Beyond The Headlines: PhytoGaia’s palm-based pet nutrition, CFC finds parents prefer nutrition policies

26 Apr 2024 --- This week in nutrition news, PhytoGaia revealed it would exhibit its branded, palm fruit-derived pet food ingredients. At the same time, the Children’s Food Campaign (CFC) found that a majority of parents support government policies that target children’s nutrition. Meanwhile, a federal judge affirmed the standing of the Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN) in its challenge to a recently passed New York state law.

Nutrition News
PhytoGaia, a global leader in palm-derived phytonutrients, is set to exhibit at Petfood Forum 2024 in the US and Interzoo 2024 in Europe, showcasing its branded pet supplement ingredients — PetGaia and MCTGaia. The ingredients, which are derived from sustainably sourced palm fruits, have been shown to promote healthy skin, fur and overall vitality for pets. The innovative pet health ingredients come in oil and powder forms and PhytoGaia spotlights that the ingredients are suitable even for human consumption.

A recent study conducted by the Children’s Food Campaign and Savanta highlighted the difficulties parents face in ensuring their children eat healthily amid the rising cost of living and pervasive unhealthy food marketing. The research prompted a parent-driven “manifesto,” demanding government action to prioritize children’s nutritional needs through comprehensive policy changes. Recommendations include policies such as expanded and healthier school meals, which were supported by 86% of respondents. Regulations on unhealthy food advertising and improved food labeling, making nutritious food more accessible and available and restricting sales of high-energy caffeine drinks to children also received overwhelming support from a majority of participating parents.CFC found a majority of parents support more stringent government regulations and policies for children’s nutrition.

The CRN, a major trade association for the dietary supplement industry, announced that a federal judge recognized the organization’s standing in its challenge to a New York State law that restricts the age at which some supplements can be sold to customers. However, the request for a preliminary injunction to delay the law’s enforcement was denied. The law, effective from April 22, 2024, restricts the sale of certain supplements to minors. CRN says it plans to continue challenging the law, arguing that it does not protect consumers and actually infringes on consumers’ constitutional rights due to its vagueness.

Business News
Symrise revealed it has successfully started 2024, with a 5% sales increase compared to Q1 2023’s sales of €1.230 billion (US$1.321 billion). Q1 2024 sales reached €1.291 billion (US$1.387 billion) in Q1. According to the company, strong demand across sectors, particularly Scent & Care, drove a 13.7% sales increase. Also, the company’s Taste, Nutrition & Health segment grew, notably in the savory products and pet food categories, despite what the company describes as slight currency setbacks. Symrise says it will continue to focus on strategic growth and profitability and targets a sales goal of €7.5 billion (US$8.056 billion) to €8.0 billion (US$8.594 billion) by 2028, while maintaining an EBITDA margin of 20–23%.

At the same time, Nestlé reports a 5.9% decline in sales, totaling CHF 22.1 billion (US$24.274 billion), with foreign exchange and net divestitures negatively impacting performance. Despite this, the company highlighted that organic growth was 1.4%, driven by pricing adjustments. The company confirmed its full-year growth outlook of around 4%, with plans for increased profitability and earnings. Sales were bolstered by strong performance in Europe and emerging markets, although North American sales lagged behind. Key growth contributors included PetCare, Coffee and Water sectors, while Health Science and Dairy sectors faced challenges and experienced a negative growth of 1.8%. The vitamins, minerals and supplements and active sports segments experienced negative growth. At the same time, medical nutrition experienced mid-single-digit growth, and gastrointestinal products grew at a double-digit rate.

Grøntvedt Biotech announced an expansion in production capacity for its omega-11 ingredient, CETO3, at the company’s facility in Uthaug, Norway. According to the company, the expansion supports rising consumer demand for the CETO3 ingredient due to its ability to enhance eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid production, improving skin health and reducing low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Grøntvedt Biotech spotlighted that, unlike typical fish oils, CETO3 offers better efficacy and diverse applications in consumer products, ranging from capsules to liquids. The expanded manufacturing capability maintains the ingredient’s unique sensory qualities and leverages the freshness of North Atlantic pelagic fish.Givaudan unveiled study results showing its blueberry extract offering, ThinkBlue, can boost cognition in 68–75 year olds.

Product Launches
Gadot Biochemical Industries unveiled an innovation that addresses the common issue of a sandy texture in magnesium bisglycinate gummies. According to the company, the new formulation improves the consumer experience, offers a smooth mouthfeel and meets the growing demand for magnesium supplements in gummy formats that support mental wellness, sleep improvement, stress reduction and muscle recovery post-exercise. Gadot spotlights that the formulation improves bioavailability and absorption, ensures gentle effects on the stomach without laxative effects and caters to adult and child consumers.

Z Natural Foods introduced Chocolate Caramel Cappuccino Whey Protein Concentrate, made from grass-fed cow milk whey. The company’s director of nutrition sciences highlighted that the protein powder combines chocolate, caramel and cappuccino flavors for a tasty and nutritious supplement offering. The new product contains essential amino acids and nutrients suitable for athletes and those increasing protein intake.

Scientific studies
Givaudan, in collaboration with the University of Reading, revealed the results of a study published in Nutrients, which found that ThinkBlue — the company’s patented wild blueberry extract — supports cognition in adults aged 68–75. The company points out that two studies have demonstrated that ThinkBlue improved executive function and episodic memory while also providing cardiovascular benefits. Notably, a 222 mg daily dose of the extract was effective in reducing blood pressure and enhancing cognitive function post-lunch. The findings support the potential of daily use of ThinkBlue for cognitive and cardiovascular health in older adults.

Researchers at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa studied Indigenous aquaculture systems, called loko i‘a, which it found could significantly increase local seafood supply. The systems not only generated fish within the ponds but also acted as nursery grounds to support surrounding marine populations. Published in Ecosphere, the study highlighted the potential of revitalizing these historic systems to sustainably improve local fish stocks. Restoration efforts like those at the Heʻeia Fishpond demonstrated the cultural and nutritional benefits of such aquaculture practices and linked traditional knowledge with modern management to sustain local communities.

By William Bradford Nichols