New facilities, new clinical studies demonstrate growth for ingredient suppliers

Bunge invests $45M to further distribution of faba bean distribution

Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.-based SweeGen announced that its next-generation Bestevia Rebaudioside M (Reb M) stevia sweetener is in its final phase before the European Union (EU) publishes the approval in a few months. Commercialized in 2017, Bestevia Reb M and SweeGen is fast tracking the commercial scale-up of the non-GMO Bestevia Reb M at its manufacturing facility in Europe. The regulatory step is the last hurdle to satisfying the demand for the stevia sweetener in the EU. In conjunction with the anticipated Reb M approval, Sweegen launched its new Food and Beverage Applications Center in January in London, which will serve as a creative center to explore and discover innovative sugar reduction product development.

DolCas Biotech LLC, Landing, N.J., announced that a clinical research study establishes Curcugen as a post-exercise, anti-inflammatory curcumin formulation being primed for the sports health sector. Published in the December 2020 Proceedings of the Seventeenth International Society of Sports Nutrition (ISSN) Conference and Expo, the double-blind, placebo-controlled study with 24 participants confirmed Curcugen’s positive anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and analgesic capacity on subjects engaging in acute exercise. Following an exercise bout, acute serial supplementation with Curcugen at 500 mg, there was improved knee range-of-motion and thigh pain tolerance when compared directly with placebo. The ingredient also has earned GRAS designation as a safe, functional food ingredient. Curcugen is poised to be featured in a comprehensive portfolio of sports supplements and post-workout bars, shakes and beverages and to be used as an anti-inflammatory agent.

St. Louis-based Bunge Ltd. invested $45.7 million in Australian Plant Proteins (APP). The investment will allow Bunge to distribute APP’s faba bean protein, which is good for high protein nutrition beverages, milk alternatives and creamers, alternative yogurt drinks, smoothies, shakes and coffees. APP, which launched its first commercial processing plant in Horsha, now is the world's most scalable supplier of high-purity plant protein isolates, the company says. The agreement will allow APP to double the output of its plant protein isolates production by March 2022, as well as give Bunge a minority stake in the company and make it the exclusive distributor in the Americas. Bunge also will have the option to license APP proprietary processing technology outside Australia. The companies can help other suppliers meet the demand for highly functional, non-genetically modified plant proteins from manufacturers of plant-based meat, dairy, other food and beverage, and nutritional supplements.

Effective April 19, Lauren von Stackelberg has been named chief equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) officer at Tate & Lyle PLC, London. In this new role, von Stackelberg will lead the development of EDI strategy, policies and programs to create a truly inclusive and diverse culture and workforce, reflecting the communities the company operates in and the customers it serves. She also is a founder of a Micro-Fund in Ghana and is a member of a steering committee of a consortium for pay equity.

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The Non-Alcohol Beverage Market, analysts at Beverage Marketing Corporation detail how established categories ― like carbonated soft drinks, bottled water, fruit beverages ― and emerging beverage segments ― such as plant milks, ready-to-drink coffees and teas ― are navigating these shifts.

This important industry event is a learning and information sharing experience for warehousing, distribution and fleet management professionals who will have the opportunity to continue to share ideas and network with their industry peers in a safe and productive format as we continue to navigate these challenging times.