Last October, NGS completed a successful IPO on the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX:NGS), securing AUD$7M. The company has seen its share price soar as high as 75% since its initial listing. After establishing Healthy Height sales in the US, and on the heels of a recent launch in China, the company is now reaching out to other Asia-Pacific markets. The NGS China launch occurred through collaboration with a local state-owned entity, distributing primarily in “mother and baby” stores. The company is now gearing up for expansion into South Korea, Japan, Australia, and the rest of the region.

“In the past three years, Healthy Height established itself in the US as a leading complementary solution supporting growth for kids,” asserts Liron Fendell, CEO of NGS. “NGS is now poised to extend its products’ nutritional benefits to young population in Asia Pacific.”

Healthy Height was developed and tested by pediatricians to give a holistic solution to nourish growing children predominantly in the 3 to 9-years age group, including those children who lack nutrition due to health issues that may impair eating. It also helps support nutrition in picky eaters, a universal problem that causes a lot of stress to families.

Healthy Height is now the company’s premier product. It contains 12g whey protein per serving, with high-quality ingredients, and no corn syrup, or other additives. It is gluten-free, soy-free, no GMO’s and includes 350mg of the vital amino acid arginine per serving. It also is low in sugar and sodium. “Picky-eater approved,” Healthy Height can be mixed into ice cream or pancake batters as well as in shakes or smoothies.

Two top medical professionals in pediatric endocrinology, gastroenterology, and nutrition were behind the research and development of the Healthy Height formulation: Professor Moshe Phillip, Director of the Institute for Endocrinology at the Schneider Children’s Medical Center of Israel, and Professor Raanan Shamir, Director of the Institute of Gastroenterology, Nutrition, and Liver Diseases at Schneider. Professor Shamir also served as the President of the European Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition (ESPGHAN).

“There is no doubt that genetics plays the most significant role in an individual’s height, with studies showing this accounts for up to 80 percent of final height,” informs Fendell. But what about the remaining percentage? Researchers believe that environmental factors fill that gap, with nutrition being the most dominant factor.

“There is a window of opportunity where we can influence the potential height of an individual,” explains Fendell. “Parents are seeking natural solutions to help their kids grow, and Healthy Height certainly fills this gap.” Unlike other nutritional products, Healthy Height is not a meal replacement, as the protein drink takes a more supplemental role, therefore still leaving room for a focus on developing healthier eating habits. A clinical trial for Healthy Height showed that children who included it in their diet for a one-year period added 13.8 to 34% to their annual growth in height. The randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was published in the prestigious Journal of Pediatrics.  

Some of the countries showing the most significant gains from nutritional knowledge are in Asia. According to NPR, women in South Korea gained an average of eight inches in height in the past century — a bigger jump than any other population, globally. In Japan, the average increase has been 6.31 inches. Yet, Americans on the other hand are shrinking. The data are clear: Nutritional value plays a key role in growth.

Healthy Height can be sold through retail channels or medical channels (via health professionals), offering a true recipe for growth.

Source: Healthy Height

Shuangta is the chairman company of the Chinese vermicelli industry association. The traditional hand made vermicelli craft is applied by the company to the first batch non-physical cultural legency.

Shuangta Foods said that the company’s current production capacity of pea protein is 60,000 to 70,000 tons, and the pea deep processing project will be put into operation next year, which can add 15,000 tons of high-end protein production capacity and expand production at a rate of 20% every year.

It is understood that Shuangta Foods will upgrade part of the low-end pea production capacity to high-end pea protein production capacity based on the pea protein market in the future. High-end pea are mainly used in solid protein powder, energy bars, breakfast cereals, baked goods, plant meat and other fields. Low-end pea protein is mainly used in high-end pet food, high-performance fish feed and other fields. Among them, Shuangta Foods listed plant meat as the company’s key development direction.

Speaking of plant meat planning, Shuangta Foods stated that the company has hired a brand marketing planning team to carry out the overall layout of the plant protein meat marketing strategy; two independent teams have been set up to make full use of existing supermarkets, restaurants, e-commerce, etc. Channel resource management and operation of plant meat business. Two investor survey announcements issued by Shuangta Foods show that the demand for pea protein from downstream customers such as plant meat will increase significantly.

It is understood that in the first half of this year, Shuangta Foods takes diversified development as the core, by extending the industrial chain, vigorously upgrading the industry and product levels, vigorously promoting the development of circular economy, low-carbon economy and green economy, and strive to create high-tech, High value-added, high-efficiency enterprise.

