The end of the year is the ideal time to reflect, and as such, each member of the NutraIngredients editorial team has picked their favorite articles of the year.
Nikki Hancocks, Editor, NutraIngredients, selected:
Ashwagandha concerns branded pure ‘horse s**t’: On-trend herb thrives despite authority unease
Ashwagandha-gate provided a number of reporting opportunities in 2024. It all began when an official report from the Netherlands advised against use of the ingredient, based on toxicity and hormone interaction concerns. This led to a barrage of criticism from botanical, toxicology and health experts but the report still created a snowball effect, with a number of European Governments revealing they were conducting their own investigations.
Indian academics voiced their scrutiny of the Danish report and a legal expert advised the industry to invest in defence of the ingredient, in the form of sound safety studies.
Mushroom supplier warns of ‘hype cycle’: Time to cultivate consumer education
We’ve witnessed a rapid rise in consumer interest in mushrooms, and a coinciding drop in fondness for CBD. The frustratingly slow Novel Foods regulation process in the UK stagnated the CBD industry and caused many in this realm to look to other nootropic options. Mushrooms became an ideal opportunity for innovation but one mushroom supplier warned that where there is a lot of hype there is often a ‘hype cycle’. He suggested the best way to extend consumer affection for mushrooms is to invest in high quality ingredients and consumer education so shoppers know how to choose supplements that will have a genuine effect.
Olivia Haslam, Section Editor, NutraIngredients, selected:
How does the One Health concept apply to industry?
It was during the 2024 Probiota conference in Milan that I first spoke with symbiologist Nina Vinot about the concept of One Health, a conversation that humbly reaffirmed my perspective. Our discussion and the subsequent interview underscored the transformative potential of the One Health framework within the industry and beyond.
In sum, the real challenge is to think beyond short-term product benefits and embrace a systemic, sustainable approach. As Nina noted, “There will be no human health without soil health, plant health, and animal health, and the sooner we realize that and act on it, the higher the chance everyone wins.”
This conversation resonated deeply with me, not just because of Nina’s passion and care, but because I believe considering the One Health concept is essential for shaping a healthier planet and population while addressing pressing global challenges like biodiversity loss, climate change, and antimicrobial resistance.
The rise of the social campaign
One thing I saw more of this year was the rise of the social campaign, and how this created a platform for raising awareness and encouraging open conversations around conditions that affect millions.
An example was the clear and significant gap in awareness and support for individuals with endometriosis during Endometriosis Awareness Month, particularly concerning their nutritional needs, leading to misinformation and negative impacts on the health of those with the condition. However what has become evident is that there is a real opportunity for the industry to bridge the gap in knowledge and provide essential products that improve quality of life.
I saw crossover with Hair Loss Awareness Month, as increasing recognition has drawn attention to the fact that nearly half of the global population will experience some form of hair loss. But what is significant to me is that growing awareness means that brands are innovating to offer effective solutions that address the underlying causes of hair loss from the inside out.
I believe as these discussions grow, they can challenge existing perceptions, promote better understanding, and in turn improve and diversify nutritional solutions.
Stephen Daniells, Editor-in-Chief, NutraIngredients, selected:
This one is still very fresh in my mind, and I think it was so very important that we covered the passing of Professor Roger Harris, PhD, FISSN, a man whose groundbreaking work on the benefits of creatine and beta-alanine on athletic performance “transformed the way athletes approach their training and recovery”.
The outpouring of respect, admiration, and love for Roger was very moving. The overarching message was that Roger was a great scientist and a beautiful man. I never had the opportunity to meet him, but I wish I had. I hope his long-term friends – some of whom shared tributes with me for this article – felt this was a fitting tribute to a pioneer.
EHPM expresses concerns on recent European HoA report on Food Supplements
For my second article, I have to admit that I didn’t write this – It was authored by Livia Menichetti, Director General of the European Federation of Associations of Health Product Manufacturers (EHPM). I was following up on the report from the Heads of Food Safety Agencies (HoA) in Europe that raised concerns about 13 ingredients in food supplements, including ashwagandha, melatonin, piperine, and curcumin, and I reached out to various industry contacts for comment. Livia sent me such a well-structured, thoughtful, and thought-provoking response that I decided to publish it in its entirety as a guest article, and Livia agreed.
The HoA report, and the concerns specifically around melatonin and ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) have dominated headlines this year, with the report recommending these ingredients be considered for the Article 8 prohibition list. That could have wide-ranging implications for the category, and it is important that industry is fully informed on the situation. Livia’s article is a valuable resource for all stakeholders.