Key Takeaways
- PK Consumer Health acquires HealthAid in its second VMS platform deal, accelerating its strategy to become Europe's leading retail-first supplement company.
- MartinBauer unites three companies into a single Nutraceutical Unit, creating a one-stop shop for science-driven botanical ingredients.
- Hindustan Unilever completes US$90M acquisition of OZiva, signalling multinational interest in India's clean-label supplement market.
- Expo West 2026 delivers major product launches including Bulletproof's Coffee + Creatine, Sirio Pharma's lutein soft chew, and Vivici's precision-fermented lactoferrin.
- FDA schedules public meeting on DSHEA definitions that could reshape how novel ingredients enter the dietary supplement market.
- Global supplement market projected to reach $393.56 billion by 2033, with beauty-from-within and organic supplements among the fastest-growing segments.
Top Stories
PK Consumer Health Acquires HealthAid in Second VMS Platform Deal. In a significant move to consolidate the European vitamins, minerals, and supplements (VMS) market, PK Consumer Health — backed by Avista Healthcare Partners and Damier Group — has completed its acquisition of UK-based HealthAid, a well-established supplier of VMS products. This marks the second acquisition for PK Consumer Health since November 2025, underscoring the company's aggressive strategy to build a leading "retail-first" VMS platform across Europe. The deal reflects continued private equity appetite for branded supplement businesses with established retail distribution networks. Source: Investors in Healthcare
MartinBauer Unites Three Companies Into Single Nutraceutical Unit. German botanical giant MartinBauer has merged its operations with Finzelberg and MB-Med to create a unified Nutraceutical Unit, positioning itself as a "single gateway to the world of botanicals." The consolidation aims to address persistent industry challenges including fragmented health claims, regulatory scrutiny, and supply chain complexity. According to Lumina Intelligence and Euromonitor analysts cited in the announcement, the move could set a new benchmark for how botanical ingredient suppliers integrate research, formulation, and regulatory expertise under one roof. Source: NutraIngredients
Hindustan Unilever Fully Acquires OZiva for US$90 Million. Hindustan Unilever (HUL) has completed the full acquisition of OZiva, a clean-label protein and women's health supplements firm, for INR 8.24 billion (approximately US$90.9 million). OZiva, known for combining Ayurveda with modern food science, will become a wholly owned subsidiary of HUL. Simultaneously, HUL is divesting its 19.8% stake in Wellbeing Nutrition to USV Private Limited. The deal signals growing multinational interest in India's rapidly expanding clean-label supplement segment. Source: NutraIngredients
Business and Investment
The supplement industry's M&A activity continues at a brisk pace as strategic buyers and private equity firms seek to consolidate fragmented markets. Monterey Bay Herb Co. has acquired NP Nutra, a specialty nutraceutical ingredients and botanical extracts supplier, expanding its leadership position in the nutraceutical ingredient space. The acquisition adds a broad range of specialty and extract-based products to Monterey Bay's portfolio, strengthening its ability to serve finished product manufacturers. Source: PR Newswire
In the Asia-Pacific region, Kirin Holdings has established a new entity called Kirin Health Science International (KHSI) Pty Ltd, to be headquartered in Sydney and operational from April 1, 2026. Alastair Symington, currently CEO of Blackmores Limited, will lead the new entity, which will oversee Kirin's B2C health science businesses outside Japan. The restructuring reflects Kirin's ambition to accelerate international growth of its health science portfolio beyond its traditional Japanese market base. Source: NutraIngredients
Glucose Health, Inc. has doubled its retail presence to more than 2,500 stores nationwide and is launching a national advertising campaign to boost brand awareness. The company's soluble-fiber nutrition products, GlucoDown and Fiber Up, support healthy glucose metabolism and are now available in major US pharmacy chains. Source: GlobeNewswire
Science and Research
A clinically validated Holy Basil extract, marketed as Ocitum, has demonstrated significant benefits for stress resilience and sleep quality. An eight-week randomised study involving 60 subjects found that a daily 300 mg dose of Ocitum reduced serum cortisol levels, improved stress and mood scores on validated scales, and enhanced overall sleep quality. The extract adds to the growing body of evidence supporting adaptogenic botanicals for mental wellness applications. For those interested in natural stress management, adaptogenic herbs like ashwagandha and holy basil work through similar pathways — targeted formulations combining multiple calming botanicals can offer comprehensive support for daily stress resilience. Source: Nutraceutical Business Review
Researchers at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff have published findings in the Journal of Functional Foods demonstrating that a nano-encapsulated form of gamma-oryzanol, a compound derived from rice bran, can protect cells from age-related damage. The study showed that the nanotechnology-delivered compound significantly reduced oxidative stress and improved cellular resilience in aging cell models. The research opens new possibilities for rice bran-derived compounds in longevity and anti-ageing supplement formulations. Source: PR Newswire / Yahoo Finance
A study published in the Indian Journal of Pharmacology has examined the neuroprotective effects of Vitamin D3 supplementation as an adjunct to anti-seizure medications. Using a status epilepticus model in Wistar rats, the research found that Vitamin D3 in combination with valproate and perampanel improved neuronal protection and reduced reactive astrocytes. The findings add to the expanding evidence base for Vitamin D3's role beyond bone and immune health — maintaining optimal vitamin D levels through high-quality D3 and K2 supplementation remains one of the most well-supported strategies in nutritional science. Source: Indian Journal of Pharmacology
New Product Launches and Formulation
