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Ingredient specifications: A critical first step to high-quality natural product sourcing

Ingredient specifications: A critical first step to high-quality natural product sourcing

Clarity is crucial in natural ingredients and raw materials for nutrition and supplements. Industry experts warn that clear expectations, accurate documentation, and rigorous verification and analysis are critical to ensure product quality and effective international trade. Nutrition Insight continues its conversation with Nuherbs and Nammex, examining how they ensure the sourcing of high-quality ingredients from China with clear specifications, having “feet on the ground” and verification programs, and how policies like tariffs may affect trade and product quality. 
Fueling our furry friends: Industry experts look at the future of pet nutrition
Fueling our furry friends: Industry experts look at the future of pet nutrition
The pet nutrition industry is growing and companies are innovating to meet consumer demands for supplements and ingredients that can increase their pets’ longevity, overall health, and quality of life. At the same time, consumers increasingly seek natural, sustainable, and plant-based offerings that drive innovation.
The science of longevity: dsm-firmenich talks healthy aging innovations
The science of longevity: dsm-firmenich talks healthy aging innovations
As the global population ages, demand for science-backed supplements and functional ingredients designed to support longevity, mobility, and overall well-being is increasing. Consumers are increasingly prioritizing proactive approaches to aging, seeking solutions that go beyond basic multivitamins to target cognitive health, muscle maintenance, and gut microbiome balance.
Making the Switch from Fiber Drums to Flexible Bags
Making the Switch from Fiber Drums to Flexible Bags
For ingredient manufacturers in search of sustainable, cost-effective packaging, the shift from rigid to flexible packaging offers significant benefits. Learn what industry trends are driving the shift to flexible packaging, factors to consider when moving from fiber drums, alternative packaging options, and what to look for in a packaging partner.This Technical Paper is brought to you by Fres-co System USA, Inc. 
NPEW 2025: Rivalz Snacks achieves low-glycemic status for high-protein, high-fiber snacks 
NPEW 2025: Rivalz Snacks achieves low-glycemic status for high-protein, high-fiber snacks 

Peter Barrick, the CEO of Rivalz Snacks, told us the company’s vegan stuffed snacks, rich in protein and fiber, were recently certified as low glycemic index snacks, meaning that they offer a source of sustained energy without blood sugar spikes and crashes. Rivalz also achieved US Department of Agriculture Smart Snack compliance, an evidence-based nutrition standard for school snacks and beverages. At Natural Products Expo West (NPEW), Rivalz Snacks launched a new flavor of its health-focused snacks, Weekend Tailgate BBQ

Drinking to Wellness
Drinking to Wellness

In this edition you will learn more about:

  • Top 5 Trends in Beverages, Alcohol for a New Generation, Plant-Powered Preservatives, The Graceful Aging Movement, Compostable Packaging
  • Circularity in Drinks Packaging, Beverage Highlights, “Neo-Hedonism” in Future Food, Nutrient Labeling Systems, Protein from the Extruder
  • Natural Colors in Lifestyle Beverages, Citrus Supply Chains, Trends in Soft Drinks, Vitafoods Preview, Sugar & Sports
  • Beverages Redefined, Live Microbes, Seaweed Hydrocolloids, Mental Performance Drinks, Synbiotics & On-the-Go Nutrition
  • View from the Top: Patrick Niels, president taste, texture & health at dsm-firmenich

