SGS Nutrasource said NutraStrong maintains a level of quality standardization, which includes verification of finished product/ingredient, manufacturing quality verification, regulatory compliance and corporate values of the company.
This certification is also designed to gatekeep against companies with misleading claims, inaccurate or false certificate of analyses (COAs) and prevent these products from being sold side by side with premium brands, SGS Nutrasource said.
“We are excited to have Olipop lead the way for showcasing brand quality and transparency in the prebiotic space. NutraStrong unifies vendor qualifications and sets the bar for showcasing quality to consumers,” said William Rowe, president and CEO, SGS Nutrasource.
Canada-based SGS Nutrasource is a global full-service contract research organization (CRO) focused on helping clients commercialize health and wellness products. In addition to offering clinical trial management, strategic and regulatory support services, SGS Nutrasource provides a series of third-party natural ingredient product certification programs beyond NutraStrong, such as IFOS, IKOS, IGEN, IPRO and ICAP.
“As the functional soda category continues to gain momentum and sees the entry of more brands in the space, it’s critical to have standards in place so consumers know which brands to trust,” said Ben Goodwin, co-founder, CEO and formulator of Olipop. “As the creator of the functional soda category, Olipop is committed to leading conversation with partners like SGS Nutrasource to help build the first prebiotic standard.”
A healthy alternative
Olipop launched in 2018 creating the first healthy alternative to soda with only 2-5 grams of sugar and 9 grams of fiber. Olipop says it’s now the fastest growing functional beverage, capturing nostalgic soda favors but with the benefits of plant-based fiber, prebiotics and other botanical ingredients to support digestive health. Olipop is non-GMO, paleo, vegan and gluten-free and is available at almost 30,000 grocers nationwide, including Target, Walmart, Whole Foods, Kroger and more. Earlier this year Olipop reached $200 million in annual sales.
The company says approximately 10% of Olipop drinkers have replaced traditional soda entirely.
Market
According to Grand View Research, the global prebiotics market was valued at more than $6 billion in 2021 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14.9% from 2022 to 2030.
