GT’s Living Foods announced this week the formation of a Science Advisory Board (SAB) which will consult the kombucha maker on health and science-based research.
According to GT’s founder and CEO GT Dave, the board will not only advise the company, but also communicate directly with consumers, including sharing information and up-to-date research on kombucha’s impact on overall health and wellness.
In an email to BevNET, Dave noted that the SAB’s first steps will be “to understand and synthesize the current [research] literature” regarding kombucha in order to help “answer some of the burning questions” around the drink’s health impact. The ultimate goal, he said, will be to develop new research that will set the foundation for a Standard of Identity dossier for kombucha.
“At the end of the day, our purpose is to always serve our consumers with information on what Kombucha is and what it is not, so that they can continue to improve their lives through wise health and wellness choices,” Dave said.
The board is composed of five medical doctors with shared expertise in science, nutrition and microbiomes. Among the inaugural members are chairman Dr. Ari Mackler, PhD, MBA, a pharmaceutical industry veteran who has served as the VP of clinical development at The Wonderful Company and as the chief science officer at PLUS Products; Dr. Jack Gilbert, former director of the Microbiome Center at the University of Chicago; Dr. Charles Frankel, a gastroenterologist at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and Providence Saint John’s Health Center; Dr. Jonathan Jacobs, co-founder of the UCLA Microbiome Center; and Dr. David Heber, founding director of the UCLA Center for Human Nutrition and founding chief of the Division of Clinical Nutrition in the Department of Medicine at UCLA.
In an email, Mackler said that GT’s will use the SAB’s guidance in its innovation and R&D programs, as strategic advice around emerging science and technology, and “as advice regarding the scientific merit of technologies for their developing business opportunities.” Findings will be shared with the public “when appropriate,” he said.
Though the formation of the SAB began “long before” the COVID-19 pandemic began, Dave said, but noted that the past year has seen a growing awareness among consumers about the impact of gut health on immunity.
“The lack of studies on Kombucha’s benefits has plagued this category since its beginning over 25 years ago,” Dave said. “However, as COVID-19 continues to impact our lives, we’ve been seeing a growing awareness from consumers on gut health and its connection to immunity and other health benefits. Now felt like the time to share with our fans and consumers that we are committed to doing everything we can to ensure we are providing them with not only a quality product, but accurate and evidence-based messages with the expertise and guidance of our SAB.”