Lawrenceville, N.J.-based iTi Tropicals launched a new innovation blog, which can be found at ititropicals.com. The blog will act as a creative outlet for the company and its employees to bring new thoughts and ideas to the food and beverage industries, it says. The blog also will serve the marketplace by offering thought leadership on topics like non-GMO and clean labels, dairy-free and vegan ingredient options, and more, it adds.

At SupplySide West, Prinova USA showcased its FlavorArmor protected flavors products. New technology in encapsulation has extended FlavorArmor’s shelf life capability, while providing greater authenticity of tonality, the company says. FlavorArmor offers more than 100 tonalities and two particle sizes to fit multiple applications, it adds. FlavorArmor is suitable in liquids and is clean-label friendly, with allergen-free and natural labeling options, according to the company.

DolCas Biotech LLC, Landing, N.J., announced it has received self-affirmed generally recognized as safe (GRAS) status for its BCM-95 turmeric extract, following a comprehensive review by a panel of qualified experts. The pure, high-potency ingredient now is available for use in foods, dietary supplements and medical foods, it says.

A new study commissioned by the Washington, D.C.-based International Food Additives Council on carrageenan demonstrated that the ingredient does not induce inflammation in human cells, it says. Conducted by toxicologist James M. McKim Jr., the two-year study was accepted for publication in Food and Toxicology and comes just months before the U.S. National Organic Standards Board is expected to vote on whether to reapprove the use of carrageenan in organic foods sold in the United States, it adds.

International Flavors & Fragrances Inc., New York, announced that it has entered into an agreement to acquire David Michael & Co. Inc., Philadelphia. The transaction, funded from existing resources, is expected to add approximately $85 million in revenue in 2017, it adds. The transaction is expected to be completed in the fourth quarter this year and is subject to customary closing conditions, it adds.

Geneva, Switzerland-based Firmenich announced that it is opening its first flavor facility in Lagos, Nigeria. Designed to expand the company’s footprint in all flavor business segments across the region, the new state-of-the-art facility features labs for sweet goods, beverages and savory product development, as well as offices, it says. The new facility will serve more than 200 customers across 30 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, it adds.

Ajinomoto North America Inc., Itasca, Ill., announced that its zero-calorie sweetener, Advantame, has been approved for use as a sweetener in Israel. The sweetener currently is approved in the United States, Mexico, Japan, European Union, Australia, New Zealand, Israel, Singapore and Turkey, it says.

WILD Flavors & Specialty Ingredients (WFSI), a business unit of Chicago-based Archer Daniels Midland, announced it has developed new concepts for still drinks and juices that feature different juice contents and distinctive blends of fruits and vegetables, customized to specific target groups and consumption situations, it says. The current portfolio of WFSI’s Fruit&Veggie concepts has a fruit content of 27 percent and a vegetable content of 3 percent, with available options including orange, pumpkin and ginger, as well as beet with strawberry and the ability to integrate ginger or mint, it adds. The product range also is available as a low-calorie option using steviol glycosides derived from the stevia plant.

Ganeden, Cleveland, published its 24th peer-reviewed study on its patented probiotic strain, GanedenBC30 (Bacillus coagulans GBI-30, 6086) and its ability to support the body’s utilization of protein and enhance vitamin and mineral absorption, it says. The findings confirm GanedenBC30’s benefits in a variety of functional food and beverage categories, including sports nutrition and meal replacements, it adds.

Basel, Switzerland-based Lonza announced plans to acquire Benicia, Calif.-based InterHealth Nutraceuticals Inc. InterHealth, a portfolio company of Kainos Capital, offers more than 15 branded ingredients, including its UC-II, and complements Lonza’s existing nutritional portfolio in the area of sports nutrition, weight management, immune health and pet health, it says.