Source: Yantai Shuangta Foods Co., Ltd.

Yelich, 2018 National League Most Valuable Player and outfielder for the Milwaukee Brewers, became a fan and chose to partner with RECOVER 180° because of its professional-grade hydration and real-time recovery benefits both on and off the field. The scientifically formulated isotonic hydration blend helps to rapidly rehydrate the body at an optimal level, elevating athletic performance by combating dehydration and exhaustion. RECOVER 180° is NSF Certified for Sport® and combines essential vitamins such as C, B3, B5, B6, and B12 with plant-based extracts including milk thistle, aloe vera, ashwagandha, and ginseng to boost immunity and restore the body’s natural processes. RECOVER 180° allows Yelich to stay fueled and energized as he steps into his many roles as a professional athlete, philanthropist and more.

“I am always looking for new ways to be at the top of my game,” says Christian Yelich. “The first time I tried RECOVƎR 180° I immediately saw results. It’s absolutely the next big thing for anyone looking to perform and feel their best. I bring RECOVER 180° along with me for everything I am involved in, so it was a natural fit to have them participate as a sponsor of California Strong, an organization that means so much to me and my community.”

“Christian is an exceptional athlete who we’re thrilled to support both on and off the field,” says John Stout Jr., VP Business Development. “In addition to fueling our partners while they’re competing, we are always seeking opportunities to contribute to causes that are important to them and their communities, and knew we had to be by Christian’s side at such an amazing event as California Strong.”

Source: Recover 180

Garden of Life®, the leader in Certified USDA Organic and Non-GMO Project Verified vitamins and supplements, launches a line of four convenient, ready-to-drink protein drinks. Perfect for on-the-go lifestyles, the new line includes both grass-fed dairy and plant-based protein drinks. All deliver great taste, high protein and 0 grams of sugar, and can be used to build and repair muscles, nourish the body and feed the metabolism.

“Today’s health-minded consumers are looking for a quick source of clean protein — but they also want products made with ingredients they can trust,” said Garden of Life President Brian Ray. “We have a passion for helping people achieve extraordinary health, and we’re proud to offer products that are made with traceable ingredients and offer the assurance of respected third-party certifications, including Certified USDA Organic, Non-GMO Project Verified and NSF Certified for Sport.”

Easy and convenient to use, Garden of Life’s new protein drinks are ideal for those who want to jump-start their day, enjoy a satisfying snack or replenish themselves after workouts. The following products are available at retailers across the country:

• Garden of Life Organic Protein Plant-based Drinks provides 21 grams of complete protein, 0 grams of sugar, 1 gram net carbs, 5 grams of MCTs, and contain no dairy, soy or gluten. Available in Chocolate and Vanilla, both flavors are Certified USDA Organic, Non-GMO Project Verified and NSF Certified for Sport.
• Garden of Life Sport Dairy Grass-fed Protein Drinks provides 26 grams of protein, 0 grams of sugar, and no synthetic hormones, antibiotics, soy or gluten. Chocolate has 140 calories and 2 grams of net carbs. Vanilla has 120 calories and 1 grams of net carbs. Both are Non-GMO Project Verified and NSF Certified for Sport.

Source: Garden Of Life

They’ve combined fresh mountain water from Romsdal, Norway with hydrolyzed collagen protein peptides and intriguing and exotic flavors to create a protein drink that stands out from the crowd. With four stand-out varieties available, there’s something for every taste. We found the ready-to-drink format and minimalist, streamlined design of the plastic screw-top bottles made them perfect to throw in a gym bag or for some “belly-filler” to bring to the office to get you through that mid-day slump. Certainly easier than trying to mix and shake a messy protein powder! The simple labels in calming pastels are extremely attractive and give an overall feel of refreshment and “wellness” to the product!

Raspberry

The raspberry flavor of Kilde is packed with berry flavor. Your nose immediately picks up on the fruity fragrance when you open the bottle, and it was so strong that it even seems a bit “unnatural” to us. The flavor felt like much of the same. A good, strong raspberry flavor, with a slightly unpleasant after-taste. Fans of super-sweet flavors may go for this one, and we DID feel full after just a few sips of this flavor, perhaps because of the intensity.

