Maternal & infant health

Zita West: Fertility supplement bundles aim to ease rising concern among couples

16-Apr-2024 By Olivia Haslam

Fertility support needs comprehensive nutrition solutions, says a midwife turned entrepreneur who sells supplement bundles to support couples on their conception journey.

Prenatal folic acid supplementation linked to lower birth defect risk: China study

08-Apr-2024 By Cheryl Marie Tay

Supplementing with folic acid during pregnancy could lead to a reduced risk of birth defects, say researchers in China.

Arla’s low-protein infant formula offers results similar to breast milk feeding

04-Apr-2024 By Olivia Haslam

Infants fed low-protein formulas can achieve weight gain and metabolic profiles closer to that of breastfed infants, Arla Foods Ingredients-funded research has concluded.

Persistent vitamin D deficiency common in breastfed infants: HK study reveals urgency for policy intervention

04-Apr-2024 By Cheryl Marie Tay

Exclusively breastfed infants in Hong Kong have a tendency to suffer from persistent vitamin D deficiency, necessitating urgent policy intervention to address the issue, say local researchers.

Fucosyllactose prebiotic may protect intestines from injury: Mouse data

28-Mar-2024 By Stephen Daniells

Supplementation with human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) in adulthood may balance the gut microbiome and prevent intestinal inflammation, says a new study that sheds light on the potential mechanisms of action of HMOs.

Danone, Nestlé, Kraft Heinz baby food ‘unfit for promotion’: ATNI

27-Mar-2024 By Flora Southey

In fact, none of the 1,297 complementary foods tested from six companies were up to scratch, according to the Access to Nutrition Initiative. The food makers disagree.

‘A significant breakthrough’: Researchers develop human milk fat analog from microalgae

25-Mar-2024 By Asia Sherman

Biotechnology company Checkerspot has reproduced an essential human milk fat by fermenting microalgae at scale for the development of infant formula that replicates the nutritional benefits of breastfeeding.

Behind FrieslandCampina’s foray into lab made lactoferrin

21-Mar-2024 By Flora Southey

FrieslandCampina Ingredients is expanding its precision fermentation focus beyond HMOs. But will parents be open to feeding their babies precision fermentation-derived dairy?

Aker BioMarine capitalizes on krill oil know-how, expands into algae

21-Mar-2024 By Asia Sherman

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.

Prebiotics boost beneficial bacteria for pregnant women and infants, conferring long-term benefits

19-Mar-2024 By Claudia Adrien

Women who were given prebiotic fiber-based dietary supplements during pregnancy and lactation experienced an increase in beneficial bacteria for themselves and their infants, according to a study in Clinical Nutrition.

Lutein and zeaxanthin during pregnancy may benefit child development

18-Mar-2024 By Olivia DeSmit

Maternal consumption of lutein and zeaxanthin carotenoids may improve offspring language and cognitive development in early childhood, according to a study led by City University of New York and SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University researchers.

How BoobyBiome is unlocking the mysterious breast milk biome

05-Mar-2024 By Nikki Hancocks

Doctors Lydia Mapstone, Sioned Fôn Jones and Tara O'Driscoll founded Boobybiome in 2019 on a mission to better preserve beneficial breast milk bacteria and develop synbiotic supplements to support the infant microbiome.

Nestlé Research: Supporting infant microbiome development without compromising gut ecology

29-Feb-2024 By Olivia Haslam

The ‘ecology of strains’ is imperative to consider in the research of the infant microbiome, as not all Bifidobacterium strains work equally, Dr. Bernard Berger, R&D expert microbiome and probiotics at Nestlé Research told NutraIngredients.

‘One and done’ synergistic supplements brand shares key to success

27-Feb-2024 By Olivia Haslam

Perfecting format and developing a product range to meet the needs of the whole family has been the secret to success for Irish powdered supplement company Revive Active.

Personalized prenatal iron supplementation is crucial, researchers state

14-Feb-2024 By Olivia Haslam

“It is crucial to adjust the prenatal iron supplementation to each pregnant woman’s needs,” as risks are run for the infant both in over and under-dosing, new research has concluded.

Industry gears up to celebrate Global Omega-3 Day

12-Feb-2024 By Nikki Hancocks

The Global Organization for EPA and DHA Omega-3s (GOED) is inviting members of the industry to celebrate this year's Global Omega-3 Day on March 3 to continue the impressive uptick in awareness created this time last year.

NutraCast: Remaining selective in sourcing amid limited fish oil supply

09-Feb-2024 By Danielle Masterson

From limited supply to the need for more consumer education, the fish oil industry is facing a number of challenges. However, there are still a lot of opportunities in and outside of the sea. This episode examines the state of the fish oil market and...

