Beyond The Headlines: CSPI continues call for FoP labels, CRN says no one product can meet all needs

14 Apr 2023 --- This week in nutrition news, the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) revealed that several new organizations had joined in the call for mandatory front-of-package (FoP) nutrition labeling in the US. Also, the Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN) responded to a study showing that many prenatal vitamins in the US lack essential nutrients. Meanwhile, Isopure, a leading low-carb protein supplement brand, partnered with activist Ripudaman Bevli in India to highlight environmental sustainability.

In brief: Nutrition news
The momentum for mandatory FoP nutrition labeling in the US is growing as new organizations join the campaign to encourage the US Food and Drug Administration to develop labels that show whether there are high levels of added sugars, sodium and saturated fat in packaged, processed foods. A new poll commissioned by the CSPI also found strong public support for the proposal. The 17 organizations that filed a supportive comment with the FDA include the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, American Heart Association, American Public Health Association, Consumer Federation of America and Consumer Reports. The comment argues that FDA needs to take bold action to improve the nation’s diet and health, given that the average American adult consumes 50% more sodium, 40% more added sugars and 40% more saturated fat than the daily recommendations. According to the CSPI, the FDA’s docket has so far received over 7,700 public comments, the overwhelming majority of which support the petition.

Several organizations are continuing to call on the FDA to implement mandatory FoP nutrition Labels.CRN has responded to a study published in the American Journal for Clinical Nutrition that highlighted the levels of specific nutrients in some dietary supplements commonly used or marketed to pregnant women. CRN notes that supplements should be part of a comprehensive nutritional program for pregnant women, that includes healthy food sources for nutrients and states that supplements should not be used as a substitute for healthy eating, particularly during pregnancy – though they can help fill nutritional gaps. Additionally, the organization stated that, though the dietary supplement industry offers products to serve people during pregnancy, no single product can meet everyone’s precise nutritional needs.

Isopure revealed its Zero-In On Pure initiative and teamed up with the activist Bevli, who is renowned for his efforts in popularizing the practice of plogging – the act of picking up litter while hiking, walking or jogging. The company stated that its initiative lines up with Bevli’s mission to promote a healthy lifestyle and keep the environment clean. The partnership aims to promote a cleaner environment, healthier lifestyles and the need for more sustainable living in India by inspiring and motivating more people to adopt plogging as a regular part of their fitness routines. 

In brief: Business news
Azelis, a global distributor of specialty chemicals and food ingredients, acquired Vogler Química, a specialty chemicals distributor in Brazil. According to the company, the move strengthens its presence in the Latin American market and will allow access to Vogler’s customer base and distribution network for food and personal care sectors. Furthermore, Azelis stated that the acquisition will enable the expansion of its product offerings and expertise in the Brazilian market – considered to be one of the largest and fastest-growing economies in Latin America – and is part of the ongoing strategy to expand its global footprint.

Bucked Up launched the pre-workout supplement, Pixie Pump, which it says is convenient and portable. Image credit: Bucked Up.At the same time, Biosearch Life, a Spanish biotech company, received approval from the Brazilian National Health Surveillance Agency to commercialize two of its probiotic strains in the country. The approved strains, Bifidobacterium breve CECT7263 and Bifidobacterium breve Bif195, have been shown to benefit gut health and immune function and to improve other health outcomes. Biosearch Life can now market these strains for use in dietary supplements, functional foods and other products in the Brazilian market.

ModifyHealth, a US-based company that provides personalized dietary solutions for individuals with chronic health conditions, revealed that it received a strategic Series B investment round from Middleland Capital’s VTC Ventures. ModifyHealth highlighted that the investment will help it meet the increasing demand for its “food as medicine” solutions that are tailored to meet the unique dietary needs of people with conditions such as Crohn’s disease, irritable bowel syndrome and ulcerative colitis. The company’s platform connects patients with registered dietitians, who help them develop customized dietary plans based on consumers’ individual needs and medical history.

In brief: Product launches
Sports nutrition company Bucked Up launched a new pre-workout supplement called Pixie Pump. The supplements offer what the company calls a “first of its kind” customizable serving size with a small, single-serving packaging. It comes in a powder form that can be mixed with water and contains beta-alanine, caffeine and citrulline malate to boost energy, focus and endurance during workouts. Additionally, Pixie Pump includes a patented ingredient called VasoDrive-AP, which the company says supports blood flow and nutrient delivery to muscles and was created to address the need for a convenient, portable pre-workout supplement.

Italian researchers found that a two-phase ketogenic low-calorie diet reduced abdominal circumference and insulin levels.Meanwhile, Gelymar, a Chile-based agar-agar supplier, launched a new range of sugar-free vegan gummies made with its marine-derived ingredient. The company said the gummies are available in various shapes and flavors, including tropical fruits, berries and cola, are suitable for vegans, vegetarians and those with dietary restrictions and contain no gluten, soy, dairy or nuts. Furthermore, the company stated that its agar-agar ingredient also offers functional benefits, such as aiding digestion, reducing inflammation and supporting weight loss. The gummies will target the increasing demand for plant-based and functional products.

In brief: Scientific studies
Researchers in Italy revealed that diet may be the main modulator of the gut microbiota (GM) and highlighted the GM’s role in various human physiological functions, such as nutrient extraction, metabolism and biosynthesis of bioactive molecules. The study found that diet modulates GM composition and that high-fat, high-sugar and low-fiber diets are associated with microbial dysbiosis, which can lead to chronic diseases such as obesity. Moreover, the study found that targeted nutritional regimen and the appropriate use of probiotics can modulate GM to achieve a favorable composition, including an increase in Bacteroidetes and the enrichment of Verrucomicrobiaceae, while decreasing Proteobacteria. The study, published in Nutrients, investigated the effects of two dietary interventions, a low-calorie and a two-phase ketogenic plus low-calorie diet, and found that the two-phase diet was more effective in decreasing abdominal circumference, reducing insulin levels and increasing good bacteria. Both diets decreased the abundance of Proteobacteria, which is associated with dysbiosis and the risk of disease.

Finally, an international team of scientists reviewed current evidence on the effects of dietary intake of seaweed on preventing and treating metabolic syndrome via modulation of the gut microbiota and the production of short-chain fatty acids. Metabolic syndrome is a group of conditions that increase the risk of various diseases. The GM is known to be involved in the pathogenesis of metabolic syndrome. In animal studies, seaweed-derived bioactive components were found to modulate the gut microbiota by reversing the Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes ratio, increasing beneficial bacteria and decreasing harmful ones. This, in turn, improves gut barrier functions, reduces inflammation or oxidative stress and influences glucose and lipid metabolism. The study, soon to be published in Frontiers in Nutrition, found that seaweed-derived compounds have the potential to be used in interventions and drug development.

By William Bradford Nichols