British campaign takes astaxanthin to the people
Food supplement brands like Higher Nature and Ingenious Beauty are part of the print and online campaign that will run for the rest of the year to “educate readers about the science behind astaxanthin.”
A nutritionist, Suzie Sawyer, has been engaged “for a series of media events and briefings.”
An AstaReal spokesperson told us other UK brands were expected to come onboard soon for the campaign that will also highlight differences in quality in the astaxanthin supply.
A similar campaign has been underway in Sweden for some time for AstaReal’s own-label Astaxin consumer brand but this UK effort will be the “first campaign that will link manufacturers and promote the ingredient itself.”
“We are seeing a growing trend for ‘beauty from within’,” the spokesperson said, adding, “Brexit means nothing.”
Science for & against
Science has linked the typically algae-sourced carotenoid to skin health, anti-ageing, muscle performance, cardiovascular health, cognitive function, vision and immunity but that 400-paper body of science has to date failed to impress the health claims panel at the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). Under the strict EU nutrition and health claims regulation (NHCR) 15 astaxanthin applications have been rejected by EFSA scientists.
AstaReal harvests its astaxanthin from the microalgae Haematococcus pluviailis at closed photobioreactor sites in Sweden and the US.
The firm said it is no longer a member of the recently formed Natural Algae Astaxanthin Association (NAXA) "over concerns about the association’s ability to affirm the quality of its membership’s astaxanthin ingredients."
At the time, Joe Kuncewitch, national sales manager for AstaReal, said “NAXA membership may give the false impression that all members are offering astaxanthin of equivalent quality. However, NAXA only confirms that member companies are producing astaxanthin from algae. They don’t perform extensive quality testing.”
