Beyond The Headlines: CHPA backs Dietary Supplements Access Act, FDA declines Nicotinamide public hearing

21 Jul 2023 --- This week in nutrition news, the Consumer Healthcare Products Association (CHPA) joined other organizations in support of the Dietary Supplements Access Act. Also, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) declined a request for a public hearing on Nicotinamide Mononucleotide (NMN). Meanwhile, Particles for Humanity unveiled a partnership to help alleviate vitamin A deficiencies in Africa.

In brief: Nutrition news
The CHPA, along with other organizations representing dietary supplement manufacturers and marketers, supports the introduction of the Dietary Supplements Access Act. The bipartisan legislation, introduced by members of the US Congress, aims to allow consumers to use Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) and Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) to purchase dietary supplements. A 2023 HSA & FSA Reimbursement Study showed that 78% of Americans with these accounts want the flexibility to use pre-tax dollars for dietary supplements. The bill would expand FSA/HSA eligibility to include dietary supplements as qualified medical expenses, empowering consumers to take charge of their health and well-being.The CHPA joined other nutrition organizations in supporting the Dietary Supplements Access Act.

At the same time, the FDA declined a Congressman’s request for a public hearing on NMN, stating that a public comment period would be sufficient. NMN is a widely used ingredient in many natural products, and the Natural Products Association (NPA) has expressed disappointment with the FDA’s decision, accusing the agency of not being transparent and failing in its regulatory duties for dietary supplements. NPA and the Alliance for Natural Health had previously filed a citizen’s petition urging the FDA to determine NMN’s status as a dietary supplement and exercise enforcement discretion regarding its marketing and selling. NPA is now encouraging health advocates to protect NMN by writing to Congress.

Particles for Humanity secured investments from King Philanthropies and the Mulago Foundation to test PFH-VAP, a stable vitamin A palmitate, for large-scale food fortification in Africa. The instability of current vitamin A forms hampers the effectiveness of fortification. PFH-VAP, when incorporated in bouillon tablets under hot, humid African conditions, exhibits four times greater stability than leading forms. Fortifying staple foods like wheat flour, sugar and bouillon with PFH-VAP could combat vitamin A deficiency in Africa. Particles for Humanity says it has raised US$20 million to fight malnutrition and states that diversifying funds ensures financial stability, fosters innovation and promotes collaboration within the philanthropic community.

In Brief: Business news
Fonterra has increased its decarbonization ambition by setting a new target to reduce Scope one and two emissions by 50% by 2030, based on a 2018 baseline. This target represents an improvement over the previous goal of a 30% reduction by 2030. Fonterra adds that the majority of its Scope one and two emissions originate from manufacturing operations and the supply chain. To achieve the new target, the cooperative plans to focus on energy efficiency improvements, renewable energy adoption and fuel-switching activities across its milk collection fleet and manufacturing sites, with particular attention to six sites that use coal. The company says the endeavor will require an estimated investment of US$790 million, including a government contribution of up to US$90 million through the Government Investment in Decarbonising Industry fund. Fonterra aims to explore various technologies to phase out coal and transition to renewable energy sources, contributing to its net-zero target by 2050. The cooperative’s climate targets align with limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees and are being accredited by the Science Based Target initiative.

Nutrition brand, Needed launched Sperm Support Plus, a supplement to aid men with healthy conception. The company says that male fertility accounts for 40-50% of fertility struggles, making both partners’ contributions crucial. According to Needed, the offering takes a holistic approach with clinically-studied ingredients like targeted antioxidants, probiotics, and testosterone-supporting botanicals to boost sperm quality, quantity and motility and includes specific antioxidants for cellular integrity and sperm viability, plus 14 billion CFU probiotics for gut and hormone health.

Fonterra revealed plans to lower its carbon emissions 50% by 2030.

Molecular farming company IngredientWerks, revealed it achieved a significant milestone by producing proprietary corn expressing high levels of bovine myoglobin, a heme protein used to mimic the taste and texture of meat in alternative protein applications. The production of “Meaty Corn” leverages the US agricultural infrastructure to yield valuable proteins at an industrial scale with a carbon-neutral footprint and reduced cost. In Q2, IngredientWerks surpassed its target expression level of heme at 10 mgs per gram of corn, resulting in a low-cost heme production. This marks the first successful expression of myoglobin beef in corn, protected by corresponding patent application filings. According to the company, the breakthrough addresses challenges faced by the alternative protein industry.

In brief: Scientific studies
Researchers have found that malnutrition during pregnancy may significantly increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life. The researchers found that people born during severe famines, such as those in 1939 and 1946 to 1947, had a much higher incidence of diabetes in 2013 to 2017 compared to those born in different years. The incidence rate of new diabetes cases rose by up to 78% among men and up to 59% among women from the famine-affected birth groups. This increased risk is attributed to genetic programming that occurs during pregnancy when the unborn child’s metabolism adjusts to a nutritionally deprived environment. If this maladaptation persists later in life, it could lead to higher rates of metabolic and cardiovascular diseases among these birth groups.A study found that climate change and global warming have unanticipated effects on animals, including chickens and dairy cows.

The study utilized a comprehensive dataset covering almost the entire Austrian population between 2012 and 2017, providing valuable insights into age-specific and regional incidence rates without the need for additional assumptions. These findings underscore the importance of considering reproductive health and adequate nutrition during pregnancy and early postnatal periods in public health efforts to address diabetes, rather than solely focusing on lifestyle factors. Understanding the long-term impact of nutrition during pregnancy can aid in preventing diabetes and related health conditions, highlighting the significance of early intervention and appropriate support for expectant mothers.

A new study published in CABI Reviews highlights the “multi-faceted” impact of climate change on animal welfare which can affect nutrition, environment, behavior, physical health and mental health and highlights that animals like bats, zebrafish, koalas, elephants, chickens and dairy cows are at risk. For example, the study found that heat stress in dairy cows reduces milk production by 35%, while broiler chickens suffer from necrosis and reduced meat quality under hot conditions. Droughts and resource scarcity contribute to elevated elephant mortality. Marsupials like koalas expend more energy to maintain body temperature with reduced food quality. Even domestic animals like cats and dogs are affected, with some dog breeds susceptible to heat stroke. It also found that around 50% of dogs in the UK are overweight due to insufficient exercise during hot weather and urges prioritizing actions to protect animals and address the consequences of climate change on their welfare.

By William Bradford Nichols