
Maternal & infant health



Global survey: Mothers put infant nutrition and quality above price
Quality and health benefits outrank price and brand when it comes to choice of infant or toddler formula, according to a global survey of mothers, but Europeans are lagging behind in terms of knowledge.

Maternal probiotic use may boost infant gut health and memory
New research links maternal probiotic use to reduced breast milk inflammatory markers, improved infant gut health and enhanced brain response, however knowledge gaps on infant gut colonization remain.

Too little choline: A disadvantage in Latin America
A new study reports that “an astonishing majority” of women of childbearing age across eight countries in Latin America do not consume enough choline, a nutrient particularly important for fetal development.

IPAWC + Probiota Americas Day 3: Companion animals, gut-brain, start-ups and tech advances
The IPA World Congress + Probiota Americas is just five days away. Don’t wait to register your attendance for this world-class program in Salt Lake City!

IPAWC + Probiota Americas Day 2: Rob Knight, regulations, state of the market, HCPs and more!
Day 2 of the IPA World Congress + Probiota Americas starts with an opening keynote from renowned microbiome research Prof. Rob Knight and finishes with a panel discussion around the healthcare practitioner opportunity. The event is less than a week away...

IPAWC + Probiota Americas 2024: Women’s Health and prebiotics headline Day 1
The IPA World Congress + Probiota Americas is less than a week away. Don’t wait to register your attendance for this world-class program in Salt Lake City!

Aker BioMarine capitalizes on krill oil know-how, expands into algae
Aker BioMarine, the world’s largest krill oil supplier for supplements, aquaculture and pet food, is diversifying into algae oil to prepare for a supply-and-demand squeeze in the omega-3 fish oil space.

Deadline for entry is March 22, 2024!
Got groundbreaking microbiome-related research to shout about? We want to hear from you!
Are you researching the latest state-of-the-art developments related to prebiotic, probiotic, postbiotic and microbiome science relevant to human health, well-being, consumers and industry? If so, we would like to hear from you!

Chr. Hansen review outlines HMO health benefits
In a new systematic review, Chr. Hansen scientists have compiled data from 26 clinical studies on HMOs, concluding there is a wealth of evidence that these are well-tolerated modulators of the gut microbiome providing health benefits.

Study sheds light on disruptions to infant gut microbiome from COVID-19 pandemic
Dramatic environmental changes during the early COVID-19 pandemic have disrupted the development and diversity of the infant gut microbiome, according to data collected from infants living in New York City.

1000 IU daily Vitamin D3 most effective dose in children, study finds
A new randomised controlled trial concludes that 1000 IU of vitamin D3 daily (Mon - Fri) is most efficient in reducing deficiencies within children aged 12 to 30 months old, and pushes for more public recommendations.

Study explores glutathione as biomarker for suicide risk in postpartum women
Glutathione reduced (GSH) may be a potential biomarker or etiologic factor in women 18 months postpartum at moderate to high risk of suicide, according to a team of Brazilian researchers.

Nestlé microbiome breakthrough identifies weaning opportunity: ‘This paves the way for solutions supporting children's growth and development’
Nestlé scientists are among a team that has detected novel gut bacteria present in the transition from infancy to early childhood. The Swiss company tells FoodNavigator it hopes the discovery will advance innovation that supports childhood development...

Specific HMOs linked to infant brain development: Study
Individual human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) may play critical roles in the maturation of gray matter in an infant brain, showing that inclusion of specific HMOs in infant formula could be beneficial, says a new study.

Chr. Hansen receives landmark approvals for HMOs in global markets
Chr. Hansen has received regulatory approval to supply a range of Human Milk Oligosaccharides (HMO) to new and existing global markets, following recent endorsements from Australia and New Zealand last year.

Balchem agrees to acquire vitamin K2 player Kappa Bioscience
New York-based Balchem Corporation has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Norwegian Vitamin K2 supplier Kappa Bioscience AS for approximately US$340 million.

WHO report urges curbs to ‘aggressive’ code-flouting baby formula marketing
Parents and pregnant women around the world are exposed to aggressive marketing for baby formula milk, according to a report launched jointly by the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF.

Vitamin Angels bridges nutritional divide
Following a successful 2021, the nonprofit hopes to continue to expand their reach with the help of donors and partners.

Guest article
Omega-3s in 2021: Strong Demand Despite Logistic Challenges
The omega-3 industry fared well in 2021, which was by no means a guarantee after a roller coaster 2020…

News in Brief
Beneo makes multi-million investment to extend chicory root fibre capacity
Prebiotic ingredient powerhouse Beneo has announced a multi-million euro investment program for the coming years to expand capacity for its prebiotic chicory root fibre production sites in Belgium and Chile.

Probiotic BB-12 beats placebo for improving colic in babies: RCT
Daily administration of the BB-12 probiotic may shorten crying times and improve daily sleeping time in babies with colic, says a new randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

NutraWomen Wednesday: Jessica ter Haar, Scientific Director, IPA
Microbiology expert Jessica ter Haar, PhD, is the scientific director at the International Probiotics Association (IPA). She focuses a lot on helping women achieve their best possible microbial health during every stage of life—a topic that she’s helping...

Iron syrup offers hope for improved compliance and positive outcomes in children
Supplementation with an iron syrup developed especially for children gained a compliance of 92% and improved ferritin levels by 69% in 12 weeks in a clinical trial of iron deficient children.

Probiotic supplements superior to reference drug for colic relief: Study
Supplementing an infant with Bifidobacterium breve CECT7263 may present an “earlier and more robust effect than the reference prescribed drug” for the management of colic, says a new clinical trial.

