Maternal & infant health

Inbiose applies for FDA GRAS approval of four new fermentation-produced HMOs

06-Jul-2021 By Jim Cornall

Belgian biotech company Inbiose, which develops human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs), has submitted its application for a Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) approval by the US Food & Drug Administration (FDA) of four HMOs.

Formula for success? More children and student formulas launched in China amid shrinking birth rates

05-Jul-2021 By Tingmin Koe

Milk formulas for children and young teens are gaining traction in China, with both local and foreign companies rushing to compete in this emerging market.

Danone tops responsible marketing list, but pressure grows on firms to do more

23-Jun-2021 By Will Chu

The Access to Nutrition Initiative (ATNI) has announced that Danone has topped the 2021 list of Breast Milk Substitute (BMS) makers, scoring highly on its approach to responsible marketing.

A baby's gut microbiota may forecast future obesity

22-Jun-2021 By Danielle Masterson

By looking at the gut bacteria of babies and their body mass index, researchers found that the bacteria in a baby's gut may play a role in future weight problems.

NEWS IN BRIEF

DSM upgrades premix manufacturing facility in Poland

22-Jun-2021 By Will Chu

Global food and nutritional ingredients supplier DSM continues to make substantial investment in Eastern Europe with the opening of its new extended manufacturing facility in Poland.

Study unlocks how key bacterium trains infant immune system

18-Jun-2021 By Stephen Daniells

Bifidobacterium infantis EVC001 may influence immune system development in infants, says a new study from Evolve BioSystems that highlights the potential to reduce the risk of allergic and autoimmune conditions later in life.

EFSA: ‘No link between Nestlé infant formula consumption and reduced dermatitis risk’

18-Jun-2021 By Will Chu

The European Food and Safety Authority (EFSA) has rejected claims a peptide blend included in infant formula could reduce the risk of developing atopic dermatitis.

Mother’s prenatal gut microbiota may predict child behavior: Study

10-Jun-2021 By Stephen Daniells

Increased diversity of a mother’s gut microbiota during the third trimester of pregnancy may influence a child’s brain development and behavior, says a new study from Australia.

EC approves Chr. Hansen’s alternative microbial source for HMO production

08-Jun-2021 By Will Chu

Chr. Hansen has received European Commission (EC) approval to produce a novel prebiotic used in infant formula from a new microbial source, in an application that further drives the products’ premiumisation.

New launches tap into green and organic trends

07-Jun-2021 By Nikki Hancocks

Recent launches in the health and nutrition space include an organic demineralised whey for infant formula, a microencapsulated oat powder for sports drinks, and a green re-brand for probiotics.

WHO & UNICEF: ‘Take action to protect benefits of breastfeeding’

24-May-2021 By Will Chu

UNICEF and the World Health Organisation (WHO) have reminded the healthcare community of the work needed in order to protect and promote the ‘incomparable’ benefits of breastfeeding.

Danone Nutricia Campus makes nutrition and COVID-19 a focus with digital platform

24-May-2021 By Will Chu

Danone Nutricia is to make available the latest nutritional clinical research and insights as part of a new digital resource and training platform that is aimed at healthcare professionals.

Double protection: Novel microparticles and encapsulation protect lactoferrin from gastric digestion

19-May-2021 By Tingmin Koe

The use of a new type of highly porous microparticle and an encapsulation technology simultaneously has shown to increase the loading capacity of capsules for lactoferrin by more than 30 times, a group of researchers has found.

Chr. Hansen and Nestlé settle HMO patent litigation

17-May-2021 By Will Chu

Chr. Hansen and Nestlé have settled a legal dispute involving alleged infringements on Human Milk Oligosaccharide (HMO) patents arising from October 2020’s acquisition of Jennewein Biotechnologie.

2021 NutraIngredients Awards: Winners announced!

13-May-2021 By Nikki Hancocks

The winners of the hotly contended 2021 NutraIngredients Awards were revealed in an online awards ceremony yesterday (May 12).

Today! Find out the winners of 2021's NutraIngredients Awards

07-May-2021 By Nikki Hancocks

The 2021 NutraIngredients Award winners are to be announced in a live-stream broadcast ceremony taking place today, at 4pm CET (3pm BST).

