Beyond The Headlines: Shining a light on “heroes” of school nutrition, “Whole Grain” label shown to be most trusted

25 Aug 2023 --- This week in nutrition news, No Kid Hungry unveiled a program to thank school workers for their roles in child nutrition. Meanwhile, a survey found that most US citizens trust the whole grain label and strive to include more in their diets. At the same time, the Almond Board of California unveiled plans to rebrand the nutrition nut in Germany.

In brief: Nutrition news
With the start of the US’ back-to-school season, the national campaign No Kid Hungry celebrated school heroes who contribute to providing essential nutrition to children in the US. From August 22 to September 29, individuals are encouraged to express gratitude by posting messages on its website to thank teachers and school staff for their role in nourishing children. As nine million kids are facing hunger across the country, the program is meant to acknowledge individual school workers for their efforts. The campaign highlights that schools nationwide served an impressive 6.9 billion meals during the past academic year. To further bolster No Kid Hungry’s mission and recognize the school heroes, supporters were urged to engage with companies offering promotions that contribute to the cause, creating a collaborative approach to ending childhood hunger.

Kemin Industries opened a new facility to produce its Proteus line of functional proteins for food fortification. Image Credit: Kemin Industries

The latest survey conducted by the Oldways Whole Grains Council has revealed that 77% of US consumers believe they should be opting for whole grains more often. This reflects an increasing preference for whole grain foods, driven by their health benefits, taste and sustainability. The study, based on responses from 1,500 adults, indicates rising demand for whole grain products, emphasizing the influence of price and sustainability on purchasing decisions and the importance of trusted packaging symbols like the Whole Grain stamp. Notably, over the past five years, more than 33% of US citizens have increased whole grain consumption, with 61% choosing whole grains at least half the time. Additionally, it found the Whole Grain stamp to be viewed as the second most useful packaging symbol after the Nutrition Facts Panel, with 85% of consumers trusting it. The survey also identifies trends regarding sensitivity to food prices, declining popularity of grain-excluding diets and a strong sustainability focus among Millennials.

In Brief: Business news
The Almond Board of California has launched a new marketing campaign in Germany, aiming to reposition almonds as a natural and healthy snack option rather than just an ingredient. Titled "The Mother of All Snacks," the campaign portrays almonds as an original snack choice, capitalizing on the nut’s history and nutritional attributes. It targets health-conscious consumers, particularly women, who seek convenient and energizing snacks. The campaign features Mother Nature herself in humorous scenarios, using almonds to resolve unexpected challenges.

Global ingredient manufacturer Kemin Industries has unveiled a new manufacturing facility in Missouri, US, to produce its Proteus line of clean label and functional proteins used to enhance meat and poultry products in the food industry. With a US$70 million investment, the 38,000-square-foot facility recently completed its first run following a USDA inspection. The Proteus line aids in maintaining moisture lost during processing, improving product quality and efficiency. The production plant’s initial capacity can treat over a billion pounds of meat and protein-based applications. Kemin’s president states that the new facility presents an opportunity to collaborate with more meat and poultry manufacturers to help enhance the global food supply.Dr. Marty Pets launched a freeze-dried raw food pet nutrition product to support shiny coats and healthy skin.

In Brief: Product launches
Entrepreneurs based in Los Angeles, US, introduced Hibegone, an innovative formula aimed at counteracting the negative effects of cannabis consumption. Hibegone offers a fast-acting shot designed to restore mental clarity and awareness, promising relief from undesirable cannabis-induced states such as confusion and anxiety. Its proprietary blend of natural ingredients, includes L-theanine, alpha L-alpha-glycerylphosphorylcholine and tetrahydrocannabivarin – a cannabinoid receptor 1 inverse agonist that neutralizes the effects of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). The creative team stated the product reduces THC’s effects by binding to receptors and quickly mitigating the impact of THC, usually within 15 minutes. The product also incorporates renowned nootropics for cognitive enhancement. It adds that Hibegone’s practical shake-and-drink mechanism provides a convenient way to manage cannabis experiences.

Infant nutrition company Kendamil has introduced its “naturally gentle” goat milk infant and toddler formula to the US market. According to the company, the offering, launched exclusively at Target stores and online, fills the gap for a natural alternative to traditional tolerance formulas. The formula’s blend of ingredients, including A2 beta-casein proteins, smaller casein curds, higher selenium levels and more oligosaccharides, aims to alleviate common feeding issues. By introducing this option, the company aims to offer families a natural and affordable choice to enhance their children’s well-being.

Dr. Marty Pets has launched Nature’s Blend Radiant Select dog food, a premium freeze-dried raw formula targeting dogs with dry skin and dull coats. The new formula is enriched with omega 3 fatty acids – crucial for maintaining healthy skin and shiny coats – and made with ingredients like pollock, beef heart, tuna, salmon and beef liver. The formula also includes superfoods such as flaxseed, apples, blueberries, cranberries and ginger to support overall health.

In brief: Scientific studies
Supplementation with plant phytosterols may help fight age-related hearing loss.A recent study from the University of Gothenburg, Sweden, has found that preterm babies who were given a combination supplement of omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids demonstrated improved visual function by the age of two and a half. The study, published in The Lancet Regional Health Europe, focused on 178 extremely preterm babies born before the 28th week of pregnancy. Half of the infants received oral nutritional supplements containing the omega 6 fatty acid arachidonic acid and the omega 3 fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid. These supplements are not currently part of routine care for preterm babies. 

The research builds on earlier findings that the combination supplement significantly reduced the risk of retinopathy of prematurity – an eye disease that can happen in babies who are premature or who weigh less than three pounds at birth. The study’s lead author explained that the positive impact on visual development was not solely due to effects on the retina but also seemed to enhance the brain’s ability to process visual information. This has implications for neonatal care guidelines globally. Sweden is now revising its guidelines for administering fatty acid supplements to extremely preterm infants based on these findings. The researchers said that the study also paves the way for further research on cognitive and neurological development in the same group of children.

Researchers from the University of Buenos Aires, Argentina, have found that age-related hearing loss is linked to decreased cholesterol levels in the inner ear’s sensory cells. The study, published in PLOS Biology, demonstrated that plant phytosterol supplements could replace lost cholesterol, preventing sensory dysfunction in a mouse model study. With age, sensory cells in the inner ear lose their ability to amplify sounds due to reduced cholesterol levels. To test this, researchers activated an enzyme associated with cholesterol breakdown in young mice, causing hearing loss. When these mice were given dietary phytosterols alongside an enzyme-activating drug, their sensory cell function improved. As phytosterols are found in many over-the-counter supplements, this finding suggests a potential solution for age-related hearing loss. However, further research is required to confirm these effects in older mice and humans before drawing definitive conclusions.

By William Bradford Nichols

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