Weekly Roundup: Pharmavite invests US$200M for Columbus region expansion, FDA approves Danone’s infant formula for US

01 Jul 2022 --- This week in nutrition news, vitamins and supplements manufacturer Pharmavite is growing in Columbus, US, investing US$200 million and creating 225 jobs. Meanwhile, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the importation of approximately 16.5 million full-size, 8 oz bottles of infant formula from New-Zealand based Danone. Meanwhile, a study found 61% of otherwise healthy Black and Hispanic adolescents have poor vitamin D levels.

In brief: Business news
With an investment of more than US$200 million and creating 225 new jobs, Pharmavite is expanding into the Columbus Region in the US. Pharmavite will invest in constructing a 200,000 to 250,000 square foot facility in New Albany, joining the expanding life science sector that includes R&D, technology, and manufacturing operations in the Columbus Region. It will be located in New Albany Pharmavite’s plant, pending local approvals and site acquisition. The company will be able to increase production capacity and improve its service to the Midwest and East Coast markets. Production is expected to begin by the end of 2024 as the company is currently investing in constructing the new facility, machinery and equipment.

The National Advertising Division (NAD) of BBB National Programs advised Dakota Nutrition to stop claims that elderberry is an ingredient in its dietary supplements. The Extra Strength Elderberry 3-in-1 Immune Booster Capsules, Extra Strength Elderberry Gummies, and Immune Defense 7-in-1 Immune Booster Capsules all fall under this recommendation. Nature’s Way Brands disputed the claims made on Dakota’s website, product pages on Amazon and product labels. Additionally, NAD found that Dakota’s claims that its elderberry-containing Immune Capsules, Elderberry Gummies and Elderberry Capsules are safe were not supported by any evidence. NAD further pointed out that Dakota failed to provide any evidence to back up their assertions that elderberries are antioxidants or contain specific levels of antioxidants.

Research unveiled that the maternal gut microbiome and Bifidobacterium breve specifically have a role in regulating fetal growth and metabolism.As part of its increased flexibility, the FDA has approved New-Zealand based Danone to export its Aptamil Gold Plus infant formula to the US. To tackle the ongoing infant formula shortage, the US will import in August 555,000 cans – approximately 16.5 million full-size, 8 oz bottles, set to arrive in August.

In brief: Launches and releases
A variety of digestive enzyme supplements made by Intoleran can help with the digestion of certain intolerant-prone foods. Its lactase supplements, for instance, contain the enzyme lactase and help break down lactose in milk and other dairy products. The enzyme Xylose Isomerase, which is present in fructase, aids in converting fructose, a sugar found in fruits, into glucose. These supplements come at a time when millions of people around the world suffer from food intolerances. Food intolerances can lead to acid reflux, bloating, diarrhea and headaches.

Sports nutrition supplements line Jessica Bass James has unveiled D2Fit Nutrition. The female-focused supplements aid with exercise and boost energy levels. The range consists of D2Fit Multi Collagen Preworkout (which contains collagen and biotin), D2Fit Women’s Time Release Whey Protein and D2Fit Women’s 4-in-1 Kickstart. The D2Fit Multi Collagen Preworkout product is a pre-workout formula that may promote focus, exercise endurance and energy. Meanwhile, the D2Fit Women’s Time Release Whey Protein is a whey protein supplement that “feeds and tones” muscles during a workout. The D2Fit Women’s 4-in-1 Kickstart is a thermogenic formula that supports healthy metabolism and boosts energy.

In brief: Research and studies
Researchers from the Quadram Institute, University of East Anglia and the University of Cambridge found that Bifidobacterium breve, a species of gut bacteria known to have beneficial effects on health in mice and humans, changes the mother’s body during pregnancy and affects the structure of the placenta and nutrient transport, which impacts the growing baby. The mouse study unveiled that the fetus did not receive adequate sugar in germ-free mice and failed to grow and develop properly. However, providing Bifidobacterium breve to germ-free mice improved fetal outcomes by restoring fetal metabolism, growth and development to normal levels. In conclusion, this study is the “first” to reveal how a mother’s gut microbes – the maternal microbiome – can help the placenta’s development and the baby’s healthy growth.

The US will import formula from New-Zealand based Danone to tackle infant formula shortages.According to findings from the US-based University of Houston College of Nursing study, poor vitamin D levels are present in 61% of otherwise healthy Black and Hispanic adolescents. These levels get progressively lower as people age. The study addresses a knowledge gap in populations that are vitamin D deficient. Economic stability, access to education and health care are all social determinants of health that are likely to affect vitamin D levels. According to researchers, this is prevalent in communities of color, where barriers to healthy nutrition include food insecurity and a lack of access to health care. The research adds that although vitamin D is absorbed from the sun, melanin-rich skin tones have a more challenging time absorbing it. Melanin absorbs UV radiation and blocks it from reaching the cells that make vitamin D.

In brief: Helping child nutrition
The Biden administration revealed that the USDA will give schools roughly US$1 billion more in funds to help them buy foods grown in the US for their meal programs. President Joe Biden also signed the Keep Kids Fed Act, which provides additional funding to schools, summer meal sites, and child care food programs so they can continue to provide meals to children through the 2022 to 2023 school year. Operators of child feeding programs continue to confront considerable difficulties, such as high food costs and supply chain disruptions. Both responses are in reaction to these difficulties.

By Nicole Kerr