HMO levels in human milk linked to infant cognitive development: Abbott Study
Levels of two specific human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) are linked with measure of infant cognitive development, says a pilot study led by R&D Abbott Nutrition.

Dutch Medical Food enters global medical foods category with innovative, high quality products
The new company, which is led by Dr Rolf Smeets (a former executive of Danone’s medical food division) and Dr Guru Ramanathan (former Chief Innovation Officer for GNC), aims to make its innovative products accessible in underserved markets.

Prenatal folic acid supplementation may also offer cognitive benefits for children
The importance of folic acid before conception and during the first trimester are well established, but new data from Ireland indicates that maintaining supplementation beyond the first trimester may lead to cognitive performance benefits for the child.

Forging a strategy to tackle double malnutrition burden
As questions over a new nutrition reality lie ahead, the dynamics of the double burden of malnutrition amid this changing nutrition reality are seeking answers.

What’s happening in the HMO space?
DuPont recently announced the launch of a new human milk oligosaccharide (HMO), we take a look at the current understanding around these exciting ingredients.

ESPGHAN makes recommendations for probiotic use in preterm infants
A new position paper explores and identifies the efficacy of probiotic strains for preterm babies.

Prebiotic demand: Beneo invests in capacity expansion for chicory inulin production in Chile
Prebiotic ingredient powerhouse Beneo is committing over €50 million to expand its production facility in Pemuco, Chile as demand continues to grow for the company’s chicory root fibers, inulin and oligofructose.

96% of the globe may have insufficient access by 2100
Could climate change cause DHA omega-3 from oceans to plummet?
Warming oceans may deliver a crushing blow to the production of DHA omega-3 by algae, which would ripple up the food chain and slash the global availability of this critical nutrient by 2100, says a scientific paper. But could rapid advances in plant...

Nestlé focuses on meeting “nutritional needs of Mexicans in all stages of life”
As Swiss nutrition and health company, Nestlé, plans to gear its strategic development and investment efforts towards Mexico, NutraIngredients-LATAM caught up with a spokesperson from Nestlé about what we can expect to see from its cash injection.

Nutritional need "greatly outweighs current resources”, says Cuatro Por Venezuela
Amid the humanitarian crisis in Venezuela, we spoke to Gabriela Rondón, Co-Founder of Cuatro Por Venezuela, about the nutrition and health care needs required to support Venezuelans living both in and out of the country.

Closing data gaps in Peru support nutrition subsidies
A new case study exploring data coverage in Peru highlights how integrating civil registration and vital statistics (CRVS) with identity management systems improve access to nutrition rights and the implementation of better policies.

First speakers announced for IPA World Congress + Probiota Americas
Delegate registration is open for the IPA World Congress + Probiota Americas in Washington DC, with speakers already confirmed covering topics including postbiotics, the changing retail landscape, microbes and the mitochondria, and fermented foods.

What's new in specialized nutrition in 2020?
Specialized nutrition is on the up. Increasingly, consumers are seeking tailored alternatives such as dairy and meat-based options that appeal to consumers with very specific nutritional needs, says Mintel.

Hemoglobin analyzer aims to reduce anemia in developing regions
Medical products manufacturer, EKF Diagnostics, is dedicating efforts to reducing anemia rates in South America through the application of its Hemo Control hemoglobin analyzer.

Global fisheries management is working, study asserts
A new paper asserts that modern fisheries management is succeeding in bolstering abundance in many areas around the world, which is good news for the sustainability of marine omega-3s.

Two drug trial failures not good news for omega-3s sector
The omega-3s sector has endured a bad week with the announcement of the failure of clinical trials of two high profile drugs—one based of fish oil and the other on krill.

BB-12 probiotic strain may help lessen the impact of colic in infants, says study
A new scientific trial suggests that Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BB‐12 may offer relief for infants experiencing colic.

Calls for education on probiotic benefits in Mexico
Health benefits, child-based nutrients, superfoods and organic options dominate the Mexican probiotic supplements market.

Vitamin Angels expands reach to 2 million pregnant women in 2019
The charity helped reached more than 70 million children in about 70 countries, including the US, with the vital nutrients they need as a foundation for good health.

Guest article
New health claims, new science, and steady sales: Why 2019 was a ‘solid’ year for omega-3s
The year 2019 was a solid one for the omega-3 business, with sales remaining steady. In the US, the market was mostly flat, but strong regional growth in the Asia-Pacific region and other emerging markets led to category growth overall.

Chr. Hansen’s probiotic blend supports intestinal health of preterm infants
As natural nutrition ingredient developer, Chr. Hansen, releases its new three-strain probiotic blend, we asked Adam Baker, Senior Manager of Human Health Innovation how the probiotic blend helps to support the health of preterm infants.

Roquette Ventures invests in AP Technologies to develop HMOs for infant nutrition
Nutrition innovation investors, Roquette Ventures, have signed an agreement with bio-venture company, Advanced Protein Technologies, to produce new human breast milk components for food, nutrition and health markets.

Across the Nutra-verse: Studying probiotic impact using an ingestible sensor, Europe lowers red yeast rice contaminant level, and more
It’s been a busy week for the nutra- industry around the world: Stay on top of the global nutra-news with our weekly round-up of key news from across the globe.

Antioxidants linked to younger ‘biological age’ in Brazilian teens
Consumption of foods rich in antioxidants is associated with longer telomeres, reported to be a marker of biological aging, says a new study in Brazilian children and teens.