Weekly Roundup: Biden re-applies Operation Fly formula, Herbalife Nutrition invests US$400 million into digital platform

05 Aug 2022 --- This week in nutrition news, US president Joe Biden implemented the eighteenth Operation Fly formula operation to tackle infant formula shortages. Herbalife Nutrition invested US$400 million into a growth initiative for digital transformation. Meanwhile, according to a US-based Mayo Clinic study, diets higher in calcium and potassium may help prevent symptoms of kidney stones.

In brief: Business news
US president Joe Biden implemented the eighteenth Operation Fly formula to tackle infant formula shortages. The US Department of Health and Human Services will support Operation Fly Formula by providing one flight for the Nestlé Health Science amino acid-based formula shipment from Luxembourg to Chicago, Illinois, on August 3. This shipment will contain 259,131 8 oz bottles, or around 19,291 pounds, of Nestlé Health Science Alfamino Infant and Alfamino Junior formula. These products are meant to be used under medical supervision and will primarily be provided to hospitals and home health care providers. President Biden started Operation Fly Formula to hasten the importation of infant formula and increase the amount of formula available in stores. Approximately 64 million 8 oz bottle equivalents have been shipped to the US as part of Operation Fly Formula.

>Your< Iron Forte Orosticks and >Your< Iron Forte Liquid Sticks are available as direct sticks with liquid and with orodispersible powder.Also to tackle the formula shortage, Reckitt’s Mead Johnson is set to increase and fund air freights, for its infant formula base powder deliveries to the US, from its facility in Singapore for August and September. In August, Reckitt will deliver infant formula base powder in quantities of 350 metric tons (almost 772,000 pounds), where it will be blended and packaged for export. Additionally, it will produce over 10.9 million 8 oz servings of Enfamil infant formula when it is finished. Notably, the imports from Singapore would be distributed countrywide to help support WIC beneficiaries who are among the most affected. They were permitted under the FDA enforcement discretion guidance.

Nutrition company Herbalife Nutrition introduced Herbalife One, a new digital transformation platform focused on introducing a single platform that offers distributors and their clients around the globe a simplified and integrated experience. Over the next three years, an additional expenditure of up to $250 million will be made in addition to the over $400 million investment. The Herbalife One platform will increase productivity and serve as a critical engine for future growth objectives. Additionally, the platform will be developed using a modern strategy incorporating deep data analytics, insights and improved performance.

Balchem Corporation reported net earnings of US$29.8 million in the second quarter of 2022, compared to the same period of 2021, with net earnings of US$22.7 million. Additionally, compared to the same quarter last year, record net sales of US$236.7 million were achieved, an increase of US$34.3 million or 17%. Sales in the three segments – human nutrition & health, animal nutrition & health, and specialty products – also increased. Sales for the human nutrition & health division reached a quarterly high of US$131.6 million, up US$20.2 million or 18.1% from the same quarter last year. Sales growth in the food and beverage industries and more robust sales in the minerals and nutrients sector contributed to the increase.

The second quarter of 2022 saw significant growth for the Bayer Group. The company’s sales of self-care goods – Consumer Health – for Bayer increased by 6.8% to €1.496 billion (US$1.531 billion), with growth across practically all countries and product categories. Sales in the allergy and cold category increased by 16.9%, partly due to consistently high incidence rates of the common cold in Europe and North America. The division also sold Astepro in June after changing the status of the drug from Rx (non-prescription) to OTC (over-the-counter). Astepro is a quick-acting remedy because it is the “first and only” steroid-free antihistamine nasal spray accessible over-the-counter in the US. Additionally, the digestive health category saw sales increase by double-digits, while the dermatology and pain and cardio categories also saw a considerable gain. Sales in the nutritionals sector decreased despite having had significant growth before 2020.

TopGum Industries received accreditation as a USDA-certified organic manufacturer of gummies.In brief: Launches and releases
PharmaLinea introduced two new line extensions for >Your< Iron Line. This year’s new product introductions from PharmaLinea offer “distinctiveness” in the growing iron supplement industry and come in a popular delivery method. >Your< Iron Forte Orosticks and >Your< Iron Forte Liquid Sticks are available in recently popular product forms. As direct sticks with liquid and with orodispersible powder, they offer a “better” user experience. Direct sticks are portable, don’t require water and are less likely to spill or have inaccurate measurements. The company adds that capsules still dominate the iron supplement market. Thus direct sticks provide our customers with an alternative.

Beverage manufacturer Ecofit Labs released its Ecofit H2O drink. According to the company, the beverage gives consumers energy and hydration while accelerating recovery after working out. In addition to its fitness benefits, Ecofit H2O has an environmentally friendly bottle and a clinically tested antioxidant that promotes the health of the cardiovascular and immunological systems, increases nitric oxide levels and reduces inflammation. To keep consumers hydrated and energized before and after workouts, Ecofit H2O is a suitable pre- and post-workout water. Additionally, each bottle has seven antioxidants, equivalent to ten servings of fruits and vegetables. This enables drinkers to refuel and provide their bodies with the required nutrition. The beverage is available in tropical berry, watermelon lemonade and peach citrus flavors. 

Nutritional supplement company Vital Nutrients released its Ultra Pure Vegan Omega SPM+, focusing on the growing need for vegan alternatives to marine fish oil to aid with robust immune systems, cardiovascular health and cognitive function. The vegan fish oil alternative offers 400 mg of triglyceride form omega 3s from plant-based algal oil concentrate together with the most biologically active form of specialized pro-resolving mediators, available in the shape of miniature vegan softgels.

Foods high in calcium and potassium to the diet can help prevent kidney stones from developing again.In brief: Accreditation and certification
Manufacturer of functional gummies TopGum Industries received accreditation as a USDA-certified organic manufacturer of gummies. Following an audit of its facility and production systems by an authorized international Organic Certifier, the new seal confirms the company’s aim of sourcing, processing and manufacturing certified organic, non-GMO products. The gummies have a delivery system that makes it possible to incorporate nutraceuticals, such as botanical extracts, concentrated doses of vitamins and minerals and it is free of added sugars. The company also offers sugar-free “gummiceuticals” based on naturally sweet prebiotic fibers.

In brief: Research and studies
Researchers at the Mayo Clinic, US, created a prospective study to examine dietary changes’ effects. Their research demonstrates that adding foods high in calcium and potassium to the diet can help prevent kidney stones from developing again. The study’s findings suggest that diets containing 1,200 mg of calcium per day may aid in the prevention of both new kidney stones and recurring kidney stones. To determine dietary factors, questionnaires were given to 411 patients with first-time kidney stone symptoms and a control group of 384 people, all of whom had visited Mayo Clinics in Rochester and Florida between 2009 and 2018. The results demonstrate that lower dietary calcium and potassium levels and lower intakes of fluids, caffeine, and phytate are linked to a higher risk of developing a kidney stone for the first time.

As temperatures rise worldwide, a lack of fitness will severely influence children’s health, according to research from the Slovenia-based University of Ljubljana. The researchers reviewed studies that included a study of 457 primary school boys aged five to twelve in Thailand. They discovered that obese children were more than twice as likely to experience trouble controlling their body temperature when exercising outside as those of average weight. The study also discovered that children’s aerobic fitness is 30% lower than their parents’ fitness level at the same age. The researchers note that children who have obesity and lack physical inactivity will be the ones to suffer the most from the adverse health effects of rising global temperatures.

By Nicole Kerr