ESSNA hat-trick: Gelita, TasteTech & Lonza join sports nutrition trade group

Gelita, TasteTech and Lonza are the latest companies to join the European Specialist Sports Nutrition Alliance (ESSNA) in the vigilante trade association’s push to boost membership.

ESSNA chair Dr Adam Carey said the development was significant in its effort to form a “singular front” for the sports nutrition industry.

“Our growth as an association parallels that of the industry and it’s important, now more than ever, that we ensure that as an industry we are meeting EU regulations that are designed to inform and protect consumers, as well as helping to shape these regulations so that they do not adversely affect the sector.”

The newcomers bring ESSNA’s membership up to 53.

Since the start of 2015, ESSNA has gained 13 members and lost three, Protein World, CLF and Weider Publishing.  

For the past few years ESSNA has acted as a self-designated ‘police’ to the industry by monitoring and reporting issues like illegal use of ingredients and health claims under EU food law.

Protein World was thrown out of the trade group last year for its use of unauthorised health claims. 

Members include Arla Foods, Bodybuilding.com, NBTY Europe Ltd and Glanbia.

The newbies

Mark Bethell, UK and Ireland sales manager for Gelita said the membership would help increase its voice in the industry.

“Together with other companies we can show one face and speak with one voice to the public and the authorities to gain the maximal output for the good of the entire sports nutrition industry."

TasteTech sports nutrition product manager Lynne Sinton said its decision illustrated that the sports nutrition industry was a key market for it.

The company specialises in flavouring and microencapsulation and has worked in the past to help mask bitter notes of caffeine and improve vitamin C stability.

Lonza’s global sports nutrition product marketing manager Jeff Della Valle said it had joined because of ESSNA’s “core values of safety, regulations and labeling of sports nutrition products”.