. These ingredients include: GanedenBC30, the spore-forming probiotic for digestive health; Wellmune, a yeast beta glucan for immune support; Ultranor, a grass-fed milk protein range suitable for many food and beverage applications; ProDiem and ProDiem Refresh, a nutritional plant protein solution that delivers a clean neutral flavor.

At Vitafoods Asia, Kerry will highlight its science-backed functional ingredients and products. In brief: Certifications and awards
Prenexus Health has received a “no questions” letter from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on its Generally Recognized as Safe notification for its xylooligosaccharide (XOS) prebiotic. Prenexus Health’s XOS prebiotic is accepted for use at levels up to 2.4 grams per day in a variety of food categories. The notice has been published on the FDA’s website. Mike Bush, CEO at Prenexus Health notes, “This allows for use of the ingredient in a range of food applications such as bars, ready-to-eat cereals and functional beverages, to name a few of the accepted categories.” Prenexus Health will be producing its XOS prebiotic from non-GMO, high-fiber sugarcane grown on farms in Imperial Valley, California. The manufacturing process, soon to be certified organic, utilizes only pure water without the need for any chemicals. Prenexus Health's XOS prebiotic will be available in the fourth quarter of 2019. “The demand for prebiotic ingredients continues to grow,” Bush says.

US dietary supplement company ChromaDex Corp. has today announced that the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has issued a positive opinion on Nicotinamide Riboside (NR) as a novel food ingredient for use in a food supplement at a daily serving of 300mg for the healthy adult population, a critical step in the EU regulatory approval process. “Safety is paramount for ChromaDex and this positive opinion from EFSA underscores our depth of science and is the latest in a consistently positive series of reviews of NR by authoritative bodies,” says ChromaDex CEO, Rob Fried. “We are working to complete the regulatory process to bring NR to the health-conscious people of the EU.” As the European dietary supplements market is expected to further expand, ChromaDex plans to launch its flagship consumer NR product, Tru Niagen, in the EU once the regulatory process is completed. Niagen, the company says, is the only commercially available NR which has twice been successfully reviewed under the (FDA’s new dietary ingredient (NDI) notification requirement. 

The Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN), a trade association for the dietary supplement and functional food industry, has announced that seven new companies joined its membership ranks. The Voting Member companies include: Functional Remedies; Harvest One; SloIron Inc.; and Specialty Enzymes & Probiotics. The Associate Members include: Schooley Mitchell; TagOne and Vicente Sederberg LLP. 

In brief: Assignments
Lavvan Inc. has announced that Neil Closner, formerly of MedReleaf Corp., has been appointed its new CEO. Joining Closner are several key members of MedReleaf’s former leadership team who were responsible for its groundbreaking achievements and success. Former Lavvan CEO, Etan Bendheim, will become President of the company. The company is also collaborating with Amyris to produce cannabidiol (CBD) and other cannabinoids through fermentation-based technology in food-grade manufacturing facilities. Lavvan’s processes will ensure product purity and consistency for commercial-grade, cannabinoid-based products, while minimizing production costs.

Edited by Kristiana Lalou