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Experts warn Germany not to repeat colonial nutrition mistakes in Africa

Experts warn Germany not to repeat colonial nutrition mistakes in Africa

As Germany’s new coalition government takes shape, a new report urges the country to support African-led food systems that advance nutrition justice, climate resilience, and food sovereignty. Nutrition Insight speaks to the report authors from German Watch and Power Shift Africa, who call for dismantling colonial-era trade structures and investing in agroecology and local food systems. 
Functional ingredients unlock healthy gut microbiome, personalized nutrition, and weight management
Functional ingredients unlock healthy gut microbiome, personalized nutrition, and weight management
A growing consumer interest in personalized nutrition and the gut microbiome is driving innovation in functional ingredients. Brands are leveraging cutting-edge research to explore targeted solutions for gut health, healthy weight management, mental health, and overall wellness. Nutrition Insight meets with industry leaders from Sensus, Tirlán, Clasado Biosciences, Layn Natural Ingredients, dsm-firmenich, and Ingredients by Nature, who share their opinions on the latest trends shaping the future of functional ingredients and biotics. 
Webinar preview: Novonesis and UC San Diego partnership accelerates HMO research
Webinar preview: Novonesis and UC San Diego partnership accelerates HMO research
As the science of early life nutrition rapidly advances, a new partnership between biotech innovator Novonesis and the Human Milk Institute at the University of California San Diego (UC San Diego), US, aims to reshape how discoveries in human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) are made and applied. They unite academic and industry expertise to drive progress in HMOs and synbiotics through shared learning and innovation. The Human Milk Institute at UC San Diego is a top academic center in human milk research, while Novonesis brings a strong scientific background and knowledge in human health biosolutions, such as probiotics and HMOs. 
Manna: CEO talks health benefits of medically tailored meals in disease management
Manna: CEO talks health benefits of medically tailored meals in disease management
Sue Daugherty, the CEO of medically tailored meal provider Manna, highlights the evolving landscape of Food is Medicine in the US. She details how prescribed medically tailored meal scan support people battling serious illnesses, save healthcare costs, and help patients using GLP-1 medications. She also highlights the importance of Food is Medicine Coalition Accreditation, which holds companies accountable to standards to ensure nutritionally balanced meals.
Beyond The Headlines: Charitable prebiotic pet nutrition, Enzyme engineering unlocks rare sugars
Beyond The Headlines: Charitable prebiotic pet nutrition, Enzyme engineering unlocks rare sugars
This week in industry news, Natac’s Innovaoleo introduced Omega 3 Star, marketed as containing the highest concentration of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) fish oil tailored for food, nutraceutical, and pet use with neutral taste and smell. Meanwhile, Cuddly debuted a functional dog food line that doubles as a charitable initiative, donating a meal to shelters for every bag sold. On the science front, Allozymes and Bonumose are making strides in enzyme engineering to unlock more efficient, plant-based production of rare sugars from starch.
Ingredient specifications: A critical first step to high-quality natural product sourcing
Ingredient specifications: A critical first step to high-quality natural product sourcing
Clarity is crucial in natural ingredients and raw materials for nutrition and supplements. Industry experts warn that clear expectations, accurate documentation, and rigorous verification and analysis are critical to ensure product quality and effective international trade. Nutrition Insight continues its conversation with Nuherbs and Nammex, examining how they ensure the sourcing of high-quality ingredients from China with clear specifications, having “feet on the ground” and verification programs, and how policies like tariffs may affect trade and product quality. 

