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Fresh produce in plastic packaging

Experts debate plastic food packaging’s health impact, urging new scientific evidence

Amid an ongoing debate on plastic food packaging’s impact on health, experts are discussing what the current science says about its impact on human health. As new evidence emerges, they argue that the current scientific landscape needs standardized testing methods, while urging that new findings on increased plastics in human tissue should not be ignored. Nutrition Insight sits down with toxicology experts from the Plastics Research Council and the University of New Mexico (US), alongside a spokesperson from Earth Action, to dive deeper into plastic packaging and the current scientific evidence of its impact on human health.
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GLP-1 trials reveal diet quality gap as companion products boom
Many GLP-1 clinical trials are not tracking what patients are consuming, pointing to a gap in the weight-loss market. Nutrition Insight asks FrieslandCampina Ingredients, Probi, Roquette, and HTBA what this data gap means for nutrition industry innovators developing solutions for GLP-1 users today. A scoping review in Advances in Nutrition from last year of 129 randomized trials investigated liraglutide, semaglutide, or tirzepatide in humans. Only 57 trials included lifestyle modification activities, and only 36 recorded diet quality and food intake. Of this, only 10 trials reported outcomes, while only 17 trials assessed food cravings or eating behavior.
3 scientists on computer for breakthrough, clinical trial or discovery
IFT: Proposed US federal grant rules threaten nutrition science funding & competitiveness
The US Office of Management and Budget (OMB) recently proposed rules to rewrite the Uniform Guidance — the rulebook for all federal grants. Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) chief science and technology officer tells Nutrition Insight that these rules are set to undermine the nation’s scientific research for food and nutrition and hinder global competitiveness. 
Promotional graphic stating “NOVEL FOOD” and “The only NMN got EFSA's positive safety opinion,” with a European Union flag in the background and UTHEVER NMN branding.
UTHEVER® NMN: The Only NMN to Receive EFSA Positive Safety Opinion for Novel Food
Access the UTHEVER® NMN white paper to discover this anti-ageing ingredient’s technical advantages & official compliance documents, including FDA NDI clearance in the U.S. and a positive EFSA safety opinion in Europe – the first-ever EU official safety endorsement for NMN. Learn the recommended safe daily intake of NMN as assessed by regulatory authorities in the white paper. Next, UTHEVER® NMN will be added to the EU Novel Food list, helping brands accelerate early market entry with strong regulatory support.

This Technical Paper is brought to you by EffePharm Ltd. 
Whey Collagen The Protein power couple
Whey & Collagen: The Protein Power Couple
A perfect match. Whey and collagen blends are stepping into the spotlight, driven by economic strains in the whey market but also by the undeniable, increasing awareness of collagen peptides and their benefits. Discover how the right blend can offer comprehensive joint support, promote holistic well-being—spanning beauty from within, gut comfort, and even improved sleep—or drive metabolic wellness through effective glucose spike management and natural GLP-1 production.
By adding value through price optimization, formulation advantages, and additional health benefits, blending whey protein with premium, science-based collagen peptides such as Peptan® or Nextida® GC holds the potential to be a game-changer. Whether you are developing sports nutrition beverages, functional foods, or holistic health supplements, this session will reveal how leveraging this dynamic mix can help your products stand out on the shelf.
Leena Uabumrungjit, Thai Union Ingredients
Vitafoods Europe 2026: Thai Union Ingredients’ upcycled marine supplement solutions

Leena Uabumrungjit, the senior director at Thai Union Ingredients, spoke with us about the company’s marine ingredient portfolio, which spans omega-3 oils, marine collagen, and tuna-derived calcium. She also spotlighted the company’s full supply chain traceability and upcycled tuna byproducts for clean label formulation.

