NutriLeads signs Lehvoss to distribute Benicaros prebiotic across EMEA
Benicaros is NutriLeads’ clinically backed precision precision prebiotic made from upcycled carrot pomace, with applications within functional foods, beverages and supplements.
Benicaros’ dual mode of action trains the innate immune system and selectively increases beneficial gut microorganisms and their metabolites that are crucial to maintain a resilient gut and overall health.
Discussing market trends and customer needs, Teresita Rudà, head of brands and marketing at Lehvoss Nutrition said: “We are confident that our customers will find this ingredient very exciting, as Benicaros is a plant-based, innovative solution in the immune-microbiome space with remarkable research showing impressive results in any type of gut ecosystem”.
The news follows Benicaros' achievement of €4.5million Series C funding in January 2024 to accelerate the commercialisation of the ingredient across geographies.
Speaking to NutraIngredients about this milestone at the time, Joana Carneiro, CEO at NutriLeads, explained that the ingredient has a foothold in North America, but the team was keen to build awareness across Europe and Asia
"This is an important milestone for us as it will allow us to expand market penetration as well as increase the science into the health benefits of the ingredient," she said, noting that its scientifically substantiated benefits for gut health and immune health align perfectly with key consumer trends in these regions.
"We still see immune health is a top health priority for consumers, with gut health shortly following, but we also know the ingredient will have additional health benefits so we need to validate these with further scientific research," she added.
The supplier launched five new product applications for the precision prebiotic in March this year for use within foods, beverages and dietary fibers. The expanded product line-up includes varying concentration levels of the active ingredient Rhamnogalacturonan-I (RG-I).
"We are thrilled to announce the debut of our diversified portfolio of BeniCaros, which also enables us to bring some of these product options to the European market," Carneiro said at the time of the launch. "This innovative, science-based precision prebiotic fiber enables manufacturers to deliver multiple health benefits to consumers who want to strengthen their gut and immune health."
"All BeniCaros product formats contain an efficacious serving of RG-I based on our clinical results," she added. "Our powder, liquid and organic product forms and varying RG-I concentration levels offer formulation solutions for virtually any food, beverage or supplement application. In any form, BeniCaros has an attractive formulation profile suitable for most foods, beverages and supplements."
