In recent years, we have entered an exciting era in breakthroughs in product development for nutritional supplements, and these innovations aren’t just apparent in the final products. Starting at the idea phase and including every step from marketing strategies, to ingredient development, to scientific testing methods, the nutritional supplements industry is evolving quickly. And the upcoming Natural Products Expo West is a great place to explore all the fascinating changes we can expect in the coming years.

Transparency in Marketing

One important trend is that nutritional/food companies have made sincere efforts recently to place transparency at the foundation of their marketing strategies. There have been industry initiatives to transform this aspect of their business practices, such as the Supplemental Safety and Compliance Initiative, which aims “to provide a harmonized benchmark to recognize various safety standards throughout the entire dietary supplement supply chain.” In addition, agencies like CRN and its Supplement OWL (Online Wellness Library) are advocating for transparency in the industry by creating and maintaining an authoritative database with access to extensive label information on supplemental products.

Delivery Techniques

There has also been a great deal of innovation in delivery techniques and the industry has seen the rise of customization and personalization in dietary supplements. From vegetarian softgels to bilayer and even trilayer manufacturing, there’s much to be interested in when it comes to the next few years of development. There’s also significant evolution in the capsule space, including the capsule within the capsule, which is ideal for combination products with different release profiles or for dual release of a single ingredient.

Science Behind the Wheel

The NHP Research Alliance under the direction of Dr. Steven Newmaster at the University of Guelph, Canada, is interested an extensive Biological Reference Material Library (BRM) that can be accessed by industry partners, and regulators with the goal of setting clear standards and offering affordable DNA-based tools. This innovative approach to testing supplements is being embraced by major suppliers in the US, China, and UK. One area using this model is probiotics, whose roll is moving beyond just digestive health, with evidence that suggests an important role in health issues including heart and brain health, weight management, and immune support, and blood sugar control.

Deerland at Expo West 2019

Innovations in food science, supplements, and other products are no stranger to Natural Products Expo West. The 39th annual Natural Products Expo West is the world’s largest natural, organic and healthy products event. The 2019 event will be held in Anaheim, California, from March 6 though March 8. We hope you’ll visit Deerland Probiotics and Enzymes at booth 4571. Stop by and talk with us about what’s new and exciting in enzymes and probiotics. Meet with our product development experts and let them know what the formulation needs are for you and your brand.

With a team of industry experts working in a state-of-the-art lab, Deerland is positioned to serve customers from the initial stages of product conceptualization, through the design phase, final formulation and contract manufacturing. From concept to commercialization, we add value at every step.

Click here to learn more about the science-driven innovation at Deerland!