Beyond The Headlines: Aid blocked in Gaza, Sudan faces hunger ahead of rainy season

In industry news this week, humanitarian crises escalated in Gaza and Sudan amid aid blockades and flooding risks, while Actus Nutrition acquired a major whey facility to expand its US operations. 

Nutrition news

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNWRA) protested Israel’s two-month blockade of Gaza, reporting that families were sharing single tins of food and children were going to bed hungry amid daily bombardment. Aid trucks remained blocked at the border, while Rafah, which was once a major entry point, was largely destroyed. Over 90% of Gaza’s population has been displaced, and UNRWA warned its food supplies are nearly depleted. The agency also reported staff deaths, alleged abuse in detention, and a critical funding shortfall. Several countries are considering reducing funds to UNRWA. Sweden decided to stop funding UNRWA and the Netherlands will stop or reduce funding this year.

Doctors Without Borders (MSF) warned that Sudan’s upcoming rainy season threatens to cut off access to communities already facing severe food insecurity and malnutrition, particularly in Darfur. Millions are at risk due to the fighting between Sudanese forces and the Rapid Support Forces, flooding, and blocked aid routes. Although resources are still insufficient, MSF reported treating over 7,200 malnourished women and children in 2024. The organization urged repairs to infrastructure, lifted aid restrictions, and immediate donor funding to pre-position supplies.

The Center on Budget and Policy Analysis said the US House Agriculture Committee Republicans reportedly plan to propose shifting 22.5% of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) food benefit costs to states over the next decade through reconciliation legislation. The cost shift was estimated to add US$23.65 billion to state budgets in 2034. The think tank adds that states would need to raise revenue or cut other services to cover the shortfall, risking reductions in food assistance for low-income households. Some House Republicans suggested delaying implementation until after the 2026 or 2028 elections.

Business news

Actus Nutrition finalized an agreement to acquire a 99,000-square-foot whey protein processing facility in Sparta, Wisconsin, from Foremost Farms USA. Both businesses signed a long-term, exclusive whey protein partnership as part of the agreement. Actus intends to keep its current workforce and make investments to increase the site’s capacity. The acquisition, expected to close by the end of May, marks Actus’ seventh facility in Wisconsin. 

People load parcels of food onto a camel in Kaloketting, South Darfur (Image credit: Sudan 2025 Hani Dweik/MSF).Fonterra Oceania said it donated more than 1.7 million servings of dairy to Foodbank Australia since last year as part of its effort to combat rising food insecurity. Contributions included 384,000 liters of milk, over 8,000 kilograms of cheese, and 9,600 kilograms of butter — most of which supported Foodbank Victoria, where Fonterra was the largest food donor. The company also supplied 14,000 liters of long-life milk to communities affected by Cyclone Alfred. Fonterra says it plans to expand its impact through continued collaboration with Foodbank and retail partners.

PLT Health Solutions will showcase its science-backed ingredients at Vitafoods Europe in Barcelona, Spain. The company emphasized the importance of delivering tangible consumer experiences, supported by clinical science, especially in regulated markets. Featured ingredients include AprèsFlex for joint health, cellflo6 for endurance and recovery, zümXR for energy without jitters, Slendacor for weight management, and MegaNatural-BP for cardio health. PLT will also offer an Experience Zone where attendees can sample formulations to showcase fast-acting benefits.

UlitiVita Health and LiverScan partnered to launch a combined service offering medical diagnostics and nutritional therapy for liver and metabolic health. Patients referred by LiverScan will be given access to personalized nutritional care alongside clinical assessment, aiming to support conditions such as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. The partnership includes plans for workshops and outreach programs focused on early detection and prevention. The initiative aims to create a joined-up care pathway linking diagnosis, lifestyle strategies, and nutrition.

Recent research

Research published in Food Chemistry assessed Sphenarium rugosum — a species of grasshopper — powder and found it contained 68.51% protein, 11% fat, and a favorable omega-3 to omega-6 ratio. It also includes minerals such as potassium, calcium, sodium, and magnesium. Structural analysis distinguished its protein makeup from other insect powders. The powder showed 53.83% solubility, high water retention, and foaming capacity at pH 10. Researchers identified essential amino acids, supporting potential use as a protein source or substitute in food formulations.

Researchers assessed Sphenarium rugosum powder and found it contained 68.51% protein, 11% fat, and a favorable omega-3 to omega-6 ratio.Ritual completed a human clinical trial on its Essential Prenatal Multivitamin, which it says makes it the first prenatal supplement backed by such a study. The product, launched in 2018, was tested over 24 weeks during the second and third trimesters in a randomized, double-blind, controlled trial. The study found increases in biotin and folate absorption, lower cortisol levels, and higher user satisfaction. Conducted with Cornell University and City University of New York, Brooklyn, 66% of participants identified as BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and people of color). Ritual also committed US$5 million to further clinical research.

Harvard Health Publishing spotlighted cheese for heart health. Cheese consumption in the US reached a record 42 pounds per person last year. A 2023 review in Advances in Nutrition found that eating about 1.5 ounces of cheese per day was linked to a reduced risk of heart disease, stroke, and cardiovascular death. Researchers noted that fermentation byproducts in cheese may offer protective effects. No particular type of cheese stood out as being healthier, even though processed and plant-based cheeses might not have the same advantages. This is because saturated fat and sodium levels vary among varieties.

Product launches

The Ugandan government, UNICEF, and Pristine Foods launched the Egg Powder Initiative for Children (EPIC) in Kamwenge District, Uganda, to combat child stunting using powdered egg sachets. The product, developed with support from the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation, is said to deliver affordable protein to children aged six to 23 months through a six-month pilot targeting 50,000 children. Uganda aims to cut national stunting rates to 12.5% by 2030, addressing persistent malnutrition despite local food abundance in regions like Tooro.

Physician’s Choice launched Fiber + Probiotic, a three-in-one supplement combining soluble fiber, insoluble fiber, and probiotics to support gut health, regularity, and ease bloating. The unflavored powder blends easily into liquids and is formulated to be gentler than traditional options like psyllium. Featuring clinically studied ingredients such as Solnul resistant potato starch and Bacillus subtilis BS50, the product contains 6 g of prebiotic fiber per tablespoon and is free from sugar, fillers, and artificial additives.