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World’s largest food aid program cuts child malnutrition in India and boosts income

World’s largest food aid program cuts child malnutrition in India and boosts income

The world’s largest food assistance program, India’s Public Distribution System (PDS), is bringing transformative impacts on child stunting, boosting household income, and curbing the effects of climate shocks. Nutrition Insight speaks to a co-author of a recent study on the program’s benefits to learn lessons about food transfers and preventing malnutrition. Research in the American Economic Journal found that India’s National Food Security Act of 2013 prevented almost 1.8 million children from being stunted for over five years.
Infant nutrition: How HMOs are transforming gut health and personalized formula
Infant nutrition: How HMOs are transforming gut health and personalized formula
Human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) are reshaping infant nutrition, offering gut health benefits and bridging the gap between breast milk and formula. With innovations like Novonesis’ MyOli 5 HMO Mix and dsm-firmenich’s seven HMO blends at commercial scale, Nutrition Insight learns how the companies are developing personalized versions of the compounds for advanced baby formulas.According to Innova Market Insights data, there is a 12% CAGR between October 2019 to September 2024 for baby and toddler food launches with HMO ingredients. Europe is in the lead (42%) followed by Asia (25%) and US/Canada (12%).
AG1 CEO unpacks Foundational Nutrition focus on ingredient synergies, biotics, and phytonutrients
AG1 CEO unpacks Foundational Nutrition focus on ingredient synergies, biotics, and phytonutrients
US-based AG1 developed its daily holistic wellness supplement on Foundational Nutrition. This all-in-one concept prioritizes ingredient synergy and bioavailability, focusing on micro- and phytonutrients, whole foods, and biotics that prioritize gut health for overall well-being. AG1’s drink powder is formulated as an addition to a healthy, whole-food diet. Current nutritional guidelines don’t traditionally include micro- and phytonutrients, which play a “key role in maintaining a healthy immune system, preventing chronic diseases, promoting optimal cognitive function, and other health benefits,” argue the company’s Research, Nutrition, and Innovation team and international researchers in a paper. 
Lonza CHI: Enhancing efficacy and consumer experiences in nutraceuticals
Lonza CHI: Enhancing efficacy and consumer experiences in nutraceuticals

Lonza Capsules & Health Ingredients (CHI) is consolidating its position in the global nutraceutical market with a renewed focus on customer-centricity. We meet with Frank Romanski, head of Strategic Growth and Revenue Management, to examine how Lonza CHI helps its nutraceutical customers tap into market opportunities. For example, the company’s technologies enhance ingredient bioavailability to meet consumer demands for efficacy or add scents and smells to capsules to make them more enjoyable. 

Beyond The Headlines: Bloomage antioxidant’s GRAS status, SNAP benefits for LA wildfire victims
Beyond The Headlines: Bloomage antioxidant’s GRAS status, SNAP benefits for LA wildfire victims
In industry news this week, Bloomage’s MitoEGT antioxidant earned generally recognized as safe (GRAS) status, while the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced those suffering from Los Angeles (LA) wildfires are eligible for food assistance through Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP). Meanwhile, Optimum Nutrition launched a campaign supporting female athletes. 
Are juice cleanses really healthy? New research challenges growing trend
Are juice cleanses really healthy? New research challenges growing trend
Juice cleanses are often marketed as a way to detoxify the body and boost health, but new research from Northwestern University suggests they may do more harm than good. According to the findings, a vegetable and fruit juice-only diet — even for as little as three days — can lead to microbial shifts associated with inflammation and cognitive decline.

