June in review: Aker BioMarine talks ethical krill trawling, Bioiberica marks 50 years of innovation
In June’s major health and nutrition industry news, we looked at how bias may affect US Dietary Guidelines while examining the block to proposed cuts to the US Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). We also talked with experts about the myths behind the rising popularity of “carnivore” diets.
In our June review, Nutrition Insight highlights some of the month’s biggest stories, including Aker BioMarine’s response to the third UN Ocean Conference (UNOC 3), IFF Health Science’s latest women’s health innovations, and People Science’s decentralized clinical trial app.
We also looked at a report on false and illegal claims on supplements in the Dutch market, the effects of climate change on phytoplankton, dsm-firmenich’s human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs), and activities surrounding Bioiberica’s 50-year landmark.
Experts warn unscientific beliefs may influence US Dietary Guidelines
As US agencies finalized the Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2025–2030, 55 public health and medical groups urged the government to adopt the advisory committee’s recommendations. The coalition emphasized maintaining the saturated fat limit at less than 10% of calories to reduce heart disease risk and highlighted the importance of replacing animal-based saturated fats with unsaturated fats. The groups also warned that ignoring this advice could undermine public health efforts. We looked at recent statements by the Center for Science in the Public Interest that criticized Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr. for promoting unscientific nutrition beliefs and stressed that the guidelines must remain evidence-based to protect cardiovascular health and federal nutrition programs.
Webinar preview: IFF Health Sciences unlocks women’s health growth opportunities
Industry experts projected that the global women’s health market would grow to US$68 billion by 2030, yet less than 10% of recent supplement launches specifically targeted women’s unique needs. Ahead of IFF Health Sciences’ latest webinar, we sat down with company experts to discuss the need to address women’s distinct health journeys across reproductive, maternal, and menopause stages. The company highlighted that from 2020 to 2024, women’s health supplement launches grew 12%, driven by interest in cycle-related vitamins, brain, mood, and blood pressure support. However, despite demand, marketing for menopause products remained limited. IFF Health Sciences pointed to its targeted formulations like Mystic, which combine probiotics and botanicals and show promising results in reducing menopausal symptoms and improving quality of life.
We sat down with Bioiberica’s CEO, Luis Solera, at its manufacturing site in Palafolls, Spain, to discuss key milestones in the company’s 50-year history.
The rise of carnivore diets: Examining meat and masculinity myths
We examined the rise of meat-heavy diets, like the carnivore diet, which are more popular among men and often tied to sexist and classist myths. We spoke with nutrition experts about how meat historically symbolized masculinity, power, and social status, with women traditionally consuming more plant-based “second-class” foods. Experts revealed that these deep-rooted beliefs influenced modern diet trends and marketing strategies that reinforce gender stereotypes. We also traced colonial-era biases that framed European meat-based diets as superior, dismissing Indigenous plant-based foods and looked at how nutrition misinformation risks harming public health and called for inclusive, evidence-based approaches to promote balanced, plant-forward eating habits.
Krill trawling: Aker BioMarine’s strategies for balancing ocean health and global nutrition demands
At UNOC 3, we spoke with Aker BioMarine and the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) about their commitment to sustainable krill harvesting in Antarctica. Aker BioMarine revealed that it operates under strict CCAMLR (Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources) regulations, keeping catches below 1% of krill biomass and voluntarily closing sensitive areas to protect wildlife. Despite challenges, the company’s CEO said it aims to balance ocean conservation with supplying krill-based supplements rich in omega-3s. Recognizing growing demand and environmental concerns, Aker BioMarine has launched a plant-based omega-3 algae product, Revervia. MSC-certified krill fisheries regularly monitor the company’s practices to safeguard the Antarctic ecosystem and both support new Marine Protected Areas to ensure long-term sustainability.
