Across the nutra-verse: Top news from around the world

17-Jan-2019 - Last updated on 21-Jan-2019 at 15:50 GMT

It’s a global industry and there’s a lot happening. We know it’s not always easy keeping up with everything that’s happening around the world. The answer? Our weekly round-up of key news from across the globe.

USA

1. Bulletin explores potential adulteration of ashwagandha

Interest in adaptogens like ashwagandha is on the rise, and such interest is having an impact on the supply chain with the potential for accidental or deliberate economic adulteration.

Leading the fight against adulteration in the botanical supply chain is the Botanical Adulterants Prevention Program, which is a collaboration of the American Botanical Council, the American Herbal Pharmacopoeia and the National Center for Natural Products Research at the University of Mississippi.

The new bulletin, which can be read HERE, details the adulteration of ashwagandha root powders and root extracts with the addition of the leaves and stems of the plant. This is distinct from the intentional use of these materials. At least one well established ashwagandha extract on the market uses both sources, and is labeled as such.

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is one of the most popular Ayurvedic herbs in the United States. It was the sixth top-selling dietary supplement in natural retail stores in 2017, with sales totaling roughly $10.6 million, a 25.6% increase from the previous year, according to the HerbalGram 2017 Herb Market Report. Mainstream sales of ashwagandha supplements grew by more than 67% during the same period.

For more on this story, please click HERE.

2. Spoon Guru gets ready for US market expansion

British food tech start-up Spoon Guru is gearing up for a US launch of its well-being, lifestyle and medical diets platform, which it believes can improve the grocery shopping experience of many US shoppers that have dietary restrictions.

The company, which was the winner of the NutraIngredients-USA Award for Personalized Nutrition Initiative in 2018, uses big data and artificial intelligence to help shoppers find packaged food products and dietary supplements that meet their dietary requirements.

In the UK, Spoon Guru has partnered with grocery retail giant Tesco. In the US, its app has been available to shoppers since April 2018, focusing on the allergen-avoiding aspect of grocery shopping.

Speaking with our US edition recently, Markus Stripf, the company’s co-founder and CEO said that Spoon Guru could be used for so much more.

“Even for lifestyle decisions, let’s say you prefer a meat-free diet or you only consume kosher or halal foods, you have the right to know what you put into your body,” he said.

The company is pursuing a partnership strategy in the US similar to its UK partnership with Tesco, but Stripf is remaining tight-lipped about details for the moment.

Europe

3. How to innovate in the saturated sports nutrition market

Standing out from the crowd in the increasingly congested sports nutrition market requires some creative thinking. One innovation expert recommends veganism, brain health and quirky flavors as just a few ways to make your mark.

Speaking with our EU edition this week, Jack Weekes, new product development (NPD) supervisor for sports nutrition brand Bulk Powders, listed veganism, sustainability, probiotics and prebiotics, challenging proprietary blends with greater transparency, snacking, and cognitive health as his big areas of innovation for the sector.

Asia

4. Probiotics and e-commerce are changing China's supplement industry

Probiotics © Getty Images CHIARI_VFX — © Getty Images / CHIARI_VFX

According to a new report from Mintel, two of the most prominent priorities for Chinese consumers when it comes to dietary supplements are probiotics and e-commerce.

“Probiotic supplements are not only good for digestive system, but also can be used to enhance immunity and improve skin conditions. They also blur the boundary between food and health supplements, and the food format is getting more acceptable,” states the Mintel report on 2018's top supplement trends in China.

“Key players such as By-Health and Amway have already taken actions to compete within the probiotic supplement category, which will bring fiercer competition to the health supplement market.

“The vaguer line between food and health supplements also gives food and drink companies (the opportunity) to enter this health supplement market.”

In addition, e-commerce continues to be a major driving force behind China's supplement sector. No single brand or company enjoys over 10% market share, and direct selling firms like Amway and Infinitus reported subdued performance in 2018, while By-Health upped its market share with its e-commerce strategy.

5. TGA detects cancer-causing contaminants in Chinese herbal pills

Australian regulator the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has discovered cancer-causing contaminants in a Chinese herbal cough product, and is advising consumers to be extremely cautious when purchasing supplements online.

As reported by our Asian edition, the TGA issued urgent recalls for Beijing Tong Ren Tang's bronchi-cough pills and Qiguanyan Kesou Tanchuanwan after detecting two prohibited substances — aristolochic acid and amygdalin — in one of the batches and one prohibited substance (amygdalin) in another batch.

In its public notice, the TGA said: “If you or someone you provide care for takes bronchi-cough pills, please be alerted to this issue and discontinue use immediately. The product should not be consumed. If you have any bronchi-cough pills, the remaining product can be returned to the place of purchase for a refund.”