Weekly Roundup: Omya showcases minerals portfolio at Food Matters Live, Merit’s Functional Foods gains GRAS certification

22 Nov 2019 --- In nutrition news this week, Omya exhibited its range of high purity mineral particles under its Calcipur portfolio at Food Matters Live, in London, UK, November 11-14, demonstrating the positive impact its ingredient’s mineral particles had on the texture and color of bakery products. Merit Functional Foods obtained Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) status from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its protein ingredient portfolio. Research conducted by Pharmactive Bioproducts found that its saffron extract Affron helps with symptoms of depression, while a Taiyo-endorsed study showed that its Suntheanine ingredient supports cognitive function and relieves stress.

In brief: Launches and releases
At Food Matters Live, hosted this week in London, UK, calcium carbonate producer Omya exhibited its Calcipur range of high purity mineral particles. The showcased concepts demonstrated the positive impact the mineral particles had on texture and color of bakery products, cereals, convenience food and drinks in a cost-effective way and without affecting their sensory profile. With approximately 40 percent calcium, the Calcipur portfolio supports bone health and the function of muscles and nerves. It is possible to use up to five times less of this ingredient than other available technical solutions, while achieving the same calcium dose in a finished foodstuff. 

Omya's ingredients help support bone health and muscle function.In brief: Regulations and certifications
Merit Functional Foods’ high-protein product portfolio has obtained GRAS status from the FDA. The company is seeking to uproot the food and beverage industry’s perception of plant-based proteins, producing high-quality plant protein ingredients that exceed standards for purity, solubility and taste. The GRAS status bolsters Merit Functional Foods’ current ingredient portfolio, aligning with several key consumer concerns, including clean label, free from allergen, gluten and GMO as well as vegan. The GRAS notification was extended to the company's pea protein ingredients, Peazazz and Peazac.

In brief: Research and studies
A study published by Pharmactive Bioproducts demonstrated that its all-natural, Spanish saffron extract (Crocus sativus L.), Affron, was well tolerated when administered with antidepressant drugs and effectively reduced depression in adults with persistent depressive symptoms. After eight weeks of supplementation with Affron, depressive symptoms were significantly decreased by 41 percent compared to the placebo group (21 percent reduction). Affron was well-tolerated and over 70 percent of participants said they would likely continue to take Affron after the study. Previous clinical research has also shown Affron, an all-natural saffron extract, helps support mood‎, relaxation, as well as stress and tension relief. 

Taiyo published a new human study showing how its Suntheanine ingredient improves cognitive function and reduces stress-related symptoms in healthy adults. Published in the journal Nutrients, the study tested 30 healthy men and women over an eight-week period, randomly and blindly assigned 200 mg per day of Suntheanine for four weeks. Its results revealed that Suntheanine enhanced mood-state, quality sleep and cognitive function. Suntheanine is easily formulated for supplements, dark chocolate, ice cream, chewing gum and a variety of beverages. 

Suitable for beverage supplementation, Taiyo's Suntheanine has provemn positive effects on stress reduction and sleep improvement.Researchers from the University of Leeds, UK, have demonstrated a link between eating breakfast and General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) performance for secondary school students in the UK. Published in the journal Frontiers in Public Health, the study found that students who said they rarely ate breakfast achieved nearly two grades lower than those who rarely missed their morning meal. “This research suggests that poor nutrition is associated with worse results at school. Our study shows that secondary school students are at a disadvantage if they are not getting a morning meal to fuel their brains for the start of the school day,” says lead researcher Dr. Katie Adolphus from the University of Leeds’ School of Psychology.

In brief: Business news
Synbiotic Health signed a commercial agreement with NUtech Ventures, the nonprofit technology commercialization affiliate of the University of Nebraska, which grants the company worldwide exclusive rights to specially developed strains for use in formulating high-quality synergistic synbiotic products. Typical synbiotics are designed to deliver the separate health benefits of its constituent probiotic and prebiotic. Now, the company can formulate a new generation of products in which the probiotic microbe is selectively enriched and stimulated by the paired prebiotic substrate. Synbiotic’s first product, targeting food & beverage and nutritional supplement manufacturers, will launch in fall 2020 and its clinical program will commence in early 2020.

Kikoko, a company providing cannabis wellness for women, has closed a US$8 million round of Series A funding led by Bengal Capital, with Kikoko's supply chain partner FlowKana having helped bring Kikoko's total funding to US$14 million to date. Kikoko's cannabis-infused herbal teas and other soon-to-be-released cannabis-infused botanical products offer consumers sensibly dosed alternatives to pharmaceuticals and alcohol. Formulated to address issues with sleep, stress, and pain, Kikoko's products are made with organically sun-grown cannabis, organic adaptogenic herbs, and pure New Zealand Manuka honey. With the new capital, Kikoko plans to build its team, launch new wellness products, deepen retail relationships and build out its direct-to-consumer sales platform. The new funding will also assist the company in reaching its goal of having the healthiest and most environmentally sustainable cannabis products on the market.

The Board of Directors of the Hochdorf Group, a Swiss foodstuffs company, has appointed Jürgen Brandt as the new CFO and member of the Executive Board. Brandt has served as CFO of Von Roll Inova, Austrian Energy & Environment Group and Sulzer for the past 15 years and has served acted as a temporary CFO for various medium-sized companies since 2015. He has also been a member of the Board of Directors and Chairman of the Audit Committee of the listed company Bobst SA since 2013. The current CFO Marcel Gavillet, who has worked for the HOCHDORF Group since 2003, will remain with the company and take over special projects in the area of finance.

By Anni Schleicher