Natural Products Expo West 2026 is underway in Anaheim, California (March 3-6), and the show floor is buzzing with innovation. Sirio Pharma has launched what it calls a "first-in-market" soft chew lutein supplement for daily eye health support. The product features OmniActive Health Technologies' clinically backed Lutemax 2020 extract, which contains all three nutritionally relevant macular carotenoids — lutein, PR-zeaxanthin, and RS (meso)-zeaxanthin. The soft chew format is designed to address consumer adherence challenges by offering a more convenient and enjoyable alternative to traditional capsules. Source: Nutrition Insight
Bulletproof has launched its Coffee + Creatine formula, a first-of-its-kind product pairing 5 grams of micronized creatine monohydrate with instant Arabica coffee, plus 250 mg of electrolytes and MCT oil sourced from coconuts. CEO Harry Lewis described the innovation as bringing "credible science into a daily ritual people already love." The product is already available on Amazon and has been receiving positive early reviews from consumers who appreciate the convenience of combining multiple supplements into their morning coffee routine. Source: NY Post
Dutch start-up Vivici has launched Vivitein LF, a precision-fermented lactoferrin, in the US market. The innovation aims to overcome the supply and cost limitations of traditional lactoferrin extraction from bovine milk. By using precision fermentation, Vivici can produce lactoferrin at scale, opening up its application in a wider range of health and wellness products including adult immune support and sports nutrition. Source: The Plant Base
The a2 Milk Company is entering China's paediatric supplements market with the upcoming launch of four products under the brand a2 Zhi Yi. The range will span immunity, anti-allergy, gut health, and brain and eye health functions, targeting a market the company values at NZD$8 billion (US$4.76 billion). Source: NutraIngredients
The mental wellness supplement category is undergoing a notable shift toward holistic lifestyle formats. Industry leaders including Kaneka Probiotics, ADM, Akay Bioactives, and Gnosis by Lesaffre are developing psychobiotic formulations that leverage the gut-brain axis for stress and sleep management. The growing evidence for the gut-brain connection underscores the importance of maintaining a healthy microbiome — multi-strain probiotic formulations remain a cornerstone of any comprehensive gut health strategy. Source: Nutrition Insight
Regulations and Quality
The FDA has scheduled a public meeting on March 27 to clarify the definition of a "dietary substance" under the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA). The meeting will address the classification of new ingredients and the impact of emerging production techniques — such as precision fermentation and synthetic biology — on an ingredient's regulatory status. Daniel Fabricant of the Natural Products Association (NPA) and Ivan Wasserman of Amin Wasserman Gurnani are among the stakeholders expected to participate. The outcome could have significant implications for how novel ingredients enter the supplement market. Source: SupplySide Supplement Journal
California has intensified its crackdown on the sale of Kratom and 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) products, which are being sold illegally as dietary supplements. The California Department of Public Health (CDPH), working with the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, has achieved a 95% compliance rate from retailers, removing over 3,300 products from shelves. The enforcement action signals a broader trend of states taking independent regulatory action on controversial supplement ingredients. Source: Desert Sun
In manufacturing quality news, Ulrick & Short, a clean-label ingredient specialist, has opened a new blending and warehouse facility in Leeds, UK, achieving a BRC AA grade for food safety and quality. Meanwhile, Bayer has invested €5 million in upgrading its multiple micronutrient supplement production line and R&D centre in Indonesia, introducing digitalisation and automation to optimise production output by approximately 20%. Source: Nutraceutical Business Review
Marketing and Consumer Trends
The global dietary supplements market is on track for unprecedented growth, according to a new report from Grand View Research. The market is projected to expand from $209.5 billion in 2025 to $393.56 billion by 2033, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.1%. Key drivers include increasing health consciousness, an ageing global population, and wider accessibility of supplements through e-commerce and mainstream retail channels. Source: Yahoo Finance / Grand View Research
Euromonitor has published a new report highlighting the rapid growth of beauty-positioned consumer health supplements, which are growing at 6% annually — three times the overall consumer health industry's 2% growth rate. The "beauty-from-within" trend is driving innovation in ingredients such as collagen and NAD+, with vitamins, probiotics, and sports nutrition products increasingly being reformulated to include prominent beauty-focused benefits. Source: Euromonitor
US sales of certified organic products reached $76.6 billion in 2025, a 6.8% annual growth rate, according to the Organic Trade Association. Notably, organic supplement sales grew 8.7% to reach $2.4 billion, outpacing the broader organic category. Source: Supermarket News
The American Aronia Accelerator (A3) is using Expo West 2026 to position the aronia berry as a core functional ingredient for beverages, moving it beyond its niche superfruit status. Blake Johnson of A3 highlighted the berry's nutrient density and transparent sourcing as key differentiators, arguing that aronia's potential for sustained category growth lies in its positioning as nutritional infrastructure rather than a trend-driven ingredient. Source: Nutritional Outlook
About the Author
Ben Law is the Founder of Love Life Supplements, a UK-based premium supplement company committed to producing GMP-certified, third-party tested products with no bulking agents. With a deep passion for evidence-based nutrition and industry transparency, Ben curates this daily briefing to keep professionals and consumers informed about the latest developments shaping the supplement landscape. Learn more about Ben.
This briefing is compiled from publicly available trade sources and is intended for professional industry use. All information is current as of March 05, 2026.