Beyond The Headlines: Kraft Heinz Company Foundation combats hunger, Takeda awards nutrition and STEM grants

12 Apr 2024 --- This week in nutrition news, the Kraft Heinz Company Foundation extended its commitment to fight hunger globally. Also, Takeda selected eight non-profit organizations (NPOs) to receive its Corporate Social Responsibility grant. At the same time, ADM teamed up with Solugen to construct a biomanufacturing facility in the US.

Nutrition News
The Kraft Heinz Company Foundation revealed it would extend its three-year partnership with Rise Against Hunger. The foundation has committed US$15 million to support global hunger relief efforts. The foundation said the partnership will boost the distribution of fortified meals worldwide and add 36 million micronutrient sachets to 207 million meals. The foundation further stated that its goal is to provide 1.5 billion meals by 2025 and the collaboration will also include local meal procurement, support for sustainable agriculture and engage Kraft Heinz employees in volunteer activities. Additionally, the foundation highlighted that since 2021, the partnership has provided necessary nutrition to 8.9 million people across 48 countries.

Meanwhile, health and nutrition player Takeda announced it has selected eight US NPOs as grant recipients for its US$14.6 million commitment for its FY2023 US Corporate Social Responsibility program. The grants will go to the “Food is Health” and “Building STEM Foundations.” The initiatives will target equity in under-resourced communities and have provided a total contribution of US$54.1 million since 2021. Furthermore, Takeda said the initiative involves multi-year grants with the goal of supporting community development and reducing disparities.

Business News
Climate technology company Solugen joined forces with ADM to construct a new biomanufacturing facility in Marshall, Minnesota, US. The facility will span 500,000 square feet and allow the companies to meet the rising demand for sustainable solutions by producing low-carbon organic acids using dextrose from ADM’s adjacent complex. ADM and Solugen said the partnership will leverage biotechnology to reduce carbon emissions and is expected to create over 50 skilled jobs in the area.

ADM and Solugen partnered to construct a biomanufacturing facility in the US (Image Credit: Solugen).Mara Renewables announced a strategic partnership with Checkerspot to offer sustainable alternatives to fish oil on the omega-3 market. According to the companies, the collaboration will produce environmentally friendly, high-performance omega-3 oils using Checkerspot’s advanced biotechnology and Mara Revewable’s extensive culture collection of algal strains. The partnership supports the shift toward sustainable nutrient sources and emphasizes innovation in developing triglyceride oils that reduce reliance on ocean resources, aligning with both companies’ commitments to environmental conservation and responsible nutrition.

Product Launches
L-Nutra launched L-Protein, the first plant-based protein blend designed for healthy aging. The offering was developed to support muscle function without boosting growth factors linked to accelerated aging. L-Nutra said the innovative formula combines 25 g of plant-based proteins, 21 vitamins and minerals from natural sources and has been tested by top longevity researchers. Moreover, the company says the ingredient is environmentally friendly and GMO-, gluten-, lactose-, soy- and silica-free.

Functional beverage brand Fhirst introduced a lemon-lime soda version in its expanding range of all-natural, zero-sugar probiotic “living” sodas. The new flavor joins the company’s cherry-vanilla, ginger-mandarin and passion fruit beverage offerings. Fhirst said the science-backed functional beverages provide gut-friendly and guilt-free beverages that provide a blend of 2 billion probiotic cultures, prebiotic plant fiber and added zinc.

Pet Nutrition
Nulo teamed up with Ryan Crouser, a decorated shot put athlete, to promote its “Fuel Incredible” campaign. Crouser underscored the significant role his dog, Koda, plays in his athletic and emotional journey and highlighted the benefits of Nulo’s pet nutrition offerings. The campaign will showcase the bond between athletes and their pets and the importance of high-quality pet nutrition for pets and pet owners.

ADM Animal Nutrition expanded its March 30, 2024, recall of some pet nutrition products to include some found to have elevated levels of magnesium, sodium, calcium and phosphorus. The affected products range from chicken starter-grower feeds to rabbit feeds and some pig and hog feed. The products pose risks such as increased water consumption and reduced feed efficiency and can be potentially fatal to chickens. For swine and rabbits, symptoms include reduced feed consumption, reduced growth rates and loose stools. ADM said the extended recall will mitigate the health risks in affected livestock and pets.Nulo teamed up with Ryan Crouser to promote its latest pet nutrition campaign (Image Credit: Nulo).

Scientific Studies
Researchers at the University of Leeds warn that overweight or obese children and young people are at a higher risk of iron deficiency. Published in BMJ Global Health, the study reviewed medical studies from 44 countries and compared iron and other nutrient levels with weight in individuals under 25. The results show that overweight children and adolescents experience iron deficiency due to an inflammation that disrupts iron absorption mechanisms. The results reveal iron deficiency to be a hidden form of malnutrition — one that can have impacts on brain function and increase the risk for conditions like autism and ADHD.

A recent study revealed that frequent seafood consumers might be at an increased risk for polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) exposure. According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, possible effects of PFAS exposure include decreased fertility, developmental delays in children, increased risks for some forms of cancer and reduced immune responses. Published in Exposure and Health, the researchers said the results underscore the need for stricter public health guidelines regarding seafood consumption, especially in regions like New England, where cultural and environmental factors often result in higher seafood consumption. The study analyzed seafood from New Hampshire and found higher levels of PFAS — particularly in shrimp and lobster.

By William Bradford Nichols