Business briefs – Cargill – Nestlé – Hershey’s – Kemin – #Act4Food #Act4Change

Cargill’s EpiCor granted GRAS status

Cargill has been granted GRAS status for its EpiCor postbiotic for use in certain foods and beverages. Cargill also recently received Non-GMO Project Verification for EpiCor postbiotic.

EpiCor postbiotic is a dried yeast fermentate clinically shown in dietary supplement trials to beneficially modulate the gut microbiota and provide immune system support. EpiCor postbiotic is backed by extensive research in dietary supplements. Fifteen published studies, including eight human clinical trials, support EpiCor® postbiotic’s health benefits related to both digestive and immune support.

“Increasingly, consumers are seeking food and beverages that offer better ways to support their health,” said Chuck Warta, president, Cargill Health Technologies. “Through our work in understanding and influencing the microbiome, Cargill is creating solutions like EpiCor® postbiotic that support digestive and immune health at all stages of life and help both people and pets live more healthy days.”

Nestlé Health Science to acquire Nuun

Nestlé Health Science is acquiring Nuun, a leader in the fast-growing functional hydration category with its high-quality, clean, plant-based products. The acquisition complements Nestlé Health Science’s existing portfolio of active lifestyle nutrition brands with Nuun’s range of clean, low-sugar, effervescent tablets and powders. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

“Every day, health-conscious consumers are becoming more aware of how functional hydration products can add to their overall well-being as well as support them during exercise by replacing the minerals that the body loses. That growing awareness is reflected in the steady growth of the category,” said Greg Behar, CEO of Nestlé Health Science.

Nuun pioneered the separation of electrolyte replacement from carbohydrates. Its low-sugar electrolyte tablet revolutionized the sports beverage market.  It now has a broad range of effervescent tablets and powders containing additional minerals and vitamins for energy, relaxation and overall well-being.

Hershey’s to acquire Lily’s

The Hershey Co. has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Lily’s better-for-you confectionery brand. Lily’s low-sugar portfolio includes dark and milk chocolate style bars, baking chips, peanut butter cups and other confection products that will strengthen Hershey’s U.S. better-for-you portfolio.

Healthy snacking continues to grow faster than mainstream segments across snacking categories such as potato chips, ice cream and cookies. Better-for-you offerings, however, are still underdeveloped in confection, and the Lily’s acquisition will enable Hershey to accelerate this growth and reimagine the future of the candy aisle in partnership with retailers.

Based today in Boulder, Colorado, Lily’s traces its roots to co-founder Cynthia Tice’s decision to raise awareness about better-for-you foods by opening Center Foods, a natural foods store, in Philadelphia in 1978. In 2012, Tice launched four Lily’s chocolate style bars nationally in Whole Foods Market; today the expanded line of bars, baking chips and other confections can be found nationwide at key retailers.

Kemin granted U.S. patent for treatment of human immune function

Kemin Industries has been granted a U.S. patent (US 10,912,794) on the use of beta 1,3 glucan for modulating human immune function and treating intestinal inflammation. This new patent joins a previously issued patent (US 9,574,217) on the production of beta-glucan for immune modulation using algae from a proprietary strain of Euglena gracilis, ATCC PTA-123017.

This second patent for Kemin’s Euglena gracilis is timely, as both U.S. and global surveys indicate consumers recognize the importance of a strong immune system for overall health and wellness, as well as for maintaining an active, healthy lifestyle. Given consumers’ interest in their immune health—and algae-enriched foods, beverages and supplements being one of the fastest growing product categories—the beta-glucan in Kemin’s BetaVia products are ideal for immunity formulations.

Kemin’s BetaVia Complete and BetaVia Pure ingredients are sourced from proprietary Euglena gracilis algae. BetaVia Complete is nutritionally rich, with a composition of greater than 50% beta 1,3 glucan, protein (greater than 15%), fatty acids, vitamins, minerals and carotenoids.  BetaVia Pure is naturally sourced with more than 95% beta 1,3 glucan. BetaVia is made through a patented fermentation process, making both ingredients stand apart from other immune support ingredients on the market.

Global youth-led campaign launched to transform food systems

On May 18, a global youth-led food movement was launched, promising to ignite a campaign action to combat hunger, improve health and heal the planet. The #Act4Food and #Act4Change campaign takes the form of a simple pledge and list of actions. The pledge brings together young people from around the world to focus on personal action and advocacy as a contribution to systemic change. The pledge is facilitated by Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition and Food Foundation.

The pledge urges governments, businesses, UN agencies and youth counterparts to act boldly and promptly. The list of actions is what young people want businesses and governments to do in order to fix the broken food system. The campaign is asking young people to contribute to shaping the food system of the future by voting for their priority Actions 4 Change.