Paul Magnotto, founder and chief executive officer of Chaska, Minn.-based Dynamic Food Ingredients, and Krisda Monthienvichienchai, chief executive officer of Mitr Phol Group, Bangkok, China, jointly announced that the companies have reached a strategic investment and partnership agreement to expand production of their natural sweeteners: erythritol and xylitol. Currently, erythritol and xylitol account for approximately 4.5 percent of the total polyol (sugar alcohol) market, or 0.0385 percent of the total world sweetener market, the companies say. Magnotto said in a statement: “We are very excited about this partnership and Mitr Phol’s investment. It will allow us to significantly expand our innovative, patented electrochemistry platform to transform common sugars into low-calorie products found in nature, without compromising taste. … It will allow us to bring scientifically validated, better-for-you natural sweeteners to consumers around the world who are looking for ways to eat healthier, capitalizing on the global trend away from artificial sweeteners to natural sweeteners.”

Ganeden, Cleveland, announced that its GanedenBC30 probiotic ingredient has earned Non-GMO Project Verification.

Zurich, Switzerland-based Barry Callebaut, a producer of high-quality chocolate, and Paris-based Prova, a vanilla extract and flavor manufacturer, have announced the launch of IDH, the Sustainable Trade Initiative, which aims to diversify and stabilize vanilla farmers’ revenues through the introduction of cocoa farming in Madagascar. The project will run for the next five years, with results from cocoa production expected after three years, the companies say.

Montclair, Calif.-based Ingredients By Nature and its partner Reseda, Calif.-based Brewster Nutrition unveiled new branding to celebrate their more than 80 years of combined ingredient manufacturing experience and service to the natural foods industry, they say. The initiative includes a new logo and website for both companies, which was developed by BrandHive earlier this year, they add.

Algaia SA, Paris, following its declaration of intent to acquire Minneapolis-based Cargill’s Alginate business, welcomed Israel-based Maabarot Products Ltd., which markets products in the health and nutrition segments, to its shareholding structure. Maabarot will be Algaia’s new strategic investor with the
Cargill Alginate business acquisition, the company says.