April in review: AFI acquires Volac’s whey nutrition division, Novonesis on need for biotech regulation

29 Apr 2024 --- In April’s major health and nutrition industry news, Novonesis spotlighted the need for biotech regulation reformation, the World Health Organization (WHO) revealed it would create new dietary guidelines for the EU and Nestlé responded to accusations that it increased infant formula sugar content in poorer countries.

In our April review, Nutrition Insight looks back at some of the biggest stories of the month, including PIPA’s discussion on the role of AI in future nutrition, Arla Foods Ingredients’ (AFI) announcement that it will purchase the whey nutrition division of Volac and the latest scientific findings on the efficacy of Kerry’s Wellmune postbiotic.

April
Fostering innovation: Novonesis highlights importance of biotech and new initiative to relax EU regulations
Danish biotech player, Novonesis, revealed it is enhancing its research and development (R&D) in the EU food nutrition sector to support its green transition and improve nutrition security. We caught up with Jacob Vishof Paulsen, Novonesis’ EVP of food and beverage biosolutions, to discuss the potential of biosolutions to generate green jobs and improve food supply security in the EU through efficient resource usage in food production. We also looked at the European Commission’s biotech initiative, which looks to relax regulations and facilitate faster industry growth. Paulsen highlighted the crucial updates needed in EU regulations to fully harness biotechnology’s ability to enhance food quality and sustainability, while ensuring that regulatory updates support industry growth.

Unlocking mental vitality: Nektium pours over extracts for stress relief and mental fatigue
Nektium spotlighted the benefits of its Rhodiola rosea and Mangifera indica extracts for managing stress and enhancing cognitive performance. The company’s Rhodiolife ingredient supports stress relief and memory enhancement. Its Zynamite offering provides a natural alternative to caffeine and improves cognitive performance without typical caffeine side effects. Both ingredients are tailored for modern, stressful lifestyles and boast scientifically-validated efficacy. The company’s head of product research, development and innovation told us how Nektium developed these extracts to meet consumer demand for natural, effective nootropic solutions with application versatility.We talked with the American Botanical Council at NPEW 2024 about the challenges of botanical adulteration.

Elevating brain health with Fonterra’s breakthrough probiotic and phospholipid solutions
Meanwhile, we spoke with Peyton Rudy, Fonterra’s marketing manager for advanced nutrition, about the growth of the cognition-boosting health ingredients market. Rudy highlighted that Fonterra’s Nutiani brand focuses on scientifically validated cognitive support ingredients. This includes its extensively studied HN019 and HN001 probiotic strains, which have been proven effective in digestive and immune health trials. Fonterra’s offerings also incorporate natural phospholipids that mimic those in the human brain which aid in managing stress and improving focus. Rudy said the company will continue to innovate and develop multifunctional solutions that meet consumer demand for dietary supplements and food and beverage applications that support mood, stress, mental resilience and sleep.

Scaling nature: Spotlight on the power of AI for innovative nutrition
PIPA and Brightseed are harnessing the power of AI to propel innovation in the nutrition industry. We talked with the CEO of PIPA, John Melo, who emphasized AI’s role in R&D and product development. PIPA uses AI to scale natural biochemical processes sustainably, while Brightseed’s AI platform, Forager, identifies bioactives for health benefits. Both companies tout AI’s potential to speed up experimentation and enhance product development, targeting efficient and scientifically backed solutions in nutrition. Melo stated that AI is crucial for maintaining competitiveness and adapting to consumer needs in the current fast-evolving market.We sat down with Foodvalley to discuss the findings of the first pilot outcomes of its Vitality via Personalized Solutions program.

WHO encouraged by member states to create food-based dietary guidelines
The WHO revealed it will set global guidelines on animal-source and plant-based foods in response to member states’ growing interest in food-based guidance. We talked with Dr. Moez Sanaa, the WHO’s unit head of standards and scientific advice at its department of nutrition and food safety, about the proposed guidelines, which are expected to be published by 2027. The guidelines are meant to promote healthier, safe and more sustainable diets, while considering nutritional values and risks such as microbiological and chemical contaminants. Sanaa underscored that the process will involve a multidisciplinary group of experts reviewing evidence and modeling risk-benefit assessments. WHO’s efforts will also support member states in creating policies to enhance public health through improved diet standards and interventions and provide scientific advice to global food standards bodies like the Codex Alimentarius.

Kerry releases latest research backing postbiotic’s immune health potential
Kerry unveiled the latest study results on its Wellmune postbiotic. The findings show that Wellmune trains the innate immune system, enhancing the cells’ energy efficiency when combating threats. Innate immunity, unlike adaptive immunity, activates existing immunity defenses, and Wellmune’s baker’s yeast-derived beta-glucans have been clinically proven to improve immune response. According to Kerry, the advancement marks a significant stride in immune health management, suggesting that Wellmune can prepare immune cells for efficient threat responses.

Nestlé responds to accusations of adding sugar to infant nutrition sold in poorer countries
An investigative report by the Swiss NGO The Public Eye highlighted that Nestlé’s infant nutrition products in low- and middle-income countries contain higher levels of added sugar when compared to similar products in wealthier nations. The report criticized the disparity in nutritional quality and urged Nestlé to maintain higher standards globally. Nestlé defended its practices, saying its products meet local regulations and international standards.The senior nutrition and food systems officer at FAO in Ghana, spoke with us about Africa’s “forgotten crops.”

Arla Foods Ingredients acquires Volac’s whey business to boost performance nutrition presence
AFI revealed it will acquire the whey nutrition division of the UK-based dairy ingredient producer, Volac. AFI emphasized that the acquisition will bolster its global production capabilities and its product offerings in the performance, health and food sectors. The acquisition will integrate Volac’s expertise in whey protein for sports nutrition into AFI’s operations and the Felinfach site will become a production hub for the growing sports nutrition market.

FRAC applauds USDA’s enhancements of the WIC nutritional security program for mothers and young children
The Food Research and Action Center (FRAC) praised the recent updates the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) made to its Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC). FRAC said the updates boost nutritional access and health equity for the nearly seven million WIC recipients. Additionally, new WIC food packages will offer more fruits, vegetables and whole grains, reflecting the 2020–2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. The changes, designed to reduce food insecurity and promote healthier diets, will also increase food package flexibility to accommodate diverse dietary needs and preferences. Additionally, FRAC said the update should streamline the shopping experience and ensure that healthier food options are readily available and accessible.

Real world benefits: Overcoming global nutrition challenges at UC Davis
We talked with experts from the University of California (UC) Davis, who are tackling significant nutrition challenges such as affordability, malnutrition, obesity and sustainability through innovative solutions in food and health. Rao Unnava, Ph.D., the dean of UC Davis’s Graduate School of Management, stated that affordable nutrition is necessary to prevent major health issues and explore sustainable practices that reduce reliance on animal-based foods. UC Davis’ initiatives include enhancing protein utilization to improve health outcomes globally and locally and focusing on regions like Sub-Saharan Africa and Guatemala, where dietary improvements can drastically enhance health and economic conditions.

By William Bradford Nichols

To contact our editorial team please email us at editorial@cnsmedia.com