PLT Health Solutions Presents The Mindspark Initiative

PLT Health Solutions Chairman, Emeritus Paul Flowerman, presented his “A Breakthrough Mindspark Initiative in Mpumalanga and Lusaka,” during the 2025 Marvelous mEducation Alliance Symposium on October 9th at George Mason University in Arlington, VA. Featuring an implementation of the literacy and numeracy AI-driven educational technology Mindspark, the digital learning initiative has improved outcomes in two African cities over a seventh month period. Scheduled to run for years in both cities, the program is ‘gamified,’ giving students ‘Sparkies’ rewards as they progress, engendering friendly competition even among grade levels and is funded by PLT Health Solutions. The initiative has been impacting over 13,000 learners in Africa since January 2025. Other program performance metrics include:

• Initial learning levels from Grade 4 (1.98) to Grade 7 (3.48) highlight increasing learning gap between grade level to learning level (-2.02) for Grade 4 to (-3.52) for Grade 7
• Learning gains were relatively consistent across grades, averaging 0.89 learning levels per student in just seven months, with Grade 5 showing the highest absolute gain (0.97)
• Proportional improvement was greatest in lower grades, with Grade 4 students achieving the highest relative improvement (42.4% increase over their initial level)
• While absolute learning gains remained fairly consistent across grades, the percentage improvement is higher in lower grades (from 42.4% in Grade 4 to 25% in Grade 7)

“At PLT Health Solutions, our awareness of the need for equitable, sustainable business practices has grown out of a 70-year concern with human health and well-being – delivered via the plant-based and botanical solutions that we bring to market. Sustainable practice comes naturally to us, and we realize it is necessary for our success” shared Devin Stagg, President of PLT Health Solutions. “A cornerstone of our initiative is a multi-year partnership with Ei MINDSPARK, a pioneering digital learning platform that delivers customized literacy and numeracy education to underserved students. This collaboration has made a transformative impact in the very regions where PLT operates. I am excited by the work they are dong and the results they are getting,” he said.

MartinBauer Acquires American Botanicals

MartinBauer has announced the strategic addition of U.S. wildcrafted botanicals company, American Botanical, to its agricultural portfolio. Founded in Missouri, American Botanical has built a reputation for sustainable practices and enduring grower partnerships, including stewardship of 33,000 acres of land in the Appalachian region dedicated to premier wildcrafted botanicals and herbs. With its new partnership, MartinBauer has strengthened its connection to the U.S. agricultural supply and ensured consistency, resilience, and the ability to meet changing customer demands with greater speed and scale.

“Welcoming American Botanicals into the MartinBauer family is about building on complementary strengths,” said Dr. Michael Wagner, CEO of MartinBauer in North America. “By combining American Botanicals’ deep heritage in domestic sourcing with MartinBauer’s global expertise and reach, we are creating a powerful platform that secures supply, accelerates innovation, and delivers the trusted excellence that our customers depend on.”

Research Shows Natural Remedies’ Ashwa.30 Reduces Stress

Clinical Research Australia will be presenting the findings of its latest study on the stress-reducing potential of Natural Remedies Ashwa.30 during this year’s SupplySide Global show in Las Vegas. “Efficacy and tolerability of Ashwa.30 in reducing stress: Findings from a recent third clinical study,” was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial with 60 healthy adults experiencing elevated stress. Participants received either 30 mg of Ashwa.30 daily or a matched placebo for 28 days. The results showed:

• Statistically significant reduction in perceived stress among those taking Ashwa.30
• Ashwa.30 group recorded a mean decrease of 8.54 stress sub score points on the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale and a 43.9% improvement from baseline
• Cortisol response to induced stress differed sharply between groups, rising only 18.93% in the Ashwa.30 group compared to an 86.17% increase in the placebo group
• No significant side effects were reported

“These findings strengthen the scientific foundation behind Ashwa.30’s adaptogenic benefits,” shared Suresh Lakshmikanthan, Ph.D., Chief Business Officer at Natural Remedies. “At just 30 milligrams, Ashwa.30 demonstrates a meaningful impact on both psychological and physiological stress markers, which is noteworthy given that most ashwagandha studies use much higher doses.”

For more on Natural Remedies and the upcoming SuppySide Global event, check out our coverage.

