Supplement Industry Daily Briefing: May 20, 2026
Key Takeaways
- Major Acquisitions: Healthy Extracts acquires Imaraïs Beauty, entering the $730B beauty market, while Euglena and Grøntvedt Biotech expand their portfolios.
- FDA Leadership Change: Dr. Marty Makary steps down as FDA Commissioner, with Kyle Diamantas stepping up as acting commissioner.
- Vitafoods Europe Trends: "Hybrid" formulations, creatine's resurgence, and longevity are key pillars shaping the industry.
- Science & Research: Heat-treated postbiotics show promise for skin elasticity, and low-dose creatine demonstrates efficacy for women's health.
- New Product Launches: Triquetra Health, Grow in Health, and Jenerise introduce innovative supplements targeting muscle recovery, joint health, and cognitive function.
Top Stories
Healthy Extracts Acquires Imaraïs Beauty in Major Expansion Healthy Extracts has announced the acquisition of Imaraïs Beauty, a women's health and beauty brand co-founded by fitness icon Sommer Ray. This strategic move marks Healthy Extracts' entry into the $730 billion global beauty and personal care market. The acquisition is expected to increase the company's 2026 annualized revenue run-rate outlook by 20% to more than $24 million. Imaraïs brings a strong retail presence, with products available at Target, Ulta Beauty, Nordstrom, and Sprouts. The initial order includes 4 million gummies across five SKUs, highlighting the growing demand for functional beauty gummies. [Source: Stock Titan]
FDA Shakeup: Makary Steps Down, Diamantas Steps Up Dr. Marty Makary has stepped down as FDA Commissioner after a 13-month tenure, with Kyle Diamantas appointed as acting commissioner. This leadership transition introduces a period of uncertainty for the dietary supplement industry. However, Diamantas's extensive background in food policy and his familiarity with supplement modernization efforts may provide some continuity. The change occurs amid broader staffing disruptions and shifting regulatory priorities under the "Make America Healthy Again" agenda, leaving industry stakeholders closely monitoring future FDA actions. [Source: NutraIngredients]
Vitafoods Europe 2026 Highlights "Hybrid" Formulations and Longevity At Vitafoods Europe 2026, industry experts noted a significant shift toward "hybrid" or "mashup" products that blend multiple categories, such as protein with hydration, electrolytes, and fibers, often incorporating essential minerals like Magnesium Glycinate. Creatine is experiencing a remarkable resurgence, expanding beyond sports nutrition into cognitive and healthy aging applications. Meanwhile, GLP-1 support and longevity have solidified their positions as fundamental pillars of the industry. Additionally, the industry is facing price pressures and supply challenges regarding whey protein, accelerating interest in alternative protein sources like precision fermentation and plant-based options. [Source: NutraIngredients]
Business and Investment
Euglena Acquires Kobelco Eco-Solutions' Microalgae Business Japanese company Euglena is acquiring the microalgae business of Kobelco Eco-Solutions to strengthen its immune health offerings. The acquisition includes the Euglena gracilis EOD-1 microalgae cultivation and ingredient business, as well as the supplement brand Micarea. This strategic move allows Euglena to expand its portfolio of Foods with Function Claim (FFC) in the Japanese market. [Source: NutraIngredients]
Grøntvedt Biotech Expands Omega-11 Production Grøntvedt Biotech, a spin-off from the Grøntvedt Group, is expanding its human nutrition division focused on supplying omega-11 to the dietary supplement market. The company recently invested €6.5 million to increase production capacity at its manufacturing plant in Norway by 50%. This vertical integration strategy allows Grøntvedt to capture more value from its marine supply chain and offer a differentiated proposition in the competitive omega market. [Source: NutraIngredients]
Science and Research
Heat-Treated Postbiotic Linked to Skin Elasticity Gains A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial involving 60 healthy middle-aged Japanese women found that taking heat-treated Latilactobacillus sakei KABP-065 capsules daily for eight weeks improved skin elasticity compared to a placebo. The strongest effects were observed in women in their 40s, with researchers noting significant improvements in cheek moisture. The study suggests this postbiotic approach could be a complementary strategy to traditional ingredients like Collagen Peptides in modern skin health formulations. [Source: NutraIngredients]
