Maternal & infant health

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.

BLC launches solution for tailored infant formula as it spots growing personalization trend

22-Jan-2021 By Oliver Morrison

Fats and oils specialist Bunge Loders Croklaan (BLC) has unveiled a new premium lipid ingredient for baby formula which it claims allows manufacturers to get closer than ever before to the gold standard of mother’s milk.

Mechanism outlines breastfeeding role in development of baby immunity

19-Jan-2021 By Will Chu

Breastmilk is likely to play a role in the size and number of new-born immune cells, say researchers, who reveal new insights into how breastfeeding aids in the development of a baby’s immune system.

ASA tells Unilever, your baby wash product does not nourish the skin microbiome

12-Jan-2021 By Will Chu

Unilever’s Baby Dove wash and lotion has fallen foul of guidelines set by the UK’s ad watchdog, which ruled the product does not benefit the skin microbiome, unless proof can be presented.

Synbiotic strategy: Probiotic and prebiotic supplementation may reduce mortality in pre-term infants – Australian meta-analysis

07-Jan-2021 By Gary Scattergood

Probiotic and prebiotic supplementation may reduce the mortality rate of pre-term infants if given in their first few months of life, an Australian meta-analysis has found.

Babies of color at highest risk of Vitamin D deficiency: Study

05-Jan-2021 By Danielle Masterson

Vitamin D deficiency isn’t colorblind, according to a new study that highlights the need for providers to pay closer attention to certain groups.

NutraVideo: Attorney Nair on the reasonable consumer

04-Jan-2021 By Danielle Masterson

So-called 'transition' or toddler formulas allegedly trick parents into thinking these products adhere to the same standards as infant formula, according to three separate but nearly identical class action lawsuits.

Mechanism may explain diet-HMO role in enhancing milk benefits for baby

22-Dec-2020 By Will Chu

Researchers have detailed the possible mechanism the mother's diet triggers in which human milk oligosaccharides (HMO) are shaped to boost the health benefits of maternal milk for the baby.

ANSES advises care in taking essential oil-containing food supplements

21-Dec-2020 By Will Chu

French authorities have highlighted the need to take precautions when taking food supplements containing tea tree, niaouli and cajeput essential oils, citing risks to children, pregnant or breastfeeding women resulting from their misuse.

Enriched infant formula linked to fewer behavioral problems in toddlers: Study

18-Dec-2020 By Stephen Daniells

Infant formula enriched with milk fat globule membrane, omega-3 fatty acids, and synbiotics may lead to fewer behavioral problems up to 2.5 years of age, says a study from Spain.

NEWS IN BRIEF

FrieslandCampina plants cease nutrition powder production as part of firm shake-up

10-Dec-2020 By Will Chu

FrieslandCampina are to discontinue the production of several powder products used in infant nutrition, medical nutrition and sports nutrition at its Dutch plants as part of the firm’s transformation strategy.

Bacillus subtilis DE111 modifies gut microbiome in preschool-aged children: Study

03-Dec-2020 By Danielle Masterson

Growing research suggests that modulations in gut microbiota play an important role in inflammation and immunity, highlighting the importance of probiotics and their ability to promote a healthy microbiome.

NEWS IN BRIEF

IADSA resource highlights iron supplement use to tackle anaemia

02-Dec-2020 By Will Chu

The International Alliance of Dietary Food Supplement Associations (IADSA) makes available an information resource that highlights iron supplementation as key to reducing anaemia among women

Swapping out meat and dairy for soy poses possible health risk for kids

01-Dec-2020 By Flora Southey

Researchers in Denmark cannot rule out the potential for health risk if meat and dairy products are replaced with soy-based alternatives in children’s diets.

Probiota Champions: In conversation with Prof Gregor Reid

01-Dec-2020 By Stephen Daniells

From leading the FAO/WHO working group on Probiotics to his pioneering work in Africa, Prof Gregor Reid’s impact on the probiotics, prebiotics, and microbiome fields is immense. We caught up with him to hear his stories, opinions, and thoughts on what’s...

Unilever to acquire supplement manufacturer SmartyPants

30-Nov-2020 By Hank Schultz

Unilever announced it has signed an agreement to acquire fast growing supplement manufacturer SmartyPants Vitamins.

Study measuring omega-3 in pregnancy sets reference values for first time

30-Nov-2020 By Will Chu

In a new study, researchers have for the first time been able to establish reference values for omega-3 in pregnant women from a large sample of the population.

Arla cuts greenhouse gases in infant formula production

26-Nov-2020 By Nikki Hancocks

Arla Foods Ingredients is investing in its dry blend lactose production capacity to help infant formula manufacturers cut emissions by up to 25%.

