DSM wins Most Innovative Health Ingredient Award

DSM Nutritional Products triumphed at this year's HiE Excellence Awards with Fruitflow® - the first natural, scientifically substantiated solution for the promotion of healthy blood flow.  As well as winning the Most Innovative Health Ingredient Award, DSM also won an Excellence Award in the category of Heart Health.

"We are absolutely delighted that the uniqueness of Fruitflow® has been recognised by the industry with this prestigious award," said Will Black, VP of new nutritional ingredients at DSM Nutritional Products.  To date Fruitflow® is the only ingredient with an approved health claim from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) under Article 13.5, opening the way for it to be marketed with the claim: "Helps maintain normal platelet aggregation, which contributes to healthy blood flow", a claim some believe will save lives.

Commenting on DSM's entry, Henry Dixon chair of an international panel of judges said, "DSM's entry shows the world what this industry is capable of and the importance of the job we are doing.  Not only did their entry for Fruitflow® show in-depth consumer insight, ground-breaking science and clear positioning, but also the opportunity for manufacturers to address the issue of heart health, a significant and real global health issue."

In a new format to the awards, companies were invited to compete in five separate categories, with one award being made in each category and one overall winner.  The categories were: Heart health; digestive health; nutrition for the young and old; sports performance and weight management.  Danisco won the award in the digestive health category for Grinsted® Fibreline, its healthier bread technology.  In their award statement, the judges have high praise for the ingredient system, which they stated "brings the benefits of fibre to a broader audience, enabling bakers to create products with real processing and health benefits."  Innophos succeeded in the nutrition for young and old category with VersaCal Clear; and Chr. Hansen's L. Fermentum PCC won in the category of sports performance, finally bringing the benefits of probiotics to the sports industry, supporting the immune health of athletes.  No award was made in the category of weight management as the judges, while praising the potential of the entries, felt that none of entrants met their strict criteria.  

Teaming up with the Union for Ethical Bio Trade for the first time, this year saw the launch of the Biodiversity Awards.  The Biodiversity Leadership award went to Coop Switzerland, with Lotus Foods and Marks & Spencer being given honourable mentions.  Unilever's allanblackia project won the Biodiversity Innovation award, with a honourable mention being given to Ecoflora.

The IUFost Award for Young Scientist of the Year was given to Peng Zhou, with the IUFost Lifetime Achievement Award going to Professor Ralph Blanchfield, MBE, Consultant in Food Science, Food Technology and Food Law.

UBM Portfolio Director Greg Cherry said, commenting on this year's Hi Excellence Awards, "The level of innovation shown at this year's Awards highlights the fact that despite the economic downturn and the environment created by increased European Health Claims Legislation, innovation is still alive and ongoing."