Weekly Roundup: Van Breeman Company created after cannabinoid COVID-19 research, Lonza among 2022’s most ethical companies

18 Mar 2022 --- This week in nutrition news, a study investigating cannabinoids and the Sars-CoV-2 virus led to the launch of a new company, while Lonza was recognized in Ethisphere’s 2022 World’s Most Ethical Companies. Angel Yeast and Fungi Perfecti both received nods for their own environmental sustainability efforts as well.

In brief: Business news
The Van Breemen Company has been formed to deliver plant-based and natural wellness products to the consumer marketplace. The launch follows a publication from Dr. Richard van Breemen that found cannabinoid compounds created a barrier between human cells and the spike protein of the Sars-CoV-2 virus. Based on this research, the US-based company will launch its Original Wellness Formula this April, with the business planning to also seek Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval in the near future.

Ingredients by Nature (IBN) has increased its capacity and instated a “no-minimums” policy for the company’s dedicated state-of-the-art freeze-drying services. With capabilities to handle increased demand and immediate availability, the IBN freeze-drying division is prepared to handle freeze-drying for a wide variety of industries, including nutraceuticals. The US-based company has seen growing market demand for experienced operations, noting businesses cannot wait months to get back an ingredient or formulation from a pilot.Dr. van Breemen says he is dedicated to uncovering botanical therapeutics that have evaded doctors and scientists for decades.

In brief: Launches and releases
Karallief has launched KaraHeart, a multi-herbal extract formula that can support healthy cholesterol levels in 30 days. Specifically, a study of 100 patients with mild to moderately high cholesterol levels revealed that the blend is associated with significantly reduced levels of total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein, as well as increased levels of high-density lipoprotein in the blood. KaraHeart is made with a 1,000 mg per day blend of standardized herbal ingredients known to support heart health, including Commiphora mukul, Allium sativum, Camellia sinensis, Trigonella foenum-graecum, Zingiber officinale and Cinnamomum verum.

In brief: Announcements and initiatives
The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) is accepting applications for the Local Food for Schools Cooperative Agreement Program (LFS), which will provide up to US$200 million for states to purchase local food for school meal programs. LFS is positioned as providing an opportunity for states to strengthen local and regional food systems by increasing links between local farmers, ranchers and food businesses with schools. This program also gives students access to the local, nutritious foods unique to the area they live in, building stronger connections across local communities. 

Safefood, an agency promoting healthy nutrition on the island of Ireland, will invest a total of €740,000 (US$815,500) over the next three years in 13 community projects. This is part of its Community Food Initiatives Program 2022-2024, which aims to positively influence healthy eating habits by supporting the development of skills and knowledge around food, healthier shopping and cooking skills. The organization says each project puts healthy eating on the agenda in local communities and can improve family health, tackle inequality and change people’s lives for the better. 

An international consortium of three non-governmental organizations (NGOs) has released a new Botanical Adulterants Prevention Program (BAPP) bulletin on saffron stigmas and extracts. The bulletin provides practical information about the types of saffron adulteration in the market and what specifications to consider when purchasing this botanical. The BAPP is supported by the American Botanicals Council, the American Herbal Pharmacopoeia and the University of Mississippi’s National Center for Natural Products Research.The Quadram Institute will feed its participants either broccoli or zucchini soup over the course of a 36-week split trial investigating blood sugar levels. 

In brief: Awards and certifications
Lonza has been highlighted by Ethisphere as one of the 2022 World’s Most Ethical Companies. This marks the second year running that the company has been recognized for this award and acknowledges its successful efforts in combining performance with integrity and accountability. Lonza says it faces regulatory compliance, integrity and ethical conduct at the heart of its business practices. Across the leadership and employee community, there is a firm collective belief that true success can only be achieved through ethical conduct.

Angel Yeast has been officially recognized as a national “Green Factory” by China’s Industry and Information Technology Ministry. This means it has achieved intensive land use, working with harmless raw materials, clean production, waste recycling and low-carbon energy. Angel Yeast has implemented 28 technological overhauls for its plants across all regions, which has resulted in 19,700 tons of reduced CO2 emissions, driving down power consumption per ton of yeast by 1.4%, steam by 2.5% and water consumption by 3.1%.

Fungi Perfecti, makers of Host Defense Mushrooms supplements, has achieved Offsetters Climate Positive status through a partnership with Ostrom Climate, a carbon management solutions provider. First, it calculated its carbon footprint, then embarked on targeted reduction strategies across all aspects of the business to decrease overall impact. Overall, Fungi Perfecti says it offsets 110% of the combined totals of its Scopes 1, 2 and 3 emissions. Safefood notes rising food and living costs are putting pressure on low-income families. 

In brief: Research and studies
The UK’s Quadram Institute is launching a study to understand how eating broccoli can help normalize blood sugar levels in people with pre-diabetes. Broccoli has already been shown to normalize elevated blood sugars when eaten over a long period of time. Finding a way through dietary studies to reduce high blood sugar levels and prevent the progression of pre-diabetes to Type 2 diabetes is a vital area of diabetes and endocrinology research, notes the institute. The researchers are now recruiting people with pre-diabetes who live within 40 miles of Norwich. The BETA Study (Broccoli Effect on Glycated Hemoglobin) is being funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), part of UK Research & Innovation.

Non-nutritive sweeteners (NNS) may support weight control when replacing sugar, but their effect on the regulation of appetite and sweet taste perception is not clear. This is according to a Polish review that summarizes the current knowledge about the use of NNS as a potential strategy for weight loss and their impact on sweet taste perception. Most studies have demonstrated that consumption of NNS-sweetened foods does not increase sweetness preference or energy intake. Nonetheless, further research is required to determine the long-term effects of NNS on weight management.

By Katherine Durrell