Maternal vitamin D status may affect preeclampsia: Study

12-Nov-2020 By Danielle Masterson

New research suggests preeclampsia-related gene expression in the placenta may correlate with vitamin D status during pregnancy.

Growth Asia 2020

Allergies, immunity, and digestive health fuelling infant nutrition R&D – Growth Asia 2020 expert panel

10-Nov-2020 By Tingmin Koe

Tackling allergies, improving digestion and aiding immunity are the key pillars for infant nutrition product innovation, says a group of expert panellists from major brand names such as Biostime, Morinaga, and Nuchev.

As infant gut develops, microbial strains form individualized patterns of stability: Study

05-Nov-2020 By Danielle Masterson

Two researchers from the University of Alabama at Birmingham have spent the last three years using the microbiome ‘fingerprint’ technique -- a method that harnesses the power of genomic tools and supercomputers to identify individual strains within a...

Study shows maternal vitamin D linked to child IQ, finds disparities among black women

03-Nov-2020 By Danielle Masterson

A new study found that a mother’s vitamin D level during pregnancy is associated with their children's IQ — suggesting that higher vitamin D levels in pregnancy may lead to greater childhood IQ scores. The study also revealed significantly lower...

Bayer campaign puts nutrition’s role in baby development at forefront

03-Nov-2020 By Will Chu

Bayer has launched a campaign to better educate parents on nutrition’s role in baby development as a recent survey finds 60% did not know nutrition impacts baby growth and development during pregnancy.

Morinaga Milk expanding lactoferrin production capacity through German subsidiary

29-Oct-2020 By Jim Cornall

Morinaga Milk Industry Co., Ltd. has announced its subsidiary Milei GmbH, which, according to 2019 data from Absolute Reports has the largest share of the global market in terms of production volume of the functional ingredient lactoferrin, will more...

Miscarriage risk: TGA to investigate artemisia species permitted for use in supplements

29-Oct-2020 By Tingmin Koe

The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) will be conducting investigations on 12 artemisia species permitted for use in the country, following scientific reports on how intake of the botanical may lead to miscarriages.

Probiotics stabilized preemies’ guts, tamped down problem species, study shows

28-Oct-2020 By Hank Schultz

A study done on premature infants gives a picture of how probiotics can beneficially shift the microbiomes of this vulnerable population. It adds to the body of research backing the use of probiotics to assist in the safe development of a healthy digestive...

New research institute aims to advance omega-3 science

27-Oct-2020 By Stephen Daniells

Dr William Harris, renowned fatty acid researcher and co-creator of the Omega-3 Index, has founded a new research institute to help build the evidence linking higher omega-3 levels with better health outcomes.

‘Fascinating’: Probiotics may offer 'clinically significant' benefits for some autistic children

19-Oct-2020 By Stephen Daniells

A specific combination of eight probiotic strains may positively impact behavioral profiles in some children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), says a new study from Italy.

First study of its kind explores potential of probiotic + prebiotic to ease constipation in kids with cerebral palsy

07-Oct-2020 By Stephen Daniells

A combination of a probiotic plus a prebiotic may easy constipation measures in children with cerebral palsy (CP), a group that suffers from a high prevalence of constipation, says a new study from Mexico.

C-section’s toll on gut bacteria prompt scientists to restore infant microbes

05-Oct-2020 By Danielle Masterson

The events surrounding a baby’s entrance into the world could have profound implications on the rest of their lives, new research published in the journal Gastroenterology suggests.

Recall round-up: CBD oil, infant formula & salmon oil + vit D3 supplement

25-Sep-2020 By Will Chu

After the Summer recess, NutraIngredients returns for its monthly recall round-up, where September brings news of food alerts involving CBD oils, children’s food supplements and fish oil-based capsules.

Chr. Hansen adds Jennewein HMO expertise to microbial platform in €310m deal

24-Sep-2020 By Will Chu

Chr. Hansen is to acquire Jennewein Biotechnologie for €310m in a deal designed to merge the bioscience firm’s probiotic interests with the gains Jennewein have made in the Human Milk Oligosaccharides (HMO) market.

Biosearch Life awarded first organic probiotic certification

23-Sep-2020 By Will Chu

Biosearch Life is to receive an organic certification for its Lactobacillus fermentum CECT5716 LC40, a probiotic strain that exhibits a protective role against respiratory infections in infants.

Iodine supplements needed to boost low levels in women post-pregnancy: Study

15-Sep-2020 By Will Chu

Iodine status in pregnant and post-partum women is insufficient according to a new Norwegian study, which reveals it takes around 18 months before levels reach adequate levels achieved in pregnancy.