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Seed oil debate heats up: Study links omega-6 fat to breast cancer subtype growth
pouring oil over salad
Researchers have discovered that linoleic acid drives the growth of a hard-to-treat “triple negative” breast cancer subtype. The substance is an omega-6 fatty acid found in seed oils and animal products. The preclinical study suggests a need for dietary guidance for those suffering from the disease. While public figures like US Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. call for eliminating seed oils due to their alleged links to inflammation and disease, researchers at Weill Cornell caution against blanket statements. Their new study suggests that linoleic acid’s impact depends on individual biology — especially in cancer patients — highlighting the need for precision nutrition rather than dietary dogma. 
IFF spots untapped market potential for holistic, healthy aging solutions
Senior woman looking for healthy aging options
As consumer demand for healthy aging solutions grows, IFF points to untapped potential in the nutrition market, as it sees a lag in product launches for healthy aging. Innova Market Insights data indicates that one in three global consumers prioritize healthy aging as their primary concern related to physical health. IFF proprietary research reveals consumers increasingly want to support mobility, memory, energy, and overall maintenance. At the same time, it found that consumers are often skeptical of claims, want more convenient options, or are confused about which supplements to choose. 
New research prioritizes higher potassium-to-salt ratio to reduce blood pressure
Heart health
Researchers at the University of Waterloo, Canada, encourage that increasing the ratio of dietary potassium to sodium intake is more effective for lowering blood pressure than simply reducing sodium intake. High blood pressure affects over 30% of adults globally, the researchers stress. The condition is the leading cause of coronary heart disease and stroke and may also lead to other afflictions like chronic kidney disease, heart failure, irregular heartbeats, and dementia.
Lallemand Health Solutions and FrieslandCampina Ingredients’ synbiotic unveils proven gut health benefits
A woman with a her belly exposed and a small virtual image of a happy microbiome on top.
Global gut health leaders Lallemand Health Solutions and FrieslandCampina Ingredients have entered a new phase in their collaboration on the synbiotic concept, Natural PRO-Digest. The companies underscore that this latest advancement boosts the synergistic power of combining probiotics and prebiotics.
Fighting malnutrition in Africa: UC Davis and BII use AI and food-omics to advance precision nutrition
Woman cooking for two children in Africa
In the recently launched Amplified African Food (AAF) project, scientists will address malnutrition and stunting in Africa with precision nutrition and by improving protein digestibility in foods rooted in culture. The project partners, US University of California (UC) Davis and Novo Nordisk Foundation’s BioInnovation Institute (BII), aim to launch a company in Africa to market these products. Nutrition Insight discusses the project’s goals, implementation, and potential impact with experts from UC Davis’ Innovation Institute for Food and Health (IIFH) and BII. 
Tackling food fraud: Breaking down supply chain vulnerabilities with digital prevention strategies
Top view of worker standing by apple fruit crates in organic food factory warehouse

Food Ingredients First

Food fraud is a growing and often invisible threat, undermining food safety, public trust, and economic stability. Its true scale remains elusive, as fraud is by definition “designed to avoid detection,” which makes it difficult to estimate its frequency or exact economic impact, states the US Department for Agriculture (USDA).
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Nutrition & Health News

World Health Day: WHO calls for maternal and infant health investments amid aid cuts

On today’s World Health Day, the WHO kicks off a year-long campaign on maternal and newborn health called “Healthy beginnings, hopeful futures.” The organization urges governments and the health community to expand efforts to end preventable maternal and newborn deaths as humanitarian funding cuts are forcing countries to roll back vital health services. A UN report released today, Trends in Maternal Mortality, shows a 40% global decline in maternal deaths between 2000–2023 but indicates that the “pace of improvement has slowed significantly since 2016.” In 2023, an estimated 260,000 women died as a result of complications from pregnancy or childbirth. 

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Nutrition & Health News

2025 Nutrition for Growth Summit to address global malnutrition crisis and funding shortfall

Amid rising global malnutrition rates and significant funding shortfalls, France will host this year’s Nutrition for Growth (N4G) Summit (27–28 March). Held every four years, the summit faces financial uncertainty after key donors, including the US and the UK, withdrew their pledges. The previous summit raised US$27 billion, but ongoing conflicts and the global food crisis have made the fight against malnutrition even more pressing. 

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Research & Development

UC Davis and Novo Nordisk Foundation to develop “future food and health leaders”

The Innovation Institute for Food and Health (IIFH) at the University of California (UC) Davis, US, has joined forces with Denmark’s Novo Nordisk Foundation to develop international food and planetary health leaders. In a “first-of-its-kind” program, biotechnology-focused Ph.D. and postdoctoral students in Denmark and the US can apply their research to companies that accelerate positive societal impact. UC Investments, which invests on behalf of the University of California system, will also join the partnership, along with Danish research institutions. 

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Cognition supportApr2025

Innova Market Insights data reveals that healthy aging is gaining momentum, with 1 in 3 global consumers prioritizing it for their physical health. In 2024, Europe leads in product launches featuring ...

Product innovation

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Personalized nutrition Apr 2025

Innova Market Insights data indicates a 3% CAGR in supplement launches with specific health claims between 2020 and 2024. Europe was the frontline of these launches. While vitamins/minerals remain the top category launched, concentrates are gaining ground. The top three health claims in launches were immune health (37%), brain-mood health (33%), and energy & stamina (33%).

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Climate-smart productionApr 2025

Innova Market Insights data reveals a 3% increase in supplement launches featuring carbon labeling claims, aligning with the finding that 32% of global consumers are aware of climate change.

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Manna: CEO talks health benefits of medically tailored meals in disease management

Sue Daugherty, the CEO of medically tailored meal provider Manna, highlights the evolving landscape of Food is Medicine in the US. She details how prescribed medically tailored meal scan support people battling serious illnesses, save healthcare costs, and help patients using GLP-1...

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Innovative Partnerships: Exploring the Future of HMOs with UC San Diego and Novonesis
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IFF Health Sciences: Market potential for science-backed healthy aging solutions is growing
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First Place Fuel: Fitness expert on power of nutrition in sports and active lifestyles
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