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Stronger nutrition programs needed as children globally fall short on healthy...
child holding up donut and apple
A global analysis has uncovered critical childhood nutrition gaps, with not enough youths eating healthy plant-based foods, which are essential for growth and health. Out of the 185 countries studied for nearly 30 years, this trend was prevalent in the US where daily plant-based consumption declined with age, in contrast to most other countries. 
Malnutrition passes down generations through gut microbiome in mouse study
woman checking child malnutrition
Research has found that malnutrition and stunted growth may be passed down generations through the gut microbiome. The mouse study showed that inflammatory microbes in mothers affected the fetal growth and then the intestinal health of the babies. The study analyzed malnourished mice using cultured bacteria from stunted children. The researchers did so by identifying the specific bacteria that cause an inflammatory chemical signal for malnutrition. These characteristics damage the intestinal lining and thereby impair nutrient absorption, they explain.
Gaming meets formulation: IMCD Group to showcase nutritious F&B concepts at IFT...
Snack and beverage concepts by IMCD
IMCD Group will exhibit its range of nine exclusive food and beverage concept creations, zeroing in on the e-sports category at IFT First 2026 in Chicago, US (July 12–15). The company highlights the segment as one of the fastest-growing digital markets, with consumers in the field seeking nutritional solutions that offer energy, performance, and engaging experiences.
Gray market peptides blur drug and supplement distinctions, raising health risks
Glass Vials Peptide Compounds and Single Use Syringes Next to Weight Loss Pills
As consumers are increasingly using unapproved peptides, short chains of amino acids, hoping to enhance their health, focus, and appearance, experts are calling for increased regulations and research. Legal specialists are warning that this issue, worsened by social media influencers, is blurring the lines between drugs, supplements, and wellness. Nutrition Insight speaks with the authors of a recent JAMA manuscript who warn that synthetic peptides are moving quickly from research into mainstream markets. Social media platforms are promoting synthetic peptides for muscle growth, injury recovery, anti-aging, and cognitive enhancement, resulting in over 130,000 Instagram posts and over 230 million views on TikTok as of last May. 
HMB supplementation before liver surgery improves recovery in mice
Illustration of a liver
A new study reveals potential benefits of supplementing with beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate (HMB) — a natural metabolite of the essential amino acid leucine — before a hepatectomy surgery, which removes part of the liver. This approach may help the organ recover more quickly and become more resistant to further damage. Researchers at the State University of Campinas (UNICAMP) in the state of São Paulo, Brazil, investigated the effects of HMB in an experimental model using mice.
EU Livestock Strategy revives cage-free farming push as Brussels targets...
EU Commission building.

Food Ingredients First

The European Commission’s first EU Livestock Strategy has placed animal welfare, protein security, and farm competitiveness into one policy package, setting up a new phase of debate across Europe’s agri-food value chain. Published alongside the EU Protein Action Plan earlier this week, the strategy is intended to keep Europe’s livestock sector “strong and resilient in the long term.” It also responds to pressures around climate, feed imports, disease, consumer expectations, and farm profitability.
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Nutrition & Health News
Brain protein may be key link between obesity, aging &...
US researchers have received a US$410,000 grant from the National Institute on Aging to investigate whether obesity speeds up brain aging and its impact on memory loss and brain-related diseases, including Alzheimer’s. Nutrition Insight sits down with the study lead researcher, Timothy Jarome, professor at the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences’ School of Animal Sciences at Virginia Tech, to discuss what drove him to research this issue and its importance amid an increasingly obese population.
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Nutrition & Health News
Can creatine treat depression? Review reveals mixed findings
A scientific literature review has found mixed results in creatine monohydrate’s potential to treat major depressive disorder (MDD), suggesting it could serve as an adjunct treatment. However, the evidence is not settled. The researchers from the University of Ottawa in Canada analyzed five randomized controlled trials conducted across Brazil, India, Israel, South Korea, and the US. 
Nutrition Insight June in review 2026
Nutrition & Health News
June in review: GLP-1s drive demand, gut-brain axis & EU...
Metabolic health, mental well-being, EU vitamin limits, and protein differentiation were key topics driving product development in the nutrition industry in June. Meanwhile, policies aiming to drive healthier food choices and scientific research advances also shaped industry conversations. In our June review, Nutrition Insight explores some of the month’s biggest stories, such as weight loss needs driving the industry’s shift to support consumers on GLP-1s and when transitioning off them, alongside clinical research linking probiotics to reductions in geriatric depression. 

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Women’s bone and joint health across life stagesJul2026

According to Innova Market Insights data, women increasingly view mobility as a key pillar of healthy aging and are taking a more proactive approach to bone and joint health. This is driving growth in...

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GLP-1 support goes mainstream in supplements Jul 2026

As interest in GLP-1–related pathways continues to rise, supplement brands are introducing formulations that focus on supporting appetite regulation, glucose metabolism, gut health, and overall metabolic balance. Across the category, ingredients such as berberine, chromium, probiotics, citrus extracts, capsaicinoids, and bioactive peptides are commonly used to support satiety, energy balance, and healthy metabolic function.

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Cognitive supplement trendsJul 2026

Innova Market Insights data indicates that cognitive supplement launches are on the rise, with 4% increase in growth from April 2021 to March 2026. This relates to consumers’ interest in improving focus, and especially brain health claims, which were gaining momentum in women’s supplement claims.

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Jordi Riera, Kaneka Probiotics
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Kanaka Probiotics: KABP-051 and the future of weight management and psychobiotics

Kaneka Probiotics and AB-Biotics’ latest clinical research on probiotic Lactiplantibacillus plantarum KABP-051 observed modest weight loss alongside improvements mood and energy over 12 weeks,...

Whey Collagen The Protein power couple
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Whey & Collagen: The Protein Power Couple
Promotional banner from the Kerry Health and Nutrition Institute (KHNI) titled “Feeding the Future: How climate, consumers and costs are reshaping food systems,” with a register button and podcast eve
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Feeding the Future: How Climate, Consumers and Costs Are Reshaping Food Systems
Leena Uabumrungjit, Thai Union Ingredients
Video04:48
Vitafoods Europe 2026: Thai Union Ingredients’ upcycled marine supplement solutions
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