Beyond The Headlines: Balchem teams up with the Jets, Kemin gets EC approval for pet food additive

03 May 2024 --- This week in nutrition news, Balchem Human Nutrition and Health joined forces with the NY Jets football team to promote VitaCholine. At the same time, Kemin Industries revealed it has received European Commission (EC) approval for the use of its rosemary extract as an additive in cat and dog food. Meanwhile, Danone acquired Functional Formularies to boost its enteral tube feeding and medical nutrition presence.

Nutrition News
Balchem Human Nutrition and Health revealed it has entered into a multi-year partnership with the New York Jets football team. The partnership marks the first sponsorship in the nutritional ingredient category for a major professional US-based sports team. The collaboration will make Balchem’s choline ingredient, VitaCholine, a presenting partner for the Jets’ road games and includes exclusive branding rights in the US and UK. According to the company, the purpose of the partnership is to enhance cognitive and brain health awareness among fans by promoting VitaCholine, which is recognized for its potential benefits in mental and physical performance. Additionally, VitaCholine will gain exposure on the Jets’ official website and at the team’s home at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

Kemin Industries received EC approval to use its liquid rosemary extract as an antioxidant feed additive for cats and dogs. Kemin highlights that the authorization allows rosemary extract to be used in the EU pet food industry, offering a natural alternative to traditional tocopherols. According to Kemin, this development, spearheaded by Kemin Nutrisurance, enhances the diversity and sustainability of pet food antioxidants and supports the growing consumer demand for clean label products. Kemin also spotlights that its proprietary rosemary varieties are specially bred for high antioxidant content, ensuring consistent product quality across its vertically integrated supply chain.Kemin Industries received EC approval for its rosemary extract to be used in cat and dog foods.

Business News
Danone acquired Functional Formularies, a leading US-based whole foods enteral tube feeding company, from Swander Pace Capital. Danone points out that the acquisition is part of its “Renew” strategy and will boost the company’s US medical nutrition and enteral tube feeding portfolio. The company’s deputy CEO and CFO, Juergen Esser, emphasized that the inclusion of Functional Formularies, known for its distinct product offerings, will improve support for the nutritional needs of tube-fed individuals. The company will be integrated with Danone’s existing Real Food Blends brand.

Blue Sky Nutrition revealed it has purchased the food and feed merchandising business of Maltwerks to strengthen its presence in the supplement, food, pet food and feed industry. This acquisition, which closed in mid-April 2024, expands Blue Sky Nutrition’s portfolio and enables its entry into international markets.

Product Launches
Goli Nutrition introduced Matcha Mind Cognitive Gummies. The new offering enhances brain health and blends matcha with Kyowa Hakko’s citicoline ingredient, Cognizin. Goli Nutrition’s latest offering supports cognitive function, focus and neurotransmitter production. It also speaks to the growing consumer demand for brain and cognitive health products and convenient and flavorful options. Moreover, the company adds that as wellness and self-care gain prominence, companies must meet the demand for integrative products that cater to the growing consumer focus on lifespan health and unique delivery formats.

TopGum revealed it will launch IronGum, a high-dose iron gummy supplement, as part of its Gummiceuticals line at Vitafoods Europe 2024 (May 14-16) in Geneva, Switzerland, at booth #P108. TopGum said the new offering is formulated without the typical metallic taste of iron supplements and utilizes TopGum’s proprietary technologies to deliver iron effectively while improving consumer experience with natural sweeteners and flavor masking. The innovation addresses global iron deficiency challenges and offers a palatable, convenient alternative to traditional supplements. Additionally, the company said the gummy could potentially transform iron supplementation by enhancing absorption and minimizing side effects.Goli Nutrition launched a new gummy offering with Matcha and Kyowa Hakko’s Cognizin citicoline ingredient (Image Credit: Goli Nutrition).

Scientific studies
Rich in polyphenols and oligosaccharides, cranberry extracts show significant potential for improving gut health and preventing cardiovascular diseases and chronic diseases like diabetes, according to a study by Université Laval in Canada and the Institute of Nutrition and Functional Foods. New research published in NPJ Biofilms and Microbiomes found that the extracts boost beneficial gut bacteria such as Bifidobacterium and Akkermansia muciniphila, which are crucial for reducing inflammation and strengthening the intestinal barrier. The researchers highlight that the extract can counteract the adverse effects of a Western diet on the microbiota, potentially leading to a fortified intestinal barrier and reduced chronic disease risks. The study, which included a human trial with forty participants, demonstrated positive effects after just four days of cranberry supplement intake.

A study by Universitat Rovira i Virgili in Spain explored the link between high saturated fat diets and Alzheimer’s disease. The study focused on molecular changes in the blood and brain, using mouse models to show how such diets affect insulin-related miRNAs that have been shown to influence the onset of Alzheimer’s symptoms like weight gain, poor glucose response and brain inflammation. Published in the journal Nutrients, the study found that significant molecular changes occurred after six months of a high saturated fat diet. These molecular changes correspond with signs of Alzheimer’s-induced brain damage, such as amyloid plaque accumulation and tau protein production. This research highlights potential dietary influences on Alzheimer’s and suggests new avenues for its prevention and treatment.

By William Bradford Nichols