This week: Ganeden develops immune health ingredient | Salt of the Earth targets sodium reduction

Milwaukee-based maker of eco-friendly household cleaning products Rebel Green announced the launch of its carbon neutral, tree-free paper products including toilet paper and paper towels made from bamboo. The bamboo Rebel Green uses is GMO free and is grown without pesticides. To offset the carbon generated by the bamboo product, Rebel Green partnered with The Paradigm Project, a social enterprise focused on combating poverty in East Africa, to fund clean cook stoves for women and families in rural Kenya. 

Snikiddy revamped its line of Baked Fries snacks to include 70 percent organic ingredients. Gluten free and made without artificial colors, high fructose corn syrup and hydrogenated oils, the snacks come in three varieties: Hot & Spicy, Cheddar and Bold Buffalo. The relaunch follows the brand’s recent unveiling of USDA Certified Organic Baked Cheese Puffs, which are available in two flavors: Mac & Cheese and Grilled Cheese.

Beverage brand management and consulting firm Cascadia Managing Brands has entered into a strategic alliance with product development leader MetaBrands. The two companies have been working on each other’s projects and products for several years. Much of MetaBrand’s sales and sales execution work will be handled by Cascadia Managing Brand, while MetaBrand will handle much of Cascadia’s research and development and production management.

Ganeden has used its patented probiotic strain to develop an immune health ingredient called Staimune. Officially identified as "Inactivated Bacillus coagulans GBI-30, 6086," it utilizes the cells of GanedenBC30 to support immune health. It is FDA GRAS, non-GMO, organic compliant and kosher. "We discovered and ultimately patented this novel ingredient which provides the opportunity to share the immune benefits of the probiotic in product formats that do not support the use of the live organism," says President and CEO Michael Bush. In-vitro and human clinical studies on Staimune are currently underway.

Kayco introduced Beetology, a new line of sweet, organic, cold-pressed craft beverages made from beets. Beetology beverages contain no more than five ingredients, are non-GMO, and certified organic and fair trade. Varieties include Beet + Lemon + Ginger, Beet + Veggie, Beet + Tropical Fruit, Beet + Berry, and Beet + Cherry.

Roha Group announced the appointment of Stephane Ducroux as global head of business - ingredients. He brings expertise in acquisitions, integrations, operational leadership, transversal management and business development in the natural specialty ingredients industry at a time when Roha is accelerating its development across the globe with relentless efforts toward innovation and acquisitions. 

Well known for its Farming Systems Trial, the longest-running comparison of organic and conventional grain production in North America, Rodale Institute has launched its produce companion. Known as the Vegetable Systems Trial, the new research project, partially funded by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, is a long-term, side-by-side comparison of biologically based organic and chemically based conventional vegetable production systems. Throughout the month of May, a variety of crops have been planted for the first time in this trial. The goal of this project is to develop economically viable vegetable production systems that improve soil, plant, human and planetary health through the application of regenerative organic management techniques. 

Salt of the Earth collaborated with leading meat companies to meet sodium-reduction regulations in several types of meat products. Development work in collaboration with Israeli meat companies demonstrated that 25 percent to 33 percent reduction in sodium could be achieved across a variety of meat products, including frankfurters, sausages and injected chicken pastrami. In addition, the clean-label ingredient Mediterranean Umami was able to eliminate the use of MSG and/or yeast extracts in meat products while keeping the desired texture. It is a proprietary blend of vegetable concentrates and extracts, plus natural sea salt rich in umami flavor compounds. 

New from Carlson Labs is Vitamin D3 + K2. Each capsule provides 50 mcg (2,000 IU) of vitamin D3 and 90 mcg of vitamin K2 MK-7, which supports the cardiovascular system and bone health.

Peapod's director of customer acquisition, Andrea Chan-Diliberto, has been named one of Brand Innovator's 2017 '40 Under 40' for the Midwest. With more than seven years of experience working in e-commerce, Andrea has success in increasing brand awareness through digital and social media platforms.

Firmenich appointed Amaury Roquette as vice president of sales and marketing, fine fragrance Europe. Amaury most recently held the position of VP sales ingredients at Firmenich, where he played an instrumental role in restoring the Ingredients Business Unit’s leadership.

A 15 year veteran of the dietary supplement, food and OTC manufacturing industries, Adam Schwinghammer, has been appointed president of the Genysis Brand Solutions Group. Prior to joining Genysis, he served as an industry executive for several companies including Dymatize Nutrition and Milk Specialties Global. He has also served in business development for Arizona Nutritional Supplements.