The PricePlow Podcast

On Episode #183 of the PricePlow Podcast, Mike and Ben sit down with Raza Bashir, Chief Innovation Officer at MuscleTech and Iovate, for an in-depth conversation about supplement quality control, manufacturing excellence, and the exciting innovation pipeline that has him more energized than ever in his nearly 20-year career. Broadcasting from MuscleTech’s laboratory facility, Raza provides unprecedented transparency into the rigorous processes that ensure every product meets the highest standards across 140 countries. This conversation goes far beyond typical brand discussions, diving deep into the nuts and bolts of quality assurance: how MuscleTech manages relationships with 28+ contract manufacturers worldwide, the extensive third-party testing protocols that validate every batch, and the end-to-end oversight that distinguishes legacy brands from newcomers. Raza shares insights from recent Consumer Reports testing that validated MuscleTech’s mass gainers as the only products without concerning levels of heavy metals, demonstrating how comprehensive quality systems deliver tangible consumer protection. The discussion then shifts to innovation, with exclusive reveals of breakthrough effervescent technology launching through the EFF’N Series at GNC, new peptide formulations combining cutting-edge ingredients like dileucine with HMB and essential amino acids, and the evolution of stimulant technology through EuphoriQ and the revolutionary Stacked pre-workout featuring Hydronox citrulline hydrochloride. Throughout the conversation, Raza’s passion for both scientific rigor and consumer experience shines through, explaining why MuscleTech continues setting industry standards after three decades. https://blog.priceplow.com/podcast/muscletech-quality-control-183 Video: Raza Bashir Discusses MuscleTech’s Quality Control and Innovation Pipeline https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-efByKU-cyk Detailed Show Notes: Quality Systems and Innovation at MuscleTech (0:00) – Introductions: Inside MuscleTech’s Innovation Lab (0:45) – Raza’s Journey: From Passionate User to Innovation Leader (4:00) – The Manufacturing Network: Managing 28+ Global Partners (6:45) – The Qualification Process: Rigorous Audits Before Production (10:30) – Ingredient Qualification: Testing Before Approval (14:00) – The Branded Ingredient Advantage: Established Supply Chains (17:15) – Production Consistency: Managing Multiple Manufacturers Per Product (22:15) – The Multiple Manufacturer Strategy: Service and Supply Chain Resilience (24:15) – Third-Party Testing and Consumer Reports Validation (27:00) – Protein Testing and Nitrogen Analysis Methods (32:00) – The Creatine Conundrum: Testing Above Label Claim (36:30) – The Transparency Advantage: Avoiding Proprietary Blends (39:00) – Innovation Without Over-Engineering (40:15) – Business Resilience and Continued Innovation (43:30) – The Innovation Risk: Pioneering New Ingredients (47:00) – EuphoriQ Evolution: Responding to Consumer Feedback (52:00) – The Leaner Business Philosophy: Focused Excellence (55:00) – The EFF’N Series: Revolutionary Effervescent Technology (59:00) – Theolim: Novel Metabolism Enhancement (1:04:00) – EFF’N Energy: Genius Pure and Yohimbe (1:06:00) – The Effervescent Experience: Dissolutio… Read more on the PricePlow Blog

On Episode #182 of the PricePlow Podcast, Mike and Ben welcome back Max Fairchild alongside industry legend Chuck Letchman and marketing strategist Dan Pierce to explore the launch of Brew Shockalaka, a revolutionary zero-sugar coffee beverage that’s redefining what functional drinks can be. This isn’t your typical RTD coffee or energy drink – it’s a complete reimagining of the category that combines dessert-inspired flavors with a powerful 1000mg nootropic matrix, all while maintaining zero sugar and zero dairy. Brew Shockalaka! Zero-Sugar Dairy-Free Nootropic Coffee That Tastes Amazing Max, who first appeared on the PricePlow channel back in 2018 during his Nutrex Research days, has partnered with distribution veteran Chuck Letchman to create what they call “the Deadpool of coffee” – a brand that refuses to take itself too seriously while delivering serious functional benefits. From the challenges of retort manufacturing to the strategic decision to launch in fitness channels first, this conversation reveals the complexities of beverage innovation and the