FrieslandCampina increases lactoferrin production in response to infant formula demand

10-Sep-2020 By Will Chu

FrieslandCampina Ingredients is to increase its lactoferrin production capacity in the Netherlands to meet rising demand in its early life nutrition and adult nutrition segments.

Nestlé report owns up to breast milk substitute marketing shortcomings

01-Sep-2020 By Will Chu

Nestlé is to re-examine its policy and procedures regarding the marketing of breastmilk substitutes after a 2019 internal report identifies 107 instances of non-compliance.

Probiotics help preterm babies establish a 'normal' microbiome: Study

27-Aug-2020 By Danielle Masterson

Specific strains of probiotic Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus bacteria given to preterm babies in combination with breast milk may help to build microbial populations and gut health that mirror those of full-term babies, suggests data from the Baby-Associated...

Immunity products and China sales a major boost for Swisse-owner H&H as ANZ revenue plunges by a third

26-Aug-2020 By Tingmin Koe

Swisse and Biostime owner Health and Happiness (H&H) Group saw demand for immunity products surge, especially in China, as it announced an 8.9% increase in net profit in the first half of this year, despite seeing revenues in Australia and New Zealand...

Over a third of infants have inadequate vitamin D levels at three months, study finds

26-Aug-2020 By Will Chu

Norwegian scientists looking at vitamin D levels in mothers and children during pregnancy, and up to six months after birth, have found over 30% of infants had inadequate levels of the vitamin at three months of age.

Conagen develops non-GMO version of HMOs for infant formula: ‘Our new process is much more efficient’

21-Aug-2020 By Elaine Watson

Boston-based biotech firm Conagen says it has come up with a novel and proprietary process for the scalable production of a non-GMO version of 2’-fucosyllactose (2’FL), a human milk oligosaccharide (HMO) found in human breastmilk that is becoming a sought-after...

Green tea extract-based film may reduce norovirus infection on prepared foods

18-Aug-2020 By Will Chu

Edible films enriched with a Green Tea Extract (GTE) have the potential to reduce both foodborne viruses and bacteria according to a team of US researchers.

Grain fermentation can produce a cost-effective, vegan alternative to B12 fortification

10-Aug-2020 By Oliver Morrison

Grains fermented with Propionibacterium freudenreichii – the bacteria usually used as a ripening culture in Swiss-type cheese -- have enough vitamin B12 to be nutritionally significant and could potentially be cheaper than fortification, according to...

FSAI’s safe nutrient intake guide clarifies, “what is expected of food businesses”

10-Aug-2020 By Will Chu

The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) makes available guidelines for the food industry that help ensure consumers do not consume harmful levels of vitamins and minerals in food supplements.

WHO cites ‘negligible’ breastfeeding-coronavirus link as benefits reiterated

07-Aug-2020 By Will Chu

The chances of babies contracting coronavirus from breastfeeding are ‘negligible,’ the World Health Organization (WHO) says as it calls for more support for this feeding method as a first line approach.

Guest article

New Dietary Ingredients: Will FDA protect consumers from pirates and piggybackers?

05-Aug-2020 By Steve Mister, President & CEO, Council for Responsible Nutrition

Why is it so hard to get FDA to enforce the law when it comes to NDIs?

Danone China’s Aptamil range banks on new HMO, A2 formulas for further success

04-Aug-2020 By Tingmin Koe

Danone China has launched two new products for its Aptamil Essensis 3 range, including an A2 milk and a formula said to contain the highest level of human oligosaccharides (HMOs) across the firm’s entire early life nutrition portfolio.

Infant formula NPD insights? Maeil Dairies supported-study highlights vitamin B12, K, and D lacking in breastmilk

29-Jul-2020 By Tingmin Koe

Vitamin B12, K, and D are found in insufficient amount in breast milk amongst mothers from China, South Korea, Vietnam, and Pakistan, a study has found.

‘For those saying there are no clinical trials to support probiotics, have a seat’ – IPA Chief

27-Jul-2020 By Stephen Daniells

There are over 1,600 human clinical trials on probiotics listed in ClinicalTrials.gov and the WHO’s trial database, according to a new analysis that seeks to address the misconception that there is no human data around probiotics.

Polyphenol & omega-3 supplement may boost brain health in young kids: Study

24-Jul-2020 By Will Chu

A supplement containing cocoa polyphenols and omega 3 oils may have sizable benefits for children as noted improvements to brain function and nutritional status could tackle childhood undernutrition.

New patent for NZMP infant nutrition ingredients allows cognitive development claims

20-Jul-2020 By Jim Cornall

NZMP, the global dairy ingredients brand of Fonterra, has announced a European patent has been granted allowing NZMP customers the ability to position their products as beneficial for cognitive development.