Growing global coalition brings together leading companies and experts working to advance science-based standards, transparency and public trust in ashwagandha
Boulder, Colorado — August 18, 2026 — The Ashwagandha Standards Alliance (ASA) today announced the continued expansion of its global membership initiative, with Kerry Group, a global leader in sustainable nutrition, joining the Alliance.
The addition of Kerry comes as ASA expands membership among global responsible suppliers, brands, manufacturers, laboratories, researchers and other stakeholders throughout the global ashwagandha value chain.
Kerry joins ASA’s other Founding Executive Members: Sabinsa Inc., Cepham Inc., Arjuna Natural USA, Botanical Liaisons, LLC, and NaturPro Scientific, LLC. Together, the members are helping build a broader industry coalition around responsible stewardship of the ashwagandha category.
“Ashwagandha has become one of the world’s most important botanical ingredients, and the issues surrounding it are bigger than any one supplier, brand or market,” said Blake Ebersole, co-founding member of the Ashwagandha Standards Alliance. “Kerry brings significant scientific, regulatory and global market experience to the table. Their participation is another important step toward building the broad, credible coalition this category needs.”
Building on collaboration in Europe
Kerry has already participated in efforts aligned with ASA’s mission. In July, ASA recognized Kerry and the Safeguard Ashwagandha initiative for presenting scientific evidence directly to policymakers at the European Parliament in Brussels, as European authorities consider the regulatory future of ashwagandha.
ASA has emphasized that the future of the category depends not only on communicating safety evidence, but also on addressing legitimate industry responsibilities, including truthful plant-part and potency labeling, appropriate specifications, validated analytical methods, GMP compliance, traceability and responsible public communication.
“Kerry’s decision to join the Alliance builds on the kind of collaboration we believe is essential,” Ebersole said. “Companies can compete commercially while still working together on the scientific and quality foundations that affect everyone.”
Kerry’s participation comes as ASA continues its global membership initiative and invites additional responsible stakeholders to take part. Membership is open to ingredient suppliers, finished-product brands, manufacturers, testing laboratories, research organizations, consultants, clinicians, trade organizations, educators and other professional stakeholders with an interest in responsible botanical science, quality, transparency and public trust.
ASA is intentionally agnostic to plant parts and commercial ingredients. The Alliance does not exist to promote one product, supplier, analytical method or commercial position. Instead, it seeks to create a common scientific foundation around quality, identity, safety, analytical testing, labeling and responsible communication.
The Ashwagandha Standards Alliance was established as a collaborative, science-anchored initiative focused on advancing the integrity of ashwagandha ingredients and consumer products globally. Its work is organized around six core priorities:
- Education — providing clear, science-based information for industry, regulators and the public;
- Safety — evaluating and communicating the broader body of scientific evidence concerning ashwagandha;
- Quality — supporting authentic products, responsible sourcing, accurate labeling and appropriate documentation;
- Analytical harmonization — encouraging fit-for-purpose specifications and validated analytical methods;
- Transparency — promoting open communication around composition, testing, sourcing and scientific evidence; and
- Public trust — helping preserve confidence in ashwagandha through responsible industry stewardship.
“The Alliance becomes stronger when participation extends across the value chain,” Ebersole said. “Those who formulate and sell ashwagandha consumer products should be involved in the same conversation as the companies producing standards-setting ashwagandha ingredients.”
Organizations and professionals interested in participating in the Alliance can learn more about its mission, principles, membership categories and current activities at: https://ashwagandhastandards.org/join-the-alliance/
About the Ashwagandha Standards Alliance
The Ashwagandha Standards Alliance is a coalition of responsible stakeholders working globally to advance science-based standards, transparent disclosure and accurate public communication for ashwagandha ingredients and finished products.
The Alliance works to strengthen industry and public understanding through practical education shared scientific dialogue, and clear expectations for ashwagandha quality, safety and labeling.
Its goal is to foster a stronger foundation of consistency, accountability and public trust while keeping the global conversation around ashwagandha grounded in more than 150 clinical and safety studies.
About Kerry
Kerry Group is a world leading provider of taste and nutrition solutions for the food, beverage and pharmaceutical markets. It innovates with its customers to create great tasting products, with improved nutrition and functionality, while ensuring a better impact for the planet. Kerry’s leading consumer insights, global RD&A team of 1,300+ food scientists, and local manufacturing footprint in 34 countries enables it to co-create with its customers across over 150 markets. Kerry is driven to be its customers’ most valued partner, creating a world of sustainable nutrition. For more information, visit www.kerry.com.
Media Contact:
Kandice Randal, Kandice Rae Communications