Allergies & intolerances

The deal comes as part of Holland & Barrett’s plans for major international expansion to make its global franchises bigger than its UK and Ireland core.

1000 Holland & Barrett franchise stores to open in India

By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Health and nutrition retailer Holland & Barrett has secured a £20m (€25.44m) deal with Indian hospital chain Apollo Hospitals, an agreement which will see 1000 franchise stores open across India over the next five years.

“If the last decade was all about ‘Made in China’, the next decade will be all about ‘Made for China’”: UK government. © iStock.com / florencemcginn

Made FOR China: Probiotic firm takes up UK export challenge

By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Welsh probiotic company Cultech will use a free-trade deal to tap into the Chinese market, export ambitions that fall instep with the UK government’s plans to switch from ‘Made in China’ to ‘Made for China’.

Image: iStockPhoto

Could kimchi reduce the risk of eczema?

By Stephen DANIELLS

Increased intakes of fermented foods like kimchi and beer are associated with significantly reduced risks of atopic dermatitis (eczema), says a new study from Korea.

'Allergies in childhood can be the first step of an allergic cascade leading to multiple allergies later in life,' says Nestlé

patent watch

Nestlé files patent for pregnancy probiotic

By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Nestlé has filed a patent for probiotics to be taken during pregnancy and lactation, which it says help reduce the risk of allergies for the infant. 

EFSA rejects probiotic cold claim

EFSA opinion wrap: Pomegranate, carob, coffee rejected. Vitamin D approved

Claim chill: EFSA rejects probiotics for immunity, defecation

By Shane STARLING

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has rejected probiotic dossiers from Canadian firm Lallemand Health Solutions (immunity) and Italian player Synbiotec (defecation) in a batch of opinions published today.

Probiotics are widely recommended by medical bodies in Europe and beyond, the International Yakult Symposium was told

Dispatches from the International Yakult Symposium

No health claims but probiotics remain on medical agenda

By Shane Starling from Berlin

Probiotics are yet to win a health claim in the European Union but they continue to receive backing by various bodies for gastrointestinal issues like diarrhoea.

Hemp is the new superfood for vitamins and omega-3

Not just for hippies: Hemp's rising superfood status

By RJ Whitehead

Bursting with nutrients and boasting an impressive growth rate, the future of hemp seed is bright– but what’s the best way for manufacturers to cash in on a product that is connected – mistakenly but understandably – with an illegal drug?

The company would like to intensify growth in Europe and Asia, it said.

Barentz reveals expansion plans after gaining added funds

By Joyeeta Basu

On the back of a deal with a ‘strong’ equity partner, Barentz International will use the additional funds to accelerate growth in its key markets in Europe, India, China and Asia Pacific, it said.

Protein-free diet may alter immune development: Mice study

Protein-free diet may alter immune development: Mice study

By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Mice fed a protein-free amino acid diet developed immature immune systems and were therefore unable to generate inflammatory and regulatory events like food allergy and oral tolerance, according to research published in the British Journal of Nutrition.

Gut bacteria could predict food allergies

Gut bacteria could predict food allergies

By Niamh Michail

Levels and variety of infant gut bacteria may be used to predict food allergies or asthma, say researchers from the University of Alberta.