September 2025
ACI Group calls for action on supply chain transparency after ingredient concentration scandals
Supply chain and distribution expert ACI Group is challenging nutrition and functional food brands to take a harder look at their ingredient supply chains, warning that too many businesses are still taking supplier claims at face value.
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ACI’s intervention comes in response to a number of concerning stories emerging across the food industry involving ingredients promised at 80% concentration that were later found to deliver only 60% once tested on-shelf. ACI Group argues that this problem exposes brands to compliance failures, costly relabelling, and reputational damage.
The issues have been revealed to impact a wide range of raw materials, from fermented rice flour to plant extracts. Examples of off-spec products slipping through have been seen in India, China, and across Europe.
"In a market where consumer trust is everything, supply chain diligence is no longer optional," said Gareth Clark, Sales Director at ACI Group. “We would urge businesses to embed batch-by-batch validation and independent testing as a standard part of their due diligence, rather than relying solely on specification sheets or supplier assurances. Until supply chains prove consistency, every batch should be tested to safeguard quality and consumer trust.
“We know of one brand that used a protein powder they thought had 80% protein content. Testing showed the powder was only 60% protein in the final product, which meant the brand had to repackage all its stock and consider legal action. Using a credible partner helps avoid all of these issues – it’s just better for business in every sense.”
By providing independent verification before ingredients reach production lines, ACI Group is positioning itself as a partner for brands serious about protecting both compliance and credibility.
“With the UK’s junk food advertising ban set to come into force imminently, nutritional claims are under greater levels of scrutiny than ever before,” Clark added. “Business owners cannot leave this to chance – they must take action to independently verify and secure their supply chains to ensure greater transparency and consumer confidence.”
To learn more about ACI’s portfolio of high-performance functional ingredients, visit www.acigroup.biz.