Botanicals

FDA slams Delta-8 THC sellers over claims

04-May-2022 By Hank Schultz

FDA came down hard on purveyors of Delta-8 THC and CBD products that were making disease claims on the substances. The Agency also reiterated the reasons it believes Delta-8 is not a suitable ingredient for products marketed as supplements.

Mars partners with AI firm on ingredient discovery project

03-May-2022 By Hank Schultz

Food giant Mars Inc. has teamed with an artificial intelligence firm PIPA to speed the discovery of new plant-based ingredients for the human and animal food and dietary supplement markets.

Olive plus pomegranate extracts may improve blood lipids levels: RCT

02-May-2022 By Stephen Daniells

Supplementation with a combination of hydroxytyrosol from olives and punicalagin from pomegranates may reduce LDL-cholesterol levels in adults, says a new study.

NutraCast: MycoTechnology on creating novel ingredients with mushrooms

29-Apr-2022 By Danielle Masterson

MycoTechnology has partnered with brands to deliver foods, beverages, and supplements by harnessing the metabolic engine of mushrooms to create novel ingredients. The Colorado-based functional ingredients platform leverages a proprietary mushroom fermentation...

Unilever study explores blood sugar benefits of low dose mulberry extract

29-Apr-2022 By Stephen Daniells

The potential benefits of mulberry fruit extracts to reduce blood sugar and insulin increases after a meal may be achievable at a lower dose than previously reported, says a new study from Unilever R&D.

News in brief

FDA has no objections for GRAS status of BeniCaros carrot-derived immune ingredient

27-Apr-2022 By Stephen Daniells

Netherlands-based NutriLeads has received a letter of no objection from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regarding the Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) status of its upcycled immune health ingredient, BeniCaros.

Supplier says new science will help rebuild bilberry market suffering from adulteration, misinformation

26-Apr-2022 By Hank Schultz

Adulteration issues and less science backing than other botanicals has depressed bilberry sales, according to branded ingredient firm Maypro. But the company points to a new indication for pain that could help reinvigorate the market.

More brands hopping on the bidirectional beauty bandwagon

25-Apr-2022 By Danielle Masterson

An increasing number of brands are hitting anti-aging from all angles by introducing skincare systems that include ingestibles and topicals.

Blueberries show cognitive benefits in study

25-Apr-2022 By Hank Schultz

A new study has suggested that whole blueberry powder provided cognitive benefits in older individuals with insulin resistance and a heightened risk of future dementia.

NutraCast: Evo Hemp joins 40-Acre Co-Op to level farming opportunity

22-Apr-2022 By Danielle Masterson

When you picture a farmer, who comes to mind?

Kerry’s new liquid BC30 to expand into plant-based milks and more

21-Apr-2022 By Stephen Daniells

With an ever-expanding portfolio, Kerry Taste & Nutrition is looking to expand its ingredients into new formats, with its new liquid BC30 probiotic giving opportunities in plant-based milks and liquid milk.

Layn aims to drive innovation in wellness with new ingredient library

19-Apr-2022 By Danielle Masterson

The natural botanical extract ingredients and solutions manufacturer recently debuted the free tool to provide easy access to deeper insights into its natural ingredients.

Guayusa extract shows trend toward better results in trial using Fortnite video game

19-Apr-2022 By Hank Schultz

A branded guayusa extract showed a trend toward better gameplay on the Fortnite video game in a controlled trial. But the study pointed to the difficulty in translating a product’s demonstrated biochemical effects into results in the complex format of...

Herbal blend may help manage menopause symptoms: RCT

18-Apr-2022 By Stephen Daniells

A combination of four different herbal extracts may significantly reduce hot flashes and sweating, improve sleep, and boost mood in post-menopausal women, says a new study.

Nature Made launches Wellblends range for immunity, sleep & stress

14-Apr-2022 By Stephen Daniells

The new curated line of Wellblends products includes 13 scientifically developed blends of ingredients to support immune health, sleep, and stress management.

Wegmans announces “Verified with Confidence” program for supplements

13-Apr-2022 By Stephen Daniells

NSF will administer the new program announced by grocery chain Wegmans, which will cover all supplements, herbals, probiotics, and CBD products sold at its 106 stores.

Nektium expands botanical ingredient portfolio

12-Apr-2022 By Kavitha Sivasubramaniam

Spain-based botanical ingredients business Nektium has broadened its portfolio to enter the food and beverage market, enabling its products to be used in a variety of applications in addition to supplements.

