In an industry-first, Redbloom Health's gut-healthy chili crisp has achieved HSA/FSA eligibility, marking a significant milestone in the health food sector. This groundbreaking achievement aligns with Redbloom’s mission to revolutionize gut health, particularly for those suffering from Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). We sat down with Steph Peng, CEO of Redbloom Health, to discuss the journey, challenges, and future of this innovative product.
A Personal Journey to Innovation
The story of Redbloom Health is deeply personal. Steph Peng, who founded the company, shared, "Redbloom was born from my personal battle with IBS. As a Chinese-American, losing the ability to eat spicy food, garlic, and onion due to IBS felt like losing a part of my identity and culture. In China, chili crisp is the most popular condiment, and I wanted to create something equally special for the gut health and AAPI community."
The challenges faced by IBS sufferers in the health food industry are profound. Despite affecting 15 percent of the US population, options are limited. "For every 1 vegan person, 15 people suffer from IBS. Yet, grocery shelves are filled with vegan options, while those with sensitive guts are left with bland food, powders, pills, and gummies," Peng noted. Redbloom aims to change this by offering delicious, clinical protocols that treat the root cause of IBS rather than just addressing symptoms.
Redefining Chili Crisp
What sets Redbloom Health’s chili crisp apart is its formulation. "We make the world’s first gut-healthy chili crisp for sensitive guts. Now even IBS sufferers can enjoy bold flavors again," Peng explained. The product replaces ingredients like seed oils, MSG, and excessive sodium with gut-healthy superfoods such as organic avocado oil, organic lion's mane powder, and organic zinc salt. The infusion of garlic and onion into the oil ensures it remains Low-FODMAP, suitable for those with sensitive digestive systems.
A unique aspect of the chili crisp is the microencapsulation of chili peppers in oleic acid from avocado oil. This innovation creates a layer of healthy fat that cushions the gut from spicy flare-ups, making the product truly gut-healthy.
The science behind using capsaicin is compelling. "Capsaicin therapy, which uses chili peppers to desensitize overly sensitive nerves, can clinically treat visceral hypersensitivity—the root cause of many IBS symptoms. Our product is formulated to clinical dosages, offering a 6-week protocol that can heal the gut without the initial pain," Peng elaborated.
Achieving HSA/FSA Eligibility
Becoming the first sauce in the world to achieve HSA/FSA eligibility was no small feat. "At Redbloom, we make Food-as-Medicine - achieving medicinal benefits using a whole ingredient formulation," Peng stated. The product's clinical evidence and high efficacy against spicy flare-ups, backed by research and guidance from medical advisors from Stanford and UChicago Medicine, played a crucial role.
The process of obtaining this eligibility was supported by a third-party service that guided Redbloom through the IRS requirements. This milestone is expected to have a significant impact on consumers. "This brings us one step closer to making Redbloom more accessible to the gut health community. Now more people can afford to live the healthy lifestyle required to heal their gut," Peng said.
Consumer Impact and Future Trends
Feedback from users has been overwhelmingly positive. Many have expressed joy at reconnecting with bold flavors they had missed and relief from the side effects of supplements. The health food industry is on the brink of a major transformation, with a growing emphasis on Food-as-Medicine. "We are in the early stages of a major Food-as-Medicine wave," Peng predicted. The future may see “Farmacies” where patients fill prescriptions with whole foods instead of pills.
Peng believes that more food products will seek HSA/FSA eligibility in the future, given the changing dynamics of consumer goods. "Winning in CPG has become harder in the last few years. Now there’s a real opportunity to bring food-as-medicine to those who need it."
Looking Ahead
Redbloom Health is not stopping here. "HSA/FSA was the first step of validation for us. Eventually, we want to offer Redbloom to patients via Food Prescriptions from providers," Peng revealed. The company continues to educate consumers through a strong online community and newsletter, sharing gut health insights and recipes.
The journey with Redbloom Health has been rewarding, with feedback from the community being a major highlight. "Hearing people say that Redbloom has changed their lives makes every minute of grinding that much easier," Peng shared.
Partnerships with doctors, dietitians, and nutritionists are essential for Redbloom’s mission, especially as the gut health industry becomes more controversial. "Our goal is to become a platform for experts to voice their perspectives, providing a diverse knowledge base to equip consumers to take ownership of their own healing journey."
Pioneering Food-as-Medicine
Redbloom Health's gut-healthy chili crisp is pioneering a new approach to treating IBS and promoting overall wellness. By focusing on whole food solutions and achieving HSA/FSA eligibility, Redbloom is making significant strides in the Food-as-Medicine industry and making healing more accessible.
In a world where there is no magic pill to cure IBS, Redbloom is providing a holistic approach to gut health, setting the stage for a future where food truly is medicine.