The Investigative Desk reveals substantial use of false supplement health claims in the Netherlands
We spoke with ADM about the latest pet nutrition trends and the company’s offerings and innovations.An investigation by The Investigative Desk found that nearly half of 431 dietary supplements sold in the Netherlands made incorrect or illegal health or medical claims. Many products exploited a regulatory loophole allowing “on hold” botanical claims pending EU review. We sat down with one of the investigators who warned that misleading claims could “risk consumer health, waste money, and erode trust in supplements and regulation.” The team and industry experts are calling for faster EU evaluations and stricter enforcement, particularly against online sellers, to ensure scientifically sound, consistent labeling across the European market.
Innovative sensors and AI boost People Science’s clinical trial research
People Science unveiled its decentralized clinical trials app, Chloe, which enables at-home participation across the US. The company said it utilizes sensors, home sampling, and AI to explore sleep, gut, metabolic, and women’s health. We talked with the company’s co-founder, Noah Craft, who highlighted advances like continuous glucose monitoring (CGM), electroencephalograms, and temperature monitors for fertility tracking. The company studied consumer responses to supplements and functional products, including personalized trials using Oura Rings and rice-CGM experiments. People Science emphasized microbiome research and predicted AI would soon analyze raw clinical data, pushing supplement brands to invest in science for credibility and effectiveness in an increasingly data-driven industry.
Ocean’s shifting hues: Satellite data reveals declining phytoplankton
Between 2003 and 2022, satellite data showed ocean waters became greener at the poles and bluer near the equator due to shifting phytoplankton levels. We looked at the results of a recent study which found that chlorophyll concentrations increased in high latitudes and declined in tropical zones, raising concerns about marine food webs and fisheries, especially for lower-income nations. The researchers linked these trends to warming seas but could not confirm climate change as the cause due to the study’s short timeframe. If the pattern continues, it could affect carbon storage and global fisheries and scientists are stressing the need for long-term data to assess broader ecological impacts.
US Senate blocks proposed SNAP cuts in Houses’ “One Big, Beautiful Bill”
We looked at how the US Senate blocked key SNAP cuts in the Republicans’ proposed “One Big, Beautiful Bill Act” due to the Byrd Rule, which limits provisions in budget reconciliation. This offered temporary relief for anti-hunger advocates, however other harmful measures remained. Analysts warned that cuts to SNAP and Medicaid could shrink the US GDP and eliminate over a million jobs. Meanwhile, Democratic leaders pushed back, urging bipartisan cooperation on a Farm Bill. Some states gained approval to restrict SNAP purchases of sugary items, raising a debate over food equity and nutrition policy amid systemic challenges.
At Vitafoods Europe, we talked with Dr. Ana Beltrán Arranz, Nektium’s project manager, about its stress-sleep-energy portfolio.
HMOs in the spotlight: dsm-firmenich’s latest gut health and early life nutrition innovations
As interest in gut health grew, prebiotics and HMOs are gaining recognition for supporting immune, cognitive, and metabolic functions. We caught up with experts from dsm-firmenich, who revealed that the company’s advanced HMO research through in vitro, clinical, and collaborative studies aim to replicate benefits seen in breastfed infants. The company underscored that its Glycare HMO line showed potential synergies with Lallemand probiotics, with a goal of setting a new standard in synbiotics. The company also emphasized that it has the industry’s broadest HMO portfolio and is focused on translating human milk science into tailored nutrition for all life stages.
50 years of Bioiberica: Expanding from pharma to sustainable nutraceuticals
Bioiberica celebrated its 50th anniversary by highlighting its evolution from a heparin producer to a diversified life sciences company focused on nutraceuticals, animal nutrition, and agriculture. The company has scaled a circular economy model, reusing 90% of raw materials and aiming for 100%. We sat down with key leaders who emphasized sustainability, scientific rigor, and collaboration as central to product development. Areas of focus include joint, skin, and digestive health, supported by low-dose, clinically substantiated ingredients. Bioiberica said it also plans to expand through innovation while upholding transparency, quality, and strong stakeholder partnerships to ensure traceable and sustainable supply chains.
