This week’s headlines included the World Customs Organization recognizing dietary supplements, Cristiano Ronaldo taking an ownership share in Herbalife’s Pro2col technology platform, and Pharmactive Biotech Products’ Affron approval in South Korea.
Dietary supplements are set to be formally recognized as a distinct category in global trade for the first time, following a recent update to the Harmonized System by the World Customs Organization.
The Harmonized System (HS) is the global classification framework used by customs authorities to organize and monitor international trade.
Used by more than 200 countries and economies around the world, it underpins international commerce, determining how the vast majority of goods and products are described at borders, which tariffs apply and how trade flows are measured.
But until now, dietary supplements were a gray area and often classified differently by customs administrations. Following a seven-year formal review process, the World Customs Organization announced that dietary supplements will be recognized as a distinct category from Jan. 1 2028, following their incorporation into national tariff schedules.
“This decision formally recognizes supplements as a distinct food category in global trade. That clarity is an important step toward modernizing trade rules for the sector,” Simon Pettman, executive director of the International Alliance of Dietary Supplement Associations (IADSA), told NutraIngredients. “However, we now need to see consistent and appropriate implementation into national systems.”
Herbalife Ltd. announced that Cristiano Ronaldo has invested $7.5 million in the company’s Pro2col technology platform, taking a 10% equity stake in HBL Pro2col Software, LLC, the subsidiary that owns the asset.
The investment includes a commitment to provide services and sponsorship rights connected to the platform. The move formalizes a deeper business partnership between the company and the athlete, who has served as Herbalife’s global nutrition partner for over a decade.
Ronaldo’s relationship with Herbalife has historically focused on brand partnership, including collaboration on Herbalife24 CR7 Drive electrolyte drinks. His new position shift into an ownership role is tied to the company’s ongoing investment in digital strategy.
“Cristiano has been a valued partner for more than a decade, and his decision to take an ownership stake in Pro2col marks an important milestone in our relationship,” said Stephan Gratziani, chief executive officer of Herbalife, in a press release.
Gratziani added that Ronaldo’s investment “reflects a shared belief in the power of nutrition, data, AI and personalized insights to drive better health outcomes and reinforces his confidence in the future impact of Pro2col.”
Madrid-headquartered Pharmactive Biotech Products, SLU, which has received individual license approval by South Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) for its proprietary saffron extract’s stress-relief claim, is exploring additional health claim opportunities in the market.
The “complex and lengthy process” for the saffron extract, named Affron, was conducted in collaboration with Hyundai Bioland Co Ltd.
According to Pharmactive, the main challenge was ensuring that its international clinical data and standardization parameters were aligned precisely with MFDS’s expectations.
“Hyundai Bioland is a prominent healthcare-focused organization in South Korea, with prior experience and in-depth knowledge of the individual license application process, having already obtained such approvals for other ingredients in the past,” Carlos Rodriguez, communication manager at Pharmactive, told NutraIngredients.
“More importantly, they also have the capability to efficiently distribute clinically studied nutraceutical ingredients in the country, reaching major brands across multiple sales channels.”
He added that Hyundai Bioland’s proficiency in navigating the individual license process, including a unique ability to identify and address potential gaps prior to the application stage, was critical in saving time and costs.
The approval positions Affron as the first saffron ingredient to be approved for a stress relief claim by the MFDS and is to date the sole holder of this recognition.