Sabinsa Japan Celebrates 25th Anniversary at HI Hapan

Sabinsa Japan celebrated its 25th anniversary at this years HI Japan trade show from October 15-17 at the Tokyo Big Sight Exhibition Center. The company’s technical and marketing team were in attendance meeting with show guests and discussing Sabina’s flagship ingredient products including:

• Curcumin C3 Complex, obtained from the dried rhizomes of Curcuma longa and standardized for a minimum of 95% Curcuminoids
• BioPerine, a natural bioavailability enhancer, standardized for minimum 95% Piperine
• C3 Reduct, a cascading antioxidant known in Japan as White Curcuminoids that is a colorless, bioactive metabolite of curcumin, standardized for a minimum of 95% Tetrahydrocurcuminoids
• LactoSpore, Heyndrickxia coagulans (Bacillus coagulans) MTCC 5856, the popular clinically validated, GRAS affirmed, shelf-stable probiotic
• Saberry, standardized amla extract (Indian gooseberry) for healthy blood sugar support
• BioLutein, a marigold oleoresin-derived lutein extract to support eye and vision health
• PoZibio, is a patent-protected postbiotic composition of Lipoteichoic Acid, isolated from the cell walls of a heat-treated strain of Lactobacillus paracasei

In addition to trying samples of mango-flavored gummies containing 100mg of Curcumin C3 Complex and an energy carbonated chewable blend containing Shatavari, Mucuna pruriens, and BioPerine, guests were able to sit in on two educational seminars hosted by Sabina: Ayurvedic ingredients & Sabinsa for a successful diet and Liver care realized through Indian tradition and Sabinsa.

In other related company news, Shaheen Majeed, Global CEO and Managing Director of Sami-Sabinsa Group will be a featured speaker at the 86th Annual American Council of Independent Laboratories (ACIL) Meeting taking place in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Manufacturers and testing laboratories representatives will gather for the half-day education session to explore how independent testing supports transparency, quality assurance, and consumer trust in the dietary supplements industry. “The partnership between ingredient manufacturers and independent testing laboratories is fundamental to maintaining the integrity and safety of the dietary supplement industry,” explained Majeed. “As we introduce increasingly sophisticated ingredients and formulations, open communication and collaborative problem-solving with our testing partners becomes essential. I look forward to sharing our experiences and learning from the laboratory community about how we can work together more effectively to meet the evolving demands of quality assurance and regulatory compliance across the supply chain.” 

Majeed will present “Dietary Ingredient and Finished Product Manufacturer Perspectives on Testing Challenges and Independent Laboratory Partnerships” on Tuesday, November 4 at 8:40 a.m. MST at the Hotel Albuquerque at Old Town during the Dietary Supplements Working Group Education Session. The Sabinsa Global CEO will also be participating in a panel discussion at 11:00 am with other invited presenters discussing shared industry challenges and solutions. 

For more on the Annual ACIL Meeting, please visit acil.org/events

Univar Solutions Opens New Food Kitchen

Univar Solutions LLC is opening a new food and beverage development kitchen at the Company’s Solution Center in Essen, Germany. Foodology by Univar Solutions kitchen is a culinary and recipe development lab created to help foster food and beverage innovation. The space will provide technical support, research and development (R&D), product testing, and specialty ingredient expertise across a range of industries. With access to a global distribution network, deep market insights, and strong supplier relationships, the new Foodology center covers than 120 square meters (1,292 square feet) and includes a fully equipped bakery, showroom, workshop area, and dedicated R&D lab space to formulate for bakery, dairy, prepared foods, confectionery, plant-based protein, and meat applications.

“Supporting food and beverage manufacturers of all sizes, our new test kitchen is a space where science, creativity, and industry expertise interconnect,” said Rob Whitney, vice president of marketing and innovation for Univar Solutions. “Led by a team of food and beverage technical experts, we work alongside our customers to develop ingredient solutions that are practical and meet the needs of today’s consumers. Whether your formulation goals are achieving delicious plant-based or clean label food products, developing your next functional beverage, fortifying recipes with fiber or protein, or focusing on sugar or fat reduction, we are pushing the boundaries of food research and development – one project at a time.”

