Collagen peptides from Rousselot receive Upcycled Certified status

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In an April 24, 2025, press release, Rousselot, a health brand of Darling Ingredients, announced that its collagen peptides, Peptan, had received Upcycled Certified status from Where Food Comes From (WFCF), a third-party certification for upcycled food.

The certification is designed to reduce food waste by recognizing products that contain ingredients that otherwise would not have been used. Using an enzymatic hydrolysis process, Peptan converts bovine, porcine, or fish-derived raw materials into a bioactive ingredient.

“This certification is a testament to Peptan’s commitment to sustainability,” stated Jeroen Colpaert, executive vice president, Rousselot Health & Nutrition, in the press release. “Peptan is a prime example of how upcycled ingredients can be transformed into high-value, functional solutions. By choosing Peptan, brands can confidently offer products that deliver science-backed benefits, while also align with the growing consumer demand for environmentally responsible solutions.”

Citing Innova Market data from 2022 to 2023, the press release also noted that consumer interest in upcycled food had increased from 35% to 43%. It also noted studies on peptides for various health conditions including on collagen peptide supplements and osteoarthritis^2,3, skin health⁴, hair loss prevention⁵, muscle recovery after exercise⁶, and sleep quality⁷.

References

1. Innova Market Insights. Toward a healthy planet: Eco-conscious consumers practice what they preach https://www.innovamarketinsights.com/trends/eco-conscious-consumers/ (accessed 2025-04-25).
2. Dar, Q-A.; Schott, EM.; Catheline, SE.; Maynard, RD.; Liu, Z.; Kamal, F.; Farnsworth, CW.; Ketz, JP.; Mooney, RA.; Hilton, MJ.; Jonason, JH. Prawitt, J.; Zuscik, MJ. Daily oral consumption of hydrolyzed type 1 collagen is chondroprotective and anti-inflammatory in murine posttraumatic osteoarthritis. PLoS ONE. 2017. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0174705.
3. Jiang, JX.; Yu, S.; Huang, QR.; Zhang, XL.; Zhang, CQ.; Zhou, JL.; Prawitt, J. Collagen peptides improve knee osteoarthritis in elderly women: A 6-month randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study Agro Food Industry Hi Tech. 2014.
4. Asserin, J.; Lati, E.; Eng, TSB.; Prawitt, J., The effect of oral collagen peptide supplementation on skin moisture and the dermal collagen network: evidence from an ex vivo model and randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trials. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. 2015. DOI: 10.1111/jocd.12174.
5. Pappelbaum Revealing novel insights on how oral supplementation with collagen peptides may prevent hair loss: Lessons from the human hair follicle organ culture, Journal of Functional Foods. 2024. DOI: 10.1016/j.jff.2024.106124.
6. Clifford, T.; Ventress, M.; Allerton, DM.; Stansfield, S.; T, JCY.; Fraser, WD.; Vanhoecke, B.; Prawitt, J.; Stevenson, E. The effects of collagen peptides on muscle damage, inflammation and bone turnover following exercise: a randomized, controlled trial. Amino Acids 2019. DOI: 10.1007/s00726-019-02706-5.
7. Thomas, C.; Kingshott, RN.; Allott, KM.; Tang, JCY.; Dunn, R.; Fraser, WD.; Thorley, J.; Virgilio, N.; Prawitt, J.; Hogervorst, E.; Škarabot, J.; Clifford, T. Collagen peptide supplementation before bedtime reduces sleep fragmentation and improves cognitive function in physically active males with sleep complaints. Eur J Nutr. 2024. DOI: 10.1007/s00394-023-03267-.