Ronaldo Invests in Herbalife’s Pro2col as Supplements Gain Global Trade Recognition
This week brought significant developments in the health, wellness, and sports industries, with Cristiano Ronaldo investing in Herbalife’s Pro2col technology platform and the World Customs Organization (WCO) formally recognizing dietary supplements as a distinct category in global trade.
World Customs Organization Recognizes Dietary Supplements
In a landmark decision, the World Customs Organization will officially categorize dietary supplements separately within the Harmonized System (HS) – the global framework used by customs authorities to classify and monitor international trade – starting January 1, 2028. For seven years, a formal review process has been underway to address the previous ambiguity in classifying these products.
The HS system, utilized by over 200 countries and economies, determines tariffs and trade flows. Prior to this update, dietary supplements often faced inconsistent classification by customs administrations.
“This decision formally recognizes supplements as a distinct food category in global trade. That clarity is an important step toward modernizing trade rules for the sector,” stated Simon Pettman, executive director of the International Alliance of Dietary Supplement Associations (IADSA) according to NutraIngredients. “However, we now necessitate to spot consistent and appropriate implementation into national systems.”
Cristiano Ronaldo’s Investment in Herbalife’s Pro2col
Global sports icon Cristiano Ronaldo has invested $7.5 million in Herbalife’s Pro2col technology platform, acquiring a 10% equity stake in HBL Pro2col Software, LLC, a subsidiary of Herbalife. As reported by Business Standard, this investment includes a commitment from Ronaldo to provide services and sponsorship rights connected to the platform.
Herbalife has partnered with Ronaldo since 2013, and this move signifies a deepening of their relationship. Pro2col is described as a next-generation, digital, personalized health and wellness operating system designed to drive engagement and measurable outcomes through data-driven insights. Herbalife’s press release highlights Ronaldo’s commitment to health and nutrition and his confidence in the future of personalized wellness.
“Cristiano has been a valued partner for more than a decade, and his decision to take an ownership stake in Pro2col marks an important milestone in our relationship,” said Stephan Gratziani, Herbalife Chief Executive Officer.
Pharmactive’s Affron Receives Approval in South Korea
Pharmactive Biotech Products, SLU, has secured individual license approval from South Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) for its proprietary saffron extract, Affron, specifically for its stress-relief claim. NutraIngredients reports that this approval positions Affron as the first saffron ingredient to receive this recognition in South Korea.
The approval process, conducted in collaboration with Hyundai Bioland Co Ltd., was described as “complex and lengthy,” requiring alignment of international clinical data with MFDS expectations. Hyundai Bioland’s expertise in navigating the South Korean regulatory landscape was critical to the success of the application.