Elderflower

This is the most exotic and intriguing flavor of the bunch, and will likely be attractive to those looking for something a little different to try in the sports-drink realm. The Elderflower flavor is light and refreshing, and reminded us more of a tea than a typical sports drink! This recipe has a subtle, light floral flavor and aroma that we preferred to some of the more heavy-handed flavors in the bunch. This flavor also gets points for its originality among typical protein flavors!

Ginger and Lemon

This flavor has some real get-up-and-go. The smell and taste of the ginger comes through most strongly, with just a hint of tart lemon to finish it off! We love that ginger and lemon is a classic, bright flavor combination that has been introduced in an innovative new format by Kilde protein water! Similar to the Elderflower flavor, those who are more interested in light “tea-like” flavors rather than heavy, sugary protein or sports drinks will really enjoy this water. This was our favorite flavor of the bunch!

Coconut and Lime

We were excited to try this juicy, tropical flavor, but it had some of the same strong synthetic flavors and aromas of the raspberry flavor. There’s a definite punch of coconut, with a hint of zest from the lime, but overall it came off a bit sickeningly sweet. This was another flavor that made us feel we’d had enough after just a few sips because of the intense flavor and rich texture of the drink. That may be a positive point for some, but we wish this flavor was just a little lighter. The coconut lime flavor was our least favorite of the bunch but might be a home-run for people who love a very sweet coconut flavor!

For more information visit Kilde’s website.

To make the drink, which comes in a simple, disposable cardboard cup, you just peel back the aluminum seal to reveal the drink powder. Add hot water, stir with the included stirrer, and enjoy! We love the vegan formula, but we wish the packaging was more sustainable! The lids appear to be recyclable, but the disposable cups may not be. The Fit4Style Protein Cup comes in 3 flavors: Salted Caramel, Coffee, and Vanilla. We tried the vanilla flavor for review.

The vanilla-flavored Protein Cup has a sweet, albeit a bit powdery, flavor! We enjoyed the drink, and it definitely left us feeling full for longer than an ordinary hot drink! The ratio of powder included in the cup is good, and creates a drink that isn’t too watered down, so it remains flavorful!

For more information visit Fit4Style Protein Cup website.

“Consumers have embraced inner-ēco since its inception because our products are so effective and high quality,” said co-founder and CEO Barb Vogel. “We are excited to share our refreshed look, which mimics inner-ēco’s mantra: a serious probiotic with a bubbly personality!”

inner-ēco’s refreshed look hopes to inspire customers, both new and loyal, to support their mission of helping people trapped in situations of injustice and despair. Proceeds from inner-ēco products go toward freeing enslaved people across the globe. Over the past decade, inner-ēco’s charitable efforts have freed at least six slaves a month. That’s more than 720 lives.

The probiotics found in inner-ēco are alive and prospering in fresh coconut water. The young green coconuts for each batch are hand cracked on site at the headquarters in Denver, CO. In addition to containing beneficial kefir cultures, inner-ēco tastes great and comes in three flavors: Original Unsweetened, Blueberry/Blackberry, and Mango/Pineapple. Probiotic Smoothie packs are available in Mango & Coconut, and Strawberry, Banana, & Coconut. There’s also the original, super versatile 100% Young Green Coconut Frozen Smoothie Pack that can be used in sauces, baked goods, smoothies, drinks and dressings. Look for inner-ēco products in Sprouts and Whole Foods nationwide. Each bottle of the probiotic coconut water has 30 servings and the cost averages to $0.65 cents a day.

Source: inner-eco

1. Each brand has a very interesting story to tell. How did the whole story of Fit4Style start?

Matok V’Kal specializes in health products and thus for the company to enter the sport nutrition market was a natural move. In order to find the unique spot in the sport nutrition market we joined forces with Practical Innovation Ltd. to help us in developing an innovative product line to hit the market. We searched in blogs and interviewed people with active lifestyles and noticed a gap between the consumers’ needs and the protein drinks available on the market. Most active consumers are looking for a hot protein drinks in cold weather to keep the body temperature. Also, women are looking for a more elegant coffee like drink that will fit well in a casual meeting with friends at the gym club or a coffee after outwork. On the top of that, there is a growing demand for vegan protein drinks with a great taste and we specialized in making tasty vegan products.

2. Fit4Style hot protein has 3 flavors. I have to say these are uncommon flavors. Did you have any difficulties finding the perfect matches of ingredients? Which one is your favorite?

