NutraIngredients-USA awards highlight success of past winners

The 2023 award winners were no exception, as six companies stood out in the ingredients category for their commitment to excellence. These included:

• ZeroPollution, Monteloeder​ (Beauty from Within)
• Cognati for natural brain performance, FutureCeuticals ​(Cognitive Function)
• AlvioLife, PLT Health Solutions ​(Healthy Aging)
• IMMUSE, Lactococcus lactis​ strain Plasma, Kyowa Hakko USA (Microbiome Modulation)
• Everpro, Evergrain by AB InBev ​(Sports Nutrition)
• MOROSIL, Sicilian blood orange, Moro Variety, Bionap USA ​(Weight Management)

“The task for our judges gets more challenging every year because the standard of the entries is always improving,” said Stephen Daniells, editor-in-chief of NutraIngredients-USA. “Our judges were looking for that unique combination of scientific substantiation, commercial success and game-changing positioning.”

Innovative and complementary solutions​

For ingredients supplier and award-winner Monteloeder, the recognition outlined the company’s innovative and complementary solutions involving collagens, hyaluronic acids, biotins and vitamin C.

“This acknowledgment underscores the value placed on pioneering solutions in the beauty and wellness industry,” said Mariana Ortego Rufino, product manager of the nutra division at Suanfarma, Monteloeder’s parent company. “The achievement of ZeroPollution receiving the Ingredient of the Year award for beauty from within in the U.S. is a remarkable milestone. This accomplishment strengthens our presence in the U.S.— the leading market for nutricosmetic solutions—and serves as a foundation for expanding our success globally."

The judges said the beauty-from-within category was one of the most competitive they have seen. Monteloeder’s ZeroPollution stood out because if offers both an anti-pollution and anti-aging claims.

“[It’s] backed by good science as well as several commercial applications, which is strong evidence this ingredient is an attractive active for manufacturers and consumers alike,” one judge stated.

Monteloeder has conducted a second clinical study with its ingredients, expanding the research on its benefits, Rufino said. She added the company is still evaluating the results but that they are “very promising in terms of skin health but also [have] potential extension to other areas such as scalp and hair health.”

Backed by good science​

Kyowa Hakko, part of the Kirin group, took home the award in the microbiome modulation category for its Immuse Lactococcus lactis​ postbiotic strain, which the judges said stood out because the ingredient is "backed by good science", including a clinical trial that involved school children.

"The company is focused on research, developing innovative new products and quality management," said Maria Stanieich, marketing manager at Kyowa Hakko USA. "Immuse is backed by 30+ published studies and more than 10 years of research."

Due to its stable nature, long shelf life and flexible formulation, Immuse can be used in a variety of applications, from powders and capsules to functional beverages.

"We are excited to have seen new applications launch since receiving the award last year, including immunity shots and hydration stick packs," Stanieich added. "There have also been new products featuring Immuse paired with other Kyowa Hakko ingredients to create unique formulations that offer multiple health benefits year-round. We’re looking forward to more product launches that will continue disrupting the immune health market with Immuse."

The closing date for this year’s NutraIngredients-USA awards entry submission​ is Friday, March 29, 2024, at 11:55pm CT.