Weekly Roundup: DSM to operate on 100 percent renewable energy, Nutriterra Total Omega-3 recognized as NDI

13 Aug 2021 --- This week in nutrition news, DSM sites in North America will be powered entirely by 100 percent renewable energy after a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Ørsted. Meanwhile, Nuseed Nutritional US is expanding into human nutrition following its omega 3 canola oil being recognized as an NDI. Also, a Danish study revealed vitamin K consumption can help prevent atherosclerosis and hence lower the risk of cardiovascular disease.

In brief: Business news
Milk Specialties Global (MSG), a manufacturer of nutritional ingredients, acquired the 96,000 sq, gluten-free certified Kay’s Processing facility, located in Minnesota, US, along with Kay’s Naturals consumer brand. MSG plans to expand operations at the Clara City facility to accommodate the demand for extruded protein products, which are used in numerous applications. The Clara City plant is part of MSG’s long-term expansion strategy, considering the newly named Milk Specialties Global Clara City Facility is MSG’s 11th plant and the latest in a series of strategic expansions that began in 2008.

Royal DSM will fully operate on renewable electricity throughout North America from the end of this year due to a PPA with Ørsted, a sustainable energy company. As a result, DSM is set to outpace its target of achieving 75 percent purchased electricity globally from renewable sources by 2030. The PPA will contribute to the financing of a new solar energy facility in Texas, US. This will ensure additional renewable electricity capacity of approximately 920,000 MWh for the US energy grid each year, equivalent to the needs of 100,000 homes, of which DSM will utilize a portion. DSM anticipates it will reduce its CO2 emissions by approximately 50,000 tons per year.DSM sites in North America will be powered entirely by 100 percent renewable energy after a PPA with Ørsted.

In brief: Launches and releases
Mdrive launched Mdrive Start, a hybrid nutritional supplement positioned as supporting energy, testosterone levels, lean muscle and memory. Its adaptogen formula balances cortisol levels to manage stress. Mdrive Start also has hydrolyzed collagen proteins that help support healthy hair and skin. The multi-enzyme complex paired with the collagen supports digestion.

Global medical device brand, Maxigen Biotech, launched Maxi collagen, a concentrated tripeptide formulated using double enzyme hydrolysis. Within seven days, it proved it can increase skin collagen density up to 13 percent, reduce skin wrinkles by 10.4 percent and increase 7.8 percent of skin moisture content. Maxi Collagen contains nine functional peptides by spectrometer sequencing data analysis.

Pantry Food, a functional cannabis-infused food brand, released superfood bites that blend nutrition and cannabis. The Good Day Bites feature functional mushrooms for mood-boosting and mental clarity, adaptogens to support a healthy immune system and a one-to-one microdose of CBD and THC (5 mg) to help relieve stress and aid in relaxation. The Night Bites combine valerian root, melatonin, a one-to-one ratio of THC and CBN (5 mg), L-theanine and vegan dark chocolate to ease insomnia, stress and anxiety for improved sleep.

In brief: Regulations and rulings
Nuseed Nutritional US, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nufarm Limited, had its Nutriterra Total Omega-3 recognized by the Food and Drug Administration as a New Dietary Ingredient (NDI). Nuseed’s omega 3 canola oil has a DHA plus EPA and ALA-rich omega 3 profile and was developed to help human nutrition and animal feed. The announcement will help the company expand into the human nutrition market, with it eyeing new consumers and increased omega 3 intakes.

Nascent Health Sciences has received FDA’s no objection letter regarding SoPure Stevia’s GRAS status. The sweetener is used in dietary supplements, nutritional drinks, personal care products, as well as a range of F&B offerings. The GRAS notice was submitted by GRAS Associates, part of Nutrasource Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical Services.

In brief: Research and studies
A Danish study found that consumption of vitamin K can protect against atherosclerosis and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. The research was conducted on 53,372 Danish citizens over 23 years. The results showed that the people who consumed more vitamin K1 were 21 percent less likely to be hospitalized with cardiovascular disease related to atherosclerosis. Participants that consumed K2 were 14 percent less likely to receive hospitalization. All types of heart disease risk related to atherosclerosis were lower in participants that consumed vitamin K. The study was published in the Journal of the American Heart Association.Good Day Bites and Nite Bites by Pantry Food improve sleep quality and reduce stress.

A study argues that before starting infants on a cow milk-free diet, clinicians should consider the severity, frequency, and persistence of symptoms, the patient’s age, the growth, the cost of the hydrolyzed formula, and the proof of efficacy. If the diet is beneficial, a challenge should be scheduled first to prove the diagnosis of cow milk allergy and later to test tolerance acquisition to avoid an unnecessarily protracted diet. Determining which infants should start taking extensively hydrolyzed formula is still challenging, primarily due to the lack of positive allergy tests or specific biomarkers.

A high-fat diet causes inflammation and damages intestinal epithelial cells in animal models, according to a US study from the Vanderbilt University Medical Center. The high-fat diet impairs energy-generating mitochondria causing the intestinal cells to produce more oxygen and nitrate. These factors, in turn, stimulate the growth of harmful Enterobacteriaceae microbes, such as E. coli, and boost bacterial production of a metabolite called trimethylamine (TMA). The liver converts TMA to TMAO (trimethylamine-N-oxide), which has been implicated in promoting atherosclerosis and increasing the relative risk for all-cause mortality in patients.

In brief: Appointments and certifications
OmniActive Health Technologies appointed Mark Dewis as its CEO. Dewis has nearly three decades of experience in the health, nutrition, flavors and food and beverages sectors where he led teams, drove innovation and delivered customer centricity in the innovative health ingredients sectors. Previously, he was the president of International Flavors and Fragrance (IFF). Dewis will be based in OmniActive’s office in Morristown, US.

Glanbia Nutritionals announced its new director of premix, Michael Hofstätter, who will lead the development and implementation of premix and functionally optimized nutrient strategies for the company in EMEA. Hofstätter has been a key member of the Glanbia Nutritionals team since February 2014, and working in a diverse range of departments has left Hofstätter with an understanding of Glanbia Nutritionals’ global offering to food and drink brands. While in the quality assurance department, he was responsible for analyzing risks and preventing hazards on production lines. In his new role, Hofstätter will define product positioning and focus, working alongside colleagues in various departments within Glanbia.

By Nicole Kerr