power of industry relationships in bringing disruptive products to market. The team discusses their unique approach to product development, from sourcing natural caffeine from Colombian beans to incorporating CognatiQ coffee fruit extract and a strategic 560mg dose of potassium. With flavors like Salted Caramel, Café Mocha, and Maple Cinnamon Donut, “Brew Shock” is targeting the convergence of energy drinks, functional coffee, and nootropic supplements while building a brand identity that embraces music, comedy, and authentic consumer connections. https://blog.priceplow.com/podcast/brew-shockalaka-182 Video: Brew Shockalaka – The Coffee Revolution with Max Fairchild, Chuck Letchman, and Dan Pierce https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1eDuXsHu2m0 Detailed Show Notes: Building the Zero Sugar Coffee Revolution (0:00) – Introductions: Reuniting with Max Fairchild (2:15) – Chuck Letchman’s Industry Legacy and Partnership Philosophy (4:15) – Dan Pierce: The Digital Marketing Strategist (6:00) – The Genesis Story: From Powder to RTD Innovation (8:30) – Manufacturing Challenges: The Retort Reality (12:00) – Flavor Development: Dessert-Inspired Innovation (17:00) – The Science Behind the Buzz: Nootropic Innovation (22:00) – Labeling Strategy: Transparency as Differentiation (26:45) – The Retort Advantage: Manufacturing as Competitive Moat (32:00) – The Chuck Letchman Effect: Industry Relationships as Assets (38:45) – Team Dynamics: Swiss Army Knife Approach (44:15) – Strategic Pacing: Growth Management Philosophy (50:30) – Target Demographics: Coffee Culture Convergence (53:45) – Brand Personality: The Deadpool of Coffee (55:30) – Alcohol Collaborations: Expanding Usage Occasions (1:00:15) – Strategic Partnerships: Redefine Foods Collaboration (1:07:15) – Digital Marketing Revolution: TikTok Strategy (1:12:00) – International Expansion: Testing Global Waters Where to Follow and Learn More Brew Shockalaka: Company Website PricePlow.com/brew-shockalaka …… Read more on the PricePlow Blog

On Episode #181 of the PricePlow Podcast, we sit down with twin brothers Ryan Gardner (CEO) and Jeff Gardner (CMO) of Bucked Up at their Salt Lake City headquarters. This conversation reveals the remarkable journey from internet marketing pioneers to building a billion dollar million supplement empire, complete with helicopter rides over Utah’s mountains and an inside look at their massive manufacturing facility. The Gardner brothers share their incredible origin story that began with exact match domains and affiliate networks in the early 2000s, leading to a deer antler spray windfall thanks to Ray Lewis’s Super Bowl controversy in 2013. From those humble beginnings, they built Bucked Up into the #1 pre-workout at GNC and Vitamin Shoppe, pioneered micro-influencer marketing before it was cool, and recently expanded into energy drinks with major partnerships including SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles — all in pursuit of their “billion or bust” vision. Celebrating the Launch of Bucked Up Black Ant This episode also features the exclusive launch details of Black Ant, their revolutionary new pre-workout Mike and Ben helped formulate, featuring industry-first ingredients like RipFACTOR and Creasol SSAT alongside traditional creatine monohydrate (Black Ant is Bucked Up’s first creatine-based pre-workout). The conversation explores everything from their innovative protein drinks with light carbonation to their thoughts on peptides, healthspan optimization, and the future of the supplement industry. https://blog.priceplow.com/podcast/bucked-up-ryan-jeff-gardner-181 Video: Inside Bucked Up HQ with the Gardner Brothers https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MzGuzuGtuWQ Detailed Show Notes: From Internet Marketing to Supplement Empire (0:00) – Introductions: Meeting the Twin CEOs in Salt Lake City (2:15) – The Internet Marketing Origins: Early 2000s Digital Pioneers (6:30) – The L-Arginine Domain Score: Learning the Power of Exact Match Domains (9:45) – The Ray Lewis Windfall: Deer Antler Spray Goes Viral (14:30) – Entering the Pre-Workout Market: Innovation Through Transparency (20:45) – Micro-Influencer Marketing: Ahead of the Curve (24:45) – Dominating Retail: The Path to #1 at GNC and Vitamin Shoppe (28:00) – The Beverage Evolution: Learning Distribution Networks (31:30) – The Brand Beyond Products: Culture and