Loughborough University and Bio-Gen agree beetroot extract-based pact

11-Apr-2022 By Will Chu

The UK’s Loughborough University has finalised a collaboration with Bio-gen Extracts to study the firm’s beetroot extract and its role in exercise performance and cardiovascular health.

Almost 80% of endurance athletes use supplements: Survey

08-Apr-2022 By Stephen Daniells

Dietary supplement use is very high among endurance athletes, with older athletes using the products, says a new study that suggests opportunity to develop age-specific products for this population.

MartinBauer spreads supply chain risk with advent of US-cultivated echinacea

07-Apr-2022 By Hank Schultz

MartinBauer has moved some of its echinacea cultivation to the Pacific Northwest, building on its acquisition of mint producer Core Botanica in 2020.

Dr. Low Dog: Mainstream healthcare providers increasingly confused by complex supplement formulas

06-Apr-2022 By Hank Schultz

The success of the supplement industry carries a poison pill within it. A prominent physician told attendees at a recent botanical science conference that the vast number of products and ingredients on the market swamps the ability of mainstream health...

2022 NutraIngredients-USA Awards: Last call for entries!

06-Apr-2022 By Stephen Daniells

The extended deadline to submit entries for the NutraIngredients-USA Awards is fast approaching – submit your entries now for your chance to join our Hall of Fame!

Study: Wild blueberry extract may promote wound healing

05-Apr-2022 By Danielle Masterson

Research shows the phenolic compounds in wild blueberry have the potential to strengthen cell migration, form new blood vessels and to accelerate wound closure.

Science meeting presenters say that to expand essential oils research base, quality issues must be solved

04-Apr-2022 By Hank Schultz

The essential oils marketplace presents monumental quality challenges, attendees at a recent conference were told. But with proper attention, chemical standardization is possible, and a secure supply chain and reliable product specifications will allow...

News in brief

Natural Remedies Receives HealthCanada NPN for Andrographis extract

04-Apr-2022 By Stephen Daniells

Health Canada has issued a product license from Health Canada for AP-Bio (also known as KalmCold in Europe), a standardized extract of Andrographis paniculate.

CV Sciences reports 18% revenue drop for ‘challenging’ 2021

04-Apr-2022 By Stephen Daniells

San Diego-based CV Sciences, one of the bell-weather companies in the hemp and CBD space, has reported a decline in revenues for the past financial year, but new initiatives have positioned the company for long-term growth, says its CEO.

Coriander seed oil may soothe sensitive skin from within

01-Apr-2022 By Stephen Daniells

Supplements containing coriander seed oil may reduce skin sensitivity and reduce itching, suggest new data from a pilot study from France.

March Launch Pad: Mushrooms dominate ingredients lists, sleep remains top focus

31-Mar-2022 By Danielle Masterson

This month's new products prove that two wellness trends we saw in 2021 are still here and leading the lineup.

Purified lemon verbena extract can reduce stress and improve sleep quality

31-Mar-2022 By Nicola Gordon-Seymour

Lemon verbena extract (Lippia citriodora) is clinically proven to reduce anxiety and improve sleep and should be considered an alternative to harsh sedatives, like antidepressants and benzodiazepines, according to the authors of a Spanish study.

X-ray crystallography sheds light on why some people suffer liver injuries from supplements

30-Mar-2022 By Hank Schultz

New research is shedding light on why some dietary supplement users suffer liver injury from some common products while most consumers do not. This latest information was shared at a prominent botanical science conference at the University of Mississippi.

Ethnobotanical survey points to fragility of traditional medicine knowledge

28-Mar-2022 By Hank Schultz

A recent survey sheds light on the trove of ethnobotanical information held as a cultural asset by an indigenous people in a remote part of India. Experts say that such traditional knowledge is in danger of being extirpated as world urbanizes and industrializes...

Climate issues compounding botanical supply chain issues

24-Mar-2022 By Stephen Daniells

While COVID-related supply chain disruption has wreaked havoc on global supply chains, climate issues are worsening the problems for the botanical supply from around the world.

BAPP enters eighth ‘decade’ of published documents with saffron bulletin

24-Mar-2022 By Hank Schultz

The Botanical Adulterants Prevention Program has published its 71st publication, the director of the program said recently at the Expo West trade show recently.

