Leading by example

It’s up to trailblazing companies to set the food regulation agenda, says Victor Ferrari of Horphag Research.

In this day and age, regulatory and research go hand and hand in the functional food sector. Without proprietary safety and scientific data, a company should be unable to market and sell a food and beverage ingredient. However, one would be surprised at the number of questionable ingredients that make it through the system just to be sent into exile years later from a lack of any real proven health benefits. It's really up to individual companies to lead by example. The good news is a handful of companies represent the 'gold standard' in the food ingredient industry and set a stellar example with their sizeable portfolios of research and intellectual property. These companies are aided by stricter global regulations which positively benefit companies who focus intently on research, quality and safety data.

To provide you with background on our company, Horphag Research is the exclusive worldwide supplier of Pycnogenol brand French maritime pine bark extract. Over the last forty years, we have invested in scientific research and today Pycnogenol is one of the most evidence-based health ingredients in the industry with over 230 scientific publications confirming its quality, safety, non toxicity and clinical efficacy.

Pycnogenol research spans the fields of cardiovascular and circulatory health, inflammation, joint and skin benefits among others. With such versatile health benefits, it's a priority for us to function within the global regulatory agency guidelines framework and have been proactive in initiating the steps to obtain affirmative health claims in different geographic regions. Over the last 10 years we have seen steady double digit growth every year relating precisely with our advancements in the field of published research. It is fair to say that growth is generated by credible scientific data.

There are different sets of legislative structures in the countries we have a presence in including the United States (FDA), Europe (EFSA), Korea and Japan, and we comply with each set of laws and file for a proprietary health claim when the opportunity arises.

It's important to note that EFSA is moving towards transparency and taking steps to issue revised technical guidelines to apply for health claims under Article 14. The future of many food products seems to be facing a challenge by the current health claim regulation. Obviously the challenge is huge, not only for us but for many other companies in this arena. However, there is a large and a very important positive effect too. Products will be scrutinised for their quality and the value of their provided research.

Keeping in line with our commitment to science and innovation, when you invest heavily in research and provide consistent and transparent communication on your results, you establish credibility in the marketplace. This is true not only with our customers, but also with consumers who we routinely reach out to with targeted educational campaigns. Our goal is to convey research messages on Pycnogenol to the press and public and raise awareness. Through this process, we have won their confidence and established strong credibility of the Pycnogenol brand. In the future, we will continue to bridge the gap between regulatory and research and see demand for Pycnogenol grow. Ultimately, it will be the educated consumer who will separate the wheat from the chaff.

Victor Ferrari, Chief Executive Officer of Horphag Research, is responsible for overseeing worldwide operations and is instrumental in driving growth and expansion of the company through their flagship ingredient, Pycnogenol. He continues the company's commitment to science and innovation and recently was awarded Frost & Sullivan's North American Health Ingredients Excellence in Research Award.