‘Quality over quantity’: Nutrition consumers prioritising value and efficacy – Nutiani data

07-Feb-2024 By Hui Ling Dang

Consumers coping with rising costs of living are showing a distinct preference for value-for-money products that not only come with an accessible price tag, but are also backed by science and multifunctional, according to latest data from Fonterra-owned...

NutraIngredients Awards: Entries closing Feb 5

01-Feb-2024 By Nikki Hancocks

There's still some time to enter the prestigious NutraIngredients Awards but hurry! The entry deadline is Monday, Feb 5.

GOED omega-3 testing shows 'incredible' quality compliance, but EC hydrocarbon limits will be 'real challenge for sector'

29-Jan-2024 By Nikki Hancocks

GOED member products are performing extremely well on label claim compliance, oxidative quality and most contaminants, but there is cause for concern as the European Commission looks to enforce a limit on hydrocarbons that the industry find notoriously...

NutraIngredients Awards 2024: What the judges are looking for

26-Jan-2024 By Nikki Hancocks

The NutraIngredients Awards are back for 2024 and celebrating a decade of honouring the best and brightest in the industry, but what are our judges looking for?

Higher vitamin D3 supplementation improves pregnancy outcomes in overweight/obese women – Singapore RCT

25-Jan-2024 By Hazel Tang

A higher dose of vitamin D supplementation effectively helps prevent deficiencies that are linked to adverse health outcomes in pregnant women including pre-eclampsia, preterm birth, and low birth weight.

Research reveals potential role of microbiome in fertility

22-Jan-2024 By Olivia Brown

The dominance of bacteria Lactobacillus spp. in the female reproductive tract is associated with improved pregnancy outcomes while vaginal and endometrial dysbiosis may reduce the chances of successful embryonic implantation, according to a new review.

UK supermarkets match Danone’s Aptamil baby formula price cuts

19-Jan-2024 By Olivia Brown

Following a recent investigation into soaring infant formula prices, global food company Danone has reduced the wholesale price of its Aptamil infant formula by 7%, and major UK retailers have passed the cost savings on to consumers.

Top reasons to enter the NutraIngredients Awards!

17-Jan-2024 By Nikki Hancocks

The NutraIngredients Awards are back for 2024 and celebrating a decade of honouring the best and brightest in the nutraceuticals industry

HMOs update: FSANZ approves dsm-firmenich’s 2’-FL and three other HMOs for use in infant formulas

17-Jan-2024 By Tingmin Koe

Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) has approved dsm-firmenich’s four human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs), including the mixture of 2’-fucosyllactose (2’-FL) and difucosyllactose (DFL), for use in infant formula products.

Enter now! Join the 10th anniversary celebration of the NutraIngredients Awards

10-Jan-2024 By Nikki Hancocks

The NutraIngredients Awards are back with a bang in 2024 as we celebrate our 10th year honouring the best and brightest in ingredients, products, companies, people and projects across the dietary supplements industry.

NMN for infants: Meiji study suggests this could be ‘important nutrient’ for early childhood development

10-Jan-2024 By Tingmin Koe

Nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) is known for its longevity-related health claims, but a new observational study from Meiji claims that a higher concentration of the NMN in breast milk is linked to significantly better motor and communication skills...

Most women lack essential nutrients during preconception: Study

08-Jan-2024 By Olivia Brown

Research conducted by researchers at Southampton University shows that 90% of women during preconception had marginal or low concentrations of one or more of folate, riboflavin, vitamin B12 or vitamin D.

Probiota Day 1: First 1,000 Days & Skin Health

03-Jan-2024 By Stephen Daniells

With just five weeks to go before the start of Probiota in Milan, NutraIngredients previews what attendees can expect each day of this three-day microbiome extravaganza.

Prebiotics boost iron absorption for at-risk infants: RCT

03-Jan-2024 By Stephen Daniells

Adding prebiotic galacto-oligosaccharides/fructo-oligosaccharides (GOS/FOS) to iron-fortified infant cereal may boost absorption of the mineral by 60%, says a new study.

Editorial picks: Our favourite articles of 2023

21-Dec-2023 By Nikki Hancocks, Olivia Brown, Olivia Haslam

After another year speaking to leading experts, digging into the latest science, discovering exciting insights, and delivering the latest scoop, the editorial team at NutraIngredients reminisces over its 2023 highlights.

NI Awards "helped put Pharmako Biotechnologies on the map”

21-Dec-2023 By Nikki Hancocks

With the NutraIngredients Awards celebrating its 10 year anniversary in 2024, we speak to winners from the last decade and find out how their award win has impacted their business.

