In a strategic move toward nutrient-enriched convenience foods and functional nutrition, Manitoba Harvest and One A Day from Bayer have launched innovative wellness products for two distinct audiences.
Powering up adult smoothies with hemp
Global hemp foods leader, Manitoba Harvest, has introduced Hemp+, a trio of smoothie boosters designed around targeted health priorities: Mood, Energy and Immunity.
Each 15 g serving delivers 7 g of plant-based protein and 3 g of fibre — macronutrients that are critical for stabilising blood sugar when blended into carb-rich smoothies, thereby helping to forestall energy crashes and reduce cravings.
But the key differentiation lies not just in hemp macronutrients. Each booster is enriched with specialty botanicals: Mood includes ashwagandha, Energy features guarana and Immunity leverages elderberry, alongside other herbal fortifiers.
Taken together, the Hemp+ line offers a compelling fusion of plant protein, fibre and functional botanicals to support holistic well-being via a convenient morning shake or post-workout blend.
“Unlocking your smoothie’s full potential” isn’t just tagline rhetoric: research supports that combining protein and complex carbs enhances blood sugar stability, while adaptogens and phytonutrients help round out nutritional gaps.
With this launch, Manitoba Harvest is positioning Hemp+ as a next-gen smoothie staple for health-conscious adults looking to elevate everyday nutrition.
*Kids’ nutrition just got easier with iron-enhanced gummies
Meanwhile, One A Day, the 80-year-old nutraceutical brand under Bayer, has rolled out "Kids Multi with Iron Gummies."
This the first of its kind among leading brands to hit the market with 12 mg of iron (two gummies), equating to ⅔ of the daily value for children aged 4 and up.
A recent One A Day–sponsored survey found that 66 % of kids skip meals at least weekly, while more than half subsist mostly on snacks — prompting parental concern about missing essential nutrients.
With iron among the most common deficiencies in childhood, the new gummy aims to bridge this gap in a kid-friendly format.
Importantly, the launch is part of a broader One A Day Kids lineup, which includes probiotic gummies and essential multivitamin blends sans iron.
All formulas are free of artificial sweeteners, HFCS and major allergens — features that appeal to health-conscious parents.
Paediatrician Dr Jessica Andrade, an adviser on the project, highlighted iron’s importance of supporting healthy growth and cognitive development.
“Adding these vitamin gummies to children’s daily routines is a simple and tasty way to help meet daily iron needs, especially when they may lack iron in their diets,” she said..
Category Takeaways
Together, these launches underline two key consumer trends:
- Functional fortification: adult nutrition products now routinely combine protein + adaptogens/phytonutrients.
- Targeted childhood supplementation: specialised blends, such as iron-enhanced multivitamins, are gaining traction among parents addressing picky eating.
Both Manitoba Harvest and One A Day illustrate the rising appeal of personalised nutrition, offering consumers products that are not one-size-fits-all but instead crafted to address specific needs — be it morning energy, immunity support, or essential nutrient coverage.
As functional wellness becomes mainstream, look for continued innovation at the intersection of food, supplements and botanical science — fuelling more product lines aimed at delivering convenience, taste, and targeted health benefits.
Nutraceutical Business Review will continue to monitor how these launches perform in retail channels and among consumer audiences.