Bovine Colostrum promising for Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO): Study

06-May-2021 By Danielle Masterson

New research points to bovine colostrum as a favorable solution to strengthening gut wall lining.

Sophie's Bionutrients develops world's first dairy-free micro-algae based milk alternative

04-May-2021 By Jim Cornall

Sophie's Bionutrients, a Singapore-based next-generation sustainable urban food production technology company, announced today that it had developed the world's first-ever micro-algae-based milk that promises to eliminate allergies making it...

Prebiotic carbohydrate may reduce infant infection duration, says Beneo

04-May-2021 By Will Chu

Supplementation with a prebiotic carbohydrate during the first year of life may reduce the duration of infections, further emphasising the link between the gut microbiome and immune function.

Baby's first poo helps predict immune health and risk of allergy

30-Apr-2021 By Nikki Hancocks

The composition of a baby's first poo, called the meconium, is associated with whether or not a child will develop allergies within their first year of life, according to new research.

France moves to update vitamin and mineral dietary reference values

28-Apr-2021 By Will Chu

French authorities have taken steps to update vitamin and mineral intake for the country’s population, in new recommendations that were last revised back in 2016.

NutraCast: Omega-3 Fatty Acids Expert Bill Harris, PhD

23-Apr-2021 By Danielle Masterson

William Harris, PhD, has been researching fatty acids for over 40 years. To date, he has published more than 300 papers on these nutrients. And recently, he has been ranked in the top 2% of scientists worldwide.

Probiotic Lp299v may help women maintain healthy iron levels during pregnancy

21-Apr-2021 By Stephen Daniells

Supplementation with Lactiplantibacillus plantarum 299v may improve iron levels in healthy pregnant women and help to prevent iron deficiency for this important group, according to a new study from Sweden.

Food supplement found to alter gut in resolving effects of malnutrition

19-Apr-2021 By Will Chu

Research into a food supplement for malnourished children is offering insights into how gut bacteria may affect growth as it appears to ‘repair’ disrupted microbiomes and effectively address the effects of malnutrition.

Hofseth Biocare expands international distribution deal with IMCD

16-Apr-2021 By Stephen Daniells

Norways’s Hofseth BioCare (HBC) has expanded its internation distribution deal for its salmon-derived portfolio of ingredients with IMCD, headquartered in the Netherlands.

Recall round-up: Infant formula, food & fibre supplements

16-Apr-2021 By Will Chu

As 2021 approaches Spring, April sees a number of recalls concerning food and supplements that involve an infant formula product and a fibre-based supplement.

Persona enters kid space with new gummy packs for entire family

15-Apr-2021 By Danielle Masterson

Personalized nutrition subscription company Persona Nutrition is now offering daily gummy vitamin packs for the entire family. The packs target health goals specifically for child, teen and adult wellness.

Iron syrup offers hope for improved compliance and positive outcomes in children

15-Apr-2021 By Nikki Hancocks

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.

NEWS IN BRIEF

Dutch authority publishes nutrition and health claims handbook

13-Apr-2021 By Will Chu

The Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) has made available guidance on how food firms can best display nutrition and health claims on their products according to the latest advice.

Trade group flags infant formula ads as breaching UK codes

08-Apr-2021 By Will Chu

The trade association for the infant formula industry has flagged a number of ads by Kendamil that they believe breach codes restricting the marketing of these foods.

Nutrition group backs breastfeeding advice in 1000 days government report

07-Apr-2021 By Will Chu

The British Specialist Nutrition Association (BSNA) is backing a new Government report into the first 1000 days of life, hailing the right for parents to make personal feeding choices for their children.

Infant neurodevelopment: Higher intake of sn-2 palmitate could improve fine motor skills and increase gut Bifidobacteria – China study

07-Apr-2021 By Guan Yu Lim

Infants given formula containing higher levels of sn-2 palmitate could develop better fine motor skills and increased gut Bifidobacteria, a first-of-its-kind study conducted in China suggests.

Children’s gut microbiota mature along similar trajectories, but at different speeds: Study

06-Apr-2021 By Danielle Masterson

While previous studies have suggested that the microbiota begins to stabilize and evolve toward an adult-like composition two to three years after birth, several bacterial taxa that have been associated with human health are acquired later in childhood...

