Linked banner for FIC 2026 in Shanghai, Mar 17–19, featuring grandfather and child with “Better lifelong health starts here” by Novonesis
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Rethinking ready-to-eat meals from ultra-processed to real and nutritious food

Ready-made meals have long been viewed as cheap in cost and poor in nutrients. However, product developments in this category are propelling quick solutions for busy lifestyles that deliver nutritious solutions, while addressing consumers’ increasing demand for transparency and clean ingredients. Nutrition Insight sits down with Kaylyn Tolzmann, managing director for Europe at Factor, a Hello Fresh company, to discuss how convenient meals have been made unnecessarily unhealthy, and how nutrition and ready-made meals do not need to be mutually exclusive.
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R&D on health span targets aging pathways and solutions for lifelong vitality
The consumer need for ageless vitality, or health span, is driving several transformations in the industry, from shifting the language and mindset about aging to evolving R&D priorities and approaches in this sector. Nutrition Insight speaks with Gnosis by Lesaffre, Valio, Lactalis Ingredients, Sirio, Balchem Human Nutrition and Health, and Akay Bioactives to uncover more. “For decades, the discussion centered on the promise of turning back the clock. Now, a more nuanced and responsible paradigm is emerging — lifelong vitality. Rather than focusing on how long we live, the emphasis is shifting toward how well we live at every stage of life,” explains Silvia Pisoni, global operational marketing director at Gnosis by Lesaffre.
Woman hugging her golden retriever
Canine cognition: Spirited Paw on designing pet brain health supplements for aging dogs
Spirited Paw, a pet nutrition brand by Standard Process, has released its latest innovation, Healthy Mind — a new brain health supplement for aging dogs showing signs of cognitive and behavioral changes. The product offers support for memory health, featuring organic, nutrient-dense beets, brussels sprouts, buckwheat, and Swiss chard.
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.
Kyoko Saito, Morinaga Nutritional Foods, Expo West 2026, Natural Products Expo West, Probiotics, Postbiotics, Gut Brain Axis, Microbiome, Functional Ingredients, LAC Living, Digestive Health, Mental W
Expo West 2026: Morinaga Nutritional Foods’ probiotics and postbiotics target the gut-brain axis

At Natural Products Expo West 2026, Kyoko Saito, sales manager of functional ingredients at Morinaga Nutritional Foods, told us how rising consumer awareness of the microbiome is driving demand for clinically validated ingredients while also prompting a search for convenient formats. In 2026, Morinaga Nutritional Foods is focusing on the gut-brain axis, she noted. For example, Saito highlighted the company’s LAC-Living+ postbiotic strain, designed to support mood and everyday well-being.

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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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US med schools adopt mandatory nutrition training, experts urge science focus
medical students talking while relaxing on staircase at university.
Medical schools in the US are increasing the number of hours students study nutrition. Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has formed an agreement with 53 schools to jump from two hours to 40 hours of nutrition education within the duration of students’ entire education.
Food & Health Angels Network launches to accelerate metabolic health...
business men making investments
Food & Health (FH) Angels Network has launched to bridge the gap between nutrition science, demand, and innovation amid a time of record-high obesity rates and GLP-1 usage. Metabolic diseases have become “one of the defining health challenges of our time,” says the company. Entrepreneurs are increasingly turning to food as a solution, creating a need for nutrition science, biotechnology, and AI-enabled discovery to discover new ingredients and ways to design food and platforms for metabolic health.
Food Is Medicine Coalition publishes guidance on nutritionally tailored meals...
Medical prescription next to fruits
Advocating for a greater focus on nutrition in US healthcare, the Food Is Medicine Coalition (FIMC) and Harvard Law School have released a “first-of-its-kind” national framework designed to inform hospital professionals how to introduce medically tailored meals into the US healthcare system.The newly published “Medically Tailored Meal (MTM) Sustainability Blueprint” offers guidance on how to personalize meal plans to individuals living with severe, complex, or chronic conditions.
Red dragon fruit peel compounds in bread boost antioxidants and slow starch...
Red dragon fruit
Singaporean researchers have discovered that compounds extracted from red dragon fruit peel can be baked into bread to increase its antioxidant activity and slow starch digestion, which may lead to healthier everyday staple foods and cut food waste through upcycling. The study infuses a purified betacyanin-rich extract derived from red dragon fruit peel into wheat bread at controlled concentrations. At an optimal fortification level of 0.75%, the extract improves dough structure and bread texture while delivering measurable nutritional benefits.
Candy bars meet sports nutrition: MyProtein to launch Mars whey protein powder
woman making protein shake
MyProtein is launching its Mars Impact Whey Protein powder on March 24. The sports nutrition powder blends the flavors of the classic candy bar — chocolate, caramel, and malt — with 20 g of whey protein per serving. The launch follows Mars Wrigley’s partnership with MyProtein in November last year for the launch of its Snickers protein powder.
McCormick makes offer for Unilever food division in potential...
Hellmann's mayonnaise on supermarket shelf.

Food Ingredients First

Unilever has confirmed it received an offer from McCormick for its food division, which includes Hellmann’s, Knorr, Marmite, and Colman’s, in what could be one of the largest food industry deals in years. The companies issued separate statements on Friday confirming they are in discussions, though both cautioned there is no certainty a transaction will be agreed.
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Indian man standing at grocery shop looking into freezer
Nutrition & Health News
LabelBlind: India’s packaged foods hit by nutrition label...
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.
Bragg Metabolism Support Supplement
Key interview
Can supplements mimic GLP-1? Bragg’s metabolic support...
As rapid weight-loss GLP-1 medications gain more mainstream attention, consumers are increasingly asking whether supplements can “do the same thing,” highlights Bragg. The wellness brand has recently launched a Metabolism Support Supplement that blends its apple cider vinegar with a hibiscus (Hibiscus sabdariffa) flower extract and a lemon verbena (Lippia citriodora) leaf extract. Nutrition Insight speaks to Dr. Jeffrey Blumberg, professor emeritus at Tufts University, US, and the scientist behind Bragg’s Metabolism Support Supplement, who details the nuances between pharmacological and nutritional solutions for weight loss.
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. 

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Ageless vitality solutionsMar2026

Innova Market Insights data shows the rising influence of healthy aging solutions as consumers globally boost their protein intake to support longevity and well-being. This trend has driven innovation...

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Lactalis Ingredients

Product innovation

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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.

Trend analysis

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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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Kyoko Saito, Morinaga Nutritional Foods, Expo West 2026, Natural Products Expo West, Probiotics, Postbiotics, Gut Brain Axis, Microbiome, Functional Ingredients, LAC Living, Digestive Health, Mental W
Video04:25
Expo West 2026: Morinaga Nutritional Foods’ probiotics and postbiotics target the gut-brain axis

At Natural Products Expo West 2026, Kyoko Saito, sales manager of functional ingredients at Morinaga Nutritional Foods, told us how rising consumer awareness of the microbiome is driving demand for clinically validated ingredients while also prompting a search for convenient formats. In 2026,...

Maggie McNamara, Saanroo
Video08:10
Expo West 2026: Saanroo showcases delivery technology to improve ingredient bioavailability 
NPEW 2026 Gelita video thumbnail: Trade show booth for GELITA collagen featuring a fitness poster promoting active beauty, active aging, and nutrition, with a smiling woman displayed in a circular ins
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Gelita spotlights collagen peptides for mobility and healthy aging at Expo West 2026
Mathieu & Haelim, Kerry
Video07:24
Kerry: Consumer mindset shifts and GLP-1s drive gut health support innovations
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