Beyond The Headlines: US FDA issues NDI notification guidance, CRN announces Trailblazing Woman Award

08 Mar 2024 --- This week in nutrition news, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) unveiled its guidance for new dietary ingredient (NDI) notifications. Also, the Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN) and Radicle Science teamed up to award extraordinary women in the wellness space. Meanwhile, GNC and the US American Diabetes Association (ADA) joined forces for the association’s annual campaign.

Nutrition news
The US FDA has released final guidance detailing procedures and timeframes for NDI notification. The guidance is meant to improve understanding of the NDI notification process, outline clear steps for industry compliance and emphasize the importance of submitting notifications for NDIs before they are marketed to ensure consumer safety. The document provides critical information for dietary supplement manufacturers and distributors to help make sure new ingredients meet safety standards set by the FDA.Arla Foods Ingredients’ electric heat pump facility will advance its carbon reduction objectives (Image Credit: Arla Foods Ingredients).

CRN and Radicle Science introduced the Trailblazing Woman Award to celebrate exceptional women in the wellness industry. The award looks to honor women’s leadership, innovations and contributions to the nutrition sector. The annual accolade will acknowledge a woman demonstrating outstanding leadership and commitment to inspire future female leaders. Nominations are open to CRN members until September 13, with a winner to be announced in October, receiving a US$2500 grant for professional development.

GNC partnered with the ADA for a national fundraising campaign that will support over 38 million Americans with diabetes. Participants can donate in-store or online until April 14, 2024. The CEO pledges US$5,000 for exceeding a US$100,000 goal, with an additional US$5,000 from the GNC Foundation, aiming to surpass last year’s success and significantly contribute to diabetes research, treatment and awareness.

Business news
Arla Foods Ingredients is advancing its carbon reduction objectives with a new electric heat pump facility in Denmark. According to the company, the move represents a significant stride toward achieving net-zero emissions. This €32 million (US$34.9 million) project at the Danmark Protein site, set to be operational by 2025, will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by substituting electricity for gas in heat production, contributing to Arla’s goal of lowering CO2 emissions from production by 63% by 2030.

At the same time, Roelmi HPC announced its Golden Age of Sustainability, emphasizing the company’s commitment to real, impactful environmental actions. The focus lies in enhancing life quality through science-driven, environmentally friendly production of active ingredients to protect biodiversity and use renewable resources efficiently. The company said its sustainability approach, inspired by Kintsugi’s philosophy, sees beauty in responsibility, ensuring every action contributes positively to a holistic vision of environmental stewardship.Jambar launched the Tropical Trio bar and appointed pro surfer Tia Blanco as the company’s ambassador (Image Credit: Jambar).

Product Launches
Bio&Me introduced Gut-Loving Flapjack Bars in UK supermarkets, targeting healthier snacking with toffee apple, superberry and cocoa hazelnut flavors. The high fiber and gluten-free bars have no added sugars and contain over nine plant-based ingredients. The bars aim to offer tasty, gut-friendly options at accessible prices. The company said the launch spotlighted Bio&Me’s expansion in the gut health sector and its commitment to nutritious and delicious snacking.

Dr.Vegan unveiled Men’s ProMulti multivitamin targeting men over 45 with a comprehensive 32-ingredient blend to support overall male health, including prostate, testosterone and gut health. The company said the unique all-in-one solution aims to simplify men’s health regimes, offering cost-effective, plant-based and highly absorbable nutrients without unnecessary additives and is suitable for customers seeking ethical, effective supplements to meet the evolving health needs of aging men and offering a holistic approach to vitality, wellness and cognitive function.

Manitoba Harvest expanded its breakfast range with Superseed Oatmeal in three flavors — original, maple and brown sugar and apple and cinnamon, to boost morning nutrition with 10 g protein, 8 g omegas and 4 g fiber per serving. Designed for convenience and portion control, the vegan, Kosher and non-GMO oatmeal looks to enhance traditional breakfast with hemp hearts for balanced energy.

A recent study found that dried fruit outperformed fruit flavored snacks in nutritional content.Jambar, an organic energy bar maker, introduced a new vegan flavor called Tropical Trio, blending banana, pineapple and coconut with ancient grains and walnut butter for a 10 g protein boost. The brand also announced a partnership with pro surfer and plant-based athlete Tia Blanco, launching a 12-bar vegan box including the new flavor. The Tropical Trio is designed for an island-inspired taste experience and will be showcased at Natural Products Expo West.

Scientific Studies
Curtin University, Australia, researchers analyzed 85,000 kg of Foodbank WA (Western Australia) donations and found that 96% met safety standards but were nutritionally poor, with a high volume of snacks and low amounts of nutritious food. The study, published in Nutrients, calls for regulatory changes to ensure safe, nutritious donations, highlighting the significant time spent on sorting, which could be reduced with better donor practices. Additionally, the study points out that regulation would also boost Foodbank WA’s efficiency and its ability to focus on client needs.

A team of researchers from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, US, identified that among fruit snacks, only dried fruit, fruit puree and canned fruit in juice meet federal dietary guidelines for high-nutrition snacks. Furthermore, the team discovered that dried fruit has the highest nutrient density, fiber content and the lowest added sugar, while fruit-flavored snacks like gummies have the least nutritional value. Also published in Nutrients, the study looks to guide healthier snacking options and emphasizes the importance of selecting nutrient-dense fruit snacks to increase fruit intake in diets. The findings encourage the reformulation of fruit snacks to enhance their nutritional profile, particularly by reducing added sugar and increasing fiber content.

By William Bradford Nichols