NIU’s Global Round-up: Holland & Barrett’s management shake-up, new supplement for uric acid levels in Japan, and more

11-Mar-2019 - Last updated on 11-Mar-2019 at 18:07 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 that could impact the US dietary supplements industry. The answer? Our weekly round-up of key news from across the globe.

LATAM

Mexican functional drink startup eyes international expansion

The latest functional drink from DrinkPlus-creator Play Saludable is hoping to drive local interest and secure international expansion.

The new line is called Nikte and is branded around alebrijes – mythical creatures from Mexican folklore. Both DrinkPlus and Nikte use like chamomile, ginseng and yerba mate and vitamins and minerals such as B12, magnesium, and l-choline to target lifestyle issues like hydration, energy and concentration. The products are sweetened with a stevia-monk fruit blend to ensure a zero- or low-calories.

Nikte has zero calories, which is important given Mexico's obesity crisis, Saúl Hernández Orendain, co-founder and director general of Play Saludable told NutraIngredients-LATAM.

“[Nikte] is something that looks Mexican, but modern Mexican, as it's inspired by something so traditional and the main call out is flavor as opposed to functionality. The ingredients do provide functionality but we knew there were other types of consumers who were not looking for that functionality,” he said.

Europe

Holland & Barrett’s management shake-up

Holland & Barrett announced a management shake-up to complement its new strategy to meet expanding customer needs in a digitally dominated future.

CEO Peter Aldis has stepped down after a decade in the role, while Steve Carson, former managing director for UK and Ireland, has been promoted to group MD.

“I am absolutely delighted to have the opportunity to lead this great business as we further develop and deliver our strategic plan,” said Carson. “I am convinced we have the opportunity to create something special in the global market for health and wellness and I am very much looking forward to exciting times ahead.”

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Asia

FANCL launches 1^st of its kind supplement to regulate uric acid levels for Japanese men

Japanese skincare firm FANCL has launched a supplement to reduce uric acid levels in middle-aged men.

Braded “Uric acid support” the supplement is intended to regulate uric acid levels due to the presence of ampelopsin and chitosan.

Ampelopsin is found in vine tea, a tea species native to China, and it inhibits the synthesis and excretion of uric acid in the body. Chitosan is extracted from the shells of crabs and other crustaceans and reportedly suppresses the absorption of purine – a compound that raises purine acid levels, according to the company. Purine is found in high amounts in alcoholic beverages and seafood.

“In Japan, it has been reported that there is an increase in numbers of middle-age men who are concerned with high uric acid level. (The reason for developing the product) is to respond and aid those people in distress to lower their acid level,” a spokesman for the company told NutraIngredients-Asia.