Beyond The Headlines: ATNI calls out infant nutrition companies, Unilever Food Solutions’ “Future Menus 2024”
29 Mar 2024 --- This week in nutrition news, the Access to Nutrition Initiative (ATNI) decried marketing practices for infant nutrition. Meanwhile, Unilever Food Solutions unveiled its “Future Menus 2024.” At the same time, Valify Solutions Group partnered with the White House to help end hunger in the US.
Nutrition news
A study by the ATNI found that infant and toddler foods from leading brands often do not meet established marketing and nutritional standards. The research scrutinized product composition and company commitments to nutritional care, highlighting significant disparities. The researchers said the results emphasize the need for stricter compliance and monitoring to ensure these products contribute positively to early childhood nutrition.
Unilever Food Solutions launched its “Future Menus 2024,” focusing on sustainability and the nutrition trends it says are shaping the foodservice industry. The initiative underscores the importance of plant-based diets, zero-waste cooking and local sourcing. The company said the endeavor will inspire chefs and restaurateurs to innovate with sustainable practices and ingredients, reflecting growing consumer demand for environmentally friendly dining options.
Business news
Valify Solutions Group committed to the White House’s challenge to end hunger and build stronger communities. Its participation involves leveraging the company’s healthcare expertise to address food insecurity and promote healthier living. The initiative is in addition to broader efforts meant to ensure access to nutritious food and to enhance community well-being.
Valify Solutions Group partnered with the White House to help end hunger in the US.
ChromaDex partnered with Alkemist Labs for third-party verification of its Tru Niagen products to boost consumer confidence in the product’s quality, safety and scientific backing. The collaboration offers transparency by ensuring their supplements, featuring the ChromaDex’s patented nicotinamide riboside (NR), are rigorously tested for potency, purity and contaminants. Alkemist Labs, known for its stringent testing methodologies, underscores the industry’s shift toward higher quality standards.
Product Launches
Wyeth Nutrition introduced China’s first infant formula containing two types of human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs), 2′-Fucosyllactose and lacto‐N‐neotetraose, marking a significant innovation in the HMO space. According to Wyeth, the launch positions it at the forefront of infant nutrition technology, emphasizing the company’s dedication to advancing infant health through cutting-edge research and development. The new formula will more closely mimic the nutritional composition of human breast milk, offering improved health benefits for infants.
Garden of Life launched an extension to its Sport line, offering new organic and plant-based nutrition products tailored for athletes. The new line supports all aspects of athletic performance, including energy, recovery and overall wellness and includes protein bars, powders and supplements. The line is also formulated with clean, traceable ingredients to meet the needs of health-conscious consumers and athletes.
BioTrust Nutrition unveiled Eternal Mind, a dietary supplement designed to enhance cognitive functions, featuring Nutricog as its main ingredient. This product supports memory, focus and overall brain health through a scientifically backed formula. The company highlighted that Eternal Mind is crafted to cater to the growing demand for natural cognitive support options, providing consumers with a potent blend of nutrients for brain wellness.
Nutrex Hawaii introduced BioAstin Hawaiian Astaxanthin in a new sugar-free, vegan gummy format, boasting 12 mg per serving for potent antioxidant benefits. Sourced from natural Hawaiian microalgae, the product is designed for comprehensive health objectives, supports eye, skin, joint and heart health and also aids in post-exercise recovery. Enhanced with vitamin D3, the gummies are non-GMO, gluten-free and use natural sweeteners, available at mass and specialty retail channels.
A Denmark based study found the breastfeeding reduced the risk of developing ALL.
Scientific Studies
Recent research revealed that over half of college students eligible for the US’ Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits don’t apply due to complexities in application and eligibility processes. Published in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, the study highlights the need for policy simplification and improved administration, especially after observing that COVID-19 related modifications made the process easier for students. These findings suggest eliminating student-specific rules to increase participation among eligible students, targeting support for minoritized racial and ethnic groups and low-income individuals.
A study analyzed the association between exclusive breastfeeding duration and the risk of childhood cancers in Denmark, including acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Using data from 309,473 children born between 2005 and 2018, the study found that breastfeeding exclusively for three months or longer was linked to a decreased risk of hematologic cancers, particularly B-cell precursor ALL, but not with other types of cancers. The results suggest that breastfeeding might offer protective effects against certain childhood cancers, advocating for further research into underlying biological mechanisms.
By William Bradford Nichols
