Cranberry supplier Fruit d’Or announced the introduction of its first whole fruit cranberry powder available for gummy formulations in dietary supplements, following a 2020 in which it achieved a qualified health claim from FDA due to research into whole fruit cranberry’s benefits on UTI prevention.
 
“Gummies are the fastest growing delivery system in the dietary supplement industry, surpassing softgels, and Fruit d’Or is excited to offer its whole fruit cranberry ingredients Cran d’Or and organic Cran Naturelle,” lead consultant Stephen Lukawski said. “Given the Food and Drug Administration’s qualified health claim for UTIs involving whole fruit cranberry powder in dietary supplements, Fruit d’or is in a good position to help nutraceutical companies generate greater sales with its whole fruit cranberry ingredients involving new delivery systems such as gummies.”
 
According to the qualified health claim, formulators can use three wording options, including “Limited evidence shows that by consuming 500 mg each day of cranberry dietary supplement, healthy women who have had a urinary tract infection (UTI) may reduce their risk of recurrent UTI.”
 
Fruit d’Or’s activity with whole fruit cranberry powders includes work to ensure authenticity, standardization of soluble and insoluble PACs, and work to ensure safety and efficacy. PACs (Proanthocyanidins) are the bioactive compounds associated with a variety of cranberry’s health benefits which are unique to the fruit.
 
“Our hard work has paid off. Given the new FDA ruling, companies are now switching away from cranberry juice powder because they can’t use the FDA claim,” Lukawski said. “Meanwhile, whole fruit powder sales are increasing. Whole fruit cranberry will now begin to replace cranberry juice powder both in gummies and in softgel delivery systems.”
 
Cranberries and Women’s Health
 
“Fruit d’Or is now working with various gummy manufacturers to help them formulate new cranberry products involving women’s health,” Jean Leclerc, Fruit d’Or sales and business development manager, said. “Today, based on innovation and research, a cranberry gummy can now be produced where the starting whole fruit cranberry powder is standardized for both soluble and insoluble PACs. In addition, each cranberry gummy can now delivery 500 mg of whole fruit cranberry in a daily serving. For example, according to definition of ratio, a 500 mg dose of fresh whole fruit cranberry powder Pro Cran d’Or 50:1 is equivalent to 25,000 mg of fresh fruit.
 
Fruit d’Or continues to conduct testing to identify and authenticate soluble and insoluble PACs in its cranberry ingredients, and verify their role in whole fruit cranberry’s health benefits.
 
“Not all cranberry ingredients are of the same and quality will vary depending on the manufacturing process,” Leclerc said.
 
“The FDA ruling will certainly help generate greater sales for manufacturers who produce gummies, however, Fruit d’Or’s mission is to educate the industry and consumers that whole fruit cranberry powder should be standardize for the amount of PACs, both soluble and insoluble, which delivers quality and efficacy on a consistent basis,” Lukawski said. “Fruit d’Or continues to be the leader in standardizing the PACs for whole fruit cranberry powder not just to comply with UTI claims and achieve anti-adhesion activity, but also to protect against adulteration plus maintain efficacy and safety. We are raising the bar to protect the industry and ensure that it can continue to grow with efficacious ingredients.”
 
Fruit d’Or is also known for its emphasis on sustainability and quality control throughout its supply chain. “That is, and will continue to be, the hallmark of our cranberry industry leadership,” Lukawski said.

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Mike Montemarano has been the Associate Editor of Nutraceuticals World since February 2020. He can be reached at mmontemarano@rodmanmedia.com.