Beyond The Headlines: Japan boosts WFP’s efforts in Sierra Leone, Groupe Berkem’s Global Plant Exploration initiative

06 Sep 2024 --- This week in nutrition news, the UN’s World Food Programme (WFP) received a significant contribution from the Japanese government to help provide school meals to students in Sierra Leone, Africa. Meanwhile, Groupe Berkem introduced its Global Plant Exploration initiative and Lallemand Health Solutions unveiled a state-of-the-art nutrition and food ingredients research facility in France.

Nutrition news

The UN WFP welcomed a ¥200 million (US$1.36 million) contribution from the Government of Japan to support 28,800 primary school children in the Pujehun district of Sierra Leone for the 2024-2025 school year. This funding enables WFP to provide daily hot meals made from Japanese rice and fresh vegetables sourced from local smallholder farmers. The assistance targeted 137 primary schools across six chiefdoms that were experiencing acute food insecurity and vulnerability to climate shocks. Japan’s ambassador to Sierra Leone, stated that the contribution aimed to address food insecurity and enhance education as part of Japan’s human capital development initiatives. Over the past five years, Japan has been WFP’s second-largest donor, contributing nearly US$15 million in food assistance.

Bio-based chemistry player, Groupe Berkem, unveiled its Global Plant Exploration initiative within its Health, Beauty & Nutrition Business area. The program focuses on plant discovery and development, aiming to create a diverse range of botanical extracts for the dietary supplement market. Key components include direct field sourcing of high-quality botanicals, community involvement for sustainable practices and rigorous traceability and quality control standards. Recent explorations included analyzing the French Maritime Pine industry and investigating cocoa plantations in Cameroon. Upcoming projects involve engaging in the wine grape harvest in Champagne, hops harvesting in Southern France and evaluating green coffee cultivation in Vietnam’s Central Highlands.

Lallemand Health Solutions inaugurated new research laboratories in France, expanding its capacity by over 800 square meters. This investment of more than €1.7 million (US$1.888 million) boosts the company’s interdisciplinary research and development capabilities at the Blagnac and Beauzelle sites, which has 70 scientists and technicians. The expansion included acquiring state-of-the-art equipment, allowing it to strengthen its bioprocess innovation cluster and accelerate the development of next-generation strains. Research departments, include specialty cultures, oenology, animal health, human health and plant care. The facilities will also accelerate the development of microbial-based products for plant production.

Business news

NutriLeads partnered with Nexus Wise to expand its precision prebiotic, Benicaros, in Malaysia. Benicaros, derived from upcycled carrot pomace, is clinically proven to enhance gut and immune health by training the innate immune system to respond effectively while promoting beneficial gut microorganisms. NutriLeads stated that the agreement marks a strategic step in its global distribution efforts, aiming to leverage the growing demand for effective prebiotic ingredients in functional foods, beverages and supplements.

Creatine-based products producer, Create Wellness, revealed it has raised US$5 million in a Series A funding round led by Unilever Ventures, bringing its total funding to US$7.3 million. The company gained popularity with its creatine monohydrate gummy and is transforming consumer approaches to creatine supplementation through education and engaging content. Create Wellness’ products are available at major retailers like GNC and Wegmans, as well as online. Since its launch, Create has generated over US$15 million in net revenue and sold over 20 million gummies. The Series A funding will help build a core team, support product research and development and expand the company’s retail channels. Unilever Ventures said the company’s momentum will help to accomplish its mission of broadening the creatine market.

Laboratoire PYC, a French subsidiary of the Solina Group specializing in food supplements and high-protein diet products, inaugurated a new production site in Manziat, France. Following 18 months of development, the 4,600 m² facility is dedicated to the blending and packaging of powder formulas, enhancing the company’s capabilities to support both French and international brands. The expansion included modernized infrastructure to address CSR (corporate social responsibility) challenges, improved food safety and integrated eco-friendly solutions, such as reduced water usage and the use of green electricity. Laboratoire PYC also invested in new equipment, including air treatment systems and laminar flow weighing rooms, to protect operators and manage allergens. The project aims for FSSC 22000 certification in the future and is currently ISO 22000 certified.

Turnspire Capital Partners announced that an affiliate completed the acquisition of Pharmachem Innovations, previously the nutraceuticals division of Ashland Inc. The company, a leading provider of proprietary nutrition ingredients and custom formulation services, employs approximately 500 staff across production facilities in New Jersey, Utah and Tamaulipas, Mexico. Turnspire highlighted Pharmachem’s strong formulation and manufacturing capabilities and said the acquisition will help the company meet its future goals in the rapidly growing nutraceuticals market.

Product launches

Szio+ introduced Ferosom Forte, an iron supplement, in the US. This innovative product utilizes advanced liposomal technology combined with a proprietary LCE Coat to ensure iron absorption with minimal side effects, like constipation. Ferosom Forte is offered in two forms — capsules containing 30 mg of elemental iron enhanced with vitamin C and sachets providing 21 mg of elemental iron-fortified with vitamins C, D, B6, B12 and folic acid. Both options are vegan, gluten-free, non-GMO, halal and manufactured in Canada by a GMP (good manufacturing practice)-approved facility. The liposomal delivery system allows iron to reach the intestines directly, boosting absorption while minimizing common gastrointestinal issues. The company adds that a survey revealed 88% of Canadian users experienced no side effects with the supplementation.

At the same time, Bayer unveiled its new Age Factor ecosystem, designed to support healthy aging through a combination of a dietary supplement, a wellness app and a biological age test by Chronomics. The initiative is Bayer’s first holistic offering from its Precision Health business unit. The Age Factor ecosystem addresses consumer needs by facilitating awareness, education, engagement, assessment and action regarding health. The One A Day Age Factor Cell Defense supplement includes key ingredients that support cellular health and resilience and the ecosystem’s wellness app offers personalized insights and lifestyle recommendations, along with a saliva-based biological age test to track progress.

Scientific studies

The US Surgeon General reported a significant health risk in America due to loneliness and social isolation, which increase the likelihood of premature death by 26% and 29%, respectively. To combat this epidemic, the Family Meals Movement encouraged families to share more meals together, particularly during National Family Meals Month in September. The movement identified five key benefits of family meals. First, shared meals foster togetherness and connectedness, helping to strengthen family bonds through communication and expressiveness during mealtimes, away from distractions. Second, family meals support mental health, noting that research indicated that regular family meals reduce symptoms of depression and risky behaviors among adolescents. Third, family meals improve nutrition, with studies showing higher fruit and vegetable consumption among families that eat together. Fourth, family meals positively impact academic performance, correlating with better grades and reduced risky behaviors. Finally, the foundation highlighted that shared meals teach civility and provide a platform for respectful communication and discussion of societal issues.

By William Bradford Nichols