Linked banner for FIC 2026 in Shanghai, Mar 17–19, featuring grandfather and child with “Better lifelong health starts here” by Novonesis
Indian man standing at grocery shop looking into freezer

LabelBlind: India’s packaged foods hit by nutrition label noncompliance amid sector boom

LabelBlind Solutions has found several instances of claims noncompliant with Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) regulations across staple and new food categories in India. The nation’s first AI-led digital food labeling service flags the trend, which increases the risk of consumer confusion about what is truly nutritious and healthy, especially regarding products made for children. Nutrition Insight speaks with LabelBlind’s founder, who urges stricter governance, especially amid India’s long battle against undernutrition, while obesity, non-communicable diseases, and metabolic disorders are rising.
Smiling woman taking supplements
Mood boosters: New era of “self-care” supplements spotlights psychobiotics and calm clarity
The mental wellness market emphasizes self-care as consumers increasingly lean toward holistic lifestyle rituals instead of medicinal approaches to boost mood. This transition has given rise to psychobiotics — probiotics and postbiotics to manage stress and sleep via the gut-brain axis, without the jitters of traditional stimulants. In botanicals, black cardamom extracts offer caffeine-free focus, while fermentation-derived salidrosides help conserve endangered rhodiola. Overall, consumers are prioritizing “steady” performance over overstimulation.
Vitamin D supplement capsules
Nutriearth CEO: Mealworms sustainably produce an effective lipid carrier for vitamin D3
Insect-derived lipids are proving to be a functional and cost-effective delivery system for naturally sourced vitamin D3 that can address supply chain constraints and sustainability pressures. Nutriearth, a specialist extracting the nutrient from mealworms (Tenebrio molitor), spotlights new scientific evidence that preserving insect vitamin D3 in its native lipid matrix raises its efficacy in food-safe applications. Backed by more than 60 global patents, Nutriearth’s innovation consists of a process that mimics the human body’s own synthesis of vitamin D3, the most active and effective form of vitamin D. The company exposes its mealworm flour to a specific type of light. This flour is naturally rich in a vitamin D3 precursor identical to the one found in human skin.
SantEnergyNu Mibelle
Energize to maximize
The demand for clean, natural ingredients for sports supplements is on the rise. Discover SantEnergy™ Nu, a science-backed, natural and caffeine-free proven energizer derived from Herba Santa (Eriodictyon californicum). Download our technical paper to learn more.

This Technical Paper is brought to you by Mibelle Group Biochemistry.
Dr. Justin Green, Cargill
Expo West 2026: Cargill showcases Epicor postbiotic for new immune health applications

At Natural Products Expo West 2026, Dr. Justin Green, senior scientist at Cargill, highlighted the growing role of postbiotics in nutrition. He said these inactivated microbes offer greater stability in processing steps than live probiotics, while still delivering health benefits. Green also detailed clinical research backing the immune health benefits of Cargill’s yeast-derived Epicor, which can withstand heat and acidity. He predicted that postbiotics will play a larger role in next-generation gut health innovations, although consumer awareness of these ingredients remains limited.

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Expo West 2026 review: Functional nutrition for GLP-1 support, gut health & women’s wellness
At the Natural Products Expo West 2026 trade show (Mar 3–6), the nutrition, food, and beverage industries showcased innovations in functional, tasty wellness products in consumer-friendly formats. In Anaheim, California, US, solutions supporting women’s health, gut microbiome, GLP-1 use, and weight management took center stage. Exhibitors spotlighted nutrient-dense products focusing on protein, postbiotics, probiotics, fiber, natural colors, and clean label solutions. We look back at some of the key innovations and companies at Expo West this year.

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Nutri-Score ranks pure cocoa lower than highly processed alternatives, study...
nesquick cholocate powder on shelf
Spanish researchers have found that the Nutri-Score labeling system does not adequately reflect cocoa’s nutritional and metabolic complexity. In several cases, higher cocoa content with bioactive compounds scored lower than highly processed alternatives with added sugar and additives. The study analyzed 54 products from 19 brands, assigning them Nutri-Score ratings from A to D. It found no correlation between the product category and their actual nutritional composition, especially when bioactive compounds with beneficial health effects were taken into account.
UC Davis to advance healthier, sustainable food systems with Scotts Miracle-Gro
Two people checking soil health in the field
The University of California (UC) Davis Innovation Institute for Food & Health (IIFH) is partnering with ingredient supplier ofi and Scotts Miracle-Gro, a marketer of garden products. With both partnerships, IIFH aims to advance science-driven innovation across the food system to make healthier products for people and the planet. IIFH notes that, with these partnerships, it takes a systems-level approach to food and health innovation, leveraging Scotts Miracle-Gro’s expertise in soil and crops and ofi’s knowledge of functional ingredient innovation. 
Daily multivitamins may slow biological aging, but experts are cautious
Multivitamin supplement capsule
New research suggests that taking a daily multivitamin for two years slows aging among older adults, with greater benefits for those who began the trial with an accelerated biological age. The findings did not establish specific benefits for cancer prevention, heart health, or overall mortality. However, they reignite debate on whether supplements or whole foods are better sources of essential nutrients.
Magtein magnesium L-threonate cleared as novel food in the UK for brain health
Magnesium L-threonate sleep supplement capsules
Magtein, a patented, highly bioavailable source of magnesium distributed by ThreoTech, has been authorized as a novel food in the UK. As a proprietary form of magnesium L-threonate, the ingredient holds a unique molecular structure that allows it to cross the blood-brain barrier with demonstrated benefits for memory, cognition, mood, and sleep.  In 2021, ThreoTech’s partner company AIDP submitted novel food applications to the Food Standards Agency in England and Wales, and Food Standards Scotland.
Fantastic Fungi’s Paul Stamets: Functional mushrooms for protecting bees and...
Turkey's tail mushroom
Live from the Expo West 2026 trade fair in California, US, Nutrition Insight speaks to renowned mycologist and Fungi Perfecti founder Paul Stamets. Featured in the Netflix documentary “Fantastic Fungi,” Stamets spotlights how mycelium’s potential reaches far beyond human immunity, offering a critical defense for bees and livestock against emerging viral threats.
Beyond faces Nasdaq delisting: What will the plant-based pioneer do next?
Beyond Meat products in supermarket.

