Weekly Roundup: BASF’s sales growth of €19.7B, Immunity and brain health launches spotlighted

29 Oct 2021 --- This week in nutrition news, BASF continued strong performance in Q3 2021 with sales growth of 42% to €19.7 billion (US$22.9 billion). The Kerry Group also announced its Q3 interim management statement for 2021, with continued strong growth and strategic development reported. Meanwhile, a University of Barcelona study found that a polyphenol-rich diet can improve leaky gut cases in elderly populations.

In brief: Business news
BASF reported a continued strong performance in the Q3 2021 period. Earnings Before Interest and Taxes (EBIT) before special items increased to €1.9 billion (US$2.2 billion). Demand for BASF’s products remained solid over the summer months. By contrast, earnings contributions from the Agricultural Solutions, Surface Technologies and Nutrition & Care segments declined considerably. Global demand for consumables and consumer durables remained stable despite the burden of rising energy prices on companies and end-users.

Kerry’s Taste & Nutrition category continued its strong growth through the Q3 period, led by continued momentum in the foodservice channel with increased demand from quick-service restaurants, while also recognizing the lower prior year comparatives. The retail channel continued to deliver good growth supported by launches incorporating Kerry’s taste solutions, proactive nutrition portfolio and Radicle plant-based range. Business volumes in emerging markets increased by 15.8%, with solid growth across all regions.Forever Well Nutrition gummies include: Immune Well, Sleep Well, Energy Well, Glow Well and Focus Well.

Global Widget, a CBD manufacturer, launched Forever Well Nutrition with Tony Little, a US personal trainer. The Forever Well Nutrition dietary supplement line offers gummies to help consumers stay focused on their overall health and well-being. The line includes Immune Well – formulated with elderberry extract, echinacea, vitamins C and D and zinc. The second product is Sleep Well, which contains melatonin, L-Theanine, chamomile, lemon balm and passionflower extract. Energy Well, Glow Well, and Focus Well are also part of the line, and they are formulated with vitamins B12, vitamin E and vitamin C, respectively.

Taiyo partnered with NutriScience to enable F&B formulators to take greater advantage of elderberry’s popularity – as sales of elderberry supplements surged to US$320 million (a 150% increase over 2019). The partnership will supply certified organic and conventional ElderMune to food and beverage companies in North and South America. ElderMune is a combination of elderberry plus Sunfiber, and it is suited to meet consumer demand for immune health and digestive health applications.

Dietary supplement manufacturer Lief Labs collaborated with Prairie Capital, Skyline Global Partners, and S2G Ventures to provide recapitalization investments and strategic advisory support as Lief and the dietary supplement industry continue a strong growth trajectory. Lief will focus its growth strategy on key areas, including technology innovation, raw materials and formulations business expansion, supply chain management, increased production capacity, and manufacturing operations and facilities.PlantFuel Life will conduct its first study on its Performance Protein to demonstrate that it is as effective as whey protein for muscle recovery.

Aker BioMarine collaborated with the esports team Heroic, owned by Norwegian Omaken Sports. Heroic has entered the partnership as Aker BioMarine produces omega 3 supplements based on krill and these will be used by the esports team.

In brief: Announcements and certification
Probiotics manufacturer, Specialty Enzymes & Probiotics received a “No Objections Letter” from the US Food and Drug Administration for its Generally Recognized As Safe submission of SEBtilis. A spore-forming, shelf-stable probiotic, SEBtilis (Bacillus subtilis), creates a protective endospore around itself that allows it to survive the journey to the gut, where it thrives. Studies show SEBtilis promotes intestinal homeostasis, the production of antimicrobials targeting pathogenic organisms, lipid metabolism, normal oxidative stress levels and immune health.

Plant-based wellness company PlantFuel Life is on track to conduct its first university study on its Performance Protein to demonstrate that it is as effective as whey protein for recovery, muscle growth and performance. The research will compare how an isonitrogenous (equal amount of protein) and isoenergetic (equal total calories) plant-based protein that is augmented with additional vegan branched-chain amino acids and an apoptogenic mushroom blend (PeakO2) influences muscle strength, endurance recovery and digestive tolerability. Additionally, research volunteers will be assessed for the effect of PlantFuel Performance Protein on blood essential amino acid bioavailability.

The UK Chancellor confirmed £200 million (US$275 million) for school holiday activities and food programs. However, the program failed to extend free school meals or the Healthy Start voucher scheme. The Chancellor also failed to re-commit that the funds raised by the Soft Drinks Industry Levy would go to children’s health and well-being programs. It was also previously flagged that millions of levy funds that should have been spent on child health are missing from the Department for Education budgets.

In brief: Launches and releases
The International Alliance of Dietary/Food Supplement Associations developed Mind the Gap – an information resource that spotlights resilience and immune health. The resource aims to fill gaps in scientific knowledge while promoting real-life examples of national nutrition programs. The new Mind the Gap story is entitled “Fighting Fit: Building Resilience Through Nutrition,” exploring how supporting immune health through nutrition is central to resilience. It also highlights how two billion people worldwide do not consume adequate nutrients, making it harder for them to maintain a standard functioning immune system and demonstrate resilience.Three daily portions of apple, cocoa, cranberries or oranges improves intestinal permeability in the elderly population.

Health company Elevant launched Optima NMN-C – chewable NMN tablets scientifically designed to boost brain and body health. Optima NMN-C is a supplement that delivers rapid support for energy and focus, memory and cognition, mood balance and sleep quality. Unlike vitamins, Optima works directly within cells, enabling people to enjoy sustained energy and better health for longer. Formulated through years of research, Optima helps people thrive by boosting NAD+, which is vital to support optimal bodywide health.

In brief: Research and studies
A polyphenol-rich diet was found to improve intestinal permeability in elderly people, according to a study conducted by researchers at the University of Barcelona, Spain, and the Biomedical Research Center of Fragility and Healthy Ageing, also part of the Catalan Food Innovation Network. The study result revealed that including up to three daily portions of apple, cocoa, dark chocolate, green tea, cranberries, oranges, or pomegranate juice improves intestinal permeability when making specific changes in the intestinal microbiota. Leaky gut syndrome in the elderly population is enhanced with the consumption of polyphenol-rich foods, the study concludes.

Researchers from the University of Bath, UK, and the University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, US, found that the gut protein P-glycoprotein (P-GP) and the microbiome are connected. When the connection is unbalanced, the disease can ensue. The scientists identified the core microbes in the microbiome – and more significantly, the molecules they produce – that regulate levels of P-GP in the gut and allow the protein to control gut inflammation. Furthermore, the study gives researchers the rationale behind treatments to change the microbiome’s makeup to positively impact health.

A Fat Reduction Factsheet was introduced by researchers at the University of Nottingham’s Food Innovation Centre. The factsheet will advise food businesses on how to produce healthier goods with lower amounts of fat. The factsheet hopes to tackle the increase in global demand for healthier products. Its release coincides with the growing efforts made by the UK government to reduce the rate of obesity within the country. The factsheet recommends that saturated fats, usually found in animal-based and some vegetable-based foods, and trans-fats, often found in processed foods, are the primary fats that should be reduced or replaced.

By Nicole Kerr