Community (34:00) – Product Innovation Partnership: The Black Ant Story (38:00) – Revolutionary Strength Ingredients: RipFACTOR and Clinical Research (42:30) – Premium Positioning and Market Strategy (45:30) – Diversified Pre-Workout Portfolio Strategy (48:30) – Ready-to-Drink Pre-Workout Development (54:30) – Protein Innovation: Light Carbonation Revolution (58:45) – Protein Dosing Philosophy and Market Positioning (1:06:30) – Celebrity Partnerships and Brand Building (1:10:30) – Market Expansion and Penetration Strategy (1:12:30) – Peptides and Future Health Optimization (1:17:30) – Healthspan vs Lifespan Philosophy Where to Follow Bucked Up and Connect Ryan Gardner: LinkedIn&… Read more on the PricePlow Blog

On Episode #180 of the PricePlow Podcast, Mike and Ben venture into the heart of Manhattan to visit Helaina, where they sit down with Dan DeMarino, Business Development Director, and Anthony Clark, Chief Technology Officer, for an in-depth exploration of precision fermentation technology and efferaâ„¢ human-equivalent lactoferrin. This conversation provides a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at the science and engineering that makes efferaâ„¢ possible, from Anthony’s revolutionary 5-week development cycles that compress what traditionally took 15 weeks, to the sophisticated machine learning models analyzing 170 million data points. We explore how Helaina has transformed precision fermentation from a months-long process into a predictable engineering paradigm, enabling rapid innovation in bioactive protein development. The Future is Now: How Precision Fermentation will Change the World Alongside Anthony’s technological prowess, Dan brings his extensive supplement industry experience across several categories to discuss the commercial applications of human lactoferrin. The conversation reveals clinical data showing that efferaâ„¢ is recognized by the body as “self” with no antibody development, while bovine lactoferrin triggers immune responses. The biggest question is how to best get the word out there for this phenomenal ingredient. From iron regulation mechanisms to women’s health applications, gut health formulations, and the future of human bioactive proteins, this episode showcases why efferaâ„¢ represents a paradigm shift in nutritional science. https://blog.priceplow.com/podcast/helaina-effera-precision-fermentation-180 Video: Helaina’s Manhattan Lab with Dan DeMarino & Anthony Clark https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3mh0im0b_eo Detailed Show Notes: Precision Fermentation Meets Supplement Innovation (0:00) – Introductions: Meeting the Science and Business Leaders (6:00) – Anthony’s Revolutionary R&D Approach: From 15 Weeks to 5 Weeks (9:00) – Learning from Experience: Patchouli to Protein in Record Time (10:30) – Data-Driven Innovation: 170 Million Data Points and Machine Learning (11:15) – The efferaâ„¢ Breakthrough: Human Lactoferrin Through Precision Fermentation (15:00) – Iron Regulation and Lactoferrin as a Signaling Molecule: Air Traffic Controller Analogy (22:00) – Marketing Challenge: Making Iron and Anti-Inflammation Sexy (23:00) – Strategic Positioning: Women’s Health and the “Pink Gold” Opportunity (25:30) – The Creatine Parallel: Building Efferaâ„¢ into a Multi-Benefit Category (29:00) – The Prenatal Crisis: 80% of Pregnant Women Are Iron Deficient (36:00) – Product Showcase: Kepos and the Human Colostrum Concept (41:30) – Formulating the Perfect Gut Health Supplement (47:00) – Clinical Research Pipeline: Three Studies Define the Future (49:00) – Clinical Validation: No Immune Response to Human Protein There’s so much more to come, and we couldn’t be more excited about the future after visiting Helaina’s R&D lab. Where to Follow Helaina an… Read more on the PricePlow Blog

