Desert Harvest rolls out “smart bottles” for supplements with ImpacX technology

24 Feb 2022 --- Nutritional supplements manufacturer Desert Harvest will phase out single-use plastic bottles for all of its products by the end of 2022.

Desert Harvest says this makes it the first US supplement company to abandon single-use pill bottles in favor of more environmentally sustainable packaging solutions.

Using smart bottle supplier ImpacX, the move allows consumers to purchase refillable, rechargeable, Bluetooth-connected smart bottles, including an app that tracks pill usage and pushes refill reminders.

“This move is enormously important for those who rely on our supplements as part of their health and wellness because it gives accountability, reminds them to take their supplements, and gives notification of when they need to refill the bottle,” Heather Florio, Desert Harvest CEO, tells NutritionInsight.

“It’s particularly helpful to those who care for elderly parents or others because they can monitor intake and help ensure adherence, including with other pills beyond ours. We are the first supplement company to implement smart bottles.”

Desert Harvest will be selling ImpacX’s Vitamins.io bottle under an exclusive six-month agreement that will introduce the patented technology to the US. The bottle is designed to be recharged on a monthly basis and last for five years, at which time Desert Harvest will provide a prepaid return label for recycling.Millions of bottles end up in landfills every year. 

Merging technology and health
According to Florio, the technology taps into a number of trends, including the Internet of things (IoT), smart devices, app technology and digital health and wellness. The technology is borne from Israel-based ImpacX and has the brand name Vitamins.io 2.0.

“Vitamins.io uses smart technology and data analytics to improve people’s health and wellness by reminding them to take their supplements on time using a personalized and connected smart bottle,” Yoav Hoshen, co-founder, executive VP business development and sales, board member at impacX, tells NutritionInsight.

According to Hoshen, the technology aims to address differentiation, environmental sustainability, customer loyalty, lack of personalization, lack of actual product usage and customer data.

“The technology can help brands increase their customers’ loyalty, know who their customers are, and directly engage with them via the app. Since the platform also understands when the product is about to run out, it triggers a ‘consumption-based’ rather than ‘time-based’ replenishment notification.” 

Plant-forward
Desert Harvest highlights that as a manufacturer of nutritional supplements and natural skincare products, the technology supports its mission to reduce its carbon footprint. 

“This will evolve across other products we offer. We also see this as a system for use beyond our products. Our smart bottle can be used for any pills you take. There will likely be much more use and innovation with IoT and mobile technologies in health and wellness in the coming years as well.” 

Desert Harvest will also be transitioning to plant-based compostable bags for all supplements beginning this spring with its Super-Strength Aloe Vera Capsules. 

“Shared Planet” has been spotlighted as Innova Market Insights’ Top Ten Trends for 2022, focusing on how both industry and consumers can play their part in shaping a sustainable and prosperous future. Consumers have been observed to be more ethically and environmentally conscious, leading companies to tap into those concerns.

By Andria Kades