Activ’Inside secures rare regulatory approval for wild blueberry ingredient in Belgium

Botanical extracts supplier Activ’Inside reached a regulatory milestone with the approval of wild blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium) for inclusion in its dietary supplement ingredient, as per list three of Belgium’s Royal Order (Arrêté Royal). This “rare success” simplifies the market entry for the company’s flagship ingredient, Memophenol, across Europe.

Memophenol is a double-patented formula featuring essential polyphenols for neuroprotection. It combines whole French grape extract (Vitis vinifera L.) and wild Canadian blueberry extract , carefully selected for their synergistic action on brain health.

Backed by three published clinical studies, Memophenol has been proven to enhance cognition in both seniors and students. Highly bioavailable, it ensures optimal absorption for maximum effectiveness.

“This was no small feat,” says Benoît Lemaire, CEO and founder of Activ’Inside. “Adding a new species to Belgium’s Arrêté Royal list at the request of an industrial player is an uncommon achievement, highlighting the rigorous scientific and regulatory work we put into this project.”

For over a year, Activ’Inside worked closely with Belgian authorities, submitting a robust safety dossier for wild blueberry. This effort culminated in the Commission d’avis des préparations de plantes publishing its official opinion, concluding that V. angustifolium can be permitted in dietary supplements.

An official statement was posted on the Belgian authorities’ website ahead of the upcoming update to the Arrêté Royal.

The approval includes recommended maximum daily consumption of 150 g of fresh fruits or 20 g of dried fruits for adults. Notably, Memophenol — with its recommended dose of 300–600 mg per day — falls well within these limits.

Awaiting official modification

Although this approval marks a major milestone, Activ’Inside now awaits the official modification of Belgium’s Arrêté Royal. The revision process is expected to begin early this year and will take several months to complete.

The inclusion of V. angustifolium will simplify product declarations in Belgium for Memophenol, significantly reducing regulatory delays for Activ’Inside’s clients. Additionally, this approval will facilitate mutual recognition within the EU, easing product distribution across multiple member states.

“This milestone is a win not only for Activ’Inside but for the entire industry,” adds Lemaire. “It demonstrates the importance of proactive regulatory engagement in ensuring safe and effective products reach consumers.”

Activ’Inside was created based on its founders’ expertise in the botanical extracts industry for almost 30 years. Located in Bordeaux, France, and comprising two integral divisions, the company operates as a comprehensive food supplement manufacturer, offering a 360-degree approach to product creation.

The supplier’s Activ’Inside Ingredient division leads the development of active ingredients, managing the entire process from sourcing to proprietary scientific breakthroughs.

Innova Market Insights’ data suggest that the sports nutrition and supplements market is experiencing a global increase in cognitive support claims, with 2% year-over-year growth from 2021 to 2022. In 2022, 88% of product launches in this segment featured cognitive support — primarily in supplements — and brain-mood health was the top positioning at 83%.

Maïté Jeanroy, the marketing strategy and communications manager at Activ’Inisde, recently caught up with Nutrition Insight on the company’s process of creating Memophenol, which involved ten academic and industrial partners, including 22 scientists, Ph.D. holders, and engineers.