Ashwagandha, huperzia targeted under proposed Dutch supplement rules
The Netherlands has proposed new regulations restricting certain plants and substances in herbal preparations and food supplements, including bans, usage limits, and mandatory warning labels for specific ingredients due to potential health risks.
The proposed rules would ban Huperzia serrata, huperzine A and ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) on the grounds of potential health risks, limit black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa) to 40 mg per day and require warning labels for products containing garlic, green tea, black cohosh, turmeric, ginkgo, St. John’s wort, Mucuna pruriens, American ginseng, red sage, milk thistle and valerian.
“If adopted in its current form, products containing substances, plants or fungi included in the prohibited lists would need to be reformulated against the new Dutch requirements,” said Gaëlle Donaghy, head of consulting regulatory department at FoodChain ID. “Depending on the final text and the applicable transition arrangements, reformulation or other market measures might be necessary.”
The proposal remains under consultation and subject to change, and products from other EU countries could still access the Dutch market under the EU’s mutual recognition principle, subject to health protection exceptions.
Why it matters: This represents another example of fragmented botanical regulation across Europe, creating compliance complexity for multinational brands. The industry should expect increased scrutiny of safety of traditional herbal ingredients.
Thousands of UK supplement ads at risk of non-compliance
Ads for wellness products and supplements often breach advertising regulations, according to a new, large-scale analysis by the UK’s Advertising Standards Agency (ASA).
ASA’s Pulse study took a wide look at how health claims appear across a large set of paid-for online ads in the UK. After analyzing 309,000 relevant ads, the agency identified seven topics of greatest regulatory concern. The categories with the highest risk of non-compliance were mushroom supplements, research peptides and baby colic and reflux products.
More than 86% of ads reviewed in every category were rated as medium or high compliance risk, indicating widespread breaches of the rules, said Jessica Tye, the agency’s regulatory projects manager, during a virtual event hosted by ASA.
The agency is now calling for the implementation of several measures to make social media safer for consumers. This includes a crackdown on industry advertising malpractice, sharing of best practice among regulators and more robust policies for social media platforms.
“Health and well-being advertising is one of the most dynamic and exciting parts of the advertising landscape,” Tye said. “Most advertisers want to do the right thing, and most people simply want information they can trust. Our job is to help make sure that those two things meet, especially when an ad is reaching someone at a vulnerable moment.
Why it matters: The news shows that regulatory oversight is increasingly shifting from reactive enforcement to AI-enabled surveillance of digital advertising, and that marketing and legal teams will likely need tighter review processes, especially for influencer content, testimonials and social media advertising.
XXL Nutrition and Those Vegan Cowboys join €1.2M project to deliver cow-free casein
The Belgian precision fermentation innovators at Those Vegan Cowboys will work with global dairy supplier Interfood, HAS University of Applied Sciences green academy and sports nutrition brand XXL Nutrition to develop the next generation of functional nutrition powered by animal-free casein.
Funded by an innovation grant of €1.2 million from the EU’s OPZuid program, the firms aim to produce nutritious, tasty, affordable and sustainable alternatives at a time of growing demand from consumers, brands and retailers alike.
“With our stainless steel cow ‘Margaret’, we’re showing that casein can be made without animals. The next step is translating that protein into products people actually want to use,” said Hille van der Kaa, CEO of Those Vegan Cowboys.
Why it matters: This represents another signal that alternative proteins are moving beyond sustainability narratives into performance nutrition, and creates a potential opportunity to challenge traditional dairy-derived protein suppliers if costs become competitive and regulatory approvals expand.
Natures Crops Int’l founder calls for expanding the tent for omega-3s
Andrew Hebard, founder and CEO of Natures Crops, argues that the omega-3 industry must move beyond its traditional reliance on fish oil and embrace plant-based sources, food and beverage applications, and supply chain resilience to close the nutrition gap.
Speaking with NutraIngredients following the Regenerate Symposium in Halifax, Hebard highlighted the challenges of integrating fish oil into mainstream food products due to sensory and stability concerns and emphasizes the need for innovation, particularly in the food and beverage sector.
He observed a shift in industry demands toward traceability, sustainability, and supply chain resilience, and warns that focusing solely on preserving the current market could hinder progress. He calls for a broader, more inclusive approach to omega-3 nutrition, involving new players and greater collaboration across the industry.
Why it matters: The omega-3 market is entering a new competitive phase where with plant-based omega-3 suppliers expanding their category penetration rather than simply compete against fish oil.
HTBA acquires Specnova
Barcelona-based HTBA (HealthTech Bio Actives), a manufacturer of citrus flavonoids and vitamin B12, has acquired U.S. biotechnology company Specnova, known for technologies that enhance bioavailability and efficacy of health ingredients.
Both companies will continue to operate independently, with plans to eventually combine their expertise to expand and innovate their ingredient portfolios.
“Our customers won’t feel any difference in the short term, as both companies will continue to operate independently, so they can expect business to continue as usual,” said Alexandre Valls-Coma, CEO of HTBA. “In the longer term, the Specnova and HTBA teams will work together to look at how we can enhance and develop our science-backed ingredient portfolios, giving both our customers and other key players in the health and nutrition industry more choice, paving the way for cutting-edge market innovation.”
Specnova’s notable technologies include Lipovantage, a liposomal delivery system, and NovaQSpheres, a controlled-release creatine beadlet, alongside branded ingredients such as NooGandha and NordicCherry. The acquisition is expected to offer customers expanded choices and accelerate innovation in the health and nutrition sector.
Why it matters: This news highlights the growing emphasis on delivery systems rather than ingredients alone. Also, along with Thorne-P&G and Lallemand-BIOCAT deals, this shows the focus and interest on premium assets.