On Episode #179 of the PricePlow Podcast, Mike and Ben sit down with Tyrus Sciarra, the high-energy sales dynamo from Sensapure Flavors, at IFT First 2025 in Chicago. Broadcasting from Sensapure’s booth (the same location where we recorded our Episode #175 with Solar Foods), this conversation dives deep into the evolving world of flavor science, industry trends, and the passionate career journey of one of the supplement industry’s most enthusiastic flavor advocates. From Natural to Even More Natural with Sensapure Flavors at IFT First 2025 Tyrus brings his characteristic energy and industry expertise to discuss everything from the natural vs. artificial flavor debate to international taste preferences, sweetener technologies, and the rise of the “clean label” movement. The conversation reveals how Sensapure Flavors differentiates itself through superior customer service, owned manufacturing capabilities, and deep understanding of the sports nutrition market. From his early days at another flavor house to his current role helping brands create flavor systems that drive consumer loyalty, Tyrus shares insights into why flavor isn’t just about taste — it’s about building successful brands. In the Supplement Industry and Don’t Know Tyrus?! You Should! The discussion also explores current industry controversies, including the Food Babe-driven movement away from natural flavors toward whole food extracts, the ongoing sucralose versus natural sweetener debate, and how American flavor profiles are conquering international markets. Whether you’re a brand looking to understand flavor development or simply curious about what goes into making your favorite supplements taste great, this episode provides rare insights into the science and business of flavor creation. https://blog.priceplow.com/podcast/tyrus-sciarra-sensapure-flavors-179 Video: Tyrus Sciarra Breaks Down Flavor Science and Industry Trends at IFT First 2025 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ESsccpGF5gw Detailed Show Notes: The Science and Business of Flavor Creation (0:00) – Introductions: The “Walking Ball of Energy” (2:00) – Career Journey: From ADM Wild to Sensapure Leadership (8:00) – The Flavor Industry Landscape: Service Over Commodity (12:00) – Manufacturing Excellence: Owning the Process (16:00) – Ownership Strategy: Learning from Xtend’s Success (23:00) – The Natural Flavor Controversy: Beyond Food Babe (32:00) – Citric Acid Alternatives: Meeting Clean Label Demands (37:00) – Cost Analysis: Premium Pricing for Clean Label (39:00) – The Sucralose Debate: Performance vs. Perception (47:00) – Sweetener Technology: Understanding Peak Profiles (50:00) – International Taste Preferences: American Flavors Go Global (54:00) – Trend Prediction: Personalization and Athlete Collaborations (58:00) – Brand Visibility: Moving Beyond Behind-the-Scenes (1:02:00) – Industry Evolution: Community Over Competition (1:05:00) – Market Education: Energy Drinks and Consumer Awareness (1:10:00) – Viral Marketing: Lessons from Basic Supplements (1:14:00) – Nostalgia and Memory: The Emotional Power of Flavor (1:16:00) – Innovation Opportunities: Functional Flavor Development Where to Follow Tyr… Read more on the PricePlow Blog

On Episode #178 of the PricePlow Podcast, Ben and guest co-host Joey Savage take listeners inside Veritacor Manufacturing in Luling, Texas, for an exclusive facility tour and in-depth conversation with founders Frank Santos and Derek Curtiss. This episode provides a rare behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to build and operate an NSF-certified, GMP-compliant supplement manufacturing facility from the ground up. From their humble beginnings with a single encapsulator to their current 32,500 square foot operation, Frank and Derek share the meticulous processes, quality control systems, and attention to detail that set Veritacor apart in the competitive contract manufacturing landscape. The discussion dives deep into the technical aspects of supplement production, from vendor qualification and raw material testing to the critical differences between ribbon and paddle blenders, while also exploring their ambitious growth plans to reach 200,000 square feet of manufacturing space. This discussion and forthcoming facility tour showcases not just Veritacor’s impressive capabilities in powder blending, encapsulation, and fulfillment, but also their commitment to elevating industry standards through rigorous third-party auditing, comprehensive SOPs, and a culture of continuous improvement. Whether you’re a brand owner looking for a manufacturing partner or simply interested in understanding how supplements are made at the highest quality levels, this episode delivers unprecedented insights into modern nutraceutical manufacturing. Subscribe to the PricePlow Podcast to hear more conversations with industry innovators and manufacturers shaping the future of supplements! https://blog.priceplow.com/podcast/veritacor-supplement-manufacturing-178 Video: Inside Veritacor Manufacturing