The Global Prebiotic Association (GPA), a trade association representing the global prebiotics market, announced the addition of a new board member Univar Solutions, new member-level organization Kyowa Hakko, and associate-level members Anagenix and Firmenich.
 
We know from our consumer research that prebiotic awareness among supplement consumers is up to over 85% according to our latest ITC Insight reports and this category continues to grow rapidly,” said GPA executive director Len Monheit. “Adding these new members is significant because they extend GPA’s global presence, they are all getting quite deeply engaged and they also represent category best in class.”
 
Expanding the Network
 
Univar Solutions is a global specialty chemical and ingredient distributor representing a portfolio from producers around the world. Kyowa Hakko Bio is an international manufacturer of health ingredients. Anagenix is a New Zealand-based company operating in the supplement, functional food, and nutraceutical spaces, and Firmenich is a privately-owned fragrance and taste company.
 
“We are excited to join the board of the Global Prebiotic Association and work together in raising awareness for prebiotics,” said Matthew Ottaway, senior vice president of global consumer solutions for Univar Solutions. “Univar Solutions has been promoting and selling prebiotics for over a decade, and joining the Association strengthens and signals our commitment to this rapidly growing market and our global strategic partners in this space.”
 
“GPA has an extensive work plan which is focused on increasing public awareness about the production, quality, and science of prebiotic products, expanding understanding of the solid science supporting both well-known and newfound benefits, and creating needed transparency about their interaction with the microbiome. Expanding our member roster helps GPA expand its scope and reach, doing more for the category globally,” said Monheit.
 
GPA defines a prebiotic as a “product or ingredient that is utilized in the microbiota producing a health or performance benefit,” and a prebiotic effect as “a health or performance benefit that arises from alteration of the composition and/or activity of the microbiota, as a direct or indirect result of the utilization of a specific and well-defined product or ingredient by microorganisms.” The association has dedicated committees and working groups that execute the work plan against four strategic pillars: thought leadership and authority; technical and regulatory leadership; international engagement; and membership value and growth.