Beyond The Headlines: Tackling the US’ obesity epidemic, Economic impacts of ending the Tomato Suspension Agreement

13 Oct 2023 --- This week in nutrition news, the Trust for America’s Health organized an event with US government officials to address the country’s obesity epidemic. At the same time, Arizona State University looked at the potential effects of ending the Tomato Suspension Agreement (TSA). Meanwhile, California Prunes expanded its UK education campaign on the benefits of prune consumption.

Nutrition news
US federal officials and community leaders are convening to address the US obesity crisis in the “State of obesity: Creating pathways to a healthier America” event. The event was live-streamed on October 11 and organized by the Trust for America’s Health and included multiple sessions. The first session covered the 2023 State of Obesity report and discussed the nation’s obesity epidemic drivers. A fireside chat with White House staff explored the Administration’s priorities for nutrition and health. The second session focused on federal policy actions and priorities related to nutrition, food security and public health. In the third session, community leaders shared innovative approaches to expand obesity prevention programs and promote health.Researchers found that ending the TSA could cost billions of dollars and tens of thousands of jobs.

A recent study from Arizona State University assessed the potential impacts of terminating the TSA, which regulates tomato imports from Mexico to the US. A group of domestic tomato producers had petitioned the US Department of Commerce to terminate this longstanding trade agreement. The study highlighted the significant consequences if the TSA were to end. Consumers in the US could expect to pay an average of 50% more for fresh tomatoes, and grocery retailers would potentially lose almost US$7.5 billion in revenue. The states of Texas and Arizona would experience substantial economic losses, with over US$4.53 billion and US$3.4 billion, respectively. Moreover, more than 54,000 jobs in Texas and Arizona that rely on Mexican tomato imports could be at risk if the agreement is terminated.

California Prunes extended its campaign in the UK with nutritionist Jo Travers and chef Peter Sidwell as brand ambassadors. The ambassadors promoted the health benefits and versatility of Californian prunes as a snack, ingredient and source of bone and gut-friendly nutrients. Jo Travers, known as “The London Nutritionist,” is a registered dietitian and author of books on nutrition, while Peter Sidwell is a chef, author and TV presenter. The partnerships are part of the California Prunes Board’s ongoing marketing campaign to raise awareness and consumption of Californian prunes, capitalizing on health-conscious UK consumers and those seeking shelf-stable alternatives to fresh fruit. A collaboration with the Royal Osteoporosis Society further highlights the prunes’ bone health benefits.

Business news
Clinical Microbiomics and CosmosID have merged to form a new company, “CMC” (Clinical Microbiomics, MS-Omics, CosmosID), headquartered in Copenhagen, Denmark. The merger aims to enhance microbiome research by combining resources, expertise and innovation in microbiome studies. The new entity seeks to address challenges in microbiome research, particularly standardization in sampling, data generation and analysis, facilitating reliability and comparability of results globally. It provides access to “good practice” laboratories with rapid turnaround times and adherence to regulatory standards and features an advanced analytical platform. The merger also integrates systems biology expertise and customized bioinformatics reporting from Clinical Microbiomics with CosmosID’s CLIA-certified laboratory and data delivery software, simplifying the microbiome and metabolite profiling process for clients.Researchers found that ending the TSA could cost billions of dollars and tens of thousands of jobs.

The Association for the Cannabinoid Industry (ACI) acknowledged the UK government’s Food Standards Agency’s (FSA) updated consumer advice recommending a daily limit of 10 mg of Cannabidiol (CBD) for healthy adults. The ACI, dedicated to responsible CBD product use, recognizes the importance of evidence-based recommendations for public health protection. The organization’s scientific panel plans to review the scientific evidence behind the FSA’s guidance. The ACI urges retailers to consider this advice as guidance but notes that no immediate changes regarding products on the FSA’s public list will occur. They emphasize to consumers that the FSA still deems CBD safe, with the advice focused on the lifelong consumption of high daily CBD doses. The ACI hopes the FSA will find a suitable solution for companies that have invested in Novel Foods authorization applications in light of this updated guidance.

Brenntag Specialties expanded its strategic partnership with Royal Avebe, a potato starch and protein producer, to include Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Turkey. This expanded distribution agreement offers Brenntag customers in these regions access to Royal Avebe’s potato starch and protein products, which find applications in food, animal nutrition and the construction industry. The partnership was initially announced in June 2023. Brenntag Specialties’ CEO said the expansion aims to provide more customers access to innovative products from trusted supply partners. Royal Avebe’s CCO said Brenntag’s reliability and global distribution reach will enhance its product and service offerings to local customers in the Benelux region.

Product launches
Bully Max introduced a dog food formulated to cater to the unique needs of small-breed dogs, such as French Bulldogs, which can be more susceptible to health issues due to their size. The specialized recipe includes TruMune, a postbiotic supplement that helps maintain a balanced gut microbiome by inhibiting harmful bacteria growth, enabling beneficial bacteria to thrive. The company said that balance is crucial for nutrient absorption and immune system health in small dogs and promotes a healthier and more active life. The recipe features ingredients like blueberries, known for their antioxidants, fiber, vitamin C to support immune systems and flaxseed to reduce inflammation and enhance gut health. Bully Max’s Small Breed Dog food also includes salmon oil for cognitive and immune support and taurine for eye and cardiac health.US college students are experiencing an increase in food and nutrition insecurity.

Organic energy bar manufacturer Jambar partnered with professional runners Joe Klecker and Sage Hurta-Klecker. Both athletes joined Team Jambar alongside other sports stars. Joe Klecker, known for his achievements in long-distance running, praised Jambar’s bars for their digestibility, nutritional value and taste and used them during training. Sage Hurta-Klecker, a four-time National Collegiate Athletic Association Champion, highlighted the bars’ convenience during training and competitions, especially during her frequent travels for races.

Scientific studies
The Society for Nutrition Education and Behavior reaffirmed its concern about food and nutrition insecurity among college students, especially those from underserved communities. This stance was supported by a position paper published in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior. The paper highlighted the need for a systemic approach to address food and nutrition insecurity among college students, emphasizing the importance of students’ involvement in advocating for their right to food. Campus-based programs like food pantries are commonly used to address these issues but often lack proper evaluation and support. The paper stressed the importance of training future nutrition educators to address the root causes of food and nutrition security.

Lastly, researchers from the University of Virginia School of Medicine conducted a study to explore how genes influence the utilization of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids among African-American and Hispanic-American individuals. Omega-3 and omega-6 are considered healthy fats with various health benefits, including immune system support and reduced risk of heart disease. Published in Communications Biology, the study aimed to contribute to “precision nutrition,” tailoring diets to individuals’ specific needs for better health. While previous research had focused on how genes affect fatty acid metabolism in people of European descent, this study addressed the disparity in knowledge for Hispanics and African Americans. The research found some common genetic influences across all three groups but also identified significant differences. These differences shed light on why fatty acids are processed differently in these populations and may explain lower fatty acid levels in individuals with significant American Indigenous ancestry.

By William Bradford Nichols