September in review: Rousselot’s Innovation Days, Understanding loopholes in the AWA, Top 2026 nutrition trends

In September’s major health and nutrition industry news, we looked at some of the major innovations and trends at Vitafoods Asia 2025 while examining how loopholes in the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) allow for the continuation of animal testing in the nutrition sector. We also spoke with Innova Market Insight about our upcoming joint webinar.

In our September review, Nutrition Insight highlights some of the month’s biggest stories, including our attendance and coverage of Rousselot’s Innovation Days and the opening of Danone’s OneBiome Lab. We also spoke with Bayer Consumer Health about Latin America’s growing digestive and probiotic markets.

Additionally, we examined research on the fungus and the microbiome and how our bodies adapt to micronutrient surpluses and deficiencies. In innovation highlights, Spirited Paw unveiled its latest pet supplement.

Humane World for Animals: Loopholes keep animal testing in nutrition out of sight
Humane World for Animals told us that US consumers were largely unaware of animals’ use in food and supplement development, due to loopholes in the AWA. The Act excludes rats, mice, and birds — species heavily used in nutrition studies — leaving them unprotected and largely unreported. Greg Sower, toxicologist and adviser at Humane World for Animals, criticized the lack of oversight, transparency, and enforcement, noting that animal experiments often caused pain, were difficult to replicate, and limited the adoption of non-animal methods. He also highlighted that FDA and NIH guidance existed, but without AWA coverage, researchers had little incentive to use cruelty-free alternatives.

Fungal jungle: Scientists discover first genetic, mycobiome & chronic disease risk links
Researchers from Pennsylvania State University, US, found evidence of a previously unknown three-way relationship between human genetics, the gut mycobiome, and chronic disease risk. Their genome-wide association study identified 148 fungi-associated genetic variants across seven chromosomes linked to nine fungal taxa. The findings suggested that gut fungi are influenced not only by diet, as previously believed, but also by human genes. We sat down with the study’s author, who revealed that the gut mycobiome may play a key role in driving intestinal and other chronic diseases. The results emphasized that limited physician knowledge about fungal contributions may hinder effective disease prevention and treatment strategies.

Spirited Paw’s pet supplement launch protects skin from irritants and seasonal changes
US-based pet food brand Spirited Paw, owned by Standard Process, launched Skin + Allergy, a seasonal supplement designed to support cats’ and dogs’ skin health during allergy season. The formula was created to soothe skin from within and promote a normal histamine response using bioavailable ingredients. It contains bovine colostrum, licorice root, zinc, biotin, and vitamin E, which together support immune balance, reduce inflammation, and promote a healthy, shiny coat. The company described the product as a comprehensive solution to strengthen pets’ skin, immune, and inflammatory responses through a whole-foods-based approach.

Vitafoods Asia 2025 live: Beneo exhibits Orafti Inulin chicory root fiber for Asian snacking
At Vitafoods Asia 2025 in Bangkok, Thailand, Beneo showcased the versatility of its Orafti Inulin chicory root fiber in regional snack applications, including flavored prebiotic water, brookies, and tea gummies. Derived from chicory root through gentle hot water extraction, Orafti Inulin was recognized by the International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics as one of the few scientifically validated prebiotics. Research showed it supported Bifidobacteria growth regardless of food format. Beneo’s CEO, Olivier Roques, told us that Thailand’s Center for Nutrition Assessment and Health Claims formally approved prebiotic claims for Orafti Inulin, following collaboration with the Beneo Institute, highlighting its alignment with regional flavor and wellness trends.

Vitafoods Asia 2025: Spotlight on APAC’s functional ingredients, innovative formats and targeted nutrition
Also, we looked at some of the major trends and innovations in the show, including nutraceutical and functional food brands across the APAC region, which intensified their focus on targeted wellness categories amid rising demand for proactive health solutions. Key trends shaping innovation included women’s health, healthy aging, beauty-from-within, immune support, sports nutrition, digestive health, and weight management. These reflected shifting demographics, urban lifestyles, and growing interest in preventive care and holistic well-being. On the tradeshow floor, we interviewed experts from Gelita, New-In, and Sirio Pharma to explore the consumer-driven forces behind nutraceutical and supplement ingredient innovation in one of the world’s fastest-evolving health markets.

Rousselot Innovation Days: Spotlight on collagen peptides research advances
Rousselot showcased its latest collagen research and formulation innovations at its Innovation Days in Gent, Belgium, emphasizing science-driven approaches to unlock targeted health benefits. We attended the event where the company’s experts presented findings on Nextida collagen peptides, revealing their effects on blood glucose, insulin, and GLP-1 hormones. They explained how collagen composition shapes its health outcomes. Executive vice president Jeroen Colpaert stated that Rousselot aimed to help people lead healthier lives through science-backed nutrition and pharmaceutical solutions. He described Nextida as the “next wave of collagen,” signaling the industry’s shift from “collagen good for all” to “collagen good for you.”

Soil to genes: How human genetics adapt to micronutrient deficiencies and excess
We looked at a recent study that hypothesized that micronutrients have subtly influenced human evolution, showing positive selection in micronutrient-related gene sets across various populations. Published in The American Journal of Human Genetics, the research highlighted how climate change, rising CO2 levels, and over-farming have altered global soil micronutrient levels, while migration has exposed populations to deficiencies or excesses without matching genetic adaptations. We spoke with the study’s lead author, Jasmin Rees, Ph.D., from University College London and the University of Pennsylvania, who emphasized the need for broader studies, including underrepresented genetic groups, to better understand the health impacts of evolving micronutrient dynamics on modern populations.

Bayer Consumer Health targets Latin America’s digestive health market with probiotic launches
Bayer Consumer Health identified significant untapped potential in Latin America’s gut health market, driven by widespread digestive issues and rising consumer demand. The company expanded its regional portfolio by launching Iberoflora Kids and Iberoflora Adults probiotics in Mexico. Bayer executives Mónica Matienzo and Astrid Carolina Díaz spoke with us about the region’s urgent need for accessible digestive health solutions. Matienzo noted that Latin America, particularly Mexico, surpasses global averages in digestive health concerns, with the category being the most important in self-care products. In Mexico, products for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), probiotics, and heartburn dominated the market, with IBS showing the fastest growth.

Danone opens OneBiome Lab in Paris-Saclay, expanding gut health research for future innovation
Danone inaugurated its OneBiome Lab in Paris-Saclay, France, establishing a new research hub to connect gut microbiome science with everyday nutrition. We attended the launch, which Danone said marked a key step in the company’s mission to lead food and health innovation. Expanding on its Singapore-based early-life nutrition lab, the French facility integrated microbiology, clinical science, and AI to explore how microbes influence well-being and how food can be tailored to support it. CEO Antoine de Saint-Affrique emphasized the microbiome’s vast potential, noting that a deeper understanding could enable the creation of foods that optimize, maintain, or restore gut health across life stages.

Nutrition redefined: Innova Market Insights previews top nutrition trends for 2026
Ahead of our upcoming joint webinar with Innova Market Insights on “Top Nutrition Trends 2026,” we sat down with Lu Ann Williams, the co-founder and Global Insights Director at Innova Market Insights, who explained that consumers increasingly viewed nutrition as a tool to manage mood, stress, longevity, and menopause symptoms. Younger consumers were noted for redefining health by seeking holistic, lifespan-spanning solutions. She also underscored that 2026 is projected to be defined by nutrition innovations across multiple categories, driven by consumers seeking products with tangible health benefits, ethical and environmental alignment, and convenient, science-backed solutions.