Food Ingredients First

Beyond (formerly Beyond Meat) has until August 31, 2026, to save its listing on Nasdaq, after it traded below the minimum US$1 per share price for 30 consecutive business days. We look at how this early plant-based meat pioneer plans to bounce back from long-term sales decline and regain compliance with the US’ second-largest stock exchange. The California-based company received a letter from the Nasdaq Listing Qualifications Department on March 4, 2026, warning that it would be delisted if it failed to trade above US$1 per share for at least ten consecutive business days before the deadline.
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Expo West 2026 trade show floor
Nutrition & Health News
Expo West 2026: Gut health and weight management...
Weight management, gut and women’s health, alongside nutrient-dense formulations dominated innovation at Natural Products Expo West 2026 (Mar 3–6) in Anaheim, California, US. Companies showcased new protein-forward concepts, combinations of probiotics and postbiotics, and clinically-backed ingredients. At the trade show, Nutrition Insight caught up with Saanroo, Kerry, Aker BioMarine, FrieslandCampina Ingredients, and ADM to discuss multifunctional ingredients, delivery technology to improve bioavailability, and new supplement formats. 
Nutrition Insight February in Review
Nutrition & Health News
February in review: GLP-1 nutrition strategies, probiotic...
February’s highlights include accelerating innovations around GLP-1s, advancing gut microbiome research, growing scrutiny of infant formula safety, and ongoing debates over supplement quality, protein policies, and food reformulation. In our February review, Nutrition Insight features some of the month’s biggest stories, including how supplements can help bridge nutrition gaps related to GLP-1 use and rapid weight loss. In the UK, researchers identified gut microbes that could unlock next-generation probiotics, and we examined Novonesis’ biosolutions toolbox for healthier foods. 
woman who makes a heart shape by hands on her stomach
Nutrition & Health News
New microbiome tool: Gut bacteria cooperation vs....
Scientists have discovered a new way to differentiate healthy microbiomes from diseased ones, based on gut bacteria interactions. They coin this method as the Ecological Network Balance Index (ENBI), which assesses whether microbial communities are dominated by competition or cooperation. Nutrition Insight speaks with study author Martin Blaser, M.D., the director of Rutgers Health’s Center for Advanced Biotechnology and Medicine in the US, who says the metric shows potential links to nutrition, metabolic health, and disease resilience. 

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Collagen support solutionsFeb2026

Innova Market Insights data shows that over half of global consumers are paying attention to collagen in their diets. The majority of these consumers prefer collagen supplements in on-the-go or powder...

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Botanical wellness boosts Mar 2026

Innova Market Insights’ data indicates that botanical/herbal supplements accounted for 20% of global supplement launches in 2025. More than a third of these launches featured a brain-mood health claim, while a whey-free claim witnessed a 100% CAGR (2021–2025). Ashwagandha ranked highest among herbal ingredients, and lion’s mane mushroom extract showed the fastest growth.

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Omega-3 supplement market trendsMar 2026

Innova Market Insights data indicates that consumers are actively including omega-3 in their diets. It remains a steady performer in supplement innovation, but new product development is accelerating as sustainable, eco-friendly, and vegan omega-3 options begin making waves in the market. Most often, omega-3 supplements come in soft gel format, but there has been an increase in omega-3 capsule supplement launches.

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Dr. Justin Green, Cargill
Video14:53
Expo West 2026: Cargill showcases Epicor postbiotic for new immune health applications

At Natural Products Expo West 2026, Dr. Justin Green, senior scientist at Cargill, highlighted the growing role of postbiotics in nutrition. He said these inactivated microbes offer greater stability in processing steps than live probiotics, while still delivering health benefits. Green also...

Expo West 2026: ADM on innovating around next wave of GLP-1 and postbiotics
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Expo West 2026: ADM on innovating around next wave of GLP-1 and postbiotics
Amir Vanderfox, BioCell Technology
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Expo West 2026 live: BioCell Technology’s clinically-backed collagen targets skin and joint health
Auke Zeilstra & Floor van Horst, FrieslandCampina Ingredients
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Expo West 2026 live: FrieslandCampina Ingredients innovations for athletics and GLP-1 support
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