Baby food brand NurturMe introduced a line of organic meals and snacks designed to support overall digestive health in babies and toddlers in select Target stores. It's also secured a $2 million follow-on investment from Advantage Capital Agribusiness Partners to expand the rollout of its new free-from organic lines with probiotics. Since July of last year, NurturMe has launched 11 new SKUs and reformulated existing lines to remove common allergens. 

Crave Crush LLC, a company dedicated to helping individuals lead healthier lives by eating less sugar, announced via press release a nationwide retail partnership with The Vitamin Shoppe. Crave Crush is a mint lozenge with the main ingredient gymnema, a natural leaf extract that has been a staple of eastern diets for over a thousand years. Gymnema influences the tongue's sweet taste receptors, thereby preventing activation of those receptors by sugar molecules and preventing those receptors from signaling the brain. The product was developed using a patented technology created by Crave Crush LLC in partnership with Dr. Grant Dubois, former director of ingredient and product sciences at the Coca-Cola Company and one of the world's leading experts on sweet taste. Further, product efficacy has been demonstrated in clinical studies completed by Eric Stice, PhD of the Oregon Research Institute.

Gluten-free category leader Pamela’s Products, best known for its top-selling gluten-free baking mixes and ready-to-eat snacks, is launching a line of pastas and pasta meals for its legions of loyal gluten-free fans starting this month. Made with white rice flour and sprouted brown rice flour sourced from trusted farmers growing Non-GMO Verified crops, Pamela’s new USDA-certified organic dried pastas offer plant-based protein derived from peas, bringing consumers 8 grams of protein per two-ounce serving. Rolling out nationwide starting in August, the dried pastas will be offered in four varieties–Penne, Rotini, Elbows and Spaghetti–each with a suggested retail price of $4.29 per 8-ounce box.

Jarrow Formulas announces an all new sustained release delivery method for nicotinamide riboside. Jarrow Formulas Sustain tablets provide 150 mg of total Niagen from a combination of 1/3 quick release and 2/3 sustained release formats to provide 50 mg Niagen for immediate use by the body, and 100 mg Niagen over the following eight-hour period. Nicotinamide riboside is a precursor to nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) and has been shown to boost NAD+ levels, a key component of energy production. NAD+, a metabolite of vitamin B3 (niacin), is essential to mitochondrial function and enables cells to convert both glucose and fatty acids to energy. Jarrow also released vegan versions of vitamin D3 derived from lichen, a plant-like symbiotic organism composed of fungi and algae.

From March through June, Sundown Naturals, a leading vitamin and supplement brand, featuring products that are non-GMO and free of gluten, dairy and artificial flavors, and national non-profit organization Wholesome Wave joined forces for the Sundown Naturals Goodness Tour, a nationwide grassroots truck tour, to help educate consumers on nutritious options to live a balanced and healthy lifestyle. The Goodness Tour traveled more than 12,000 miles over four months, making stops at 50 events including local farmers markets, gluten-free tradeshows, heath expos and minor league baseball games in 29 cities. At each stop, attendees sampled Sundown Naturals gummies, received tips and information on how to make healthy lifestyle choices, and engaged in fun and educational activities for adults and kids. Attendees also learned more about charity partner Wholesome Wave and their commitment to helping low-income Americans by increasing access to affordable fruits and vegetables and healthier food options.

TetraSOD and Easyalgae Plankton-Extract, two new microalgae ingredients, are now available in North America and represent the next wave of microalgae innovation. Specifically developed for the food, nutrition and dermocosmetic industries, these nutrient-dense, antioxidant powerhouse ingredients help manufacturers cater to the increasing consumer demand for functional, sustainable and non-GMO options. Blendtek Ingredients Inc. partnered with Fitoplancton Marino to supply the new ingredients.