DHA may offset impact of maternal stress on male embryos: Study

30-Mar-2021 By Danielle Masterson

Growing research suggests that gender plays a key role in disease risk. While depression and anxiety affect females more often, neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism spectrum disorders, early onset schizophrenia, and attention deficit hyperactivity,...

Daily half cup of coffee in pregnancy could impact baby growth, says study

30-Mar-2021 By Nikki Hancocks

Pregnant women who consume the caffeine equivalent of half a cup of coffee a day on average had slightly smaller babies than pregnant women who did not consume caffeinated drinks, according to a study by researchers at the National Institutes of Health...

Study unlocks links between maternal diet and composition, diversity of breast milk microbiota

25-Mar-2021 By Stephen Daniells

A mother’s diet influences the composition and diversity of her breast milk, with knock-on effects to the developing infant's gut microbiota, says a new study from Spain.

Nutrition a possible factor in Covid-19 vaccination efficacy, concludes review

19-Mar-2021 By Will Chu

Researchers have highlighted nutrition as a possible factor influencing the effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccine, as recent news establishes a link between vitamin D levels and an adequate immune response.

Danone launches infant formula in pre-measured tabs

17-Mar-2021 By Nikki Hancocks

Danone has launched a new pre-measured tab format for infant formula developed to make preparing formula milk ultra convenient.

Market check: Folic acid supplements for pregnant women meet requirements

15-Mar-2021 By Nikki Hancocks

A new analysis of folic acid supplements available on the Spanish market for pregnant women has found supplements are consistent with declared dosages and meet legal requirements for stated health claims.

Amazon’s dietary supplement specifications: “These requirements shouldn’t be terribly onerous”

10-Mar-2021 By Stephen Daniells

From the ISO accreditation issue to concerns around “by input”, the new Amazon specifications are sparking a lot of debate within the dietary supplements industry...

Probiotic supplements superior to reference drug for colic relief: Study

01-Mar-2021 By Stephen Daniells

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

25-Feb-2021 By Stephen Daniells

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.

Else Nutrition develops clean processing of ingredients for its infant formula

23-Feb-2021 By Jim Cornall

Israel-based Else Nutrition Holdings Inc., the plant-based baby, toddler and children nutrition company, said it has developed a breakthrough, proprietary process to further ensure the safety of the formula.

Study says probiotic reduces morbidity and mortality risk in preterm babies

23-Feb-2021 By Nikki Hancocks

Probiotic supplementation mitigates microbiome-associated risk of morbidity and mortality in hospitalised preterm infants, according to a new study by Evolve Biosystems.

RCT links omega-3 to healthy fetal growth in overweight mothers

12-Feb-2021 By Nikki Hancocks

Supplementation of omega-3 in overweight pregnant women with low quality diets can lead to improved fetal growth, higher lean mass at birth and longer gestation, researchers say.

Evolve BioSystems gets $55 million investment led by Cargill

10-Feb-2021 By Hank Schultz

Evolve BioSystems has announced $55 million in funding from Cargill and a private equity firm to bring its infant probiotic to market scale.

More than iron and folate: Multi-micronutrient supplementation recommended in Asia for preconception and during pregnancy

10-Feb-2021 By Guan Yu Lim

Researchers are recommending a multi-micronutrient supplementation beyond iron and folate for women of reproductive age, pregnant and lactating, according to an Asian study funded by Bayer South East Asia.

We need to address infant gut deficiency now, researchers warn

01-Feb-2021 By Danielle Masterson

Initially thought to play a limited role, evidence shows the gut microbiome performs essential duties related to digestion and metabolism, immune system development and neurotransmitter production that affect behavior and cognitive function—from the moment...

Research encourages breastfeeding mothers to ramp up zinc and iron intake

28-Jan-2021 By Lynda Searby

A new Polish study indicates that by following a diet that is rich in zinc and iron, breastfeeding mothers produce milk with a higher concentration of these trace minerals.

Early childhood nutrition: Researchers say polar lipids, amino acids, psychobiotics are of “critical importance”

27-Jan-2021 By Tingmin Koe

Polar lipids, specific amino acids, and psychobiotics are of “critical importance” for normal neurodevelopment in young children, aside from the traditionally recognised vitamins and minerals, multinational research has suggested.