After scrupulous testing of raw material sourcing and manufacturing, DuPont Nutrition & Biosciences’ SeaGel CAP101 and SeaGel CAP203 non-animal soft capsule technologies have achieved Non-GMO Project Verified certification.
 
SeaGel offers a plant-based alternative to traditional soft capsules, which are traditionally made with gelatin. Naturally derived from seaweed, SeaGel is animal-free, making it inclusive to vegan, vegetarian, Halal and Kosher diets. Its recent non-GMO designation allows manufacturers incorporating SeaGel into their formulation to appeal to a wider range of consumers.
 
“As consumers become more informed about what goes into their daily supplements, they’re searching for products that are natural, sustainable and non-GMO,” said Michael Baumann, global strategic marketing manager, DuPont Nutrition & Biosciences. “Adding the iconic non-GMO butterfly to their end products helps manufacturers and brand owners provide customers with immediate assurance that a product aligns with their lifestyle needs.”
 
SeaGel offers manufacturers solutions to a range of formulation challenges, and when compared to alternative vegetarian soft capsule technology, it provides superior sealing performance and reduced leakage. Since seaweed has a higher melting point than gelatin, SeaGel soft capsules are more heat stable, ensuring they will not become sticky or melt together inside capsule bottles. Its adaptability to shape, color and coating—plus easy incorporation into existing gelatin manufacturing operations—allows for a wide range of brand strategies with minimum capital investment, says the company.
 
“The dietary supplement market is growing rapidly, with 4,000 new products introduced each year in the U.S. alone,” said Benjamin Roscoe, application development & innovation manager, DuPont Nutrition & Biosciences. “By consistently evolving alongside our customers, we’re empowering them to differentiate from competitors and meet consumer demand with safe, natural and sustainably sourced ingredients.”