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Verley unveils precision fermented whey proteins for sustainable next-gen nutrition
A woman putting a scoop of protein into her shaker cup
French biotech company Verley unveils its portfolio of functionalized precision fermentation dairy proteins designed to address the limitations of both traditional and plant-based alternatives. The company says its innovative technology enhances protein stability, digestibility, and processing performance while maintaining a strong emphasis on sustainability.
New research cautions that non-calorie sweetener affects brain appetite regulation
Woman selecting soda in a supermarket
A randomized crossover trial reveals that consuming sucralose, a common non-calorie sweetener, instead of sugar increases activity in the hypothalamus brain region, which regulates appetite and hunger cues. The sweetener also changes how the hypothalamus communicates with other brain parts, such as areas involved in motivation. Researchers at the University of Southern California (USC), US, tested how 75 participants responded after consuming water, a drink with sucralose, or a drink sweetened with regular sugar (sucrose). Compared to a sugar-sweetened beverage, drinking sucralose increased feelings of hunger. 
Global Pet Expo 2025: “Human-grade” whole food innovation and functional treats
Cat and dog eating pet food
Global Pet Expo 2025 convenes pet food and nutrition players, exhibiting a host of new innovations, including functional treats and shelf-stable convenience offerings. Highlighting a surge in consumer demand that saw fresh dog food sales grow 30% in 2024, alongside a market projection of US$3.2 billion growth in the US market by 2029, JustFoodForDogs is capitalizing on this momentum with a new product designed for convenience and accessibility. Founded in 2010, JustFoodForDogs had a fresh take on the whole food movement for pets when it opened the first open-to-the-public kitchen cooking food for dogs. The brand now seeks to “evolve” the fresh dog food category with the introduction of JustFresh, a shelf-stable fresh food in convenient, resealable pouches.
Nammex research clarifies effective chaga analysis techniques for commercial applications
Chaga on a birch tree
Nammex, a US supplier of organic functional mushroom extracts has published its latest study establishing a multi-analytical framework to identify authentic chaga canker and assess its quality of commercial dietary supplement products. Chaga is a fungal product, but not technically a mushroom. Chaga is the common name for the sterile canker that forms on birch trees (Betula spp.) as the tree’s response to infection by a pathogenic fungus, Inonotus obliquus.
Food is Medicine expert urges policymakers to advance nutrition interventions
US Capitol Hill
At the Food is Medicine (FIM) Advocacy Day on Capitol Hill, US, the FIM Institute and stakeholders met with members of Congress to help advance the movement. The institute says there is a public demand for food and nutrition-based interventions, encouraging policymakers and healthcare providers to expand their implementation. Nutrition Insight discusses how the institute envisions expanding FIM policies with Ronit Ridberg, Ph.D., a research assistant professor at the FIM Institute at the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University, US. 
Swedish consumers launch supermarket boycott as food prices soar over 20%, European protests spread
A supermarket.

Food Ingredients First

Thousands of shoppers in Sweden are boycotting the country’s largest supermarkets to protest rising grocery prices, which they attribute to an “oligopoly” of retail giants prioritizing profit. While grocer associations maintain that the continued price increases are driven by external factors, some of which are beyond retailers’ control, state authorities flag competition issues. According to Matpriskollen, a Swedish independent price tracking app, food costs have increased 22% since January 2022.
Highlighted features
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Nutrition & Health News

Exploring African botanicals and medicinal plants for new nutrition solutions

The nutrition industry continuously explores new plants and compounds for various health benefits. Suppliers of African botanicals bring attention to the continent’s wide range of native species, many of which are not well known on international markets.Nutrition Insight meets with Baobab Exports, Blue Sky Botanics, and Baobab des Saveurs to examine their ingredient offerings from the region. 

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Editor's pick

Global nutrition trends 2025

Nutrition is vital in promoting overall well-being, supporting physical health, and enhancing mental and emotional resilience. As consumer preferences evolve, the demand for functional foods, natural ingredients, and affordable nutrition rises. Through Innova’s Insights360 analysis of the latest global nutrition trends, we uncover how generational shifts, financial priorities, and technological advancements shape the food and beverage industry.

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Nutrition & Health News

Vitafoods Europe 2025: Exploring trends and technologies in nutraceuticals innovation

As the nutraceutical industry continues to push the boundaries of science and innovation, Vitafoods Europe is set to once again spotlight groundbreaking advancements with its upcoming Innovation Awards. The awards celebrate pioneering ingredients, cutting-edge formulations, and revolutionary solutions that are shaping the future of functional foods, beverages, and dietary supplements.

Nutrition focus

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Functional ingredientsApr2025

Innova Market Insights data indicates that functional ingredients are on the rise, with 21% of consumers globally seeking them for health benefits like immunity and gut support. Europe leads in functi...

Product innovation

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Eyesight health Mar 2025

Innova Market Insights data indicates a +3% average annual growth in supplements for eye health from 2020 to 2024, with ingredients like sunflower seed oil, zinc bis-glycinate, and alpha-tocopherol gaining popularity for their eye-supporting benefits.

Trend analysis

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Mental health supportMar 2025

Innova Market Insights data indicates 14% year-over-year growth for brain-mood health claims in supplements from October 2022 to September 2024. Of these launches, 30% were botanical/herbal supplements.

Multimedia

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NPEW 2025: Comet Bio CEO talks health benefits of low-dose prebiotic fiber

Comet Bio featured its proprietary line of soluble dietary fibers, Arrabina, based on arabinoxylan, at Natural Products Expo West (NPEW). The company’s CEO, Loula Merkel, told us Arrabina was developed to address the need for a low-dose prebiotic fiber that can be used across a wide range of...

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NPEW 2025: Sirio Pharma introduces digital product development journey 
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NPEW 2025: Nuritas unveils PeptiSleep for AI-powered next-gen sleep support
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NPEW 2025: Euromed unveils persimmon extract for weight management 
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