The flavors that are now in the market are salted caramel, vanilla, cappuccino. Masking the off flavor of vegetable proteins is extremely difficult, but we succeeded to overcome this challenge and chose to provide the preferred flavors of women with active lifestyles. My personal favorite is the Salted caramel, it is different from others tasted in the market and it is well balanced in flavors.

3. The drink comes with a disposable cup and a stirrer. The green movement against plastic waist is growing daily. Why have you chosen this type of packaging? Aren’t you afraid of losing a part of your consumers?

True there is a movement against plastic waist and we will also sell the product is sachets for use in reusable cups however, there is a large segment of consumers who find the handling of rinsing a protein drink after a workout tiring and so burdening that it prevents them from consuming a protein drink.

4. Your company also has a line of wearable spray. Can you tell us more about this line?

Fit4style Energy Spray is a revolutionary energy drink for consumption during sport activity. It has only 6 calories, no caffeine and it is best for workouts up to 75 minutes. It comes with a mint flavor, fashionable case and it easy to use. It is a continuation of our nutrition products aimed at recreational users seeking to get more out of their workout.

5. Fit4Style is based in Israel. Where consumers can find your products?

The products are currently market only in Israel. However, we are seeking for global partners to launch the product line internationally.

6. What is your advice to other beverage startups?

Our advice is to look beyond what is out on the market at the moment and seek what are the consumers hidden needs. A true innovation is not adding another gram of protein or adding another flavor to a beverage line, a true innovation is creating a product for a specific market target that answer a specific challenges and answer the consumers need for better-for-you products.

For more information visit Fit4Style website.

Unlike other products on the market, the new protein drinks contain a unique blend of electrolytes to replenish nutrients, prebiotics for improved gut health and MCT oil derived from coconuts for natural energy and endurance. The drinks are low-net carb, making it keto-friendly, and contain low-sugar and no sugar alcohols. ALOHA’s protein drink uses a proprietary blend of pea and brown rice proteins and has a creamy coconut milk base which is smooth and satiating. The drinks are complete with whole food ingredients for optimal nutrition and digestion, leaving consumers with a clean and satisfying experience.

“When discussing a concept for a plant-based protein drink with our small team of employee-owners at ALOHA, we knew there were a few things consumers had often complained about with other protein beverages on the market – they’re chalky, too thick, have a ton of ingredients that people don’t recognize and don’t like (like stevia)…and they just feel like a gut bomb,” said ALOHA CEO, Brad Charron.

“At ALOHA, our mission and only focus is to craft real plant-based food that tastes delicious and has nourishing ingredients – people shouldn’t have to sacrifice taste or the quality of ingredients they’re putting into their bodies. The introduction of coconut milk to a shelf-stable protein drink is a first in the category and creates a creamy, smooth texture and complements the flavors of the drinks. We’re thrilled to share this with our customers.”

Source: ALOHA

Christian McCaffrey is a unique running back who is equally effective running between the tackles as he is running routes and catching passes. After three seasons playing college football, in which McCaffrey broke the NCAA record for the most all-purpose yards in a single-season, McCaffrey was selected eighth overall pick in the 2017 Professional Football Draft. Since starting his professional career, McCaffrey has quickly become one of the league’s top all-purpose running backs. He finished 2018 with a combined total of 1,965 all-purpose yards and holds the single-season record for most receptions by a running back with 107 receptions.

“I have learned throughout my first two years of my professional career how important it is to properly recover,” says Christian McCaffrey. “Everything I do off the field has an on-the-field purpose, and I notice a tangible and positive difference in how I feel post workout when I am using Ascent’s products.  Their commitment to using zero artificial ingredients and their years of experience making clean protein allows me to trust that Ascent’s protein products are supporting me in continuing to do what I love.”

Ascent offers a full line of performance-nutrition products that support clean-eating, hard-working athletes dedicated to their fitness and nutritional goals. Ascent products use only real food ingredients, no artificial flavors or sweeteners, and are designed to improve muscle health and performance for the health-conscious athlete. All of Ascent’s products are Informed Sport Certified, meaning every batch is third-party tested to ensure they are free of all banned substances.

“Ascent is committed to making cleaner, purer protein that aid high-performing athletes, like Christian McCaffrey, recover efficiently and meet their daily nutritional needs,” says Paul Vraciu, general manager of Ascent Protein. “Christian has proven that he is always ready to give one-hundred percent, out on the field and in the gym training. Ascent is ready to support him so that he can recover and perform at a top-level day after day.”

Source: Ascent