Beyond The Headlines: US rescinds proposed Salmonella ban, WFP warns of malnutrition in Ethiopia

25 Apr 2025 | By William Nichols

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This week in nutrition news, the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) spoke out against the US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) decision to withdraw its proposed ban on chicken with Salmonella. At the same time, the World Food Programme (WFP) highlighted that hunger and malnutrition are increasing in Ethiopia, while Nourish raised US$70 million for virtual nutrition counseling.

Nutrition news

The CSPI decried the USDA’s decision to withdraw its proposed ban on raw poultry contaminated with dangerous Salmonella, which was hailed as a major food safety advancement. However, the Trump administration’s repeal of this proposal allows poultry processors to ship raw chicken and turkey even if they test positive for high levels of harmful Salmonella strains. Salmonella causes over a million food poisoning cases annually, with 26,000 hospitalizations and 420 deaths. A significant portion of infections shows antimicrobial resistance. CSPI underscored that the decision to allow contaminated poultry in commerce is expected to lead to more illnesses among US citizens.

At the same time, the WFP revealed that hunger and malnutrition are worsening in Ethiopia due to conflict, displacement, drought, and economic shocks, with over 10 million people in need of food assistance. Malnutrition affects 4.4 million women and children, and child-wasting rates in countries like Somalia, and regions such as Tigray, and Afar, exceed emergency levels. WFP delivered aid to over three million people in early 2025, including food, malnutrition treatment, school meals, and livelihood support. However, operations are at risk due to a critical funding gap of US$222 million. WFP stated that without immediate funds, 3.6 million vulnerable people, including 650,000 women and children, may lose access to essential food and nutrition support. Assistance for up to one million refugees could also be halted by June. Additionally, escalating violence is further disrupting aid efforts and endangering staff and WFP warns that without urgent international support, millions across Ethiopia could face worsening food insecurity and health outcomes in the months ahead.

Business news

Nourish, a leading US provider of virtual nutrition counseling, raised US$70 million in Series B funding, bringing its total funding to US$115 million. A street in the country of Ethiopia with people walking in the street. The WFP warned about increasing famine in Ethiopia. Led by J.P. Morgan Private Capital and joined by top investors like Thrive Capital and Index Ventures, the round will support Nourish’s expansion, enhance its AI-driven care platform, and grow its team and registered dietitian (RD) network. Nourish connects patients, RDs, and insurers to treat chronic, nutrition-related conditions like obesity and diabetes. The platform supports hundreds of thousands of patients nationwide and is integrated with Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance plans, with 94% of users paying no out-of-pocket. Early data shows Nourish improves clinical outcomes and medication effectiveness, including enhanced weight loss for GLP-1 users.

British e-commerce group THG rejected a takeover proposal from acquisition firm Selkirk for its Myprotein brand. The offer, valuing Myprotein between £400 million and £600 million (US$532–799 million), was deemed “largely unfunded, highly conditional, and non-binding.” THG’s board said the bid significantly undervalued Myprotein and involved high execution risks, including uncertainties around Selkirk’s ability to secure financing. THG, which also owns Lookfantastic, Cult Beauty, and Exante, is focusing on its profitable nutrition and beauty segments to recover from recent financial struggles linked to the UK’s cost-of-living crisis. The company has been strengthening its balance sheet and refinancing debt. Earlier this year, it completed the demerger of its tech arm, Ingenuity, into an independent private entity.

Rousselot, the health brand of Darling Ingredients, announced that its Peptan collagen peptides ingredient has received the Upcycled Certified status from Where Food Comes From, a third-party certification for upcycled food. The certification enhances the company’s circular economy by repurposing high-quality bovine, porcine, or fish raw materials into bioactive ingredients. Peptan is produced via enzymatic hydrolysis, ensuring maximum resource use and delivering health benefits ranging from joint and skin support to sports recovery and sleep quality. The certification highlights Peptan’s role in reducing food waste and meeting rising consumer demand for eco-conscious products. The company says 43% of consumers now find upcycled products appealing, up from 35% the previous year. A can of Bobbie's Organic Whole Milk Infant formula next to a scoop and full baby bottle. Bobbie introduced the first USDA Organic whole milk formula made in the US (Image Credit: Bobbie).

Cognizin Citicoline, a brain health ingredient by Kyowa Hakko Bio, introduced Electrolyte Boost as the winner of its “Game On: Powered by Cognizin” competition. Held from March 31 to April 5, the tournament-style event featured 16 Cognizin-powered products across four categories — Energy, Hydration, Workout, and Lifestyle. Electrolyte Boost won the competition and earned a US$10,000 donation split between the Northwell Health Foundation and Banner Health Foundation to support brain health research.

Product launches

Bobbie unveiled its fourth formula, Bobbie Organic Whole Milk Infant Formula, marking the first and only USDA Organic whole milk formula made in the US. The company says the formula mimics the composition of breast milk, uses less added oil, and incorporates naturally occurring milk fat globule membranes for cognitive, immune, and gut health support. According to the company, only 4% of US formulas use whole milk, and the new formula is the only certified USDA Organic, made without palm oil, soy fat, or synthetic additives. With over 2,000 safety checks and EU Organic certification, Bobbie aims to push nutritional standards forward while ensuring quality and reliability.

HappyMynd introduced a science-backed daily powder supplement designed to support total brain and mind health. The formula targets stress relief, cortisol balance, mood stability, and mental clarity and uses clinically studied nootropics, adaptogens, antioxidants, and essential nutrients at research-backed dosages. Inspired by her own mental health journey and a desire to support others juggling life’s demands, the company’s founder says it created HappyMynd as a holistic, convenient solution to modern stress and burnout and offers a comprehensive approach to well-being that is tailored for busy lifestyles.

Scientific studies

A research team from Kyoto University and Noster said it has discovered how the gut bacterium Streptococcus salivarius helps protect against obesity caused by high sugar intake. The bacterium converts dietary sucrose into exopolysaccharides (EPS) — complex carbs that humans can’t digest but, which serve as prebiotics for other gut microbes. An older gentlemen concentrating on something like a book. A clinical study reveals that supplementation of Arjuna Natural’s ashwagandha extract, Somin-On, may improve cognition for people with MCI. These microbes then produce short-chain fatty acids, like acetate and propionate, which improve metabolism, insulin sensitivity, and reduce fat storage. Published in Nature Communications, the study’s key findings include showing that S. salivarius is more abundant in people with lower body mass indexes, and in obese mice, EPS supplementation reduced weight gain and blood sugar levels. Genomic analysis identified key enzymes responsible for EPS production. This research also highlights S. salivarius as a promising target for probiotics or functional foods aimed at combating obesity and reveals how leveraging natural gut bacteria and their metabolic products can support better health outcomes.

A recent clinical study highlighted the cognitive benefits of Somin-On, an ashwagandha extract standardized to 2% sominone and developed by Arjuna Natural. Targeted at adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), the randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial demonstrated that daily supplementation with 250 mg of Somin-On over 60 days significantly improved memory, attention, and overall cognitive performance. Published in the Journal of Psychopharmacology, the results showed notable gains in immediate and working memory, visuospatial skills, and broader cognitive assessments. Somin-On works by leveraging the active metabolite in Withania somnifera, which supports neural repair, reduces oxidative stress, and promotes neurite outgrowth. MCI affects up to 16% of adults over 70, with nearly half progressing to Alzheimer’s disease within five years. With no current standard treatment, Somin-On offers a natural, safe alternative to support aging brain health. Arjuna will showcase the innovation at Vitafoods Europe 2025, positioning it as a next-gen, plant-powered solution for cognitive wellness.