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Supplement consumers have a higher trust in AI than non-users, research flags
Woman checking supplement label online.
Consumers who use supplements are more likely to trust AI technology than those who don’t, according to a recent online survey. A majority (64%) of respondents who used a supplement within the past three months said AI is “generally positive for humanity,” compared to 40% of non-supplement users. The survey, commissioned by Ingredient Communications and conducted by SurveyGoo, collected data from 1,040 consumers in the UK and US. The survey indicates that more supplement users feel positive about using AI in the food and beverage industry — 55% compared to 30% of non-users. 
Putting “healthy” on food labels may lower purchase appeal, US research finds
Front of pack label
Food labels designed to nudge US consumers toward healthier food choices can sometimes have the opposite effect, suggests new University of Florida research. Since the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is currently weighing whether to require front-of-package food labels, these results may indicate an unanticipated backlash to the proposed regulation. The newly proposed rule introduces labels that target saturated fat, sodium, and added sugar.
UNICEF’s latest report shines light on malnutrition in Eastern and Southern Africa
African children eating
In Eastern and Southern Africa, a new UNICEF report estimates 8% of children aged 5–19 years are underweight and 11% are experiencing overweight and obesity. The agency warns that the overlapping regional “learning poverty” and nutrition crisis are mutually reinforcing. This is because children who are poorly nourished and sick are less likely to attend school, and those who do attend are less likely to learn well and benefit from their educational experience.
Lifesum’s AI-powered multimodal app set to transform how users log meals and track calories
The Lifesum on a mobile phone with someone inputting a smoothie for tracking.
Healthy eating technology developer, Lifesum, unveils its latest AI-powered Multimodal Tracker meal and calorie tracking tool. The app enables users to log meals effortlessly using photo, voice, text, or barcode scanning, enhancing ease and engagement in the nutrition space.
Edacious secures US$8M to advance nutritional transparency in food systems
Farm data on a tablet.
Edacious, a tech company that provides data on how genetics, soil health, and management practices impact food nutrition, has closed a US$8.1 million series seed funding round. The round was led by Patagonia’s Tin Shed Ventures, with participation from the Nest Family Office, Trailhead Capital, Grantham Environmental Trust’s Neglected Climate Opportunities, iSelect Capital, First Thirty, Pelican Ag, and other private investors.
ISM & ProSweets 2025 review: Industry innovates for the future with cocoa-free chocolate and fortified snacks
ISM and ProSweets 2025.

Food Ingredients First

With the cocoa supply chains hit hard by climate change and political and economic unrest in key cocoa-producing regions, the F&B industry is being pushed to revitalize the sector with new innovation approaches, as seen at this year’s ISM and ProSweets 2025. On the show floor in Cologne, Germany, companies presented a bevy of solutions targeting sustainability, cost reduction, production efficiency, and enduring consumer demand for indulgent cocoa and chocolate solutions.
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Trump’s aid freeze: Musk declares “time for USAID to die” as laureates warn of worsening food security

The US Agency for International Development’s (USAID) website has shut down amid President Donald Trump’s freeze on foreign aid. The move threatens global humanitarian assistance on malnutrition, food security, emergency responses, and combating stunting. USAID going offline is sparking debate over whether Trump plans to get rid of the agency and bring it under the State Department, raising legal issues. According to reports, the administration put top USAID security officials and 100 staff on leave after the CEO of Tesla Motors and SpaceX, Elon Musk, and his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) tried to gain access to classified material. Trump has also appointed secretary Mark Rubio as acting administrator for USAID as a “step toward gaining control” over the agency. Rubio says he has notified congress of USAID’s upcoming review and potential reorganization. 

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Human Milk Oligosaccharide (HMO) SolutionsFeb2025

Innova Market Insights data indicates that baby and toddler product launches featuring human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) grew by an average of 12% per year globally between October 2019 and September...

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Product innovation

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Fiber fortification Jan 2025

Innova Market Insights data indicates an 18% year-over-year growth in sports nutrition launches with fiber claims between September 2022 and October 2024. Europe was the frontline of these launches. Nearly two-thirds of launches were sports bars, and key fibers used were oligofructose, inulin and chicory root fiber.

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Mental health supportJan 2025

Innova Market Insights data indicates 14% year-over-year growth for brain-mood health claims in supplements from October 2022 to September 2024. Of these launches, 30% were botanical/herbal supplements.

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Cornell University and Boyce Thompson Institute: Dispelling gut health myths with science and microbiome breakthrough

Gut health is one of the hottest topics in nutrition, but are we getting it right? In this interview, Frank Schroeder, a professor at the US Cornell University and the Boyce Thompson Institute, debunks microbiome misconceptions, discusses diets, and explains how gut bacteria...

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The Editor Presents: The Confectionery Edition
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Lonza CHI: Enhancing efficacy and consumer experiences in nutraceuticals
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Omega-3 Fatty Acids the powerful allies to our health
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