DHA levels higher in breastfed infants whose mothers ate specific fish

20-Dec-2023 By Claudia Adrien

Lactating mothers who frequently consumed “Blue-back fish” and/or “White fish” had breastfed infants with higher levels of serum docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), an essential n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (LCPUFA). These levels were higher than...

Brightseed gets $1.6 Million Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to support at-risk mothers

19-Dec-2023

AI pioneers Brightseed have received $1.6 million funding from the Gates foundation to identify and validate natural bioactive compounds to improve birth outcomes by supporting undernourished pregnant and lactating women.

‘The greatest event where probiotics players meet to network’: 7 reasons to attend Probiota 2024

15-Dec-2023 By Stephen Daniells

Probiota 2024 is two months away! The leading event for the probiotics, prebiotics, and microbiome community is a must-attend event, and let us tell you why…

dsm-firmenich secures 3-FL HMO market access in Europe

15-Dec-2023 By Nikki Hancocks

dsm-firmenich has secured European market access for its 3-fucosyllactose (3-FL) ingredient, one of the most abundant human milk oligosaccharides (HMO) in human milk.

ImperialOel on innovating within a shifting omega-3 market

14-Dec-2023 By Olivia Brown

The natural lipid ingredient and supplement supplier ImperialOel l says the omega-3 market is in a transition phase due to high prices and severe fish oil shortages, creating a strong demand for sustainable alternatives to meet the health needs of the...

Higher second trimester iron and vitamin D levels minimize depression symptoms later in pregnancy

13-Dec-2023 By Claudia Adrien

Getting enough iron and vitamin D during the second trimester of pregnancy was related to less maternal depression symptoms during the third trimester, according to a study published in the Journal of Nutrition.

UK competition authority to investigate infant formula market

05-Dec-2023 By Teodora Lyubomirova

The competition watchdog will examine what influences consumer choice and what barriers exist for manufacturers to enter the ‘high concentrated’ market.

Industry responds to revised standards for follow-up formula

04-Dec-2023 By Olivia Brown

The industry has celebrated the revision of the Codex Standard for Follow-up Formula which brings tighter standards into place, but a baby milk action group questions the allowance of additives and sweet flavours.

Vitamin D deficiency increases risk of preterm birth among Black women

28-Nov-2023 By Claudia Adrien

A 'sunshine vitamin' deficiency among pregnant Black women is a significant predictor of preterm birth (PTB), as compared to non-Hispanic white women, according to research which appeared in Nutrients.

‘We are open and looking wide’: Senior VP of Valio R&D talks market opportunities and empowering small-batch infant formula makers

21-Nov-2023 By Teodora Lyubomirova

DairyReporter speaks to Harri Kallioinen, senior vice-president of the R&D arm of Finnish dairy group Valio, on the company's new dry blend-optimized solution and what market opportunities exist beyond the realms of infant nutrition.

Prenatal vitamin D may reduce child’s asthma risk: Harvard study

20-Nov-2023 By Stephen Daniells

High-dose vitamin D during pregnancy may significantly reduce asthma in the offspring at both age three and six, compared to a standard prenatal multivitamin with vitamin D, says a new study.

WHO infant feeding guidelines "contradict well-established medical advice"

20-Nov-2023 By Nikki Hancocks

Specialised Nutrition Europe (SNE) vehemently argues newly released WHO Guidelines stating infant formula is associated with child morbidity and mortality risks and that infants younger than 12 months can be fed animal milk.

The NutraIngredients Awards celebrate a decade of industry honours

16-Nov-2023 By Nikki Hancocks

The NutraIngredients Awards will be back with a bang in 2024 as we celebrate our 10th year honouring the best and brightest in ingredients, products, companies, people, and projects across the dietary supplements industry.

IPA chief on broader scope: ‘We want to bring clarity to a complex world’

06-Nov-2023 By Stephen Daniells

The IPA’s decision to expand beyond probiotics and cover prebiotics, synbiotics, and postbiotics, but despite the broader scope and a new logo, the association will not be changing its name.

Growth Asia Summit 2023

Don’t just look at folic acid: Vitamin B12 insufficiency linked with higher risk of gestational diabetes

06-Nov-2023 By Tingmin Koe

Prenatal nutrition supplement should look beyond the importance of folic acid, as insufficiency in other micronutrients such as vitamin B12, is linked with a higher risk of gestational diabetes, a clinical researcher pointed at the Growth Asia Summit.

NutraWomen Wednesday: Lindsay Dahl, Chief Impact Officer, Ritual

01-Nov-2023 By Danielle Masterson

Clean living expert Lindsay Dahl has been working at the forefront of environmental health campaigns to eliminate toxic chemicals in consumer products through policy and market shifts since 2004.