Beyond The Headlines: Michael B. Jordan partners with Propel, Backslash publishes “Future of Food” report

14 Jul 2023 --- This week in nutrition news, Michael B. Jordan and Propel Fitness Water team up to promote fitness and exercise. At the same time, Backslash published a report linking the effects of climate change and other pressing world issues on food security and food production. Meanwhile, Ayana Bio opened a cell-culture plant bioactives laboratory in Boston, Massachusetts, US.

In brief: Nutrition news
Propel Fitness Water and Michael B. Jordan are joining forces for the “Propel Your City Project,” aiming to unite people through movement and support fitness organizations that address exercise and wellness barriers in their communities. The project will launch in Los Angeles, Detroit, Houston and Atlanta, offering activities such as running clubs, hikes, yoga and meditation to connect communities. Michael B. Jordan, known for his dedication to fitness, emphasizes the importance of finding a sense of belonging and aims to create spaces for others to experience the mental, emotional and physical benefits of movement and exercise. 

Backslash, the cultural intelligence unit of TBWA\Worldwide, has released its “Future of Food” report, which it says draws on knowledge and insights from 42 culture spotters worldwide and data analysis conducted using the Disruption Index, a proprietary research tool. The report explores the intersection of food with urgent issues such as climate change and social justice, emphasizing the need for a collective effort to create a better food future. The report covers four key topics, including the blurring lines between food and pharma, the search for ethical and sustainable food, the shift from passive consumption to active participation in the food system and the elevated role of technology in food innovation. The report highlights the importance of personalized nutrition, sustainability and the integration of technology in shaping the future of food.

Plant cell technology company Ayana Bio unveiled its latest laboratory in Boston’s (US) Seaport District. This facility will serve as the central hub for Ayana Bio’s plant cell-cultivated production systems to develop high-quality, cost-effective ingredients for health, wellness and nutrition. Additionally, the company states that the lab’s proximity to strategic partner Ginkgo Bioworks will foster collaboration and leverage Ginkgo’s biological technology and resources in creating plant materials without traditional cultivation methods. It further reveals that this would help overcome supply chain issues and allow the production of botanical bioactives free from soil contaminants. The new lab incorporates indoor plant cultivation systems, cell biology and ingredient development, enabling scalable production of diverse plant cells and generating ingredients at lower costs. Moreover, the facility will support Ayana Bio’s initiatives in cacao bioactives and genetic research.

In Brief: Business news
Renowned chef Gordon Ramsay has joined Borealis Foods as an advisor, shareholder and brand ambassador. The food tech innovation company, known for its Chef Woo and Ramen Express ramen meals, aims to address the issues of nutrition and food insecurity by providing affordable high-protein meals. The company says that Ramsay’s partnership will allow it to leverage his culinary expertise, business acumen and international recognition to further its mission of cutting food prices amid the current cost-of-living crisis. Both Ramsay and Borealis Foods say they share a vision of making nutritious and delicious options accessible and affordable.

Kabrita USA’s Kabrita goat milk-based infant formula has met all the US Food and Drug Administration’s nutrition and safety requirements and is now authorized for marketing in the US. The formula is expected to be available later this year, offering an option for parents who supplement or substitute breast milk with infant formula. The company, a division of Ausnutria, recently unveiled the results of a study showing its formula to be safe and well-tolerated by infants, as well as supporting healthy growth and development. The goat milk-based infant formula brand is already available in 35 countries and combines easy-to-digest goat milk protein with lactose and goat milk whey protein to create an easily digestible formula. Additionally, the company highlights that the infant formula is made in the Netherlands and adheres to strict European standards for hygiene, quality and animal welfare.

Precision fermentation breast milk proteins producer Helaina appointed Ross Peterson as director of regulatory affairs. Peterson was formerly a nutrition scientist and regulatory affairs manager at Abbott. The company says his responsibilities include overseeing regulatory affairs, leading clinical study activities and facilitating the market introduction of its bioactive proteins. Helaina is focused on advancing its regulatory efforts and expanding the availability of its immunity-boosting proteins and hopes to introduce a new category of nutrition by incorporating its proteins into a range of functional foods and supplements, offering benefits such as improved gut health and cognitive support for individuals of all ages.

In Brief: Animal nutrition
Hill’s Pet Nutrition is introducing a Marine Stewardship Council (MSC)-certified Alaskan pollock and insect protein into its science diet-sensitive stomach and skin portfolio. According to the company, the addition aims to support pets with sensitivities and contribute to a healthier and more sustainable future and will feature high-quality, traceable and sustainable protein sources. Also, Hill’s Pet Nutrition says its use of MSC-certified pollock ensures the ingredient is sourced sustainably with minimal impact on the ecosystem. Furthermore, it states that the products offer a highly digestible recipe, skin and coat nourishment, immune system support and a savory fish flavor that pets will enjoy and that the addition of insect protein provides fiber and beneficial nutrients.

A recent study published in the journal Animal Nutrition investigated the effects of butyrate supplementation in calves that were fed a high-fiber starter feed. The researchers found that incorporating butyrate into the high-fiber diet had numerous positive effects on gastrointestinal development, including inhibiting inflammation, enhancing immunity and energy utilization and activating microbial carbohydrate metabolism in the calves. The study found that these effects contributed to improved overall health and safeguarded the calves against diseases and infections and demonstrated that, even in a high-fiber diet, butyrate still promoted gastrointestinal development in the calves. The addition of butyrate has previously been shown to have positive effects on feed intake and body weight gain by promoting rumen development and providing energy for gut cell proliferation. The researchers suggest further studies should focus on determining the optimal ratio of butyrate supplementation in various fiber levels to strike a balance between feeding costs and production benefits.

In brief: Scientific studies
Researchers from Tel Aviv University’s School of Public Health are suggesting that body fat percentage is a more accurate indicator of overall health and cardiometabolic risk than the commonly used body mass index (BMI). The study, published in Frontiers in Nutrition, analyzed data from approximately 3,000 Israeli men and women and found that a significant number of individuals within the normal weight range still had excess body fat. The researchers further note that excess body fat is associated with an increased risk of cardiometabolic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes and fatty liver and spotlight the need to shift the focus from BMI to body fat percentage as the gold standard for assessing health. The study recommends equipping clinics with suitable devices for measuring body fat content to better identify individuals at risk and provide appropriate interventions.

Lastly, a study published in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior looked at the impact of federal food assistance programs on beverage intake among low-income families and found that households participating in both the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) consumed high amounts of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs). In contrast, beverage intake patterns did not differ significantly between households participating only in WIC, only in SNAP or in neither program. The study also revealed that mothers participating in WIC and SNAP commonly consumed bottled water, which can be a financial burden for low-income families and is often chosen due to distrust of tap water. The researchers emphasized the need to understand how these programs work together and to develop strategies that promote food security and improve diet quality while respecting peoples’ personal choices.

By William Bradford Nichols