Akay Bioactives Announces Study on Asafin

Asafin, Akay Bioactives proprietary formula of Ferula asafoetida oleo-gum resin complex, has new clinical data supporting its rapid comfort for occasional GI symptoms and its role in modulating the microbiome-gut-brain axis. Published in Medicine, the clinical study was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study with 62 participants over 14 days. Researchers found:

• Noticeable relief after a single dose of 250 mg/day of Asafin in 60% of participants
• Intergroup comparison showed significant symptom reduction in just two weeks, revealing reductions in: Early satiety (81%) / Postprandial fullness (53%) / Bloating (60%) / Belching (33%) / Heartburn (59%)
• Improved digestion reflected in Bristol Stool Form Scale (BSFS) data, shifting from constipated to healthy stool types

The study also took a look at cognitive and sleep health, observing the connection between gut health and brain function. Researchers noted:

• Choice Reaction Time (CRT) tests showed a 44% reduction in reaction time, indicating enhanced attention and focus in the Asafin group.
• Sleep quality significantly improved, with participants experiencing a 45% reduction in Bergen Insomnia Scale (BIS) scores, while the placebo group showed no significant changes

The conclusion of the study confirmed the safety of Asafin with no participants reporting significant adverse effects on liver, kidney, or hematological parameters. “These findings mark a breakthrough in gut health research,” said Dr. Krishnakumar IM, Chief Research Officer at Akay Bioactives. “Asafin not only alleviates digestive discomfort but also enhances cognitive function and improves sleep outcomes via the gut-brain axis, reaffirming our commitment to innovative, science-backed bioactive solutions that offer real-world benefits.”

Activ’Inside New Official Distributor of Reggenerate

Activ’Inside has announced its newest distribution partnership with biotechnology company, Circul’Egg. Under the agreement, Activ’Inside will distribute the brand’s next-gen, sustainable alternative to collagen, Reggenerate, throughout the U.S., Canada, Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, the UK, and Italy. The patented eggshell membrane ingredient serves as an alternative to traditional collagen, derived from upcycled eggshell membranes, it provides a unique combination of bioactive molecules — collagen, hyaluronic acid, and elastin — that synergistically support connective tissue health. Reggenerate provides benefits at only 300 mg, making it an optimal, sustainable, and convenient solution for consumers.

“At Activ’Inside, we are committed to bringing the most innovative ingredients to the nutraceutical market,” shared Vincent Bellette, Deputy CEO, Activ’Inside. “Our collaboration with Circul’Egg perfectly aligns with our mission to deliver solutions that combine performance, efficacy, and sustainability.” To bring awareness to the new collaboration, Activ’Inside will be hosting an exclusive webinar alongside Circu’Egg CEO, Yacine Kabeche, offering a closer look into the science, innovation, and market potential behind the product. 

Learn more on the partnership and the upcoming education session here.

Herbs, Etc. Introduces Refreshed Brand Identity

Herbal wellness brand, Herbs, Etc., is heading into the future with a brand new identity—one that honors its 50+ years of herbal heritage and the ancestral traditions that inspired the company’s creation. Established in 1969, in Santa Fe, New Mexico by herbalist Michael Moore, Herbs, Etc. has created a legacy of herbalist-crafted formulas with a commitment to sourcing fresh, whole plants from organic family farms and wild harvesters, and crafting herbal medicines that honor both tradition and modern science. “Herbs, Etc. has always been about creating herbal medicines that people can trust,” said Dan Coyle, President. “Our refreshed brand reflects not only our roots in Santa Fe and Michael Moore’s pioneering vision, but also the exciting path forward as we expand into new markets and reach more people.”

Customers across the country will begin seeing the brand’s new updated packaging on the company’s most popular SKU’s including: Deep Sleep natural sleep aid, ChlorOxygen chlorophyll supplement, and Allergy ReLeaf, Stress ReLeaf, and Rocky Mountain Throat Syrup. The new packaging will feature designs highlighting the plants at the heart of each formula. 

For more on the new rollout please visit herbsetc.com

Fresh Vintage Farms Announces New Product & Breast Cancer Awareness Event

California-based family company, Fresh Vintage Farms, is introducing customers to its latest product, Almond Oil Mayo. Featuring cold-pressed almond oil, the mayonnaise product is a clean, heart healthy alternative to traditional spreads. Made in small batches using 100% California-grown almonds, Almond Oil Mayo is non-GMO and free from artificial preservatives. 

Fans will have an opportunity to discover the latest offering from Fresh Vintage Farms during the company’s Breast Cancer Awareness fundraiser taking place on October 18. Open to retailers, local families, and members of the media, the company will be treating guests to recipes made with Almond Oil Mayo, including sliders, mini grilled cheese, and fries with dip, highlighting the product’s role as a healthier option and a community-driven innovation. All proceeds from the festivities will go directly to Pink Ribbon Good (PRG), a nonprofit organization providing free healthy meals, transportation to treatment, housecleaning essentials, and peer support to individuals and families navigating breast and gynecological cancers.

For more on Almond Oil Mayo and its availability across select retailers in California and Nevada please visit freshvintagefarms.com

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