WE'RE FOR CLARITY*

While Ārepa's three main active ingredients — Neuroberry blackcurrant, L-theanine, and Pine bark — currently do not have any “pre-approved health claims” in the ANZ food standards (2016). Ārepa is currently working on submitting multiple self-substantiated dossiers for our ingredients, a process typically reserved for larger multinational corporations. We aim to complete this by early 2024. Until then, we can only link our benefits with the pre-approved health claims under the ANZ food standards (2016).

Our claims will be identified by “+” next to it, this is to clearly link it to the Vitamin C statement until our self-substantiated dossier is complete.

Our dietary context statement:

†Ārepa is a supplemented food for the brain that contains Neuroberry® Blackcurrants that are very high in Vitamin C. Vitamin C is necessary for normal neurological function and contributes to normal psychological function, energy metabolism, immune system function and helps reduce tiredness and fatigue (as part of a healthy varied diet). This can help your brain perform and assists with mental calmness and clarity.

Our Brain Capsules are regulated under a different standards (dietary supplement) compared to our Drinks and Powders (supplemented foods). For any health benefit claim related to a specific ingredient under the Therapeutic Products Act, we need to be able to provide substantial evidence backed by credible and reliable scientific and medical research.

This means relying on: "Tests, analyses, research, studies, or other evidence conducted and evaluated objectively by qualified professionals, using generally accepted procedures to yield accurate and reliable results."

Led by Professor Andrew Schloey, our formulas only use ingredients supported by extensive peer-reviewed research. This allows us to make more direct claims about the specific ingredients in the Capsules (Neuroberry Extract, L-theanine, and Pine bark). We will now be clearly identifying how we speak about the ingredients used in our capsules to not cause confusion between the Therapeutic Products Act and the ANZ Food Standards.

Since Ārepa’s launch, we have been featured in the media for various achievements and research findings.

2 Nov 2023, an article was published concerning the MPI Letter of improvement as described above. Unfortunately, this process led to misunderstandings and, we believe, misrepresentation of the issues.

Further, an incorrect statement released by Auckland University (later corrected*) stated:

Scientist who ran Ārepa study available for comment:...

Neuroscientist Dr Nick Gant, of the University of Auckland,[1] ran the only randomised controlled trial of the effects of the drink Ārepa , funded by the company[2] in order to support product claims.[3] The study showed no benefits , and[4] he and others involved have voiced concerns about claims made for the drink. Dr Gant is available to comment on the science supporting the marketing and claims behind this and other brain foods, and their impact on consumers.

This statement contained several inaccuracies:

[1] There have been two published and peer reviews randomised controlled studies on Ārepa’s current formula, plus Nick Gant’s trial on a different formula.
[2] The study referenced was a prototype test, not intended for claim support, as Ārepa was not yet in the market.
[3] The study on the prototype did not show benefits, which led us to discard that formula.
[4] We are unaware of any concerns from scientists involved in the two published and peer-reviewed studies on our current formula.

Below is the retraction issued to NZ media 22 November 2023:

A 2 November item relating to Ārepa contained mistakes. Dr Nick Gant worked on a randomised, controlled trial (RCT) of a prototype formula of Ārepa, not the final version of the drink. Also, the study was not the only RCT in connection with the drink.

While this statement doesn't cover any of the incorrect reporting that followed, it does help clarify the truth to our clinical studies. See below for our full study history.