Weekly Roundup: IFF and DuPont N&B merger receives EU approval, By-Health to distribute Biosearch Life’s breast milk strains in China

11 Dec 2020 --- This week in nutrition news, IFF and DuPont’s Nutrition and Biosciences division received approval from the EU for a merger intended to close in 2021. Biosearch Life signed an R&D and supply agreement with By-Health to supply isolated strains of human breast milk to strengthen its position in the Chinese market, and researchers in the UK and Spain reviewed research showing the importance of oral microbiota.

In brief: Business news 
IFF and DuPont’s Nutrition & Biosciences division received a combination of antitrust and approval clearances from the European Commission for an intended merger. With receipt of this clearance, the intended combination has received all required antitrust clearances and approvals that are a condition to the closing of the transaction. The companies expect the deal to be concluded in early 2021. 

Simply Protein’s assortment of plant-based snacks, which Wellness Natural  is aiming to develop in 2021.Biosearch Life signed an R&D and supply agreement with By-Health to strengthen its position in the Chinese market. The contract will secure the supply of isolated strains of human breast milk from Biosearch’s Hereditum range, aimed at the children’s health market. By-Health, a company that mainly focuses on the R&D, production and distribution of vitamin and dietary supplements, has a market share of 9.2 percent. 

KeHe partnered with Healthycell to bring its Microgel line of supplements to the US market. Developed as pill alternatives for the 40 percent of US consumers who have trouble using pills, the gels include bioactives and immune-supporting formulas. 

In brief: Launches and releases
Vireo Systems created an immune product made with creatine, an ingredient clinically proven to power T-cells. Creatine is essential in developing the cells, which are vital for protecting the body from viruses like COVID-19, says the company. The newly patented product is branded Con-Cret Creatine HC. The human body produces around half its needed creatine without supplementation. Healthycell and KeHe are targeting a range of microgels at the 40 percent of US adults who struggle with pills.

Wellness Natural unveiled a range of children’s snack bars to be launched in 2021 following the company’s acquisition of Simply Protein this year. It aims to become the US leader in plant-based snacks and the new range includes bars, cookies, chips and crunchy bites. Simply Protein reports a 50 percent growth year on year in the US and says its acquisition will propel its successes. 

Laird Superfoods added a plant-based supplement branded Activate Prebiotic Daily Greens to its portfolio. Formulated with an assortment of 18 “superfood” fruits and vegetables, polyphenols and prebiotic dietary fiber, the product is touted for its benefits for gut health. Each serving of the prebiotic daily greens has the equivalent of 14 kale leaves, four spinach leaves, one broccoli floret and five blueberries, says the company. 

In brief: Research and studies 
A study showed Prolacta Bioscience’s human milk-based fortifiers could reduce the instance of late-onset sepsis in premature infants compared to cow milk-based fortifiers. Babies born prematurely have up to a 26 percent chance of developing the condition. The company hopes this method of reducing sepsis helps budget-strapped infant hospital wards. 

Microbiota in the mouth was found to be essential for health and is correlated with diet and physical exercise, according to a review of research conducted at the University of Plymouth, UK, and Universitat Oberta de Catalunya, Spain. Researchers found a relationship between nitrates’ consumption – present in leafy green vegetables such as rocket, broccoli and spinach, and in beetroot – and sporting performance and Laird Superfoods’ prebiotic supplements contain 18 different fruits, vegetables, polyphenols and dietary fibers.cardiovascular health. The findings have implications for supplementation and sports nutrition. 

In brief: Sustainability and certifications
Lonza reduced nitrous oxide emissions from its niacin production at its site in Visp, Switzerland. The issue was first flagged in 2019, but efforts to reduce the emissions were stalled by supply problems resulting from the COVID-19 virus. These problems are now solved, says the company, with emissions reduced by 98 percent through the use of a catalyzer and help from the Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN). Costs of implementing the catalyzer ran over US$13.5 million. 

BASF received the highest achievable grade for its water management from the non-profit Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP). The company was also awarded a similarly high mark for forest management. BASF says its newly recognized efforts aim toward its goal of carbon neutrality by 2050 and has committed to source 100 percent of its palm (kernel) oil from certified sustainable sources by the end of 2020.

Nutralliance achieved a generally recognized as safe (GRAS) approval for its Ildong Biosciences Probiotics line. The probiotic line is patented for quadruple-coating technology, which protects the strains’ structure and integrity. The four-layer coating system consists of guar gum, hyaluronic acid, maltodextrin and a soy protein isolate and is non-GMO. 

By Louis Gore-Langton