Facility Tour https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=An7FhkG9bZE Detailed Show Notes: GMP Excellence and Manufacturing Innovation (0:00) – Introduction: A Dream Realized in Manufacturing (1:30) – Derek’s Journey: From Indian Botanicals to COO (3:30) – Building from Scratch: The Veritacor Origin Story (6:00) – The Path to NSF Certification: Setting the Standard (8:15) – Customer Onboarding: From Formula to Feasibility (10:15) – Vendor Qualification: The Foundation of Quality (12:15) – The Critical Weighing and Blending Process (14:30) – Blending Technology Deep Dive: Ribbon vs. Paddle vs. Bin (17:15) – Quality Control: Multi-Point Testing and Validation (19:45) – Manufacturing Capabilities and Core Specializations (22:30) – Core Culture: Demonstrating Capabilities Through House Brands (25:00) – Facility Evolution: Creative Solutions and Strategic Growth (28:00) – NSF Audit Stories: Learning from Scrutiny (31:00) – Stability Testing and Shelf Life Determination (34:00) – Third-Party Logistics: Complete Supply Chain Solutions (36:30) – NetSuite Implementation: Digital Transformation (39:00) – Community Impact: Building Local Talent (42:00) – The Business of Manufacturing: Costs and Timelines (45:00) – Blender Selection Strategy: The Right Tool for Each Job (48:00) – Expansion Vision: The Path to 200,000 Square Feet (51:00) – Product Categories and Sp… Read more on the PricePlow Blog

In the grand finale of our 2025 GNC Global Conference coverage, Mike and Ben deliver a comprehensive three-part episode that captures the full spectrum of the supplement retail ecosystem. From seasoned franchisees with decades of frontline experience to cutting-edge product innovation from MuscleTech, this conversation showcases why the supplement industry thrives on authentic relationships and genuine innovation. Part 1 features powerhouse franchisees Eric Miller (33 years, Philadelphia market), Benny Farzad (14 years, Dallas-Fort Worth), and Laura Dalton (23 years, Raleigh, North Carolina) sharing their insights on what makes successful supplement brands and how social media has transformed consumer education. Part 2 shifts to Florida franchisee Mona Bailey and Nutralabz Chief Revenue Officer Ben Benedict discussing regional market trends and the GR8 Lifestyle product experience. Part 3 concludes with MuscleTech’s Raza Bashir providing exclusive previews of revolutionary effervescent technology and upcoming innovations that have him more excited than ever in his 17-year career. This episode perfectly encapsulates the community-over-competition mentality that defines the modern supplement industry, demonstrating how authentic partnerships between brands, retailers, and consumers create sustainable success. Special thanks to Nutralabz for hosting us at their booth and facilitating these incredible conversations. https://blog.priceplow.com/podcast/gnc-global-conference-franchisees-177 Video: GNC Global Conference Finale – The Complete Industry Perspective https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MIv2s9AEB6A Detailed Show Notes: From Retail Floors to R&D Labs (0:00) – Introductions: The Frontline Franchisees (2:30) – The Three Pillars of Brand Success (5:00) – Social Media’s Impact on Consumer Education (8:15) – Early Access and Exclusive Partnerships (9:30) – GR8 Lifestyle and Basic Supplements Performance (12:00) – The Personal Touch: Community Integration and Customer Service (14:30) – The Evolution of Creatine Acceptance (16:00) – Essential Supplement Recommendations (18:00) – Part 2: Florida Franchise Success with Mona Bailey (21:30) – Regional Market Dynamics: Florida vs. Other Markets (24:00) – GR8 Lifestyle Products: Mona’s Experience (27:30) – Creatine Education and Women’s Market Expansion (31:00) – Upcoming GR8 Product Preview (34:00) – Part 3: MuscleTech Innovation with Raza Bashir (37:30) – EFF’N Creatine: Revolutionary Effervescent Technology (42:00) – Flavor Science and Technical Innovation (45:30) – EuphoriQ V2: Strategic Yohimbe Integration (50:30) – Future Innovation Preview: Peptides and Beyond (54:00) – Industry Collaboration and Community Building Where to Follow and Learn More Eric Miller: Philadelphia GNC Franchisee (33 years experience) Benny Farzad: LinkedIn | Instagram: @gnc_prestonwood, @gnc_fraternitry Laura Dalton: LinkedIn | Instagram: @gncdaltonfranchiese Mona Bailey: Lin… Read more on the PricePlow Blog

