Collagen Stewardship Alliance – 2025 Year in Review
Strengthening understanding, credibility, and confidence in collagen
2025 marked an important year of progress for the Collagen Stewardship Alliance. As collagen continues to grow across supplements, functional foods and beverages, and in beauty applications, the need for clear education, credible science, and responsible communication has never been greater.
Throughout the year, CSA remained focused on its core mission: supporting a better-informed collagen marketplace by improving understanding, elevating dialogue, and reinforcing trust across science, industry, and media.
Below is a look back at the key efforts that shaped CSA’s work in 2025.
Building a Stronger Foundation for Collagen Education
One of CSA’s most significant milestones in 2025 was the release of the first edition of the Collagen 101 Guide. Developed to address confusion in the market among consumers and industry alike, the guide provides a foundational overview of collagen, including ingredient types, sources, and mechanisms of action.
Rather than oversimplifying a complex category, the guide was designed to help stakeholders speak more accurately and consistently about collagen. It serves as a living document and a practical reference for brands, formulators, retailers, and others seeking to navigate collagen with greater confidence and clarity.
In April, CSA hosted a webinar dedicated to walking through the Collagen 101 Guide, offering additional context and answering common questions. The session reinforced the need for accessible, science-grounded education as collagen continues to expand into new formats and audiences.
Advancing Industry Dialogue on a Global Stage
CSA remained active across key global industry events in 2025, contributing both leadership and perspective to broader collagen conversations.
At Vitafoods, CSA’s executive director Len Monheit, participated in and chaired a collagen-focused panel during the Second Annual Collagen Symposium, produced by Bioiberica. The discussion brought together scientific, technical, and commercial viewpoints, highlighting both the opportunities and responsibilities that come with continued category growth.
Later in the year, CSA convened its members at SupplySide Global, hosting a member’s meeting on October 27. This forum provided space for alignment, discussion, and shared reflection on where the collagen category is headed and how stewardship can continue to support its long-term credibility.
Reinforcing Trust Through Verification
Trust and transparency remain central to CSA’s work. In 2025, three CSA members successfully completed the NutraStrong™ Collagen Verified program, reinforcing the importance of substantiation and verification in a crowded marketplace.
Verified ingredients this year included:
- Collavant® n2 from Bioiberica
- UC-II® from Lonza
- NEM®, OVOLUX, and Eggshell Membrane Collagen Support Complex from Stratum Nutrition
These verifications represent more than individual achievements. They reflect a broader commitment across the category to evidence, transparency, and responsible differentiation. We look forward to even more suppliers and brands entering the certification pipeline in 2026.
Engaging Media with a Science-First Lens
In 2025, CSA continued to support accurate, balanced discussion of collagen research in the media.
In December, CSA provided expert commentary to Vitafoods Insights on a meta-analysis examining collagen peptide supplementation and skin health. CSA emphasized that the findings reinforced, rather than undermined, the existing body of evidence supporting collagen peptides, while also acknowledging that confusion in the market often stems from differences in collagen type, form, and production methods.
Earlier in the year, CSA also contributed commentary to NutraIngredients in response to a study suggesting industry bias in collagen research. CSA challenged this conclusion by pointing to methodological and interpretive issues in the original analysis, underscoring the importance of evaluating research quality on its merits rather than assumptions about funding or affiliation.
Across both engagements, CSA’s focus remained consistent: supporting clear, evidence-based interpretation of collagen science and helping ensure that public discussion reflects the full context of the research.
Looking Ahead
If 2025 reinforced anything, it is that collagen’s continued success depends on more than demand alone. As scrutiny increases from regulators, media, and increasingly informed consumers, the category must be supported by clear education, credible verification, and disciplined communication.
CSA enters 2026 focused on strengthening these foundations. By continuing to provide practical education, support transparent verification, and engage constructively with scientific and media discourse, CSA aims to help the collagen category grow responsibly and sustainably.
We thank our supporters and collaborators for their ongoing commitment to stewardship and look forward to the work ahead.