AHPA announces formation of Psychedelic Plants and Fungi Committee

23-Mar-2022 By Stephen Daniells

The American Herbal Products Association’s Board of Trustees has chartered the AHPA Psychedelic Plants and Fungi Committee.

OmniActive’s new curcumin shows 144x bioavailability at low doses vs standard curcumin: Study

23-Mar-2022 By Stephen Daniells

OmniActive Health Technologies’ new Curcuwin Ultra+ ingredient, launched last fall in the US, is effective at boosting curcuminoid levels in the body at a “considerably smaller dose” than standard curcumin.

Tahitian Noni marketer dinged for disease claims and earnings promises

21-Mar-2022 By Hank Schultz

A network marketing watchdog program has recommended that a distributor of noni-based products cease making certain disease treatment and earnings claims.

Stem & Root launches first BeniCaros immunity product in US

21-Mar-2022 By Stephen Daniells

Stem & Root, a brand developed by Bayer, has expanded its product line with a new immunity product formulated with the “breakthrough” upcycled carrot-derived ingredient BeniCaros plus zinc.

AHP working with AYUSH on support for Ayurvedic stress management superstars

17-Mar-2022 By Hank Schultz

The American Herbal Pharmacopoeia is cooperating with the Indian government to develop a series of monographs to better substantiate popular Ayurvedic botanicals, including some important in the stress management sphere.

Mood support supplements sales surge with novel microbiome opportunities

17-Mar-2022 By Stephen Daniells

Sales of mood support supplements have grown by over 75% year-on-year, according to data provided by SPINS.

Rising research pace, secure supply broadens ashwagandha's playing field in stress management

17-Mar-2022 By Hank Schultz

Ashwagandha is cementing its place in the stress management sphere with booming sales and developing science, observers say. It’s one of a trio of adaptogenic herbs that have come to dominate the current marketplace, said an herbal expert.

Warning letter cites ephedra inclusion, 18 years after ban

16-Mar-2022 By Hank Schultz

A recent FDA warning letter includes a citation concerning the inclusion of ephedrine aklaloids, an ingredient that has been theoretically off the market for almost 20 years.

Could ‘vague & draconian’ NY State supplements ban extend beyond weight loss & body building?

16-Mar-2022 By Stephen Daniells

The vague language of a controversial bill in the State of New York that aims to restrict the sale of dietary supplements for weight loss or muscle building could also encompass esports and creatine.

Poll finds many parents don't understand CBD

15-Mar-2022 By Danielle Masterson

Despite the wide availability of CBD in its various forms—oil, topical ointments, tinctures, vaping and edibles— a recent poll shows parents are misinformed on CBD.

Adulterants Bulletin highlights ‘multifaceted fraud’ associated with saffron

15-Mar-2022 By Stephen Daniells

A new bulletin from the ABC-AHP-NCNPR Botanical Adulterants Prevention Program (BAPP) outlines the ongoing adulteration issues for saffron, “one of the most widely adulterated botanical ingredients worldwide”.

Six key supplement trends from Expo West 2022

15-Mar-2022 By Stephen Daniells

We walked and we talked, and we took photos, and here’s our editor’s list of 6 key trends for supplements from Expo West 2022 in Anaheim.

Cara Welch named permanent director of ODSP at FDA

11-Mar-2022 By Stephen Daniells

The US Food and Drug Administration has announced that Dr Cara Welch will be the new permanent director of its Office of Dietary Supplement Programs. The announcement was welcomed by industry trade groups.

Curcumin supplements failing to match label claims, report finds

10-Mar-2022 By Liza Laws

More than 40% of curcumin supplements purchased online and from health food shops in France failed to match label claims, a report has found, shining a spotlight on quality control issues within the industry.

FDA’s final voluntary recall guidance provides easy to follow road map, experts say

04-Mar-2022 By Hank Schultz

The US Food and Drug Administration has finalized a guidance on issuing recalls that first issued in draft form in 2019. The document’s plain language should help ensure compliance, experts contacted by NutraIngredients-USA agree.

Sports studies need to evolve with changing market, expert says

04-Mar-2022 By Hank Schultz

Sports nutrition research is adapting to a changing market with more studies being done on endpoints like recovery and healthy aging, a clinical trials expert said.

Factoring CBD into the athletic equation

03-Mar-2022 By Danielle Masterson

This year’s Sports & Active Nutrition Summit event launched with a focus on CBD in sports nutrition. While CBD/hemp products are still in a federal regulatory gray area, that hasn’t stopped product developers from flooding the market with new offerings....