H.E.R Code Launches Oral-Melt Prenatal Supplement to Tackle Compliance Issues
“In more than a decade of practice, I prescribed nutritional supplements and phytomedicines to women and their families. One of the most persistent barriers to adherence was simple but significant: whether the patient found the product palatable,” said Jessica Simonis, chief scientific officer of H.E.R Code, in a statement to NutraIngredients. The Australian startup, founded by Simonis and CEO Dianne Ly, launched its first product, H.E.R. Code Prenatal + Postnatal, in August, offering an oral-melt powder designed to address low compliance among pregnant women.
Innovative Format Addresses Pregnancy Compliance Challenges
Obstetricians, general practitioners, and naturopaths have long reported difficulties with patients adhering to supplement regimens during pregnancy, particularly due to nausea, gag reflexes, and aversions to taste and smell. “The oral-melt format wasn’t the starting point or simply a novelty. It came from the problem we were trying to solve together: could we rethink how comprehensive prenatal nutrition is delivered around the realities of pregnancy?” Simonis explained. The product’s formulation aims to align with the physiological and sensory challenges of pregnancy, ensuring women “would actually want to take every day.”
Technology Overcomes Formulation Hurdles
Advancements in encapsulation technology enabled H.E.R Code to tackle one of the main obstacles: iron’s metallic taste. The company uses a proprietary microencapsulated ferric pyrophosphate form of iron, which reduces sensory discomfort while being gentler on the gut. “The encapsulation technology helped us manage the sensory characteristics of the iron within the oral-melt formulation,” Simonis said. However, the development process was arduous, requiring six rounds of R&D and nearly leading to abandonment after the fourth. “The challenge is that you’re balancing nutrition, chemistry, sensory experience, and manufacturing simultaneously,” she noted.
Dual Folate System for Fetal Development
The supplement includes a dual folate system with both folic acid and levomefolate (5-MTHF, L-methylfolate), ensuring optimal support for fetal development. Simonis emphasized that the oral-melt format was not a rejection of traditional tablets or capsules but a response to the unique demands of pregnancy. “Tablets and capsules are established, practical delivery formats with clear advantages,” she acknowledged. “But they also present practical formulation constraints when ingredients like calcium and magnesium are used.” By prioritizing nutritional needs over format, H.E.R Code aims to provide flexibility without compromising efficacy.
Consumer Choice and Industry Reception
While H.E.R Code does not claim its product is superior to conventional supplements, it highlights the importance of user preference. “Women deserve to choose from a format that suits them, without compromising on efficacy, quality, and safety,” Simonis said. Ly previously worked for fellow Australian nutraceutical brands Life‑Space and Pentavite.
FAQ
How does H.E.R Code’s oral-melt format differ from traditional supplements?
The oral‑melt powder is designed to address sensory challenges, such as taste aversions, that often hinder compliance with traditional tablets or capsules.
Is the oral-melt format as effective as conventional supplements?
Simonis stated that the product’s formulation prioritizes efficacy, but the company emphasizes that both formats remain viable and focuses on offering choice rather than claiming superiority.
What role do B‑vitamins play in the supplement’s sensory profile?
B‑vitamins can influence taste and mouthfeel, interacting with other ingredients to affect the overall formulation. Simonis noted that these interactions required careful balancing during development to maintain stability and palatability.
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