Low-Dose Creatine Shows Efficacy for Women's Health A 2024 NHANES analysis of over 4,500 U.S. women revealed that a modest dietary creatine intake of about 1-1.5 grams per day was associated with significantly lower odds of irregular periods, pelvic infection, and fetal macrosomia. This finding is shifting the perspective of researchers who previously advocated for a minimum 3-5 gram daily dose, suggesting that even small amounts of creatine can offer meaningful health benefits, particularly for women and during pregnancy. [Source: Natural Products Insider]
New Product Launches and Formulation
Triquetra Health Expands Portfolio with Amino Acid and Folate Launches Triquetra Health has launched two new supplements targeting muscle recovery and folate support. Instant Aminos is a free-form essential amino acid tablet that bypasses traditional protein digestion, aiming to reduce bloating. FolinicActive is a folinic acid-based supplement designed as an alternative to conventional L-methylfolate products, targeting consumers who experience side effects such as restlessness. [Source: Nutraceutical Business Review]
Grow in Health Launches KumbreX GROW FLEX Spanish nutraceutical company Grow in Health has launched KumbreX GROW FLEX, a joint health concept featuring AprèsFlex 5-Day Joint Support. The science-driven formulation combines the Boswellia serrata extract with undenatured type II collagen, hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, and manganese. The product is designed for athletes and active individuals seeking fast joint comfort and enhanced performance, similar to the benefits of our Joint Support formula. [Source: Nutraceutical Business Review]
Jenerise Launches Precision-Grade Creatine Monohydrate Jenerise has launched Cr.01, a precision-grade creatine monohydrate aimed at raising quality standards in the dietary supplement market. The ingredient boasts a 99.96% purity level, independently verified batch-by-batch by SGS. It is designed for broad health applications beyond sports performance, including cognitive function and healthy aging. [Source: NutraIngredients]
Regulations and Quality
FDA Investigator Outlines Issues with Gummy Manufacturing Siobhan Taylor, a national expert on dietary supplements at the FDA, highlighted the complexities of gummy supplement production at a recent industry event. She emphasized the risks of contamination from extended use of starch molds, allergen cross-contamination, and environmental factors like dust and debris. Taylor stressed the need for hyper-vigilance in manufacturing to ensure product safety and label accuracy. [Source: NutraIngredients]
NPA Fly-In Day Brings Supplement Industry Priorities to Capitol Hill Over 130 natural products industry leaders gathered in Washington, D.C. for the Natural Products Association's annual Fly-In Day to advocate for science-based dietary supplement regulation. Key topics included reforming the drug preclusion clause, addressing state-level supplement restrictions, and opposing mandatory product listing legislation. The industry urged lawmakers to reinforce the FDA's primary regulatory role and reduce barriers to innovation. [Source: WholeFoods Magazine]
Marketing and Consumer Trends
Amazon Supplements Sales Bounce Back Following a period of flattened growth post-pandemic, dietary supplement sales on Amazon have rebounded, reaching $12.6 billion for the 12 months ending in August 2023. The growth is driven by strong performance in core categories like protein powders, prebiotics, and multivitamins, as well as emerging segments like electrolyte powders and creatine. Creatine saw the highest dollar sales growth at 65%, indicating a widening market for the ingredient. [Source: SupplySide Supplement Journal]
Era of Unmanned Supplement Stores Unfolds in South Korea Unmanned convenience stores specializing in health functional foods are emerging as a new retail model in South Korea. Little Better, operated by Muinos, is opening its first store in Incheon, offering a low-capital investment opportunity with automated operations and a curated product selection. The franchise utilizes an online-to-offline membership platform to generate additional revenue for store owners. [Source: NutraIngredients]
About the Author
Ben Law is the Founder of Love Life Supplements. Learn more about his journey and commitment to quality at Ben Law, Founder.