In this two-part Episode #176 of the PricePlow Podcast, we explore Gremin, the breakthrough dual polyphenolic ingredient from Zeus Hygia that’s revolutionizing sports nutrition recovery. First, we sit down with Dr. Arun Kanth, founder of Zeus Hygia, to dive deep into the science behind this patent-pending combination of curcumin and green coffee extract. Then, we hear from Tyshawn Bryant, founder of Green Regimen, who shares his personal experience testing Gremin and how it led to his company’s expansion into India. This episode reveals how Zeus Hygia’s proprietary BioFusion Technology solves the notorious bioavailability challenges of curcumin while combining it with chlorogenic acid from green coffee extract, bringing curcumin to the sports nutrition space in proper fashion. With clinical studies showing 60% pain reduction, 21.5% improvement in muscular endurance, and accelerated muscle recovery, Gremin represents a significant advancement in plant-based sports nutrition ingredients. The conversation also explores the entrepreneurial journeys of both founders and the growing collaboration between innovative ingredient companies and passionate brand builders. https://blog.priceplow.com/podcast/zeus-hygia-gremin-arun-kanth-tyshawn-bryant-176 Video: Gremin’s Breakthrough Science and Real-World Results https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Upc5P11Bc-w Detailed Show Notes: The Science and Story Behind Gremin (0:00) – Introduction: Welcome to Zeus Hygia and Gremin (1:15) – Arun’s Scientific Background and Journey (4:30) – The Humble Beginnings: Starting Without Backing (6:00) – Choosing Curcumin: The Obvious Starting Point (8:30) – The Sports Nutrition Gap: Identifying Plant-Based Opportunities (10:30) – Patent-Pending Innovation: Combination and Technology (12:45) – The First Company to Combine Green Coffee and Curcumin (14:30) – Clinical Evidence: Two Published Human Studies (16:30) – Comprehensive Performance Testing and Biomarkers (19:30) – Neutral Taste and Formulation Advantages (21:15) – Commercial Success and Market Applications (23:00) – Gummy Applications and Dosing Flexibility (24:30) – Venture Funding Announcement and Future Plans (26:15) – Stadice: The Mango-Based Cognitive Ingredient (28:15) – Connecting with Tyshawn Bryant (29:45) – Zeus Hygia Contact Information and Social Media (33:00) – Part 2: Tyshawn Bryant and the Green Regimen Story (33:45) – Green Regimen’s Origin: A Personal Health Crisis (36:00) – From Green Smoothies to Elite Lifestyle Protein (38:30) – The Entrepreneurial Learning Curve (40:30) – Elite Lifestyle Nutrition: The Complete Formula (42:30) – Lessons from the Failed Kids Product (44:00) – The Taste Challenge in Plant-Based Proteins (46:15) – The Secret Weapons: Coconut Water and No Stevia (48:30) – Green Regimen Energy and Focus: Clean Stimulation (50:00) – Actazin: The Kiwi-Based Gut Health Innovation (51:30) – Ben’s Kiwi Sleep Discovery (53:15) – The Zeus Hygia Connection: Introducing Gremin (55:45) – The Intensity Chal… Read more on the PricePlow Blog

On Episode #175 of the PricePlow Podcast, we sit down with Juan Benítez-García, Chief Sales Officer, and Sini Möttönen, Senior Application Scientist from Solar Foods at IFT First 2025 in Chicago. Broadcasting from the Sensapure Flavors booth, we explore the revolutionary Solein® protein that’s literally made “out of thin air”. This isn’t your typical alternative protein story. Solar Foods has achieved what seemed impossible: creating complete, high-quality protein without farms, animals, or even plants. Using ancient Finnish microbes and renewable electricity, they’ve developed a process that bypasses photosynthesis entirely, producing protein that’s 80% pure with a complete amino acid profile including 20% BCAAs. The result is a golden-colored powder with exceptional nutritional density, including naturally high levels of iron and vitamin B12. Our conversation reveals how biomass fermentation differs from precision fermentation, why Solein® tastes creamy with subtle nutty notes, and how this technology earned NASA recognition for feeding astronauts on Mars missions. From ice cream to protein bars, Juan and Sini demonstrate the versatility of this groundbreaking ingredient while explaining why it represents a fundamental shift toward sustainable, location-independent protein production. https://blog.priceplow.com/podcast/solar-foods-solein-175 