April in review: World Health Day spotlights infant nutrition, Effects of the Trump tariffs
In April’s major health and nutrition industry news, we looked at tools developed by the Periodic Table of Food Initiative (PTFI) for nutrition computation. At the same time, the WHO called for more investment and aid for maternal and infant nutrition. We also explored the effects of the recent US tariffs and we looked at how AI and food-omics can advance nutrition in Africa.
In our April review, Nutrition Insight highlights some of the month’s biggest stories, including IFF’s insight into the market potential for healthy aging solutions, calls to decolonize Africa’s food systems, and the economic and health benefits of medically tailored meals.
We also looked at challenges to infant formula safety in the US, the case for banning junk food purchases with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, and how DNA and genomics may unlock personalized nutrition.
Unlocking the future of food: Translating complex composition data for better nutrition
We sat down with the CEO of MANNA to discuss the health and monetary benefits of medically tailored meals.From its inception, the PTFI has developed tools and collected food composition data for nutrition. Its next phase involves making datasets accessible to global stakeholders to reveal hidden nutritional insights and drive innovations for human and planetary health. In the final installment of our PTFI series, we examined the challenges of translating this data into practical use and spoke with the initiative’s global director and its research program manager at UC Davis’ Innovation Institute for Food and Health. We also talked with the PTFI experts about mapping food quality for planetary health and how multi-omic tools can improve nutrition.
World Health Day: WHO calls for maternal and infant health investments amid aid cuts
On World Health Day, WHO launched a year-long “Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures” campaign focused on maternal and newborn health. The campaign urges governments and the health community to intensify efforts against preventable maternal and neonatal deaths, noting that humanitarian funding cuts had forced many countries to scale back essential services. A UN report, Trends in Maternal Mortality, revealed a 40% global reduction in maternal deaths from 2000 to 2023 but warned that progress had markedly slowed since 2016. In 2023, approximately 260,000 women died from pregnancy- or childbirth-related complications. We explored targeted nutrition solutions and key nutrients for women during and after pregnancy and for infants’ first 1,000 days with experts from Dr. Paul Lohmann, Gnosis by Lesaffre, and Valio. We also looked at the World Food Programme’s warning about the depletion of aid resources in Gaza.
Trump’s tariff hikes risk soaring food prices and strain on nutrition security
US President Donald J. Trump imposed reciprocal tariffs on imports from 90 countries before announcing a three-month pause. Despite the moratorium, a universal 10% rate remains in place for most trading partners, while tariffs on Chinese goods were raised from 104% to 125%. Dubbed the largest peacetime tax hike in US history, these measures were expected to drive up costs across numerous categories and exacerbate nutrition insecurity. We examined expert statements on the tariffs. The Center for Science in the Public Interest warned that higher food prices would hit consumers already facing strained nutrition assistance and recession risks, with farmers and restaurants also bracing for the fallout. In contrast, the Natural Products Association praised the administration’s decision to exempt certain essential minerals and vitamins — predominantly sourced from Asia — from the Harmonized Tariff Schedule.
Fighting malnutrition in Africa: UC Davis and BII use AI and food-omics to advance precision nutrition
The Amplified African Food initiative brings together the University of California (UC) Davis, US, and the Novo Nordisk Foundation’s BioInnovation Institute (BII) to combat malnutrition and stunting in Africa by applying precision‐nutrition techniques and enhancing protein digestibility in culturally familiar foods. The partners plan to establish a locally based company to commercialize these innovations. We sat down with specialists from UC Davis’s Innovation Institute for Food and Health and BII to discuss the project’s objectives, rollout strategy, and expected impact.
IFF spots untapped market potential for holistic, healthy aging solutions
The executive director at the Alliance for Natural Health spoke with us about reforming the GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) system.In response to rising consumer interest in healthy aging, IFF revealed it has identified a notable gap in the nutrition market — few new products focus explicitly on age-related concerns despite data showing one in three global consumers ranks healthy aging as their top physical health priority. Proprietary research conducted by IFF found that shoppers increasingly seek supplements to support mobility, memory, energy levels, and overall maintenance. However, many remain skeptical of health claims, desire more convenient delivery formats, and are unsure which products suit their needs. In this key interview, we spoke with Benjamin Milhau, regional marketing lead EMEA at IFF Health Sciences, about the market opportunities and challenges in healthy aging.
Beyond feeding: Africa advocates challenge aid and champion food sovereignty
Advocates for decolonizing African food systems urged stakeholders to shift from traditional aid and export models toward narratives centered on nourishment and local empowerment. A new report from German Watch and Power Shift Africa examined how Germany’s trade and aid policies — particularly its promotion of export-oriented agriculture — can undermine African nutrition goals. Experts argue that real progress requires transferring decision-making power to African stakeholders and aligning funding with priorities defined on the continent. We continued our conversation with the two organizations to better understand the tension between Germany’s intent to support African food systems and the unintended consequences of policies that prioritize exports over community-driven nutritional outcomes.
Medically tailored meals could save US$32B annually in healthcare costs, experts flag
Researchers at the US Food is Medicine Institute have projected that rolling out medically tailored meals nationwide could reduce healthcare spending by approximately US$32.1 billion across 49 states within the first year. These dietitian-designed meals, tailored to individuals with complex conditions, are estimated to avert more than 3.5 million hospitalizations annually from complications of diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. Using a state-level simulation model, the team evaluated one- and five-year impacts on hospital admissions, costs, and cost-effectiveness for Medicaid, Medicare, and privately insured patients with diet-related illnesses and daily living challenges. We discussed the economic and health outcomes with MANNA CEO Sue Daugherty.
US FDA watchdog collapsing? Baby formula safety under fire
We spoke with experts from Kaneka Nutrients Europe about the potential of boosting fertility with ubiquinol.Expert groups criticized the US FDA’s shortcomings in safeguarding infant formula, pointing to its failure to address toxic contaminants, nano ingredients, and regulatory conflicts of interest amid ongoing staff cuts. We consulted leaders from the Center for Food Safety and the Alliance for Natural Health to explore these concerns and discuss strategies for strengthening oversight and reform. We also looked at BBC Panorama investigation into the high sugar and low nutrient content of UK baby food pouches.
Can banning junk food from SNAP fix the US nutrition crisis?
As political pressure mounted to reform assistance, several US states, including Arkansas, Indiana, Idaho, and West Virginia, pursued bans on soda and junk food purchases using SNAP benefits. In April, Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders submitted a waiver request to the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) to bar soft drink and candy transactions through the program. She argued the step would target processed offerings and promote healthier eating among households. USDA Secretary Brooke L. Rollins supported the proposal and anticipated swift approval, encouraging other states to follow Arkansas’ lead. We examined the plan, which faced opposition from the National Confectioners Association, which noted candy comprises just 2% of SNAP purchases.
Exploring DNA and genomics to unlock personalized nutrition and longevity
As personalized nutrition continues to gain momentum, genomics is enabling consumers to refine their supplement strategies according to their genetic profiles. We caught up with Bryce Wylde, co-founder of The DNA Company and a functional medicine specialist who champions leveraging genetic data to tailor health interventions. He explained that genomics examines the complete set of an individual’s genes and their interactions with each other and the environment. Wylde noted that the field extends beyond identifying hereditary traits and delved into how genetic variations influence health outcomes, provide insights into potential disease risks, and inform customized recommendations for nutrition and lifestyle modifications.
