Cargill Health Technologies: ‘The microbiome space is going to change the way the world feeds itself’
Speaking via video with NutraIngredients-USA, CHT’s Chuck Warta said: “This space is going to change the way the world feeds itself, both humans and animals. If you look at the advances in the technology and our understanding of the connection between the gut and the immune system and the gut and the brain, etc, it’s mind-blowing. And I think we’re only scratching the surface.
“The leaders in this industry in the future are going to have to be agile, they’re going to have to be connected, they’re going to have to be focused and fast at the same time. I don’t think that’s something you do on your own.”
Warta cited Cargill’s partnership with Eagle Genomics as an example as a way they are leveraging partnerships to enhance their own capabilities and speed up the innovation pipeline.
EpiCor: 67% CAGR
Central to CHT’s plans is EpiCor, the yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) fermentate. Cargill added EpiCor to its ingredient portfolio via the acquisition of Iowa-based Diamond V in 2017.
“EpiCor is a super exciting story,” said Warta. “When we bought EpiCor it had a good reputation, but it was small, very targeted health supplement, immune supplement. We’ve invested heavily in growing that momentum.
“Since the acquisition of Diamond V, we’ve experienced 67% compound annual growth rate on the business. So, it’s been a great success story for us internally.
“We want to continue to build on that, for sure.”
Warta also said that the company wants to expand the ingredient into the food and beverage markets. Cargill has applied for GRAS status with the FDA (GRAS Notification #928) and expects to obtain the letter of no objection from the FDA in February.
A changing immune health category
Speaking about the overall immune category, and how COVID has affected the dynamics of consumer demand for such products, Warta said: “Consumers today are increasingly aware of the connections between digestive health and their immune system, and digestive health and all the other systems in their body. And that growth of all those other segments has really flattened out those traditional spikes, and that was happening long before we got into a pandemic.
“As we stood up Cargill Health Technologies and got things going, one of our scientists taught me a great lesson: She said, ‘Chuck, the first thing you need to learn about the microbiome is that you’re never alone. And second, the impact you’re having is never happening in isolation.
“When you think about where we’re going in this space and with EpiCor, you have to base everything on a fundamental understanding of the symbiotic nature that your particular product has in relationship to the other microbials that are in there like probiotics and prebiotics and postbiotics.
“Knowing the modes of actions, to me is where the future lies and it’s where we’re going to have the biggest impact.”
CHT
Cargill Health Technologies (CHT) is a newer division of Cargill Animal Nutrition & Health that was created in 2019.
“Cargill’s mission is to nourish the world in a safe, sustainable and responsible way,” said Warta. “In alignment of that vision, CHT was established. In CHT, our “north star” is to help people and animals live more healthy days. We are focused on the interconnectivity between healthy animals, healthy people and a healthy planet.
“Our products decrease the carbon “hoof print” of global animal production, decrease antibiotic usage in animals and humans and ultimately contribute to feeding a world with a growing population.”
Probiota Americas Digital Summit 2020
Justin Green, PhD, Director of Scientific Affairs, EpiCor, Cargill Health Technologies, will participate in the upcoming IPA World Congress + Probiota Americas 2020 Digital Summit, Nov 10-12.
Over the three days, sessions will run for two hours, offering attendees keynote presentations, live panel discussions, presentations from the leading categories leading players, and live Q&A sessions.
The Digital Summit will bring together experts from Seed, UAS/ Chr. Hansen, Lonza, Cargill, North Carolina State University, University College Cork, ADM, KGK Science, Probi, the International Probiotics Association, the Lawson Health Research Institute, and many more.
The event will also feature a range of exclusive on-demand content, including our unique series of interviews with champions of prebiotics, probiotics and the microbiome.
For more information and to register for FREE, please click the image below.
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