Video: Solar Foods Brings Protein “Out of Thin Air” to IFT First 2025 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQ3hlgn0cZI Detailed Show Notes: The Science and Future of Air-Based Protein (0:00) – Introductions: Meeting the Solar Foods Team at IFT First (9:00) – The Science Behind Solein®: How Protein Gets Made from Air (13:00) – Biomass vs. Precision Fermentation: Understanding the Key Difference (18:00) – Nutritional Profile: Why 80% Protein Changes Everything (29:00) – Flavor Innovation: Partnering with Sensapure for Taste Excellence (34:00) – Versatile Applications: From Ready-to-Mix to Ice Cream (43:00) – Protein Bar Innovation: Soft Texture That Lasts (52:00) – Space Applications: NASA Recognition and Mars Mission Potential (1:00:00) – Global Flavors and Ice Cream Success (1:04:00) – Market Timeline and Consumer Availability (1:07:00) – Contact Information and Industry Connections Where to Follow Solar Foods and Connect with the Team Juan Benítez-García: LinkedIn Sini Möttönen: LinkedIn Solar Foods: Company Website LinkedIn Learn more about Solein® on PricePlow Sign up for PricePlow’s Solar Foods news alerts Thank you to Juan and Sini for sharing the incredible story of Solein® and demonstrating how ancient Finnish microbes, renewable electricity, and innovative engineering are revolutionizing protein production. … Read more on the PricePlow Blog

On Episode #174 of the PricePlow Podcast, Mike and Ben sit down with Rachel Schreck (Product Strategic Manager) and Brent Petersen (Vice President of Research) from Glanbia to explore the revolutionary Glanbia Strength Platform that’s transforming how we think about performance ingredients, especially in beverage applications. This powerhouse team brings decades of expertise to discuss four groundbreaking ingredients that finally solve the stability challenges that have plagued creatine and ATP supplementation in ready-to-drink formats. The conversation dives into the science behind CreaBev® (the first beverage-stable creatine), OptiATPâ„¢ (encapsulated PEAK ATP® for energy drinks), Collametaâ„¢ (highly bioavailable marine collagen tripeptides), and TruCal® (a balanced bone health mineral complex). From Rachel’s journey through food science to Brent’s 25 years of dairy protein innovation, this episode reveals how Glanbia’s advanced encapsulation technologies are opening entirely new product categories for formulators and brands. Beyond the technical breakthroughs, we explore real-world applications already hitting the market, including FitAid RX with CreaBev technology, and hear Mike’s personal collagen and glycine supplementation journey that led to immediate experiential benefits. This episode showcases how authentic ingredient innovation, combined with transparent partnerships like those with Basic Supplements and GR8 Lifestyle, is driving the next evolution in functional beverages. https://blog.priceplow.com/podcast/glanbia-nutritionals-strength-beverages-174 Video: Glanbia Strength Platform Deep Dive https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sKU5126dPFw Detailed Show Notes: Revolutionizing Beverage Stability with Glanbia (0:00) – Introduction to Glanbia Powerhouse Team (2:45) – Exploring Bioactives and Global Innovation Infrastructure (6:00) – Innovations in Protein Processing and Extrusion Technologies (8:30) – The Evolution of Creatine in Beverages: A Decades-Long Challenge (11:30) – CreaBev®: The Stability and Efficacy Breakthrough (14:45) – Consumer Experience and Product Development Philosophy (17:30) – OptiATPâ„¢: A New Frontier in Energy Drinks (29:45) – Exploring Beverage Applications of Protein Ingredients (32:00) – Understanding OptiATPâ„¢ Dosage and Claims in Beverages (35:30) – Innovative Beverage Formulations with OptiATPâ„¢ (39:00) – Stability and Storage of OptiATPâ„¢ in Beverages (42:00) – Introduction to Collametaâ„¢: The Future of Collagen (45:00) – The Benefits of Tripeptides in Collagen Supplementation (50:00) – Glycine and Its Role in Energy and Recovery (52:30) – Heavy Metals in Collagen: Addressing Safety Concerns (53:45) – Innovations in Collagen Supplements and Market Opportunities (55:15) – The Appeal of Collagen Gummies and Consumer Preferences (57:30) – Exploring Other Applications for Collagen Beyond Supplements (58:30) – The Peptide Trend in Supplements and Marketing Opportunities (1:04:00) – Unde… Read more on the PricePlow Blog